June 13, 2023

Wendy McKinley drove me out to the airport on Tuesday, June 10 and I flew to Kelowna, as my family here were all at work. Ladene Rempel picked me up in Kelowna, as all the Burgess family were at work. Thank goodness for friends. I had a nice visit with both of them. As Ladene dropped me off I received a video call from Bryson. We had a nice and unexpected visit. I took the family out for dinner that night and settled in, minus my little “pup” who was staying at the Hardy home. I worked at my Temple and other responsibilities the next day before getting a drive with the Lexus shuttle to the dealership where I took care of all the paperwork, insurance and had my orientation to the car. They were all very nice but somehow had me spending more money. I drove back home the next morning by myself in my brand new car. We were hit by a few bugs. I felt calm and didn’t get tired - a miracle. I know I was blessed and had my “angel” with me. The car is lovely and now I have to get the Tesla ready to return. 

I went to the Temple this morning to do some LOW training and attend a session. Jean is coming over tonight for me to prepare her for our very busy day at the Temple tomorrow as she will be helping with three new Mandarin sisters that will be coming for the first time. I am praying that everything goes well and the angels jump in to help us provide a good experience for our total of 8 Own Endowments throughout the day. I am sure it will be fine.

Cindy took June 6th off work (the anniversary of Tom’s passing) to be with me. We went to the cemetery, cleaned the grave site and brought a plant. It looked very nice by the time we left. We went for brunch at the Saba bakery and then picked Kona up and headed for West Vancouver and visited my parent’s grave. We cleaned it and left plants too. We ate A+W at my house in the evening. My dear friends Melanie and Mary both left flowers at my door during the day. I have such wonderful people in my life. Kelly Groom also called and DeEtte messaged.  I am so surprised that people remember. I love Tom so much. I miss him with every breath I take and I pray for him always.

Breya and two friends arrived on Friday too and went to an outdoor concert. They stayed overnight at my place and left in the morning and had some Vancouver adventures before driving back to Kelowna.

I finished my Temple Preparation classes with my currents group on Sunday and then attended the Temple Workers Devotional Sunday evening. It was a beautiful hot spring day. Lost a pair of sunglasses.

I walked with Mary on several days last week and had my house and windows washed one of those days. She looks good and is doing better but just feels she is missing energy.

My friend Barb has been recovering from pneumonia and asked what I have been doing lately. She thinks my life is very busy and it is. I am a little weary tonight and still have “miles to go before I sleep”.

I am grateful for my busy and my blessings.❤️❤️

June 3, 2025

 Time seems to go so quickly and I am late getting this written.

I am preparing to turn my Tesla in and travel next week to Kelowna where I will pick up my new Lexus NX 450 plug in hybrid. I will fly up on Tuesday the 10th, pick the car up on the 11th and drive home on the 12th. I am working to get my finances in order to make the purchase. I found that I did have an investment in TD bank that I didn’t know I had and I have been working with Grace at the bank, to set it up in my name alone. I am hoping that it will be in place in time for me to use it for the car but if it is not ready, I have another investment coming due this week too and I can use it. I feel like I am being blessed thru this process as things seem to be in place at the right time. I thought I had ordered and RX but I started feeling like I should have ordered a smaller NX. When the dealership called to review my purchase, they said I had an NX coming in. I had felt that somehow I was going to get an NX and everything would work out and here it was. The Tesla lease was due at this time, the TD investment showed up and my other investment came due as backup. I am being blessed and I know Tom is involved too.

Cindy came and cleaned my garage, I power washed the driveway and sealed the back patio. I have a company coming to clean the windows and wash the outside of the house. I cleaned the yard trunk out following our raccoon nesting experience. I am getting my big spring cleaning needs done and I am enjoying the beautiful new fence our neighbor Kirk and his family ordered, stained and installed for Marie and I.  I had Kirk and his family along with Jean and Marie for lasagna dinner as a thank you for their kindness. Jean and Marie got them a lovely potted flower arrangement. I helped with flower planting at the Temple yesterday so I am trying to help get the Temple set for summer too. 

