Preparedness Among Darkness and Violence

 Just as prophesied long ago, we are into the last days of the last days. I grew up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and for my whole lifetime, we have been cautioned to prepare for the tumult and darkness of the last days. We are to prepare physically, mentally, and spiritually for what lies ahead in this world.

The world has become more and more wicked over the years. I have seen it myself. I think the wicked people that are in the governments and organizations around the world are finally getting their bad deeds illuminated. Their true colors are starting to show. I believe that God wants it this way. I believe that even Satan wants their bad works illuminated even though he is the creator of all the chaos. Satan is the prince of darkness and loves chaos, but he also loves evil to be exposed for all to see.

Just yesterday, we got word that our beloved Prophet, Russell M. Nelson, passed away at the age of 101. He was the longest living President in the church. I hate to say that I have favorites, but President Nelson was one of mine. I'm so sad to see him go, but he was very frail and was losing his eyesight. He lived a very long, productive life, and is in a much better place now.

While the church was mourning the loss of a beloved prophet, we got word that an evil man drove his truck into an LDS meetinghouse in Grand Blanc, Michigan. He started shooting at people and then set the church on fire. At this point in time, at least 4 people were killed and others were injured (gunshot wounds). Several people are missing and they are searching the rubble of the completely gutted building to find the remains of other victims. This act is PURE EVIL! I'm sure Satan is rejoicing in the aftermath of this form of violent terrorism. The survivors of this attack are forever going to be haunted by memories of being in that building yesterday. I pray for all victims and their families.

This attack was on the heels of a different violent act at the campus of Utah Valley University just about two weeks ago where a gunman shot and killed Charlie Kirk, a very popular Christian who went on University campuses hoping to turn the younger generation back to Christ. There is a war going on in this country against Christians. It's so sad! 

Because darkness seems to be setting over this country (and other countries), Alan has spent the last few days diligently trying to get our emergency preparedness up to par. We were doing great already, but now we are even more prepared.

We used to have a gas run generator, but it is so old that Alan couldn't even get it to start up, so he did a thorough research and ended up buying this new generator. It can run on gasoline, propane, or natural gas. It is powerful enough to run both of our refrigerators, fans, heaters, etc. at the same time.

The extension cords will go from the generator, through the laundry room window, and into the living spaces.

This is what our 30-40 year old generator looked like. Pretty small and useless compared to our new one.

These pics show how Alan set up the appliances (big & small) with surge protectors so everything should run smoothly when an emergency hits.

We have lots of food storage and paper goods stored in the house in the event that grocery stores are depleted for any reason. We have a way to hand wash and rinse clothes should the need arise.

Alan has gone overboard these past few weeks to get us organized in case we need to leave the premises, also. We have emergency grab bags galore. I'm sure we haven't thought of everything, but we are trying to think things through in order to be comfortable whether we can remain at home or if we have to bug out somewhere.

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In preparation for having to use alternate cooking methods during an emergency, Alan wanted me to try baking wheat bread in our solar oven. This is something I've already tried before when we lived in California, but Alan wanted me to try it here in Utah during cooler fall temperatures. I was able to get the temperature of the solar oven up to 350 degrees, but I used some bad yeast in the bread recipe and it took several hours for the bread to rise enough to even put it in the oven. By the time the bread was ready to bake, the oven had cooled down to about 275 - 300 degrees. Definitely not ideal for baking bread, but I put the loaf into the solar oven anyway and let it bake for about 45 minutes instead of the normal 30 min. in a conventional oven. When bread is baked in a solar oven, it doesn't brown as well as normal, so I couldn't tell for sure when the bread was done baking.

I think I should have baked it for a bit longer, but it actually turned out pretty good. We've been eating it and it tastes good. It just looks a little underbaked. 

I ordered new yeast and will try to bake bread again in the near future. Hopefully, the yeast will work perfectly and my results will be better next time.

Cruise Story

I love going on cruises. I have only been privileged to go on three different cruises, but I have loved each one of them. Our first cruise was a short 3-day Carnival Cruise as a family from Long Beach, California to Ensenada, Mexico. Our second cruise was a week-long Western Mediterranean Cruise. For that one, we flew from LAX to Barcelona, Spain before catching the cruise ship. Kyle went with Alan and I on that one. (Our favorite cruise by far!) Our third cruise was to Alaska and was just Alan and I. We flew from LAX to Seattle and boarded the ship there. There's a temptation to eat too much on a cruise because there's food everywhere, but you just have to watch yourself.

