Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Sunday, October 25, 2015
Hyde Park Happiness
Whew! I'm glad this past week is behind us. Thanks for all of your kind support and help and encouragement. I was happy that Jenn was here. Her presence is calming and inspiring. I was hoping to barely pass that silly exam and am more than grateful that the Lord somehow made up for my deficiencies. Just nice to have it behind me. Thanks to all of you for putting up with me through it all.
I'm grateful that Jenn and I could see Emma's band's amazing performance in the dark. It was very spectacular! A memorable event, to say the least. I hope you all get a chance to look at the video of it.
We had a wonderful stake conference today with Elder Steven Petersen as our visiting authority. If I had to tell you one thing that I came away with it would be that "Obedience brings blessings. Obedience with exactness brings miracles." Missionaries know about that, I'm told. I'm going to test it out.
Good things are happening in our family. Thomas's engagement. Jennifer's safe travels. Lauren's feeling better. I don't suppose most of you know that she's been at InstaCare and in the ER for dehydration. She received 4.5 liters of fluid before she could start keeping things down and feeling better. She seems to be having a few more good days than bad days and we're hoping that keeps improving. Emma's band is doing better than ever. I'm so grateful for all of the good things we experience because of all of your goodness.
I thought of all of our grandchildren in Primary programs today as one of the ward primaries sang a musical number in our Stake Conference. I could see in my mind our grandchildren singing with great gusto, "I know He lives! I will follow faithfully! My heart I give to Him. I know that my Savior loves me." I sure hope they all know that, because He does! I wish we could have seen you all give your talks today. I'm sure you did fabulously - speaking and singing!
I'm still recuperating from a post-exam migraine. I'm doing much better today, but am going to cut this short and get to bed. Have a terrific week!
Family Challenge Update: (come on, Alex! We can do it!!!!)
Ruth 104
Elise 101
Robin 91
Alex 91
Emma 59
Flake Fun
25 October 2015 - First off a huge CONGRATULATIONS to Mom for passing her exam! How incredible is she? I arrived back in Snowflake safe and sound. So glad that I was able to see everyone for at least a couple of minutes during this little trip. Thanks for your hospitality and good times.
We discovered a tender mercy yesterday. As Mom well knows, little Suzie (our car) was a bit shaky during this trip and after I got back we decided we needed to get the tires rotated and the alignment checked. So yesterday we took it to the tire shop. Not long after we handed over the keys one of the guys came back and said "Did you notice the wires sticking out of your tires?" We went back to look and 2 of the tires were shot. A third one had a very troublesome spot. The guy told us that when the tires start separating, the car will have a tendency to shake! Scott asked how much longer they would last and the man told us "Ten minutes before you got here!" So, to make a long story short, the car is getting 4 new tires on Tuesday! I felt very blessed to have returned home in safety, I'll tell you what!
The weather in Snowflake has turned cold. Scott built a fire on Friday night which took the chill off of the house.
The primary program went well today. McKayla remembered her name and her part and no one cried! I would call that a success.
Congrats to the Mannings! Yay for babies! Hope you don't feel too sick.
Interesting story of the week: Yesterday we were digging up some potatoes and Scott tossed a good sized one over to me. Now, it took a second for my mind to realize what I was holding. The potato in my hand was only half of a potato. But, despite my initial thought, it had not been cut in half by the shovel. No, it had been EATEN in half, underground. Folks, I think we have gophers. Thoughts?
We discovered a tender mercy yesterday. As Mom well knows, little Suzie (our car) was a bit shaky during this trip and after I got back we decided we needed to get the tires rotated and the alignment checked. So yesterday we took it to the tire shop. Not long after we handed over the keys one of the guys came back and said "Did you notice the wires sticking out of your tires?" We went back to look and 2 of the tires were shot. A third one had a very troublesome spot. The guy told us that when the tires start separating, the car will have a tendency to shake! Scott asked how much longer they would last and the man told us "Ten minutes before you got here!" So, to make a long story short, the car is getting 4 new tires on Tuesday! I felt very blessed to have returned home in safety, I'll tell you what!
The weather in Snowflake has turned cold. Scott built a fire on Friday night which took the chill off of the house.
The primary program went well today. McKayla remembered her name and her part and no one cried! I would call that a success.
Congrats to the Mannings! Yay for babies! Hope you don't feel too sick.
