Dear Loved Ones,
I was
surprised that nearly a month has flown by since I wrote a family letter. Every
Sunday night we have had something going on, and then it was time to jump into
a busy week again on Monday and I never did catch up. It has been a wonderful,
beautiful month, my very favorite time of year. We have thoroughly enjoyed a
true Indian Summer. Here are some highlights from September.
We began the
month marking five years since we lost Papa Bill. Our hearts just naturally
turn toward him and our good memories on September 2nd, so we just
talked about him lots and enjoyed sharing memories. Lots of relatives shared
memories and pictures on Facebook. It’s nice to be connected that way. That
first week of September we had a short little cold snap and we really enjoyed
breaking out our sweaters for a few days, but the sun was back for Labor Day.
Niles
started Pre- Kindergarten on September 8th. He goes to school from
8am til 2:30pm, Monday - Thursday and we were worried it would be too long a
day for him. Turns out he loves it and he’s learning lots and playing lots and
sleeping better at night. As long as he’s happy we’ll stick with this program.
On Sunday
the 20th, Grandpa and Grandma graciously came over again to watch
the kids for us while Richard, Addie, and I went over to Bozeman for Stake
Standards Night. Addie and four of her best friends performed the opening song,
“We’ll Bring the World His Truth.” Eden Jones played the piano beautifully
while her sisters Jeanette and Clara sang soprano and Addie and Izzi Petry sang
the alto. They did a beautiful job, their voices blended perfectly, and we were
so very proud of them. They brought the Spirit and set the mood for a
wonderful, inspiring night for the youth of our stake. I’m so glad I could be
there.
Thursday was
my 44th birthday and Marti’s 61st. Our family woke up
early for scriptures then the kids and Rich gave me some gifts and we had
breakfast together. I got a fancy new trash can—I know it sounds crazy, but
thats’ what I wanted—and some other nice kitchen stuff. I saw the kids off then left Ammon with Aunt
Marti and went to get my birthday haircut. Afterward Auntie wanted to take me
grocery shopping, so Uncle Ralph volunteered to stay with Ammon during his nap
and we ladies went to the store. We picked up the kids from school and got
ready for a fun birthday dinner at Rib & Chop House. It was an excellent
dinner, followed by a drive out to the ranch with Marti and Ralph, where we had
a little tour and watched the moonrise over the Yellowstone River. Pretty much
a PERFECT DAY.
We enjoyed
visits from my brother Matt and family on Friday and Michael and family on
Saturday. Friday night was a ward barbecue. Rich took the kids while I stayed
home with Gram. Duringthe barbecue we found out my brother Sam and Kristen are
expecting a baby girl February 1st—HOORAY! Saturday morning at 4:30am Richard and Addie
went on a youth temple trip to Billings. They got home at 1pm and Rich changed
and went to the MSU football game with Aaron Roberts. I asked him to bring home
dinner since he was going to be gone all day and he obliged and we tag-teamed.
Gram, the girls, and I went downstairs and watched the Women’s Broadcast at 6pm
while Rich bathed the boys and got them to bed. Soon we were joined by Michael’s
wife Amber and The Jones girls. We enjoyed the meeting, especially Elder
Uchtdorf’s story about Great Aunt Rose. There is so much to be happy about in
life even in our trials. I was inspired by that meeting and the strength I got
from watching it with strong women I love.
Today we
enjoyed the best sacrament meeting I have been to in a long time. The speakers
were amazing—like conference-level inspiring. Our ward is sending off two more
missionaries and they both spoke today. I was so blessed to be able to
participate in the program. I sang the intermediate song, “In Quiet Grove,”
with Davina Ryszka on the piano and Haylee Speas on the violin. Haylee plays so
beautifully, it’s like BUTTAH! She is leaving Wednesday for the MTC getting ready
to serve in the Nicaragua Managua mission. I adore her. Curtis Jeffrey is leaving in three weeks to
an undisclosed mission, and he spoke with Haylee today. The closing speaker was
my beloved friend Robyn Jones and she knocked an already-good meeting out of
the park with her talk on personal revelation. She
noted Nephi's consistent pattern of “Seek, Receive, Act” as an example of how we should ask
for and use personal revelation. I was thinking after the meeting, if I were
the bishop, this Sabbath would be a banner day in my book. Totally edifying
meeting, sending off TWO missionaries, good, clean worthy Aaronic priesthood holders
performing the ordinance of the sacrament---Livingston Ward is doing pretty good. We love our ward family.
So Mike and
Amber made us a delicious dinner before they headed back to Rexburg. We had a
nice time at Haylee’s farewell open house. We kept trying to watch the super
blood moon eclipse but all we could see were clouds and then some rain. The
girls watched the premier of “Once Upon a Time” and I watched the premier of “Indian
Summers” on Masterpiece and I just tucked in Grandma and the girls. Phew! It’s
been a great month, a fabulous birthday/birthweek, and we feel so very blessed.
Hope you all
have a wonderful week—enjoy conference! Hope Aunt Abby’s Sweet Sixteen Party
was awesome. Happy 9th Birthday to Matthew Melin—we will think of
you while we watch conference and eat treats! J
Love, Rich and Jamie and Family
Here are three talks by Elder Scott that rocked my young adult world:
Wonderful marriage advice: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1996/10/the-joy-of-living-the-great-plan-of-happiness?lang=eng
Guidance on making big life decisions: https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/richard-g-scott_regrets/
Jesus and the Book of Mormon are our best friends: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1988/10/true-friends-that-lift?lang=eng
Here are three talks by Elder Scott that rocked my young adult world:
Wonderful marriage advice: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1996/10/the-joy-of-living-the-great-plan-of-happiness?lang=eng
Guidance on making big life decisions: https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/richard-g-scott_regrets/
Jesus and the Book of Mormon are our best friends: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1988/10/true-friends-that-lift?lang=eng
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