As the expression goes, we've kept the tires hot on the road to Ogden from St. George for months, helping to care for Roger's mom. And we traveled from there to Boise two weekends in a row in August.
Lois was not doing well when we slipped up to Caldwell for Cindy's dad's funeral for two days, then returned Sunday, and early the next Thursday morning, August 12, she passed away, which I will blog about next with a special tribute. Oh, how we loved her and will miss her!
We drove back to Boise Friday morning. We had looked forward to going through a session in the Boise Temple with Sam for him to receive his endowments, and we were so happy we got to do that. And we also were pleased to hear him speak in his ward's Sacrament meeting the next morning. What a fine, fine young man he is! He is full of life, seeking out adventure every chance he gets and he has a golden heart. He doesn't always want you to see that tender heart of his, but it's always been pretty obvious to us! He hopes he will get to go to Cochabamba, Bolivia, which would be a grand adventure, but with Covid, he will first serve in Washington, D. C. He's actually pretty happy with that assignment, too.
We are in back of the Boise Temple after going through a session with Sam.
Stacy flew to Boise from Mesa and Rick and Jodie flew from SLC. My sister, Joan, and her husband, Tom, and daughter, Whitney, also came through the session with us.
Sam's talk was full of his cute personality and he also expressed amazing spirituality and wisdom. After the block, we went to Missy and Jedd's home for a tasty buffet. Dustin, Jedd's only sibling, and his wife, Christine, surprised them by driving up from Malad just for the special day.
Christine, Dustin, Stacy, Rick, Jodie, Pam, Roger, Sam, Claire, Missy, Jedd and Ellie
(Roger and Jedd changed out of their suits before we got a pic!)
Some of Sam's favorite foods were served: pulled pork sandwiches, Smith's baked beans, Jedd's Dutch oven potatoes, Cole slaw, veggies and dip and lots of fresh fruit. And Stacy's yummy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies!
We drove back to Ogden Sunday afternoon with Stacy in our back seat, and enjoyed chatting with her on the long drive. She didn't fly back to Mesa because Grandma's funeral was the following Wednesday, and, as it turned out, she was a real godsend in helping us all prepare for the funeral.
Sam was set apart as a missionary by the Stake President that afternoon, and "entered" into home MTC the next morning. He is working hard to learn Spanish and he really likes the other missionaries assigned in his district on Zoom. We so admire these young men and women who have made that commitment to serve the Lord, made more difficult with Covid. Sam's brother is serving in the Scottsdale mission, also Spanish speaking, and his cousin, Katie, is serving in NYC. All of their attitudes are upbeat and they are tickled to be immersing themselves in service to the Lord.
I loved being in Boise to support Sam he is the best kid! He has such a fun personality with a heart of gold. I loved hearing his talk and feeling his tender heart and love for his family and for Jesus Christ. I sure love him and loved spending a few days with the Smiths.
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