FALL BREAK

WEDNESDAY, 14 OCTOBER 2015

FALL BREAK

 This afternoon begins Fall Break for all students and teachers in this area!  We are going to travel to Dallas and see our Grandchildren in a play they are performing in.  Our daughter, Heather, just texted us that her family just landed in Seattle Washington where they flew for Fall Break.  Our son, Ryan and his family are headed to Branson this afternoon for Fall Break.   We hope all our Seminary students enjoy some time off as much as we will.  Our lesson, this morning, was on Joseph being sold into Egypt because his brothers were jealous of him.  As we discussed Fall Break with the youth, many of them are traveling and some are just staying home.  It was fun to discuss jealousy when we are actually experiencing it as a class.  We informed them that we all need to be caught up on our reading when we return.  Everyone should have read through Exodus 8 by then.  We hope you parents will encourage reading this weekend!  Better yet, read to your teens from the scriptures.

We gave Luke his birthday, last night, since he is going to be gone when he turns six.  As I drove into their home, I backed into their basketball goal and cracked the base.  All this jelly fluid leaked out that holds the whole thing in place.  Luke's parents bought him a basketball for his birthday.  Yah, I felt dumb...guess I am going to be paying to have a goal post set in cement for this child.  Ha. 

HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY LUKE

Grandpa has been spending lots of hours repairing our roof.  He said both of the son's that helped him have complained about being sore.  Grandpa Art is one tough cookie.  He is exhausted from the labor, but he is not sore.  He is very thankful and grateful for that.  He found the cold seam that is causing the leakage...so now he has added lots of waterproofing and is napping while this dries.  The seam between where the wall and the roof meet is where the waterproofing failed.

 Still lots of work to do to waterproof this area and refit the sprinkler that he accidentally broke off with the shovel...ha.  He is the best Grandpa Arthur I know!  Thank's for taking care of our home Grandpa.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16 2015
We are having the black top of the driveway sealed sometime today.  Then we are off to Dallas.
My sister Cindy posted this on facebook.  It gave me pause to ponderize my discussions with others.  I so am asking for the gift of patience from our Savior.  I'm very grateful for His Atonement.

I also saw that Emma Smith's personal copy of The Book of Mormon is located in the John Quincy Adams home library.  This book is signed by Joseph Smith and was a gift to Charles Francis Adams.  Joseph had Emma's name engraved on the binding of this book.  I'm sure the story of giving it to Charles would be interesting to know too...guess we can ask when we meet them again.  Adding this to the list of questions for our homecoming!

MONDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2015
Fall Break was spent in Texas.  We enjoyed the weekend with our son Todd and his family.

The play was great!  Our granddaughter memorized over a hundred lines.  Her brother had about 50 to learn....quite the accomplishment.

We went to eat at this Hula Restaurant that had a volcano and boat chairs.  Todd and his family on the boat chair.

This sign said it all!

There was golf for the family....

 Then there was the BYU vs. Cincinnati game!  BYU won 38-24!  Art and Todd also watched the Oklahoma games and Utah games...

This morning Ryan came over and helped his dad, Grandpa Arthur fill in the hole on our roof.  Now we will see if it works!

Thank you, thank you Ryan!

The finished roof!

We also got the road sealed this weekend...on FALL BREAK.  I think we are now ready for winter.

I picked a few Persimmons to munch on as I write this...most of them were too high in the trees for me to reach.  They sure look pretty when the sun shines on them.

Persimmons popping on the persimmon trees!

We hope you all enjoyed your weekend.
We were able to watch Our Dallas grandchildren in the Primary Program this weekend too.
We feel blessed.   We hope each of you enjoyed a FALL BREAK.
Hug's always,
Grandpa Arthur and Grandma Gene
Arthur and Gene

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

GENERAL CONFERENCE

THRUSDAY, 1 OCTOBER 2015

ANOTHER INTERESTING WEEK HAS BEEN LIVED.

We began the week by listening to Elder Scott's funeral.  He was such a great man and lived an interesting life.  He had great tributes paid to him during his funeral service.

We spent the day thinking of the three apostles who have departed this life.  

