And it's November already?  Well, November 1st really started the month out great!  We have the week off but on Tuesday we went to the temple at 9:30 to conduct the Mid-Shift Preparation Meeting then had a 3-hour Presidency meeting.  We did baptisms and a sealing session as patrons then put back on our badges and presided over a Spanish Sealing.  The couple to be sealed were from the Jerome Branch so it was even more special to be able to help.  Lon did the sealing.  This couple had come to the temple the Wednesday before to receive their endowments, so we had already met them, and it was a wonderful evening.  9:30 AM to 8:00PM in the temple, great way to spend our day off!

Lon went fishing twice this week, once with George and again with LaRon.  It was cold, snowy and windy on Thursday and he got chilled.  Hopefully he won't end up sick!  Barbara and I went to lunch on the 3rd to celebrate my birthday.

So fun to have Barb living close again so we can get together.  We went shopping and figured out what to do for my family for Christmas then to Olive Garden for lunch.

We shared the cake!

On Friday, Mindi and Shayla came to town to celebrate our birthdays.  We met up with Tracy, Sarah and Eisley at a Chinese Restaurant and had a wonderful meal and visit.  Saturday morning, we all met at Tracy's house for Shayla's famous breakfast pizza.  Again, great food and great company!  The girls then went to visit with Grandma and Aunt Connie, then to lunch with Aunt Judy and they headed for home.  A storm was headed in, so Mindi needed to get on the road before it hit.  She made it home just in time.  We had to head home as Lon was needed to help give a blessing.  (Sister Petersen would tell me that it didn't really happen cause we didn't take a single photo!)  

Sunday was a big day for us.  We had a meeting with the front desk service missionaries at 4:30pm to introduce ourselves to them.  Then, our annual Presidency Devotional at 6pm.  Due to the snow and cold, we didn't really expect too many to venture out.  We had it televised over the internet for those who didn't' want to drive in the snow and dark.  We were so thrilled that we had over a 1000 people either in attendance or online.  Lon had to conduct the meeting, then he and I shared our testimonies along with Sister Taylor.  President Taylor spoke along with the Harris's.  It was an amazing meeting, and the spirit was so strong.  Everyone present was edified.  How we have grown to love all of these people.  

We were able to attend the temple on the 19th with Tracy, Sarah, Steve, Bev and Ashton.  Ashton received his endowment.

Lon, Nancy, Sarah, Ashton, Tracy

Ashton will start his 2 weeks of at home MTC on Monday then head to Provo to the MTC for another 7 weeks.  He is headed to Soul, Korea and has a difficult language to learn.

We had dinner at Juanitzio's after with all the family, even a couple of girlfriends.  What a special day.

We headed to Twin Falls on Sunday morning early as Ashton is giving his farewell talk today at 9.  We really enjoy his ward.  There are many ordinance workers who belong to that ward.  Ashton gave a great talk and even bore his testimony in Korean, a little rough, but what a great effort.  He is going to be a great missionary.  We had brunch at Tracy's and Sarah's and then came home for a couple of hours.  We had to be back over to Tracy's at 6pm as the Stake President is going to set him apart as a missionary.  It was another great evening celebrating this young man and his decision to serve his Heavenly Father.

Proud grandparents

Kona decided he needed to be in the family foto also

So excited for his young man.   (I'm getting shorter)

Looking forward to the weekly emails from Korea as this young man begins his service

We had Thanksgiving week off.  At our Presidency meeting, we found out that we are to speak in the Jerome Spanish Branch on Sunday.  Glad we have the week off so we can prepare!  Thanksgiving dinner was at our house this year.  We had Tracy and his family and Justin, Shayla and Ryanne.  We had more food than we could eat, played games and watch football.  It was a wonderful day shared with family.  (Again, no fotos!  I'm really failing)  

Tracy and Sarah came back over on Friday to watch the BSU football game and we fed them leftovers.  Sarah helped us order formal winter coats.

On Saturday we headed to Burley to visit with Larry, Lon's brother.  He is in an assisted living facility there.  We don't think he knew who we were, but we did have a good visit, letting him pick the topics.  He seems very content with his new home.  We met up with Dave and Marilyn Gibbons for lunch.  It's always so wonderful to be with these two special people.  They truly are family to us.  We served together in El Salvador for 18 months and we love them so.  We drove by the Burley Temple site.

The framework is above the ground.  

Sunday the 27th, Sister Stoker reported her mission and Brother Dan Bench gave his missionary farewell.  A great Sacrament Meeting.  Then we headed to the Spanish Branch to talk.  We had 40 minutes between us, I took about 15 and did OK.  Lon, of course, did wonderful.  It was fun to visit with old friends in the Branch.

And November is suddenly over.  We end the month on the AM Shift.  The days just go by so fast.  

We were asked on Tuesday during our Presidency Meeting to speak at the Paul Stake Conference this coming Sunday.  Not much notice but are looking forward to it.  Looks like December will start out busy!