Farewell Sunday

 Michael, Julia, Makynlee, and Isla came to church today because we had our farewell talks. Mine was short and to the point, Jeffrey's was impressive. I am glad it is over. There was a linger-longer after church that made it nice to talk with friends. I actually was happy to see Sister Moore because I needed her to help me out with a project. She likes to wear hats and today she had a great purple one. She was easy to spot and find even though she is a tad short. I love her style!

I was happy to see the Penovich's because we don't see them as often now that they are serving in the Spanish branch.  Debbie and I used to do such fun things together when we had little kids. I value her friendship very much - and now we are running off again!

Michael and all the girls came to our house after church. Michael and his family are seeing us off. As a single young man, he saw us off on our first mission to the Philippines at the MTC in Provo, and then got married while we were out in Quezon City. Rachel saw us off to Ghana in 2020 and now Michael and his family are seeing us off this time to Ghana. Ah, life is great!

Aren't these girls adorable! They dance.

Makynlee, Michael, Julia, and Isla

Farewell Sunday

Hey, We can see the door again!

 Years ago, Anthony Durst put a pocket door in the kitchen between the front door and the kitchen sideboards. It was very convenient when there were dishes in the sink and someone came to the front door. It was also very convenient when there would be guests in the front room who needed a little privacy.

But one day it got stuck in the wall and has been there for years. Yesterday, Dan freed it from the wall and put a new track in so it will slide properly. Yeah! Another element of our old house being resurrected like new! It has been so fun to watch the house slowly come together again.

It's All Done!

 The yards and outside house painting is all done! I think it looks great and it is so nice to have something completed. Done. Finished. I think it looks great and we've had a few neighbors who have thanked us for getting the job done......I think it adds to their property value....still I am happy to be a good looking neighbor now.

Home Sweet Home

I like the crisp, clean look of the dark blue

The inside is still a work in progress. Dan has assured us he will be done with his part on Monday. He said he'd stay late if it wasn't done. The next Thursday we have the packers coming to pack the Accra unit for shipping, then on Friday and Saturday they will pack up our house for storage.  I think Jeffrey said Allied is coming. After we leave, Rob will have painters come in for the inside painting and he will make sure the finishing touches i.e. the faucets work and any little things that need to be done before renting.

Andrew is the only one in the family that will see all the completed work! He will stay in June until he goes for the family reunion - well, sibling reunion. Rob will then have the house cleaned and the Villars will move in!

My friend asked how I feel --- well --

Happy and excited - to go to Accra, to have the outside of the house look so good.

Frustrated - the kitchen and windows are not done, the details to work out haven't all worked out i.e. phone, cat placement, banking, etc., etc. 

Lucky - how many people get this opportunity to visit other places and have adventures? Not a lot. 

Thankful - The Lord has really been blessing us with little answers every day, with this opportunity and challenge.

A little sad - to not see the grands and my friends for so long. the fact that my house will be all shiny and new and I won't see or stay in it.

Glad - that I have children, grandchildren, good friends and siblings and relatives. Glad that we have the chance to see London, Zimbabwe, Africa in different countries, and a chance to do good for someone.

And finally a little stressed to get done with the sorting, deciding, and packing up. I am praying all goes well on Thursday through Saturday of next week......I talk in church tomorrow. I hope no one expects a long talk from me.....God is in the details.

Getting together for Lunch

 As the story goes, months ago - probably in July, Debbie and Matthew were at our ward and attended the linger-longer after church. Someone said that Andrew told Debbie that a certain gentleman could help her mom with her genealogy (or was it that he knew Chinese?). Debbie introduced herself to the man, Lee Pearce, and after they got talking for a bit, she got his information to give to her mom.

Laurie Hendersen, Debbie's mom had some records that she needed translated so she could do her genealogy work. She had at least up to her great-grandfathers' names, maybe more. It was a great match. 

Some months later I was talking to Laurie and she asked if I knew Lee Pearce. I did not. Jeffrey knew who he was, but I had never met him. Laurie was looking to give him a big thank-you.

