pictures for the wall

In anticipation for our fun month of August, I thought we could work on updating mom's "wall of pictures" in the basement.  Therefore, all of the kids pictures (including my own) need to be updated.  Would you please send the most recent picture you have of your children?  or take a picture of your children.  The size is 5 x 7.

 

Thanks everyone,

 

Sharon

Family Reunion Meals

Okay, I wanted to let you guys know what the plan is for the meals at the family reunion.  There are a couple things up in the air, but this is what we have so far.   We are planning to have each family be in charge of one meal.  That would include buying the food, preparing it, and cleaning up.  (although it's always helpful if anyone who can pitches in with the clean-up) We will be buying the paper goods in bulk so you won't need to purchase them.  We will also be buying some snack items to have around the cabin so you shouldn't need to worry about that unless you have picky children that must have particular items.  As we get closer, if you can let us know what you are planning on preparing we will try to make sure that we don't end up eating hamburgers for 5 meals or something like that.   So, I figure the easiest way to do this is just to post the meals that we need covered and let you volunteer for what you think will work best for you.  First come, first serve.  I will try to edit this as I get requests so you will know which meals are taken.   Thursday-lunch at the water park   Thursday dinner- This meal will probably need to be at Sharon or Kathy's house, so they get first dibs if they want to do the cooking .   Friday breakfast- you are on your own for this meal as we are all heading up to the cabin.   Friday lunch- at a park in Heber.  This will be before we check into the cabin.   Friday dinner- at the cabin ***Jimmy and Mandy***   Saturday breakfast- at the cabin ***Rachel and Dan***   Saturday lunch- at the reservoir   Saturday dinner- at the cabin...there is also a discussion about having this dinner be at Granny's with the raspberry shakes, every family taking care of their own.   Sunday breakfast- at the cabin ***Mary and Zach***   Sunday lunch-your back on your own as will will be checking out of the cabin that morning     Email your meal requests to me.  If anything isn't clear, let me know.  If you have thoughts about the Saturday dinner plans, let me know too.   Thanks,   Rachel (the old one)

It is 3:00 a.m.

It is another one of those "can't sleep nights."  Things keep swirling around in my brain, so I finally decided to get out of bed and write.

Yesterday I helped a sweet, elderly lady at the veil.  She was so thin that her hand appeared to be just bones covered by skin.  She was tall for a Mexican.  Her long white hair was pulled back in a low ponytail.  One of her pale eyes was clouded with cataracts, but her smile was beautiful, and her spirit radiated.  She whispered she hadn't been able to come to the temple for two years because of health problems. She needed some help, but it was obvious that she had known her part once, and as she spoke those beautiful words her voice was filled with emotion and her eyes filled with tears.

Today I privileged to help a handicapped "first time sister."   I'm not sure what her medical condition was, her fingers hung loosely with no ability to move on their own, and that seemed to be the condition of her legs and feet as well, although she could move her arms and trunk.  She was in a wheel chair, and although she was just a tiny woman, it took three of us to dress her (two lifting).  Her mind was alert, and she was so grateful to be in the temple.  None of her family are members, but a ward friend was with her.  This sweet "sister of the heart"   told me that she walks to her friend's home to bathe and takes care of her, and she will also wash her temple clothing now.  What a beautiful example of service and love.  Neither woman is young, and I don't know how the one sister is able to lift and dress her by herself.

After our seven hour shift at the temple, we went home for a couple of hours before returning after the last session to do a good cleaning, to wash and iron the veil, and get things into perfect order for Monday morning when President Tenorio of our area presidency arrives for our temple review and inspection .  We had the opportunity of knowing him when we lived in Mexico City.   He is a delightful person, and will be here for two busy days.

President and Sister Moss came to the temple for the last time today.  They only have ten more days of their mission.  The mission has two senior missionary couples, and the institute has one, and so on the 29^th we "gringos" are having a farewell dinner for the Moss'.  The Batts are the mission office couple, and they leave the next month.    It is wonderful how you become a family when you serve together.  We will miss these dear friends.

Okay, I must try to get some sleep as tomorrow will be a busy Sunday and Father's Day.

