A day to remember

Yesterday was amazing for several reasons.

Neil's family visited for the weekend and it was so fun to have them. They are always interesting to talk with. We all went on a hike up Oak Creek on Saturday.

  

Sheryl was here helping Jessica with her newborn. Jessica worries about lots of things, but she'll be a fine Mom and Sheryl a fine Grandma! A new generation is born!

Brenda came with her girls in time for Senior Primary. She and Sheryl and Maia and Sydney sang a new song for the kids--"Gethsemane." It was beautiful and the kids learned it easily after their demonstration. And my pianist picked it up fast too after hearing me play it for them.

We had a family dinner and as usual I didn't set enough places! It was a "borrow your neighbor's card table" sized party. This was Jessica's and Quin's first outing. There were two babies there--Quin and Joseph. It's amazing how much growth occurs in the first six months!

We celebrated Quin's arrival and Sheryl's 45th birthday. Brenda made a special cake for it. The top square was gluten free but it was absolutely delicious. It had honey and coconut oil in it. Plus it was beautiful. So is Sheryl in this picture.

At the end of the party the Brewsters were the last the leave and Michael couldn't find his shoes! They must have walked off. Does anyone know of their whereabouts? After searching everywhere, Grandpa finally gave him a pair of shoes he wore as mission president but that still have some life in them!

I will follow God's plan for me

Yesterday our 6th great grandchild was born--Quin Gamaliel Brewster. He has lots of hair and weighed 9 pounds 4 oz. He and his parents are all doing well.

It touched my heart when Sheryl told me about Jessica singing a Primary song to her baby right after his birth. She's been singing and playing Primary songs to him all along. Sheryl said the 3 midwives (2 were in training) were all in tears. They said it was the best welcome they had ever seen. The song she sang was "I Will Follow God's Plan."

My life is a gift; my life has a plan.
My life has a purpose; in heaven it began.
My choice was to come to this lovely home on earth
And seek for God's light to direct me from birth.
I will follow God's plan for me, holding fast to his word and his love.
I will work, and I will pray; I will always walk in his way.
Then I will be happy on earth and in my home above.

When our kids are going through turbulent times in their teens, it's hard to imagine such a spiritual experience in their future. It makes me think we should be patient with our children and realize they all have great potential! I'm sure Heavenly Father has that kind of patience for each of us and sees our potential and looks forward to our return to Him.

Nativity Festival

This year's Nativity Festival was hampered by the weather. The attendance was greatly reduced, but the displays were very beautiful. It was like being in a woods. We were hosts, I played background music, and Ken entered his tiny little nativity he created. I'll show it first. There's a light for the star and the little campfire also is lit.

Close-up of Ken's creation. It was so small it was easy to miss!

A nativity in a matchbox.

My favorite--Swedish crystal

The central display, almost life-sized.

Bears

Laser cut paper

Dad's favorite--driftwood

Last of all, here's a nativity scene in our front yard. You can tell how much snow we got!

Thanksgiving 2013

 

Jason with Joseph, Michael, Jessica (Brenda cut Jessica's hair short and cute)

Grandma, Jason, Grandpa, Polly, Mike, Ariana

Brenda, Zachary, Ken and Jason

Jessica made a marvelous key lime pie. Brenda and her girls made several yummy ones.

Gideon, Sydney, Maia, and Erik

Sam, Robin and Rachel

Jessica, Michael, Jason, Emily

Such a bounty of pies!

Mike, Zachary and Jeff

Maia, Annie and Ariana making edible turkeys

Race in Monmouth

It was fun to watch the boys race. Erik is a good runner (takes after his Dad). He came in 7th in his meet. It was so cold and windy we didn't stay to watch Zachary but I'm sure he did well too.

Karin

Karin Schlieven

When I was on my mission to Germany, this girl was baptized on Feb. 28, 1963 in Dusseldorf. I had been there almost a year, serving part time in the mission office and part-time proselyting. So I had several companions during that time. We spent almost the entire year working with Karin. She had a lot to overcome and learn before she could be baptized.

But finally the joyful day came! I quote from my journal: "The baptismal service was the most beautiful I've seen. The mission president baptized Karin, his daughter, Janice, and two little boys. After Karin came out of the water all she could do was cry for happiness and relief and I could only hug her and cry too. I looked the members and friends over for one last time (I was being transferred). It's hard to look forward to the unknown future when the present is so full and wonderful. I'm grateful that God allowed me to meet Karin and see her grow and help her escape from the old life she was in. My testimony has grown because of her. God bless her always!"

So we kept in contact for a few years and then lost touch when Eldon and I were moving around so much. But finally about 10 years ago her son found about eight Eldon Olsens on the internet and Karin wrote to them all and so we got back in touch.  I got a letter from her yesterday that said she'd found a book I'd given her when she was baptized and it brought back a flood of good memories and she asked me to call her. I called her tonight and we talked about an hour reminiscing and getting caught up. She is now 73, lives in Auburn, California, and has been a widow for 18 years. She has mostly served in the Primary but now is in the library. She raised 4 children, 3 of whom are active in the church. Knowing she has an eternal marriage is comforting to her.  She wrote in her letter, "Thank you for coming into my life--I will never forget you and never forget the Lord and my brother, Jesus Christ!"

As you can see, she influenced me a great deal and I also helped her. I want my missionary grandchildren to know what a good work they are doing and encourage them to keep in touch with the people they baptize. It will be a lasting joy to you.

Baby shower for Jessica

The shower was held at the Walkers, Jessica's boss

Steph and Gabriel

Susan gave her clothes Michael had worn as a baby