April has been a very cold and windy month. We watched the weather and when it was between 45 and 55 degrees with winds speeds from 20 to 30 miles per hour we put on our insulated underwear, heavy levis, sweatshirts, windbreakers, and stocking caps and headed to the golf course. We were able to golf 11 times. Never did take off the stocking cap the whole month. When the wind speeds were higher, I refused to go but Lon and Ken Wright did go twice with 30 to 40 mile winds. It was real good exercise when you were walking against the wind! But all in all, it was better than walking around and round in circles at the Rec Center. The wind doesn't effect my ball at all as it doesn't get into the air, but Lon had some challenges as the wind would blow his ball.
On the 4th, Maria and Ysidro Gonzales came to the temple early and Ysidro baptized Maria for 8 women and Lon for 8 men. It is so special to witness the spiritual growth in these two. We were able to be with them thanks to our coordinators. We were supposed to go to dinner with them on Monday but Ysidro got sick so we finally went to dinner at The Tiger Stop on the 28th. Maria flew out on the 29th to be with her Mother in Mexico for Mother's Day. She won't be back for 2 weeks.
On Sunday the 8th, Lon received a new calling. He is now the 1st Counselor in the Sunday School Presidency with Tom Johnson as president and Jeremy Bette the 2nd counselor and Dan Couch as the secretary. This is a position he has never served in before.
We also had the annual Temple Devotional on the 8th. I was asked to lead the singing for the opening and closing hymns. What an experience. It was like directing an 800 voice choir. Boy did they sing. It is so special to be able to associate with such great people and feel of their testimonies and learn from them. We just love our temple service.
We then went to Tracy's house and helped celebrate Ashton's 14th Birthday.
Singing Happy Birthday
Ice Cream Cake that was hard to cut.
Monday morning I had to take Mom to the Doctor, she is doing well. She has to start with a new doctor as DR. Llohman has retired. Of course, her worst fears are if she has gained weight or not. She hadn't so we went to Subway for a sandwich after.
Tracy was presented an award this afternoon so we went to the City Hall to support him.
The policemen who were receiving awards, Tracy is first in line
Our row of supporters, Sarah, Eisley, Ashton, Annie, Lon, Chandler and myself
Tracy with his superiors and the mayor
He has now been a City Patrolman for a year.
Ashton has begun soccer again and we were able to attend about 4 of his games. He really enjoys this sport, especially when he gets to be the goalie.
After the game on the 14th, we took Chandler and Annie out to eat. We went to Denney's and Chandler had a hamburger that was bigger than his mouth, but he really enjoyed it.
Eisley is playing volleyball each Saturday this month so we support Ashton while Sarah gets Eisley to her games. This is her first year so we are waiting till next year to go to her games. It would really be hard to watch these little girls as they are learning the sport.
On the 16th, Mom had to go to the eye doctor so we met up with Judy at Ihop for lunch. Mom was hungry for pancakes. We had a nice visit and are waiting for Mom's new glasses to arrive and we will try to meet up with Judy again for lunch.
Saturday, the 21st, Ashton and I went to his game and then out for lunch. Tracy was in Boise and Annie in Idaho Falls, Sarah and Eisley at Volleyball and Lon and Chandler went fishing. Lon has bought a flat bottomed canoe from his brother Larry and this was the first time to launch the boat and check it out.
I was getting a little worried when they weren't home by 4 as we needed to be to the school for the Recognition Event at 6 when Chandler texted me and said that they were on their way home, it was now 4:30. I texted him back "Grandpa has a 6:00 awards program. You are pushing time now." Chan texted back, "We just had a slight delay/problem..."
These two came into the house at 5:30 without shirts, wet hair, wet levis, wet shoes and sheepish grins on their faces. We now had 30 minutes to get them showered and dressed and to the Awards program. Sarah came with clothes for Chan and the events of the day started to be reveled to us. I think that I will share it to you in Lon's own words.
" I woke up at 7:00 so I decided to get ready and leave and get Chandler and head for Salmon Falls Reservoir. We got down there at 10:00 am. The wind had come up so it was a little rough but the boat handled just fine. The motors both worked good and it runs good. We fished the west side where it was smooth. We fished, or I guess I should say we trolled all the way up to Reunion Cove where we anchored up and bait fished. It wasn't any better than trolling.
