Watch what you say

Here's a line you don't hear every day:

"You need to turn around, sit quiet, and think about Jesus; and stop worrying about Grace!"

(Said by me to one of the kids in the middle of the sacrament.)

Odd (Sad) Happenings

We had an unusual event in our ward today. A young man, recently returned from his mission in the Austria, Germany mission, was giving a talk. About half way through his talk there was somewhat of a ruckus behind and to the left of where were sitting on the second row. I did not see what happened but suddenly several people hopped up out of their pews and headed for the door. At about the same time, the second counselor in the bishopric jumped up and made haste for the door. My family and I were nothing but rotating heads trying to ascertain what was happening. The speaker of course came to a halt, also trying to figure out what was going on. Poor kid, he was struggling, as it was, with English, his new foreign language. The hullabaloo only heightened his discomfort.

The Bishop then got up, whispered an encouraging word or two to the young man, and then made his way out of the chapel. At that the returned missionary picked up his talk where he had left off.

The rest of the meeting proceeded without incident. Then just before the closing hymn, the Bishop, who had previously returned to his seat, stood at the pulpit and informed the congregation that the previous commotion had been caused when certain members of the congregation had learned that there was a fire at the home of the return missionary's mother's home.

Gasp!

We had our closing hymn and prayer and then were dismissed: the children and young women to class and the priesthood to go home, change clothes, and return prepared to work.

Of course when we arrived at the home the fire dept would not let anyone near it. It was a pretty bad fire, and the back of the house was structurally unsafe. After some time they let a few men in to the front rooms of the house to salvage what they could, which was not much.

I can't even imagine; to get home off your mission and within just a couple days have your house burn up. Luckily the missionary had very little in the way of personal possessions, and what little he did have from his mission was saved.

His mother was not so lucky: all her pets (cats and fish) died, she has no clothes, and pretty much everything was a total loss. They were able to get a few things, including a file cabinet with important papers. The other lucky thing (if I can use that word) is that due to the homecoming all her grown children were present. Hence, she has an immediate support group.

Currently the ward is making clothing and housing arrangements. I'm sure they would appreciate any prayers or thoughts. Their names are Arlinda and Andy Robinson.

In Case You Hadn't Heard

If you missed the lead story in the NY Times today, I have another blog titled The Ordinary Opiner. It's not a family blog so much as a soap box blog. If you're interested...

You Can't Take the Wii Too Seriously

No breathing treatment is going to keep this boy from his first love.

Great job, Joseph & Porter

We are all very proud of Porter and Joseph today. Porter started Cub Scouts in December and has already received his Bobcat. He loves scouts! One of the leaders told us today that she has never seen a cub scout as excited as Porter. I said it was the Rytalin wearing off.

Joseph received his Arrow of Light, which is great because I think all his father got was the Barrel of Blight. So this is a big step up for this Gibb family. Joseph is actually an 11 yr. old scout now, but they haven't had Pack Meeting since he finished things up, hence the boy scout uniform he got for Christmas.

Mom receives the traditional pin.

Joseph's cub leaders put all his awards (minus belt loops) on this nice plaque.

Some Random Pictures

Gracie

Gracie again.

Emma and Jarom engaging in a daily ritual: fighting.

Look out fashionistas. Here comes Andrea!

Gracie doing one of her many finger exercises for the left hand and loving it. She's a big Czerny fan.

To Grandmother's House We Go!

I'm trying something new with the blog. This is a test of sorts.

Vermillion Cliffs in Arizona, just of Highway 89A, north of the Grand Canyon.

Just off the highway is this spot I'm sure everyone has seen. It's the old Cliff Dwellers Lodge. We've stopped before but this time we took photos.

There are a few different stone huts or places for storage around.

Marie & Grace in Front of Blanche Russell's Cliff Dwellers Lodge.

If you don't know about this place its kind of interesting. Apparently, during the depression, the husband of Blanche Russell, herself one of the famous Ziegfeld girls, came down with Tuberculosis. As was common in the day, the two headed west from New York for a more suitable climate. While headed down the highway in Arizona, the car broke down and stranded the couple at the foot of the Vermillion Cliffs.

Blanche decided she liked the scenery and thought they'd make a go of it. They set up a crude lean-to of tarpaper and boards and settled down. Blanche would feed passers-by in exchange for labor and built this "lodge". It became somewhat of a restaurant frequented by travelers including Mormons headed north to be sealed in the St. George Temple (part of the famous Honeymoon Trail). They sold water and pigeons and eventually added a gas pump.

After a decade Blanche sold the lodge and left for California. It was transformed into a bar during WWII and was eventually abandoned in the 50's when it was replaced with a new Cliff Dwellings Lodge not far away. (Most of this info came from az.central.com.)

Can you imagine living out there. If you're ever traveling Hwy 89A you'll notice just how desolate the area is.

Andrea & Emma tucked away in stone hovel.

The Lodge

Joseph and Andrea at play.

Porter looking through the roof of the lodge.

From inside the lodge.

Behind the lodge