Once in a Blue Moon

What a beautiful, unusual experience:  A full moon, blue moon, a super moon, a blood moon.  The Native Americans called it a Wolf Moon.

A owe thanks to travisburkephotography on Instagram for the photos.  He and his large crew spent countless hours making countless calculations to set up and take these incredible photos.

Thank You!

Church History - Benbow Farm and Pond

I love this painting of the Benbow Farm and Pond.  

We visited here twice while we were on our mission.  

Our experiences are chronicled in our blog, "Cables on a Mission". 

John & Jane Benbow's Hill Farm was where Wilford Woodruff was directed by the Lord to come. He taught and baptized 600 members of the United Brethren congregation in 1840.  

From Wilford Woodruff's journal, "I told Mr. Benbow I would like to commence my Master's business by preaching the gospel to the people and he sent word through the neighborhood that an American missionary would preach at his house that evening. . . . I also preached at the same place on the following evening and baptized six persons including Mr. John Benbow, his wife and four preachers of the United Brethren.  I spent most of the following day clearing out a pool of water and preparing it for baptizing as I saw that many would receive that ordinance."  

Wilford goes on to say, "I continued to preach and baptise daily.  The first thirty days after my arrival in Herefordshire, I had baptized forty-five preachers and one hundred and sixty members of the United Brethren."  

By December 1840, Elder Woodruff had baptized more than 300 persons and, together with other missionaries, converted more than 1200 persons in the Malvern Area.  

The Benbows later assisted in financing the first British publication of the Book of Mormon.  Elder Woodruff's great missionary success helped create a strong foundation for the Church in Great Britain.  "The people were praying for light and truth," he wrote, "and the Lord sent me to them."

Wayne and Claudine

Here we are, healthy, wealthy and wise. 

Well, at least healthy.  That blessing brings me deep gratitude.

Ciera & Seth Gender Reveal

We are all excited that a little baby boy will become a part of this amazing family.

Whitley will be the BEST big sister.

Sunday Dinner at Melissa and Jeff's; Kim's Birthday

The pot roast was delicious.  The people are even better.

Fun times coloring with these delightful girls.

It's great to be able to steal photos from Instagram.

It let me see Kim and Ollie on her birthday.

DNA

For Christmas Wayne and I gave each other the DNA test from Ancestry.

My results match what I expected from the family research I already had.

Easter at Melissa & Jeff's

Saturday we had a picnic and Easter egg hunt with lots of family and even more neighbors.  I was excited to meet Eric, Lauren's guy friend.  Jeff's yard was incredible with so many daffodils and tulips.  He and the girls had planted all of them.  Melissa had made the most delicious pulled pork for sandwiches and every contributed to the feast.  Perfect weather with perfect activities.

On Sunday we met again at Melissa's for Julie's 3rd Sunday Dinner.  Her home is being remodeled (new flooring at present) so she provided the ham and we all contributed as we met at Melissa's.

Tulips are a favorite of mine and they were blooming in abundance.

Cute Paige and Crew

Chase being Chase and Mason

We love seeing them and it doesn't happen often enough.

Tom & Julie with the grandchildren

We love that Beau, Val and Ander came.

Ellie, Madi, Melissa, Crew and Jeff

It's always fun to be at their home.

Stacy & Dane with Dax, Tess and Hobie

Nice to have Kari in town with Hayden and Paige.

I love the relationship between Kari and Paige.

Ellie, Madi and Julie had their turn at the beanbag toss.  

Jeff is a great Dad. Madz even has clothes on.