Mesa, AZ. trip Feb. 18-21

I flew out of Provo for the first time on February 18th, on my way 

to Mesa, AZ to visit Katie and her family.  The purpose of the trip was

 to learn how to index from the best indexer I know.  We also 

visited the Mesa zoo one day. It was chilly just for me while there.

The animals were active and we enjoyed some unusual performances.

Gabe loves an element of impending disaster. 

A large electronic insect collection was on display.

This is a cobra!

The baby Orangutan stole the show.

 

The vegetation was a amazing as the animals.

Katie talked me into riding a camel.  I was glad she did!

I ended up flying home earlier than planned, but it turned out not 

for the reason I thought. Mesa had severe flooding the day after I 

flew out and I was needed to teach R.S. last minute back in Utah.

Valentines 2019

Bethany went all out for Valentine's Day this year.

Hans got his mom a card and flowers.  She got him balloons!

Sarah-Jane got balloons, too.   Bethany gave me this lovely bouquet. 

Our Valentine Date was on February 16th. We had a funeral ( Laurel's father) 

 in the morning and then enjoyed a beach party interpretation of 

Comedy of Errors at BYU.  We browsed the exhibits at the BYU 

art museum and then met Taylor and Amy for Dinner at

 a Thai Restaurant just south of campus.  

I remember this event.  Little Jessica fell down a 4 inch pipe and this was 

her heroic rescue that included businesses & people from all over the nation.

This is a familiar scene from the Oklahoma bombing. 

Raising the flag at Hiroshima. 

Amy enjoying dinner.

San Antonio Trip

Darrel made his first trip to San Antonio to visit Jake, 

Malea and family.  The following represent the good time 

they had the the great host that Jake was.

Jake has become a master at the grill. 

Like Father, like daughter!

Windows in the San Antonio, Texas Temple.

 

These grapefruit were grown in Jake's back yard. 

They were the perfect Valentine for me!

February Miscellaneous

Darrel & I took Lionel &Linda to the HaleTheater to see "The Odd 

Couple."  Their son Jake starred in the show and did a fabulous job.

I experienced a first on February 12th.  I picked up Benita Kennedy 

who was paroled from Prison after 10 years.  Maggie Baum asked 

me to help her as she had no family available.  We met her friend, 

Jamie, for breakfast, did some shopping and then dropped Benita off 

in Nephi to get a ride to Cedar City with Billy and Rusty Baum.  She will 

stay at the Saving Grace Home there.  Her grandparents live in St. George.

Most of the family celebrated The Chinese New Year with Chinese cuisine. 

Malea bought me this new skirt.   Beth and Hans helped with snow removal 

while Grandpa was in Texas visiting Jake, Malea and families. 

One evening for FHE we drove down to Yuba. 

I finally got my front entrance project put together.  I like it! 

On February 2, Sarah hosted a Japanese party with Nathan 

and Natalie for Ben, Amy and Taylor.  The food was excellent, 

but with three missionaries who served in Japan, the 

conversation was even better.

My favorite memories from January 2019.

Favorite Memories from January 2019: Of course my official retirement day was January 1^st.  Retirement didn’t seem real until school started on the 3^rd.   Within days I received a padded envelope with a folder in to.  It announced an almost all expense paid trip to Hawaii compliments of our kids.  I was teary and speechless.  I couldn’t imagine how that could have pulled that off and what a sacrifice it must have been for them to finance such an adventure. Laura has every detail taken care and I can’t wait!  The District honored me at board meeting on January 16^th.  Kim Kenison gave a tribute based on my memories. Several bus drivers were there to support me.  Darrel, Dad, Mary, Kieth and Kent were there as well.  ALL the Mellors came down and brought a beautiful bouquet.  Bethany and the kids were there, too.  Only the Mellors weren’t able to go out to eat at Lisa’s Country Kitchen afterwards. 

Full participation in the church: Ben got home from his mission on January 4^th!  Darrel and I picked him and Amy up at the airport on January 7^th.  Janna flew in and brought Taylor for the winter semester at BYU.   She flew out the day Ben and Amy flew in.  Daniel became one of the first 11 year old deacons in January 6^th and Bradley, Hayden and Caden were all made teachers at age 13 because of the new change in the Church’s youth program this month.  Anna and Angela advanced into the Mia Maids, too  Abby was given a limited use recommend this month and both she and Daniel attended the temple for the first time to do baptisms for the dead.  Darrel and I went through an endowment session as patrons on January 8^th,  for the first time since the changes announced January 1^st.  It was a rich, special experience.  Anything I have ever felt uncomfortable with or had a question about had been refined or removed. It was a beautiful, moving experience.  Our temple shift on the 4^th was so busy that we had to add another session at the end to accommodate all the patrons that evening. I had two initiatory shifts that night, so I became very familiar with the changes there. We were able to experience the changes to the sealing ceremony on January 12^th when we witnesses McKall Kenison sealed to Saxon Wayne Day.   All the new changes are equally inspired and meaningful. I’ve lived long enough to see three adjustments to the temple endowments.  Each one further refines the ordinance and invited a greater portion of the Spirit. 

I went with Linda to the Veteran’s Hospital while Lionel had surgery.  Doctors removed a swollen, enflamed gland in his neck.  It was a long day, but one I will always treasure.  I was glad I was there to support my good friends.  Lionel ended up needing to stay the night.  I was extra grateful to be there with Linda on the ride home. 

We’ve had three parties with our BYU grand kids since the first of the semester.  We went out to dinner for Amy’s birthday on January 10^th.  Laura was down that day.  She came to buy a car for them to use until Ben is in a position to get his own.  They also hope to avoid paying for more flights to and from Seattle.  Then the kids came down on January 20^th for an overnight visit.  We had a Thanksgiving Dinner to celebrate.  The next day it snowed all day and we had so much fun.  We built a giant snowman, pulled them behind the 4-wheeler, and did some target practicing.  On Karrie’s birthday, we gathered with them again for a Japanese dinner party.  Sarah Shuler did the cooking and it was authentic as well as yummy. Sarah, Nathan Pope and Ben all served missions in Japan.  It was delightful to hear them reminisce and chit-chat in Japanese.  Amy had had 4 years of Japanese and hopes to serve there as well.  It’s been so wonderful to have them closer.   

Tyler started a new job on January 22^nd.  It will be such a blessing for their family financially. Hopefully it will be more fulfilling and challenging for him.  Andy and Karrie’s family spend five days on the Canary Islands. The pictures were postcard quality.  The adventures and exposure their children are getting while they are in England is extra-ordinary.   If travel is the best education, few children have had more opportunity than them. 

Just for the record, Ammon lost his very first tooth on January 31^st and Sarah-Jane lost a tooth that same day.