Be Ye Knot Afraid

School colors for SHSU

Just wanted to share a little about our latest on campus activity --Survival Bracelets!  This took place on February 28th.  We had planned originally to hold this in January but a snow day for the university cancelled our plans.  We prepared for this event in several stages.  Our son, Joseph designed a t-shirt for the event. The students loved his ideas.  We also did a couple of trial runs on Friday Forums so that everyone would be able to help someone else make a bracelet.  We ordered lots of paracord and clasps in a variety of oranges and blues plus a variety of other colors.

Front Side of t-shirt

We thought we might do 50 bracelets if we were lucky.  We ended up doing over a hundred bracelets that day!

The event was supposed to go from 11-1pm.  We finally just had to turn people away at 3 pm and close down.  One of our students came up with the idea of a survey in order to track the students who attended.  The 

bracelets were free to whoever wanted to make one.  Some kids came back after classes to make a second and third one.  We gained a ton of referrals for the missionaries and have also made follow up calls to invite students to our classes.  

Learning how to make bracelets at Friday Forum

Teaching a student 

Back of the shirt

We couldn't cut cord fast enough!

The Campus TV station interviewed our students

The Monday before the event, I got a little nervous about having enough cord, so I made an 

emergency order.  It arrived at 11:15 the day of the event--not a moment too soon.  It was another 800 ft and 100 clasps.  At the end of the day, we had about 300 ft. total left.  

Neil and President Olson

Our Weekend in Houston

We had the opportunity a few weeks ago to spend a Friday night in Houston.  Neil dropped me off at the hotel so I could sew on a quilt for our granddaughter and he left for a Peanut Butter Factory assignment with some of our valiant Branch members.  They started at 8 pm and ended at midnight.  As usual, I was long asleep by the time he returned.  My back has been acting up, so I didn't want to risk taking myself out of commission by doing hard physical labor -- didn't want you thinking I am not doing my part, even if I'm not.

A sticky situation with a nutty group

We had good intentions the next morning.  We had a senior couples conference on Saturday which is why we decided to get a hotel room.  We had hoped to do some initiatory names at the temple, but by the time we found our way there, we were afraid it would take us too long to find our way to the conference since we didn't know where it was from the temple, so we just left for the conference.  Sometimes I totally hate Siri (can I just come right out and say that?) so after several attempts, I finally entered the address manually and it worked out fine.  It was the Saturday before Valentine's Day and President Pingree had us each tell what we love about our companions.  There were several single senior sisters who were also there.  It was such an outpouring of love as we shared insights, struggles, joys and growth and admiration.  One couple sang "I'm on the top of the world" from the Carpenters.  We received great instruction and had a wonderful time.

Senior Missionaries Rock!

Letting Go

The day we opened our mission call, the happiest person in our family next to Neil and me, was Maggie!  Maggie and Justin and their little family had just moved to Decatur, TX for a veterinary internship.  Even though Decatur is near Ft. Worth and just 3 1/2 hours away, it is out of our mission.  President Pingree has been so kind to let us go for some short visits.

I am sort of embarrassed by how many times we have been able to see the Gardners.  We stopped on our way to our mission.  I went for almost a week in November when Lily was born and then we both traveled there for Thanksgiving.  We also went for the baby blessing in February.

Our Sweet Lily

Gracie and Gunner with Lily

Gracie is a great big sister to Lily

The one second photo op

 Lily Jean on her blessing day!

We just returned last night from helping them pack up to move to St. George where Justin will begin practicing at a vet clinic.  It is an exciting time for them and we are so happy for them but I must admit we are a little sad for us.  

Our son, Tom, was also close by for some training classes for his work, so we also able to spend a night with him.

No more scorpions and snakes - Happy times and memories

It was so fun to be with Tom.  We went to a German Restaurant and reminisced about the change in roles.  We visited Tom for a day in Dresden on his mission and now we got to see him in Texas.  It is funny how these short visits are so energizing.  I thought we would feel homesick, but it just helps to reaffirm our feelings that we are in the right place at the right time.

Love this boy of ours!

Elder Dad, Tom and Sister Mom

How is it March Already?

For those of you who randomly check this blog, you probably think we are slackers!  Well, okay, we are, but to be honest, the time passes so quickly that we often have to stop and think what day of the week it is and more often, what day of the month is it?  I made my first slip up last week for our granddaughter, Maddie's birthday on the 25th!  Neil and I were sitting at dinner after a session at the temple and he said, "I can't believe Maddie will be 17 in a month(confusing her birthday with her mom's on the same day a month later).  I looked at him in panicked horror and asked what the date was and then weakly cried out--she was 17 yesterday.  Fortunately, Maddie is very forgiving and she did have a birthday card from us, so she freely forgave us.  Whew!

Eloise and Birthday Maddie - Such beautiful Girls

So. . . what has kept us so busy?  Cooking and Institute Classes.  We started off the new year with some great classes and even more participation.  I am teaching The Gospel and the Productive Life in connection with a cooking class.

Typical Class Goodies- Quick Breads

I also teach a Lunch with the Book of Mormon Class.  We were finding that a traditional class didn't really work into anyone's schedule, so at Sister Vann's suggestion, we offered this lunch class which also coincides with Bread Day.  It has been a huge success and brings about so much insightful discussion.  We just go around the table taking turns reading the assigned chapters and discussing them.  Neil is teaching Family History and mentoring one of our students who is student teaching the mission prep class.  We also have our Friday Forum and lunch.  Our enrollment is up significantly and we are feeling an increase in unity and desire to make the Institute program grow.  We attribute much of this to the organization of our Institute Council.  These students are on fire and so supportive.


We have had some great speakers at our Friday Forums and lunch is always a hit.  We continue to have about 25 or more each week.  It helps that we have District mtg. right before forum since that adds to our numbers.

I make them eat what they cook!

Friday Forum Goodness

Grettle and David Payne in the picture below have been so good to us.  Sister Payne is a great quilter and sold me my little Singer.  She came to speak to our students about Feasting on the Words of Christ.  She taught early morning Seminary for years and has written a ton of songs for all of the Scripture Mastery scriptures to help the students memorize them.  She also knit the sweaters they are wearing.  Another person I want to be like when I grow up!