Andrew’s Graduation

Andrew finally chose a profession about 2 1/2 years ago.  He went to school to become a Physical Therapy Assistant.  He studied so hard and spent many hours at school.  On May 15th we were able to attend his graduation from NWTC in Green Bay.

There were about 700 graduates in attendance so we had to stay and listen to each one of their names being read.  It took about an hour.

To say that I'm proud of his accomplishments is an understatement.  

I knew that when he finally had something he wanted to work for, he would go out and get it done.  

There were challenges along the way.  He needed to get and 80% average each semester in each class.  He always did really well in his physical exams.  Written exams are a lot harder for him.  He doesn't test well.  In December, we all prayed that he would pass his classes because if he didn't he would have to retake the class.  Not a problem?  He would have to wait a full year to take it again.

Mid-December was the exam date and he did not get the 80% he needed.  He was crushed.  I know there were a lot of tears shed.  We had prayed and he had studied and he got a blessing.  How could this have happened?  

He was asked to meet with his two professors.  I think they recognized that he knows his stuff but doesn't test well.  They decided to let him continue in the program.  Prayer do get answered and miracles still happen.

Five weeks of clinicals in Wittenberg and another six weeks in Manitowoc.  Finally graduation day is here!

He did it!  Now to continue studying for his national board exam.

A family fast for him this Sunday with faith and prayers to boot.  He takes the exam in early July prior to the next fast Sunday.  How we love that he wants to take care of his family!

2024 Track Season

Even though I'm old and out of shape, I still love track and field!  I enjoyed competing back when I was in high school and even a year of college.  I love being able to work at those meets as the Clerk of Course.  

Now my grandchildren are enjoying the sport.  None of them are stellar as far as breaking any records or making it to state, but they seem to really love doing it.

Adam has discovered the hurdles.  He's not very fast but since not many compete in those races, he almost always places.  

Brock in middle school will find what he likes to do in time.  Right now he long jumps and runs the dashes.  He's not a fast runner, so may have to find other things that he can excel at. 

Cami has discovered triple jumping and has improved quite a bit.  She had some help from Ted who was assisting Heidi Cerveny.  She also loves throwing the discus.

She enjoys running the 4x800 and 4x400 relays as well.

This year I was able to go as the assistant coach twice.  Once to the first indoor meet and once to the final meet of the year prior to the Regional meet.  I enjoy watching the athletes compete and love cheering them on even if they have no chance of winning.  I hope to be able to continue doing this and cheering them on for years to come with many of my grandchildren.

 

Surprise!

About two months ago, while I was still watching Eddie everyday, he was building a "pillow castle."  I noticed that the edges of the frame of the couch was getting pretty frayed.   We gave them our old furniture three years ago when we returned from our mission.  It was in satisfactory condition but far from excellent.  The love seat needed to be taken to the dump before they ever moved into their new home but with nothing to  replace it, it came along.  

Andrew has been looking for a couch for their basement and hasn't found anything in his price range that he liked.  There are chairs in the basement so it is usable but I can see how a couch would be preferrable.  

Pat stopped by after seeing his mother and I made a comment about the state of the furniture.  He had been talking about replacing ours and I just didn't see the need.  On this day, I saw a need.  We went to the furniture store and they were closed.  The next day we went back and picked out our new couch and love seat.  

Erin was with us and Jacob was just getting home from work so we went home, got the truck and trailer, moved our furniture out of the livingroom and took it to Andrew and Cierra's home.  We moved their old couch into their basement and hauled the love seat away.  Erin and I stayed with Eddie while the men picked up the new pieces and took them to our home.

When Cierra came home Eddie ran and told her.  I told him, "Tell Mom 'Surprise!'"  He did.  She walked in their livingroom and couldn't believe what she saw.  She was so appreciative!  She even tried to send us some money as a thank you.  On Sunday, Pat told her he would not accept any payment and she protested saying that it was worth far more than she could give but wanted to give something.  An explanation followed telling her that we are in a place in our lives where we can help our children and that one day she would be in that same place.  Tears and hugs followed.  

How I love giving surprises!

 

Ark Encounter

I do not know who or what group has created this life-sized replica of Noah's ark, but it is impressive.  When we walked to the ark it was cool and breezy and when we walked out it was raining.  Only appropriate.  hehe

So many liberties have been taken in trying to figure out how things were stored and arranged.  They even gave the women names which they admit the Bible does not have.

These jars contained oil, water, grain and whatever needed to be kept safe from being spoiled.

This is the view looking up to the top of the ark from the first level.  It makes sense that there had to be some form of natural light.  There were "oil lanterns" all throughout but I can't imagine that there were that number of lanterns.