Mary Harvey had sever some pain and they discovered that she had a blood clot in her right lung. She is off her chemo medication now too. I went for a walk with her as she needs to move when blood clots are an issue. Wendy is still dealing with her health concerns and Karen Shirley ran into a door frame injuring her head and ending up in the hospital. I was to have lunch with Karen and another friend and that had to be cancelled. Lots have health concerns in our ward and we had a ward fast on Sunday for everyone’s various and serious needs.

I took the Hardy family out for dinner before Jack’s return to Lethbridge. He worked remotely for John Layton while he was here but managed to do some fun things with his family and friends too. I think he was missing Annika.

Liza’s family came on the weekend for a Temple trip. Keaton was already here for rugby and drove home with them. They left on Saturday evening as Liza had to teach a class on Sunday.

I am still teaching the Ward/YSA Temple Prep at the Temple View chapel and will finish this round of lessons on Sunday. I have six ward students and two YSA.

Got my second monthly bouquet of flowers from my kids as my Mother’s Day gift. I am blessed and I am well aware of it. Miss my boy❤️❤️.

May, 15 2025

 The Walkers’ new home is large and lovely. The whole downstairs is dedicated to Trevor’s gym and there is a lot of equipment. They have been busy setting that up and Trevor’s office up. Tammie has the kitchen organized and other areas of the house are getting settled but she has also been busy doing things at their old home as requested by the new buyers. Their new neighborhood has a lot of construction going on. We celebrated Tammie and Jadyn’s birthday while I was there. Trevor took us out to dinner on Jadyn’s birthday and I took them to dinner at the Italian restaurant where Trey works while he was working. We did some shopping, exploring of their new neighborhood and we attended Trey’s flag football game and church. Jadyn is doing well in Utah at her job counseling children and she is just ready to start Graduate school online from Arizona State University. Trevor and Tammie have two new little, miniature schnauzer puppies Bailee and Bentlee and they still have Pali - all females. It is a busy house. I tried to do some cleaning to help out and I bought a plant arrangement for their front door. I had a direct flight home on Monday, May 5. Tammie was not feeling well when I left and was in bed. I am sure she is exhausted.

I jumped back into my activities when I got home. It is always lovely to get to the Temple. I got my hair cut, picked up groceries and went for brunch with Cindy as a birthday gift for me. I drove Wendy to dialysis at the hospital. I also visited the plant nursery for more plants, ran errands and checked in on friends.

Then came the weekend and Ronda the Raccoon. I served in the Temple on Saturday and some time, after returning home, I went out to pot the new plants I had bought. When I lifted the lid on my yard bin to get some potting soil, I was greeted by a large raccoon hissing at me. I quickly put the lid down and went for help. Kirk came but was just leaving with Krista to go somewhere and couldn’t do much. I decided to get a ladder set up by the bin, go up the ladder so I would be a distance away, and then raise the lid with a rake. I asked Marie to come spot me. The raccoon ran, as I had hoped she would, but she went directly under my deck. Marie brought her two dogs and they successfully sniffed the raccoon out but came out from under the deck only long enough to confront the dogs before retreating to safety. I put a weight on the bin so she could not return, poured vinegar under the deck and placed a spotlight under the deck, all in an attempt to get her to leave my yard. The next day was Sunday and after I got back from church, Kirk wanted to spread cayenne pepper around my bin. He came into my yard while I was walking Kona and then ran to meet me just as I was returning and just as I was coming face to face with the raccoon, who was now sitting on the Chabot’s front porch, looking worn and weary, having relieved herself all over the step. Kirk quickly informed me that there were two babies in the bin and we realized then that this valiant mother was going nowhere no matter what deterrents we threw at her. Wildlife suggested we clear the area and allow her to retrieve her babies. We braced the bin lid open and left. I went to Cindy’s for Mother’s Day High Tea which was lovely. When I returned later the babies were thankfully gone and we are all hoping that Ronda has found a safe place for them. In talking to another neighbour, I learned that their home had recently been damaged by an animal which resulted in further interior water damage. I am sure that it was Ronda trying to find a place to nest prior to her finding my bin. I feel terrible for separating her from her babies and I am praying for her and her little ones. What an experience! We have displaced these animals from their habitat and they don’t know where to go or what to do.

