Aunt Cathy

Aunt Cathy wrote : Last week I spent three days backpacking with a couple of friends in the Wind River Range in Wyoming.  It was beautiful!

Duncan

While Graham was in his writing class, Duncan spent the week in the dorms at BYU.  He was attending the FSY (For  the Strength of Youth) program.  I asked him if he would do it again and he said he would.  I am so impressed because he didn't know anyone in the program, slept away from home from Monday to Saturday and sent some wonderful texts to me while he was there.

Graham

Graham finished his writing class that he was in while at BYU.  He loved it and Aunt Amy said they outdid themselves with the Harry Potter theme.  

It's All Right?

"When human language comes short the spirit of
God speaks for us in words more profound
than any human tongue."

 

Happy Birthday Andy!

 52 Years Old

You're Welcome Arizona!

I have the ability to bring rain to our barren desert.  It is something I have known for some time and since I have been back in town from my travels to Utah and California I have generously done my part.  This is what I have learned.  If you want it to rain, go get your car washed!  It only works during the monsoon season but I can assure you that I am doing my part.  I pay a monthly fee to the local car wash and so I have unlimited use of their facility and because of that I can go weekly when necessary.  Between the dust storms that literally darken the skies and the rain that comes soon after, my car is getting a lot of washing.  And as expected when I went to the car wash yesterday I knew that rain would be coming.  It did!  When I woke up this morning it started to rain and now five hours later it is still raining.  It's a gentle rain so far and the water isn't running down the street taking the leaves with it.  But it is raining!  You're welcome!

Graham and Duncan

Uncle Christian headed home and back to work but the rest of the family stayed in Utah.  Duncan is attending the FSY (For the Strength of Youth) program and Graham is attending a class on writing.  We were all a little nervous how Duncan would handle it for the week but Aunt Amy got this text last night from him with his roommate.  So far so good!  Graham is attending a writing camp and came home excited about all that he got to do there.

The Bean Museum

The Whitney's decided to check out the Bean Museum that the Eastern Duncans had gone to.  Aunt Amy said it is small but free and there were really fun activities there for the kids to do.

Family Reunion and 4th of July Activities

I want to thank all of you for coming to our family reunion.  You are all wonderful and as I watched each of you I was incredibly grateful that Heavenly Father gave me the best children and grandchildren.  I know that Grandpa would have loved being there but I don't doubt he knows all about each of you and all the good you do.  When Aunt Amy gets home I will be sharing the pictures and I'm sure she will send you all copies of your family.  I was sorry the Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Florida family had to leave before the activities for the 4th of July.  Uncle Bill, Abby and Katie did the patriotic run.  The Whitney's saw the parade and went over to Orem for the Colonial Festival with the Ca and Ut Duncans.  Thank you Bill, Andy, Ben, and Amy for all you did to make this wonderful activity for all of us!  Thanks also for those who made the amazing food that was provided.

Lexy

Fun time for Lexy as she visited her parents.  They headed over to Amish country so they could buy a porch bench rocker.  Her latest trip was to Gary, Indiana to see the childhood home of Michael Jackson.

My Trip to California

Thanks to Sister Walker I was able to go over to California last weekend.  It was great fun and we had lots to talk about and to remember.  We left Arizona on Friday and drove over to San Diego and spent the night there.  The next morning we went over to the Open House at the San Diego Temple.  We enjoyed a tour of the beautiful inside of it.  Our guide told us that they had 20,000 reservations made for the day we went.  There were people everywhere but it was amazing how well done the whole process was.  

After the tour we drove to Corona and had lunch with Barb's Brother-in-law and Sister-in-law.  It was nice to meet them and he reminded me very much of Barry.  I am glad that she has been able to stay in contact with them.  We spent Saturday night in Hesperia and then on Sunday morning we drove out to the Andreasen's ward in Apple Valley.  They spoke about  their time in the Philippines serving in the Cebu Temple.  They both gave excellent talks and their children and grandchildren sang a beautiful song during the meeting.  Joe even shared his testimony in Tagalog.  I hadn't told Beth we were coming and when she saw me she got teary eyed and so did I.  While there the Bishop of the ward walked up and gave me a hug and told me how sorry he when he heard about Scott's death.  He also mentioned his time working with the young men and how much he enjoyed having Andy when he was a teenager.  It was Corwin Porter.  I also got to see Dennis and Monica Christofferson and the Stake President was in the meeting that day.  I was delighted to see that it was Mark Lacy.  

After the meeting we went back to the hotel and packed up and left for Indio where we spent the night.  We came home this morning.  It was a fun trip and I appreciated so much the time I got to spend with Barb remembering our time in Victorville when Barry was stationed at George Air Force Base.

California Duncans

From Andy:  The weekend before the reunion we did a quick trip down to the San Diego temple open house. The night before we stopped at Oceanside pier. The next day went to the open house and then got burritos before heading home.  During the reunion I only took a few photos. One of a bird at the Tracy Aviary and a few of flowers up at the lake.  On July 4th we met up with Bill's family at the Colonial Heritage Festival in Orem. I got a photo of myself in the stocks. 

Happy Birthday Katie!

 26 Years Old

Indiana

Lexy is in Indiana visiting her parents and helping them settle into their new home.  She shared some pictures of her time with them.   She gets to play with goats and poor Ellis is home being annoyed by a cat! 

Happy Birthday Bill!

 54 Years Old

Happy Birthday Austin!

 33 Years Old

Austin's birthday is Thursday, July 2nd but I wanted to post early! You all know why!

The Sword

Jesus is about to send his disciples on their missions because He knows that the end is near.  He sent them out to these towns to prepare the way so that more people might hear the gospel.  It's an important mission.  He sends them out with power and authority.  You might think this mission would be a cakewalk.  A victory.  But in our text today, Jesus makes it clear that this is not the case.  Jesus says that He did not come to bring peace but a sword.  I'm sure the disciples say yeah, bring us a sword.  Bring this world into submission.  Strike down the wicked and fight the rebellion.  But Jesus when He says He is bringing a sword.  He's not addressing the world.  He's not talking to the world.  He talking to the disciples.  Because following Jesus for the disciples doesn't mean all their problems are going to go away.  Just the opposite.  It means they will face a sword.  It means that following Jesus for the disciples means the opposite.  It means they will face the sword.  It means following Jesus the disciples isn't going to look like a victory march.  Following Jesus for them is going to look like a man carrying His cross up a hill to die.  Disciples of Jesus have no easy task before them when they follow Jesus.  Not all of your problems will go away.  When we bind our lives to Jesus we bear the marks and He shows us His own.  He came into the word to bear our pains so we become indelibly bound to Him.  And one day we will share his joy.

Not Surprised! Just Excited!

I got a text from Lexy this morning sharing the great news that she has been hired as an adjunct French professor at BYU.              She said she will be observing/teaching French 321 which is an advanced French class and helping two professors write a French textbook and curriculum.  Congratulations Lexy!  I'm excited but not surprised!

Happy Father's Day!

" May we heed the voice of the prophets, who, from the beginning of time, have warned us about the importance of fathers in the home. May we determine more fully to fulfill our duties and responsibilities that the Lord has given to us as fathers."                                                          Elder L. Tom Perry

Thank you Bill, Andy, Ben, and Christian for being dedicated and loving fathers who with your wonderful companions are raising my amazing grandchildren!  Happy Father's Day!

Happy Birthday Graham!

 10 Years Old

Illinois Duncans

Uncle Ben, Jeremy and Peter attended a baseball game.  I still remember sitting in the stands watching Uncle Ben play when he was little.