What better way to launch us into the fourth quarter of 2020 than to have Sharon's oldest brother and his wife fly in for a visit, October 2-7?! We thought they might enjoy having us take them around to see some Texas style model homes to give them some inspiration for the new home they are in the process of designing in Utah. It was General Conference weekend for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint, which meant that our weekend would be fairly flexible as far as church schedules go. In between watching sessions of conference, we showed them why we love Texas homes. The Johnson Family came up on Sunday to visit, take a walk through our neighborhood and enjoy conference with us.
On Monday, we decided to go to Lake Woodlands where we enjoyed kayaking, eating Tex-Mex food, and walking around the lake.
We talked our good friends, the Carruth's (also Bob's First Counselor in our Stake Presidency), into taking us on a little boat tour around Conroe Lake on Tuesday. After which, we enjoyed lunch on the patio of "Fajita Jacks".
Doug and Sandra left the following morning, but we had a wonderful quick "vacation" with them! We wish they would consider building a home near us! How we love being with family! So much so, that we left that Friday to spend a a few days with our Johnson gang at South Padre Island. That weekend, the ocean surf was pretty high and tumultuous due to Hurricane Delta which had passed by, and the birds wanted to tell us all about it. But the kids loved the big waves and had a blast body surfing.
On Sunday, we took a nice little stroll along the nature preserve boardwalk.
The sand dunes at the north end of the island are always a fun photo spot.
Early Monday morning, all of us except Bob (who had to work), went out in the bay on a fishing expedition. I had an exciting moment when reeling in a pretty big fish whilst cheers erupted onboard - only to have it quickly snatched off my pole and cut up for bait! There were puffer fish, stingrays and other sea life that were thrown back, but our family managed to reeled in about five "keepers", which we had filleted for lunch. The Johnsons headed back home that afternoon and Bob and I stayed another night.
On our way home, we stopped by Bob's brother's home and picked up a special inheritance that had been brought back from the Pine Valley Lodge. I guess we are now officially "prepared" - come what may!
Although 2020 was having pretty limited participation and attendance at any sporting events due to the pandemic, BYU drew a pretty good crowd when it's football team came to play against the Houston Cougars on October16 . Stephanie secured tickets for Bob and I and Michael and Kristin to go with her and Ben to the game. It was a really exciting one and we were glad to have been there - even if we were out waaaaay past bedtime (and I'm a late nighter)!
The following weekend, we celebrated Sharon's and Paige's birthdays at the Johnsons home. Obviously, I'm hoping to get back to tennis one of these days! Stephanie helped the kids carve some pretty spooky jack-o-lanterns!
We finished off the month by attending another fun sporting event: Eve's soccer game. She surprised us with her hustle and shooting skills!
On the 7th of November, Bob and I served along with several members of our Stake to help clean up a forgotten, primarily black, cemetery from the 1800's. On this particular Saturday, they were dedicating a newly donated entrance sign and had invited several "Buffalo Soldiers" to participate. Clearing the grounds will be an ongoing service project which will bless our community.
Then it seemed as if time resurrected the curse of 2020. I was scheduled to have a third surgery on my right foot to remove a cyst that had grown over the previous incision site. Two days before surgery, I had to get a "COVID test" to assure I didn't have the virus. While returning home, I was in a pretty scary car accident which deployed three airbags around me and left me pretty shaken up and bruised all over. Thankfully nobody was seriously hurt, and my insurance paid for my totaled car. No one was cited in the accident, but I was considered at fault. When I was hit, I had no idea what had happened. The airbags burned me and the smoke from their discharge had me believe that my car was on fire. I struggled to get out from behind the airbags and was shocked at what I saw. I couldn't believe our beautiful 2015 BMW X5 (with only 32,000 miles on it!) was totaled. Bob came to my rescue and as we tried to remove our possessions from the car, I was glad that I always carried a Book of Mormon in the seat pocket. I had an opportunity to share the book with our tow-truck driver, who seemed interested in reading it. I keep telling myself that if I was instrumental in bringing one soul to Christ, the loss of a car was worth it. (Easy to say . . . right?)
Surgery proceeded as expected on Thursday, November 12, and all went well. I sure got good use out of my boot, shower leg protector, and surgery medications this year! I'm currently hoping that will be the end of it all for me!
On November 20, the President and Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, shared a message to the world.
You can watch his message here. I mention this, because at the exact same time his prophetic counsel about the power of gratitude was being shared, I received in the mail a letter from my Aunt Diane Parkinson which included a handwritten birthday letter that my mom had written to her father for his 55th birthday. Mom was 25 years old when she wrote this letter of appreciation to her dad. Diane had just discovered the letter in a box of Grandma Parkinson's keepsakes, and she wanted me to have it. I couldn't help but think that this was one of God's tender mercies allowing me to see my mother seemingly still being exact in her obedience to the words of our prophets. What a sweet and tender insight this was for me, to get a glimpse into the life of the kind and gentle man my Grandpa Parkinson was! I look forward to getting to know him myself, someday!
Paige's baptism was scheduled for Saturday, November 21st, and took place in the Johnson's backyard swimming pool. Due to COVID restrictions, only family and an authorized priesthood leader from their ward was able to attend. Ben's parent's and sister were able to come down from Idaho and stay and enjoy Thanksgiving with them. Paige had a little "photo shoot" in our backyard prior to her baptism, and you can see, she loved every minute of the opportunity to be a "model"! Isn't she a cute little woodland sprite?
The baptism was certainly a memorable one! We are sure pleased that Paige has taken the first step along the covenant path. The baptismal ordinance was performed by her father and her mom provided us all lunch following the service.
Chelsea, Knox, Holly, and Jude came over to attend the baptism, and stayed at our house until Wednesday. Then Bob and I went to the Bosen's in San Antonio for Thanksgiving. We went to the park before dinner and enjoyed a beautiful Thanksgiving Day.
We enjoyed a delicious feast with the Bosen's and another family who joined them for Thanksgiving. I was impressed that Thomas made some beautiful homemade pies (including the crust).
We intended to do some yard work, but it rained like crazy on Friday and Saturday so we didn't get much accomplished outside. Instead, we played games and decorated for Christmas. Something Knox wants for Christmas this year is a new front tooth!
Just before Thanksgiving, Bob and I purchased a 2019 Jaguar F-Pace from an expat returning to the U.K. We got a really good deal and feel very blessed to have found such a nice safe car for me to drive. I was able to get it insured and licensed on December 1. A pretty awesome Christmas present for an undeserving wife, right?! I am grateful for YOU, Bob! And for reasons far more significant than this car.
My gratitude list extends far beyond what I can record here. But as I look back at 2020, I have to acknowledge that I am truly thankful for the miracle of our physical bodies, good health, medical care, and even insurance! I am deeply grateful for family and for the beauties of this earth - two constant sources of joy and peace in my life. And I appreciate God's hand in my life - a debt of gratitude for which I can never repay. But I will try! I will follow our Savior, Jesus Christ, and try to emulate His example, His teachings, and His submission to the will of His Father in all things.