Brother Lee Pearce didn't stop with just the names Laurie gave him. He did some research, listened to podcasts and even bought into a few sites. I can't remember where or when but he found out there were thousands of names from the village Laurie's great-grandfather lived in, placed in the granite vaults in Utah years ago. He got access to those records on microfiche (I think) and has started translating them so Laurie and her family can go to the temple and do the work for them. 

I think it is fascinating that Laurie (the only member of the church from her greater family) is the one who was given this opportunity to find thousands of her relatives (back to 200 AD!) that someone else had put in Family Search.

I got acquainted with Brother Pearce when he became a teacher in Primary. I said hello knowing Laurie wanted to meet him. They posted back and forth and then invited Jeffrey and I to lunch with the both of them. Laurie came down from the Sacramento area to meet at the restaurant in Walnut Creek. 

If you like Chinese dumplings - this is the place for you! https://www.creekhousedimsum.com/

Brother Pearce had many stories to tell us - from his mission to Hong Kong and his miraculous stories of how he got work, got married, came to San Francisco and then Concord, and now is doing a great work in genealogy

I, Lee Pearce, Laurie Hendersen, Jeffrey Adams

Sometimes you get blessings just by showing up! Jeffrey and I had nothing to do with any of the miracles, effort involved, or introducing someone to someone. just the fact that we know each participant. So Nice!

Hansen's and Key Lime Pie

 We were invited over to visit with Stan and Lisa Hansen along with the other missionary couple who got back a while ago, the Perona's. Lisa had beautiful quilts lining a cabinet and draped over the back of chairs. They were very beautiful, colorful, and showed meticulous work. Jeffrey and I grilled Stan on the color of his house as we wanted the same dark blue that he had. 

We had a fun night with lots and lots of stories. Jeffrey and I were shocked to find we had spent four hours in a blink of an eye. Lisa served really good food which I had to get the recipes for. Then she served up Key Lime Pie. Oh my.... I do not believe I have ever had a homemade Key Lime Pie. Now that was an experience! Life is so good.

Linette and Cliff Perona 
Yummy salad, pasta and vegetables, and homemade bread

Stan Hansen

Lisa Hansen

After a few hours of talking, we had dessert!

Lisa put whipped cream on her pie and then served it up

Linette put tiny shreds of lime zest on each piece

The men found more things to talk about while the women were in the kitchen

We went out to the patio where Stan lit the rocks and we sat around in the cool of the night eating absolutely delicious Key Lime Pie. 

Luis Peña Painting

 A shout out to Luis Peña Painting for the great job painting the exterior or our house. Tomorrow he informs me that they will be done!!

First I come home to a great yard in the front and the back - all done and looking good. Maintenance has already begun. It all looks great!

On the 18th the painting crew came over to prep by sanding, caulking, and repairing items needed like gutters. That went on for a few days and then another day of priming. Yesterday they begin painting and it was a little interesting to have the windows covered. It looked like we were in a heavy fog. But when the plastic came down, we went out to see a really good looking paint job. Tomorrow the front and top should be done or almost done. This team is fast and very good.

If you need your house painted in California Bay Area, call Luis Peña at 209-204-1397 cell 

or 209-537-6450 phone.

Luis Peña inspecting work

Quick Trip to Redding

 On April 13th, the day after we got back from our Utah trip, we made a quick trip up to Redding. Caleb was being baptized and asked me to give a talk and Jeffrey to confirm him. His dad baptized him. It was so nice to see the families again for a short while and to share with Caleb our joy in the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is interesting the choices that very young people make can stay with them their whole life.

Matthew gave a talk about the Holy Ghost. Here are the grands except Emma who were there.

Just before friends arrived.

Grandpa and Grandma Bettridge traveled from Idaho to be with Caleb on his special day.

Debbie's selection of music was inspirational and moving.

Little Emma Rose Adams

Nate and Kelsi Adams family

Lilly, Nate Kelsi with Emma on her lap, Jayson, and Caleb Adams

Siblings Ranch Trip 2024

Polly Lore, my sister in law took this picture and sent it to all of us

 "The Ranch" early in the morning.

