OCTOBER

TUESDAY, 6 OCTOBER 2015
Last evening we had Home Evening with the Hutto's and Sister Newman.  We had a most delicious supper that Sister Hutto made.  She even baked a pumpkin pie with real whipping cream & we had a stew (Pottage) just like Jacob in the Old Testament made!  Thank you Hutto's for the feast!
We then discussed Elder Cooks Conference talks from the former conferences.  We also discussed all the happenings from this past weekend conference & the new apostles.   We all enjoyed listening last weekend.  Thank's to each of our Savior's spokesmen for their training and teaching.  We felt truly blessed to be together and discuss these teachings last night.
I'm eating the pie that they sent home with us as I write this.  We love Karen Hutto's cooking!

Karen shared some more starts of her own mothers house plant with me.  I had some that I left here on my mission, but they didn't survive, so am getting a second chance to try again!  It is called birdsnest and cleans the oxygen in your home at night!   Thank you Karen.

This morning's Seminary lesson was Abraham obeying The Lord and being willing to "sacrifice his only begotten son, Isaac".  I have known this story since my own primary days.  This morning I felt the pain as experienced by Abraham and Our Heavenly Father as they faced this difficult trust.  I hope the youth understood all the emotions  & symbolism that we discussed today.  We now get to move on to Isaac marrying Rebeca and the journey that leads to their meeting.

Yesterday we got a new pressure tank for our well!  Today our water pumps are being repaired.  We are so grateful and thankful for water in our home!

I got a phone call, early this morning, as we were reading our lesson for tomorrow.  Our Grandson Luke was feeling sick and his mother, Heather, needed help with him as her day is overbooked.

I started by going to their home and taking our Grandson Leif to school.  He took a selfie on our way to school.  He told me he loves school and his teacher and classes!

His mom offered her car for me to take him to school.  As she opened the front door...she found this present.  It seems that one of the children had left an unopened bag of peanut butter crackers in the car.  They are not allowed to eat in their car.  Anyway, the next morning the crackers were opened and there were mouse droppings around the crackers.  Our daughter put mouse traps in her car and woh---la---today she received her first trapping.  We never know!  I chose to drive Leif to school in my own car.

 This is the mouse laying on the bottom of the car when we opened the car door.

As soon as Luke's mother left, Luke, wanted fruit snacks.  He has a puke bowl sitting near him...no way was I cleaning up puke.  I finally let him drink some yogurt.  So far it has stayed down!  He hasn't moved all morning, so he must not feel good.

We slipped over to Ryan's, while Sarah was teaching piano, and had Ryan help Grandpa Arthur give me a blessing before my surgery tomorrow.  Thank you Ryan.  He has a couple interviews lined up for the end of the week.  Our prayers are with you also Ryan.  Love you!

In the evening we attended Lily's talent contest for her 6th grade class.  There was great singing, dancing, commercials and just pure talent.  I sat between Luke and Leif and they sang along with the songs they knew...it was a fun program to see.

THURSDAY, 8 OCTOBER 2015
Yesterday I had my fourth, and hopefully final, surgery on my legs.  Once again I am so thankful for the nursing staff and Doctor Hennebry at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital.   They began by giving me a Flu shot!  They removed all the pheblitis knots I had behind my right knee yesterday.  Again the conversations were great as they did not put me under.  I thought about the movie "Mash".  Dr. Hennebry asked if I was going to teach our Seminary class this morning.  I told him it was Grandpa Arthur's day to teach, but I would be there for support.  All the operating staff began talking about their own beliefs and different scriptures.  It was great.  Then our conversation turned to cars and Dr. said everyone should drive huge pickups as that eliminates road rage, everyone around you moves!  I told them Grandpa Art always drives our Toyota Tacoma pickup as it has the least miles on it.  Dr. Hennebry and a internee began telling different stories they have heard about our kind of pickup and how durable it is.  They said this is the choice of the Taliban warriors, nice.  They are discussing our automobiles while I am shedding blood and veins  on the operating bed.  I think I could find lots of symbolism in the surgery yesterday!  I limped into class with my mummyfied leg today.  Hurrah for Israel!

