Copied from L.D.S. Young Single Adult Gems:  Posted: 14 Jul 2010 12:00 AM PDT
“Everyone needs good friends. Your circle of friends will greatly influence your thinking and behavior, just as you will theirs. When you share common values with your friends, you can strengthen and encourage each other.”
Thomas S. Monson, “Preparation Brings Blessings,” Ensign, May 2010, 65

This last Wednesday, I officially had the opportunity to perform all of the ordinances in the Temple-speaking the Spanish language. Heavenly Father has blessed me to learn this work in a different language than what I speak, so that I can help others. I'm grateful for that. I have to sub on the Spanish night, because I don't get the oppotunity on my shift.
This last Saturday, we had the honor to attend the Boise Temple with my brother's family. (Gary's family) His youngest son-Kevin, got his Endowment - preparing to go on his mission. All of Gary & Debbie's kids and most of their kids' spouses were able to attend. The Prayer Circle was great. It was all family with the exception of one couple. (I'm not sure if Gary & Debbie knew them or not.) Rick & I were in the Prayer Circle with them. The look on Gary & Debbie's faces were wonderful. You coudn't pay them to look more proud and happy. It was a great moment to be a part of.
I had to give Sharing Time this last Sunday. Sharing Times are difficult for me. I honestly didn't feel prepared. I just did what was suggested in the Sharing Time phamplet that the church provides. This morning, I got an e-mail from one of my teachers-telling me that I did a good job. The following is copied from her letter to me: By the way, the sharing time activity you did today really involved the kids. They liked stapling the links together to make the chain. Good Job!
I'm so thankful that Heavenly Father continues to bless us -daily. Life is good, even when you have trials.

.

MORE PICTURES FROM OUR TRIP.  THEY ARE OUT OF ORDER.  I TRIED PUTTING THEM ON THE LAST POST.  FOR SOME REASON, I COULDN'T GET THEM WHERE I WANTED-NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I TRIED.  SO, YOU ARE LOOKING AT OUR VACATION BACKWARDS -SORT OF.  THIS IS PART 2

SOME OF THE WAGONS GOING AROUND
THE CORNER.

INDIANS POSING FOR PICTURES
(OR WAITING TO ATTACK.)

BART-T-5 MOUNTAIN MAN
(CHECK OUT THE BOOK:  THE WHITE INDIAN BOY
BY WILSON AND DRIGGS.  THE TOWN OF
WILSON NEAR JACKSON IS NAMED AFTER HIM.
HE IS A RELATIVE OF THE FAMILY THAT
OWNS BAR-T-5 CHUCKWAGON DINNERS.)

THERE WERE 3 OF THES IN YELLOWSTONE.
THIS WAS THE BIGGEST ONE.  THE OTHERS
WERE HUGE, BUT NOT AS HUGE AS THIS ONE.
THEY WERE RIGHT BESIDE THE RODE.

THIS BEAR WAS RUNNING ALONG THE ROAD
TRYING TO GET AWAY FROM TRAFFIC.
RICK LET ME OUT OF THE CAR.  I WAS TRYING TO KEEP
UP WITH IT-ALWAYS AWARE THAT IT IS A WILD
ANIMAL-AND THINKING I WOULD JUMP IN THE
FIRST CAR AVAILABLE IF IT GOT TOO CLOSE.
(THIS PICTURE IS A STILL PICTURE TAKEN FROM
MY VIDEO OF THE BEAR RUNNING IN FRONT
OF THE CAR.  WE WERE IN THE CAR WHEN
IT WAS TAKEN.)

WE SAW THIS BEAR EARLIER IN THE MORNING.  I WAS HAVING
TROUBLE GETTING MY ZOOM TO WORK.  I WAS
PLEASANTLY SURPRISED TO SEE THAT THE PICTURE WAS SO GOOD.

THIS PICTURE IS FUZZY-TAKEN OFF OF MY VIDEO.
IT WAS SORT OF STANDING UP ON IT'S HIND
FEET.  I HAD TO POST THIS PICTURE
JUST BECAUSE !

DRIVING OUT OF YELLOWSTONE, A PATH THAT
WE DON'T NORMALLY TRAVEL, WE SAW THIS.
IT WAS RAINING "CATS & DOGS" AT THE TIME.
I MADE RICK TURN AROUND, SO I COULD GET
A PICTURE OF THIS WATERFALLS.

                                                              

A MOMMY MOOSE AND HER CALF. 
I WASN'T ABLE TO GET A TERRIFIC PICTURE
OF HER CALF, BUT YOU CAN SEE BOTH.

WE FINISHED OFF OUR VACATION BY DRIVING A LITTLE OUT OF OUR WAY TO GO TO REXBURG.  WE HADN'T SEEN THE TEMPLE AND THOUGHT THIS MIGHT BE OUR ONLY OPPOTUNITY FOR SOME TIME.  (I ACTUALLY WANTED TO DO A SESSION, BUT I KNEW THAT RICK WOULD NOT BE HAPPY ABOUT THAT, SO I DIDN'T EVEN PACK CHURCH CLOTHES.)

