It's been a quiet month since I last posted.  I spent a lot of time lying on the couch trying to feel good.  Here's a quick synopsis of what else we did:

Mother's Day--Ben and Shannon and the girlies came up for dinner.  It was nice and relaxing, probably because Rene did all the work.  Earlier, we went to their house for Ben's birthday.  It's hard to believe he's 32.

I babysit Macey and Sadie a couple of times.  One time, as I was getting ready to go home,  Macey said to me, "Grandma, will you babysit sit us when Mommy and Daddy get married?"  Somehow, she had gotten into her head that you had to get married before every baby that you have.  How nice to know that she and Sadie and their unborn sister are all already sealed to their Mommy and Daddy!

Janet and Jacob came up for Memorial Day weekend.  I think Rene really enjoyed having a buddy to do stuff with.  I enjoyed having a buddy to lay around with.  Janet beat Rene's high score on the Bubblet game on my Ipad.  Here's the proof:

We went to church in Stevens Point, had a cookout for Memorial Day/Sadie's birthday, the boys went to the shooting range, etc.  It's always sadly quiet when they all leave.

We are being overrun by wildlife.  A bear has been raiding Rene's beehives.  Last weekend, he put up an electric fence around them.  Today, I think we have another loose mink in the yard.   And the mosquito population has exploded.  They are supergood at getting in the house any time anyone cracks a door open.  I'm not planning on spending any time outside anytime soon. 

I'm super happy that I won Janet's challenge!  Yay me! Can't wait 'til I get my stick of gum.

Here, there and everywhere

Over the past several months, we have attended church in a variety of places besides home.  It's nice to be able to go anywhere and feel at home.

I have now attended church in Sarah and Brian's ward 5 or 6 times.  I like their ward.  It's a very ethnically diverse ward and  humble ward.  There are two things that I have really enjoyed when I've gone there.

There is an older gentleman who plays the organ for sacrament meeting.  His name is Bert Robertson (and his wife is Roberta--yes, really!).  He reminds me so much of some of my Allred uncles.  His playing isn't always perfect.  Whose is?  But I really like the way he plays.  Everytime I go to church there, I feel so happy when I walk into the chapel and see him playing.

The gospel doctrine teacher has now been released, but I enjoyed him very much.  I don't even know his name.  He's a guy (obviously), so he teaches like a guy.  There are no pictures or fancy handouts or even elaborate illustrations on the board.  But he is obviously well prepared.   When we were there last April for Janet's graduation, the lesson was on Mosiah 2.  I would imagine that all of us have read that chapter several times.  I know I have.  But the questions he asked and the discussion that followed, sank deep into my heart and touched me personally in a way I'd not considered before.

A couple of Sundays ago, we were in Aberdeen, SD, to celebrate my Mom's 80th birthday.  Alan Johnson was the High Council speaker and did a great job.  Mom was the RS teacher.  Although she was very nervous, her lesson was great.  Kudos to those who serve diligently, but quietly, in the church.  I feel sure that they will be among the sheep, not the goats, in the last day.

Mom and her nine kids