Ring Out the False, Ring In the True

The best of things are often found next to the worst of things. The contrast is what makes us take note.

These photos show some of the very good parts of our trip:

1. A day in Provo! I saw my Dad and Marj!!  They are wonderful and Juliet gave us a tiny tea party.  I had saved a whole day to help Eliza, but unfortunately that was the day following a night of contractions and very little sleep for her. I played with Juliet and helped with a few things and then left so she could nap. I went to Mariah, who also needed help. Mostly I folded her laundry and held her baby. It was delightful!

That sassy girl and her excellent parents!

Lil' slice of heaven!

Such a sweet family!

2. Dinner at Sol Agave in American Fork. Delicious! So many people I love!

We have decided big wide eyes, looking to the corners is Misty's signature move right now.

Gah!!! I just love them!

Aren't they perfect?!

We just missed Wyatt

The good and the beautiful to me

4. Funeral for Shirley Wilson. I was so glad I made it! I ended up taking the train down and M'Li came and got me and took me there and back again with GGG's china. Excellent sister time!!! The funeral itself was small but just absolutely lovely and inspiring. Shirlene told the story about how when her mom was called as Young Women's president, the outgoing president was adored and the girls were so sad. She decided she needed to serve each girl individually so they would know she loved them. Shirlene remembered her mom working on mending a swimming suit for Desi Watkins. I was there the day that change in presidency occurred. I think it was maybe my first day ever in Young Women's, because I was put off by all the waterworks and tears. I don't remember any particular act of service Sister Wilson did for me beyond training me in a presidency with great love, but I was absolutely certain she loved me as a person. I thought it was also poignant that not very many people from the old Alpine 4th ward were there, but the other YW president (Vicki Birchall) was there, the Laurel advisor (Liz Wilson) and a Laurel (M'Li), a MiaMaid (Natalie Birchall Dalley) and a Beehive(me) were all there to hear that story and feel the truth of her love and service.

Then Alan and I got just miserably sick. We wondered if it was food poisoning from the dinner at Sol Agave because it was just us. 

Feeling so bad! About everything, but also my bangs were very bad.

Poor Griff and Eve had to hole up with a couple of sick parents for a couple of days with nothing to do.

Luckily we had a puzzle from Willa for Christmas. It was a good one.

We were feeling enough better that we had everyone come up for our planned finger food feast, which is our lone New Year tradition. It was wonderful and we stayed masked except for eating, but now a bunch of people are getting sick in the wake of it. It is terrible news to get!

On actual New Year's Eve we flew home, got a car wash (thank you Paige!) watched some football (thank you Wimmer men!) and played some Taboo after some kind of terrible treats. 

These last pictures are a kind of true/false test for you. Eve and Griffin are quietly awaiting your responses. ;)

5. Then we got to go to church in our wonderful ward for a happy start to the new year. Will Cockriel was the anchor speaker, after one that really forgot the time. He did a fabulous job in not very many minutes reminding us that overcoming the world really means over and over choosing God first, always. That is how we can find true rest and peace. Over and over: ring out the false, ring in the true!

So I have a 4 year old friend who cracks me up...