Kona was groomed this week, I had my blood pressure checked by the doctor’s nurse after I took it by myself for a few days and I had the furnace and gas fellow come to check things out in that area today.  Kirk and his father in law are replacing the fence between my yard and Marie’s this weekend so I am feeding everyone dinner on Saturday. I have most of the meal made and in the freezer. Jean and Marie a going together to get a plant arrangement to thank them for all they have been doing for the three of us. They are so kind. Always a busy week.

I am blessed❤️❤️. Cindy delivered the first of my monthly flowers from all four children for Mother’s Day.

May 1, 2025

 I am in Tennessee, as I write, visiting the Walker Family. I arrived on Tuesday and Jadyn, who is also visiting from Utah, had arrived earlier. It was the 29th of April and Tammie’s birthday. I had flown to Calgary, where I got slowed down in a long line at immigration until I realized that they had a Nexus line, and then on to Nashville where Trevor picked me up. My children are always there for me and I appreciate it. 

I have been working on my taxes the last week or so with Phil and finally have them in and paid. He was wanting me to get T5 forms from TD bank and I told him I thought Tom had closed that account but just to make sure, I went to TD bank to inquire and yes, we have a significant Waterhouse USD investment there and they gave permission get the T5s and information about the account.  My name is on it too. It was a blessing that Phil inquired because it revealed this information to me and it will make a difference to my financial planning in the near future. Interestingly, Phil found out afterwards that he already had the T5 information and hadn’t needed my investigation after all but I needed it.

I received my covid shot, visited the cemetery to see how conditions were there, picked up plants from the nursery, made the VT posters with routes on for the presidency, hosted Cindy’s family for Easter dinner, Liza’s family overnight for a Temple trip and went to Cindy’s for Last supper dinner and to an Easter movie with the Hardy family. Jeff has returned to Wagner Hills and we are all praying that, that goes well. I went out after my Temple shift to take him the two bags of clothes that he left at my house. He seemed good and had enjoyed his two weeks at Jennifer. Marie and I had decided that we would replace the fence between our houses this year and Kirk, our neighbor, is insisting on ordering the sections and installing them. They are such a kind family.

Always busy, always grateful but always missing my boy.❤️❤️

April 17, 2025

 Jennifer drove down from Kamloops and picked Jeff up on Thursday, April 3. Jeff and I had gone that day to see a Sportage that Omar brought in and then to the Lexus dealership in Port Moody. I am considering at a Lexus plug in hybrid. It has been helpful to have Jeff with me for support and to talk me thru things. He is a very sweet boy and wants so badly to move forward with his life in positive ways and I am praying for his success. After they left for home, I phoned back to Kevin at Lexus to tell him to put my name on a 6-12 month wait list for the Lexus I thought was appropriate for me and I told him I would return to put money down on it. I then felt I should give the Lexus dealership in Kelowna a call as they kept popping up when I checked Lexus cars online. I asked the girl if they had any inventory in what I wanted and she said they could get me one the beginning of June. That was perfect for me as that is when I would be preparing to turn the Tesla in. She said they distribute cars mainly for people in their area but with Liza’s address I could get on.  I put money down and it was settled in about ten minutes. I even had a choice of colors. I felt like I had been directed and I felt very blessed. This is a huge decision that has been weighing heavily on me and it was a big relief to have it finalized. Now I must get the Tesla ready for it’s return to the company.

We experienced a wonderful General Conference and I felt like I needed that slow down to listen to our leaders in these tumultuous times. I pray for my family and for the world and I pray for me. Cindy’s family had me over for dinner on Sunday after the last session.

Jean Ward and my friend Ruth Bohemer served as missionary companions in Hong Kong years ago and Jean wanted to get together. When Sabina heard Jean was coming out here, she asked to come visit me so I had them all over for an afternoon tea at my house. I served apple cider and treats. We had a nice time and it was good to reconnect with Sabina. Jean and Ruth are now reconnected as well and can set up other times to get together.

