Closing Out October 2021

Monday, October 25th

We went to the Mesa Temple Open House with the Mahadevans (a man Paul knew from work years ago and his wife).  They are Hindu.   He wrote an online review stating that everywhere inside the temple calmness prevailed.  And that even though he was not a Christian, he could feel that it is a religious, spiritual place.  We are grateful that the spirit of the Lord is in the temple and that people can feel the love of the Lord there.  After the tour we went our separate ways, and the two of us went to Sweet Treat (an ice cream place attached to the Deseret Book near the Mesa Temple).

That evening Michael and LeAnn came to our home for FHE, and Amy & Bryce & kids joined via Zoom.  LeAnn made a balloon-art flower, and brought it to us.

After FHE M&L stayed for games (Splendor, a round of dominoes, and QUIXX).  Amy & Bryce & kids then went to work on carving pumpkins, as demonstrated in these photos they sent to us:

Tuesday, October 26th

Paul drove Melody to & from preschool.  Later, we vacuumed-packed the quilt and shipped it via UPS to Kaylene & Gage.  Here's the finished quilt:

Paul took Lizzie to her violin lesson.  While Paul was driving Lizzie Shirleen invited Edgar (a neighbor) & his family to our ward's Fall Festival and Temple Open House.  She was happy to learn they are going to be having a baby boy in February.  Colleen was on the ranch at Steeple Rock when Shirleen tried to call for her birthday.  She returned the call today, and she & Shirleen had a great visit, catching up on what's happening with her family, etc.

Wednesday, October 27th

Paul picked up Melody, took her to preschool, and took her home.  During the day we made some online purchases for upcoming birthdays.  And we went to 360 Thrift, and found more gifts.  That evening we went to Mike & LeAnn's ward social, to watch LeAnn do balloon art.  And we visited with old neighbors & friends.

Thursday, October 28th

We invited our neighbor Gabbie to the ward social and temple open house.  Paul picked up Melody, took her to preschool, and took her home.  That evening we both went to Bryce & Amy's to watch the kids.  Bryce went to an MCO choir practice in Gilbert; Amy went to Tempe for a Christmas program orchestra rehearsal.  We had an enjoyable evening with the grandchildren.  The kids did their chores, read, and played.  Paul played games with Lizzie and Karsten while Shirleen got James and Melody to bed and listened to Maylee read, and then got her to bed.  Maylee is reading 5 pages a day in the Book of Mormon to complete it before she is baptized.  We are happy they are learning the gospel and good work habits.

Friday, October 29th

Paul went in for an INR test.  Shirleen indexed until her eyes got tired, and then crocheted around a fleece blanket.  In the afternoon, we went to the local crisis pregnancy center for Shirleen to make a donation.

That evening we went to our ward's Fall Festival.  It was well attended by ward members and neighbors not yet of our faith.  Our Bishop had 3 horses he borrowed from his uncle for the kids to ride.  There was a bounce house, face painting, and several other activities for the kids.  We had chili, corn bread, and hot dogs available.  A group that included Burt Crockett, his sister, and Doug Pelley played & sang live music.  The children participated in a costume parade and trunk-or-treating.  It was nice to see children who grew up in our neighborhood come back with children of their own.

Saturday, October 30th

We cleaned the house, did some shopping, and Amy brought the grandkids to our house in the evening so we could see their Halloween costumes and they could trick-or-treat.  James walked right up and started clapping to get our sound-activated ghost decoration to start.  He really likes it.  We usually have pizza, donuts, and wassail on Halloween, but did today since tomorrow we will be celebrating Lizzie's birthday.

Sunday, October 31st

Paul attended a bishopric meeting and a ward council meeting in the morning.   We had lots of visitors at church since the Benson's blessed their baby daughter, and Lela Crockett spoke as she leaves for her mission to Hawaii this week.  The second hour of church was devoted to a Covenant Path discussion with regards to new & returning members.  In the evening we went to Don & Laure's home for a one-day-early birthday celebration for Lizzie (she's turning 12).  Michael & LeAnn came as well.  In addition to us and her own immediate family, Lizzie had her Uncles Ruston, CJ and Chad, Aunt Amy, and her cousins, Mason (who leaves for his mission to Pittsburg, PA this Wed), Abby, Jake, Tate, and Emma.  Lucy was sick so she and her mom Sarah didn't come.  Amy and Lizzie made a beautiful and delicious birthday ice cream cake.  We took some more ice cream.  Lizzie got several books; everyone knows she loves to read!

Another good week!