WHENEVER WE ACTUALLY GO INSIDE A TEMPLE,
WE HAVE SOMEONE TAKE A PICTURE OF US BY
THIS SIGN.  YOU NOTICE, WE ARE NOT IN
THE PICTURE.
(WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN OUR PICTURE FROM
THE TWIN FALLS TEMPLE YET.)

THIS TEMPLE IS SO MUCH BIGGER THAN OURS-
THE TWIN FALLS , IDAHO TEMPLE-
THAT WE HAD TO GET A LONG WAYS
AWAY FOR THE WHOLE TEMPLE TO BE IN PICTURE.

A DIFFERENT VIEW OF THE TEMPLE.
IT WAS AN OVERCAST DAY-SO
THE PICTURES AREN'T AS BRIGHT
AS I WOULD HAVE HOPED FOR.

WE WERE DRIVING IN GRAND TETON PARK.
WE SAW 4 DEER TOGETHER RIGHT HERE, BUT ONLY
GOT 3 OF THEM IN THIS PICTURE.
WE DIDN'T THINK THIS PARK WAS VERY PRETTY.
HOWEVER, IT IS WHERE WE SAW
MOST OF THE ANIMALS.

WE RODE A CHAIR LIFT UP THE MOUNTAIN.
(I WAS A LITTLE NERVOUS.  I HAD NEVER RODE ONE BEFORE.)
WE RODE THE LUGE PRACTICE SLIDE DOWN THE MOUNTAIN.  THAT WAS FUN.
RICK KEPT TRYING TO GO FASTER. 
I DIDN'T GO AS FAST AS HIM,BECAUSE
THERE SIGNS ON EVERY CORNER THAT SAID
CAUTION-SLOW DOWN.

WE SAW THIS FOX AS WE WERE RIDING THE CHAIR LIFT.
THE PEOPLE AT THE TOP OF THE CHAIR LIFT SAID
THERE WAS A FAMILY OF FOXES  ON THE MT.

BART-T-5 CHUCKWAGON DINNER PROGRAM.
IT WAS FANTASTIC!  WE'D DO IT AGAIN IF GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY.

BAR-T-5 HAD INDIANS RIDING AROUND &
WHOOPING.  THE JAPANESE GROUP IN OUR
WAGON WAS REALLY IMPRESSED .

.

Went on my trip (that I won in December). Had a great time! We went to Jackson, Wyoming.
First, we rode chair lifts up the mountain. I had never rode one before. I was a little nervous-but realized it wasn't bad once I got on it. As we were riding the chair lift up, we saw a fox walking the trail. I got a picture of it. Just as we were getting to the top of the chair lift, they took our picture-as a souvenir. We bought it. We rode the Alpine Slide down the mountain. (That's a luge practicing ride.) That was fun. We went to Ripleys' believe it or not museum. That was part of the trip that I won. It wasn't worth any money. We were glad it was free. Later, we went to a History Museum that cost $3.00 each. That was well worth the money and time. I love museums and could have spent a lot longer time there. We were on a schedule. That afternoon-early evening-we went on the Bar-T-5 Chuck Wagon ride and dinner and western program. That was terrific! We'd do it again. After that we went to a rodeo. (Sort of--We didn't want to pay $14.00 each for being a little late. We just watched and heard everything outside the chain link fence.) WE SAW A MAN GET KILLED. HE WAS RIDING A BRONC-WITH SADDLE. THE HORSE STOOD UP ON HIS HIND FEET AND LANDED ON THE MAN'S HEAD. The next day, the news said that he had passed away. The next day, we went to the parks. The entrance fee was paid for with the trip that I won. (Also, our hotel room for 3 nights.) There weren't very many animals in Yellowstone park. We did see some elk with fantastic antlers. We got some great pictures. In Grand Tetons park, we were lucky enough to see a Grizzly -twice and a cow moose with her calf.

Look to the Holy Ghost
If we are wise, we will encourage, praise, and exemplify everything which invites the companionship of the Holy Ghost.”
Henry B. Eyring, “Help Them on Their Way Home,” Ensign, May 2010, 25

4 GREAT YEARS!

4 years ago yesterday, Rick & I traveled to Boise on a Sunday afternoon. ( I had just given a terrific Relief Society lesson-which didn't happen often.) We had packed a lunch to eat in the car. We had to be at a Orientation/welcome meeting at the Boise Temple. We were starting as Temple Officiators. This was our trainging meeting. We were the first ones there. At first, we thought maybe we got the information wrong. We didn't really think there would be anything happening at the Temple on Sundays, because the Temples are closed on Sundays. When we saw another couple from our stake drive up, we were glad. They were becoming Temple Ordinance Workers also. It was a wonderful afternoon. We were able to watch all of the trainging films and met the Presidency of the Temple.
Both of us worked at the Temple together for 6 months. Then, Rick's health got worse. He wasn't able to go with me the next 6 months. He was officially released after a year. I continued serving in the Boise Temple by myself until April 25th, 2008. That's the day I was released from the Boise Temple, to prepare to be set apart as an Ordinance Worker in the Twin Falls, Temple.
Thankfully, after I started working/serving in the Twin Falls Temple, Rick got the opportunity to check recommends on the work/cleaning/service day at the Temple--Mondays. It's not the same as checking recommends on days that the Temple is open, but it's still giving Rick the opportunity to be where he can feel the Spirit.
In Boise, just after 3 months of serving, I was given the opportunity to be the Initiatory Coordinator. I did that until I was released. I worked at the Twin Falls Temple for a year, before I was made the Initiatory Coordinator. I love doing that. I love serving in the Temple. It is my favorite thing to do all week. I love feeling the Spirit that I feel at the Lord's House on a weekly basis.
I HOPE I AM NEVER RELEASED FROM SERVING IN THE TEMPLE!!
Thought for the day:
“When you were confirmed a member of the Church, you received the right to the companionship of the Holy Ghost. He can help you make good choices. When challenged or tempted, you do not need to feel alone. Remember that prayer is the passport to spiritual power.”
President Thomas S. Monson, “Preparation Brings Blessings,” Ensign, May 2010, 66

