Thursday, October 26, 2023

October 26, 2023

 It has definitely been a busy week with church responsibilities. We have been trying to give Cathy a break  so that she can get her heart concerns under control. I think we have managed to do that. Marcy and I did Leadership on Wednesday evening and we had a pretty good turnout. We gave our presentation and then broke into two groups and allowed the ward leaders to discuss suggestions for activities and using FSY. Junki was there supporting us as he always does. I picked up tablecloths for the Senior Youth Conference. I had to gather tablecloths from Willoughby and Brookswood wards as well and we needed pretty well everyone of them.  The youth began to gather at Crash Crawly’s in Coquitlam Thursday evening. Rosa Harper drove Breya and three other girls down from Kelowna and went directly to the activity. They were tired and happy to get here afterward. We were up early and got to Temple View Chapel for breakfast. They got the kids fed and organized. My responsibility was to be with the FSY workshop where the missionaries, Gabby Burnham and President Engen participated. I introduced each of the four workshops with a brief talk and and explanation. We did two workshops in the morning and two in the afternoon. They youth had Temple options and other workshops throughout the day too. We worked with youth and got our dinner tables set and decorated. We had over 200 youth registered so it was hard work to get ready. Our dinner crew had a lovely roast beef dinner prepared and we all helped serve it after I gave a brief etiquette presentation before they ate. After cleanup I took the tablecloths and went home to my puppy. Others washed the dishes. I had in been home during lunch to take her for a walk as well. Rosa helped us with the dinner and then came home too and we visited at until the dance was over, at which time we both drove back to pick the girls up. I drove the girls back in the morning and Rosa had a break and slept in. I got ready and set off for my Temple shift and Rosa got ready and picked the girls up and set out for home. I think they had a good time and the conference went well. Surrey Stake had headed the multiStake event. My grandchildren - Breya and Sam - are so kind having their grandmother at their youth events. I started washing the 25 tablecloths Saturday evening. Oh boy!

I had a Stake speaking assignment on Sunday at Maple Ridge and dear Myrna Olson came with me as my companion. I had prepared my talk in advance. We had a good time and Myrna did well. We had expected to be released on Sunday but were not so I assume the new presidency has not been fully called. Carry on.

Monday was exhausting. I finished washing all the tablecloths, did my cleaning, laundry and got my deck furniture ready for winter. I have been trimming plants outside for fall and raking leaves this week too. There are definitely more leaves to fall so it will be an ongoing project. I am teaching Temple Prep this evening at the church for Cherly and Tina. I have also been getting tablecloths back to their homes. 

I have booked flights to Trevor’s for American Thanksgiving and Elton’s Lake house for a week in the summer. Trying to take care of my business affairs and my callings and my family. Started shopping for Christmas. 

Blessed but busy!

Thursday, October 19, 2023

October 19, 2023


Somehow I have missed updating my blog for nearly a month and was shocked when I saw the last date I had entered. Sooooo here goes with an overview of the last month in a nutshell.

The beginning of October we experienced General Conference. Kona and I listened to every session as we usually do in the household and it was wonderful. President Nelson had, had a fall just after his 99th birthday and was still recovering so watched from home and delivered his recorded talk at the end of conference and admonished all of us to “Think Celestial!” and follow God’s Fabulous Plan. The whole conference was outstanding as they always are. 

Thanksgiving was celebrated the second weekend of October and the Burgess family came down to be with us. We decided to have the dinner on Saturday. I got the turkey and the stuffing ready and bought a pumpkin pie then went to serve in the Temple. Liza and Brendon’s Ward did baptisms at the Temple in the morning and then the girls worked on the rest of dinner and I helped out more when I got home. We invited to sister missionaries too. Jean flew to Toronto to be with Cheyenne and Bryson is in Montreal working on the Temple for pre - mission work. After church on Sunday, Sayde stayed with me and the rest of her family drove up to the Cultus lake area to go for a hike. I had leftovers ready when they got home. On Monday morning Brendon went for a swim, Liza a run, Breya shopping and Keaton to the school to play basketball. Missy and I were home getting breakfast ready. We went for a Derby Reach walk with the Hardy family and then to the Hardy’s for pizza. I came home and the Burgess family headed for home and the Hardy family went as far as Chilliwack with them to have ice cream at their favourite ice cream spot. I was tired and needed to take care of the puppy too.

Cathy Combs, our Stake YW president, has experienced some heart problems and ended up in emergency twice. She has so much on her plate and is under a great deal of stress. We have a lots going on this month and we have been trying to keep her calm and carry on by ourselves. We had Stake training on the 18th and have the Senior Youth Conference this weekend and also Stake talks to give this month. Marcy and I did the training last night, I filled in for Cathy at a TriStake meeting regarding the conference and Marcy and I will do our parts at the conference this weekend. I will be billeting a Mom and group of girls from Liza’s ward, including Breya. I am giving my Stake talk on Sunday with Myrna Olson as my companion in Maple Ridge Ward. Prior to the TriStake meeting, as we were waiting online for it to begin, President Officer told me we would be being released this Sunday. Cathy has been in for over four years I believe and, with her health concerns, I think they are hastening things. The month has been full of preparations for leadership, the Tri Stake Conference and preparing my talk, as well as trying unsuccessfully to get together with my Temple Prep ladies for a lesson. I have made cookies and soup in advance for a supper I am to provide for a family whose new baby is to be born eminently. I have my two Temple callings as well and attend the Temple each Tueasdy morning. Cindy arranged for us to do sealings last Friday evening with Ross and Sarah and that was lovely.

The rain has been starting in earnest which the dog does not like and I have been trying to get a few things done for fall preparation outside. Brendon and Keaton trimmed the dogwood tree when they were here and I trimmed some plants in the front yard. I have got more trimming to do and furniture to winterize. 

Cindy had an upsetting week when Jack received an email from Sianne saying that she had heard that Cindy was telling everyone that she was going to get Jack and Sianne together again when he got home and that she, Sianne, had a serious boyfriend and did not want any trouble. When Cindy mentioned Jack in her YW lesson, one of the YW said she felt so badly about things as her cousin is the boy Sianne is going with. Cindy just tried to end the conversation by saying “Everything will be alright in the end.” We think the young woman misunderstood and was telling her family Cindy was going to correct the situation. Cindy wrote to Sianne to try to rectify things. Jack and Sianne’s relationship has caused him a great deal of upset on his mission and it hurts me that it is continuing to do so. He tries to put it behind him and move on and then something else comes up. We don’t want him hurt again when he comes home in a couple of months.

We have a busy weekend coming up and I hope I am prepared. That’s my update of the month. Busy but blessed!

Picture is of a stunned puppy when she knows she has to go out in the rain🙁