Prayers for Dave Cook's great granddaughter; Welcome home Phil and Char

Harvey's school picture.  He's such a handsome four year-old!

Roy and I made another trip up to the Gorge.  This time Roy wanted to set up a Ham radio station in our master closet.  While he was doing that, I went over to Cindy Larsen's and learned some more about quilting with a long arm.  We're both beginners, so I've made mistakes each time.  I'm sure glad I'm not trying to do it to make money!  Everytime we go the scenery is so beautiful.  These deer are always feeding on the top of the ridge at dusk.  This trip there were more buck than we've ever seen (it's the season, apparently).  We saw a huge one (with a wide, four-point rack), but it steered clear so that we couldn't get a picture.

On the left: the Gorge is beautful in any season;  On the right: Roy's ham radio station (and printer)

We saw this buck on our way home from church, but it was nestled nicely in
the shade behind this chain link fence so he was hard to see.  

 

I spent all day Friday with Cindy quilting these two quilts.  I hung them a little sloppily just to get these pictures.  They look pretty good (only I know where the mistakes were made).😉

I had to share these darling pictures of Andy and Elise (it seems I mostly show off my grandkids).  They went to a "Kansas" concert (think: Dust in the Wind).  They said it was awesome.  Elise told me that the violinist ruined 5 bows, he played so enthusiastically.

Jennie tended for Nick and Sara part of the time as they've been away on a cruise, so this picture of Foster was taken at their home.  Jennie gets excited about holidays.  I'm pretty sure Foster doesn't know what she's wearing, just that she's cute.

We tended Cub for 24 hours while Adrienne toured New York after her marathon.  Cub is a happy, busy little boy.  I left Tuesday morning to teach my water class and when I returned, Roy said, "I didn't get any work done!"  (Big surprise).  Cub can get anything he sets his mind to getting.

Happy Birthday to Camden (#4).  For his birthday date we picked him up from his Aunt Mimi.  He told us that his birthday was already over, but he loved the attention and he loved picking out a game and a Duplo set from the Smith's toy section.  He got special treatment when we allowed him to eat his dinner on the blanket in front of the TV.  I hope he doesn't get any permanent ideas about this privilege.  He still seemed a little confused about how old he is now.  

Yesterday (Saturday), we stayed home to get projects done at our Centerville home.  We worked on the garage and got a lot done, but we still have a long way to go.  In the evening we tried out a new taco place that was nothing to write home about.  It was "okay."  

Today (Sunday), we attended Phil and Charlotte's ward to hear their homecoming addresses.  

 Charlotte gave a great talk, mostly sharing stories of the people whom they served in Africa. She said the African people have very little in the way of possessions, but they are very generous. When they would visit they would always be offered something to eat.  Sometimes just a piece of bread or a handful of roasted peanuts, but they wanted to share.  She said that one woman who has been bedridden for nine years (because of being misdiagnosed and given medication she didn't need), is always positive and happy; even when they don't have enough to eat.  She lives with her 18 year-old son and a 7 year-old granddaughter in a small shack.  The granddaughter does all the cooking for her grandma in a shed outside of the home. 

When Lexie and Jeff visited Africa, they went to the site of a man (the branch president) who had obtained some land and was building a home.  He confided to Jeff that he wasn't sure he could keep his wife happy; she wanted an indoor bathroom and electricity.  Jeff said, "My wife wants those things, too."  Later, he confided to Charlotte that he also desires those basic luxuries. 

Mostly because of the many people present and the sacrament taking longer than usual, Phil had very little time for his talk.  He is strict with himself and others about ending meetings on time, and true to form, he spoke for only a few minutes and closed.  Charlotte said that in Africa, the speakers get up and talk on and on until someone gives them a note that says their time is up.  They look at the note, stop mid-sentence, and say, "In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. And then they sit down.  Charlotte said, "Our bishop should have given me a note!"  Phil said that the bishop did tell him they would have him give a fireside talk and finish telling everyone about his experiences.  

Phil had some marvelous pictures of the African children he came into contact with, along with many pictures of wild animals they were able to see there.  We had fun visiting with family members.  The only cousins who attended were Ben, James and Emma, Eliza and her young man, Ryan; Corey Cook, and Emily and Jed Cook.  Tiffany was planning on attending, but her granddaughter was seriously injured in an accident last night.  I'm including a couple of paragraphs from Dave's letter today.  I'm sure he would be appreciative if you all add Tatum to your prayers.

News: This morning at about 9 PM Riley [Tatum's dad] was carrying Tatum

down his stairway and tripped. Tatum was in his arms, and

she hit her head. She had a small bump on her head but

started throwing up. They rushed Tatum to primary

Children's Hospital, where they found that she had a brain-

bleed and was taken in for emergency surgery. The doctors

told the family that it was a 50-50 chance that Tatum would

survive. When they took Tatum the family gathered were left

to worry, which included Riley, Kylie, Riley's mom, Tiffany,

and Troy. Many prayers were given on Tatum's behalf, but

she went in for surgery so quickly that they couldn’t give her

a priesthood blessing. The doctor reported everything went

well in the surgery and that Tatum is expected to recover.

He also told the family Tatum will be in ICU for some time.

This was a terrible accident and there was no abuse or substances involved. Tiffany

reported that there were many miracles this morning. Please take some time and pray for

her and her recovery.

He also added this information about Tatum.  I knew she had some issues at birth, but I didn't know the extent.  I thought you might be interested: 

Tatum was diagnosed early in her life with Deletions in the ZMYND11 gene. It is associated with several clinical features, including speech delay and language disorder, developmental difficulties, motor delay, craniofacial dysmorphism, hypotonia, brain anomalies, seizures, intellectual disability, and behavioral problems. We have never seen behavior problems in our sweet Tatum. She is sweet and loves to be in Great Grandpa’s arms. Well, anyone’s arms that love her. 

Dave ended his letter: "Our Tatum is at Primary Children's Hospital and we are praying for her full recovery.  Our Lord is in the details of our lives and it is only through him we can have peace in our hearts and minds. I know this to be true.

Love,

Dave/Dad/Grandpa"

 

From my heart, I add my testimony to Dave's words.  The Lord is in the details of our lives and as we look for miracles, we will find them.

 Some pictures from the luncheon at Phil and Char's home following the meeting

Eliza and Ryan

Spencer, Camden and his baby girl.  All Phil's sons and grandson's and Phil, too,
were wearing suits and ties purchased on their various visits to Africa.

Emma, Christine and James Christensen

Tristan Nielson

Catharine, Christine, Dave, Phil, Glenn and Nan (6 of the 7 Cook siblings)

We ended a very full Sabbath Day at Adrienne and AJ's where we enjoyed a great dinner.  We had a fun visit, but I told Adrienne to wait and tell me all about her trip to New York when we didn't have so much competition from all the chaos.  You can see that Ila doesn't look happy; she and Finn were wrestling (I guess) and they both hit their heads on the column in the family room.  Cub always gives grandma lots of love!

I love you all!