Conference Weekend

Conference Bingo

In all honesty my two favorite weekends of the year are in October and April!  I love conference weekend.  It is a time I feel like my bucket get refilled and many thoughts, questions, answers, and ideas come to me as I listen to the leaders of the church speak.  It reminds me of the love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for us because he continues to send prophets and apostles to lead and guide us in a difficult world.

Another great blessing of these weekends is a tradition we started years ago with our California Duncans.  They would join us on Sunday morning for breakfast before conference and a lunch before the second session began.  When Grandpa wasn't sick your cousins and Uncle Andy would go on a walk.  I still remember the boys and Ava coming back with various things they found along the way.  Since moving to Arizona we had the opportunity to enjoy a breakfast and lunch with the Whitney's.  It was wonderful to have them here and fun to watch the various activities they were able to do while they participated in the conference talks.  Aunt Amy does a great job of having special activities and treats to sweeten the day.  Sorry the pictures aren't the best.  This house has such wonderful light but it is hard on picture taking!

Teenage Chill

Ruth writing in her Conference Notebook

Enjoying some cuddles

Between session 

Playing with clay

Entertaining us all with his faces!

Swim Camp

Abby attended a swim clinic and was able to meet an Olympic swimmer named Maya DiRado.  She was in the 2016 Olympics in Rio and won 2 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze medal.  Her specialty is freestyle, backstroke, and individual medley.   Abby said she was really nice.  As you can see in the background it isn't swim weather in Park City! 

I Survived! And So Did the Barber!

He Survived!

Christian came out without a mark on him?

It was a rough battle in the tent at the cub scout pack meeting, but Duncan prevailed.  He is now an official bear scout.  In their ward each boy goes into a tent with their dad or mom (whichever is the bravest!) and have a wrestle with a bear.  When they come out they are a little worse for wear but a bear medallion is hanging around their neck.  Good job Dunc!

Mom does a great job at pack meetings!

Just a Thought!

Today I read a quote by President Eyring.  I loved it and wanted to share it with you.  He said, "Ask yourself, 'How did God bless me today?'  If you do that long enough and with faith, you will find yourself remembering blessings.  And sometimes, you will have gifts brought to your mind which you failed to notice during the day, but which you will then know they were a touch of God's hand in your life."

It made me think of something that happened to me this morning.  Grandpa and I went for a ride and to do a quick errand.  When we got home I asked him if he would carry a small bag in for me.  His sweet response was, "Elaine, Elaine, I would carry you a thousand miles."  Sometimes when I start to feel a little overwhelmed remembering blessings like this makes everything worthwhile!  And you have to admit--the picture in your mind of Grandpa carrying me around is pretty hilarious! 

Caregiver Tips

#21  You can't live in fear
I am realizing on a daily basis how little I know about the progress of this disease.  I have found that when I start getting into a "groove" that is when things will again change.  I loved a quote by Elder Holland.  He said; "Don't wait to live.  This isn't a rehearsal; this isn't a dry run; this isn't a pre-performance routine.  This is it.  This is real life.  Don't wait.  Savor every minute."  I try each day to embrace that thought.  Life will go on in spite of my hesitancy and so I have to remember to stop waiting for the next shoe to drop.  When it happens that will be the time to deal with it.  Anticipating only causes me to worry needlessly.  Often what I think will happen doesn't and what I don't expect will become our new norm.

I have learned so much about Grandpa through this process and I have also learned so much about myself.  I am definitely being refined and that thought encourages me.  It tells me that Heavenly Father truly believes in me and puts challenges in each day to make me reach a little higher and to be a little better.  I am developing a sense of empathy that surprises me.  I have to be honest and tell you that I often pray that Grandpa will not have to linger in this "stupor" for much longer but I also pray that I will have the strength to help him until he is released from what we often call this frail existence!  Elaine Dalton taught, "Life teaches us that we can achieve happiness when we seek the happiness and well-being of others."  I am proof that that is the true.

When President Nelson was interviewed by the Arizona Republic on a recent visit here, he said such a profound and true statement.  "If there is anything, I've learned in my 94 years of living, it is that a life with God is far better--more filled with hope, than one without Him.  Faith in God is, and has always been the preeminent force for good in this world.  It is the most enduring source of peace for minds and hearts."  I have been able to enjoy that knowledge numerous times in this process.  I have received personal witness that God lives, that He loves your grandpa and He loves me.  Please know grandkids that you don't have to wait until you feel so beat down you aren't sure how to move forward because nothing that you may be dealing with can't be made better by a loving Father and a Savior who wants you to be strong and to keep fighting the good fight.

Lucky for Grandpa

Lucky for Grandpa that I know who his one and only girlfriend was before he met me.  If not I would be a little annoyed at him.  For the last week he has been calling me Linda.  I have no idea where this new name has come from but I'm kind of getting use to it!