20 September 2015

Hi everybody,
   Kind of a quiet day here today...Sacrament meeting was really good. Brother Jack Church was the High Counselor, and his guest was Micah Pope, from 1st Ward, just recently home from a mission in Albuquerque. Both gave excellent talks.
   I'm going to the Family History class, but feel pretty discouraged...I don't know what they're talking about. No, it's not that I don't know, it's that I don't know how to do, or where to go, to do what they're talking about. I had hoped that I would be able to learn something to be able to help Gran...but I think it'll take some one on one teaching.
   I just got back from visiting with Grandma and Grandpa; they both seem good.  The young men had brought the Sacrament to Grandpa today, and he was so pleased. There was quite a group of them: Connor Johnson and Curtis Cardon were the priests, and then some deacons, Jens Christensen, Darrin Winegar (brand new deacon today), Britton Rigby, and another, but Grandma couldn't remember...I thought she did well to remember what she did.
   Then their hometeachers, the Willfords came this evening...they really enjoy their visits.
   I haven't seen our moose in a couple of days, but Gran thought she saw it go past her west windows earlier, and Grandpa says it went by his window as well.  So we're all being careful when we are outside. He seems pretty calm, no aggression at all.
   It hit me just yesterday that Joseph will be 10 this Saturday!  I knew it was his birthday, but hadn't stopped to think how old he would be!  Slow down, Joseph! 
   Dad is in Albuquerque this week; I think he has 3 more days of competition. Then he'll be heading for Denver, and a birthday party! 
   Brother Gene Rigby passed away last week, and we had his funeral on Friday.  He lived out on 700 North, didn't always come out to church. When he did, he usually wore a pinkish cowboy shirt...you might remember him.  It was a big funeral, they had 10 children. We fed about 115 people at the luncheon.  I'm sure glad that my job gives me the flexability to take a day off for things like that. It wouldn't have been as easy with my old position at work.
   I'm eager to see more pictures of the remodel in Moscow! 
   Am I the only one who's excited for General Conference!  Getting two members of the Twelve...that doesn't happen every day.  I'm sure keeping them in my prayers.
   Please respond to this email with any news you may have from where you live!  We'd all love to hear about it. 
   Love, Mom/Johanna/Nana

Alright, just a few comments from the MN group. Our lives don't seem all that exciting much of the time, but there are a few things to share. The fall season is officially upon us; we have been seeing some color changes in the trees, and the temps are getting much more comfortable, and almost no humidity, even tho it's been one thunder storm after another with tons of rain lately. One of the things we appreciate the most about MN is how distinguished the four seasons are, and all the seasons have been especially nice this year. 

Church and our callings are going well for us. We are still settling into the Apple Valley Ward, which is a great Ward, but at times we still miss the Prior Lake Ward. Natalie is pulling double duty in the calling department; activity days leader and nursery leader. Both are fun and challenging at the same time. I'm still the Ward Clerk, which is a good calling...heavy on Sunday, but fairly light during the middle of most weeks. We are on the verge of a Ward boundary realignment in our Stake, but from what we understand; our Ward is actually going to increase in size a little bit, as we are not losing any members - only gaining. The number of units meeting at our building may actually be going from three, down to two units, which would be great from a meeting time perspective. No matter what happens.......I'm confident it won't be the end of the world the way it was when the Westminster Stake was created and we ended up in the Northglenn Ward and good old Elmood Lane was dissolved. That was a sad day in my book. Oh well - life goes on! 

Bradley and I had the opportunity to hike Mt Bierstadt last Saturday. It was a beautiful day for a hike; the Aspens were just starting to turn color and the sun was shining bright all day...I got burned! Bradley did really well the whole day, but did suffer a little from altitude sickness close to the summit. There was a point around 12K ft that I was having a hard time keeping up with him...he was climbing like a little goat!  I've attached a couple pics from our climb. 

Natalie is on the hunt for a new kitchen table; preferably one that goes better with our other furniture in that area. She already has a buyer lined up for our existing table, so we may be without a table for a while, but that won't stop me from eating too often - unfortunately. Natalie has also drawn up some plans for a raspberry/veggie garden, which will be located in the front yard next spring. Sounds kind of unusual, but we already have this sizable piece of yard in the front that isn't grass - it's just been some random plants and wood chips, so now it will be more useful. 

Maddie and Macy start pre-school together in less than a month. They will be attending a similar program that Maddie attended this past winter/spring, only this one will be at a different high school. We've decided Maddie is old enough to ride with me on the Bishop's Storehouse truck, which will happen this coming Saturday. Bradley started riding along at the age of three, and loved every minute of it. Time will tell what Maddie thinks of driving around in a refer box truck. I'm sure she will be fine if we bring lots of good books for her to read along the way - Maddie loves books! I'm mostly curious to see how she responds to starting her day at 5am. No matter what, it will be a good experience for both of us. 

Macy is doing well. She has been my home teaching companion the last two months since Bradley went back to CO. I think she likes tagging along. Alida has been taking her first steps recently; actually started when I was out of town last weekend. Not covering a lot of ground yet, but she is on her way. 

I'm happy to report I can fully extend my left arm again. It's still pretty uncomfortable to do so, but it's getting easier. My ribs/sternum still can be pretty uncomfortable at times, but they too, are showing signs of healing. Now I just feel like I need to get my strength back on my left side and I will be close to "back to normal". We'll see how long that takes. 

Now you are all pretty much up to speed with us. Hope everyone is doing well. 

Love you guys. 

Sam