This week in seminary we buried Sarah and Abraham, married Isaac to Rebeca.  They had twins, Esau and Jacob.  Jacob stole the birthright from Esau...anyway that is what Esau claims...we know Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of pottage.  Now we are waiting to see if Esau follows through with his threat to kill Jacob.  There are great stories in The Old Testament.  These scripture stories are never dull!   We hope you are reading your scriptures each day.  If not, look at the great stories you could be ponderizing!
We hadn't had enough of doctors this week so went to Dr. Legako for our yearly physicals.  Thanks Dr. Legako & the Canyon Park staff we hope we don't get to visit your office for at least another year!  They gave Grandpa Arthur a flu shot and both of us got a pneumonia shot.
SUNDAY, 11 OCTOBER 2015
Well, we both slept great, last evening BYU beat BCU 45-38.  Utes beat Cal 30-24.  Grandpa Arthur really enjoyed watching football all afternoon and evening.  Thanks to the two Utah teams he felt it was a really good day! Our Oklahoma teams Tex beat OU 24-17 and OSU beat WVU 33-26 in overtime.   I must say the sons of Bronco gave us a few scares...we hope Mangum's leg heals quickly.  Go BYU!  Hurrah for OKLAHOMA!  Next time OU...

Grandpa Arthur has been digging up the roof of the cave.  We tried to hire someone to come and fix this leak in our storage room, but no one wanted to take the time from other building projects, and chose not to attempt this "small task"...so we are on our own.  Our son-in-law Michael came and helped for a couple of hours early Saturday before he had to take his sons to soccer games.  Tomorrow our son Ryan is going to help his dad.  Hopefully they can get this problem fixed before the winter snows leak in.  Isn't life fun?  Meanwhile our son, Ryan, is interviewing and applying for his own employment....when it rains it pours.  Grandpa say's he can feel the pull in every muscle he has...ouch!

You are doing great Grandpa Arthur...you can fix this!

"Standing on the corner of Bushman Cave"

Mikes dog thought she needed a treat after watching the men work so hard.  Ha!  Grandma Gene took pity on this sorrowful face and gave her some biscuits.

Because the men were working away on the roof, I decided to bring in some of our potted plants for the winter.  The weather has been so lovely, but I know it can change overnight around here, so thought I might get a bit prepared.

I found Kermit the frog in one of the plants...I put him back out on the lawn.

So this evening we had the grandchildren and their parents, who live here, over for dinner after church.  Everything is sticky now..Ha!  This is our younger son Ryan and his family.  Sarah made us a pumpkin desert that was so yummy!  Thank you Sarah!

All the grandchildren followed Grandpa Arthur out on the porch...so we adults did too.

Such a great group of half of our grandchildren.  We love these seven to pieces!

Ryan and Sarah are good to play games with the older three.  They love their game time with their Aunt and Uncle and parents.

 Luke is having a birthday on the 15th of this coming week.  Happy Birthday Luke.

Leif and Luke rolling down their Grandparents hill.

MONDAY, 12 OCTOBER 2015
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ABIGAIL!  She is one of our Seminary students and she turns 15 today!  This is the day we talked about Jesus giving Jacob a new name "Israel". Now we move on to the twelve tribes of Israel.

Grandpa Arthur is already out working on the roof...so I am pondering the beginning of a new week.
I did several arbitrations in the indexing program this week.   Our lives are filled with blessings.  To those who have gone before us, we thank each of you and ask for your prayers.  To those who are here with us, let's find joy in our journey and let's stay on the old ship Zion.  To those whose arrival we anticipate, may you arrive clothed in the armor of righteousness, and arrive in loving homes with a father and mother to help you become your best.
"To Dream The Impossible Dream"
This is our Quest!
"The Abrahamic Covenant"
May each of you comfort your family and remember to hug your children, even when your arms are too weary, and tell them they are loved!  We send hug's to each of you as we all strive for peace, and hope and joy on this highway to the stars.
Hug's always,
Grandpa Arthur & Grandma Gene
Arthur & Gene