We were able to go see Rachel open her mission call.  She is going to Barcelona, Spain.  We are all very excited for her.  We recently have had a few interactions with her where she has opened up a bit.  It has always been a challenge to get her to say a few words to our family, especially Emma.  they were very tight when they were younger but eventually grew apart.  She is a great girl but we have no idea who she is.  Since her High School experience had ended it feels like she is opening a bit more to us.  Lincoln was a challenge too.  Samantha has always been able to be with our family like she belongs.  I have worked on Lincoln for many years and the last few years I've been able to get through but not with Rachel.  That feels like it has been changing.

We have had a weekly call from Mom and dad while they were in Africa.  We have been able to use Skype to video conference.  It has been good to chat.  they have been very interested in how our kitchen has been progressing.  We have a working kitchen now.  We have our appliances installed.  we still need the finish work and back splash.  we are considering tdoing it ourselves or hiring it out.  I'm tired of spending money.

I did not get the job in FILI I was hoping for.  They hired two people how have done the job before.  They had twos pots and hired one of them quickly after they finished interviews.  The other they took 3 weeks to get back to us. After a week of waiting I was told I was still being considered for the job.  It was between me and one other candidate.  The other candidate has had the job before and was currently without a job.  I consider it an act of mercy that I did not get the job.  If he did not get the job he would be unemployed.  I was offered to come to a few sales meeting the have and meet with the manager quarterly.  I guess it is a good sign.

We were able to take Hyrum to the temple for the first time.  We were trying to find a time when everyone could go with us to the temple but the older girls were too busy so Tiffany and I took him on friday after school.  The Jordan River temple was closed for two years for significant renovations so we went to the Oquirrh Mountain temple.  They wanted to make a big deal of the day for Hyrum so they called to see if a member of the temple Presidency was available to talk to him.  They sent the temple matron to talk with Hyrum.  She did a fantastic job.  She shared a story about a temple in Europe and how they have always been very concerned about making sure those going to the temple be dressed and clean when entering the temple.  If they are not prepared they could be sent away.  They noticed a group of men who were a little dirty and unshaven.  the Spirit told them to let these men into the temple.  they handed them temple recommends that were dirty and little dog eared.  They explained that they are in the military and have just landed from being in Afghanistan for many months.  Their temples recommends were on their bodies the whole tour.  They had just landed and felt like they could not wait and came directly from the airport to the temple.  The Temple Patron suggested we always have a recommend and feel some urgency to go to the temple.  Hyrum seemed touched by this.  I was able to baptism him and Tiffany was able to give him a towel when he got out of the water.  We went to Cold Stone when we were done and got some ice cream. 

We took almost the whole family to the BYU game.  BYU v Toledo.  We should have won by a lot but we barley beat them.  It has been a challenge this year.  new coaches, fans upset.  It has been hard being a fan this year.  we took everyone but Emma.  She had a party she wanted go to.  It was a late kick.  the game started at 8:15.  We did not get home until 1:15.  It was fun but I think wea re all paying the price.

We had a fantastic General Conference.  We just finished our kitchen so we spent most of the day loading the cupboards.  We made a tent like we normally do.  Tiffany and Eve made sweet-rolls in our new ovens.  I fixed us breakfast.  We smoked some ribs.  We had our wall of church leaders to post quotes on.  I took Hyrum to Priesthood session.  we sat next to Nate.  Keith and Matt and Dean decided to go some place else for the session.  We went over to Mom and Dads for ice cream.  Carrie, Kim and our family and kids were there.  John and Angela showed up after we got there and visited a bit.  Rachel was very talkative which was great.  Angela cornered her and in Angela's usual way got a bit loud and overbearing.  I hope it didn't chase Rachel away.  Conference was overall a good experience.  Now it is back to the grind.  We will take the next few weeks to watch conference in place of scripture study to try to soak up whatever we missed this weekend.