Later that week I had Camille and her family come to stay with me and visit the Temple with their ward. I made bran muffins and hamburger soup before their arrival. They came Thursday evening and left Saturday afternoon. Their ward and our stake provided child care for the three children at Temple View Chapel while they attended the Temple, so that was nice for them and helped me out as well. They went to visit friends Friday evening. I went that day to take soup and muffins to Cindy’s family.

I seem to have visitors coming and going on a regular basis and that is good and one reason that I keep my house. It does, however, mean that I am frequently changing beds and cleaning guest bedrooms and bathrooms. That is probably good for me too. I am happy to share and to help if I can.

Cindy seems to be doing well with her recovery from her hysterectomy surgery and she trying not to rush it or do too much. I am hoping she feels much better, with enhanced capacities having put these struggles behind her.

Aksel and Hansen have both experienced their first birthdays and Max wrote his final CPA exam. I am proud of my grandchildren as they and their families move forward in positive ways.

The days have been warm this week and I am trying to get the yard taken care of and the back deck cleaned.

Life goes on and the world continues to turn. I am blessed.

April 2, 2025

 It is Kona’s 3rd Birthday today. She was four months old when she came to me. She has been a companion and a help to me during the most difficult time of my life. Her name, in Hawaiian, means “Lady” and  “safe harbour”. She is a lady and she has provided me with a safe harbour. She has kept me moving and she has not allowed me to be still for very long or to feel sorry for myself.

I have Jeff with me this week. He had to leave Wagner Hills because he was smoking and he has been at another facility which he didn’t like and he left. Cindy and Paul picked him up from a hotel in Abbotsford on Sunday and I have had him here ever since. He is trying to get back into Wagner Hills again but it will be at least be two more weeks. Jennifer is driving down from Kamloops tomorrow and he will stay with them until he can come back. He would like to upgrade his first aid ticket while he has time or do something like that. He is a sweet boy but has just struggled with these concerns. I pray for him.

I had Miss Sayde last week as she was on spring break and her parents were both working. Keaton is on his school exchange in France and that would have left Sayde alone. We had a quiet but good time. Cindy and Paul drove to Lethbridge to visit Jack and Sam was here on his own. He spent some time with us and he came over to “hang out” with Sayde when  I was in the Temple on Tuesday and Saturday. I tried to get Sayde out for a walk each day. Liza and Brendon drove down last weekend to pick her up.

I did makeup Temple Prep lessons for two YSA students on Sunday and substituted for Sam Moore teaching primary as well. Lahina and I went to visit Sam during spring break when she took some time off to be with her son Weston. I have had my stove oven panel repaired, Kona groomed, attended a Muir dinner in WhiteRock with Cindy, went to Gayleen McLough’s funeral in Burnaby and shopped for new a new car with Jeff. I made dinner for the Hardy family last night as Cindy had a hysterectomy on Monday and just arrived from the hospital yesterday. She is doing well but her shoulder has been in pain as a result of the gas pumped into her during surgery that can lodge in your shoulder. I trained two new LOWs on the Thursday evening shift. It has been a full couple of weeks.

I am blessed.

March 12, 2025

 It is my 75th birthday in a few days. I have no idea how I arrived at this point in my life so quickly. I have had a very blessed life and though I hurt from loss and grief, I have nothing to complain about. I was raised in a wonderful family, with a heritage to be grateful for and proud of. I wisely married a remarkable man who has loved me through life, cared for me and truly raised me up to be more than I could be without him and I adore him.  I have been blessed with wonderful children and grandchildren who continue to both challenge me and bring me joy. I have had outstanding friends and people in my life and opportunities to grow, serve, learn  and experience. I have lived in a beautiful and free land under favourable circumstances. I have had the Savior and His gospel in my life every step of the way. How blessed am I!

Now, I have also had challenges - some big and some small. I pray for abilities to care for my needs, my home and my affairs and I pray for my home and belongings but I have had a few concerns lately. My fridge door spring broke, my garage door spring broke, my oven is not working and I have a flat tire with a nail in it.The garage door is repaired, the Tesla roadside service is coming tomorrow and I am still sorting my fridge and oven problems. I had two lesions removed from my face and that cost a few hundred as it is considered to be cosmetic. Everyday has its challenges and costs.

