Meeting Elder Collins

 While we were serving in Russia, we found out that Elder Carlton Collins, from Junction, Jamaica was serving in the Orem Utah Mission!  We were so excited and happy for him and the mission.  His family is one of the most stalwart families in Jamaica!  We planned to call the mission and take him and his companion out to lunch when we returned.  Feb. 13th, 2019 was our return date but upon calling the mission - it was against mission rules to contact him.  Oh My!  I was told we could see him just before he left for home - I asked when was that - January 2020!  okay I will wait! 
 The mission secretary was kind and patient and I agree that with so many friends, family and acquaintances in the near by area they don't want to get distracted from the important work they are called to do.  Tender Mercy - during our Wednesday, Jan. 29th Temple shift - in walked the Mission Pres. and wife, and 8 elders, 2 sisters - coming for a temple session before leaving Utah for their homes.  YAY!  I got to give Elder Collins a hug in the temple!  That evening we were allowed to meet him at the Spring Hill Suites at Thanksgiving Point.  We served with his family for 5 months before being called into the Mission Office - Elder Scott and Sister Pam Wright worked in Junction their whole 18 months. Bro. Wright was out of town caring for a family member who had surgery - we were so happy to catch up with details of Elder Collins mission and life. 

 We were surprised and happy to learn that Elder Collins older brother, Chris Anthony Collins was coming down from Rexburg to see him before he left for home also.  Chris served his mission in Birmingham, Alabama and has studied at Southern Virginia University, and now is about to graduate from BYU-I!!  Chris was in my Seminary Class in Junction!  So good to see him and you can see the happy smiles on their faces to be with each other.  Chris drove his roommates car, and brought a friend from Honduras with him.  He  took back with him Carlton's winter coat, boots and bicycle!  Carlton is coming back to BYU-I in the fall!  He wants to major in agriculture and go home and improve Jamaica!  He was a Deacon when we left Junction, it is fun to have Chris introduce him as his little brother - taller than him! 

What wonderful things happen on senior missions!  We have waited for 10 months for this short visit and it was well worth it!  Chris and his friend loaded up the car and headed back to Rexburg - it was about 9 at night - but they both had to work at 7 in the morning!  Young people are able to do things like that!  Sure wish them well in their future plans!  The Church is in good hands with these young men being future leaders!!

Visit an old Friend

In the temple, just before Christmas I was helping a sister named Willden.  I happened to mention that I knew a family of that name in Ellensburg, WA.  She was married to a son, Doug, of that same family!  She told me that her father-in-law had died a year ago (we were in Russia) and that her mother-in-law was living in American Fork!  We exchanged phone numbers and thought we would get together after the busy holiday season.  Last week Sister Helen Willden called us and we chatted for a while.  We decided to get together for lunch at her house - near the Mt. Timpanogos Temple and we did that this Thursday, January 23rd.  It was interesting to learn about some of our other friends that she has kept in touch with - McInelly's and Morrills.  

When me moved to Ellensburg, Brother Boyd Willden, was the Institute Director.  They had six sons and one daughter.  They had a returned missionary son living with them and their youngest was 3 years old, we had Sam the next year.  We worked together in Primary and I asked her once what age of child was the hardest - she replied: Returned Missionary!  What!  I give up!!  She said he has been on his own for 2 years and goes out with friends and stays over and doesn't think to call home to worried parents!!!  Our family would go visit older Brother and Sister Willden for FHE sometimes.  They lived with their son Boyd and his family in a separate apartment and would make yummy desserts so our kids liked going over there! 
   All seven of their children served missions - one is a Stake president now, another one a bishop.  She said when her husband got very sick - he gave all their children and most grandchildren a blessing.  Susan Madsen is their only daughter - lives in Highland and has a company about empowering women..."Making a name for herself" is how Helen put it.  We hope to meet again and hopefully Polly can go with us.

Fairbanks Saturday Night!

 On Saturday, January 18th, the Fairbanks family came to Provo.  Here the beautiful girls are eating dinner in our storage room! They visited a couple of elderly neighbors in their old neighborhood  - who were so happy to see them!  They are missed and loved in this area!

 Reid has taken over the high chair - Tait sat at the big table!  This is Reid's first time drinking out of a cup, Lindsey said.  He liked it!

 Cute, happy boy - will be one year old in March!

Kacey and Shelby brought these darling flower head leis from Hawaii for the girls - so pretty!  Girls and flowers!!

Joel's Basketball Game

 On Friday, January 17th, we drove to Hyrum to watch Joel play a Sophomore Basketball Game.  Here he is at the right starting toward the Bear River player to play defense.

 Here is the crew in the stands - cheering for Mountain Crest and Joel Mortensen!

 Cute Cousins - and Handsome Joel - he is smiling because they won their first game - by one point!  Joel made 8 or 9 points.

