The Two Weeks That Was!

Monday, November 1st, 2021

Shirleen served at the Mesa Temple Open House as an usher (primarily in the baptistry area).  Amy Lunt (Steve's wife) was in that area, too.  That evening we enjoyed getting together for our weekly online FHE.

Tuesday, November 2nd

We attended our first training meeting as ordinance workers in the Mesa Arizona Temple.  We are excited that the temple will soon be open again.  This meeting was held in a stake center in north Mesa, and was focused on a number of things:

• Acquainting us with the Temple Presidency, the Recorder, the director of security, the director of facilities, etc.
• The layout of the temple (floor plans, etc.)
• General guidelines for serving

Amy took Melody to preschool; Paul picked her up and took her home.  Later, Paul took Lizzie to her weekly violin lesson.

Wednesday, November 3rd

Shirleen served at the Mesa Temple Open House (this time at the shoe-covering area).  She worked with Kara Merkley, Richard and Paula's daughter.  Richard was our doctor.  He and his wife served a mission in Salt Lake helping with missionary medical.  We found out they are now on a second mission to the Ukraine. Kara is the assistant gardener now at the temple.

Thursday, November 4th

Paul picked up Melody, and drove her to preschool.  He then picked up Shirleen, and drove her to get her hair cut.  Later, Paul picked up Melody, and took her home.

Friday, November 5th

Shirleen served at the Mesa Temple Open House, stationed upstairs.  It was busy and a few times when people were waiting to enter the celestial room she could see tears in their eyes, and she could see how much they loved being in the temple and felt the Spirit testifying of God's love for his children.  What a blessing to be in the temple!

Saturday and Sunday we did our usual activities with the addition of Shirleen picking up all the ward's choir music and re-inventorying it.  She also played the organ in Sacrament Meeting since the organist was out-of-town.  Most of the testimonies in our Fast and Testimony meeting focused on the temple and temple open house.  We had a family dinner to break our fast.  LeAnn went with Randa to a surprise birthday party for her Aunt Diana before joining us later.

Monday, November 8th

Shirleen served at the Mesa Temple Open House.  This time downstairs in the sealing rooms and wedding waiting areas.  She was happy to greet her cousin, Richard Lunt and his wife, Colleen, here from Duncan.  Online FHE that evening.  Afterwards, Mike shared the app he wrote to track medical information.  LeAnn asked him to write it for her to keep track of vitals before, during and after her dizzy episodes.  Mike is surely talented--he wrote it in just 3 days!

Tuesday, November 9th

Paul took Lizzie to & from her weekly violin lesson.  Shirleen enjoyed a visit from LeAnn where LeAnn finished reading aloud the Alex Trebek book she gave her.  

Wednesday, November 10th

Paul had his foot/ankle checked out [he has had heel & Achilles tendon issues, but it's improved, and no referral (for a specialist) has yet been pursued].  It was recommended he continue to not walk a lot for another month.  Shirleen served at the Mesa Temple Open House helping with foot coverings.  Paul transported Melody to/from preschool.

Thursday, November 11th

Shirleen's brother, Dave's birthday.  Even though he is her younger brother, she looks up to him in many ways.

We took Karsten & Maylee to the Veterans' Day Parade in downtown Mesa.  The event was on the ground and (as you will see) in the air.  Here are some photos:

Karsten, Shirleen, and Maylee
(walking to the parade site)

Shirleen, Maylee, and Karsten
(on N. Center St., waiting for the parade) 

Paul
(at the parade site on N. Center)

Looking north along N. Center St.

Karsten, with a good view of the parade

The Sirrine House
(across the street from where we watched the parade)

Maylee, with a good view of the parade

The parade ended and we went back to the car, that included a stroll underneath this interesting structure:

Shirleen, Karsten, and Maylee

And did we go home?  No, we went to Dobson Ranch Park next.

Maylee, Karsten, and Shirleen

Maylee

Karsten

Karsten

Karsten

Maylee

Paul, Maylee, and Karsten

Mr. K!

And did we then go home?  No, we went here:

We then went back to our house, and later took Karsten & Maylee home.  And we stayed there to watch all the kids that evening while Amy & Bryce went to a rehearsal for an upcoming concert (Bryce in a choir, Amy in an orchestra).  Colleen and Mat Miller and daughters, Camille and Heidi, came to visit us.  They came from Lordsburg, NM today to go to the temple open house.  We loved being able to see them!

James

Friday & Saturday, November 12th & 13th

On Friday, Shirleen served at the Mesa Temple Open House upstairs again.  It was very busy with people in a constant stream.  We picked up Lizzie for a sleepover (and some major fun) at our house and elsewhere.  We went to Dobson Ranch Park.

We left the park, and went out to dinner here:

We then headed home for a game of Monopoly, reading scriptures, and stories before bed.  The next day there were pumpkin pancakes for breakfast.  Shirleen and Lizzie tied a fleece blanket to donate to Canyon State Academy.  There was a game of chess.  Oh, and we went to the Arizona Science Center in Phoenix.

Shrimp in an interesting ecosystem in a large glass globe (with water, etc.)

There's a man behind that pillar of fire!

OK, OK, ... Lizzie won!

We took Lizzie home that evening.

Sunday, November 14th

Paul attended a bishopric meeting in the morning.  Our Primary Children's Program in Sacrament Meeting was at 12:30, followed by Elders Quorum and Relief Society.   We had our first practice for the music the choir will sing for Christmas.  That evening the two of us and Michael & LeAnn went to dinner at Bryce & Amy's home with them and their children.  Following dinner it was party time!  A party?  Bryce's parents, his brother Rushton & his family came, and we celebrated Melody's 5th birthday with cake & ice cream!  And here she is:

A good couple of weeks!  What a blessing to be able to share special times with those most dear to us!