The Beautiful Weather in St George, Utah!

Take a look at this.....

Yesterday with the wind chill, it was -50 degrees.

The nation is being hit with a Polar Vortex that is sending temperatures plummeting in the MidWest.

Now, take a look at this beautiful sight.....

It will be 57 degrees and sunny today!  It's just lovely weather.

And, man, am I grateful!

AMERICA!

America is in a mess right now!

It is frightening.

My grandparents wouldn't even recognize it.

My parents would be appalled at people, the anger, the fights, the contention, the divisions, the language, the disrespect of one people towards another; it must be like Sodom and Gomorrah!

HOWEVER, having said all that, when I read books about other countries, I realize that my life in my little town away from all fighting is very wonderful. There is a lot of happiness in our day-to-day lives.

I just started listening to this book yesterday, and like life in so many despotic countries, the everyday lives of the people of North Korea are wretched; filled with fear, hunger, and suffering.

Oh, I am so grateful to live in this wonderful country of AMERICA!

I give great thanks to God for this blessing!

A Sunday With Family

Doug Jacobsen, Bob Brown, Rob Merrill, Allen Hackworth, Kristi Anderton

Rob Merrill, Doug Jacobsen, Eunice Merrill, Bob Brown, Kristi Anderton, Allen Hackworth

Rob and Mary Ann Merrill's family on the occasion of the blessing of their baby boy, Henry Monte.  It will always be memorable because the father, as he stood to give the baby a name had a brain freeze; his father-in-law, Rob had to whisper the name to him...HENRY MONTE.

After the big event, lots of people gathered for a delicious soup and salad luncheon.  It was such a blessing to be there and join in with these happy families.

I realize over and over how much I love the Gospel and its focus on family and love.  This family is such a joyous family too.  Happiness abounds with them.

FRIENDS!

We have some great friends.....

Recently we spent time with two different couples.

And, it's just so fun because the conversation is always lively and spirited, which is always a plus.

Dorothy and Garn Huntington have been our friends for twelve years.  We met them when we first moved to Canyon Cove in the Middleton Ward.  We don't see them a great deal, but it's always fun when we do.  Dorothy is 12 YEARS older than I and she is so sharp!  She is up on technology (altho she did take back her Apple watch because she didn't really see the need of it!).  They walk every day and keep active.  They inspire me.  Garn just went to Iceland for about four days with his daughter, Barbara.  They have some family challenges that are heart-breaking, but I do love these two people.

Bad picture of Mike, but very GOOD folks.  We have known Loretta and Mike since they moved into the ward about three years ago.  We go on Jeep adventures and just enjoy being with them.  Loretta had an horrific childhood, but she has moved past that to become an amazing and forgiving person.  We have a lot of fun together and see each other quite frequently because they live just a little ways away.

I'm so very thankful to Heavenly Father for the friendships of these wonderful people.  It has been a great blessing in our lives to know them and continue to be friends.

Seeing oneself get old has to be one of the most challenging things in life.  I see my wrinkles, double or triple chin.  But, look at Allen; always looking good, forever and ever.

I am grateful!

My Life As It Is Right Now

Yesterday, Allen and I were going over the many blessings we have.

It was overwhelming and humbling.

I realize those blessings come from God.

And, I am so very grateful.

Bowling With Janessa

In the end, the score didn't really matter at all.   (mine was 42!)

What did matter, was the great time we had together in her final days before she moves to Las Vegas.


Oh, it's so fun to spend time with dear Janessa.

And, I am grateful!

GOOD NEWS!

Landon made it into dental school!

First try, but third school interview.

He's so excited; his mom is so excited; his sister is so excited; his dad is so excited, his brothers are so excited;

And, we are so very grateful.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for your many blessings.

I AM GRATEFUL!

INDOOR TOILET

Yeah, yeah, I get it.

Indoor plumbing has been around for a very long time.

But at 4:00 a.m. this morning, I was so grateful that I could just go indoors and not go out in the cold.

I remember my mother telling me experiences she had about going outside.  It was NOT PRETTY OR FUN!

So, I don't think of this a lot.  But, man, am I grateful.

Eyesight and Mobility

Went to the eye doctor....need new glasses because I had cataract surgery.

My left eye is very difficult to see out of for distance....my right eye is much better, so I'm grateful for that eye.

But, I can also move.  Man, what a great blessing to be able to move.

I feel so grateful for these physical blessings.

TWO HOUR CHURCH!

WOO HOO!

Who'd thunk it would ever happen?

Yes, I know that we have a big responsibility to go thru the manual, etc., but that's a good thing too.

So, let's hear it for shortened church time.

Oh, yeah, I am grateful.

OUR CHURCH and Opportunities to Serve

Yesterday I took a name to the temple for an endowment session.

There were some small changes made in the endowment ceremony; nothing major that I could notice, but some slight alterations.  I loved that there were a lot of old people there, but also young couples too.  Our church gives opportunities to serve for people of all ages.  It's wonderful.

This morning, Allen and I went to the temple grounds at 8:00AM to take the lights down.  It was cold, but it went so fast because there were so many people there to help.  There were young kids, adults, and they were chattering and having such a good time.

I was grateful that we could help.

Every section was assigned a specific stake to take down the lights around the temple yard.  Our stake provided donuts and hot chocolate...thank you very much, even though we didn't partake.  But, it was so heartening to see so many people come out to help.  It made the last go very fast!

I'm so grateful for our church; it's such a great way to live and serve.

Being Alive to Welcome 2019

This morning, before the exercise class started, Joy mentioned how glad she was to be UPRIGHT!

Oh, yes, what a blessing .

I feel so grateful for health, being uprights, able to walk, move, enjoy life.

And, speaking of enjoying life, here are a couple of memes to make me smile as the New Year starts....

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for all these many blessings!