10/8/23

It's just been one of those Sundays where I'm reminded of the goodness of gathering. Friends that we haven't seen in a while coming to church and having quick friends come to sit with them, young men bearing testimony WITH each other!, love & acceptance to the nursery boy that comes in with stickers all over his face and a minnie mouse doll he won't let go of, a new girl to choir being mentored by another music-loving momma--there's just so much good, and I love how everyone doing a little adds up to overflowing love. Here's the rest of that quote I love from Elder Daines' talk: "To serve in this Church is to stand in the river of God’s love for His children. This Church is a work party of people with picks and shovels trying to help clear the channel for the river of God’s love to reach His children at the end of the row....Grab a pick and shovel and join the team. Help carry His love to His children, and some of it will splash on you." That's what I was feeling today, that we may be muddy and far from perfect or exact, but the water still flows. AND, we're in PERFECT fall this week! The weather is GORGEOUS and the colors are EVERYWHERE--I want to just live outside to soak it up. We had a sweet weekend up in Idaho for Grandma's 80th birthday!! We dropped Anne & Lucy off at Orchestra retreat Friday night, then just took up the car with Jane & Seth to stay w/ G&G. Grandpa & I joined Troy & Kimber + Aunt Lisa/cousins for a beautiful hike near Palisades reservoir--oh, it was SO glorious being outside together, and I loved seeing some of these cousins we've missed out on for a few years! We had a fun party that night with 50's music, fajitas, a ukulele cake, and "tiny hands" before heading home that night. Anne finished off Tennis season (lettering!) with the banquet Thursday, I had pres mtg Monday, and visits throughout the week--including a birthday visit to Diana with my old crowd. Brent and Breely were in Cedar City this weekend for Avery's wedding. Wednesday I ran errands, the last of which I was dreading--trying to get the clasp of my necklace (from Dad on our 25th anniversary!!) fixed, and I just felt out of my element, and sheepish since the chain was all tied in knots from Seth, and I didn't want to have to spend a ton of money. The lady that helped me was SO patient and kind!!!--even to Seth rubbing his fingers all over the glass display windows. She just said how beautiful it was and that it needed to be worn, but when she checked the prices on a clasp replacement, they started at $45, or $70 for what I really needed. I was ready to take it back and just find a new chain online, but the asst manager came over asking what was needed, they both consulted briefly together before she went over to where their chain selection was, got a whole new, nicer chain, ripped off the price tag, and slid the pendant on before handing it to me. NO CHARGE!! The first lady whispered, "That's what I WANTED to do, but she's the one ALLOWED to!" And she steam cleaned the whole thing and put it in a brand new box. I could've CRIED on the way out---I've worn the necklace every day since! Diana invited us over for amazing lasagna tonight, which was wonderful, both in company AND food--we're quite a crowd to have over when she's used to cooking for 2!! Hopefully the weather will hold long enough to get a little more hiking in over fall break at the end of this week. Love you tons! Love, Mom