Back on American Soil !!

News from abroad is that Will is on his way home! He'll be in CA sometime early next week! I'll post more when I know more!!

Farewell Elder Niven

We spent the day up in Kaysville for Anthony's missionary farewell today, and it was truly wonderful! Not only was it delightful to visit with loved family, kiss a sweet tiny new grand niece,

and enjoy some Italian hospitality, but to witness the wonderful humble testimony of this amazing young man...truly a privilege! At 24 he's waited a bit for the spirit to confirm his missionary call... and now is ready, anxious and eager to be on his way! If you could have heard his sweet humble testimony, and his appreciation to his loving parents... so tender, it was just wonderful!! I've no doubt he will serve well and be a tremendous instrument in the Lord's hands!!

Lily

Recently a friend was commenting on the amazing character of his dog, a German Shepherd Collie mix he saved from a rescue shelter. He told of her intelligence and obedient nature, with a description of their daily walks, without a leash - completely unnecessary as she would never leave his side, even when confronted with other dogs! I was amazed and listened intently, all the while thinking of the wee bunch of dog sleeping under my desk at home...

Lily came to us from a weary neighbor, who found her "free" outside a Petsmart up north. She fulfilled every puppy fantasy and nightmare I might add, and on occasion was left in the laundry room with the door shut! But that was some 6 years ago... and we have grown accustomed to having her here. She still pees when men come over, barks at low and very high flying jets, whines unceasingly when she wants something, be it the neighbors cat passing by outside, waaaaaay over across the street, or your chocolate chip cookie, and many more I dare not number. But she also is gentle with Libby, letting her pat her tummy and patiently obeying when told "Out Leelee!!" She sits quietly uncomplaining when her water and food bowls sit empty hour upon hour. She leaps upon command, shakes and "Dies for her country!!" and walks happily by my side morning after morning... a sweet gentle companion. It wasn't a fluke that we were in a position to take a wee dog in 6 years ago. We fell in love with her from the start.

Sister Tea

This past weekend was the annual sister tea, a lovely weekend spent in the company of sweet sisters, and darling mum and dad, in which we eat scrummy things, chat and eat, laugh, eat some more, enjoy a service project together while eating and those who can spending the night, to awaken to yet again more eating with Dad's treat to Cracker Barrel (Gregg joined us there too!!) This year was wonderful as usual, albeit we missed some of our sisters, BD in CA, Cathy in Texas and Leslie serving in the Omaha Nebraska Mission!

I've included a few photos of the event, which was cleverly displayed and decorated by mum and Stacey on Mary Engelbreit theme...enjoy!!

These potted flowers were the table centerpiece, one for each of us!

The original craft was the sewing of these garden aprons (mainly by mum and Stace), complete with green gardening gloves and pockets for tools etc. if the weather had cooperated, we were to do a wee bit of gardening outside...ah well.. we instead spent the time creating doll clothes for an American Girl type doll to be auctioned for charity... a bathrobe cover-up and silky-lacey PJ's made almost entirely by Deb, and a pair of red trousers and matching flowered shirt!

We enjoyed along with various delightful treats, a heavenly rice/vegetable soup (Stacey has the recipe) and a spring salad with, craisins, sweet nuts, blue cheese, and apples! When we could eat again, we of course did, enjoying NY Cheesecake!

Here are a few of the sewing photos.... mum hard at work above, and below, taking a break from all the eating (haha... actually it was me that did the most eating!!!)

and our two lovely parents!

And lastly, a quick shot of Daddy's office! Complete with some 3,000 Reader's Digest Condensed Soup novels...not really...but nearly that many!! There wont be many trips to the pubic library after unboxing that lot!!