On Sunday 15 June we enjoyed some of "Music & the Spoken Word."  David and I wished each other "happy father's day" and then Eileen did likewise.

Eileen enjoyed the Book of Mormon roundtable discussion that followed on BYU-TV.

I read the next talk from the recent general conference by Elder Neil L. Andersen entitled "Spiritual Whirlwinds."  In it he stated, "This past month the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve published a letter to leaders of the Church across the world. In This past month the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve published a letter to leaders of the Church across the world. In part it read: “Changes in the civil law do not, indeed cannot, change the moral law that God has established. God expects us to uphold and keep His commandments regardless of divergent opinions or trends in society. His law of chastity is clear: sexual relations are proper only between a man and a woman who are legally and lawfully wedded as husband and wife. We urge you to review … the doctrine contained in ‘The Family: A Proclamation to the World.’” "

I posted this to Facebook on Monday. 

Elder Neil L. Andersen

As soon as we arrived at church, I spoke to Bishop Penrod about the sacrament being taken to Sue at home which was done right after sacrament meeting.

The opening hymn was #292, "O My Father."  This hymn was written by Sister Eliza R. Snow, an early Church women's leader and poetess. 

Eliza R. Snow (1804-1887)

The first speaker was Sister Jenna Workman who began speaking about Father's Day and her dad.  She has just graduated from high school.  She bore her testimony.

Bishop Penrod had asked some dads to speak, i.e., Brothers Gonzalez, who has four children; Fike, who has six children; and Kelly.  They reminisced about some of the family events they enjoyed.  Brother Fike told how he joined the Church after his dad passed away on 10-10-10.  The last gift his dad gave him was the address of the Church.  He said what a blessing his children are.  Brother Kelly is a young dad.  He spoke very briefly.

The Primary children sang and Tanner and Ashton joined them.  They sang "My Dad" and "I'm so glad when daddy comes home."

Brother Veloso spoke briefly from his wheelchair.  Brother Silva spoke about the family and father, about providing for his family.

Bishop Penrod was the concluding speaker.  He spoke of his sons Sam and Nathan, and quiet moments with each of his kids.  He spoke of the counsel of the Brethren to the men during General Priesthood meeting. "True love is anxious concern for the well-being of your companion." President Gordon B. Hinckley.  Our Heavenly Father is keenly aware of each one of us.  Speaking to his children in the congregation, he bore his testimony.

President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910-2008)

The stake president, President Scott Richards, complimented the bishop about having the fathers speak.  He enjoys so much hearing and watching the Primary children sing.  He spoke of "Earthly Father, Heavenly Father" on the Church's website.  Heavenly Father is our divine model.

Here is the link to watch this delightful video:
https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2013-01-002-earthly-father-heavenly-father?lang=eng

I sent it to several fathers (or a soon-to-be father like my son

William) on Monday, i.e., David, Tom, Sean, Russ, and Steve.  I also sent it to almost everyone whose e-mail address I have from the Gilmer County Food Pantry.  And many other friends and relatives.

The closing hymn #300 was "Families Can Be Together Forever." 

We attended Gospel Doctrine class in Sunday School with Sean and Colleen.  They were on Lesson 20: “All the City … Doth Know That Thou Art a Virtuous Woman” using Ruth and 1 Samuel 1.  The purpose of the lesson was to encourage class members to emulate the righteous qualities of Ruth, Naomi, and Hannah. 

Ruth 1:16 is a famous scripture.  "And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God."  Ruth was loving, loyal, and willing to sacrifice for her mother-in-law Naomi.  She gained the gospel of Jesus Christ by going with Naomi.

King David was a descendant of Ruth and Boaz as was Jesus Christ. Elder Thomas S. Monson called Ruth a heroine in October 1974 General Conference.  He said Ruth is an example of fidelity and loyalty. 

President Thomas S. Monson

As we waited for priesthood to begin, I finished reading chapter 13, "Lifting Burdens Through Confession" from "The Miracle of Forgiveness" by President Spencer W. Kimball.

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895-1985)

We enjoyed priesthood and Relief Society.  In the high priests group Brother Hughes taught lesson 12 from "Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Fielding Smith" entitled "The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood."  The lesson stated, “I desire to call your attention to the oath and covenant of the Melchizedek Priesthood. I think if we have a clear understanding of the covenant we make when we receive offices in the priesthood, and of the promise the Lord gives if we magnify our callings, then we shall have a greater incentive to do all the things we must do to gain eternal life."

