Dog Days of Summer

Dottie the Dog

Well I'm back to blogging. Just thought I'd start by posting some summer highlights. We had a full fun summer. Even had time to play with Dottie. Here she is waiting for me to hit her a tennis ball. What a dog!

Me, Kellee, Carson & Jessica

at Kellee's Graduation

We've had such a joy spending time with Cousin Kellee. We started off our summer by attending her graduation. We are really proud of her accomplishments. She's moved on and is attending Brigham Young University. If she does as well in college as she did in high school...She will Do great!

Angie, Jessica & Janna

Beach Fun!

You never know who might come visit if you just ask. Cousin Janna from California just graduated from high school and came to see us. It was so wonderful to have her. This picture is of them having fun at the Kure Beach.

Angie and Friends from Single's Ward

River Rafting

Angie came back in June and found a job here in Fayetteville at High Smith Rainey Hospital. She lives only ten minutes away and likes the single's ward. She shares teaching gospel doctrine class. One of their fun activities this summer was going river rafting. Do you think she might be having too much fun?

Jessica & Sophia
Stake Camp 2010

I'm so glad that my girls have had good experiences at YW Camp. Its good to know that they can have fun even in North Carolina where it's hot and muggy in the summer. Here's Jessica acting goofy with a friend from the ward. As my mother would say: "the fruit don't fall to far from the tree. "



Dave and some of the Youth and Adult Leaders

Stake Youth Conference

"A More Nobler Desire"

Dave and I got to be host parents for a group of young men at our youth conference. The theme was "A More Nobler Desire" A week before youth conference they were given a challenge to go on a digital fast: no tv, movies, texting, or computer except for absolute necesities like summer homework or keeping in contact with parents. Then the youth did service projects all weekend. Some of our activities included reading the newspaper to the blind over the radio, feeding the homeless in downtown Fayetteville and putting up a fence for a neighbor. It was great experience and helped us all to keep our priorites in order.

Jake the Graduate

Bachelors in Geography

with a minor in Spanish

Jake had a Summertime Graduation. Since BYU doesn't have a ceremony in December, Jake had his celebration in August. He still has a class he's finishing up with for Fall Semester and will be done in December. Then what? Well, we shall see.

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When I moved to North Carolina, one of my first friends was Hilda Brock and she was a wonderful primary music leader. At the end of the summer she would teach the primary children the song: "Oh What Do You Do in the Summertime" after they would learn it she then let the children make up their own verses. I thought it was so clever. I'm so glad I witnessed this wonderful woman sharing her talent and light to all.

Here's my feeble attempt to honor her love for music and show how our family spent the summer:

Oh, what do you do in the summertime

when all the world is green,

do you swim in a pool,

graduate from school,

or play with your dog all day long.

Is that what you do?

So do I.

New Year's Eve

Our lives have truly been blessed over the holidays, especially having Angie & Jake home from college. They hung with us a lot but here's a picture of them going to a New Year's Eve Party.

Back in the Swing

Its been hard to get back in the swing of things. Especially since my laptop hasn't been working. I spent almost 3 hours with "Dell" getting it cleaned up from some viruses obtained on our road trip. Anyway, all is well now so I thought I ought to recap some of the past few events.

Dave & Jake "Gone Fishin'"

Dave hasn't gone fishing in a long time. Jake was home for a week in between semesters at BYU- Provo so they went out like old times.

Hope Mills 1st Ward
Primary Temple Trip

We all had a good time going to the Raleigh North Carolina Temple and hearing Sister Draughon and Bishop Lockhart tell the importance of the temple.

Lauren, Erika, Carson
Cousins--Together at the Temple

Carson
"As we touch the temple
the temple will touch us."
~Thomas S. Monson

Angie, Carson & Jessica
at Carthage Jail, Illinois

We had a great time with Angie. She took us up in the Arch at St. Louis and then we all went and stayed a couple of days in Nauvoo and also went and saw Carthage Jail. It was a great way to end our road trip out to California.

Kiss the Girl

Happy Birthday Cassie!

My sister Martha's fourth child, Cassie celebrated her birthday on the 15th. This picture is of my son Jake kissing her when they were about two years old. Its got to be one of my most favorite pictures I have because, unlike the Disney Movie, Little Mermaid Song, "Kiss the Girl," He had no shyness about giving his cousin Cassie a little smooch. Martha, Mark and me all had children in the year '85. Jake (mine), Davey (Mark's) and Cassie (Martha's). We loved getting the kids together and having them strike a pose.
Cassie now lives in southern California with her husband Ruben and their three boys.
Love you guys,

Where in the World is Jake???

