New Rule for the Cabin! and a Wonderful General Conference Weekend

 The new rule: no driving to the cabin (via Mountain View) after dark.  If you have to drive at night, go the long way through Green River (or drive 35 mph).  We thought we were being vigilent watching the road.  We even made the comment that the Cadillac had such good lights that we could see a long way off the road.  We found out that it's pretty hard to miss a moose that runs right in front of you.  We feel blessed that 1) we weren't seriously hurt; 2) The Cadillac is a huge car; 3) it happed to us instead of any of our children in their smaller vans and SUV's; 4) it was a baby moose (still a huge animal).

We've driven up to Flaming Gorge so many times and we've only ever seen one moose.  Now we've seen two!  Incidentally, the accident took place very close to where we saw the other moose years ago.

This picture was taken the next day when Roy went back to hide the key in the car for the tow truck.
We are hoping to be able to fix the Cad. The bumper is scratched but not dented and the side panels are still intact.  We lost our radiator and what you can see in this picture.

Roy and I went to the gorge to relax, listen to conference and to get a few things ready for winter (such as the trailer).  Thankfully, our trip wasn't ruined.  

We had Thursday and Friday to play before we settled down for conference.  Admittedly, we didn't do much on Thursday because we were still shaken from the accident.  We both had low grade headaches and a few body aches as well.  Roy was able to go fishing with Dana Dixon that evening.  They caught 35 fish between them (but didn't keep any).  

Friday it was nice enough to Kayak.  Carrie Dixon went with us.  We paddled for an hour up to the mouth of the river (seeing many dead salmon there) then went to look at the salmon that were running.  There were hundreds, but we didn't see as many as Roy had seen the previous week.  There were also hundreds of dead ones.  

As usual, conference was amazing and timely.  It was odd to not have a President of the Church for this conference (the first time in 75 years), but everything went on efficiently as the plans for a new prophet are already in place, and in the absense of a prophet, the first presidency has all the keys to run the church.  

President Oaks first gave a tribute to President Nelson.  The first talk (by Gary E. Stevensen) was called "Blessed are the Peacemakers" 

Listening to conference was a balm to my soul as there has been so much violence this past month in our own state.  As I mentioned, Elder Stevenson's talk was timely.  He has us ask ourselves, "Can I truly become a peacemaker when the world is in commotion, my heart is filled with fear, and peace seems so far away?"

He answers, "Yes!  We embrace the words of the Savior: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you...Let not. your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." 

"Today, peacemaking still begins int he most basic place--in our hearts.  Then in homes and families.  As we practice there, peacemaking will spread into our neighborhoods and communities."

There were several other talks that I loved.  Elder Peter Brown's talk was so faith-filled.  It really struck me when he shared how devasted he was when he learned on his mission that there had been a time when his people had been denied the priesthood.  I am amazed by his fervent testimony, especially when it would have been so easy for him to turn his back on the church at that time. I would suggest you read his talk, The Eternal Gift of Testimony This is a quote from it:

Now here is a grand truth: In whatever way a testimony is given—whether it is distilled like the sunrise or comes in a glorious vision—it still requires a choice to receive this precious gift.

Saying “I choose to believe” makes it easier to receive a witness from God. If we find our testimony weakening, remember that it is the choices we make that diminish the power of the testimony. But the testimony has not gone anywhere. We just need to choose to reconnect with it.

Choosing to believe is a wise and powerful way to use our agency...

 If you know, you know. I know that I know. We need more sure witnesses of Jesus Christ and His gospel. Get there! Seek it! It is urgent! This is the final dispensation—the dispensation of the fulness of times.

Another fun moment in conference was searching for Jordan in the choir during the Saturday evening session.  I found him about 3 times.  I also saw his sister Ariana.  I think his other sister, Victoria, was also singing, but I'm not sure since I didn't pick her out of the crowd.

Ollie had a birthday on October 3rd.  We took him and Doyeon out for dinner to celebrate (Doyeon's birthday is on the 19th and they seem to enjoy celebrating together.  Ollie chose PF Chang.  Doyeon didn't like much that was on the menu, but she does love sushi, so that's what she ordered.  After dinner Roy went with Ollie and I went with Doyeon and they picked out their birthday gifts.

We had two evenings at the theater this past week.  Tuesday was Little Shop of Horrors.  We had to see it a 2nd time since Jordan's sister, Ariana, was in the cast opposite to our season ticket night.  We stayed afterwards to say "hi" and got a picture.  Ariana's wearing a wig.

Wednesday we went with Nick and Effie to see Sister Act.  Sara was worried that Effie would be bored, but she loved it.  There were a few mature themes, but you would have had to be an extremely in tune 9 year-old to hear the references let alone understand them.

Catharine, Effie, Roy and Nick at Sister Act

I loved teaching my institute class this week because we were able to spend a good portion of the lesson discussing our favorite conference talks.  It's always uplifting to hear what my students picked up from our leaders.  

After my class (Thursday evening) I joined Roy in babysitting Foster and Elijah while Jennie and Jordan went to see Ariana in her play.

Elise sent some cute (school) pictures of her kids. Beverly, Harvey and Maverick.  She's still trying to deal with the issues of having her husband gone.  The kids are getting a little more used to it, but it's still very hard.  

Saturday, I went with Nan to Ogden to a training for an online institue missionary conference and training.  It was excellent and I left with some new ideas for the next block that starts at the end of the month.  My next class is from the Caribbean.  It is truly a worldwide church.

The bad news of the week is that Ollie was hurt in his football game yesterday.  He's the quarterback and the kids that they played with were big (this is Jr. High), some of them 200-300 lbs.  One of them threw Ollie down.  Adrienne said this boy should have gotten thrown out of the game, but he only received a penalty.  We were told he has a mild concussion, has a headache.  His ribs and neck hurt and he's been dizzy.  We know concussions are nothing to sneeze about as Phil has a couple of grandchildren who have struggled with them.  I think Adrienne probably had at least 3 concussions growing up.

All in all it's been a full two weeks.