"Pray and keep ploughing!"

Grandpa Harm passed away one week before Thanksgiving. I was shocked. He took a turn for the worst when he broke his hip 2 weeks before passing.  I couldn't be there for the funeral. I was heart broken and worried about Grandma. In talking to mom and dad about how Grandma was doing I decided to make a trip sooner rather than later to spend some time with her.

Dan's new and crazy busy position at work isn't official until December 12th so when he found a great price on a direct flight we booked it immediately giving me 3 days out in Utah (Dec.7-11). Unfortunately sickness and the flu have been all around us! Multiple families at church are sick and the kids have come home telling about who threw up in school for days. Dan and I have been praying so fervently that we don't get sick with a trip to Utah planned and his demands at work! Of course the night before I flew out Abby was up vomiting. Dan had to take the time off work since we didn't want to spread the germs to friends lined up to babysit. I prayed and washed my hands until they were sore. I made it out and back from Utah without getting sick. Tender mercy!

Time flew by, like it always does. I enjoyed a girls day out shopping with mom and Emily. We ate out, shopped, and they spoiled me. I got my hair colored, would have spent 3x the amount in good ol Maryland. Emily and Ben have worked hard on the addition to their home, it was nice to actually see it in person. I was able to see Aimee, Emily and Ben, and Steve and kids and Mark. I met Hannah who is only 3 months younger than Aubree. It will be fun to let those two become cousin buddies.

I was able to visit with Grandma a couple of times. I sure love her. Emily and Aimee came with me and we enjoyed just listening to Grandma reminisce about her childhood and parents. I learned that Grandma's aunt fed her lots of strawberries one Summer, so much so that she got so sick of them. I love that her dad called her Jim-boy. I didn't know how her father died but learned about the tragic circumstances. He was out at Church Rock when he fell from his horse and I think broke his back. Unfortunately he was left by some people, who could have helped him, for hours before help finally came.

I wish and will pray that she will feel companionship from loved ones who have passed but hopefully can be near. She is an amazing women who deserves peace. Since grandpa's passing she said she wakes in the morning and thinks "It's a beautiful world and I'm a part of it. What part am I going to be?" I love that. Even when life is so hard we can see the beauty around us (Grandpa would be proud!) and realize that we have a choice to add to it.

I really wish I could be closer. It was a great trip and one I"ll always cherish. I am grateful I've got the example of Grandma.

Aubree's new hat.

Jacob and the Priesthood

It happened! Jake is now a Deacon and has the priesthood. We specifically went down to South Carolina over Thanksgiving to have family around and help ordain Jake. Even though I will always remember what felt like torture on my mama ears to hear Aubree's constant crying,  it was a sweet memory I'll always cherish. So grateful and proud to sit on that front porch of Grandma Greats mobile home watching as Cris, Uncle Lee, Uncle Wayne and Uncle Herald joined Dan to ordain Jacob.

The Wednesday before his first Sunday passing the sacrament the deacon president took him into the chapel and explained what they do. That one on one instruction really helped calm nerves and I sure appreciated it! Jake looked great in his suit (though when he passed the sacrament he wanted to blend in with the other boys and didn't wear his suit coat).  I watched him, being a little nervous myself but mostly proud. I saw Dan tear up on the stand as he looked out at Jacob. And then Jake gave me a huge grin when he came to sit down with us after. Phew!

On our way home from church I asked Jake how it went? He said the Bastian girls kept waving to him as he passed off the tray, he just smiled back. He teared up as he told me that he felt Heavenly Father had answered his prayer. He was so nervous that he said a prayer for help. Though his hands shook a bit with nerves he did a great job and felt the spirit. I think he had a great time in young mens today too. He came home and immediately went to work on preparing the lesson he was asked to teach in two weeks.

Funny side not- Dan has talked to Jacob about his new sacred responsibility quite  a bit. One of the things he told Jake was that he should hand off the tray and then turn, looking the other direction. He explained that taking the sacrament is a personal matter between that person and the Lord and so if he ever notices that someone doesn't take the sacrament he is to keep it to himself. Well, Dan said he watched as Jacob robotically handed off the tray and then turned away each time. I think he's got it!

Thanksgiving and Jake's Ordination

 Aubree HATES the car, and we don't use the word hate in our house! The thought of 20 hours in the car with a screaming child was almost enough to make us cancel our trip south. But we love our family and wanted to take this chance to see them. So, we left on Thanksgiving Day and drove to Hollie and Cris's to break up the trip. They are always so welcoming and I love their home! The drive down was a little bit better than the drive home. We left to drive home at about 1pm after Jake was ordained on Sunday. Aubree cried constantly. Really, I'm not exaggerating. I spent most of the time in the middle seat holding her which was so not safe but our sanity was on the line. As Aubree screamed louder Dan drove faster. We made it, had a great trip, and won't be driving more than the 15 minutes to church for months now! I took Aubree to the doctor on Monday morning and she had a double ear infection-- no wonder she cried for everyone but me, didn't sleep well at all, and hated the car. This is her 3rd ear infection and she's only 5 months old.

Highlights of the trip:
                     1. "Thanksgiving" lunch with all the family thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Larry.
                     2.  Spending time with Rhonda and Lee who are always so loving and supportive.
                     3.  Dan and Bonnie took the kids on a walk through the woods with a fun stop to see
                          Bill and Lindle.
                     4.  Hollie put together a fun Bingo game with prizes for the kids.
                     5.  Rootbeer Floats with Grandma Riley.
                     6.  Lots of golf cart driving/riding.
                     7. Beautiful weather.
                     8. Yummy food. Always.
                     9. Jake getting the priesthood with family all around!
                    10. Time with family we love!

 Lee holding Aubree and Rhonda holding Amelia