CATCHING UP AND SOME PICTURES

Well, it's been quite awhile since my last post.
Heather & Stephanie's brother was in Idaho for a week during the week of Mother's Day. I didn't get a chance to visit with him, but Rick did. I asked the girls if they would get a family picutre of the 3 of them. I told them to act like they liked each other. By the time they got finished posing for pictures, I think they were tired. I think they could have smiled a little more. However, I'm grateful to have the picture anyhow.
Stephanie, Heather & Andy

Mady had a spring concert not too long ago. She plays the viola. She was setting behing a music stand. Because of that, I couldn't get a picture of her while she was actually playing. I had her pose for a picture.
"Mady" Rodriguez
Rick is doing much better than what he was. He seems to have some desire and actually is enjoying parts of life again. We're grateful for the improvements that we have.

For Memorial Day, Rick & I took Mom/Grandma out to eat. She really enjoyed getting out of the Nursing Home. I physically can't take her by myself anymore. I'm not tough enough anymore. So I have to wait for a time that Rick is willing to help me. Sadly, I've only been able to take her out of the home twice-now and during the holidays. (She would have gone one other time, except she got sick.) Anyhow, Mom thought it was a great day. I'm going to try and take her out more often. Rick & I went to a movie afterwards.

During the month of June, Heather's kids all play baseball. This year, they are on 3 different teams, different times, different days. Our month will be busy - trying to go to most of them. Last Thursday night, Tyler's team was losing. Tyler's team had last up. We caught up and the the game was tied. They played 2 extra innings. Tyler's team had 2 outs, and Tyler had 2 strikes at the bottom of the second extra inning. Tyler pulled thru and got a home run at the very last chance. They won. Today is "Bekha's" first game. The first two were cancelled. One of Jacob's games was cancelled also. We've had a lot of rain lately.
Well, that's all for now.

GOOD ADVICE FOR ALL

This is copied from:  L.D.S. Young Single Adult Gems
The Virture Of Heavenly Patience                                                                                                                           “Life is full of difficulties, some minor and others of a more serious nature. There seems to be an unending supply of challenges for one and all. Our problem is that we often expect instantaneous solutions to such challenges, forgetting that frequently the heavenly virtue of patience is required.”
President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints-Thomas S. Monson, “Patience, a Heavenly Virtue,” Ensign, Sept. 2002

MOTHERS'S DAY 2010

This post is more for Mom than myself. She had a good Mother's Day weekend. She got to see visit with all of her kids. It started on Saturday. Gary stopped by and visited for about and hour. After he left, she called and told me that he had stopped on his way home for a visit.
Diane & Helen (daughter & Mom)

On Sunday, Grant and the twins were at the Care Center early enough that they could go to Sacrament Meeting with Mom. They had lunch with her. They left shortly after I got there around 2:00. The Care Center had cake and punch for residents and visitors. They also provided flowers for the Mothers. (You can't see mine in the picture-because I'm on the wrong side and it's covered up.)

Mom /Helen

Mom's Sister had sent Mom a DVD - (an interview with Mom's Dad-Ether Allen and Mom's Sister-Carol McEntire) for her Birthday back in February. She had not seen it yet, because Mom didn't have a DVD player until recently. We decided that would be a fun thing to do for Mother's Day. The interview of Grandpa was only about 12 minutes. I wish it had been much longer. He was such a "cute" man-great personality. The interview with Aunt Carol was about 70 minutes long.

Mom's days started before 5:00 a.m. She wanted to get a perm -so that she'd look good for today. By the time I left-about 5:00 p.m., she was very tired. She'd been up all day. Over all, she had a very good weekend. I'm glad for her.

Rick gave me a card. I could tell that he actually made an effort in getting one that had a good verse on. Coming from him-that's a good effort. Today was also Heather's Birthday. I stopped at her house to give her a B-day card. She wasn't home. She had called me earlier and wished me Happy Mother's Day. I wasn't home. She left a message. I later called her to wish her Happy Mother's Day. She wasn't home. I left her a message. Stephanie called me while I was at the Care Center visiting Mom. She asked me to stop at her house on my way home. They gave me a potted orchid and a card. It was a pleasant day.