Baptism of Maverick Roy Rasband (February 24, 2024)

Last week--after posting the newsletter

Last Sunday evening, we didn't have any plans for Mother's Day and Roy's birthday.  We were being a bit lazy, hoping someone would fix dinner for us.   The problem was, almost all of my children are mother's, too, and they wanted a bit of pampering as well.  Lucky for us, Nick decided to have us over for homemade pizza, and Sara even had a cake.  It was a delicious chiffon cake that she served with strawberries.  We had a great time and we loved spending time with the four children (and the parents, too, of course).

Catharine watching Roy put out the candles with his fingers.  I'm not sure this was a good idea in front of impressionable children.  On the right: Nick, Roy, Camden, Effie, Catharine, Ori and Avi (how did Sara get out of being in a picture?)

Stake Youth Conference coming up next month

For the last several months, we have been planning a youth conference/activity with the YW presidency, the YM presidency and the youth council.  It has been amazing to watch the Lord's hand in this project, testifying to me and others I work with that the Lord cares about the small things in our lives (or maybe this could be a big thing to someone).  We had asked the youth what they would like to do, and after some back and forth we came up with a hike.  We thought it would be fun to hike from Tunnels Park in North Salt Lake, to Ensign Peak.  The original plan was to walk all the way to the Temple, so we started thinking of what was going on at the Salt Lake Temple right now--was there even anything to do or see there?  Well, we have a fairly new high councilman in our stake--and he just happens to be over all of the construction of the Salt Lake Temple--and his HC responsibility just happens to be over the young women (for the ease of writing this letter, I'll call him by his first name, Kirk). We had already begun to talk about making the connection between the Temple's new foundation (See the talk by President Nelson))  and the foundation we need to build our testimonies on.   It has been fun to listen to Kirk's excitement as he talks about the Temple foundation that is being built to withstand even a very intense earthquake.  We already know that being in the Temple protects us spiritually, but now there will be no safer place physically than in the Salt Lake Temple.

We have now begun to watch everything come together.

First, there was the Tabernacle Experience.  Our highcouncilman just happened to be over this project as well.  It was so interesting to see the rendition of the Old Testament Tabernacle and see the differences and similarities between this and our temples today.  Many of our youth signed up to be tour guides for various "stations" in the Tabernacle.  I think I mentioned before that even President Oaks came through the Tabernacle on the day our stake was in charge.  I'm sure it was a humbling experience to be the tour guides for he and his wife.  

When we were invited to participate in that experience, it was suggested that we tie in firesides or youth conference to the event.  We already had our Temple experience planned for June.

A few of the leaders went down to Temple Square to map out what our day will be like.  Kirk took us up to the 9th and 10th floors of the Joseph Smith Memorial building and showed us the construction site.  He pointed  out where the prophet stood when he made the video for his talk in Conference (October 2021).  Then we walked down to street level and walked past viewing areas set up for people to see the construction.  Kirk introduced us to another man who has done several tours of this type and who knows what is going on with all the construction as well as having a testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ.  He can make a presentation for our youth presenting both types of knowledge.

We also made a visit to the trailhead on each side of Ensign peak.  Before we headed to the trailheads, however, we were witnesses to a loud and ugly protest against the Roe vs. Wade decision that was leaked to the press.  It was a stark contrast to all that we have been feeling in preparing for this event.  

Joseph Smith the Prophet (production)

Another spiritual high this week was participating in the production of Joseph Smith The Prophet, a musical presentation composed by Rob Gardner.  It was amazing to be able to hear the songs and words of this production over and over while we practiced and then presented the program.  It was a little bit of a commitment, but worth every minute for the spiritual uplift.  It was also good for me to get my violin out and really practice.  

Friday night Nan and Bruce and their friends the McCabes came and saw the presentation.  Saturday afternoon Crista and Matt came, and Saturday night Adrienne, Nick and his girls, and Dan, Jieun and the four older children attended.  Bruce took a picture of Nan and me and the McCabes, but they didn't send it to me.  

We are approaching the end of the school year, so there are programs, dances and games.  We could go everyday to something and still not be able to cover all the events our grandchilren are involved in, but we went to a few things this week.

Roy, Nick and Camden Campout

Friday night Roy joined Nick and Camden on Camden's first Father's and Son's outing (Nick's first with his own son, as well.)  They went up to East Canyon and Roy said it got pretty cold, but Camden was well prepared and even slept well--only waking up once with cold hands.  Nick tucked his hands down in the sleeping bag and he slept the rest of the night.  He looks pretty happy on his dad's lap.  It was fun for Roy, too, since he was able to catch up with some friends from our old ward (as well as enjoying his son and grandson, of course).

End of Year Sports and Programs

Effie's soccer game (Roy watched this without me.  I had to be to the JS production) 

                  Effie's very good at defense.  She loves to guard the goal.

I took Ila to get dance pictures since Adrienne had about four

conflicts with soccer and baseball with all the kids (including Ila, right after

her pictures were taken).  It was fun to go with her.  She told me

on the way to the dance place: "When I grow up I want to me a mom!"  

I told her that was wonderful.  She then told me she wanted 3 kids.

"Is that all," I asked.  "Well, four...two, no three girls and two boys."  

"That's five," I said.  "Oh well...I guess I'll just have five of each!"

I attended Effie's kindergarten program.  She was so happy to have people watch her sing--especially when they clapped for her.

Dojin's quite the soccer stud, too.  He scored all the goals for his team.  He's pretty good unless he

gets distracted (usually by the pretty girls on his team).

Finn and Ollie both have some real talent when it comes to baseball.  I made it to Ollie's game and was rewarded when he hit a homerun.  He also took a turn at shortstop and then pitched the final two innings.  They won by several points.

As you can see, we had a busy and wonderful week.