The Power Goes Out After a Cold Blustery Day!

Last night (Tuesday) when Rich and I were heading home from AF, we noticed it was dark all along the freeway from about 1600 N. in Orem to the Center Street exit. It looked like the power was out all along there. As we turned onto Center Street we could see lots of activity at the intersection of 1200 West and Center Street--lots of vehicles with flashing lights and people scurrying around near the power poles. It must have been the site of the outage. Anyway, it was dark all along 4th West to 4th South. Across 4th South we could see lights, so we knew our house was just on the south edge of the outage. When we got home, we parked in the driveway because there was no getting into the garage. We could see that Dad had some lanterns going on in the house. He had just gotten home from the MTC and parked his car in the garage. The outage happened right after he got home. So Richard had a tuna fish sandwich for dinner and other things that didn't need to be heated up. The power didn't come back on until 2:00 a.m. Fortunately, we were able to keep ourselves warm enough in bed. Dad had the emergency heater standing by, just in case.

I don't think we've had a colder more blustery day all winter. Brrrrrrrrrrrrr. It was cold outside, and the wind was whipping snow all over the place. I went to the post office and was inside for about 15 minutes. When I came out, the car was covered with snowy ice which had blown down from the roof of the post office. It was like I'd been in an ice storm or something.

Richard made it to the dentist to see what was going on with his tooth. Dr. Wiest took a look at it and said a piece of his tooth had broken off. That was weird. I can't figure out why it would have been stuck up there in his gum. Anyway, Dr. Wiest did the repair on his tooth right then. That was good, then Richard didn't have to wait and have it done later. Dr. Wiest only charged for the exam and X-ray and didn't charge for the repair, so that helped. Richard said he's been in five times since August to see Dr. Wiest about that same place in his mouth for one thing or another. I was about ready to find another dentist. Hopefully, this will be the fix that Richard needed.

At 5:30 I met at the MTC for dinner in the cafeteria, followed by the devotional at 7:00. For dinner we had some tasty lemon chicken, with new potatoes and veggies. It was pretty good--but it was better after we zapped it in the microwave. When we're in the cafeteria, we always like to check out the "mystery island" to see what's there. We call it the "mystery island" because whatever is there is not listed on the menu. I think it's what's left over from lunch. Anyway, at the mystery island was some spaghetti and something that looked like spaghetti sauce, but we couldn't quite tell for sure. Under the heat lamp it looked weird and was a funny color. But I decided I wanted to try a little, so I dished some spaghetti into a bowl and put some of the mysterious-looking sauce on it. Out from under the lamp it actually looked very good and tasted even better--it was delicious!!!!!! It had olives, mushrooms, celery, onions and chunks of tomato in it, and it was SO good. I wished I hadn't picked up a chicken plate or I would have had more spaghetti. I think I'll try to make some sometime, but it probably won't be as good.

Elder and Sis. Perry spoke at the devotional. I bet you can't guess the topic--It was the Book of Mormon! That's three weeks in a row, now; so it must be very important to learn more and be reminded about the Book of Mormon. Sis. Perry read from the introduction to remind everyone of the purpose of the Book of Mormon. Then Elder Perry talked about Joseph Smith, Martin Harris and Oliver Cowdery and how their experiences with the Book of Mormon affected their lives. He said Joseph did what the Lord commanded; Oliver lost his place because of pride; and Martin Harris, though he had fallen away, testified on his death bed of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. He also related the story of William Pilkington, whom Elder Perry heard speak when he was 12 years old. William Pilkington was an old man at the time (actually, he was 72 years old, which Elder Perry said seems young now). William Pilkington told Elder Perry and the other boys he was with about how as a young boy he had lived and worked as a hired boy in a home in Clarkston, Utah, where Martin Harris resided as an old man. Martin Harris called William Pilkington "Willie" and taught him the beauties of the Gospel and the Book of Mormon while he and Willie resided in the same house. Before Willie had spent a year there, Martin Harris passed away; and Willie heard Martin Harris' death bed testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. Elder Perry said that hearing about William Pilkington's personal contact with Martin Harris and hearing his and Martin Harris' testimony of the Book of Mormon encouraged him, as a young man, to want to seriously read and study the Book of Mormon. At the conclusion of his talk he said, "I promise that if you apply its (the Book of Mormon's)teachings in your life, you'll be blessed eternally."