We then walked to our daughter's home in the evening and watched the Blood Moon rise and go into an eclipse.  It was fun to see our grandchildren paying close attention to this great happening.  We had a little difficulty getting up for Seminary the next day, but we arrived on time.

 The media had all kinds of shots of the moon, but the moon in Jerusalem was a fun photo shot to see.

We learned that our dear friend, Cheryl Hickey, 1947-2015, lost her battle with breast cancer on Sunday evening.  We were very saddened with this news.  Her funeral will be this Friday at 11:00 AM.  I suppose we are getting to the age when this will be happening a lot.  We have served in the temple with Cheryl and Don and Cheryl's mother Eula Jones for years.  Our heartfelt love and prayers go out to them and their family.  I know Eula has spent years watching Cheryl suffer, but it has to be difficult to bury your daughter.

On Tuesday morning we got a text from our son Ryan that he was being laid off from his job with Chesapeake Oil.  He had heard rumors, but was still hopeful that he would make the cut.  One of our Seminary students father also was laid off along with over 500 other people.  It has been a sorrowful time for all who have been affected.  Ryan chose to look at the positive side.  He loved working for this company in their tech department.  He said they gave him a good severance package and were kind to him as he left.  He will miss working with that company, but has faith that he will find some other employment just as good or even better.  Way to go Ryan.  We appreciate your positive example, faith and devotion.  Our love and prayers are with you as you search for new employment.  We have been blessed to have this son in our lives.

So Grandpa taught the first two days of Seminary and I taught the last three days.  Grandpa served in the temple each day also.  This week we have been teaching about Abraham and Sarah receiving new names from the Lord.  They have been taught patience, faith and compassion.  Abraham and Lot took their families into a promised land of Canaan.  We watched how Abraham avoided strife over the choosing of land to divide between the two families.  Lot chose to face his tent to the City Sodom while Abraham chose to face his tent toward an alter he built to the Lord.  While Lot and his family enjoyed the "city life", Abraham learned about making covenants with The Lord.  He was promised that all of us would be a part of that covenant.  Abraham was in his late 80's and still was not a father.  I'm sure he and Sarah had discussions about how not having children makes this covenant somewhat obsolete. 

The Lord told Sarah to give Hagar to Abraham to wife.  Then Ishmael was born.  As our son lost his, employment and many of his friends continued to work for Chesapeake, this story of Hagar and Sarah touched Grandpa and I deeply.  "Is anything too hard for the Lord?"  Through messengers from the Lord, Sarah learns that she will become a mother to Isaac.  Abraham was 99 and Sarah 89 when the promise of Isaac became sure.  That was fun to teach....then I got to teach about the covenant of circumcision,  the downfall of Sodom and Gomorrah (as I'm writing this it is pouring rain outside...at least it's not fire and brimstone!), Lots wife turning to a pillar of salt and of course Lot's two daughters each having a son by their father Lot.  The first son was Moab (Moabites) and the second son was Benammi (Ammonites)....we just love teaching the truths of The Old Testament.  So far we haven't had any impatient phone calls from Seminary student's parents!   I wonder if they shared these lessons with their parents this week?   Now we watch how the world has changed since Ishmael had 12 sons and Isaac also had 12 sons.  The Abrahamic Covenant is being fulfilled, despite the "city life".  Grandpa and I can't wait to receive help for this calling from General Conference...how about you?  This life is a test.

We just returned from the viewing of Cheryl Hickey.  So sad for her husband and family.  She looked beautiful and very restful in her casket.  We pray all will go well for her service tomorrow.  She had so many people come to visit with Don at the mortuary.  That is a great tribute to Cheryl.  We hope Cheryl enjoys her new calling in heaven.  

 FRIDAY, 2 OCTOBER 2015

We saved Ryan and Sarah a seat at the service for Sister Hickey.  It was great sitting with them as this memorial service took place.  We loved the pictures the family shared.  Don and Cheryl were married 50 years.  That was a great tribute to this unique sister & her husband.  We pray her family can enjoy the knowledge they will be together again.  Thank you for letting us learn more of your wonderful mothers life and love for her family.  "Till we meet again".

Grandpa needed to go back to the temple after this, so I chose to attend also and we spent the afternoon serving in The House of The Lord.  This was a great way to prepare our hearts and minds for the General Conference weekend. 

