Typical Week

All three of us are going to the trunk-or-treat tomorrow night. Paul brings full-sized candy bars and the entire event lasts about 30 minutes. Katie and James are coming, too. Marnie is finally done with marching band! She just ran upstairs, screaming that she got 103% on her math test today. She really loves Mr. Redfern. Dad is taking her to get a passport tomorrow.

Stake Conference was great this weekend. President Williams spoke about the Bubblegum Machine Mentality. The Ensign article is here:

https://www.lds.org/ensign/2014/04/beyond-the-bubblegum-machine?lang=eng

The point of the article is this: You put a coin in the machine and out pops a gum ball. Say your prayers and they will be answered. Go to church and your trials will be lifted. Attend the temple and your righteous desires will be granted in short order. My early testimony of the gospel was built on this misconception. So it is not difficult to imagine my dismay when things didn’t always work out that way. I had to learn that having faith to turn to God and lay my burdens at His feet can be a difficult, heart-wrenching, and humbling experience. Through my own experiences and trials, I have learned that life’s challenges are meant to change us and turn us to the Lord in faith.

President Flake talked about Sarah. She has such anxiety issues that she throws up before every stressful event. She had been in the MTC just a few days before Conference, and she already wrote a wonderful letter home that she was having a great time. President Flake turned that into a great talk.

President Sainsbury spoke about the living water at the temple. Then the General Authority spoke about keeping covenants. Dad did a great job with the sound and the camera work. He had to miss the temple on Saturday night because of the evening session. David Springgay subbed for him. 

Dad is heading back to Rexburg this weekend to help with oil changes and stuff. The weather looks fine for the drive, just wet and rainy. 

A wonderful balayage for Marnie by Norene.

Nothing like feeling beautiful!

Jim is taking it easy with Grandma and Grandpa (and Rufus & Chuckles).

Jane Sassaman Class

Last month I was able to join a Jane Sassaman class in La Conner. I have always admired her work and was really inspired by her class. I prefer art nouveau style anyway, so we were a perfect fit. Her work begins with eliminating detail from a picture and then exaggerating certain features. Here is a bit of her art:

Euphorbia

Dandy

Sweet Potato Vine

This is my first effort with a poppy seed head. I learned quite a bit and enjoyed the class so much. Check out her website.

Connections

 One of the best parts of knowing so many people is making connections. Because Jackson is serving in Trujillo South, we were hoping he could make contact with Kathy and Kurt Marler, who are mission leaders in the North (recent division). 

I mentioned this to Linda Condie at the temple and she announced that she and Kathy were college roommates. In fact, they used to double-date the Marlers. The McKays and Marlers grew up in the same ward in Escondido. Don Marler even married us in the Los Angeles Temple. 

Linda and her husband served as mission leaders in the Alpine German-speaking Mission. Headquartered in Munich, it serves Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. Afterwards, they returned to Seattle, where Robert serves as a sealer. 

We enjoyed a meeting in his downtown office where he showed pictures from their mission and encouraged us to serve missions. Their example has been very important to us.

The good news is that Kathy found Jackson at the MTC and even caught a picture!

Cluck, Cluck, Sew!

 Because I'm in charge of programs at Camano Island Quilters guild, I was able to get Allison to come from Poulsbo and teach for us. She stayed at my house and I talked her ear off about quilting (and church). 

Allison was teaching her Shimmer quilt, but I was unable to attend due to work at the temple. You can find all sorts of wonderful patterns at her website: www.cluckclucksew.com. 

I particularly like these two:

Frazier and Danika's Wedding

Danika and Frazier were married October 7 in the Seattle Temple. I hope I can tell the story of their meeting with the poignancy it deserves.

Frazier was serving a mission in Manaus, Brazil when he became too ill to continue. He was sent home and released, with the expectation that surgery would be needed. After a few consultations, he was able to have surgery to remove his gall bladder. While he was recovering, he came with me to the temple. I work 2pm-10pm so while I was in the office, he would attend sessions.

Danika received her mission call to Sidney, Australia at that time. She attended the temple for the first time with her bishop and family. When she saw Frazier sitting in the celestial room, she thought she recognized him. She asked her bishop if he recognized him, after all they were in the same stake. But he responded that he didn't know him.

A few weeks later, Danika attended the temple again, and wouldn't you know it, Frazier was there. She was curious, but she left for the MTC shortly thereafter. Frazier too was ready to leave. He was reassigned to Orlando, Florida-Portuguese speaking. 

Eighteen months later they returned. It was time to report to the high council and stake presidency. We were all sitting together in the high council room and she sees him. There he is again! After the meeting, Danika went on facebook to find Frazier. She looked through everyone in President Flake's account because that man knows everyone. 

It wasn't long before they saw each other at Institute and began dating. If I remember right it was 3 months until they were engaged. And now we are celebrating.

Over the River

 This Crabapple Hill pattern is very popular based on the number of times I've seen it. However, I prefer redwork, so I worked it up with red embroidery floss. Just one color to worry about. It took a long time because I only worked on it in the car.