28 December 2014

Wow, it's been over a month since I wrote to you all!  I wish I didn't let that happen; then it's so hard to catch up.  I think the two most important things I'll go back for are that Dad and I got to fly to Minnesota the day after Thanksgiving, and spend the weekend with Sam, Natalie, and the kids. We got to meet Alida, and be at her blessing. She turned one month old while we were there. How wonderful to be able to travel so easily!  We had a great time...it just went by too quickly.

     And the other thing is that Estella was born on December 2nd, and all went well. We went to visit Dixie, Zach, and the kids, this week. We drove down Christmas Eve, and stayed until midday the 26th. We even got to see Heidi for a little while!  It was fun to be with children on Christmas morning...it's been a long time since we've done that.

     When we left home the 24th, we had just a little snow on the ground, and there wasn't any in Rexburg at all. But now we have about 18 inches!  Quite a change in just a few days.

     Gran spent Christmas at Jocie's and Janie's house, and I brought her home last night after work. She's glad to be home, but had a nice time, and is starting to get over her cold. Uncle Jim is in California, at Autumn's and Mike's house. He comes home on January 5th.

     I had been asked to speak in Sacrament meeting today, but then they cancelled church this morning because of the snow...or maybe because they heard I was speaking!  Oh well, if they ask me again sometime, I'll already have a talk ready. The topic was, using music to invite the Holy Spirit.

     This evening, Dad and I went to visit Grandma and Grandpa for a while, and had a nice visit. Grandpa was telling us about an experience his brother, Jess, had when he was in Korea, in the 1950's. He was a commander of a group of soldiers, who were in a canyon, and he felt prompted that they should move. They had all settled down for the night, so he ignored the feeling, but it came back even stronger. So he woke them all up, and made them move. The Chinese had targeted that canyon, and shelled it after they had moved.

     He also told us about a time when he had an experience that wouldn't likely happen now days. A farmer who he worked for, had some German prisoners, who were being held at Tauphus Park, in Idaho Falls, come to work in his beet field. Grandpa had to keep guard over them, and he was only 16 years old!

     I hope you all have a nice week, and a wonderful New Year!  Good luck to Sam and Nat, on their move!  

     Love you all!  Mom/Johanna

P.S. Joseph, I did it!

P.P.S Kevin, Grandpa has made a display on the chimney in their living room, of family members who have been in the service. He really wants a picture of you; he's asked me about it 4 times now. A picture of you in uniform (not necessarily dress uniform), 5x7, or smaller, would be perfect. Thank you!