 Grandpa - old basketball coach - teaching Joel some tricks of the trade!  Joel patiently listening!

Really fun evening - the Junior Varsity, Freshman teams also won - Varsity lost in overtime!!

Shelby Makes Dinner

 On Wednesday, January 15th Shelby made dinner!  Yummy Keto pizza that was not just good but good for us!  It is fun to have her use the kitchen!

This is her 'recipe book'  this digital age is delightful and creative! and doesn't waste paper!!

Keenyn's Basketball Game

 Here is Scooter sitting in Kacey's window - our sight when we drove home from Eli's Eagle Project.

 Keenyn's Basketball game - he is the one with the head-band on!  This is the new Provo High School - it is really nice.  Fun to think that Aunt Becky and Dad both taught at the old Provo High.

 Keenyn's team played pretty good defense - the other team had some really good shooters - 3 poiints and all!  Keenyn's team just kept playing hard and getting rebounds and trying their best. Keenyn is number 13.  This was at half time and the coach is on the floor helping the learning.

The other team was from Provo - Keenyn's team is Timpview - and they were ahead all the game - sometimes up by 10 -12!  Keenyn's team played better in the second half and at two minutes were us by two - the other team tied the score and then Keenyn's team won by 2!!  So exciting - Keenyn made three baskets in the last few minutes!  Heather tells us he is not too upset when they lose, but it sure was fun to win!

Eli's Eagle Project

 Saturday, January 4th, was Eli's Eagle Project workday at the Primary room of their church building.  We were there early and were so happy to be able to help him. Other young men and leaders came and it went very well. Eli gave directions to adults and youth and they all worked hard.

 Harold putting the new lids on the buckets - each classroom in the Edgemont Elementary School will have an emergency bucket with all supplies needed for a short time on lockdown.  The old lids needed a special tool to open - these new ones just screw off - much better.

 There was a first aid kit and also sanitary zip loc bags with toilet paper, wet wipes and hand sanitizer in them.  With the additonal rooms in the new school - we needed 12 new buckets to put in them.

 Keenyn and Briella measuring and cutting the twine that was placed with the black plastic sheet in another kip loc bag - good helpers! Food bags had fruit chews and cereal bars.

 Everyone working - Eli had scheduled the project from 9 - 11 - we were finished at 10!!

 Isaac taking the completed buckets to their car - Eli will labed them and check for complete supplies in each one - then to a presentation at the school Faculty Meeting this week.

Briella with her pink Day's Market doughnut - with sprinkles!! There were doughnuts and chocolate milk for everyone after the work was finished.  Great Project Eli!  Now for the paperwork and then the Court of Honor!!

Wedding and Funeral!

 Friday Jan. 3rd, after Joel's basketball game, we drove to Ogden and attended the wedding reception of a wonderful Russian volunteer - Elder Jayden Walker - and bride Kelsey.  We met her last April on Temple Square after General Conference - we made arrangements to meet Sister Wilcox and her family from Idaho - and up walked these two!  We knew it was serious when you invite your girl friend to Temple Square!! 

 Saturday, January 4th, Polly picked us up around 7 and we headed to St. George for Fred Leavitt's funeral.  It was a wonderful funeral, because he was a wonderful man!  Here is Pat Hunt, dear friend from our time in Northridge, CA.  Her husband died last year the day after Christmas, Fred died this year the day before ... the funeral program was titled: "Gone to Anothr Meeting".  Polly and Dad both had turns driving their wonderful truck - I loved sewing and reading in the back seat.

 Nice to see old friends like Pat.  So many happy memories of our 6 years in SoCal! 

This was an interesting wreath - Laurel leaves - Fred played football at BYU for four years - both defense and offense!!  We wondered if the athletic department sent this for his funeral.  Interesting that his wife's name is Laurel!!  Live the best you can everyday - never know when your time to leave is here.































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Happy New Year! Shelby's School and Joel's game

 It was fun to drive to Draper and take Shelby to her school - one of the men in the office asked: "Did you really come from Hawaii?"  She had orientation this last Friday and got her books and scrubs - she is ready!!  Her class has 240 students, actually one other girl came from Hawaii!! She will be on campus Tuesday/Thursday - and online the rest of the week - go Shelby!

 On New Year's Day we were invited to the Williams house for food, football and fun!  It was delightful all around - here are the puppies playing in the freshly fallen snow!

 Shelby playing with them in the garage! cute puppies, darling young lady!!

Kacey had to work in the afternoon, so we brought her home and then went back for more food, fun, and football!!

On Friday, Jan. 3rd we drove to Hunter High School and watched Joel's sophomore basketball game.  He played really well during the times he was in the game.  Fun to have Heather and Briella, Lindsey and children join us there!