Our niece Annie is coming for the weekend to attend her daughter Reece’s basketball tournament at UBC. Liza called and is bringing Sayde to stay with me next week as it is spring break and Keaton is going on exchange to France and she and Brendon are busy working. Cindy and Paul are going to Lethbridge to visit Jack and Sam may remain home, so I will have him nearby too.

The challenges in our world continue with Trump trying to bring down Canada with trade wars so he can annex our country - not a joke. We are all scratching our heads as are all free nations of the world. He seems to be connecting himself to Putin and Russia. Liza asked me why the church leaders are not hoisting the Title of Liberty and rallying us to fight. As I drove to the YSA building on Sunday to teach my last Temple Prep Lesson, I passed by the Temple and looked up at Moroni. He is not the first Captain Moroni in the Book of Mormon who hoisted the Title of Liberty, but he is the second, also a warrior and great leader but known best as the final contributor to the gold plates and the one that protected them with his life for decades before burying them and then finally turning them over to Joseph for translation. A banner has been in fact been raised up as the Book of Mormon goes forth and Temples are spreading throughout the world providing insight and ordinances that teach us of Him and His great atoning love. My mother always said that love is the solution to all problems and the Savior is the personification of love. He is the Standard of Liberty, the Standard of Truth, the Standard of Freedom and Right, the Standard of Love. The Standard has been raised up in these days and He was raised up long ago. We need to look to Him and rally to the Standard of Righteousness and Love. He is the solution.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Mom’s favourite)

February 27, 2025

 I am up at Liza’s writing this. They are all at work or school and Kona and I are here alone trying to get things done. I cleaned and packed on Monday and Cindy drove us to the airport for an evening flight to Kelowna. Liza met me at the airport. I love my children and I am always grateful that they get me where I need to be and are there to gather me up when I arrive.  Kona managed not too badly. Flying is not her favorite but she gets the routine now. It is about her fifth flight. I am home during the day here and I try to get things done for them, walk the dog and work at my own things. President Leavitt called on Tuesday to see if I wanted a helicopter ride up here to attend Ron Burnham’s funeral. I had forgotten about the funeral but I am already here and the Rempels have kindly offered to drive me to Vernon. I had not anticipated being here for Sunday so I did not bring a dress. I ordered a skirt, tights and ankle boots from Amazon. You do what you have to do. They are suppose to arrive today. I am here for Sayde’s play on Saturday. I also do some driving for Sayde, to classes and home from doctor’s etc. I had thought Brendon and Keaton were driving home with me on Saturday but the return to Vancouver options are still up in the air at the moment.

This is my list of doings during the week prior to my Kelowna trip. I have still been teaching the YSA Temple Prep classes. I have one more class with this group, ,provided I get home for this upcoming Sunday lesson. I helped with the sealing of Gail and Ken Bunnage last week and it was special as they served with us in the Temple and I consider them dear friends. I also helped with a live endowment on Saturday. The Temple is now closed for a two week maintenance. I have been renewing my Nexus and driver’s license. Both were needing renewal before my birthday. Cindy helped me drive Wendy MacKinley to the Surrey Memorial hospital last Thursday, where she receives her kidney dialysis treatment three times a week. Mary Harvey is waiting to start her chemotherapy treatments. So much going on with my friends. The Chinese families brought some food to put in Jean’s home before her arrival back. I let them in. I got the dog bathed, my haircut and flowers ordered and picked up for Jean. She finally got home Saturday afternoon and had some of us for lunch Sunday to help share a meal with the food she had received. I am glad she is finally home. 

I am hoping my ordered clothes work for my needs as I attend the funeral.  I hope I find my way to Sayde’s after school activity and I hope we settle on a safe option for our trip back to Vancouver this weekend. I hope the world came establish peace and maintain a spirit of kindness for one another. Mom always said LOVE is the solution for everything and it is!! 

February 14, 2025

 Happy Valentine’s Day! I love my loves here on earth and I love my heavenly Valentine. Oh, how I miss him but I am sincerely and deeply grateful that he is still mine and I am still his.