our week

June 16th 2009 A quick update:
We went to the 85th birthday party of our sweet temple workers, Hna.
Aranda. During the festivities she was serenaded by five mariachis'
who had everyone up clapping, dancing and singing along. Such fun!
We also attended a wonderful ballet recital of Kayla, the child of our
one of our adopted families. Friday we were invited along with our
good friends Carlos and Rosie Alvarez, to meet Elder and Sis.
Mickelson down by the port for lunch at their favorite Tampico sea
food restaurant. The Mickelson's had just driven in from Mexico City
to choose a new stake president in the Madero Stake. It was good to
see them again. They have had a huge impact on our lives since we
served under them both in BsAs and here in Mexico. They are masters
of the scriptures and wonderful teachers and examples. They leave
Mexico in just two weeks for their potato farm in Idaho. They have
served 19 years as general authorities and the three previous to that
he was mission president in Cali, Colombia. They spoke about the
spiritual journey they've had, and their peace about closing this
chapter of their life.
Saturday we had a really busy day at the temple with the Poza Rica
Stake. It is thrilling to see them come with large numbers and fill
the Lord's house. Dad spoke at the stake priesthood meeting in the
afternoon and we both spoke Sunday during the conference. We left
directly from there for a fireside in the Papantla Stake, five hours
away, where we spoke to the endowed members. I met separately with
the women for an hour, as Dad did with the men, before we all joined
for the concluding remarks. It was one of those choice experiences
when I felt the Spirit was talking through me.
We stayed overnight at a new hotel which was fun. Monday we enjoyed
driving and walking around this old, charming, hilly, city which is
full of local color. There are relief murals on the walls of
government buildings and churches, statues of historical traditions
(the voladores, Tajin, and to "mother corn"). There were many
artisanias to look at and buy, and Indians dressed in their native,
colorful costumes.
We drove home through verdant fields and lush hills by way of another
architectural site, Castillo de Teajel, and the ancient town which has
grown up around it. We love Mexico.
This next week we look forward to having President Tenorio of our area
presidency arrive for our temple review. He will be here Monday and
Tuesday, so no free days that week for us.
We feel the Lord's continuing blessings on us, and see his hand in our
lives and those of our children. Much love, Mom

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Yum, Yum, Yum

I just finished reading through "The Bentley Family Cookbook."  IT IS WONDERFUL!  Thank you, thank you Marisa for the hours you spent putting this together.  And thanks to all of you for sending so many delicious recipes!  Grandpa and I are looking forward to eating our way through all of these.  I love the way Marisa put things together with famous quotes to begin each section.  Well done!

for each of my darling grandchildren (that means everyone of you)

I wanted to tell you about the little tiny (about 2 inch long), lizard that has made his home inside my cone shaped planter of fake flowers by our outside door (see the picture).  Every season I change the arrangement he scurries out and up the wall.  Once when I had left the door open he ran right inside our house!  I don't like lizards inside, so I had to call Grandpa for help to catch him and put him outside again. 
Today I thought about how much fun it would be if you were here to see the woodpecker that Grandpa and I saw on our walk.  He had red feathers on his head and was pecking on a dry log with his sharp beak.  We also see pretty yellow larks, small brown sparrows, large loons, seagulls, sand pipers, and most prevalent of all the birds are big black birds.  The males puff their feathers up and strut in front of the smaller females.  The females don''t pay much attention as they are busy collecting grass and string to make their nests.  Of course, we still see crocodiles every day we walk by the lagoon.  What interesting animals they are with their scales and their big teeth.  They move so slowly, until they see a fish and then they open their mouth and snap.  No more fish!
For Family Home evening Grandpa and I went to see the movie "UP."  It was delightful!  We hope you will get your parents to take you as soon as it comes to the Dollar Movie.
Have a fun summer vacation all of you who have already finished school.  CONGRATULATIONS ELIJAH for having made high school Jazz band!!!  That is fantastic!
Much love, Grandma Bentley

Jokes from Cora

1. What is a monkey's favorite month? Ape ril.
2. What type of flower is dishonest? Lie-lacs
3. What is black, white and red all over? Snow White with a nose bleed. ((Cora made this up)
4. Hunting what animal makes you rich? Deer. You either get doe or bucks. (Cora made this up.)
5. What do otters find interesting? Authors. (You guessed it. Cora made this up)

Dear ones,

We have some news worthy or reporting. Marisa has a bun in the oven. Mom is sure it will be twins. Cora is sure it will be triplets. Rick and Marisa are sure..... happy.

Love,

RMCLBL and embryo

Well I got a job! I am really a helicopter pilot now. So I'm exited. I even get to fly out of the airport that I trained at, which is next to the Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood and Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens. So it will be scenic. I feel really blessed and I appreciate the prayers that everybody prayed for me. I also appreciate the Almighty and his considerate ways with me. I know I'm very blessed and I'm grateful ("....And the beast was grateful." Sandlot). So if anybody wants a ride. Come up and visit us. I will also be working up at Mount St. Helens three days a week loading people in a real helicopter. It will be fun. Hope all is well.

Dan

JUNE

JUNE
After Busy May with 9 family birthdays and 3 anniversaries, we get to June with just one of each.
HOWEVER, these are very special.
HAPPY 7th ANNIVERSARY
Sharon and Matt on the 25th
AND on the 28th
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHARLIE.  WE all love you!

--
Wendy W. Bentley