They are so good to me...

I have always thought that I was lucky to have been born into the best family on earth. I've said before that our parents sacrificed much to raise us in a way pleasing to the Lord and to help us be happy. I also have two brothers and six sisters. Since we have become adults, we have lived quite a distance from each other, but every time I am with them, they inspire me to be a better person and to do more with my life. Although I am not around my nieces and nephews often, they also are doing wonderful things in life and it blesses me to see how they have grown and progressed.

We got home late last night from a wonderful trip to Utah. This morning, the mailman brought our held mail. In it was a box from my sister Miriam. Inside was a beautiful quilt with blocks made by the beautiful women in my family--my mom, my sisters and sisters-in-law, my daughters and daughters-in-law and my nieces. Among other things, the note inside says: "May this quilt warm you not merely physically, but especially emotionally as a reminder of those who love you the most!"

Thank you all! I love it and I love you. And to those who intended to send blocks, but didn't have the time or energy or ability--don't worry, I feel your love so strongly, too. I know that the Lord hears the prayers you all have offered in my behalf and I am touched by that.

"I have a family here on earth. They are so good to me. I want to share my life with them for all eternity. Families can be together forever through Heavenly Father's plan. I always want to be with my own family and the Lord has shown me how I can."

"Miraculous things happen when families pray together." --James E. Faust

PS. Notice Janet's square--it's two rows in from the left and three rows down. It has birdies :)

Monadnocks

Bet you don't know what a monadnock is! Today, Janet and I went to the top of one. There are three of them in our local area and we took a little walk on the tallest one--Rib Mountain. That's right; a monadnock is a small mountain, ridge or knob arising from a gentle plain. We have lived here almost six years now and we drive by the access road to Rib Mountain every Sunday on our way to church, yet I have never been up Rib Mountain. It might be because it costs $5 and we're too cheap. But today, Janet and I blew the budget and went up Rib Mountain. It was fun.




The view looking south. It's pretty much the same as the view looking any direction, although you do have a nice view of Wausau looking north and east. It's not that impressive.


This is the highest point on Rib Mountain. It's also the third highest spot in Wisconsin.

I made it 2/3 of the way up the observation tower. Those of you who really know me know that I don't do heights. Here I am, safely on the ground, waving at Janet, who is up on the tower.

It's good to be queen.

Sadie

Just posting some picture of Sadie for Mom...

Memories

Does this look familiar to any of you? We had one of these bushes on the southwest corner of our house in Springville. We called it "Bridal Wreath." I have no idea if that is the correct name for it or not. A few weeks ago, we went to Marshfield where Rene and Janet ran in a 10K. While they were running, Tracy, Afton and I wandered around the little zoo and I saw this bush. I've seen some places around here where there are huge borders of these.

Seeing this bush brought back sweet memories of childhood. Although I had my share of childish fears, I think I had a wonderful childhood. Our parents worked hard and sacrificed much for us. I remember that when we moved to Greeley, Dad went with Forrest and me to our first Mutual activity so that we wouldn't feel alone. It was probably the last thing he needed or wanted to do right then, but it left me with the feeling that he was concerned about our well-being. Mom often went without new clothes so that we could have clothes that would allow us to "fit in" to some degree with our friends. The things that I learned from them have blessed our own family and I'm so thankful for their example.

Answers

1. Mesa, AZ
2. Santiago, Chile
3. St. George, UT
4. Tokyo, Japan
5. Nauvoo, IL
6. Washington DC
7. Hamilton, New Zealand
8. Laie, HI, Cardston, Alberta Canada, and Mesa, AZ
9. The Hague, Netherlands, Nauvoo, IL and Boston, MA
10. 157
11. Oakland, CA
12. Suva, Fiji
13. Stockholm, Sweden
14. Halifax, Nova Scotia and Regina Saskatchewan
15. Manti, UT

Quizito

For all you smarty pants out there:

LDS Temple Quiz

1. What temple came to be known as the "Lamanite" temple?

2. What temple sustained an earthquake registering 8.5 on the Richter scale which lofted Moroni's trumpet into an adjacent flower bed?

3. Which temple is the oldest temple still actively used as a temple today?

4. What was the first temple to be dedicated in a country where Christianity is not the predominant religion?

5. What temple was originally constructed with a horizontal (flying) Angel Moroni?

6. What temple's 288 foot spire makes it the tallest LDS temple?

7. During what's temple's construction did 45-50 non-members working on the construction site one weekend eventually get baptized?

8. Which three temples resemble Solomon's temple in that they have no spires or towers?

9. On the 178th anniversary of the day that Angel Moroni first appeared to Joseph Smith, what three temples participated in the setting of Angel Moroni on their spires?

10. As of October 2010, how many operating, under construction and announced temples are there?

11. Which temple is the only one that has 5 spires?

12. During the preparation of the site of what temple were several World War II bunkers found underground?

13. For which temple did city officials show their support by renaming the street and the three blocks on which it is located to Temple Drive, Temple, Genealogist and Chapel?

14. On November 14, 1999, which two temples were dedicated in the same day?

15. Which temple site had to be cleared of hundreds of rattlesnakes before construction could begin?

Chinch Buggy

This is what passes for fun in Rene's work world :)