3 March 2019

 Hi everybody,

   I hope you're all doing well. Dad is in Washington DC for a NACO conference. Then on the 7th, I'll meet him in Minnesota for Maddie's baptism. It's always nice to make one trip and see two families! I think we'll get to see Nan too! 

   I apologize to the birthday people this week; I'm using my bad knee as an excuse for not having your packages in the mail yet. Anyhow, the first Happy birthday goes to Spencer, who will be 7 on the fifth! Happy birthday all. Hopefully you'll get something soon! :)

   Jocie and Janie came out Friday evening and the four of us had a nice visit. Then last night, Gran and I had a birthday supper at The Hickory, in Rexburg, with Jim, Clark, and a friend of theirs, Nick Haws. Turns out we all 5 had birthdays between Feb 18 and March 13. We had a nice time. 

   My knee immobilizer wouldn't stay in place; it kept sliding down, no matter how tight I cinched it up. Gran and I came up with a wonderful invention! I use a 6 in wide Ace wrap, hold it length wise, put the center at my belly button, wrap it around my middle and then attach the Velcro ends to the top of the immobilizer on two sides. It doesn't budge! I'm so happy! No more readjusting every 2.5 minutes! :)

   Kevin found a copy of Theater Shoes, for Heidi, not long ago. And last October, I found a copy of Skating Shoes, at ARC, when I was visiting with Ben, Lynsey, and Joseph. I finally read Skating Shoes last week and now I can't wait to read all "the Shoe books!" And in honor of this wonderful find, Gran and I watched, You've Got Mail, last night. It was fun to hear Kathleen Kelly say, in part, in answer to the question about the Shoe Books by Noel Streatfeild, " . . . she should start with Ballet Shoes, it's my favorite. Although Skating Shoes is completely wonderful, but it's out of print." 

   It was time for me to pick a new Ponderizing scripture and I just couldn't find one that seemed to jump out at me. But I kept thinking about a quote I've always loved, by Elder Boyd K Packer. I think it's okay to use modern day quotes like this for my scripture ponderizing sometimes. I'll share it with you below. It may seem out dated to some of you, since it was first given before many of you were born, but I think it's one of those eternal concepts, just as valid now as it was almost 33 years ago.

"True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. Preoccupation with unworthy behavior can lead to unworthy behavior. That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel."  

Elder Boyd K Packer October 1986

   I love you all so much. I'll share a couple of pictures, one of Dad's apartment (airbnb in the basement) while he's in DC, and one of me in my immobilizer . . . for my journal. 

   Mom/Johanna/Nana