Jake & Cassie at Disneyland

Jake at the Los Angeles Temple

I've had more people ask me about Jake lately so here's an update. After a wonderful experience of working, studying & touring Peru and Bolivia, Jake got back to Utah a couple of weeks ago. Since he couldn't move into his place in Provo until April 26th, he decided to go visit family in southern California. There he was able to be of help with my parents and sister in Lancaster and then top it of with a little fun at Disneyland with his cousin Cassie. He had a great time and is now back in Provo for Angie's graduation with Dave, Nana and more cousins from Dave's side. He'll be starting the Spring Block next week. As for Angie, I'll be posting graduation pictures soon.

Jake, Hugh & Janna

Stake Service Project

". . .The Temple Will Touch Us"

I really enjoyed general conference this weekend. I especially felt the spirit by the speakers (Photo: St. Louis Missouri Temple) who talked about the temple. Some of my favorite quotes came from Gary E. Stevenson. He quoted President Monson when he said,

"As we touch the temple,

the temple will touch us."

I had never heard this quote and I googled it and found it at the Church News Site in reference to the Jordan River Temple dedication. It said, "early in the week, Elder Thomas S. Monson of the Quorum of the Twelve suggested deep spiritual meaning in the physical presence of the temple. President Monson recounted the late Elder Matthew Cowley’s story about a grandfather who took his small granddaughter on a birthday visit to the Salt Lake Temple grounds. With permission of the groundskeeper, they walked to the large doors of the temple. He suggested that she place her hand on the temple wall and then on the door, saying tenderly to her, “Remember that this day you touched the temple. One day you will enter this door.” His special gift to his granddaughter was an appreciation for the House of the Lord. Likewise, counseled Elder Monson, “As we touch the temple, the temple will touch us.”

I can remember reading a story some years ago about a little boy taking his little brother to the temple and having him touch it. I was so moved by that story that when we went to see my husband's sister, Donita, get married I had Angie and Jake touch the temple and told them how important the temple is.That day, "the temple truly touched me." I can also recall when I was a young girl, growing up in southern California, on occasion, we would go down to the Los Angeles area, whether it be for shopping or to visit cousins. Sometimes, we would be on the freeway that would pass the temple and my mother would say, "who can see the temple, who can see the temple." My brothers and sister and I would always look and try to pick out the angel Moroni amongst all the many buildings and when we'd see him, I was touched by the presence of the temple.

When we first moved to North Carolina, the closest temple was over 6 hours away in Washington DC. I can remember leaving my young family and going on a bus at 3:00am in the morning for couple of times a year and doing sessions all day Friday and Saturday. It was tiring yet so gratifying. Again, I was touched by the temple.

And then similarly, this past week when I visited the city of St. Louis with my daughter, Angie, we were so busy with finding her an apartment and going to her events that by the end of the trip when I was to take her to the airport, I realized that we didn't get to see the temple. We were visiting my sister-in-law's family in the area and as they told me how to get to the airport, they said we would pass the temple on the way there. My heart was excited. As we drove pass the temple, again, seeing the House of the Lord in it's beautiful, majestic stature, the temple touched me. I could tell, story after story where I felt that same, marvelous feeling but I'd like to tell Gary E. Stevens other quote and that is:

"You're never lost

when you can see the temple"

I pray I will stay close to the temple and always be touched by it. Also to rededicate myself to go more often.

Jake - Chivay/Colca Canyon & Machu Picchu

More "Peruness" with Jake

HAPPY 24TH BIRTHDAY JAKE!

Jake in Puno, Peru

Somehow I lost Jake's Birthday Slideshow , so if you missed it--here's a link.

http://s545.photobucket.com/albums/hh361/bethrlockhart/?action=view&current=a351ca91.pbw

ANGIE'S GOING TO NURSING SCHOOL

SCHOOL UPDATES

ANGIE officially got accepted to nursing school. She applied to a handful of schools that were offering an Accelerated Nursing Bachelors Degree which is a program for students who already have their bachelor's degree. She'll finish her BS in April at BYU. St. Louis University is her top choice because it only takes 12 months and it starts in May. So, she'll probably go there unless she gets accepted to the Master's Nursing Program at University of Virginia (UVA) which is a two years program. She probably won't know if she gets accepted there for another month because the program doesn't start until the Fall Semester. Being a Nurse Practitioner is her ultimate goal so even if she goes to SLU for her BSN, she eventually wants to be a nurse practioner. So, we'll see how it goes in the next few months. Things change from day to day.

JAKE has changed his major from Political Science to Geography/Geospacial Intelligence. Geospatial intelligence is a rapidly growing field that uses technology to gather spatial data, then analyze and interpret it to monitor and solve situations that impact our national security. Sounds interesting, huh? Anyway, he's really excited about it. He says there are a lot of job opportunities in this field. So, I hope it works out for him. When he returns from Peru in April, he'll be working on his major at BYU--Provo.

"BE SMART. . ."

