Joys and disappointments -- that's life!!

Well, Chris did not show today, so we were very disappointed, but by the end of the day and after President Hinckley's funeral broadcast, we feel better! I'm so grateful for his uplifting, positive- thinking life and teachings! He has made a real difference in the lives of thousands! I loved what his daughter said of him when she wanted so badly to know the key of raising children who loved the Lord and looked to her father and mother to see what they had done to be successful in that endeavor with their children. Finally it dawned on her that all it she had to do was put the living of the Gospel "in her heart", and her children would do the same. Isn't that true for the most part? Of course, because of the principle of free agency, many good parents sometimes lose a child or two to the worldly influences of the day. Even our Heavenly Father had to let his beloved child chose to become Lucifer!

On a brighter note, as I have been thinking about President Hinckley lately, I thought about when Celeste got us tickets for the first conference in the Conference Center, and she and I went together. It was so special for me to be with her at that time. I will never forget the experience we had together when President Hinckley entered the Center, the room became quiet and then everyone began singing "We Thank Thee, Oh God For A Prophet"! The Spirit was so strong!!

We learned from John about Porter's baptism Saturday! Porter, we are so proud of you! Chet was probably baptized then, too. We still have to hear it from Jen, though! Three grandchildren should enter the waters of baptism this year, with Rachel's to happen probably in June!!

We had such a sweet experience this morning as we entered the classroom to teach our last Temple Preparation class. All four of the Philipino sisters sat anxiously waiting for us! Your father conducted, and at the last of the class, expressed his heartfelt feelings about having the opportunity to teach them! As they left, they shed tears of joy and thankfulness and each one gave us a big hug! We will treasure their friendship forever, and are looking forward in the next month to going with them to receive their Endowments in the Temple!! We are so excited for them!!

During our temple prayer meetings this week, President Walker talked of his experiences with President Hinckley. He was a young missionary in Taiwan when President Hinckley came over to visit the Asian countries as his first assignment as an Assistant to the twelve apostles. Then ten years ago, President Hinckley gave him the power to be a sealer in the Dallas, Texas temple!
Now, he is the President of the Taiwan temple!! We are so blessed to associate daily with such good people. This week of Chinese New Year, the temple is closed, so we have time to go with the assistant Temple recorder and his family, President and Sister Walker, and our Mission President, President Neilson and his wife, to see a Lion dance at the Hyatt Hotel and have lunch with them there! We are going to purchase a new, small camera and take some pictures!


John, it is so good to hear from you weekly and love to hear what the children are doing! We are so dang proud of the good things they do and all they are learning! We love you all! Mom & Dad