DearFamily,
We’ve had some great opportunities to feel the Lord’s love this month. Abby and Travis blessed their baby boy, Beckham Travis Harvey on August 3. Amy and her family had already gone back to Arizona but all the rest of our family were able to participate.
Curt and I have been given the opportunity to help at the Ogden Temple open house. The temple has been given a major face change – not sure that they kept much of anything, inside or out. It really beautifies the whole surrounding area in Ogden which is something quite needed in that city. It will be rededicated on Sept. 21.
Focusing prayers and fasting with the family for Ruth has been a blessing to us as well. It seems an understatement to say we are grateful for her care and keeping.
The Lord has blessed us once again with our garden as we are trying to keep up with eating or giving it away. This year Curt tried to plant just as much as we could eat...except hard squash (Jean, it’s coming your way.... )
So far, so good. When we first moved to Syracuse, TEN years ago...holy smokes.....we did not hear even one song bird. I guess moving from Michigan that fact really depressed me and I missed it. Now that surrounding homes and yards have had a chance to mature, so have the birds and I wish they would go away. They swoop down in great clusters and have festive parties in our fruit trees and they then fly over and finish in the grape vines. Curt ordered netting for the grapes but by the time the netting came in the mail there was not more than a little grape left hanging on each cluster.... and they weren’t even ripe yet! We usually get bowls and bowls full. Curt discovered a fantastic way to cook corn on the cob. He just puts the whole thing in the microwave – don’t do a thing to it yet. Cook it for 4 minutes. When done, on the fat end feel through the husk about 2-3 rows of corn up and cut it all the way off. Take a paper towel, because its HOT, and hold onto the tasseled end – and squeeze - The corn should come up and out of the husk and clean of any silk. It is cooked perfect every time and no mess. Give it a try.
When Amy was with us for the month of July we got used to having lots of opportunities to visit with our family coming and going. I was missing the chaos so I talked April, Abby and Anne-Marie into having a cooking club (Willow lives a bit too far). I purchased some fun cookbooks on sale at Seagull Book and the girls went through them and decided which recipes to try. The day proves to satisfy my need for chaos each week and we’re learning some cooking skills.
I’m still working and gearing up for teaching another year of Seminary, Doctrine and Covenants. There has been some major redirection to help youth to identify the 9 basic doctrines of the church as they study the scriptures. As we are bombarded with messages from the media that say “Mormons believe this or that .....” We should be able to think for ourselves and know, “no...that’s not right. We do not believe that.” Or recognize half-truths, etc. The Church Board of Education has set new graduation requirements for seminary - in addition to attendance they must read the curriculum (read the D & C) and pass a test each semester on the basic doctrine and course study. It is their desire to have the youth really know what they believe and be able to explain and share those truths with others. For those 9th graders starting this year, having four years of the same focus highlighted in the course of study, they will have a solid understanding. It will be another growing experience to learn how to better express my knowledge of these doctrines.
We love you all.....and we mean ALL!!!
Aunt Susan and Uncle Curt
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