The world is in turmoil with the election of Donald Trump. He has the Canadians in an uproar with the threat of 25% tariffs and then seriously suggesting we become the 51st state. He wants to take over Greenland, the Panama and Gaza, removing Palestinians and building a resort area. Leaders around the world are speaking up and Canadians are rallying in pride of country. We are buying Canadian products and cancelling holidays to the USA. We have been their best neighbors, biggest trading partners and their largest numbers of tourists. We have fought wars with them, opened our doors to them in times of need such as 911 and been there for them when wildfires have threatened their safety. I feel badly that many Americans don’t know us as a country or understand the relationship we have had with them. We are quiet and often unpretentious and many Americans have not thought much of us or thought about us at all. We are significant and we are of value. I feel that Trump has made a plan to create initial unrest and destabilize the world to get our attention. I hope we can act with dignity, think with clarity and feel compassion for one another. I am grateful that we have a King of Kings, who has his eye on all of us and who will come again and who will reign in righteous. In this there is safety and peace in a world where there seems to be neither peace nor safety. 

We have snow and though roads have been cleared, I have stayed home a little more and got a few things done that have needed doing. I have cleaned and worked on my business affairs trying to get and keep things in order. I have taught the first Temple Prep class for the YSA. Sam is in my class. We had a special, unscheduled Stake Conference and Elder Wanda was our visiting General Authority. I have gone to the Hardy’s to celebrate Paul’s birthday and I am trying to plan a March visit to Kelowna and a later spring visit to Nashville. Trevor and Tammie are just moving into their new home. I sent Zach’s money to him and they were able to purchase their first home. Jean will be home the end of the month and I let Kirk into her garage to get her car running. I need to get other things prepared before her return as well.

Despite the turmoil outside, I do feel peace and confidence that all will be well.❤️❤️🇨🇦

January 31, 2025

Somehow January has flown by and the last two weeks have been full of activities. I will briefly go over what has transpired and then I want to fulfill a commitment I made to the Sister Missionaries in writing my testimony down. This is something I don’t think I have ever done before.

I was asked to speak at the YSA Branch on January 19 on the subject of Temple Preparation as we are starting a new group of students in the Temple Preparation course. Cindy came to support me which was very kind. 

Lahina Cy agreed to visit Emily Leavitt for a ministering visit with me. Lahina is very sweet and sincerely seemed to enjoy the opportunity to serve. She is anxious to do more. 

Jonny and Jennifer came out to spend Jeff’s birthday last weekend with him and all three of them came to stay with me. Jenn’s friend Kristin joined them in their activities and Jeff said it was the best birthday he has ever had. I am so glad. Jenn and Jonny left Sunday morning and Jeff came to church with us before Cindy drove him back to Wagner Hills. He is doing well.

Last week we had Hula practice Wednesday evening, dress rehearsal Friday evening for the Stake Variety Show and the actual performance Saturday evening. People seemed to enjoy seeing Sister Walker dance. I did it out of love for my dear friend Bela and I hope Tom was happy too. That may be my last dancing performance.

 I taught the first YSA Temple Preparation class last Sunday and had fourteen students attend. That is my largest class thus far. I love teaching, I love the young adults and I love the Temple.

I have been busy getting things done at home this week and had the Sister Missionaries for dinner last night. I had the Hardys the week before and bought them A+W when they came to take my outdoor Christmas lights down.

I was able to get Zachary’s money transferred to him successfully. These allocations of money to each of the grandchildren was something Tom wanted to do and we were able to do it for Justin, Max and Ross before Tom’s passing. This was my first attempt on my own. I also picked our safety deposit box items up from the bank they had sent them to and brought things to my local branch, which makes more sense. I am trying to handle finances and everything else Tom would have taken care of  or which we would have done together, wisely and well. Stretching on all levels has been the name of the game for me. 

As usual, it has been a busy couple of weeks and busy is actually good for me. I also try to phone or contact friends who are sick or struggling and I took Mary and Lincoln some dinner. I am trying to be of benefit to some, in some way. I pray, pray, pray  for my family and others too and sometimes that is all I can do.