I'm going to share an experience of something that happened on the cruise that Alan and I took to Alaska. Even though Alaska is part of the United States, we needed a passport for that cruise because the ship went into Vancouver, Canada. For the whole cruise, I kept my passport in my purse. However, on the last evening, I took a different, smaller purse (hand bag) to go to dinner and do things on the ship, and it included my passport. 

On the last day of the cruise, we were told to keep what few things we would need prior to leaving the ship the next morning and then pack everything else in our suitcases and leave them out in the hall before going to bed. Evidently, the cruise attendants accumulate everyone's suitcases during the night. They also take the suitcases to the airport for everyone and hold them for us to retrieve prior to our flight back home. Forgetting that my passport was in my smaller hand bag, I packed it in my suitcase that night and kept out my larger purse for use the next day. 

Well, when it came time to get off the ship, I looked in my purse to make sure I had my passport, but it wasn't there. Panic set in! I knew I would need to present my passport, but I also knew that I didn't have it with me. I remembered that it was in my suitcase in my small handbag at the airport. Oops! I didn't know what to do. 

There were crowds of people all trying to get off the ship so Alan told me to hold onto his arm and he would show his passport hoping that they wouldn't see that I wasn't presenting mine. Thankfully, it worked! I quickly went down the gangplank and was relieved to retrieve my passport from my suitcase at the airport. I felt like the Lord was watching over me that day, making it possible for me to slip past the authorities and not be stopped for not having a passport. Tender mercy for sure! God works in mysterious ways!

Callings Issued in Unconventional Ways

I've been listening to a podcast this week about receiving and accepting callings in the Church. I've had numerous callings over the past 52 years and I have never turned down a calling. I believe it is our duty to accept callings in order to help build up the kingdom of God on the earth. I feel that all callings are important, whether they seem like a small calling or a big calling. Every calling helps us to grow in different ways. Everyone doing their share helps to make sure that wards and stakes run properly and help others come unto Christ.

I've been thinking this week about some callings I received that were extended in an unconventional way. Generally, a Stake President's or Bishop's Executive Secretary would give you a telephone call and set up a time for you to meet with them during the week. For me, there were four times that I can think of where I received a calling in an unconventional way. Most of these were callings from Bishop Richardson when we lived in the Somerset Ward in Lancaster, California, but I will start out with an example from President Swindlehurst of the Stake Presidency.

1) - One beautiful Sunday morning, I was pulled out of Sacrament Meeting to speak with a member of the Stake Presidency. After a short chat, a calling was issued to me to be the Stake Young Women's President. At that time, I was serving as an early-morning seminary teacher. Teaching seminary is VERY difficult. I spent about 8 hrs. per day preparing lessons 5 days a week. It was so difficult for me, that I had been trying to pray my way out of that calling. Most seminary days I felt like I was speaking to the back wall. The students were only half awake that early in the morning and it seemed that they really didn't want to be there. I tried many different teaching methods to try to keep their interest, but I always felt like I wasn't the right person for the job. When President Swindlehurst extended the call to be the Stake Young Women's President, I was excited because that would mean that I would be released as a seminary teacher. My prayer had been answered! However, I now had another difficult calling ahead of me that I didn't feel qualified for. I felt like I was going from the frying pan into the fire. I discovered with that calling, and all of my callings, that God qualifies those whom he calls. I'm so grateful for that knowledge.

2) - I remember sitting in the chapel of the Los Angeles Temple waiting for a Stake chapel session to begin when Bishop Richardson approached me and asked if he could chat with me for a second. It turns out that he extended a calling to me to be a counselor in the Relief Society and work with Juleen Booth who was being called as President. I accepted and was sustained the next day at church.

