Family Ties April 1, April 8, 2007

Dear Family,

Following a very enjoyable General Conference, we had an unusually busy week. On Monday we travelled to the valley for our bi-annual luncheon at the Chuck Arama. The usual group attended (from our England mission) including Ray and Mary White who came from Texas. While we were there, to our surprise, a large group of English people on tour of the church sites of America, also came and some of whom we well remembered from our days in the Preston temple. Dan Mackintosh's birthday was on this day and we drove out to wish him a Happy Birthday. Later that day, we enjoyed an evening with Dan and Ann and stayed there over night. On Tuesday the original Nauvoo temple missionaries had a reunion. As a group of approximately seventy people we attended the temple and then enjoyed a dinner/program at the Timbermine Restaurant in Ogden. The impact of all of us being together in the Ogden temple (where three of the couples that had been in Nauvoo had just been released as it's presidency)was humbling. President and Sister Winder were there and just their presense and all of us that were at the Beginning was an emotional spiritual event. Some that could not be to the temple were there for the dinner/program and what a joy to reuinite and remember our temple mission in Nauvoo and feel the spiritual growth that took place among all of us.
Spring is in the air and it does feel good to see more ground than snow. Wednesday we were even able to change our snow tires to our regular tires and service the car for our travels this coming week to St. George. Thursday and Friday we worked diligently on striving to accomplish some research for the publishing/printing of our book and the mondane of washing, ironing cleaning in preparation for our absense these next two weeks. In reality, we are looking forward to being with Susans family and serving them in the fun project of providing a playroom for the grandchildren. After our temple service on Saturday we celebrated Easter by going to dinner at the new Canton Chinese Restaurant in Heber City. We learned some time ago that an order of one with two plates is sufficient for the two of us, cutting our cost in half and even enjoying our dinner more.
Easter Sunday was special. The Ward Choir consiting of twelve men and eight women presented an outstanding program. Your dad gave a lesson on Testimonoy in priesthood meeting which went very well and in the absense of every single member of the RS Presidency, your mother was ask to conduct that meeting. All of the meetings this day were exceptional. The Sorensens invited us over for an Easter dinner which we enjoyed very much. Tomorrow the Real Estate people are coming to put their cabin on the market for sale. The Marsh's sold their cabin and will close on the 19th of this month. We will miss all of these special people. Brother Marsh said today as he taught the SS lesson, it was the hardest decision they have made to leave the ward. Changes are always hard, but there is always growth that takes place and that is what life is always about.