Tashina's Baptism

This picture shows Tashina Salabye with (L-R) Grandmother Mary Black Mountain, her mother Gayle, Nalli Gladys Jones, and Great Grandmother Lena Salaby seated. Her Great Uncle (grandfather) Ron Barlow and her Great Aunt Sarah drove down from Tintic, Utah for this special occassion. It was a wonderful baptism, with much teaching and sharing of testimony. We are so happy to finally see Tashina come into the Lord's church.

I can't believe I survived, and even thrived at the annual Gingerbread activity here in the branch on the Sat. 13th. This was especially amazing, as I had taken a nasty fall on Wed, on my way to seminary.

(This is basically what I looked like!)
I tripped over the edge of the sidewalk -- just didn't get my big gallouses up high enough, and went sprawling across the sidewalk. Luckily I landed in the muddy dirt, but I fell hard enough that it totally knocked the wind out of me. I heard pop, pop, and was sure I'd broken a rib or two. The apple slices went sailing everywhere (this is for you Amy) I did manage to pick them up, and staggered into the church, and promptly washed them off, so they could be used! I was pretty muddy in several places, both my shoes came off and --well, I was a mess.

We had a lot to do that evening, so even though I was hurt, I kept going, but by the time we got home, I knew I was in trouble. I really had a hard time getting into bed, so the next morning we went to the hospital for x-rays, meds, etc. They couldn't see a break line, just shadows, but the medicine he gave me really has helped ease the inflamation. I had so much to do this week, and I hurt so much getting up and down, and bending. I didn't think there was any way, I could do the activity tonight, but I have had quite a miraculous healing, though I'm not totally better. Thursday, the Sr. Elders helped Steve give me a blessing, and I have slept really well, both nights since. The only bad thing has been getting in and out of the car. But my ribs are feeling substantially improved, enough so that I have been able to sit and work on the DVD show I'm getting ready for the branch party on the 19th.


(This is a picture of Tashina, our newest convert, and her mom Gayle Black Mountain)

We had a wonderful baptism this morning. We originally had it scheduled clear back in July, but one problem after another kept happeneing, but today, finally the big day happened. We got home at 2 PM, after getting groceries, and then the gingerbread house activity started at 4 PM.

Tashina and her mom and grandma all came that night also, and had fun. I didn't get home until 9, as we had to clean up the church. Steve got really sick on the way home, so he didn't even come over to help, but the Elders, and those at the activity, really jumped in and got everything tidied up again. I really appreciate our family's faith and prayers in our behalf. I know it is blessing us.

Celebrating Thanksgiving again with family

We were very blessed this year to have Anthony, Ashley, Sam and Logan come down and spend Thanksgiving weekend with us. Unfortunately, it rained most of the time, so we didn't get to take a nature walk, go to the zoo, or flea market.


Then on Thanksgiving day, Chris and his family drove down from Blanding, and spent about 6 hours with us, so we had grand Thanksgiving Day with 8 of the grandkids.

We ate, played games, and let the kids entertain us. We really enjoyed it, and were so thankful they all came.

Chris, Pam and family drove back to Blanding and stayed another night or two, doing a major clean up project around out house. We so appreciate all they did to tidy things up, so the house doesn't look vacant. I'll really appreciate it next spring, not having to clean out the dead flowerbeds.

The Next day Ashley and I did our best to Celebrate Black Friday, with an early 3:30 AM, trip to Gallup to scoop up some specials. Before they left we spent about an hour trying to get the perfect family portrait along the Hubbell road.

We have varying degrees of success, and I'm sure by combining several shots the perfect photo shoot is there. Boy, those children's photographers earn their money!


On Sunday Quent, Bev and their family stopped by after church, on their way back to Gilbert. The girls have really grown up a lot, especially Ava. We were so glad to see them, though I forgot to give Quincy her late birthday card, but I did take a few pictures. I just had forgotten I had! My brain just can't keep all the details followed up on, though it handles more than most people's, I think.


Quent and Bev are expecting a baby on June 18. Hopefully, if Rob is able to adopt this little Panamanian girl, that will be at least two new grandchildren, with maybe more to come. Please add Rob and Kathryn to your fast Sunday prayers, as there are a lot of hoops to jump through, but Steve's sister Virginia is running interference for them in Panama.

P.S. After much research by Virginia, and our prayers this weekend, she found out that the other grandmother didn't want the child adopted. Also it takes two years for finalization, which means two trips to Panama, so the decision was made not to pursue the adoption.

Thanksgiving Ymmm fest in the branch

Members of our Activity set up the tables, chairs and decorated for 105 people. We were out of town, so it was wonderful to come home and see everything set up and ready to go. What great people we have to work with!


Each table chose a waiter to serve their meal, and we got 105 people quickly served; then about another 20 came and there was no place to sit. We scrunched and squoze and finally got everyone fed. The ones who came a hr. late had slim pickings, however.



We had lots of less-active members come, plus several non-member families, so it was a great fellowshipping activity.

We cut all the deserts up before dinner, then locked them in the nursery! While Corey was telling his Vegan experience as a park worker, we had the teens serve the tables, so we didn't have a madhouse. That worked really well, and we had good help serving, both in the kitchen, and by the waiters and youth!


Elders Van Orden and Clark helped the Dale children with their craft activity, which we provided to help keep the kids from running around.


We played several games after the meal: I'm Thankful list, where each of the 13 tables had to list as many things as possible starting with a certain letter of the alphabet; human scavenger hunt; guessing games (what is the elders combined weight!), how many kids were sitting when the blessing is said; etc. Then we called President White up, and then had 4 different table representatives at a time, come up and try to guess interesting things about him. It was very fun, and informative.
We gave out lots of prizes. Once we finished everyone pitched in and helped clean up for Sunday the next day.

Jimmy's story continued

We learned a couple of weeks ago, that even dogs can have miracles in their lives.
Jimmy, our favorite Rez dog, was given to the McCabe family in Kinlichee, and they have spoiled him rotten. Unfortunately, he somehow contracted a terrable illness which totally paralyzed him. He couldn't even get up, and could barely eat or drink. When we saw him we were sure he was going to die, but miraculously, he has revived and is back on all fours again, though one leg still is a little weak and he tips over sometimes. Jarrell and Kendrick had just begun building this super nice dog house for him, when this all happened, so we're glad he gets to enjoy the new living quarters for the winter.

More Creative Crocheters!

Sister Curley our Relief Society President, and her sister Genivieve have patiently and lovingly been teaching our sisters how to crochet on Tuesdays. May are just beginners, but others are already professionals.





Sister Julia Wauneka finished this large afghan, and doilies this past year. She does beautiful work.








This is Sister Wauneka's most recent masterpiece, a crocheted table cloth. She and her daughter Ora, who is a pretty great crocheter herself, show the fine work she does.