Visit Brook and Dave and New Baby Georgiana

Sweet Mama, Brook taking a moment to rest with new baby, Georgiana

The whole clan, Brook and Dave's children all in awe over new baby sister.

Shannon and Shelly spent the week up in Farmington helping Brook with the new baby and the kids. Shannon said they took the kids swimming almost every day to let Brookjhave some quiet time. A new mom really appreciates that and they did an great job to help out. They had fun going with Summer and Kaylee and Dallas and was like on big sleepover all week. The older boys (Cody & Jordan) had a blast at EFY. What a neat experience they each had. They loved it and met new friends. Awesome. Thanks, again Shelly and Shannon for all you did for Brook and Dave. Georgiana is a sweetie pie.

I appreciate everyone that made my week special. Thank you again, to my Sweetheart for giving me that time with the family while he worked that week at home and hosted Loni and Steve's son, Mitchell while he was in UT. We had a barbeque with the family here with him and Steve at Annie's that first week. It truly was a special gift of time with everyone too. We count our blessings. We love you all.

Anna and Ron : )

A Heart Full of Joy

This is my mission photo taken when I was preparing to go in 2006.

I am especially thankful this day to have attended our Church meetings. I look forward each week to be among those who are there and prepare to receive and embrace a witness of the Spirit that we have the truth.

Ron and I were reading in the scriptures while our lunch was baking. We read in II Nephi 9: about the Infinite Atonement, and the prophecy of "the true Church." That phrase really stood out to me as never before. I was comforted to know what God knew so many centuries ago, what we have been given "the true Church" in the Restoration of his Gospel on the Earth today. That is amazing and credible to my mind.

I stand all amazed at the Love Jesus offers me, and embraces us (all) in the arms of His Love. I appreciate so much the messages that were spoken in the talks given. We heard from a young man who is embarking on his mission this week. He gave an excellent, well prepared talk about Testimony. His mother must be very pleased to see her oldest son at this point in his life and the effort that it took for him to be there. I know I would be, and have been when each of my sons and daughter chose to serve their missions.

My heart is so full of gratitude and with the love that God and Savior have for us. We are so indebted for everything we have, are and are yet to become. The principles of the Gospel give meaning to everything we do.

Just this week I had a "missionary moment" in visiting with a young man that works at the same company as Ron has been working there the last two years. He is a young father, who is twenty-nine years old. His ancestry came through Mexico and connects to Spain. He told me his mother has done their genealogy and found where they are linked to Spanish ancestors. He attended seminary as a youth, but chose to get married instead of going on a mission. His wife is still not a member, but they have two children and he expressed a need and desire to go back to church.

He wants me to get to know his wife better and answer her questions since he doesn't know the answers to them yet. I see in him a lot of potential to come back into the fold and become the father and husband he hopes to become and knows the need for him to get there. He really admires Ron and has a high opinion of him. The times I have met this young man and interacted with him he's always been so kind and willing to get to know me and visit with me. I was really giving him the "business" about getting active and taking his children to Primary. He said he appreciated what I said after I apologized for coming across so strong. But he said he felt the opposite. He said "I MADE HIS DAY!"

I was just being a good neighbor and letting my testimony come through and took an interest in him. He appreciated it and it gave him a lot to think about making some changes in his life to bring his family into enjoying the blessings of the temple someday. He gives much credit to his mother for teaching him in his growing up years. I encouraged him to get active and prepare to go to the temple. He has a twenty-five year old brother who is a returned missionary and is seriously considering getting married in the temple in seven months. His brother went to BYU-Idaho and met a young lady there. I told him and encouraged him that he could be there to see his brother get married in the temple. I meant it too. But, it was at least food for thought.

We look forward to serving the Saints here in the Kennewick mission and work with the Spanish speaking wards/branches. This young man's parents are very active and attend one of the branches in the area. So our work is cut out for us to work with those who need a little prodding to be activated and work toward their temple blessings and bring part member families together to be forever families.

Fruitful Bounty Harvested

This array of fresh fruit and vegetables represents 24 quarts of tomato juice, five pints of raspberry jam and three delicious juicy cantaloupes. Ron juiced the tomatoes and I helped cut and bottled them. He kept the project going and juiced the tomatoes unit we had them all done. He then tackled the raspberries. There were about two gallons he picked this morning. He likes to put them in Ziplock bags and we freeze them for use at a later time.

