July 9 - Celia Retailleau Bywater
She's a sixteen year old girl from France, staying with Kelsey's family as a foreign exchange student this summer. She is a hoot! She was introduced to western culture and the LDS church in a big way. She made a lot of friends. Celia was "living the dream!", as she put it. She was so upset when it was time for her to go home. She didn't want to and begged Kelsey and Chad to find a way for her to stay. So... they came up with a plan. When she got back to France, she presented it to her parents. They approved and were on board for her to stay the school year. Unfortunately, there were no more slots available this year, so they are working on next school year.
What's so special about this remarkable young woman! She is full of light and joy! Full of optimism. Celia was immediately drawn to the gospel and was anxious to learn all she could. She went to Y.W. camp with Kelsey and Makaela and bore her testimony and said, "there is something special about your church". Kelsey bought her a CTR ring and a Y.W. necklace that she wore everywhere. Celia bought a "families are forever" sign. She couldn't get enough of what the gospel had to offer. Although her family is Catholic and they would not approve of her interest in the church, Celia was bound and determined to keep these things next to her heart. A friend from the ward gave her a Book Of Mormon in French while she was here. They are good friends and keep in touch. The seeds have been planted. I have no doubt that she will someday be reintroduced to the the gospel, whether through missionaries or friends, and will recognize the truth as it burns in her bosom. The Lord needs people like her in other parts of His vineyard. And she is golden!
After Celia got back home she posted on facebook that she was thankful for the Bywater Family, the LDS church, and the Corrine Fire Department!
And.... she made us all smile. She adopted the last name of Bywater. Yep! That's what she goes by. I just love this girl! And I miss her.
July 11 - Welcome Home
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... to a bird nest, made of mud, attached to the brick above the front door. And, a collection of bird poop covering the brick, the geranium, and front porch. What a way to be welcomed home! Well, the baby birds were fun to see.
July 15 - Movie Night
Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs, popcorn, and happy kids! Movie night at grandma's was way overdue. It sure is nice to be home!
And, today Mike spayed for bees, knocked down all the hives and bird nests and washed all my windows. It looks a lot better! And, it makes me feel a whole lot better, too.
July 15 - Kindle Play
I watched the kids today while Audrey went to her doctor's appointment. The kids took turns playing games on the Kindle. Even Emma Goo took a turn! It amazes me that the kids, even at a year old, are so at ease with technology. I have no doubt these little ones progressed and learned these skills in pre-earth life, and were reserved to be born at this time on earth. The Lord needs these smart little souls to hasten the work... through technology. They were prepared for this day!
July 16 - Apricot Jam
Man, this girl can read! She read Dr. Suess' book Hop On Pop with no problem at all! And... she's just going into first grade! When we're out and about in the public, she reads signs everywhere. Knows all the words. That's amazing to me. She is one little smarty pants ready to take on the new school year!
July 23 - Crop Dusting
I heard a low flying airplane outside and went out to see what all the excitement was. A crop duster! He flew in low over the house and swooped down on the fields just across the highway and went up again to start the circle again. I love hearing the sound of a small airplane and watching crop dusting in action. There is nothing better than living in the country.
July 24 - Sparklers for Dad
We can't celebrate Pioneer Day without celebrating dad's birthday, too. And, the day is not complete without lighting sparklers a top a cake and singing happy birthday to him as if he were here. The sparkler tradition started, in all places, Alaska. The year 1992. We were eating fresh crab at the Relief Society President's house. Mom, dad, Kelsey, and I. She made a cake for dad, but didn't have candles. She did have sparklers though! We have used them ever since. I like that! It fits dad!
July 27 - Family History
I love my rich family heritage! I haven't done much research as of yet, but I sure have been getting to know my ancestors. My Relief Society lesson for this month is on strengthening the family through family history so I got into mom's genealogy to find some stories that I could share with the sisters. And, lo and behold, I found mom's green folder on the Perry line that dates back to Christ. That was so exciting!
When I posted this on facebook, everyone was interested in getting the information. At that point I decided to go to familysearch.org and compare mom's pedigree chart with theirs. I found a lot of update on the line, from 1992 to now. I was not only able to trace a line back to Christ, but was able to trace it to Adam and Eve! You can imagine my excitement! All of a sudden, Abraham, Issac, Jacob, and Noah became very much alive for me. They were my ancestors! How awesome is that! I made my list and traced it again and again, making sure I got back to the beginning of man. It was confusing, took some work, but once I could get there several times without a block, I felt confident that I could share it. And my joy spilleth over!
July 28 - Country Lanes
I absolutely love these dear sweet sisters. They are like mother's to me. I feel comfort and peace when I am in their presence. The spirit is so strong when I enter the home they live in -- County Lanes. I love teaching lessons to these sisters. I promised I would bring them home some German chocolate. They were so excited to get it. After giving my lesson, we got a group shot with them holding up their chocolate. Love their smiles!
