Places from the Past--Alaska

Places from the Past--Victoria, Butchart Gardens

Places from the Past--Moorea & Tahiti

Places from the Past--Dead Horse Point

Nibley Stake Cultural Arts Fireside

"Our Firm Foundation,"

The Legacy of Emma Smith's 1835 Hymnbook

Sunday night we had a big stake production. Choirs from each ward in the Nibley Stake participated along with the 'Restoration Choir,' 'Restoration Orchestra,' and the 'Willow Valley Singers.' There were readings, history of the selected hymns, a violin solo and an organ solo. The program was very professional and very well-attended. It just seemed odd not to be able to clap following the numbers. The Sunflower Camp of Daughters of Utah Pioneers (of which I am a member) assisted in gathering church music memorabilia. I dressed in pioneer clothing and stood guard over one of the displays.

Geocaching

The VanWagenens came up from West Jordan to have Brandon do some dental work. In the afternoon Grandpa stayed with Brooklyn while she was napping so the rest of us went geocaching. We found five caches quite close to our house. The weather was great and it was good to get out.






Jory is unemployed and we hope he finds a good job soon.

Later Saturday evening we went to a house warming party at Holly and BJ's new home in Providence. We had a nice visit with Marilyn, Gary, Ron and Jodie.

Congratulations to Kacie and Sam who had a son, Finn Isaac, this week. Both mother and baby had complications and we wish them a speedy recovery.

Treatment plans...

Andrew has now had 6 rounds of chemo. Some weeks he has really been down and out and other times he has felt reasonably well. He had issues with the port and had to have it removed. Starting next Thursday, and daily Monday through Friday, he will be having radiation treatments for 5 weeks. During that time he will also be given oral chemo with the possibility of one other drug via IV. Radiation will take place at the American Fork Hospital, which is just around the corner and down the street from the Burkhardt home. (two minutes from their home to the hospital parking lot) Andrew is hoping he will be able to work during this time. So far they seem to think the chemo has had a good response. It doesn't appear that the cancer is growing. There is some kind of cancer marker in the blood that was very high to begin with and went way down to a normal level shortly after he started chemo. This new round of treatment will last until just before Christmas. Andrew will then have 4 weeks off as he gains his strength back. Sometime towards the end of January Andrew will have surgery to remove his colon. It is not known whether or not he will have surgery on his liver at the same time or later. Andrew will be having 3 more months of chemo following surgery. Please keep him in your prayers.

A Utah woman who has had cancer four times tries to find the humor in her situation so she comes up with sayings and puts them on T-shirts. The Huntsman Cancer Hospital sells a lot of them. I think many of them are bizarre and others are embarrassing. Anyway, one that refers to colon cancer says: "I LOST MY COLON BUT I'M STILL FULL OF CRAP."