A Sad weekend

We are saddened at the sudden passing of Alan Nelson, Cynthia's husband, this weekend.  It is a sad event that reminds us that life is fragile.  It is important to put a high priority on our relationships and to express our love every day.  We are also reminded that we are not immune from trials, just because we have the gospel, (we are told that the Lord will test His people), but we can be grateful for the tools that the Lord gives us to confront our trials and for the ability to seek for His love, comfort and peace.  Our love goes out to Cynthia and her family.  Keep them in your prayers. I found this quote from October's General Conference in the talk by Elder Smutz, entitled, God Shall Wipe Away All Tears.  He was quoting Elder Holland:
"Elder Jeffrey R. Holland has taught: 'There really is light at the end of the tunnel.  It is the Light of the World, the Bright an Morning Star, the 'light that is endless, that can never be darkened.' [Mosiah 6:19] It is the very son of God Himself."

Thankfully we can seek for the comfort of the spirit when we go through intense trials and suffering. 

I mentioned last week that I had a few more pictures from Halloween weekend, so here they are.  Our family had a good time dressing their kids up, and the kids had a ball, too.  Though I'm not sure if Scooby Ruby Doo liked her costume much.

Two Pirates and a Witch

Luke and Leia on their daddy's lap

Two Pokemons in Texas

Jennie (far right) and her friends

A Server, a Knight and a Dragon

Caitlyn had a fun time at her dance last Saturday.

Hippies at the Halloween Dance

She also got asked out on another date for yesterday.  It was pretty funny, though, because the guy talked to her a couple of times at work, asking her what she was doing on Saturday, and talking about going to a movie, etc. but somehow Caitlyn didn't pick up that he was asking her out.  Just before she went home for the night, Caitlyn asked the boy how his day was.  He said, "It was okay but I asked a girl out twice and she didn't understand I was asking  her out."  Caitlyn said, "Oh, sad...who was it?" and he answered, "You."  So, she had a date yesterday, and she went, even though she had surgery on Friday.  She had a bone growth behind her ear that was bothering her.  The Dr. said it was about the size of a rounded quarter.  He shaved a bit of her hair and all of the excessive bone.

Before

and after

Roy had a colonoscopy on Thursday and I had mine the week before.  We both enjoyed the prep immensely (NOT).  On the weekend, Roy and Nick and Dan went down to help grandma and grandpa Rasband move some furniture around to get them situated from their move home from the care center.  I had spent the night in Midway with some friends from High School that I get together with every few months.  I enjoyed myself but I need to remember that I don't like to sleep away from Roy very much.

Pictures: (the first ones of Roy and the Green boys at the train shop were from the previous Saturday--I was at their home tending Finn while he napped)

Ruby, getting excited for her new little sister to come

Effie has finally been sleeping through the night
Let's hope it continues.

Jieun's beautiful artwork--Salt Lake Temple

Here is another quote from conference that I really loved from Elder Lynn G. Robbins:

“And it came to pass that he did teach and minister unto the children of the multitude … , and he did loose their tongues, and they did speak unto their fathers great and marvelous things. …

“… And they both saw and heard these children; yea, even babes did open their mouths and utter marvelous things” (3 Nephi 26:14, 16).

Perhaps more than opening the mouths of babes, the Lord was opening the eyes and ears of their astonished parents. Those parents had been granted the extraordinary gift of a glimpse into eternity and of beholding the true identity and premortal stature of their children. Would that not forever change the way the parents saw and treated their children? 

Remember this as you love and nurture your children.  They are truly remarkable spirits--sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father, entrusted to you for their care.

I love all of you very much.