Interesting story of the week: Yesterday we were digging up some potatoes and Scott tossed a good sized one over to me. Now, it took a second for my mind to realize what I was holding. The potato in my hand was only half of a potato. But, despite my initial thought, it had not been cut in half by the shovel. No, it had been EATEN in half, underground. Folks, I think we have gophers. Thoughts?
Nilsson News
You'd think that with a post title like ours, that there would actually be some exciting news to read about. Well hopefully one of these days we will be able to make that happen. For now, we were primary programming today as well and I know Jenn was too! It was so fun! It is hard to believe that next year, Eliza will be up there. Uh, that is a pretty scary proposition to think about since she seems to be a fearless child. Heaven help her sunbeam teacher!
The missionary work in our ward has really taken off. We have been having someone in our home being taught by the missionaries (it really helps when you have a stellar companionship that you can trust) and she seems really sincere and interested. A mom, her daughter and sister, drove here from California and ended up finding our ward and Garrett has given them some good job referrals. They are getting baptized on Saturday. Yesterday a family came to our ward harvest dinner and they are from Russia! They seem pretty open to being taught as well. I've been polishing up on the language so hopefully I can communicate better with them. Missionary work is exciting!
It was a blast to see Jenn. She was able to take part in our science experiment of making bouncy balls. Thanks for your help sister! Congrats to mom in passing her test!!!!! We know how worried you were about it but you honestly had nothing to worry about. You are amazing! I heard some awesome compliments about Emma and her marching band show. In the dark?! She is amazing too! Wow. I have an amazing family.
I have to say that this family challenge is definitely challenging. Last time I liked having a free day each week, especially with the refraining from sugar goal of mine, but it is good for me! Along those challenge lines, here is my ponderizing scripture. I'm hoping it helps me to lessen my reproving moments:
Doctrine and Covenants 121:41-43
41. No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned.
42. By kindness and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy and without guile.
43. Reproving betimes with sharpness when moved upon by the Holy Ghost, and then showing an increase of love afterwards towards him whom thou hast reproved lest he esteem thee to be his enemy.
Here is something that made me chuckle. I was putting bowls on the table for lunch when Eliza came over to see what I was doing. She promptly walked over to the dishwasher and opened it. I asked her what she was doing. She matter of factly responded, "I need a flat bowl for my dinner," and with that she grabbed out a plate.
The missionary work in our ward has really taken off. We have been having someone in our home being taught by the missionaries (it really helps when you have a stellar companionship that you can trust) and she seems really sincere and interested. A mom, her daughter and sister, drove here from California and ended up finding our ward and Garrett has given them some good job referrals. They are getting baptized on Saturday. Yesterday a family came to our ward harvest dinner and they are from Russia! They seem pretty open to being taught as well. I've been polishing up on the language so hopefully I can communicate better with them. Missionary work is exciting!
It was a blast to see Jenn. She was able to take part in our science experiment of making bouncy balls. Thanks for your help sister! Congrats to mom in passing her test!!!!! We know how worried you were about it but you honestly had nothing to worry about. You are amazing! I heard some awesome compliments about Emma and her marching band show. In the dark?! She is amazing too! Wow. I have an amazing family.
I have to say that this family challenge is definitely challenging. Last time I liked having a free day each week, especially with the refraining from sugar goal of mine, but it is good for me! Along those challenge lines, here is my ponderizing scripture. I'm hoping it helps me to lessen my reproving moments:
Doctrine and Covenants 121:41-43
41. No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned.
42. By kindness and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy and without guile.
43. Reproving betimes with sharpness when moved upon by the Holy Ghost, and then showing an increase of love afterwards towards him whom thou hast reproved lest he esteem thee to be his enemy.
Here is something that made me chuckle. I was putting bowls on the table for lunch when Eliza came over to see what I was doing. She promptly walked over to the dishwasher and opened it. I asked her what she was doing. She matter of factly responded, "I need a flat bowl for my dinner," and with that she grabbed out a plate.
Superfluously Me
Again with the title, I have no idea what superfluously means, but it sounded cool so whatevs.
