House of the Lord - House of Learning

October 27, 2019 - “The Lord will bless us as we attend to the sacred ordinance work of the temples. Blessings there will not be limited to our temple service. We will be blessed in all of our affairs. We will be eligible to have the Lord take an interest in our affairs both spiritual and temporal. . . . “Our labors in the temple cover us with a shield and a protection, both individually and as a people.” (President Boyd K Packer)

We were able to get Area Presidency approval to go to the Montreal, Quebec Temple. This Temple is built very similar to the Spokane Temple and reminds us of home!
Betsy from our Massena Branch was able to go with us. We had a delightful time. We had planned on others, but unfortunately they were unable to make the trip. Going through the border crossing is always an adventure. There are serious issues with drugs being smuggled back and forth over the border, so they are quite thorough with your paperwork. Ketchup potato chips is a "Canadian Thing". Adam that used to work with us in our real estate company was from Canada and would always bring a bunch of bags back when he visited Canada. And not once did he share with us, so I was quite anxious to give them a try!!! They are NOT going to be my new favorite chip - I now have that out of my system - I'll let Adam gobble them up!
Everette created another masterpiece, this time welcoming Sister Potts to our branch! Thanks for sharing your talent again. Sister Potts can now feel a part of the branch!
Rozane and Craig posing with the money that I left for Rebekah (one of our Branch YW) who sold some popcorn to Karen as part of a school fundraiser. I told them that I had to prove to Karen that I turned the money in, so they were having fun helping me document the proof of payment!
Carlena performed in the High School Rocktober which highlighted the students talents and helped raise funds for the school.
Rebekah performed in the High School Rocktober which highlighted the students talents and helped raise funds for the school.
Morgan performed in the High School Rocktober which highlighted the students talents and helped raise funds for the school.
Nature Center's weekly craft for the young kids in Nature Nuts - the activity focused on bats.
One of the Nature Nuts had a birthday and her mom brought "Bat" Cookies made out of Oreo's and M&M's.
Sisters Potts, Penrod & Weise at John Scott Sterlings. John gave Sister Weise an Aaron Roger's Green Bay practice jersey - it's red, so the lineman don't tackle him.
Will the real John Scott Sterling please raise his hand? We found a brochure when helping John do some Spring cleaning that was made when John was trying to break into professional modeling as a young man! Wow - he was a total lady killer!!!
Michelle who is married to our son Jon, brought Sadie to New York for Sadie's 9th birthday from Spokane, Washington. They went into New York City and had a fun day seeing the sights. And she got to hang out with her cousin Lucy and Aunt Jessy.
Their day finished up at the play "Frozen". And they found Captain America roaming the streets!
When we were driving near Lake Placid, we came into a little valley by a river and it had been raining. There was a rainbow that came right down almost into our car. You can see the end of the rainbow going into the river just in front of us. Unfortunately, I could not see the pot of gold!
We went to Jessy's to see Michelle and Sadie who were visiting. (No, we didn't get to go into New York City.) The were playing HedBanz Disney, Guessing Game Featuring Disney Characters, for Kids and Adults. Jessy was trying to guess Dumbo.
Sadie is having to tax the old brain - I didn't even know who Mushu the Dragon was.
Jack and Annie just getting home from school. Jack wanted us to see the pumpkins. Notice the "Pumpkin Pie" design.
Lucy got Grammy and Michelle to help with a school project while the twins had an after school snack.
Lucy's assignment was to get her family to help her make a Halloween character of her choice: Have you ever seen a better Ragged Ann?
Sadie's 9th birthday was October 22nd and Lucy's 8th birthday was October 12th (and Michelle's birthday was October 10th). Grammy treated them all with a trip to the Nail Salon. Check out the girls manicures. Sadie opted for gold and purple nails and Lucy chose blue. Michelle opted for a pedicure, but didn't model the finished product!

How fun to get to see family from Spokane. Michelle is doing so well for which we thank our Heavenly Father every day. Michelle is our Mission Miracle. We may have to stay out permanently on our Mission to continue to have blessings poured down from Heaven.

Another busy week in Paradise. Non-pictured service:
Two Hospice visits to Nursing Home – Tuesday and Thursday
Elder’s Quorum Presidency Meeting and visits – visited with Branch Members Tom and Byron
BYU PathwayConnect – Week 6 on Thursday night – we have 21 students who are working hard.
Went with the Sisters for a lesson with Danielle on Tuesday night
Went to dinner at Everette’s
Missionary District Council in Potsdam
Bible Study – Old Testament Prophet Joshua
And lots of visits and delivering of treats to members and friends of the church.
Taught Elder’s Quorum
Played the organ in Sacrament Meeting