August 17, 2022

 I continue to be overwhelmed with with the kindness of others. I received a plant from Wendy Mckinley, zucchini loaf and zucchinis from Sandra Barroby, Chinese food from Jean, lovely letters from Jackson and Jill, help in the pet store from Robin Timms and kindness and love from people at church. My cousin Rick called to extend his love and support and Cory Wanner sent a message of love and the Jensens and Anatsuis in London sent kind words after I reached out to them regarding the Temple presidency changes coming up at the London Temple. So much goodness in others and I feel the beneficiary of much. The Sister missionaries came over this afternoon and we had a lovely visit before Sister Hawkes is transferred out to Abbotsford.

Kona has been able to start walks now that her vaccinations arrived at a certain status. It is more like meandering rather than walking as I am suppose to let her take the lead. It is a big world out there and she is frightened and needs to sniff everything. She is very happy to arrive home again. She was the shyest puppy at dog school and really didn’t want to participate. We have practiced some skills this week at home so I hope we do a little better. She has had a few accidents in the house and we cannot have that so there is some work to do there. She is fun and loving though and when not romping, she loves to sleep. 

Cindy tried to help our niece Natalie’s friend this week by trying to get him to the bus back to Calgary when it seemed he could not accompany his group on the West Coast Trial hike due to a previous leg injury. Cindy’s car broke down and I went to rescue her while the young man had a kind older gentleman take him the rest of the way to catch his bus. Cindy helped me with some errands before I took her home.

Sam attended FSY this week held at UBC. The youth seemed to have a great time and Cheyenne has been over a few times telling me all about it. Cheyenne likes to come over to visit and see Kona. She has a date this week. I think it is her first. She sang “Day by Day” again at church on Sunday. It was beautiful and brought the spirit. It is a special song and left me in tears.

I went out to Archway Dental Clinic where Tom did volunteer dentistry for seven years on one or two Mondays each month while we were in the Temple presidency and during the year before our mission. I gave them a donation of $2,600. Jon and Marsh Hoyt had given me $2,000 US when Tom passed and I exchanged it to Canadian dollars and felt Tom would be happy for me to give it to the clinic. They were so sad to hear of Tom’s passing but grateful for the donation.

Our children and our grandchildren have their personal and family struggles. I hurt for them and pray for all of them. Tom always said he would be gone long before me and I was to stay and take care of the children. I am trying and I am also praying that he can be an angel in their lives. I am certain he is.