Love is in the Air

Halloween Spooks

A New Scouter in the Family

I hardly know what to say except that to my surprise and joy we have a new scouter in the family. Tim spent two weekends this past month at Woodbadge, held at Heber Valley Girls Camp. The thing I admire most is his obedience to counsel and willingness to do something out of his comfort zone. I'm also looking forward to the blessings that will come as a result :)

Fall Fun in Ohio

It was wonderful to visit Lisa and Matt and family for a few days while Tim was at Woodbadge. The fall leaves were absolutely gorgeous and I had so much fun just being with the kids. We went to a fun farm the first day after I arrived. Kimball, Annie and I thought a slide like this down the back of the cabin at Timberlakes would be really fun. What do you think Grandpa?

On Sunday we attended stake conference and visited the Isaac Morley farm. Lisa made a nice dinner and then it was time to leave for the airport. It was over way too fast! I am so proud of Lisa and Matt and all that they are doing to bless the lives of others while going to school in the "mission field." But it is especially heart-warming to watch them in their parent roles and to see first-hand the wonderful job they do as parents to our darling grandchildren.

Later that day, Judy and Hank Dowse sat by me on the plane ride home from Chicago. They were my tender mercy for the day.

Grandma Joan Welch

Today marks the third year since the death of Tim's mom, Joan Evans Welch. She was a very devoted mother and she loved playing the organ in their ward for many years. This picture reminds me of the happier early years of their family where having six rambunctious boys crowded into a small two-bedroom home must have been quite a task. I think of her whenever I make bread or peach pies and I feel grateful for the many years she gathered us at her home every Sunday.

Easy Days Are Behind Us, Difficult Days Ahead (Or maybe I wish I was pulling a handcart....)

We spent a great conference weekend at the cabin with Ben's family, Adam's family, and Aaron's new family which consists now of he and Steph :) It was such an uplifting a informative conference. It was joyful to take turns holding darling babies and entertaining grandkids in between sessions. Before I comment about general conference, here are some words from our regional conference:

President Packer:

He said that the pioneers had it easier; now things are going to be different and much harder. It's a tough world we live in now.

It used to be that every stake president shook the hands of an apostle during the year at some point....now things are much different.

He said that 6 words changed his life: (when he was teaching and impatient with a struggling student)

"What if it was your boy?"

He talked about how angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost. That there are angels of the adversary that follow us around...they try to use the same channels that the angels and Holy Ghost use. But the devil can't MAKE us do anything. As a son or daughter of God we have sovereignty. The adversary can only do what we let him do. We are in charge of our own minds. How do we change if we are struggling?

1) First, you have to want to change (desire)

2) Second you have to know HOW (knowledge)

YOU are in charge.

He ended his talk by invoking a blessing on us to be able to discern the spirit all the days of our lives. I thought it was a powerful meeting. I am so grateful for living prophets and apostles.