Sheryl's 40th Birthday Bash (51 weeks late)

We had dinner at our house and then went to the Institute for activities organized by Brenda. It's times like these when I wish we had bought a bigger house! Everybody was able to come except Carl's family in Utah. The pictures tell the story. The dark-haired guy you don't know is Jessica's boyfriend, Jake.

Testimony of the Book of Mormon

Today in RS we studied Jeffrey Holland's impassioned speech on the Book of Mormon and the teacher invited each of us to bear testimony to our loved ones about the Book of Mormon.

I know the counsel to read the Book of Mormon daily is good sound counsel. Whether you read a page each day, a chapter, a random verse, everything on a topic, or just what you've previously underlined, as long as you read enough to have something to "sink in" during the day, to think about and act upon, it will do you good.

Reading the Book of Mormon has helped me to walk more peaceably with my fellowmen. It has helped me to avoid contention. It has helped me see the hand of God in all the beauties around us. It has taught me how to pray better and what to pray for. It has strengthened my faith in the Savior and His atonement. It has helped me know I can do hard things, with the Lord's help. It has been an anchor in turbulent times. Most of all, it has shown me how to choose between right and wrong and that ability has brought safety to my soul.

I treasure that book. I'm grateful to the writers, abridgers, translators, and publishers who helped it come forth. I rejoice to live in the short (180 years) time period when it is available to mankind.

Christmas at Neil and Pam's

This was a fun Christmas with Neil and Pam's family. It's a lively household. We got there on Wednesday and that evening we went to a great Mexican restaurant in Jacksonville--just the adults.

On Christmas Eve I helped Pam wrap presents and there were a lot of them! Good they had a huge tree to put them under. We read the Christmas story from Luke, Matthew and 3rd Nephi and sang carols around the piano.



Christmas morning was spent unwrapping presents. Pam wrapped each child's in a unique wrapping paper.


Then Pam cooked this elaborate Christmas dinner with ham and twice baked potatoes and asparagus and a really fancy salad. Then we want on a hike/run in the fog. Then we played games.



We came home the next day tired but happy. Thanks to Neil and Pam for being such great hosts and letting us share in their festivities!

Dawson Station hits the road

Ken's N-scale train model has spent a couple of weeks in the front window of Trumps Hobbies. You boys remember hanging out there when you had extra cash. Ken is still one of their better customers.

Then he brought it to pack meeting tonight and explained how he made it and let the boys try running it. They were fascinated. The pack master had me read "The Polar Bear Express" to tie in his presentation and Christmas. AnnMarie was a guest. It was a great pack meeting!