It is so nice to put raspberry jam on waffles with whipped cream for breakfast, w;hich we had for breakfast this morning. Thank you Ron, you did great.

A Gift of time With My Family in Utah

I have had a while to ponder the week spent with my family in Utah the end of July and the first week of August. It was like a gift from Heaven! Believe me.It was an incredible time.

The week unfolded into something I had never dreamed possible. First off I was able to get down to Utah in time to get to my granddaughter's wedding. Shannon, Ron's daughter was going down a day early so I could make it work. I really appreciate her driving that day early just so I could make it in time.

I also had the privilege to be able to visit with my brother-in-aw and sister-in-law, Patty and John Walser in Cedar City on my way down to the wedding. Patty drove Kaitlyn and me down with her and we had a great time. She was a great help as we got things ready for the reception. Several of the kids were there too with their families, Aaron and Candice, Tracie and Jared and their children, and of course, Tara, Russ and their chldren. Sydney was a beautiful bride and her husband, Colton was so sweet with her and so happy to be with the most beautiful bride in the world.

Aaron and Candice stayed over with us in Cedar City at John and Patty's. They were very gracious hosts and we felt welcomed and had a great time. Baby Gentry was so sweet and got lots of attention. We made it back to Utah County for sacrament meeting. I attended Hank and Lori's ward in Orem. It is always a blessing to be there visiting their ward family.

Monday was a real treasure as I was visiting at Hank and Lori's. Lori told me my sister Linda was in town and was coming for dinner. I could hardly believe it. I stayed for dinner and we had a wonderful visit with her, her husband, Nik and daughter, Mina. We visited and made plans for them to come over for dinner at Aaron's on Tuesday. Mina is so talented and showed us some of her sketches for the kids. hey loved her and her cute personality.

Wednesday Linda and I and Mina went to BYU and toured the Museum of Art. Tanise met us there and set up a nice tour with the curator of the art museum. It was an exhibit of Islamic Art. We enjoyed the exhibits and were there for hours. We had to say our goodbyes, and want to stay close and visit again soon. Thanks Linda for spending time with us. We loved it and appreciate being able to see you, Nik and Mina.

Thursday was another big day. We went boating on Utah Lake. It was the first time I had been on the lake and loved it. Aaron, Candice and the baby and their other children had a wonderful time. We packed a lunch and had some of the cousins with us, Adam, Madi and Luke. It was a memorable day. Parker and Joel loved it too. The girls rode on the raft towed by the boat. Aaron showed us all a great time. Thank you, Aaron for making it all possible.

Friday evening Aaron, Candice, me and the girls went to a play at the SCERA outdoor shell. We saw "Fiddler, on the Roof." Saturday was Joel's fourth birthday, we celebrated by going to Golden Corral for dinner. He ate all his dinner too. Thank you for making it a great week.

Need to mention Baby Gentry was blessed on Sunday in sacrament meeting. She was a perfect angel during the blessing. She was quiet and a good girl. She got a little excited afterwards and Candice had to take her out, but she was so good for the blessing. It was unique to have my family there too. My heart is full and feel the love of our Savior. It meant a lot to be able to witness the baby's blessing, too.

I appreciate everyone that made my week special. Thank you again, my Sweetheart for giving me that time with the family while he worked that week at home. It truly was a special gift of my time with everyone. I count my blessings. I love you all.

A Day At The Farm

This is a remarkable Sunflower that Ron planted from a seed back in April at the farm. I love how beautiful it is and the shape of the petals and center. I actually took the picture with my iPhone. It looks to me like a post card or a photo you find online as an image. Don't you agree?

There will be a lot of sunflower seeds to harvest and roast them to eat like popcorn. I have never had those freshly roasted before.

We went out to the farm and picked fresh corn on the cob, and tomatoes. We made more tomato juice this afternoon. So far we have 14 quarts, seven from yesterday, and seven from today. We LOVE fresh tomato juice. We are very blessed with the bounty from our garden.

We had fresh Mexican squash with our scrambled eggs for breakfast, fresh tomato juice and peaches freshly picked from the tree with whipped cream over it for dessert last night. Delicious.