Family Ties Oct. 8 - Nov. 5, 2006

Family Ties Oct. 8-Nov.5, 2006

Dear Family,
Since our last journal entry on the eighth of October, four interesting weeks have gone by including our most interesting was our trip to Falmouth, Maine but we will speak of that later.
We attended the meeting of the Cook Family Organization held at the Family History Library on the 12th of October where we received some valuable information for our "Family Ties" book and where your mother was ask to be the family representative for the George Henry Cook organization. This will acquire occasional attendance at meetings and research for her father's line. We remained in the valley so that David and family could occupy the cabin during UEA. On Saturday night we were invited by the Sorensen's to attend the Sandy's Symphony Orchestra presentation. Of special interest was their son Kim's participation as the lead base fiddle player. We were more than a little pleased of the quality of this symphony.
For the first time in many months we were privileged to attend David and Jan's ward and every hour of their block time was an exceptional spiritual experience. This sabbath prepared us well for our Monday morning interview with a member of the Provo Temple Presidency where we received our assignment to serve every Saturday midday as ordinance workers. We were set apart at this time and both of us were made to feel needed.
David and family returned from the cabin reporting a great time with nearly all of their children. Tuesday morning David delivered us to the airport where we took the morning flight to Portland, Maine with a short layover in Chicago (both going and coming). Though we had seen pictures of their new home, we were even more impressed with it's location, quality and function ability. The better part of our stay there was spent painting and building shelves in garage and attic to accommodate the things they had not been able to adequately store. Combined with work was the pleasure of attending the Boston Temple and visiting two very interesting tourist towns, Port Elizabeth and Kenneybuck Port.
It became apparent to us that the Lord certainly had a hand in directing them to Maine. The people of their Branch over and over told us how they had literally prayed and fasted them there. We observed that not only are they needed at the branch, but the branch is a caring branch and will bless their lives. While we were there Jeff received word that his former employers had made a drastic change in their business direction which could very well have eliminated Jeff's employment. He is presently so pleased with his new employers. Nancy and children are adjusting well considering the trauma of leaving their "comfort zone" and their friends. Thanks to Nancy's "play" with "work" this trip was more like a vacation. Our last day was spent in honor of your mothers seventy-eighth birthday wherein a special dinner party was given in the evening and a day free of work was spent in Kenneybuck Port where we saw President Bush's family beautiful summer home.
On Halloween day we boarded the plane for our return trip home. We hope the generous gift of airplane tickets from the Thomas's was somewhat repaid in our service to their family. They couldn't have been more gracious.
Rather than returning home we stayed an extra night in Highland so we could attend a breakfast at Little America with friends from Preston England, including special friends Ray and Mary White. Halloween night was very special. All of David's grandchildren came in their costumes and the costume Jan was wearing from her day at school was perhaps the cleverest of all.
Everything at the cabin was even better than when we left as Ed and friend came up and adjusted the garage doors for a finger/tip/ease operation. A real blessing for his parents.
Our weeks away from home was topped off with a visit from Spencer and Emily who came for an overnighter on Saturday. The men were humiliated at their losing both Monopoly and Rummycube but graciously accepted their defeat.
We always enjoy Fast Sunday where more fervently we devote our fasting and prayers to our family whom we love so very much.