Okay okay okay... prepare to be amazed with the marching band! I'm pretty sure most of you know the story, but in case anyone missed it I'm totally willing to retell it. We went to the Davis Cup in Davis county (imagine that) and everyone in the band was super pumped! we were totally prepared to knock AF out of the water! We were kinda really excited! Anyway, we performed around 9 Pm and the stands were very full (mostly AF and Davis people but a few of ours too). So we ran onto the field and began our show. We were doing pretty good, and we sounded really great. Mr. Beach was down on the track cheering us on and we could see the rest of the staff up by the press box. Well we got to the fourth movement and began it. We got about ten measures into it and we lost all power in the stadium! everything went pitch black! But without skipping a beat cuz stopping really didn't seem like an option, we kept going and our music shot through the roof! Our dynamic levels sky rocketed and we played so together even though we couldn't really see the drum majors! IT WAS AWESOME! We had a couple run in's but thanks to sister Pederson's inspiration earlier that day, the entire staff had been praying for our safety for an unknown reason! No one was injured and we delivered the most breathtaking performance ever! We listened to the judges tapes the next day and we had the visual judge in tears by the end. At first we couldn't see anything, but then people started turning on their flashlights until pretty much the whole field was illuminated by cell phone lights! The crowd could not be quiet! They didn't stop cheering until we were well off the field after our performance! when we were exiting the announcer said "That is the best show I've never seen!" The lights and power stayed off the rest of our show but they got them working before the next band had to go on. We hit our power pose and our drum major saluted the crowd very very enthusiastically and then jumped off the podium he was so pumped! We pretty much all yelled after we were done and several of us were crying;) then we got back to the buses and Mr. Beach got up and gave the best Beach Speech ever! I loved it! then we crowded into the stands to await our fate. We got second which is great:) We didn't really care what we got honestly because we were so amazing! Then our video within two days got 7,000 views and if that doesn't seem like a lot...it usually gets about 400 views sometimes and mostly it's just from band kids and their families watching it an insane amount of times. Anyway, the school recognized us and had a standing ovation at one of our assemblies for us so that was cool! then KSL got wind of it and we got on the news! They interviewed a couple of the leaders and did a little story on us:) it's nice to get recognized for something you do right i guess! Here's the link...I hope one of them works!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zijrxI0EgB4&index=29&list=PLq7-Fm2f-U2XnHDbAvI57zNQ29TbwpYaW
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLq7-Fm2f-U2XnHDbAvI57zNQ29TbwpYaW
Okay okay okay... prepare to be amazed with the marching band! I'm pretty sure most of you know the story, but in case anyone missed it I'm totally willing to retell it. We went to the Davis Cup in Davis county (imagine that) and everyone in the band was super pumped! we were totally prepared to knock AF out of the water! We were kinda really excited! Anyway, we performed around 9 Pm and the stands were very full (mostly AF and Davis people but a few of ours too). So we ran onto the field and began our show. We were doing pretty good, and we sounded really great. Mr. Beach was down on the track cheering us on and we could see the rest of the staff up by the press box. Well we got to the fourth movement and began it. We got about ten measures into it and we lost all power in the stadium! everything went pitch black! But without skipping a beat cuz stopping really didn't seem like an option, we kept going and our music shot through the roof! Our dynamic levels sky rocketed and we played so together even though we couldn't really see the drum majors! IT WAS AWESOME! We had a couple run in's but thanks to sister Pederson's inspiration earlier that day, the entire staff had been praying for our safety for an unknown reason! No one was injured and we delivered the most breathtaking performance ever! We listened to the judges tapes the next day and we had the visual judge in tears by the end. At first we couldn't see anything, but then people started turning on their flashlights until pretty much the whole field was illuminated by cell phone lights! The crowd could not be quiet! They didn't stop cheering until we were well off the field after our performance! when we were exiting the announcer said "That is the best show I've never seen!" The lights and power stayed off the rest of our show but they got them working before the next band had to go on. We hit our power pose and our drum major saluted the crowd very very enthusiastically and then jumped off the podium he was so pumped! We pretty much all yelled after we were done and several of us were crying;) then we got back to the buses and Mr. Beach got up and gave the best Beach Speech ever! I loved it! then we crowded into the stands to await our fate. We got second which is great:) We didn't really care what we got honestly because we were so amazing! Then our video within two days got 7,000 views and if that doesn't seem like a lot...it usually gets about 400 views sometimes and mostly it's just from band kids and their families watching it an insane amount of times. Anyway, the school recognized us and had a standing ovation at one of our assemblies for us so that was cool! then KSL got wind of it and we got on the news! They interviewed a couple of the leaders and did a little story on us:) it's nice to get recognized for something you do right i guess! Here's the link...I hope one of them works!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zijrxI0EgB4&index=29&list=PLq7-Fm2f-U2XnHDbAvI57zNQ29TbwpYaW
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLq7-Fm2f-U2XnHDbAvI57zNQ29TbwpYaW
Manning Musings
The past two weeks have been busy and eventful. Nick is super busy with school but manages to spend time with me which is great! This last week I have been grading midterms for my Music 1010 class and laughing and moaning about some of the crazy things people say and believe about music. It is appalling to Nick and he has to tell his friends all about it but we have lots to laugh about. Following the midterm I had my students do evaluations on their experience in class and what they like and don't like. I have had music students do evaluations before but I was totally unprepared for some of the responses I got back. Here are a few samples to enjoy:
"The short answer questions regarding the jazz guest performance. I found these questions impossible to answer because I was not in class on that particular day. Now, I know that you have said multiple times that attendance is mandatory. Plus, I fully admit that I had no legitimate reason for not attending class on that day. So, why even bring this up? Well, I thought it was worth mentioning because what if I did have a reason for missing that class?"
