Challis Power

  Saturday, until late afternoon, we were enjoying running around in the sunshine.   Then the wind came up and was quite serious about bringing us winter. The next morning, we were looking for coats, heat pads, and wool socks while snowflakes fell.      Sad the brilliant fall colors are mostly faded and carpeting the ground.   Time for Christmas lights—I wish!             The library remains busy, especially with groups.   Some come and stay the entire week.   Elder Challis has many opportunities to help, while I am mostly in the zone office organizing prayer meetings, training and scheduling trainers; making birthday cards and banners.   Who knew organizing missionaries would be practically a full time job?             It was another fun week with family:   playing in a corn box—not a sandbox, but a corn box;   helping Lindsey stage an elaborate Quest for Hank, Mary, June, Henley and Hal—they had to save Halloween from the Pumpkin King, played so convincingly   by Elder

We took advantage of a full “temple day” on Thursday and a p-day on Friday to go to Parowan and St. George where we hiked, shoveled rock, visited with family, and   went to the Temple.               We arrived in Parowan on Wednesday in time to hike up the Red Hill above the cemetery, coming down in the almost dark.   Beautiful views of the valley, the canyon and Valentine Peak.               Thursday morning, we were in the Temple.   Glad for the opportunity to be there one more time before it closes.   We stepped into the East Sealing Room where we were sealed 46 years ago. “Sunrise, sunset, swiftly flow the years.”     I also remembered specific places where I was with my grandparents who worked with great love in the Temple for several years.               After changing clothes, we grabbed a sandwich and headed to Snow Canyon, a mini Zion.   We hiked the Butterfly Trail across sand and rock to a lava tube. It was a warm, sunny day with blue, blue skies.   I c

A pretty great week culminated with the baptism of our grandson, Harrison John Challis on October 12.   He is a good example to his sisters and little cousins who eagerly witnessed—and even to those of “riper years” who were reminded of covenants.   Hank is always quick to show gratitude.             Among family members who gathered were our daughter, Noel, and her husband, Darrin, who had flown out from Kansas to meet Darrin’s new granddaughter.   Wonderful to spend time with them.   After sharing so much time with Noel in Olathe, the separation has been hard.               Mid-week we enjoyed a happy reunion with long-time friends from Olathe, Cory and Chris Wofford. They will soon be on their way to New Zealand to serve a mission.   They will be a blessing to those they serve—the salt of the earth. We enjoyed getting caught up on Olathe news over lunch at the COB.             An even longer-time friend from BYU days, Carl Lesueur, spent most of Saturday with us.   He came

Last week I took a break from being Sister Challis at the Library to be Grandma CC in Alpine, caring for Hank (8), Mary (5), and June (2).   Their dad, Christopher, had the opportunity to travel to London to make a presentation for Adobe.   Melissa decided to go along; they tacked on a few days in Switzerland after London. My days with the kids were full of different challenges from those in the Library:   getting kids in the car and dropped off at school; breaking up spats (not too many of those at the Library);   trying to determine what color sippy cup June really wanted;   getting all to bed!       It was a bit like “herding cats,” but I made the exact same observation on a hectic Monday afternoon at the Library during a futile attempt to organize all the prayer meetings for the week.             Conference was wonderful.   We got to attend the Sunday morning session.   I wish everyone could have the Conference Center experience at least once—just for the music!   It was nice t