Our Lovely Yard

...so taken care of by Robert Allen Hackworth!

Three Cheers for the gardener!

So beautiful.  Makes my heart happy.

I am so grateful for the world Heavenly Father created.

And, for Allen who continues to beautify our lovely piece of
 property.

Mother Nature Still Keeps Giving...

even amidst the chaos!

I did not take this picture, but saw it on social media.  And loved it.

We went to visit the Huntington's.  I loved seeing this friendship between the horse and the goat.

Friendship; very tender and poignant.

Allen brought these in from our yard.  Can you even imagine how perfect and beautiful!

These last three pictures are from Dorothy Huntington's yard.

The argentine Cactus will only bloom for a couple of days, so we were lucky to get a glimpse of it when we did.

The beauty of God's world is astonishing!

And, I am so grateful.

Sounds I Hardly Ever Hear Lately

Right now, outside my front window are the sounds of teenagers laughing, hanging out, having fun.

It has, literally, been weeks since I've heard these sounds.

(Except for the kids in the house behind our back yard, where the Ivey's live and play.)

But the sound of spontaneous laughter and playing is just not heard these days because we are all in lockdown mode.

So, hearing those kids outside having fun is such a precious sound.

And, I am grateful.

Easter - No Matter What Is Happening In the World!

It was an unusual Easter - this Easter of 2020.

Many churches had on-line services.  Streets were empty.  Churches were vacant.  Pop Francis gave his Easter address to an empty plaza.  Andrea Bocelli sang in the Duomo in Italy, but there were no parishioners.

Our church was held in each individual home where we partook of the Sacrament - in our case, with Allen blessing it.

The world is in a strange place and it feels so empty and lonely. and in some ways, terrifying because of thousands of deaths, lost jobs, lost income, loss of normalcy.

But, of course, we will get thru this.  God is on our side.

And, I am grateful.

Friends and Family on My 76th Birthday

Started early;

Phone call the night before from Travis; we talked for over 45 minutes; he's so easy to talk to.  We each try to beat the other by being the first one to call the other, so this year, he won by calling the night before!

Texts From:

Sayre Hackworth
Carisa Hackworth
Suzette Coombs
Kristi Hackworth
John Ferguson
Cristina Slagle
Dorothy Huntington
Linda Asay
Donna and Bill Simmons
Natasha Gee
Beverly Murdock
Linda Ricks

Phone Calls or Cards or Gifts:

Elaine Barnes - lovely potted roses
Loretta Allam - 2 hand-made dish cloths and a hand vacuum
Janessa - 76th birthday hat
Kristi and Jenni - hot air balloon ride
Gavin and Libby Gee
Preston and Janice Gee - box of Harry &; David
Eunice Merrill
Gardner Gee and family singing happy birthday
Nathaniel and Jeanine Gee

And, best of all:
A family phone call featuring:

Kristi turned on the lights so it had a party atmosphere!  Notice the hats;
Bobby's is a winter one, Kristi's hat is from St George; a Dixie Power Hat....funny.

Landon grabbed a cornucopia from a table and put it on his head.  Oh, I do love this family of ours!

Brent, Jenni, Janessa
Sean, Lisa
Stockton Morgan
Landon, Halsey
Justin & Amy with Eli, Miles, who played the ukulele and sang Happy Birthday, Calder
Jeremy & Carisa
Kristi & Bobby
Jordan
Lucy and Anna, sort of.

The theme was HATS and they all wore some kind of hat.  It was so awesome.

Just before the phone cal, Janessa came over and dropped off this hat.
I wasn't sure why, but it was a thoughtful thing to do.
Then I learned why.  IT's A HAT PARTY!

Best gift EVER, and I AM SO VERY THANKFUL!

A Memorable Conference Weekend

Including one in Shanghai (CHINA!)  Un believable, truly.
Also, on in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.  It's just a miracle!

Very significant conference.

And, of course, added in were all the marvelous, inspiring talks.

And, I am grateful.