Dear Family,
I can't believe this is the last week of May! This month just flew by! I understand that members of the family took my dad to the cemetery to decorate Mother's grave, just as he has so lovingly done for the past 17 years. Prior to that, he and Mother went together to decorate family graves and always made sure everyone had flowers on their graves. I remember seeing my Grandmother Rigby do this for so many years. What a beautiful tradition and way of honoring family members so much!
Tuesday, May 21st - Since we were going to be out the next day for Zone Conference, our associates surprised me by decorating my desk and bringing lots of food for my birthday! Gpa Georga had bought a beautiful cake (and brought ice cream) and killed two birds with one stone by including our anniversary at the same time on the cake!
Wednesday, May 22nd - Yes, it was my birthday and one of the nicest I have ever had! In addition to a wonderful Zone Conference (where I had to play for one of the Sister Missionaries who sang, plus I had to play a piano solo), we had a great lunch where all the Seniors sang Happy Birthday, and again, and Gpa George bought two more big cakes and ice cream for dessert. In addition, I LOVED hearing from so many of you through texts, emails, cards, calls, pictures, posts, and all the other ways you made my birthday so special! Thanks from the bottom of my heart.
And finally, the best part of the day was the video I received from my sister-in-law, Denise, who recorded my dad telling me Happy Birthday and telling me how proud he was of George and me. You never tire of hearing that from a parents no matter what your age! Then he told me he was looking forward to hearing from us about our mission--at the Christmas party! That really choked me up. Then, they gave him ice cream to celebrate my birthday, which he LOVED!
Walking into the foyer of our apartment house, I saw the beautiful bushes in bloom, which just added to my birthday!
And finally, the best part of the day was the video I received from my sister-in-law, Denise, who recorded my dad telling me Happy Birthday and telling me how proud he was of George and me. You never tire of hearing that from a parents no matter what your age! Then he told me he was looking forward to hearing from us about our mission--at the Christmas party! That really choked me up. Then, they gave him ice cream to celebrate my birthday, which he LOVED!
Also, I had the most wonderful talk with my dad on my birthday. It means so much to me when he tells me he loves me!
So happy that Kevin and Alison took the opportunity to go visit my dad in the Assisted Living Center, along with other family members. He was struggling breathing, but was thrilled for the visits. It meant so much to him and definitely will never be forgotten by Kevin and Alison.
Having all these pictures of my mother in his room made it feel more like home to my dad!
Saturday, May 25th - Today was our Grandson, Gavin's birthday We surely LOVE our Gavi who is always so much fun to be around! It makes me smile just remembering how many times he wanted to show us his missing teeth--I think half of his mouth had no teeth all at once! He LOVES sports and has even been on a jumping rope team in his school. I LOVE how he loves to try new things!
For our P-Day Adventure, we went to Friedberg, Germany, where we had an Elvis sighting! Elvis Presley served in the U.S. Army from March 1958 to March 1960 and was allowed to stay in a hotel when he came rather than on base, later moving to a house in Bad Nauheim about 20 mins. away from the base. While Beverly and Joyce were here, we got to see the house where he stayed. Gpa George and I wanted to see the Army Base where he was assigned. It has now been closed since 2007, but it was fun to see the monument they have put up of Elvis in their round-about, reminding those who still remember Elvis that he was a little part of Germany, too.
We, also, visited a couple of little towns close by since Gpa George had a sprained ankle--I think too many cobblestones without the proper shoes on! Anyway, it is getting better and I'm so glad it isn't swollen anymore!
Monday, May 27th - Gpa George and I have been busily trying to get our presentation ready, since we leave for London on Thursday to train a new AAA there. We will be gone until Sunday night. We have a lot to pack into those few days! In addition, we now need to do training to two stakes in Rome, replace a AAA in Milan, and also one in Portugal. We, also, need to train an Area Seventy in Spain . There is so much to do before we leave, I can't believe it! We are just taking it a day at a time according to how Grandpa Rigby is doing. We have been so grateful for his continued good health, but we are certainly gauging everything around him and not planning too far ahead. We are just leaving everything up to the Lord's timing, and praying that everything will work out for the best.
A BIG SHOUT-OUT to our grandson, Parker, for getting engaged to a wonderful young lady named Lauren Hunt! We are so excited for them! She is such a beautiful young lady, who is, also, a returned missionary. Their wedding date is planned for August 3rd in the Payson Temple. With our Copeland Family Reunion on July 30th through August 2nd in St. George, hopefully everyone can stay around for the wedding and reception. I understand their reception will be held in the Nu-skin Office Building in Provo. They will be sending out invitations, I am sure, soon. We can't wait to meet Lauren!
A couple more observations I want to mention:
If you bought a remembrance at every country you went to, there would be no room to bring them home, but where would you put them when you got home? Years ago, because of watching John and Alison do this, we started collecting magnets from different countries and special places we visit. We are getting quite the collection just since we've left home on this mission.
Today, while walking through the warehouse, we noticed furniture that has come in for the temple here in Friedrichsdorf that should be opening in September of this year--sadly, after we leave for home
Each time we go out for a drive, George points out the many jet streams in the sky--it is always just filled with them! It really makes an interesting pattern that we love to see!
We send much love to everyone! Gma Laura
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