We changed motors and they both worked good. We headed back to the dock as it was getting time to head for home as I have a recognition banquet tonight to receive my Silver Beaver Award. While we were trolling back, Chandler took over the driving. He did excellent. We even ended up catching a really nice fish. We have never gotten skunked. As we were going around the corner we turned too fast and hung up on the rocks. I had Chandler back up to see if we could get unsnagged. Meanwhile the other pole I hadn't reeled in got hooked up on the propeller. We got the one unsnagged and was bringing in the other line. Just as it surfaced it broke the line and started to float away. Without thinking I reached to grab the spinner and the boat over turned, dumping us into the Reservoir. The boat was upside down and we both, after realizing what had happened, started trying to use the boat as a raft, hanging on to it and kicking and heading to shore. It was a long process and the water temperature was very cold! We finally got to the shore and started trying to get the canoe out of the water. We had a couple come by and helped. They were a life savor for us as I think that hyperthermia was setting in as we were soaked and starting to shiver uncontrollably. The man had a sweat shirt and a jacket that we put on after taking off our wet tops. We finally got the boat out of the water and drained and turned over back in the water. What a miracle. We lost the brand new battery, both fishing poles and one pole holder. Everything else stayed in the upside down boat. I don't see how as long as the boat was upside down how we got everything; coats, lunch boxes, tackle box, even the anchor was there. The clip from my pistol came off and was there. The leatherman that had come out of the sheath, amazing. The one fellow flagged down another boater and they towed us into the docks, where we unloaded everything, put the canoe back in the truck and headed for home. I wish I could see who the angels were that helped us through this. Without that great miracle, we both would have drowned. What could have easily been a tragedy ended up a blessing. I don't ever think that we will forget our first fishing trip together on our first outing in the new canoe. We headed straight for Jerome where we had 1/2 hour to get ready for the banquet. It was quite a day and one I won't forget in this life. I guess my mission isn't quite done yet as the Lord has had several chances to take me home but has saved me for some more special experiences that are yet to come."
Lon and Chan have tried to laugh about the day's experience but as the reality of what could have been the outcome settled in, all of us are very aware that these two were watched over by guardian angels. We have since heard of 3 man who have died due to hyperthermia while fishing. As you can see in the photo's, they were wearing coats and cowboy boots; not easy to swim to get the boat to shore. We are so thankful that they are safe.
The Recognition Banquet, not really a banquet but an ice cream social, was very nice. We were surprised how many of our fellow Temple Workers were there. Lon was presented the Silver Beaver Award, which is the highest award a local Boy Scout Council can give.
As they presented the award, they showed photo's of Lon's experiences with various scouts
This is Michael Bingham's group golfing in West Yellowstone
Tracy is on the right and Lon in the middle as they rafted the Middle Fork of the Salman River
He has truly loved his years serving with the young men of our ward over these many years. So proud of this man and his desire to help young boys grow into great, responsible men.
Cecil Abbott passed away and I had to sing at the funeral on the 25th. Luckily it was at 1:00 as we leave for our shift at the temple at 3:15. Sarah Hope and I spent hours getting these two songs ready; Daddy's Hands and Grandpa, Tell me About the Good Old Days. I had sung Daddy's Hands before but Sarah had never played either. Getting the timing down on western songs is very tricky but with three days of practice and a lot of help from above, we were able to perform them well. Lon dedicated the grave. So thankful that we could help Cecilia and her family at this time. Cecil was a very good man and will be missed but he was 89 and had been without his sweet Beth for way too long. We are thankful that he is relieved of his pain and in a better place.
We ended this month in our favorite place, the temple. Lon had a sealers meeting on Friday morning, I subbed the mid shift and then Lon subbed on the pm shift. Saturday morning we both subbed on the am shift.
It has been a busy month and we have felt the love of our Heavenly Father as we have accomplished all that we have been asked to do. I know that he answers our prayers and is there to help, protect, and guide. We have been blessed this month!
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