Time With Family and Friends

Roy and I took a quick (2 day trip) up to Flaming Gorge to check on things.

My friend, Carrie Dixon, found out we were coming and invited me to her book club. I had even read the book they were discussing (Tress and the Emerald Sea). I met several more ladies that live in the area and we had a great time. Carrie went all out with themed refreshments (the cake had different toppings representing the different seas in the novel; there were mugs filled with various things since Tress had a mug collection, etc.).

We had Dana and Carrie for dinner to our house the following evening and we played games until 10:00. Sometime during the evening, Dana and Roy planned a fishing outing for the morning. Since they were getting up early, we were able to wind down on the games a little early, too.

Roy had badly wanted to take me on a side by side ride on our last morning, but it was windy and cold. Instead, he was able to go fishing with Dana. They got up early and left before 7:00 AM. After 10 minutes of fishing, Dana started to catch fish (see the large trout in the picture). Roy fished on faithfully with his own methods for quite a while, catching nothing. Dana had him change his hook size and his weight. Roy continued on with his own bait which was similar to what Dana was using, but slightly different. Finally, he gave in and asked Dana for some of his bait. As soon as he switched the flavor of the cheese, he started to catch fish. He couldn't believe the fish were so picky. Between them they caught 14 fish and kept 6. Dana cleaned them and told Carrie, his wife, that Roy said she should use them for her compassionate service calling and feed them to some of those ailing in their ward area. Carrie had made four meals to deliver just while we were up there because nearly all the ward was out of town for spring break.

Up at the Gorge: Roy and Dana and their catch.

I had a Water Aerobics Conference Friday and Saturday 8:00 AM-4:00 PM. I was able to learn some new moves and gain AEA credit hours to keep my certification current. We spent about 90 minutes in the class, then 75 minutes in the pool each morning and each afternoon. The water was the most fun, but also exhausting. When we left Flaming Gorge on Thursday, my back was "on fire;" but after taking a muscle relaxant (Thursday and Friday night) and exercising in the pool, my back feels better than it's felt in weeks. It was kind of amazing considering how worried I was about participating in such an extensive workout with the pain I was feeling. Sitting by me in the conference was a friend from Georgia: Rumi Shaw. Rumi and I and Cathy Fowler did Joy School with our children when I first moved to Atlanta. They lived about 40 minutes away from me, but everyone close by already had their children involved and there wasn't room for me. I have to admit I got tired of the drive and quit doing the preschool as soon as a slot came available at Jeri Briem's preschool (another amazing friend from Georgia). Rumi has come to the water workshops every time our facility has hosted them (about every other year) She drives up from the Richmond area. I told her I was surprised to still see her (she's 82). She said that she can't get anyone to take over for her at their facility because they don't pay enough. It sounds like she single-handedly keeps it going. Rumi's son, Anderson, was the child involved in the Joy School. I also taught her daughter, Melia, piano lessons; but I didn't remember that.

Catharine and Rumi, an old friend from Georgia

Foster, at home (before our get together Sunday night).

Yuna sporting a new haircut (saved by the salon after a "not so great cut" by her mom).

Saturday night Roy and I had the privilege of watching three of our grandchildren peform in the play Frozen at their elementary school. It's usually just for 5th and 6th graders, but because Sara volunteered, all three girls were allowed to be involved. Ori was the queen (small part, since she gets lost at sea after the first few minutes), and then part of the chorus. She had a lot of costumes. Effie and Avie were in the chorus; you could tell they loved performing.

Avie

Effie

Ori, the queen (mother of Elsa and Anna in Frozen).
Sara helped her to look very grown up.

After the play: Caitlyn, Grandpa Roy, Ori, Effie, Avie, Camden, Nick and Catharine

Last week I shared a little about our stake conference, but I didn't want to overload everyone with my impressions, so I waited to share a little bit more in this letter. One of our other speakers was Elder Brian Taylor. His message was to simplify. He said at the end one of his meetings with the twelve, he overheard Elder Ballard say, "The older I get, the simpler it all looks." Elder Taylor talked about simplifying and showed a video clip of Sister Holland saying that if there was one thing she would do differently it would be to simplify: Sister Holland: Simplify. The parable of the loaves and fishes shows us that we are "enough" if we just lay what we have before the Lord and willingly offer it to Him.

Sunday night we were able to bask in the joy of family.