Let me now share my testimony. I do not believe that I have ever written my testimony down and whether writing or speaking I feel my words are very inadequate on this topic.  I have had a testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ and the Gospel of Jesus Christ since I was a little girl. I seemed to have a believing heart. I knew that the baby featured in our cardboard Nativity set was in fact the Christ child and someone very special. I knew that Jesus in the Bible stories my mother read to us had lived and fulfilled an important role for all mankind. That love for and belief Him made me feel certain in the truthfulness of His Gospel. These experiences, coupled with the faithfulness of my mother, my grandparents and other family and friends, gave me an assurance that my feelings and beliefs were on solid ground. As I attended seminary, read my scriptures and learned from others in various settings, my understanding for the feelings I already had became more evident. There were definitely times when the spirit bore witness to me of the truthfulness of it all but mostly my feelings could be described as confidence and bedrock peace. With Tom’s passing I have felt the greatest grief my heart has ever experienced but I have also felt the most overwhelming constant peace that I have ever experienced. I believe the confidence and peace I have experienced at this time and throughout my life is a witness of the Holy Ghost. I believe that is my love language with the Lord. Through that personalized witness just for me, I can say that I know the Savior lives and loves me and that he atoned for me and all mankind. I know the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored in preparation for His return and the principles taught and the covenants and ordinances contained within it, come from the Savior and provide us a way to safely navigate this life and find our way back to Him and His Heavenly Home. I know that the Book of Mormon truly witnesses of the Savior and His gospel and it was given by Him, through the efforts of his faithful servants, to help us come unto Him. I know that Joseph Smith struggled to initiate the restoration and bring the Book of Mormon forth and that he was a prophet of God. I know that with the restoration we once more have prophets in the land and we have men and women giving their lives to bring forth the purposes of God. These are the things I know and I know them because the spirit has witnessed them to my heart and I have been blessed but confidence and great peace. These things I know.

January 17, 2025

 December and Christmas were busy times with Jennifer and Nora coming for the Taylor Swift concert, then Trevor’s visit before I left for Montana and my Bull family Christmas. I arrived home about an hour before the Burgess family arrived for New Years and Annika to visit Jack. I loved it all and being with all of them. The Burgess family left the day before Joanne, Jeff and the McCues arrived. Annika overlapped a day with them. Jenn and family stayed at her friends and Joanne and Jeff stayed here with me on the weekend. They busied themselves with some family activities while I did my Temple shift and such. I fed them soup on the day they arrived. We took Jeff back to Wagner Hills after church on Sunday and the McCues got Spenser off to school at UofVictoria and headed home. Joanne spent the next week with me.

I wasn’t sure what Joanne’s plans were when she came but it was nice t have her here for the week. She was having a little break from her caregiver responsibilities with Dave and had wanted to see Jeff. I think she feels good after having seen Wagner Hills and Jeff himself. I think he is doing well and we all really like Wagner Hills and feel it is a good place for him to be. Joanne helped me get my Christmas decorations down and put them away, including carrying the Christmas tree to the garage, intact to store it there. I am sure we looked like an old lady gong show. We went to the Temple and she took me out for lunch afterward. She came with Kona and I on our long walks each day and we went to Fort Langley where I had a meeting concerning the cemetery with some township personal and Mike from the church next door regarding improving the border landscaping between our properties. Virginia came to the meeting too. Joanne and I went shopping in Fort Langley afterwards and she took me for High Tea at the Little White House. We each bought a skirt there. I cleaned my house and had to go for a Hula practice while she was here. I drove her to the Abbotsford airport on Friday and Brooke picked her up in Calgary. It was a nice week. I think she enjoyed it.

We had our Ministering Sisters’ Conference on Sunday afternoon. I had organized a program and made the assignments and the presidency carried the plans out. I had been considering my talk “Anchored to The Rock” for weeks but only sat down to put it together after Joanne left. The rest spoke on being tethered to each other. The event was entitled “Anchored to The Rock and Tethered to Each Other”. I think it went well. I have been working this week to prepare a talk to give at the YSA Branch on Sunday. It is entitled “Preparing for Entering the Temple”. We will be starting Temple Prep classes at the YSA on January 26.

