The Weekend

Carlie and Joey and their little ones did indeed come for the weekend. What a blessing it is to have them so close. It was so wonderful to have them. I want to cherish these times because you never know when it will change and then it will be different again.(:

They didn't get in until late (nearly midnight) on Friday and of course the kids wanted to explore and talk and it took a little bit for them to get settled for the night - and Levi was really wired and Reah was tired of being in her car seat and sleeping - so we (the adults) had some time to catch up. I think those times are some of my favorite times in life - you know? It is talking and sharing and connecting in ways that are satisfying. And you always know you should be going to bed or doing something "important" - but those times are too precious and so you don't - you just savor them.

On Saturday we slept in. Had pancakes for breakfast, went to Knoxville (to the scout shop, Earth Fare for turmeric, Red Robin for a very late lunch, and to Target for a TV stand), and came home. We had thought that we would try getting in a movie - but didn't manage that one. Joey put together our TV stand (he did and awesome job) and then we watched a couple of movies - especially "Temple Grandin." I think it is such an inspiring movie and autism touches their little family is such a personal way with cousins so affected by this baffling and difficult disorder.

On Sunday Gideon and Glory stayed home from church - Gideon has a cough that makes him sound like a seal or an otter LOL. However - the only one that stayed for all the meetings was Rich - the rest of us came home and Joey made lunch while I made sugar cookie dough and put meats to marinade for supper. While I went to choir Carlie helped the children make the cookies. When I got home we started supper, ate (Uncle Bob came over and joined us). we watched "FireFox," and then became alerted to bad weather forecasts for Monday. Joey and Rich investigated and Joey decided that even though it was 10:30 at night they needed to leave as soon as possible. So while they packed up I made frosting for the cookies and the kids frosted them - and we had a prayer - and they left :( I was so sad to have them leave. I so enjoyed having them come - but I am also so glad that they left - they had pretty good roads all the way home - which is not what would have happened had they waited until today as we woke to about 4 inches of snow this morning and they had about 9!

Another thing that I am so grateful for - and I don't think we even think about the miracle of weather forecasting - really - just to be able to turn on a computer and have knowledge about what is happening so far away - in real time - is just amazing! And then to know what is coming - that is truly miraculous! I was thinking about this in relation to the 2 Nephi 28:7-9 scripture that says, "Yea, and there shall be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die; and it shall be well with us...." We have living prophets, the scriptures, and the Holy Ghost who are all warning of the dangers of not clinging to the "iron rod" - they are like the satellites and meteorologists that warn of the dangerous conditions that "will" exist but if we don't heed them we put ourselves in real danger. So many are saying, "Eat, drink, be merry..." but it is foolish not to heed the warnings of those who have the knowledge and responsibility to warn and teach. Gratefully Joey and Carlie packed up their little family and headed for safety - then - and continue to do so even now. I am grateful that each of my children are doing the same to protect their families too.

Isn't it odd that as a society we are more worried about "global warming" than the "fire and damnation" (that's real heat LOL) that is truly coming? Today Rich and I just enjoyed having time together and we watched "Chuck." In one of the episodes Chuck and Sarah are to pose as husband and wife - and he tells his sister that they are house sitting for a week as a cover. His sister gets so excited that their "relationship" is going to have a "test run." Here is this thoroughly entertaining little series - yet woven throughout are the "vain and foolish doctrines of men." In fact - when did Heavenly Father and His Son and His counsels and commandments become something to be derided and mocked? "O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. and they shall perish. But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God." I am so grateful for true weathermen!