Then in the late evening we cheered on the sons of Bronco!  They won the game against UConn,  30-13!  Hurrah for the Cougar's of BYU!  Grandpa Arthur had a most restful nights sleep...after "talking to the team on TV" all evening!  Ha...yes, he was worn out.

 SATURDAY, 3 OCTOBER 2015

185th Semi-Annual General Conference

We slept till 7:30 AM.  We Seminary Teachers need our beauty rest on the weekends.  We are now ready to listen and learn from our Prophets during General Conference.  Our love and prayers are with you all in Salt Lake City Conference Center this weekend.

Thank's to each speaker for the well thought through messages.  We rejoice and sustained all including the three new "holy men-apostles", Elder Rasband, Stevenson and Renlund.  We look forward to hearing them on Sunday.  Blessings to each of our Presiding Authorities.
SUNDAY, 4 OCTOBER 2015
We awoke to a clicking water pump.  Grandpa Arthur turned off the pump till we can get some help tomorrow.  Having our own well water is good till a pump goes out.  I suppose it was good we were home this morning and could hear the clicking.  Life is full of surprises.
Our daughter and her family do not have BYU TV at their home so will be joining us for Conference sessions  today.  After attending Cheryl's funeral we decided we best get pictures when we have family around us.   This picture is after listening to Conference all day.  The grandchildren did really well at listening.

They even all enjoyed being together as a family!

During the intermediate hymns there was a little wiggling going on.

 They gave me a Grandma hug.  Thank's for your example Cheryl Hickey.

Blanket's and boys go together to keep them occupied while listening to speakers.

I'm listening, honest I am.

Are you alright, Jacob?

Yes, Grandma and I am listening too.  Ha!

Snuggle time with mom.

Grandma, Grandma come see what my Dad let me have!  Luke kept asking his dad to replant this tree!

This was so touching to see as the children's choir performed.   The younger boy uses a walker, but his older brother helped him stand so he too could sing.  "He's not heavy..."

We were blessed to hear from President Monson on Sunday morning.  Thank you, President Monson, for your example and leadership.  "We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet"

Three new Apostles have joined the brothern's ranks.  We are so grateful and thankful for each of these great priesthood holders.  Thank you for you examples and the words of wisdom given this past weekend.   May Our Heavenly Father bless each of you during the coming months till our next conference.  Our love and prayers are with each of you.

185TH SEMI-ANNUAL GENERAL CONFERENCE
We have been spiritually fed.  Just like Sister Stephens Granddaughter, Chloe, we know we are loved, and we will do our best to obey.  We must submit our will to God.
MONDAY, 5 OCTOBER 2015
We loved teaching early morning seminary today.  We talked with our students about what they learned this weekend at conference.  Several of them mentioned that they had put a scripture up so they can ponderize them this week!  Not only did Elder Durrant catch the youths attention, but they are acting on his words and pondering them.  Good job Elder Durrant.
I came home and made a list for us to ponderize.
PONDERIZING:

MOSES 1:39
39 For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

MOSES 7:18
18 And the Lord called his people ZION, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them.


ABRAHAM 3:22-23
22 Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones;
 23 And God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said: These I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good; and he said unto me: Abraham, thou art one of them; thou wast chosen before thou wast born.


GENESIS 1:26-27
 26 ¶And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.


GENESIS 2:24
 24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
This is our first 5 Scripture Mastery Scriptures for Old Testament.  Can you ponderize them?

To quote President Uchtdorf "As a patient, I'm not very patient"!  I suppose this blog is not simplifying my life.  It is helping me keep a record of the events that we are experiencing and so I have a way to look back and ponderize our life!  May each of you know that this life is the time to prepare to meet God.  May you enjoy the journey and share your joy with family and friends along your way.  We pray for each of you and especially for all our children and grandchildren.  We carry your burden's,  your sorrow's, your hopes and your love.  May you never doubt that you are loved as we all journey together.  We hope you will look towards the teachings of Our Savior Jesus Christ and not just enjoy "the city life".
Until the next GENERAL CONFERENCE,  "You better believe We believe"!
Watch Elder Neeley's video on YouTube.
Hug's always,
Grandpa Arthur and Grandma Gene
Arthur & Gene