(As a funny side note: Steven and I heard Elder Perry tell about William Pilkington at a CES fireside probably four years ago. At that time, he had brought with him Dr. Lael Woodbury to play the part of William Pilkington and tell, in William's own words, his experience with Martin Harris. The funny part was that afterward, we realized that many of the BYU students there thought Dr. Woodbury was William Pilkington. Quite a crowd of students went up to shake his hand after the devotional, and we heard one of them say in the elevator, "I wonder how old he is.")

After the devotional we met with the new district that came in last Wednesday, District D, which has our two new sisters in it. All the missionaries were thrilled to have heard from Elder Perry; but a couple of them were especially excited because they had never seen or heard an apostle in person. So it was a special evening for them and for us.

Making Reservations

I got some Nauvoo reservations made today--no easy task! I hadn't realized how filled up everything would be. But I was able to get us accommodations for three days, at least. I couldn't get the June 5-8 (four nights), so I had to settle for June 5-7 (three nights) at Motel Nauvoo. That seemed to be the best way to go because they could put cribs in two rooms (one with one queen, and one with two queens) for the Agates and Barretts. Then Dad, Tiff and I could have a two-queen room, and Rich can have his own full-bed room. Plus, this way we can all have our own bathrooms. Karalie had me reserve her a queen room, as well. Then I was able to reserve the garden at the Ellis Sanders house for the wedding luncheon. So things are starting to come together.

I finally made it to Curves today. Maybe now I can get back on my schedule.

Tonight at the MTC, Elder and Sis. D. Todd Christofferson spoke. It was nice to hear from them. (They're Kevin and Wendy's next door neighbors.) Sis. Christofferson spoke about having an "attitude of gratitude." For example, being able to be thankful for something like fleas, as Corrie Tenboom was in a German concentration camp. She also told about Jack Rushton, who became a quadraplegic after an accident. He said, "Pain is inevitable, but misery is optional." He also said, "We have the ultimate God-given freedom to choose our own attitude." Elder Christofferson spoke about the Book of Mormon, as did Elder Callister last week. Elder Christofferson said the Book of Mormon is the "sickle" spoken of in D&C Section 4. It is "the tool the Lord has given for the harvesting of souls." He said that if there was anything he would do differently as a missionary, it would have been to devote more time to the Book of Mormon. He said he regrets that on his mission he had been able to adquately answer the questions of a young man because he wasn't familiar enough with the Book of Mormon. "You've got to know this book well, then you can respond to any question." He concluded with President Hinckley's promise to those who prayerfully read the Book of Mormon: "...there will come into your hearts...the spirit of the Lord. There will come a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to his commandments, and there will come a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God." (Ensign, June 1988, p. 6 -or- Preach My Gospel, p. 108)

Who was Valerie?

We had a nice New Year's day around here, just relaxing and getting some things done. Tiffany and I got our late Christmas deliveries made to the Wendts, Ellises and Henrichsens and visited for a few minutes at each of their houses. We also went by Wal-Mart, which happened to be open on New Year's day, and got her hair cut. Yes, cut--again. Even after losing 10 pounds by getting it cut the other day, it was long again! It seemed to be almost as long as it was when she got it cut the other day. We couldn't figure it out. So, anyway, she got it cut and it feels and looks much better. Now she's ready for Greg to come tomorrow.