President Joseph Fielding Smith (1876-1972)

We are excited that Sue wants to get her temple recommend once again!  I got her membership number from the ward clerk.  So I am now checking out the Opatosky family history for her, cards that need to be reprinted and new cards to be generated.

I dropped Eileen off at Sue's and met the Cubberley's at the Comfort Suites.  I got my Father's Day present from them and Colleen rode with me to Sue's.

Spencer, Ashton, and Tanner with Ben

Looking into my Father's Day present

My Father's Day present (with candy)

My Father's Day present (sides)

My Father's Day present (side)

My Father's Day present (bottom)

Spencer, Ashton, and Tanner with Sean

After getting comfy we went to Kristen's for supper.  Heather and Colleen rode together and beat us there!

Gail, Matt, Cooper, and Brooke

Heather and Colleen

Heather, Brooke, Tanner, and Colleen

Heather, Kirsten, Ashton, and Colleen

Cooper, Matt, and Brooke

Ashton, Colleen , Brooke, and Tanner

Ashton, Colleen , Brooke, and Tanner

Brooke, Tanner, and Ashton

Spencer, Colleen, Ashton, and Tanner

Heather, Megan, Kristen, Spencer, Colleen, Brooke, and Ashton

Heather, Tanner, Megan, Kristen, Cooper, Spencer, Colleen, Ashton, and Brooke

Colleen and Eileen

We had a fun time and returned to Sue's.  I thanked Sue for her Father's Day Jacquie Lawson e-card and her real paper card.  I also enjoyed Eileen's Jacquie Lawson e-card, too.  Earlier I got a real card from Megan and, in the mail, from Geoff.  William and Geoff texted me today, too.

I published the 8 June blog entry.

On Monday 16 June the nurse Kay came by to see Sue.  Colleen and Heather were here, too, and the nurse took a family picture of Eileen and I with the three girls using Heather's camera.  I took Heather to the Ft. Lauderdale Airport at noon.  On the way back I went via Oakland Park Blvd. and got gas at BP for $3.479!

Later Colleen left so that she and the boys could take Sean to the airport as he has to go back to work.  He is an RN at the hospital near their home in San Tan Valley, AZ.

A little after four pm the UPS guy delivered the new heating element for the stove.

Heather had used Sue's car so she left money for gas and I went to the BP station on Oakland Park Blvd. to fill it up, still $3.479!

Sue and Eileen were enjoying the outdoors when I got back as they were sitting in the back yard.  We enjoyed lots of leftovers for supper.  Colleen and the boys arrived after taking Sean to the airport.

She extended her stay at the Comfort Suites for three more days.  She will head north for Georgia on Friday just as I will.  We will stop at Russ's place in Brooker overnight and reach Ellijay on Saturday. 

Eileen enjoyed "Love It or List It" on HGTV.

David Visentin and Hilary Farr

On Tuesday 17 June Sue registered on FamilySearch and I showed her some aspects of Family Tree.  We reserved David's father in the temple ordinance list.  I called FamilySearch and found out what needed to be done to reprint the FORs (Family Ordinance Request) for cards that Sue had printed several years ago.  I emailed them a list of names and Sue's relationship to each of them.

Colleen and the boys arrived about noon.

I went shopping at Walmart and Publix.  After shopping at Walmart I forgot to check for Eileen's shampoo and Publix carries it but had none.  I went back to Walmart but no beauty parlor!  I went to Publix near Sue's but it's too small to carry it.  Whew! 

I have called and changed or canceled appointments back in Georgia, i.e., Barbara's Hair Design, North Georgia Eye Clinic, and Dr. Raisig for Eileen.  I had previously changed our dental appointment with Dr. Shorr to late July.

David took Ashton out to get a birthday present and also got something for Spencer and Tanner.  The boys enjoyed watching the movie "Charlotte's Web."

On Wednesday 18 June I did a lot of shopping at Walmart, Whole Foods, and Publix.  The cashier at Publix said "yes" to my two Book of Mormon questions!  Colleen and the boys arrived the same time I got back from shopping about 3 pm.

The boys enjoyed watching the movie "The Secret of Nimh."  Eileen made some crab soup for Sue.  I ordered two large pizzas online from Papa John's for supper.

I continued working on Sue's family history.  I got an email back from FamilySearch that Sue was granted the names of her ancestors to reprint their family file cards again.

The gals enjoyed "Property Brothers" on HGTV.

Jonathan and Drew Scott 

Everyone enjoyed the pizza.

I ran out to Winn-Dixie for a couple more items.  And I spotted Hair Cuttery which had the Paul Mitchell shampoo that Eileen wanted.