"You are moving into the most competitive age
the world has ever known.
All around you is competition.
. . .and your worth will increase
as you gain education and proficiency
in your chosen field."
Gordon B. Hinckley

JAKE "PERU-NESS"

JAKE IS OFF TO PERU

JAKE WITH FELLOW INTERNS

WORKING AT EMPLOYMENT CENTERS

Jake flew out to Peru today but not without a little glitch. After visiting Angie in Provo last night, he left his passport on her desk while getting his ticket printed. Of course, he didn't realize it until he was at the airport in Salt Lake. Angie was typing a paper for class this morning and didn't have her cell phone on, so we were frantically, trying to find someone to go over to her house and get her help. Lucky for FACEBOOK, I was able to write a message to friends of hers in Provo and her friend Daren J., who I don't even know, was able to go by and alert her of the dilemma. She was able to get Jake his passport, just in time, so all is well. Hopefully that will be the only glitch of the trip. He's going to be in Peru for three months on an internship to teach people how to get jobs and start businesses, etc. Its something that the church does to help people in distressed circumstances. He's really excited and we hope he has some good experiences there. Last week, Jake spend the week in training up in Salt Lake but he's been out of his apartment in Provo since the Christmas vacation so I'm sure grateful to family and friends who have let him spend the night, eat, etc.

"The little unremembered acts of kindness

and love are the best parts

of a person's life."

William Wordsworth

WAITING FOR DRUMMER BOY & SIS

I never thought I'd ever say it but I truly miss hearing the drums. I'm sure I miss the person that plays them more but as I remember hearing the practices and performances for so long, and then not hearing them, I have to say that we'll be looking forward to having Jake & Angie coming this Christmas for lots of reasons but especially for the. . .

"PAH-RUM-PUH-PUH-PUM"

JAKE PERFORMING AT BYU-IDAHO
WINTER 2007

JAKE & ANGIE BACK TOGETHER AGAIN

BOTH ATTENDING BYU-PROVO

ANGIE HAVING FUN WITH FRIENDS

BE TRUE TO YOUR SCHOOL

Jake & Friends at BYU vs Air Force November 2008

Because I went to BYU off and on '77 to '82, I've lived through the "no respect attitude" toward some of the western football teams. So, secretly, I've been pulling for the University of Utah to do well this season as well as other schools in the WAC and Mountain West Conferences. But, when it comes to the BYU vs University of Utah game, I have to "be true to my school."

GO BYU!

Rise, all loyal Cougars

And hurl your challenge to the foe.

We will fight, day or night,

Rain or snow.

Loyal, strong and true,

Wear the White and Blue.

As we sing, get set to spring.

Come on Cougars, it's up to you!

So Rise and Shout, the Cougars are out

We're on a trail to fame and glory.

Rise and shout, our cheers will ring out

As we unfold our vict'ry story.

On we go to vanquish the foe

For Alma Mater's sons and daughters.

As we join in song,

In praise of you, our faith is strong.

We'll raise our colors high in the blue

And cheer our Cougars of BYU.

HALLOWEEN GREETINGS!

Friday, we had our annual

"trunk or treat" ward activity.

The kids dressed up and had lots of fun.

CARSON is "Link" from the video game "Zelda"

with his friend ERIC

JESSICA is a cat burglar with a unabrow

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

LEARN TO LAUGH

I loved general conference this weekend. I always look forward to listening to the leaders of the church. One thing I like to do is pick my favorite talks out of all who spoke and its always so hard because I love them all. Anyway, here's my top three. First, I liked Elder Wirthlin because he was so funny. He talked about adversity. He told some funny personal stories and gave good advice from his mother. She always told him, "Come what may and love it." My favorite quote:

"Learn to laugh...

next time you're tempted to groan,

you might try to laugh instead.

It will extend your life

and make the lives of all those around you enjoyable."

Joseph B. Wirthlin

Second, I enjoyed Elder Ballard. He gave a history of the great and marvelous work of the restored gospel on the earth and the challenges of those people who brought forth the gospel in thses latter-days. He encouraged us to keep our faith and I especially was inspired by these words:

"The Lord isn't asking us

to load up a handcart;

He's asking us to foritify our faith.

He isn't asking us

to walk across a continent;

He's asking us to walk across the street

to visit our neighbors.

He isn't asking us

to give all our worldly possesions to build a temple;

He's asking us

to give of our means and our time

to continue to build temples and then

to attend regularly the temples already built.

He isn't asking us to die a martyr's death;

He's asking us to live a disciple's life. . .

We can't afford to be superficially righteous.

Our testimonies must run deep with spiritual roots."

M. Russell Ballard

Last but not least, I loved President Monson. He is always so upbeat and positive. Here were some of my favorite quotes:

"Don't let important things pass you by. . .

have joy in the journey. . .

There is no tomorrow to remember

if we don't do something today. . .

Rather than dwelling on the past,

we should make the most of today--

of the here and now,

doing all we can to provide pleasant memories for the future."

Thomas S. Monson