The animals were separated into "kinds".  This is the horse kind.  The assumption is that other breeds came later.

The thing I couldn't agree with was  the number  of "dinosaurs" aboard the ark.  I believe they were already extinct prior to the flood.  

What really intrigued me and made so much sense was the gardens that were growing there.  It makes sense that they would grow vegetables in order to have fresh things to eat.  All of these things were on the third level with natural light.

Some of  the veggies were grown in troughs while others were grown in hanging pots.  Still others in the garden spaces below those things. 

This is a depiction of Noah and the dove.  It appears that the dove is coming back with the olive branch.  There were some videos to stop and watch which were interesting as well.  I think we could have spent all day there if we wanted to but we didn't feel that it was necessary.  We got the general feeling of the place.  A nice place to visit but not something I think is a must see.

 

Kirtland Temple

Pat and I decided to take a short vacation during spring break.  Our initial plan was to go to Kentucky to the Ark Encounter and then possibly to Nashville.  But then I told him that the Rizleys were in Kirtland giving tours of the newly acquired Kirtland Temple.  We decided that we would go there first and then south to the Ark.

Marilyn texted me and asked when we would arrive.  I told her that we would take the tour the following morning and only with them.  She was so cute as she said they volunteered for the first tour of the morning and put our names on the list.  

It was so good to see them and hug them again and just be together.  We didn't have much time to just visit prior to the beginning of the tour but we got a photo or two.

During the tour we were reminded that the temple did not belong to the Community of Christ nor did we now "own" it.  It belongs to the Lord!

This window was an original.

On the third level of the temple only 25 people are allowed at a time due to the age and stability of the building.  I'm sure at some point it will be closed and reinforced.

This is Joseph Smith's desk where he wrote much.  I can only imagine which revelations were written at this desk.  So much revelation was given in Kirtland.  More than any other place.

We have had this tour before.  The last time was in 2018.  Back then it was very historical and not spiritual.  This time was very different.

As the Rizleys spoke of the outpouring of the Spirit on the day of the dedication, they asked us to sing "The Spirit of God".  I was asked to begin and direct the singing.  It was difficult to do it as my voice felt constricted and the tears flowed.

A rainy, drizzly day but it did not damper our spirits.  How I love these people!

In the Visitors' Center are these two portraits of Heavenly visitations on the dedication day.  Moses, Elias and Elijah came to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery and restored priesthood keys.  

Our Savior, Jesus Christ came and appeared to Joseph and Oliver and accepted the temple.  He needed this temple in order to have the keys restored to the earth.  What a sacred site that is now in the hands of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints.  The tours now are just so sacred.

 

Waffle House

After Easter we took a short trip to Kirtland and Williamstown, KY.  We invited Tom to join us.

His first experience at Waffle House was very much appreciated.  He enjoyed the food as much as his dad.  Bonus - this one was in a nice part of town and was also very clean.

 

Easter

 A few months ago when the First Presidency announced that Easter would be Sacrament meeting only and that and Christmas would always be that way going forward, I thought about how we do a Christmas program and why can't we do an Easter program as well?  After all, there is a lot more scripture on the life of Jesus and His atonement, crucifixion and resurrection.  I spoke to Bishop Rickert and asked if I could do it and he agreed.

I spent some time in the four gospels and 3rd Nephi as well as Jesus the Christ and a recent talk by Elder Stevenson.  I had a thought back in February that I should have Amy and Luke Jensen sing, "Gethsemane" for Easter.  She agreed to do it.  With that in place I began to formulate a program.  I picked out more music and then tried to put the scripture I wanted to use in an order that would make sense.  Then I fit the music in.  I had to go back after I had it submitted it to the bishop and revise it just a bit.

Easter morning following the sacrament, Becky Hoffman began as the narrator.  She had the perfect inflection in her voice and paused at just the right places.  She was the perfect person to do the narration!  Amy and Luke's song was perfect.  I couldn't stop my tears.  Bishop Rickert sang a special number as well as the Primary and finally the seminary class.  The bishopric members each bore their testimonies and then we finished with He is Risen!  

The Spirit was so strong for me and I hoped others felt it as well.  Bishop asked me what I could possible do to top it next year.  What a great compliment.  Then as I was attempting to leave, Chad stopped me and asked if I had written the program.  I told him I had.  He expressed that he had never experienced an Easter celebration better than this one.  He always had one when he attended his previous church but not like this one.  I told him that I just followed the Spirit and it worked.  

I have some ideas for the future and I hope that those thoughts are what the Spirit confirms to me.  If not, then I'll just go forward with what it does confirm.  I hope all that were there, felt the Love of our Savior!