Shacee Backus turned four. We had pizza and she opened her gifts.

Election Day

Just spent 2 hours standing on a street corner with a "Yes on Proposition 102" the Marriage Amendment sign. Very interesting how people react. I was called a racist (??) and a bigot, yelled at, given thumbs down, tongue stuck out at me, and the middle finger salute. Many would not even look at me. But for all those who waved back, honked, whistled, and gave a thumbs up it was definitely worth it. It is frightening how immoral our society has become that this is even an issue--and that so many are against this proposition. It has been a long two years of campaigning and we are very glad to see an end to it. I fear for the future if Obama wins the election and has a majority of Democrats in congress. However, I don't see a much rosier picture with McCain. Orrin Hatch has said that the constitution is already hanging by a thread, and I think he is right. We must have faith in our church leaders and the guidance they have been giving us. They are seers. They know what is ahead. President B K Packer told us at stake conference this past Sunday that we are now entering the years of famine after all the years of plenty.

This week I decided it was time to learn how to do the new Temple Ready System. I put my info on a disk and took it to the family history center only to discover that I did not have my confirmation date, so I could not log onto the system to learn anything. The ladies were patient with me and showed me how to register and get started. I tried again at home, but it is Greek to me. Another day, maybe. I have been praying that that way would open up for me to be able to spend more time at the computer doing this work. Surgery and pain killers have not been the answer, so now Angie has volunteered to brave the lines at Target, along with Lou and Shanda to get me a Wii and the exercise console "Fit". She says it is helping her with balance. I am really hoping it will give me better posture and balance so I can do more things without so much pain. My misgivings are in the fact that the only day they can even try is on Sunday. Nothing will be left within a few minutes of opening the store, so waiting till Monday is not an option. The prophet will be telling us to keep the commandments and I am sending them out to break one.

So I still do not know what I am doing. I lost the info I had entered on Jed & his family so did another one only to discover it was on another page. That is the reason he is in twice. Lots to learn about this.

October 4th & 5th bring us General Conference with uplifting messages from the prophet and apostles. These past two weeks have seen our country in major upheaval with the freezing of the banking system, major companies going out of business, the largest tumble of wall street stocks in history, and many people in the country living in great fear of the future. We may be reminded by the brethren to have our year's supply and get out of debt, words we have been hearing for years. Also, we hope to hear words of comfort in theses times of uncertainty. The Saturday afternoon session will be extra special as Ryan Packer, who turned 8 last April, will be singing in the children's choir. What an honor for him. For all those watching, he is in the 2nd row on the right side near the wall. Good for you, Ryan!

Jed Packer Family.

Jed, Shana, Dorian, Kerigan, Corbin

Jed and his family live in Hickory, North Carolina. The past year has been difficult and challenging as Jed has battled colon cancer. He was diagnosed just after last Christmas and had surgery followed by months of chemo and a colostomy. The treatments appear to have taken care of the cancer and he successfully had the colostomy reversed in August, although it has been a difficult recovery. I was able to visit in January and help out at the hospital and then go back again in May when Jed graduated from Lenoir-Rhyne college with his masters degree in nursing. We also went to see Dorian participate in his school's version of "Are You Smarter Than A Pirate (5th grader). Dorian did a good job answering his questions.

Jim & Mindy

At the end of July Roger drove to Rapid City, South Dakota, to visit Jim & Kristen and their daughter, Faith, and Jim's sons, Orrin & Jacob. He also visited Mindy. Jim & Kristen live out of town on 5 acres. While there they put together a trampoline for the kids. Roger was so happy to see the family again and meet Faith for the first time.

Kevin

Kevin and Ruth came to visit from Longview, Texas last June. They brought with them their daughter Jaime Rinehart, her two boys, Russell and Randall, and grandson Joshua Hollwarth, son of daughter, Christy. While they were here we took the opportunity to do some sightseeing, including Jerome and Montezuma Castle & Well, and also spent a day at Slide Rock in Sedona. Ruth, Jaime, and I went shopping one afternoon in Sedona and ate lunch at Javelina Cantina. Another afternoon we took the boys shopping for souvenirs in uptown Sedona. The boys loved playing with Murphy, throwing water balloons, and using squirt guns. It was a great visit and we loved having family from Texas finally come.

Jo Lynn

It is so nice to live near Jo Lynn. Everyone else lives way too far away, even Angie. I get to see Jo's family every week at church, and sometimes in between. Chad sits up front with the bishopric so I sit with Jo and the girls (and Roger--he has been coming, too). Madi and Sadie are playing soccer. Madi's first game was at 8 a.m. Saturday morning and everyone knows I am never up and going that early, so I missed it, but this coming week she plays later and I will be there. Sadie scored 2 goals last Saturday. Awesome! Shacee and Taylin came over the other morning and I took their picture with Murphy.

Tiffany

April 1st was Tiffany's birthday. I flew into Washington D.C. where Tiffany and her family met me. We toured the Pentagon and then went to dinner at an Irish Pub to celebrate. While visiting we took walks, watched movies, and went shopping. Tiffany lives in Stafford, Virginia. Saturday found us at the Cherry Blossom Festival back in D.C. It is an awesome sight seeing all the cherry trees in bloom along the tidal basin and near the monuments. At the end of the week Tiffany and Abigail flew to Phoenix (we came on separate flights). Tiffany rented a car and drove up to Cottonwood to spend a few days with us and Jo Lynn. Then we all went to Mesa for Angie's wedding to Lou. Abigail got her wish--to be a flower girl.

Matt

I flew into Salt Lake City on May 1st and went to Kyle's track meet. I froze. It snowed on us. Later Blake had a ballgame. Ryan was baptized on Saturday, May 3rd. Kyle and Corrine both spoke at the service. Matt smoked pork overnight and Corinne provided all the fixings to go with it when we met for lunch after the baptism.

Matt

Angie

Angie married Lou in April. Alisha graduated from Mesa High School in May. And Joshua was ordained a deacon. Lou brings his 3 children, Shandalyn, Madelyn, and Michael to the family. Lots of excitement this year for all of them.

North Carolina

Because of Jed's illness this year I have made two trips to visit him and his family. The first was a few days after last Christmas when he had surgery due to colon cancer. He was in the hospital for a week before returning home to his family. After recuperating he endured chemo treatments for a few months while finishing his last semester of school and also working. He was able to get his clinicals done and all the classwork in order to graduate with his class in May. We were so proud to see him graduate. Dorian participated in "Are You Smarter Than a Pirate", his school's version of the TV show about 5th graders. He did real well. Go Dorian!
Two weeks ago Jed had surgery again, this time to reverse the colostomy. It was successful but he has had a difficult and painful recovery. The good news is that there is no sign of cancer at this date. His family is glad to have him home again after being away so long.