My dad had so many dreams and ideas for this bit of land. He looked it as a refuge when the last days would come and his children would need shelter. He used to walk around and tell us his dreams of what it would look like.

Several of my brothers have caught the ideas and dreams and interpreted them in different ways. Donald and my brother in law Jeffrey saved the land by buying it from others when dad knew he had to file for bankruptcy. Donald brings supplies up sometimes and helps with the work. David has come with machines (tractors, back hoe, etc.) and ideas and helped in construction. Dean has come with his creative ideas on ways to make everything look good.  Allen and his entire family has taken on the backbone of the upkeep and work to make it a viable place to actually live. They usually host.

Allen's family were the host and instigators of this particular family reunion. He had an idea to have all the siblings together - which is difficult as David lives in Guam and only has occasional leave to the states. We are headed for Accra and will be in Africa for three years. Allen called around months ago and persuaded all the family to come up for this particular week. Everyone always have issues and commitments, so getting twelve siblings together in one place at one time is pretty incredible.

I got to have a chat with each one, Laura was only a few minutes as she had her grands with her, but Donald and I chatted for about two hours on the way up. John  (seldom seen) and I had a chat for an hour or more. It was great to hear David's stories of his mission field work and the fact that he has been called to be a new Bishop in his ward. Diana is always fun and lovely to talk to. I think I talked to Peter, Donna's son more than I talked to her, but it was nice anyway. Steve and Polly always have a cheerful aura and Steve took me on a tour of the little homes that now dot the camp. Allen took me on a four wheeler tour of the nostalgic places I knew as a child. I watched Dean holding and taking care of all the little ones like Laura granddaughters and Sharon's youngest Elizabeth got his attention too. And Susie, well.....I spend most of my time with her.

Susan Eames getting another wild idea

David Lore collecting rocks from the mine for Diana's creations

Donald Lore explaining how the solar and batteries work

Polly and Steven Lore showing the late night goodies. Always cheerful.

Laura Tesch with one of her granddaughters

Allen Lore, it is hard to decide to show him as a tour guide, host, or construction worker. Here he is a tour guide to events in the past.

Allen's wife Marie Lore in her kitchen. Allen and Marie fed us very well

Dean Lore holding Elizabeth Bowman and Peter Estes in front

Donna Montgomery is full of life and deciding what is next in her summer.

Diana Godwin had just had a trip to emergency and came to be with us anyway with happiness and joy.

John Lore has had an exciting and adventurous life. It was good to be with him.

Sharon Bowman, talented and dedicated to helping her daughter live a full life.

Urn

 I have noted the urn (I thought of it as an interesting vase) on the night stand in Susie's bedroom. But yesterday when we were out looking at the partial eclipse, the neighbors were out too and we all started chatting. The brother of the man that lives next door was visiting and had made the urn for Susie. It has four different types of wood - none I have ever heard about. The neighbor wanted to see it and so I asked Susie to pose with the creator.

I thought it was very interesting that the love that exists between Susie and her neighbors extended to the brother making her something that took a lot of time and effort. She generates love and gives love daily, and it comes back to her.

How did your eclipse experience go?

 My brothers and sisters are all in different places this weekend as some drove or flew out to experience the eclipse. 

Laura, Susan, and I were in Ogden and kept going out every 20 minutes from 11:30 to 1:30 pm to see if the sun moved. Our experience was fun - though not spectacular. The moon took a bite out of one side, we assume the bottom middle - but clouds hid the sun for a half hour, and then a bite out of the other side.

Andrew (my son) said the sun was dimmed in North Carolina for a bit. Sharon in southern Texas (my sister) said the birds went nuts for the four minute episode. I would imagine they couldn't figure out why it was dark. Allen, Marie, Zach, and Adam saw the whole eclipse from the middle of Texas and were impressed.

We saw just a little bite out of the side of the sun.

Right in the middle of the eclipse from Ogden - just our luck

Enjoying the eclipse

Sharon and David Jr's grandmother

Zach, Adam, Allen, and Marie

Allen's shot of the moon and sun