Saturday, March 23, 2024

 More March 2024 highlights

BYU Singers touring choir is fabulous!
I highly recommend this very moving and important film about an Italian nun who, despite tremendous opposition from the Catholic Church, NYC civic leaders, and all who disdained the poor Italian immigrants who lived in despicable conditions in the late 1800's, was, through courageous and unwavering efforts, able to found an orphanage in NYC and hospitals throughout the world.
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   I drove with the Carlstons to the Manti Temple Open House. This gorgeous restored Temple was the third temple of the Church of Jesus Christ to be built (dedicated in 1888). It served pioneers spread on farms and small towns in southeastern Utah. The drive was very  picturesque and the tour highlighted this very beautiful old temple.




John, Luke, Phoebe, Elise, Stephanie, and Julie Carlston

The re-dedication will be held Sunday, April 21, 2024. It will then be closed to the public.


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Wedding reception in Provo of Kate Giles and Spencer Thompson
Wedding photos of her grandparents, Peter and Leanne Giles, and her parents Kristy and Adam Giles
Peter and Leanne Giles


Saturday I hosted a wonderful gathering for "friends of the Giles"
Kristy Giles, Emily Taylor, Jen Wiener, Adam Giles
Luis Kemeny, Miriam, Leanne Giles, Elizabeth Kemeny
Andrea Miner, Katie Taylor, Shelly Carpenter
 Todd and Andrea finished 3 years as Cameroon Mission leaders last July. Now Todd is on the General Young Men's Board and manages Pathway programs (English and other subjects are taught that qualify foreign students to earn BA degrees online from BYU-Idaho). 
Dinner with friends at Ramona's home. Kathy Linford (in blue) shared experiences in "old Provo" as she has managed the horses in our neighborhood for Steve Young and others for 30+ years.
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I enjoyed a fun baby shower for Ecuadorian friend Semiramis       Espinoza's son Jared and wife Marissa (engagement photo last year) 

Marissa with a friend or cousin. Xavier is growing inside!
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Wasatch Elementary School in Provo put on a fun "Broadway Beats" show. My granddaughter Cordelia and classmates sang and danced enthusiastically for parents and friends (photo: Peter, Cordelia, Rebecca and her parents Bryant and Shauna Christensen.

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Fifth grade granddaughters Stephanie and Elise danced beautifully in the U of Utah children's Dance Theater's 75th annual Program. 40,000 children and adults benefit from its dance instruction each year.

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"Reconciliation " is a very interesting exhibit of wood prints (first done by Albrecht Durer (1471-1528), lithographs, revitalized by German Expressionists in the early 20th century. These artists renewed their Christian faith at a very difficult time in history. 





Adam and Eve are ashamed as they are expelled from the Garden of Eden. We know through scripture that theirs was a conscious and wise choice to make it possible to have children and to undergo all the hard experiences of life in order to learn, grow, and find joy in this life. 













At Easter we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Through the Atonement and Resurrection we can all be restored to healthy minds and bodies; and, if we choose, be strengthened and forgiven of our sins and weaknesses and be welcomed home to live joyfully and peacefully and eternally with our Heavenly Father and our families and friends. 
Best wishes for a beautiful Easter week.

Jesus meets his disciples after his Resurrection
For stories, videos about Easter:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/?lang=eng

Happy Easter to you!