March 2019

08 August 2015

The stay home month with preparation for our mission in September, although there were several important events occurring. To begin with, Dawn had surgery on her eyes to assist in better vision and cosmetic improvement. Her surgeon, Dr. Durbough, said she was a model patient and she has healed well.

We did take Julia to Cedar Park for golfing once this month. Julia has been very ill and unable to walk the river and take care of things around the house. We were very concerned seeing her failing and not her usual self.

In the midst of healing from eye surgery Dawn joined with her cousin Angie Bytheway to ride in the Wild Flower Pedal Festival in Morgan, Utah east of Ogden. We stayed with the Munsee family who lived across the street from the start of the ride. Elder Munsee was with us in Africa. They were very gracious in letting us stay with them. Dawn rode 62 miles that on the 15^th of August, hoping to do 85 miles but the weather was so hot she cut it short. Angie did 35 miles in the heat

The rest of August has been spent going through our belongings and storing our extras in the basement of our home on 13^th street. We want to be prepared for our return so we have made extra effort in updating our food storage and other essentials.

Josh and his family came up for a visit during the Idaho Falls Duck Days celebration, boat races and car show. Great to have them here.

Woody, Benton and I compete in an SIPES (Southeastern Idaho Pistol Practical Shooters, Inc.) shooting competition at the new Guns and Gear range in Idaho Falls. To tell the truth, I was reluctant to compete knowing it was my first time and there were 14 other advanced shooters besides Benton and I. However, I did learn many things in gun safety and handling, not to mention I was rated on one event just above last place!

The end of August marks the wedding date of Chad and Christy. Yesterday the Russell family including, Josh and Danielle, along with Woody’s family, Julia and Dawn and I attended the wedding at the Cedar Park Chapel near Ririe. Benton performed the ceremony and did so well. The cake was cut by a Templar sword brought up from Utah by my son, Josh made by Woody years pervious. A good time was had by all.

Well, August is now in the history books as a warm and wonderful month, but filled with smoke from the huge number of wildfires in California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho. Jon Slator has been away from his family and home for months as a fire fighter. The fires are the biggest in history in the west.

Lastly, I must mention Julia. She was near death the first of the month then one day late in August she gained her strength back overnight. It was unreal how well she recovered from a near death situation. We can leave for Illinois confident she is in better health.