There are so many concerns my friends and others are having. Mary Harvey had surgery last week with cancerous lymph nodes being removed. I took them some soup on Wednesday. Wendy McKinley is in hospital with RSV and renal failure after her cruise to the Panama. Two young women in our ward and Brookswood have breast cancer. Amanda Desjardins has fluid build up in her brain and Ron Burnham passed away today. Our children and grandchildren have their struggles with anxiety and depression. My prayer lists are long.

We are practicing for our Hula dance to be performed at the Stake talent show on January 25.  Only for Bela would I do this.

My house is back together and cleaned after Christmas and all my company. Jenn and Nora will return next week for Jeff’s birthday. Life goes on with all its busyness, joys, trials and sorrows. All part of the plan.

January 3, 2025

 Christmas and New Years have come and gone with lots of family, activities, meals and a trip to and from White Fish Montana with Kona as my sidekick.

I was grateful for Trevor’s visit before Christmas making it possible for me to spend time with all my children during this holiday season. 

Brendon started getting ill around the 18th of December with colitis like symptoms. He went to the doctor and did end up in hospital emergency one night with some testing done and further testing scheduled. They gave him medication to reduce inflammation of the bowels. He managed to finish work before the holidays began but then spent the time coping and finally by New Years feeling somewhat better. He discovered that his Aunt Cathy has dealt with the disease for years. It does run in families.

I had been prepping for days in advance getting my clothes, baking done here and house in order before  I left on my trip to White Fish. Cindy drove Kona and I out to the airport on Monday, December 23. Things were quiet that evening at the airport and all went well. When we got to Seattle we had to rush to change terminals and I was exhausted by the time we got to the gate for Kalispell. We sat on the plane a long time before leaving and that made us late arriving, around midnight. Rissa was there to pick me up and I was glad to see her. I had cleaned much of my house that day and the trip and airport run and kicked in, so bed was welcome. I felt much better the next day and made orange rolls while they delivered gifts. We went up the mountain that evening to see Santa and his entourage ski down with torches and then Santa gave the children gifts in the lodge. We celebrated Christmas the next day with gifts and Christmas breakfast and then up the mountain for lunch and a lovely gathering and Christmas meal at Chris and Courtney’s in the evening. I had a nice visit with Nora, Courtney’s Nana and met Chris’s parents Pat and Libby. They had other families there as well. Chris and Courtney live in a large log cabin home. Through the week we shopped in downtown Whitefish and Columbia Falls. We went out to eat a couple more times, watched Christmas movies and worked  on a very difficult puzzle. I am sure Tom was having a good laugh. We went to church on Sunday and the  next day I cleaned up the guest house  and packed up. Kona enjoyed cousin Otis and the Bull family and generally did very well. Rissa got us back out to the airport and we had a good trip home but with another delay in Seattle and late arrival. Cindy and Paul were there ready to get us home. 

Jack’s girlfriend Annika Orr had dropped her things off earlier at my place and just as she and Jack arrived, the Burgess family walked in surprising me. I was so excited to see them. I was not sure if Brendon would be well enough to make the trip and it was a treat to have them arrive unexpectedly. Breya and Keaton helped me get groceries the next day and helped me cook for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. We all came together for New Year’s treats and games and got to bed late - at least for me. The kids went for a hike on New Year’s Day and Brendon for a swim and then everyone came over for New Year’s Day dinner, more games and a movie. Tired. I think everyone is tired. Little Aksel has not gotten over his cold the whole time he has been here. 

Max, Jacqui and Aksel left for Australia the evening of the second and the Burgess family left for home earlier that day and arrived safely with Brendon driving. Joanne is arriving later today to visit Jeff and he may be staying here too. The Hardy family went to the Temple today to do baptisms and Jack and Annika leave for Lethbridge tomorrow. Revolving door here at the moment but I have been getting beds changed and bathrooms cleaned and will make dinner for Joanne and not sure who else, this evening.

Above all the movement from place to place and numerous activities, there stands the Reason for the Season, Jesus Christ. I love Him, I appreciate Him and I aspire to be like Him. I have missed Tom all along the way but do feel him near.❤️❤️