ANOTHER BUSY SUNDAY

Our Sundays are very full. Yesterday was no exception.

I had to visit the 47th Student ward which is in the Taylorsville Institute building at the same time as Paul's ward. I had to carry out some Stake business and after a moment into the second talk in Sacrament meeting, the counselor turned to me and said, "Would you mind speaking a few minutes at the end?" So unprepared, I talked about missionary work which was the theme. I told them about Ke Yang and her conversion and how we visited her in Beijing and how we are so connected through the Gospel.

Then I went to two meetings in Paul's ward and they had the best "mingle" afterwards. The ward clerk had smoked about ten turkeys and they had turkey sandwiches and Tang for the treat. 100% attendance and they actually mingled.

Then I drove home and Mom and I drove to Provo. My brother Ralph is here from Virginia and is suffering from the effects of strokes and is in a beautiful hospital where they try to help chronic patients. It was so sad to see him like this. Laura and their son Alvin with his kids were there.

Then we drove up to Cheryl's. We were invited to dinner and Cheryl did a great job with salmon, chicken and a Pomegranate salad. Little Annabelle was in charge of family night and did a great job on the subject, "Gratitude". Three members of Paul's s student ward were there as well.

Then there was a special fireside for all the University of Utah Stakes.. two married and three single stakes at the University of Utah. Elder Ballard and Huntsman were the speakers and it was held in the Huntsman Center which is the huge basketball arena. This was Jon and his family's contribution to the school. It holds thousands.

We went through the front door and down about 100 steps to where there were reserved seats for family and Paul got us a couple of seats in the third row. Jon gave a great talk. He has accomplished so much. He mentioned his first year at college and the students broke down to the A, B and C students. The A students got to be doctors, the B students engineers and leaders. The C students got buildings named after them. Funny.

Elder Ballard gave a great fireside address. There must have been 10,000 there filling the seats in front of the podium. He admonished the students to give equal time to spiritual matters.

We left through the tunnel.. we got a chance to greet the speakers.. then home.

I slept ten hours that night.

Love, Opa