"Music 1010, personally, has not been an informative experience. The class isn't particularly difficult for me due to my prior knowledge of music...As someone who is very familiar already with the concepts of music, this class has not helped me develop further into understanding and comprehending the complexities of this art. So, for something to be "improved" I suppose I would up the difficulty." (She got a 59% on the midterm)
And my personal favorite..." I don't recall you telling us that we would need to do a listening portion on the test so for future students make sure they take their headphones out and listen."
I was pretty speechless folks!
It was so fun having Jenn up here for a few days. We just wish we could've spent more time with her.
On Friday we had our first prenatal exam with an excellent midwife who just passed her national exam! Way to go mom!
Other than that, Nick is playing with a Brazilian guitarist who will be a guest performer at USU. He will do so great as he always does.
Can't wait to see you all at Thanksgiving!
"The short answer questions regarding the jazz guest performance. I found these questions impossible to answer because I was not in class on that particular day. Now, I know that you have said multiple times that attendance is mandatory. Plus, I fully admit that I had no legitimate reason for not attending class on that day. So, why even bring this up? Well, I thought it was worth mentioning because what if I did have a reason for missing that class?"
"Music 1010, personally, has not been an informative experience. The class isn't particularly difficult for me due to my prior knowledge of music...As someone who is very familiar already with the concepts of music, this class has not helped me develop further into understanding and comprehending the complexities of this art. So, for something to be "improved" I suppose I would up the difficulty." (She got a 59% on the midterm)
And my personal favorite..." I don't recall you telling us that we would need to do a listening portion on the test so for future students make sure they take their headphones out and listen."
I was pretty speechless folks!
It was so fun having Jenn up here for a few days. We just wish we could've spent more time with her.
On Friday we had our first prenatal exam with an excellent midwife who just passed her national exam! Way to go mom!
Other than that, Nick is playing with a Brazilian guitarist who will be a guest performer at USU. He will do so great as he always does.
Can't wait to see you all at Thanksgiving!
Hart Happenings
The Primary Program was today which was delightful. Afterward I had a load of people come and tell me that "we sure could hear your son singing". Jack just let it all out. The music leader gave the signal for more volume and Jack gave her exactly that. So funny.
We're just enjoying the beautiful fall weather these days. We had a blast indulging in the quintessential autumn activity of apple harvest at the home base. It was fun to climb the trees, toss the rotten apples to the chickens, and break it up with a rigorous game of football. Visiting with Jenn was definitely a highlight as was being there when mom got the news that she passed her test with flying colors! Pretty sure no one doubted that she would, but she was sure relieved when she got the tangible proof that she is oh so brilliant and capable. Go mom!
I went to a book club last night and we discussed Viktor Frankl's book Man's Search for Meaning. I would highly recommend it! I was struck as I was sitting there by how much I enjoyed this monthly activity. I hope you are all able to tap into activities on a regular basis that lift you up, inspire you, and challenge your mind.
The house hunt continues.....
The boys are loving school and are soaking up everything at an alarming rate! I really have to be on my toes to keep up with them.
Sure love you guys and can't wait to be with you all at Thanksgiving!
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