snow

Even though our weather will be very similar to that of Togiak’s, our winter will be drastically different than in years past. This year we have a car! We loved driving our 4-wheelers around. We actually miss it quite a bit. It’s amazing how nice and quick it is to just jump on your 4-wheeler when going somewhere. However, it really is only nice for short distances. We feel so pampered now. We have a car that is fully enclosed with a heater; can’t say many 4-wheelers have that option. We recently switched over our car tires to studded winter tires to help with snow and ice. As nice as it is to have a 4-wheeler, a car is nicer.
sickness
Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to give Kaylee Priesthood blessings. A Priesthood blessing is truly one of God’s great gifts to man. It’s surprising to me how surprised I am when I give a Priesthood blessing and it works. I know it will, I have participated in many; yet there is always a little bit of me that stands back and thinks, “Wow, that was amazing. It was instant!” My testimony is strong, yet without fail, it is strengthened each time I am part of a Priesthood blessing, especially to my children.
Giving a Priesthood blessing reminds me of a scripture in the Book of Mormon. Alma 37:6, “…behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass…” Giving a Priesthood blessing is such a small and simple thing. It takes only a moment, however, such great and miraculous things come because of it. I know that our Heavenly Father looks out for His children, and I am grateful for the experience that I have to be able to give a Priesthood blessing to my daughter.
Thanksgiving
We had dinner at their house. They made the turkey, potatoes, stuffing, cranberries, gravy, and a slough of desserts. We brought homemade rolls (three varieties), 24-hour salad, Watergate salad (both of which are Phillips family favorites), and sweet potatoes (which really should be categorized as a dessert, rather than a side dish). It was great fun spending time with them. After dinner we played fat-dog and laid on the couch moaning while we watched Cirque de Solé.
Thanksgiving always brings great time off from work too. Kaitlyn and I got some chores around the house checked off our list, but mostly laid around watching movies and putting up our Christmas decorations. It has been a great weekend to be home with family. We’re sad that we are not closer to our extended family down in the states, but this time together has at least made the three of us closer.