Full days

wonderful thing:  Sometimes the day is too full to blog.  Saturday...our Institute class:  we are working to effect a change in attitude that Institute is not important; however, two very fine young men showed up for our class, and we had a great discussion on the imperative to serve, especially do proclaim the Gospel.  We marveled at how the Church has grown since its inauspicious beginnings, and talked about how one person can make a difference.  Blaine made a chart showing how, if one person helps convert one other person, then that person goes on a mission and four people are converted through his efforts, then he has four children who each have similar mission experiences, then throughout his life, four other people experience conversion (and these are modest expectations), in a matter of three generations 1,728 persons have been affected by that one initial conversion.  The numbers go on geometrically from there, to astounding proportions.
Sunday...our first Institute activity of the scholastic year, a fireside where the youth asked questions of ward/stake leaders:  a resounding success!!  We were a little worried because at the given time, while most of the leaders had arrived, not even the Institute president was there.  Italians make Mormon Standard Time seem like punctuality itself!  I think we finally started 45 minutes later - BUT almost all the GANS were there, including at least one who hasn't come for some time.  The fireside featured some great insides and a wonderful spirit.  It is wonderful to see things picking up!

fun thing:  Saturday afternoon, Blaine was looking all over the place for his name tag.  We went to Institute, then to the grocery store, in the evening, Blaine continually wondering where this name tag was (he has three).  Before we retired, he looked closely at me, then burst out laughing - I was wearing his name tag!!  I must have put it on after lunch, instead of mine.  I don't know how many may have noticed and wondered!  Sunday, it was fun to talk to Mom and Dad after the fireside, via facetime.  We had forgotten they have an iPad...but it wasn't theirs we ended up using, it was my cousin Larry's.  He and his wife Freda were visiting, along with my sister Rosemary and nephew Hyrum.  It was Mom and Dad's 67th anniverary, we called via Skype phone (we have to look into reactivating video Skype), Larry got our facetime address, and bingo, we got to see each other.  Mom said that was a wonderful anniversary present.  We showed them around our little apartment, Mom pointing out that it was grand compared to the little studio they rented on their mission in Key West.  We had a great visit; Dad, Larry and Blaine all have similar senses of humor, so we spent most of the time laughing.  Wonderful!  Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!  Still lively and in love, after all these years!