Rasmania 102

 In Phil's letter last week, he quoted a talk given in October 2003 entitled To the Women of the Church, by President Gordon B. Hinckley, he said, "“Nothing else you will ever own, no worldly thing you will ever acquire will be worth so much as the love of your children.”  When you reach our age (Roy's and mine),  you realize how true that is.  You are all so important to us, and all we need from you is your love.  I think it's obvious how much love we have for each other when I put this letter together and see all the pictures of us interacting and enjoying each other. This week we celebrated the pioneers coming into the valley.  "This is the place."  Imagine how it must have looked to these early settlers; they'd left homes in green areas of the nations to experience persecution, hunger and other privations--all for their love of the Savior and His gospel.  I am very grateful to them, especially to our own ancestors.  I received an email th...

  We spent a week at the Gorge with some of our family.  Roy had planned another ride for his club (he did one last year) for Friday and Saturday (July 11, 12).  Previous to the ride we had three perfect boating days.  On the third day Roy and I stayed at the cabin because I had an institute class to teach and Roy had chores.  After we finished up with that, we had a peaceful kayak ride in the bay. Speaking of my institute class: this semester I am teaching "Jesus Christ and His Everlasting Gospel" and my students are all from West Africa.  I have found that I have to listen very carefully to understand their comments.  When I can understand them I learn from them.  It's been a great experience so far.   Bevy and Effie eating chips on the boat.  It's an essential boating activity.   Camden and Sara Bevy, Effie, Mav Harvey  Max, Ori, Harvey, Effie, Bevy, Mav, Avie, and Cam  Mav spotted this garter snake which thrilled ...

July 1 Elijah is liking his food--Very Much Sitting with Cub for Adrienne for a few hours to relieve the main babysitter. Adrienne, AJ and Gunnar were in Florida for Gunnar's golf tournament.  He played fabulously, outscoring all the players from the western part of the US. (This picture was before Cub rode his scooter down the stairs and got a small bruise on his eye and lip). July 2 Elise and her four kids arrived in the early morning hours (because of missing their flight in Atlanta) in preparation for a two week vacation; right before Andy moves to Kansas to be deployed.   The first action item: visit Grandpa Verl for his 96th birthday.  His birthday is July 4, but for obvious reasons we went earlier in the week to visit.  We had a good chunk of the family go with us. Great Grandpa Verl, Catharine and Zack The adults: Matt, Crista, Jieun, Dan, Sara, Nick, Roy, Catharine and Elise (and Zack) with Grandpa Verl front and center. The children: Yuli, Camden, Brid...