Heather You Are Finally Free From All The Pain

Heather suffered for so long. As I watched her meet these difficulties ....I so ached inside watching her in such agony for so long.  I believe this was the most difficult trial I have ever witnessed.  Heather has endured many tough trials .   In her home over the archway heading into the living room is a sign which reads..."I Can Do Hard Things". If any one could do it Heather could!  She truly was  One Strong Lady!!  I so admire her determination to meet every trial face on.   I told her I would much rather learn from others trials and avoid any extra pain myself.  Heather faced everything head on.  She has taught me much. I am already missing the fact that I can't pick up the phone and have our morning chat.   I am still in awe of Peter and how he stayed beside her day and night.  He is a knight in shining armour.  He has achieved Angel Status.  It was so sweet to witness him do everything earthly possible to make her comfortable.  Truly a great love story for me to be privy to.  Her beautiful childhood friend Wendy was such a brick of comfort to her.  It was so sweet to feel of the love that they shared as long time friends.

I wish I could peek into  the spirit world and see the beautiful reunion going on right now.  Especially at the moment when she got to see David again.   It is so true that we all want to get to heaven again.... hug our loved ones.... but we don't want to die to do it.    It took a great leap of faith to finally say, "I'm out of here."  She knew what she had to do and she did it. 

I must tell you that Heather was down emotionally on Monday and said", You might think I'm crazy but will you all sing to me"?   So Pete said I only know the words to the Christmas Carols.  So I said, "Go for it Pete."  So Pete sang (O Christmas Tree )and several other carols in German.  Wendy sang in English....(in harmony no less) and I clapped in rythym.  It was beautiful and it brought a smile to Heather's lips.  We tried our very best to help where we could to make her comfortable.  Each of us wanted to make this trial go away ....but since  that wasn't possible ....we did the best we could to try to relax and comfort  her.
Heather I look forward to our next reunion when we can embrace once more  and share our many experiences together.
I love you!
              Patti

What a great vacation!

We loved Arizona....it was warm and beautiful.  Lots of green grass which really surprised me.  We had a lovely Christmas together.  It was hard to come home to snow.  Now I'm sitting in front of the heater to keep warm.  We were gone 3 weeks and saw all the children and grandchildren.  Leah's baptism was a highlight.
Just had a wonderful time.

Temple Attendance

Our little branch in Wallaceburg went yesterday to the Temple.  Ten of us went to Toronto and another couple went to Detroit..  That is terrific for such a small branch.  One brother did work for his family for the first time.  He was so excited.  It was neat just to watch the glow on his face.  Things are beginning to turn around.  We started a new program just last week.  We now have 2 services in Wallaceburg on Sunday .  One 3 hour meeting in our rented building and a one hour meeting at 7 pm on the island.  It's exciting ...but also a very long day.

What A Fun Month With Lindsey Jeff and the Kids

Nathan and Clara came to visit with their cousins for a while. Nathan was the brave one when we went to see Heather's new baby chicks...he was the first to get the inside action.

Landon wasn't quite sure this was a fun experience.

Both he and Tyler however enjoyed their daily stolls with Nana and Papa.

More fun and treats at aunt Heather's.

Best of all was the splashing fun in the out door pool.

You can't see Landon cause he had just covered me with water from his bucket.

Lots of excitment the morning after a huge wind storm.  The neighbours tree ended up in our yard.

It was a real clean up job.....you can't even see the neighbours  fence or our bridge as it was covered with branches.

Landon and Tyler thought it was quite entertaining watching the guys saw up the heavy branches.

We ate most of our meals outdoors as the weather was great and the kids enjoyed it.

The kids spent hours throwing rocks in the pool and dipping in their cups or pails in the cool water.  It's hard to not have them here....but we look forward to December when we will all be together again.

Some New Improvements At The Cottage

Lindsey did this beautiful hearth.  What a great difference this has made.  It actually makes the fireplace look bigger. now.  It's also easy clean and I love that.

I had fun making some additions in the back.  Note the lovely wood pile. Not quite sure what I will do with it yet.

The bench is empty as Nana and Papa are out fishing with the grand kids.

Bill did a new driveway this year and we still have lots of gravel left over so he used some to enhance the fire pit.

Bill put in new stones and solar lights.  It looks neat at night.

The Grand Finalie

What an honour to hear Matt play the drums in a wonderful orchestra.

It truly was outstanding!!

This was a wonderful way to end our incredible trip.!!

             

Part Three Of Our Western Trip

Here's part of Matt own personal cheering team!

Saturday night's dinner was barbeque salmon.  Delicious!!!

A highlight event was seeing Matt ordained as a teacher in the Aaronic Priesthood.

Take note of his cool tie...all the way from Italy.  Parker brought it home for him.

What a priveledge for us.  We wish we could have been out for Parker's ordination.  We are so proud of them both.

Parker played an amazing duet with his piano teacher at the sacrament meeting Sunday morning. It was a moving experience for all of us.

We were thrilled that Kim Patrick and family came for the weekend.

 How great to see Tom and Ruth again .  We had a great visit.

Leah looked so sweet.

Our wonderful host and hostess Karri and Dave.

Hannah was too cute.

We tried to get the whole family but Ezra didn't want to get in the picture.

Sara is quite the young lady now...so lovely.

Our little man Dillon was all ready to go.

We had to capture this moment together.

Everyone was checking out the great video that Karri and Dave worked on for the school running teams.  They were all there to celebrate Matt's ordination.

Finally  we got a picture of Ezra.  Yes!

Sunday afternoon we had the opportunity to meet Larry Gelwix the great speaker for Sunday evening.  It was a wonderful fireside  I throughly  enjoyed the experience.

These are some of Matt's basket ball buddies on his team.  The young man to the right of Matt is Parker ...Matt's best friend.  He is also the grandson of the couple serving their mission in Wallaceburg from Lethbridge.  We will meet them the end of this month.

The school was decorated so lovely for the running celebration and Karri's wonderful video of the kids in action.

This is the head of the workcrew for this event along with Mrs. Firth who was so encouraging to get this activity started some 7 years ago.

Their amazing principal!!

The menu for this celebration was pizza and  icy cold water mellon.

Another great highlight was Sara's game.  She put in several baskets.  What a great athlete she is.!

Brian was there with Dallon .  His daughter plays on Sara's team.

Monday night Parker gave a super home evening lesson on Wilfred Woodruff.

We also got to hear Sara and Hannah play their violins.  They are just amazing.  I'm just thrilled with their dedication.