November 2, 2021

 I am updating my blog and will write this week from Germany even though it happened the week before we came here.

It has been at week of Temple attendance and service and a significant week for other reasons. We attended the Temple during the week and then on Friday November 29th we went to the Temple again for Jack to receive his endowments. We met the family in the chapel just before entering the Temple to participate in Jack receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood thus qualify him for his Temple endowment. Those participating in that ordination were his grandfathers, his two older brothers and his father.  A special group of men. We had taught Jack Temple prep and we hoped that it had been a benefit to him. It seemed to go well and Sienne was there to meet him when he came out. He is a special young man and will be a fine missionary in Africa. We returned again on Saturday to serve our afternoon shift. I helped with a Laceste family sealing of Delores Laceste to two of her children - John and Grace and then John was sealed to his wife Amor and their son Eliot to them. It was so nice to be with there. Ron Komm performed the sealing and we had a number of clerical issues that kept me running up and down the stairs to the office but all was eventually accomplished. Jane was there with Ron too. I was exhausted that night and I think Tom was tired too. 

We also zoomed into the funeral service for Rosemary Burgess on Friday. It was lovely and I am sure Rosemary was pleased. Ruth Yates gave the eulogy, the three Burgess children spoke and George Goeders gave the spiritual talk. Our grandchildren and a few others sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and played their ukuleles. It was very touching. Liza sat behind Sayde and held her up because she didn’t want to be seen as she was crying. This has been a difficult few years for their family and hard for Liza too. Ted has been a kind caregiver and both Ted and Rosemary have handled it all with grace. 

We have been busy accomplishing our errands, attending to appointments and making preparations for our trip to Germany. I had a phone blood pressure appointment with the nurse and then the doctor and because my anxiety and blood pressure levels are up a little, the doctor has prescribed to new medication to take in conjunction with my ramipril. It seems to be beneficial and I feel like things have settled. I have a new young doctor, Doctor Song. She seems very nice. Doctor Brouwer has retired.

So our busy lives have gone this week as we move closer to going to Germany and Tom’s cancer treatments.