The big question of the day is: "Who was Valerie?" Tiffany called her friend, Kate, in Natchez and told her that we had met her friend Valerie when we were at Zion. Kate said we couldn't have met her friend Valerie because she no longer works at Zion but is in West Virginia. In fact, Kate had just talked to her in West Virginia the day before. So, who was this mysterious Ranger Valerie that Tiff and I talked to at Zion who seemed to know Kate and Nate? Hmmmmm.

Tonight Steven and I went to the devotional at the MTC. I thought it was a little strange that they would go ahead and have the devotional on New Year's day instead of postponing it until Thursday or something like that. But it actually turned out to be very nice. Elder Douglas L. Callister, of the Seventy, and his wife spoke. Elder Callister has a very eloquent way of speaking and it's interesting to see and hear him as he speaks with no notes or teleprompter or anything. But he speaks as if he reading or quoting from a book. A book in his mind, I guess. He spoke about the Book of Mormon and gave suggestions on how to read the Book of Mormon; because he said it makes a difference how you read it. He also reminded the missionaries that they have a clean slate before them with this new year, and they have the opportunity to make this one of the best years of their lives. We met with District F afterward and enjoyed their testimonies and thoughts about the talks that were given. Then it was a final goodbye and adios to Elders Skinner, Tadd and Harrison and Sisters Funk, Bostrum, and Kofford.

An Evening at the "Empty Sea"

Steven and I had a nice evening at the "Empty Sea" (MTC) last night. We had beef soup and mandarin chicken salad for dinner (pretty good, actually) and visited with Bro. and Sis. Rampton while we ate (he used to be one of Steven's counselors in the branch presidency). Then we went to the devotional where Sis. Cheryl C. Lant, Primary general president, was the featured speaker. Her husband, Pres. John Lant (president of Branch 3 at the MTC), also spoke. He spoke about how we should not only read the Book of Mormon, but we should know the Book of Mormon. He told of a missionary in their branch who was having trouble with the language and Pres. Lant asked him if he had read the Book of Mormon. The elder said he hadn't. So Pres. Lant challenged him to read the Book of Mormon, which he did. And it changed his life. Pres. Lant said the Holy Ghost descended upon him; he became more obedient, the language came more easily--he was a changed missionary. He said, "The Book of Mormon will change your heart." Sis. Lant spoke to the missionaries about using the scriptures in their teaching. She said, "The scriptures give validity and authority to what you are teaching." She also encouraged the missionaries to involve the children of the families they are teaching because children can receive a witness to the truth for themselves. She reminded them that many times, children will lead the way for their families.

After the devotional, Dad and I met with the elders in District C in their district meeting to hear their testimonies and their thoughts about the devotional. Elder Pulu told about how when he was a young boy he didn't talk very much. He stuttered and couldn't use very many words. Then his mother gave him a Book of Mormon and asked him to read it. He didn't want to at first; but he did, eventually, and it helped him be able to speak better. I like being in the district meetings and feeling the spirit that is there with the missionaries. I left a bit early to go to American Fork, so I didn't get to hear from all of them.

I had a fun time over at Nate and Lindy's in the afternoon with Riley and Sidney while Camden and Lindy went to the dentist. Camden had on her red polka dot skirt and looked so cute. Sidney was asleep and Riley was at her friend's house but came home before too long. We read Halloween stories and played a matching card game until Sidney woke up. Sidney always acts surprised to see Gramma when she wakes up, but she was so cute and we had fun until Lindy and Camden came home. Camden had three cavities. Oh. Oh.

Well, it's about time to head over to Lindy's to help with Sidney while she has Riley's pre-school this morning. Maybe Sid and I will go for a walk if it's not too cold. That's always fun. Then this afternoon I'll go to Curves before heading to AF with Rich. Steven isn't getting new missionaries tonight so he gets to be home this evening. That will be nice.

I hope things go well for Tiffany's presentation in her Museum class today and that Sarah and Joel and Eliza have a nice day in South Carolina