3) - One evening, I was at home and heard the phone ring. It was Bishop Richardson and he said he was in the area and wanted to stop by to see me for a few minutes. I told him it was ok. We sat down in the living room and he ended up calling me to be the Young Women President for the ward. He knew that I had already served in that capacity before on the ward and stake level, so he was very hesitant to call me to that position, but knew that it was what the Lord wanted. He promised me that it would be only for about 10 months. After that time passed, he met with me again and said that it was time for me to be released. I told him I could continue in the calling longer if he wanted me to, but he said he was a man of his word and he had promised only 10 months, so he released me.

4) - One Sunday while sitting in the chapel about 5 minutes before Sacrament Meeting was to begin, Bishop Richardson sat on the pew in front of Alan and I. He turned around to speak with us, and ended up extending a call to me to teach the Gospel Doctrine class. Talk about being put on the spot! Although I felt very hesitant about accepting that calling, I didn't really have time to think about it because Sacrament Meeting was about to begin, so I said I would accept. About 10 minutes later, after the opening hymn and opening prayer, I was sustained to that new calling. Whirlwind moment, for sure.

One great thing about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is that everyone has an opportunity to serve in a calling if they want to. I have so many great memories of my service in the Church. By serving in my callings, my testimony has been strengthened, I've gotten to know so many amazing individuals that I was privileged to serve with, but most importantly I knew that it was what Heavenly Father wanted me to do and I accepted my many callings to show my obedience. According to Elder LeGrand Richards, obedience is the first law of heaven. I believe that to be true. Callings are a gift from God.

Lainey Turns Two

 Lainey turned two years old yesterday, but we waited until today to give her a gift. We met Cheryl, Wesley, and Lainey at the foot of American Fork Canyon so we could drive up the canyon to see the beautiful fall colors and have a picnic together.

The colors were good, but not great yet. I think we were a couple of weeks too early this year, but we certainly still enjoyed it.

After eating subway sandwiches and donuts, Lainey was able to open our two gifts to her. One was a book with animal sounds and the other was a Play-Doh cake slice toy oven with play kitchen. Lainey LOVES play-doh. She can't get enough of it, so this gift was perfect for her. I know she's going to have a great time playing with it. So are Kessler and Wesley.

After opening the gifts, the girls wanted to climb this big rock. It was pretty slippery, but nobody fell off or got hurt.

Lainey and Wesley both enjoyed throwing rocks into the river below.

We had such a great time. I always love spending time with Cheryl and her family. They bring a lot of joy into my life - just like all of my children and grandchildren do.

Here's a picture of Kessler and Wesley playing with the Play-Doh set while Lainey was taking her afternoon nap. Kessler was in school and couldn't go up the canyon with us.

Visiting Friends and Family in Idaho Falls (Glacier Trip Part V)

After leaving Columbia Falls, we traveled to Idaho Falls to spend time with some friends and family before traveling home to Riverton, Utah.

Shortly after arriving and unloading our luggage at Paul & Vicki Lee's house, we headed over to Alan's niece's house. Cynthia's family lives very close to the Lee's and Amber's family (Alan's other niece) lives even closer. We had been invited to eat dinner with both families a couple of weeks prior to this and we had looked forward to spending time with both families and catching up on each of them. Little did we know that it would turn into a much bigger affair than we thought. It turns out that Cynthia's oldest daughter, Brook, went through the Idaho Falls Temple earlier in the day to receive her own endowment prior to leaving on her mission to Guyana in January.

Because of that, Alan's brother Kevin and his wife Barbara were in town for the big event. Plus, Cynthia's older boys had many friends attend the dinner, which made for a large group. We found it very enjoyable.

This is a picture of the outside of Cynthia & Brandon's home.

And here's the inside of the home.

The evening was a big success.

The next day after church, we had lunch with the Lee's and with their son Ethan's family. Also included in that meal were some friends we knew from Lancaster - Barry & Phyllis Lewis. The Lewis' are actually in the same ward with the Lee's and Amber's family. So much fun to catch up with all of these wonder people over a delicious lunch. We hadn't seen Barry and Phyllis for several years. Unfortunately, Ethan's family isn't pictured here. We actually got to see the Lee's son, Brett, too, shortly after we arrived. 

We love the Lee family and appreciated them letting us spend the night at their home, eating their food, and getting reacquainted again. We will return the favor next month when Vicki & Paul stay at our home on their way to Las Vegas for a granddaughter's baptism.

