November Nourishment

Danica started off the month, by nourishing our bodies and souls by pulling Andrew, Lindsay, Dale and I together. We met up at Maddox for dinner and to catch up on everyone’s comings and goings. We had a great meal, and great company. It was a wonderful evening. I love their homemade rolls and cornbread with the strawberry whipped honey on them. Thanks Danica for helping our hearts and tummies smile.

I nourished my soul by serving once a week in the temples clothing rental area. Oh, how I enjoy the peace, tranquility, and love that I feel in our Lord’s earthly house. I do feel blessed, having been able to have this opportunity to serve in the temple for the whole month.  I also served in the Youth Center and helped watch an adorable 5-year-old who could talk your ear off and was so smart. He was so cute and had a light with him at the altar as he was being sealed to his parents. His spirit will be with me for a while.  My friend, Kathy Fishburn, who has recently been divorced, and I also went to the temple and did an endowment session. We went and ate dinner in the cafeteria before the session and had a good chat as well. Oh, how I cherish her friendship. We go way back!! She was my neighbor and best friend when I was little and we’ve kept in touch through all these years.

I also nourished my soul while ushering at the Eccles Theater. I ushered for the Illusionist: Jay Owenhouse (who used real tigers in his show), Cache Valley Civic Ballet’s Nutcracker, and the Broadway show of Finding Neverland. They were all amazing!! How did Jay make things appear? How do those ballerinas dance so gracefully on their toes? How can actors make you feel like you are right there on the stage with them? We are blessed to have so much talent brought into our valley as well as grown in our valley. 

                                     

Dale and I helped nourish our grandson, Langston, who had a birthday. We took him to the stage production of High School Musical that a local group, Four Seasons, put on at Sky View High School. He loved it and so did we, but going to dinner and then spending this time with him was what really nourished our soul.

We also were able to go to a few of the Mallory kids’ basketball games throughout the month. It’s been fun watching Langston get the hang of the game, and Kennlyn improve her skills.

Amie is co-coaching Jaxson’s team, and Jaxson gives it his all in his games. Jaxson isn’t afraid to back down to the big guy and when we were watching his game he went up for a rebound against a big guy and ended up coming down wrong and ended up chipping a bone in his foot. Poor guy, it’s going to kill him to sit on the bench to let it heal, but he’s a trooper and good support for his
team. What a way to nourish your soul when you see your kids or grandkids go through these bumps in life, and still stay strong.

Dale and I went to a dinner and auction for the Cache Education Foundation; A Christmas Jubilee, which had schools and businesses that decorated wreaths and Christmas trees and then had them auctioned off. Some of the trees went for $4,500--$5,500 dollars!! The bids we won on (a sheet set and some gift certificates to Fire House Pizza) the silent auction were definitely not in that league, but we were glad we could help out some. It really does nourish your soul when you see the generosity others have for the purpose of a good cause.

My friend, Becky Olsen, and I helped with a “Christmas is Love” event that was held at the North Logan Library. They collected items that people had been working on throughout the year, and supplies for Hygiene Kits, School kits, and Boys and Girls kits. They had groups that had made quilts, crocheted hats, sewn burp cloths and receiving blankets bring what they’d made. We sat at the table and checked them in with their items and then they were able to have a Wassel type drink and cookies, as well as hear a Christmas Story that was read by the founder of the Hearts of the World Foundation, Shelly Locke. It was a great way again to nourish my soul to see the selfless acts of service so many in the valley do for others. We live in a great area. 

Dale's been using his spare time to get our garage all fixed up. We had a guy come and tape, mud, and spackle the walls and ceiling and Dale's done the painting and put in new lighting as well as a attic ladder. It looks quite nice!! Way to go Dale!!

Nate took a few days off of work and brought Rue, his dog, with him. He stayed a night with Danica and Jason, to get in a visit with them, and then joined up with Dale and I for Thanksgiving dinner at Garrett and Zandra’s. He also went with Andrew and they hiked up the face at Beaver Mountain and then skied down. He helped us put up our Christmas lights outside and he joined us all for a early birthday dinner for Andrew. It was a short trip, but great having him here.

The Mallory’s have been nourishing others all month. Matt’s been diligently working on his Operation Kindness theme at the schools where he works; Cedar Ridge Elementary in Hyde Park, and Heritage Elementary in Nibley.  Amie’s been coaching basketball, running kids around, and all that comes with being a mom to four.  I met up with her to do some Christmas shopping and we had lunch at Firehouse Subs. The Mazin and Langston made some pretty handsome firefighters. 

They celebrated Langston’s 6th birthday by having some of his friends over to play games, and have pizza. Then Dale and I joined them for dinner at Hu Hut for dinner and then we went and played games at their house. They got a ping pong table, so we had to test it out. Fun times!! 

                                           

With November being Adoption Awareness month, Andrew and Lindsay are feeling very full of the blessings that Nora has brought to their family.  Sadie, Nora’s birth mom, came for a visit, and Sadie’s, Nora’s, and Lindsay’s souls were nourished.

                                           

Andrew was working in Bent Mountain, Virginia and helped check the power lines because of an ice storm that hit the area. 

Ariel Solutions, the company he works for, are a family owned company and so he was able to come home from working so he could be with family for Thanksgiving. They did an early birthday dinner with the family at their house to celebrate so they could do something with just those two on his birthday. 

We went bowling after Thanksgiving to celebrate Andrew's birthday with those in the family that could join us. Nate was our high bowler in the family. Can you guess who was the low bowler?

Garrett reminded us all to get out and vote this month!! There were some pretty good political races going on here in Utah. The big winners were Mitt Romney and Mike Lee, both Republicans, who won the Senate spots. Another close race was where Ben McAdams, a Democrat, ousted Mia Love on a narrow win. Locally we had Val Potter, Dale’s brother-in-law, stay in.  

We also celebrated Veteran's Day and remembered those who helped give our country the freedoms that we have. Thanks Dad, and my brothers, Craig and Larry. Dale's dad and brother Craig also served our country. Some of the schools did some pretty nice programs to honor our Veterans also.

Zandra’s been so good to let the kids help with the baking at their house. What a way to nourish learning and keep them entertained.  She's also giving Jorie a little independence in choosing what she wears. I'd say she's doing pretty good.

Garrett and Zandra nourished us by inviting us to have Thanksgiving at their house. She loves and cook and we love to eat so it was a win, win deal. The food was awesome, the setting was perfect, and the company was the best. Nate was with us for the whole day. We are truly blessed. 

The ground was nourished more so in their area than ours this month. They got dumped on!! The front that came through gave them enough snow to be able to play in and build a snowman!!  We got rain and a little snow.

Danica and Jason were nourished this month by attending some of the Jazz games (Jason got in a few more than Danica, but she made it on the Jumbo Tron, her back any way, and heading south to warmer weather for Thanksgiving. They spent time with the Hassell’s in St. George. Jason got in some golf, they played in the park with their niece, and checked out the Christmas lights while they were there. Then came home to snow!!

 Danica shared her talent of drawing and created some character drawings of the doctors that she works for. They were presented to the doctors at their work party which was held at Little America. They were a big hit. She may be onto a new money-making endeavor soon. 

This card that Danica made up tells it all for how I feel after this most nourishing month. Thankful and Grateful – Today and Every Day!!

To top off our nourishing month, we did end up getting enough snow on the ground to make it look like winter. So pretty and so needed.