September 2024

 And a new month begins!  We started out on the PM shift.  We will leave for Utah and Isaac and Claire's wedding on Friday the 6th.

  We are so thrilled that Tracy and Sarah are going with us.  We are still quite exhausted, and it will be great to have Tracy do the driving.  We couldn't leave until Tracy got home from work, so Lon and Phil went golfing in the morning, then we did the 1pm session at the temple and met up with Tracy and Sarah at their house.  We got to Mindi and Justin's at 9pm.  Lon was thrilled to be able to watch the BYU game on Tracy's phone as we drove down.  

Lon was asked by Isaac and Claire to seal them.  He received permission and we had to be to the temple by 12:00.  Everything went so perfect.  Lon did a wonderful job.  The sealing room was clear full.  We met Claire for the first time.  

 

                               Nathan & Loren, Justin, Claire & Isaac, Mindi, Hannah and Jacob

The entire wedding party

All of the wedding party guests from Isaac's side of the family

It was a beautiful day.  We had about 2 hours before we needed to be to the dinner to celebrate these two, so we decided to drop by Farrell and AnnaVee's to visit.  

They are so cute!

Our visit with Farrell and AnnaVee was such a shock.  AnnaVee didn't look good at all.  She is pretty much helpless as she needs help to even stand up.  Farrell looked awful.  He is so tired and was coughing.  We hope he doesn't have pneumonia.  We are very worried about these two.  A very depressing visit.

The dinner for the wedding was very nice.  The venue was decorated by Claire's family and looked great.  The meal was a catered Mexican dinner and the program was delightful. 

Mindi and Justin sharing a dance

We had to wait till the reception for a photo of the entire family.

Hadley wasn't so sure of all the noise and people.

As soon as the dinner and program were over, everyone jumped in to set up for the reception.

Lon delivering cupcakes to the serving table.

Clean-up didn't take too long with all the help we had. 

Then back to Mind's to watch the BSU/Oregan football game.  

Justin delivered the newlyweds to the airport.  It has been a perfect day.

We attended Sacrament with Mindi and Justin, had lunch and hit the road.  We got home about 3:30.

As we were driving, we discovered the whole news of Tracy's scholarship to Polygraph School.

Tracy applied for this scholarship by writing an essay, getting letters of recommendation, school transcripts and work history.  While he was at bomb school, he was notified that he had won.  The committee grants this scholarship once a year to someone in the United States.  The scholarship pays for the school, 2 1/2 months, and gifts Tracy the polygraph machine to keep.  Tracy's police department pays for the room and board for him to attend.  He had to be in Boise this evening to begin school on Monday morning.  Wow, what an honor!  We are so proud of him and thankful that others value his work ethics.  

Craig and Robbie came down on the 9th and the men went golfing while Robbie and I enjoyed time to sit back and visit.  

Lon and LaRon went fishing on the 10th to Magic.  They had a successful day, and we have fish in the freezer. 

We opened on Friday and Saturday and now the temple is closed for 2 weeks.  When asked what I was going to do for the 2 weeks, I answered, "read a book".  

We spoke in the Wendell Stake Conference on the evening of the 14th.  We couldn't believe how many people we knew.  Lots of our ordinance workers and friends from years past.  It was good and our talks went well.  

We attended a birthday party for Sister Andreason, one of our ordinance workers who had to quit because of age and hardship driving to the temple.  She lives out in Hollister but had the party in Twin Falls.

She wanted to serve until she turned 90 but missed it by a couple of months.  We have been so blessed to meet so many amazing people in this calling.  Jolene Jensen and the William's (Aaron and his wife) were there, also former ordinance workers.  

2 WEEKS OFF!  The first week, I literally did nothing.  I came down with some kind of a bug; fever, headache, sore throat.  I spent the week getting over it.  My body is just worn out physically and emotionally.  Lon and LaRon spent the week fishing, first at CJ Strike, then to Salman Falls and ended the week at Magic.  They had success and are excited for next week when Ron will be down and join them.

On Sunday the 22nd, Mindi and Justin stopped by for lunch on their way home from their Oregan Coast Trip.  So fun to hear about their trip.  

Mondy the 23rd, Lon, Derlin and Reed (Temple Presidency) met in Burley to golf.  Kathy, Nancy and I met them at Morey's Restaurant for dinner.  We had a wonderful time.  We drove to check out the Burley Temple.

Harris's, Taylor's and Thompson's

We love these people and love serving with them.  We will miss them when our service comes to an end in the temple.  

We received word this evening that Larry Thompson (Lon's brother) passed away.  He and Blanca have been living in Florida, so we don't know anything about a service yet.  Tiffinay was on her way to Florida to be with Blanca so we will be patient till we know more.  Larry was 87 and has had Alzheimer's for several years.  We last saw him in April of 2023.

He didn't know us, but we enjoyed visiting with him.

We are feeling a bit old, we are both parentless and have each lost a brother.  I have no aunts or uncles left.  Lon still has Aunt Phylis, Aunt Jenny and Aunt Charlotte, all over 93.  

Ron Bloxham came to town on the 25th and the fishing marathon was on.  The three fishermen went to Magic.  Came home and reloaded and went to CJ Strike and ended up at Salmon Falls Reservoir on Friday.  They did really good and sent Ron home with lots of crappie, bass, perch, and trout.  Between football, golf, and fishing, I think Lon had a great 2 weeks off and will be glad to get back to the temple to rest up😂.  I read books, put puzzles together and watched movies.  I feel rested and ready to rejoin the rest of the world.  It was a much needed rest for me.  We ended the month with our big week, opening on Tuesday morning.  It was good to be back to the temple with our dear friends and co-workers.  We got new flowers and plants throughout the temple.  It really brightened up each room.  

Jerome is growing.  On the 29th, the south side of our Stake was realigned.  The 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th wards were shuffled, and 2 new wards were organized. We now have 12 wards in our Stake.  Our little town isn't so little anymore.  Kind of sad.  I do miss the small town where you knew everyone 

and neighbors helped neighbors.  

We are enjoying a beautiful fall with warm days and cool nights.