Two Medicine, Whitefish, and Columbia Falls (Glacier Trip Part IV)

 Two Medicine was an interesting place to visit as we finished our time at Glacier National Park. We saw this lake first.

We then went on a little hike to see this waterfall coming out of a rock.

Ryan told us that there is a tradition that any visitors to Glacier Park have to eat a Huckleberry Bear Claw, so we stopped at a bakery and picked up three of them - one for each of us.

We all thought that they were delicious. Calorie ridden, but tasty. This wasn't a trip to worry about calories or costs. It seems that we overdid things on both accounts.

We left the park that day and headed towards Columbia Falls where we had a reservation at our final hotel, which turned out to be the nicest hotel we stayed in during the trip. This is a picture of our room. Trust me, this was very nice compared to the place we stayed at for two nights in St. Mary just outside the East side of Glacier Park. It was very crowded and very old. This one was a breath of fresh air.

I found this picture on Google Images of the type of room we stayed in at St. Mary Village.

Prior to arriving at Columbia Falls, we went to a quaint little town called Whitefish, just north of Columbia Falls. Ryan calls it the Park City of Montana. We stopped at what they call Whitefish City Beach. It was a beautiful lake beach and park.

We spent quite a bit of time there enjoying the view. This and all the areas we visited in Glacier were a great way to enjoy the beauties of nature that God provided for us on this earth. God is good!

Going-To-The-Sun Road (Glacier Trip Part III)

 One of the biggest highlights of Glacier National Park is traveling on the "Going-to-the-Sun" Road. It was even more spectacular than I had imagined. It is a very scenic, but narrow, road that spans approximately 50 miles and crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass. Along the road, there are waterfalls, weeping rocks, and terrific views of lakes.

We drove to West Glacier to go on another boat tour on Lake McDonald, where there was another lodge to visit and enjoy.

This boat tour was a little longer than the first one. It lasted about an hour and we learned a little trivia about the park and the lake along with enjoying the views.

After the boat tour, we were able to go on a short hike where we saw this interesting and unique waterfall.

Me having a little fun along the path on the way back to the car.

They have these red tour cars that drive visitors around the park. We didn't take one of their tours, but it probably would have been fun.

It was a very fun and fulfilling day.

Bear, Elk, & Many Glacier (Glacier Trip Part II)

  We did it! We finally made it to Glacier National Park in Montana. I can tell you that it was worth waiting for. We had planned on going last September/October, but Jared & Catherine's wedding celebration took precedence, which was ok with us.

One reason for going to Glacier this year is that in December Alan and I will be celebrating our 50th Wedding Anniversary and we wanted to get away and do something fun together. It isn't easy to celebrate an anniversary two days after Christmas so we decided that our get-away-trip should be celebrated early. We will still do something to celebrate later this year.

Thankfully, Ryan went to Glacier with us. He has a nice Sprinter camping van he named Hellbender (a salamander) that is his home away from home. He was able to park it at all of the hotels we stayed in, thankfully.

He eats and sleeps in his van when he needs to. Having Ryan with us was a blessing because he's been to Glacier three or four times and knows the best places to visit.

On our first full day in the park and we drove to Many Glacier. There was a nice lodge there that we visited while waiting for our boat tour on Swift Current Lake. It was a short tour, but we enjoyed being on the boat and being able to see the views from the lake. The weather was spectacular.

On the way back to our hotel, Ryan was searching for a bear from the back seat of our van. He told Dad to stop when he saw two ears poking up from a bush. Ryan then saw the head of the bear pop up, but then he disappeared and we couldn't see him from the car. Ryan jumped out of the car, crossed the road, then started searching for the bear. After spotting him, Ryan motioned for both of us to go see it for ourselves. When we got close enough to see him, he was about 40 yards from us. It was a black bear.

We were a little too close to the bear for my comfort, but he just stared at us and didn't seem aggressive at all. 

We also stopped at a clearing down the road because an Elk was spotted in the distance. Ryan pulled out his binoculars and let Alan and I take a turn using them. He was a big, majestic bull. I couldn't get a picture of him because he was too far away from us, but he looked something like this: