2012 IMPORTANT THINGS THAT I MISSED

There are so many things that I didn't record this past year in this blog, and now I can't find my journal with all of its awesome miracles and wonderful experiences.  But here are some pictures of memories that made me happy!  I have to laugh when I see our family pictures!  We all wanted "fresh" pictures, and a nice one to hang in the family room to replace the old one.  When we got to the place the photographer selected - there we stood in cow manure and soggy leaves, with mud sticking to our shoes.  To top it off, the littles 3 grandkids could not all act "normal" at the same time.  We just have to love them!!!  I still like the pictures, and love the memories!

Devanie's soccer season ended with an injured wrist, but she came to the final game to cheer her team on and was a great sport.  This was the first year for each of the 3 oldest kids (Devanie, Zander and Roxie) to play soccer, and I loved going to their games.  We usually had to leave one game to see another, and it was fun to see them improve throughout the season as they learned more and more how the game works.

At the awards ceremony I caught this picture of Zander laughing at his coach, and LOVE to see him laugh.  He is a very fast runner so soccer is a natural sport for his running talent.  Speaking of talents, I have loved teaching these kids piano this year.  I got up at 5:30 am and went to Ryan and Cam's home on Monday mornings to teach them piano (well, most of the time - because sometimes I slept in and missed).  It's great to see the kids especially love to play hymns, and Cam says that it creates a good spirit in their homes in the mornings when their hymn-practicing is going on.

The GILBERT TEMPLE was started and is scheduled to be completed the summer/fall of 2013.  It is on Pecos and Greenfield, just 2.5 miles from our home.  The day that Angel Moroni was placed upon the temple, Dad and I were working in the Mesa Temple and weren't able to be there.  We have served in the temple for 5 years now, and we realize that it is a great blessing, and that many factors have aligned so that we can have this privilege.  In February I was called to be a Coordinator, training, scheduling and organizing the 150 women who work under me and my assistantx on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  It has been a huge responsibility with a big learning curve, but I am finally starting to feel more in control and capable.  I have been given several visible and huge miracles during these 4 months - and I am so grateful for them.  Thank you, Heavenly Father, for being aware of my needs!

Each time Angel Moroni is placed atop a temple of God, the powers of Satan on the earth are decreased.  Moroni STOOD ALONE in his time - which was a wicked time much like it is today.  He is a great example of how we should be - standing for truth and righteousness in spite of the temptations and the upheaval in the world.  I'm so grateful that he came to Joseph Smith and gave him God's message (4 times in one night), telling him that he, Joseph, was called to help God restore Christ's kingdom back upon the earth in the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times.  I can only imagine what a 14 year old boy would feel like with an experience like that - but from my own experiences - I KNOW that this happened - and I KNOW that God's complete plan for His children is fully restored and all is in preparation for Jesus Christ's 2nd Coming.

Devanie, Zander, Roxie and Maddaux spent a day with me going to several parks.  The kids brought skateboards and bikes and we had a great time playing on the huge playground and skating.  Also, when Grandpa came, we went to Barney Park and scoped out the new horseshoe pit and other things that were being built by Eagle Scouts.

Zander is a real athlete!

Jonique and Xelly got to come and visit us while Jacob went to his gun training in Nevada.  We had a great time together, went shopping, ate out, and did girl things that I never get to do because of my crazy schedule.  Jonique announced that she is pregnant - due on October 11 - and we were later so excited to learn that she is having a baby boy!  We found out the gender when we went to Utah (dad and me) and we enjoyed staying with them for a weekend while I attended the Zyto Conference.

Moab was a trip we will never forget - - not only because they scared me to death by taking me up this narrow and dangerous spine of rocks, but watching them climb Devils Gate and other dangerous places, let me know that I have become a wimp over the years.  I especially enjoyed watching Richard and Riley help one another through hard things - guiding one another to keep each other safe.

RICHARD'S 25th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

RICHARD agreed that his house is the most fun place to celebrate a birthday when there are kids involved - because of his awesome swimming pool!  The grandkids were so excited to go there again!  Riley and Richard were the only adults who were "fun" enough to go swimming with the kids - and Bodie wasn't allowed to swim (since he is only a few weeks old)!  Brailyn was a little timid (at 2 1/2 years, as she has forgotten her skills from last year).  On the other hand, Zander has gotten so much better!  He had a backwards dive added into his repertoire, and Richard had a 1 1/2 with a twist added into his!

Even though it is June, the weather was nice enough to have food on the patio, and we enjoyed chatting and laughing together.  Birthday cake was Cheesecake with fresh strawberries and it didn't even melt!  Richard grilled hot dogs and we had salads, chips, watermelon and the works.  Richard's friends were coming over later to celebrate with him - and we knew they (mostly single, starving guys) would be happy with leftovers.

Great Grandma Gurney came too (I'm still looking for the other pictures that were taken that show the rest of the group).  It's great to have family get-togethers and to celebrate someone that we love so much!  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICHARD!  

Every year you become more dear to us!  May your 25th year be your best!  

We love you! 

RORY AND RACHEL'S WEDDING

Rory and Rachel's wedding has been one of the most joyful events of 2012!  It takes miracles and time for Heavenly Father and His angels to get the perfect people together - but somehow it happens!  For 4 months my friend, Debbie Johnson, told me that she knew of a girl that Rory needed to meet.  I didn't think that he was quite ready, especially since he told me he didn't want any relationships until 1.5 years "after-the-fact", because he wanted to be "fully present", with feet planted solidly on the ground before meeting anyone new.  However, Debbie called me each month, and told me that it wasn't just her, she felt that the Holy Ghost was prompting her - because the feeling that he needed to meet this girl was very strong.  She gave me the Facebook link to the girl - her name was RACHEL LINDSEY.  So Rory and I explored her page, pictures ... and she looked so fun ... lots of action shots of jumping off cliffs into water, dancing and dinners with friends, and culinary artistic specialties that she had made.  She was cute, and he thought OK, but nothing was done about it.  Then one Saturday night Debbie and her husband were here with Rick and me playing cards and Rory walked in.  They told him they weren't going to leave until he called Rachel for a date.  He went into his bedroom and seemed to come out only 1 minute later - and said, I did it.  Really?  That was fast, but he had asked her for a date to Freestone Park, for a picnic (barbeque) ... it was that simple! 

Rory came in from the date and said, "she is gorgeous!".  Then after a day, he asked, "when would it be appropriate to ask for another date"?  I told him that he was an adult and there wasn't a "waiting time".  So he went into his room, called Rachel, came out, and said, "she said to come over now".  And it turned into full swing!  Rory really liked where Rachel lived ... it was the tiniest little house, just south of the Mesa Temple.  He liked to walk around the temple grounds when he was waiting for her, or they walked there together.  Everytime he came home he said how easy Rachel was to talk to, how beautiful she is, and when he brought her here to meet us we had to agree!  What a stunning couple! 

At Thanksgiving Rory went to Safford with Rachel to meet her family.  He LOVED them and loved the whole experience.  He was already smitten, and while he was there he talked to Rachel's father and asked for permission to marry her.  He said her dad was easy to talk to and he gave him his blessing and good counsel.  Rory came home from that trip ready to move forward into a new and wonderful life!  Alex and Aurora absolutely loved Rachel, and when then ran into the house, it wasn't me Aurora was looking for anymore, it was Rachel!  That's how it should be - and my heart is so overjoyed!

The time for the wedding came quickly due to Christmas holidays, finding an apartment, moving Rory there first (thanks to Ryan and his workers the difficult move up to the 3rd floor didn't kill anyone!), and working out all the details of the wedding and reception.  Rachel's aunt, Donna Barney, is a decor and event specialist, so between Rachel's dream vision of the reception, and Donna's brilliance in design the work was divided between many of us.  I was impressed with Rachel's detailed planning, and could see that she is a good organizer and that she pays attention to details.  It was good getting to know her better and better - and liking her even more!

The temple has been a big part of their relationship, where she lived so close to it, and it is going to be a most joyful day when they kneel over the altar and make the covenants for eternity that will seal them together forever.  Yes, this has been one of the most beautiful miracles I have witnessed in my life, and I have seen many!  Thank you, Heavenly Father, for answering a mother's prayers for her precious son.  I guess that goes for Rachel's mom too - as I feel that she was there all along the way, guiding her daughter, but from behind the veil, on the other side of mortality.  I feel close to her and had a special experience in the temple when Rory, Rachel, Rick and I went there to do initiatory work.  I am so grateful for God's amazing plan of happiness!

My favorite memory of the reception (it was absolutely the most gorgeous reception ever!) was when Rachel's uncle sat them back-to-back on chairs in the courtyard, and each of them had the other person's SHOE in their right hand.  When her uncle read questions to stump them about each other - not even one time were they stumped!!!  They knew one another - and it was amazing!  It was the end of a beautiful day, but the beginning of an eternity together - for that is what they want and will work for!  Welcome into the Gurney Family, Mrs. Rachel Gurney!  We love you!

BODIE GURNEY BORN APRIL 17, 2012

 Ashley is a beautiful pregnant mom!  Rick has always said that clean, pregnant women are the most beautiful women in the world!  (He always knew how to make me feel better during that time and season - when women get discouraged and feel not-so-beautiful).  Riley and Ashley have been going through a move, remodeling (extensively) the new home they purchased on horse property in Queen Creek - - and Ashley is brave enough to do all this while adding another baby into their family. 

Ashley is proof that Rick is right!

Bodie was born on a Tuesday, when Riley had been working all day, and Ashley started to think that something might be really going on (delivery) and so she had a bath, did her hair, and it was the real thing!  Rick and I headed to the hospital in time for her delivery, so we got to welcome Bodie just moments after he arrived.  He is so beautiful - so Riley, and so heavenly!  He has a gentle, peaceful, patient spirit (like his dad) and I am so excited for them!  Every grandchild that comes into our family will be loved like he or she is the only grandchild that we ever received - unique and special!