Month in Review
July Birthdays
Makaela, Celia, and Kelsey -- designing Celia's bedroom
What's so special about this remarkable young woman! She is full of light and joy! Full of optimism. Celia was immediately drawn to the gospel and was anxious to learn all she could. She went to Y.W. camp with Kelsey and Makaela and bore her testimony and said, "there is something special about your church". Kelsey bought her a CTR ring and a Y.W. necklace that she wore everywhere. Celia bought a "families are forever" sign. She couldn't get enough of what the gospel had to offer. Although her family is Catholic and they would not approve of her interest in the church, Celia was bound and determined to keep these things next to her heart. A friend from the ward gave her a Book Of Mormon in French while she was here. They are good friends and keep in touch. The seeds have been planted. I have no doubt that she will someday be reintroduced to the the gospel, whether through missionaries or friends, and will recognize the truth as it burns in her bosom. The Lord needs people like her in other parts of His vineyard. And she is golden!
After Celia got back home she posted on facebook that she was thankful for the Bywater Family, the LDS church, and the Corrine Fire Department!
And.... she made us all smile. She adopted the last name of Bywater. Yep! That's what she goes by. I just love this girl! And I miss her.
July 11 - Welcome Home
... to a bird nest, made of mud, attached to the brick above the front door. And, a collection of bird poop covering the brick, the geranium, and front porch. What a way to be welcomed home! Well, the baby birds were fun to see.
July 15 - Movie Night
Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs, popcorn, and happy kids! Movie night at grandma's was way overdue. It sure is nice to be home!
And, today Mike spayed for bees, knocked down all the hives and bird nests and washed all my windows. It looks a lot better! And, it makes me feel a whole lot better, too.
July 15 - Kindle Play
I watched the kids today while Audrey went to her doctor's appointment. The kids took turns playing games on the Kindle. Even Emma Goo took a turn! It amazes me that the kids, even at a year old, are so at ease with technology. I have no doubt these little ones progressed and learned these skills in pre-earth life, and were reserved to be born at this time on earth. The Lord needs these smart little souls to hasten the work... through technology. They were prepared for this day!
July 16 - Apricot Jam
Just what the doctor ordered...a day in the kitchen with the girls making apricot jam! Apricot jam was dad's favorite. It's my favorite, too! Especially on French toast.
July 23 - Hop on Pop!
Man, this girl can read! She read Dr. Suess' book Hop On Pop with no problem at all! And... she's just going into first grade! When we're out and about in the public, she reads signs everywhere. Knows all the words. That's amazing to me. She is one little smarty pants ready to take on the new school year!
July 23 - Crop Dusting
July 24 - Sparklers for Dad
We can't celebrate Pioneer Day without celebrating dad's birthday, too. And, the day is not complete without lighting sparklers a top a cake and singing happy birthday to him as if he were here. The sparkler tradition started, in all places, Alaska. The year 1992. We were eating fresh crab at the Relief Society President's house. Mom, dad, Kelsey, and I. She made a cake for dad, but didn't have candles. She did have sparklers though! We have used them ever since. I like that! It fits dad!
July 27 - Family History
William David Hamilton and Eliza Jane Bird. Ancestor pedigree chart through the Perry line.
The list of ancestors. I am the 110th generation removed from Adam and Eve.
When I posted this on facebook, everyone was interested in getting the information. At that point I decided to go to familysearch.org and compare mom's pedigree chart with theirs. I found a lot of update on the line, from 1992 to now. I was not only able to trace a line back to Christ, but was able to trace it to Adam and Eve! You can imagine my excitement! All of a sudden, Abraham, Issac, Jacob, and Noah became very much alive for me. They were my ancestors! How awesome is that! I made my list and traced it again and again, making sure I got back to the beginning of man. It was confusing, took some work, but once I could get there several times without a block, I felt confident that I could share it. And my joy spilleth over!
July 28 - Country Lanes
I absolutely love these dear sweet sisters. They are like mother's to me. I feel comfort and peace when I am in their presence. The spirit is so strong when I enter the home they live in -- County Lanes. I love teaching lessons to these sisters. I promised I would bring them home some German chocolate. They were so excited to get it. After giving my lesson, we got a group shot with them holding up their chocolate. Love their smiles!
Month in Review
July Birthdays
2 comments:
I'm glad you are back :) How are you feeling?
Very nice post. We have had so many French people stop at the Fort this summer. The missionary couple in charge keep saying, " Heavenly Father must have some big plans for the French." It is a good experience sharing the gospel with others who are so tender to the spirit.
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