The Cubberley's returned to the Comfort Suites.

I checked Family Tree and found that Sue's ancestors were now in her temple ordinance list.  But out of nowhere came six Silverman's!  Further investigation revealed that they are ancestors of David's mother.  David is named David William and named after William David Silverman.  But that was as far as our research had gone.  And he and his wife Mollie Schaeffer aren't even in Family Tree yet!

On Thursday 19 June I went to see Colleen at Comfort Suites as she is not feeling well.  Then I went to Winn-Dixie for a few items for supper tonight.  I returned to see Colleen and extended their stay until Monday.  Back at Sue's I called the Ellijay post office to hold our mail now until Tuesday and I canceled my Monday appointment with Dr. Raisig.

Eileen made yummy crab soup for Sue yesterday.  Today she made delicious chicken soup with some ditalini on the side for the soup.

I entered many of David's ancestors into Family Tree and cleared them for temple ordinances.  I unshared the Silverman's that FamilySearch had put into Family Tree, revealing what temple work had been done already.

On Friday 20 June bright and early I went to see Colleen and the boys at Comfort Suites.  I took a thermometer.  Colleen's temp was 99.3.  She thought her fever had broken as she was sweaty.  I had to knock a lot to wake Spencer to let me in!  I gave Colleen a priesthood blessing.  Then the boys and I enjoyed breakfast downstairs at the hotel.

A little while later I picked up the boys and took them to Kristen's to play.  While keeping an eye on them, I finished reading the biography "Queen Victoria" by Giles Lytton Strachey which I had begun on 21 November.

Giles Lytton Strachey (1880-1932)

We were there for several hours and didn't leave until the rain stopped.  We got gas on Oakland Park Blvd. and the price had gone up 11 cents to $3.589!!  Then on to Chik-fil-A where we picked up lunch for the boys and Colleen.

I left the hotel and did some shopping at the nearby Super Target for supper.  Eileen made a yummy dish with black beans, cannelloni beans, ditalini, rice vinegar, and aged balsamic vinegar, a "black and white bean salad."

I made some amazing discoveries in FamilySearch.org that I hadn't found in Ancestry.com.  I found the 1920 US census of William and Rebecca Peskowsky (later Peskoff) and the 1925 New York State census of Wolf and Rebecca Peskofsky.  I was reminded that William also was called Wolfgang, probably before leaving Russia.

On Saturday 21 June I headed out a little after noon for Bass Pro Shop's Outdoor World in Dania Beach to meet Colleen and the boys.  Colleen left to drive to Sue's in the rain and I had fun with the boys.  They had their lanyards and got their hunting and fishing pins to stick on the lanyards.  We browsed around and the boys climbed on the boats.  We checked out the camping area.

Outdoor World

Inside Outdoor World

Ashton, Spencer, and Tanner taking aim

Tanner 

Ashton and Spencer

Spencer

Ashton and Tanner with stuffed pillows

Bear and man on flimsy bridge

Tanner, Ashton, and Spencer in the shark's mouth!

Tanner, Ashton, and Spencer in the shark's mouth!

We left in the rain and drove to the Coldstone Creamery on Nob Hill Rd by Winn Dixie.  We all enjoyed some ice cream.  Ashton and I finished ours and Spencer and Tanner theirs on the way back to Sue's.

Megan, David, Colleen, and Gail were at Sue's, so there were lots of cars parked in front of the house.

Eileen made some delicious vegetarian fried rice with eggs, scallions, and asparagus for supper. 

In the evening I finished reading the June Ensign, keeping one of my goals for the new year, although the conference issue (May) will take longer.  I enjoyed very much "Hastening the Work," the First Presidency message from President Monson.  I share the following: "There are millions upon millions of spirit children of our Heavenly Father who never heard the name of Christ before dying and going into the spirit world. But now they have been taught the gospel and are awaiting the day when you and I will do the research necessary to clear the way so that we can go into the house of the Lord and perform for them the work that they themselves cannot perform."

I enjoyed the article by Bishop Gérald J. Caussé, which I cited in last week's blog entry.  I learned more about Family Tree in familysearch.org when I read "I Find Joy in Family History When . . ."  I could go on and on.  I enjoyed "The Call to Be Christlike" by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Latter-day Saints in Italy, and the escape of Liberian missionaries during that country's civil war into Sierra Leone was miraculous!

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Artist's rendering of the Rome Italy Temple and
associated buildings

I read the last talk "A Priceless Heritage of Hope" of the Saturday morning session of April's General Conference delivered by President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the First Presidency.

President Henry B. Eyring