This is an old page that didn't get posted - here it is now!

Yesterday was Mother's Day!  Thanks to my mom for all she has done for me!  I appreciate her great example and many kindnesses and love over these many years!  I love you, Mom!

Thanks to all for the calls and wishes - I spent most the day sick in bed - such fun!  I even stayed home from work today.  I am feeling a little better tonight, but not well enough to participate in the barbecue going on in the back yard.  I just could not see infecting everyone.  I think I am getting better so quickly from all of your prayers in my behalf.  Thank you !

I do have some more pictures to load, and things to tell about however!  (Of course I do!)

This is Sister Morris and I at the Bishop's Storehouse.  We will be helping there every Wednesday pm, just for a couple of hours, or even just an hour - depending on what there is for us to do.  There was such a wonderful spirit there.  My heart was touched, and I was grateful to be able to serve.  The directors are really wonderful people.  They are Elder and Sister Scoffield.  I will try to remember to get a picture of them.  It's pretty hard to catch them together.  They are always hustling and bustling, trying to get things done.

This is a picture of a sweet lady selling cookies at the Farmer's Market on Friday pm.  We were going to purchase a white chocolate cranberry almond cookie, but she gave it to us free!  I was so touched by the gesture - I got all choked up...  We invited her to come to church with us ~

This is a picture of a woman who was sitting in a corner of an antique shop on the street where the market was.  She is the owner's mother.  Her name is Lily, and she's from NY.  If you can believe it - this woman is 100 years old, and will be 101 in July!  WOW!


This is a picture of my mom's cousin, Dave Ursenbach and his family.  They were so kind to invite us over for dinner on Saturday.  This not all of their family, but those who were able to attend.  Dave's wife, Bunny, is so talented!  She made and gave us crocheted wash cloths, and jar openers, and some of her brownie mix with the recipe so we can make more!  YAY!  They are delicious! 

We also sampled much of hers and their daughter's (Sharlene) kitchen skills with chocolate covered marshmallows, carrot cake with caramel cream cheese frosting, chocolate cake, .... yum!  We also had grilled chicken and beef, salads, garlic bread, and more!  We were stuffed, well fed, and well taken care of! 

Sharlene, Amanda, Curtis, and Pat are Dave and Bunny's children.  Pat was not able to attend.  In the picture is Sharlene (hope I'm spelling it correctly) and her husband, Bud, and their daughter, Rebecca (in front), back by Bunny is Amanda's daughter, Mariah, (the picture was taken after Amanda left for work), (sorry Amanda) and behind Bunny is Curtis.  Thanks to one and all for a great evening!  XOXO!

Today was BEAUTIFUL!!! It didn't get higher than 80-82 degrees!  Oh my!  We were in heaven, I'm sure!  The windows were even shut, the fan wasn't going, and I slept with my comforter on!  Delightful!  If it would stay like this, it would be sooo nice - but people keep telling me it's going to get worse, and I keep whimpering ......

Last Monday, we went to the Garcia home for Family Home Evening.  We had a yummy dinner and Sister Morris and I gave a short lesson about prayer, which was the requested subject from Isabella, the youngest.

The picture is of the whole group.  Sister Garcia's sister, DaMica was there with her 2 children as well.
From left to right:  Anisa (pink shirt), her mom, DaMica, front is RJ, then in the red shirt is DaMica's son, Andrew, then Rose, Isabella on Rose's lap, Shamara (Sister Garcia), Lilly, and Rene ( Brother Garcia).  I hope I am spelling everyone's name correctly!


They are great families and we appreciated being with them.  Shamara has been working with us temporarily at the Employment center.  We played a couple of games - it was fun!  This next picture is a little blurry, I don't know why, but it just shows we were there.



This is a close up of the "girls".  They are beautiful ~

This is RJ.  I had a couple of shots of Andrew, but they were even blurrier than the other group shot.  You could not even tell who it was.  I will need to get another picture of Andrew later.



This is obviously the dog, who kept sneaking out of the dog house.  A boxer, and very friendly.   Sorry puppy - I can't remember your name...

This is a business down the street and around the corner from us. 


The business sells really nice pots, and benches,



and!!! little figures - I bought this little guy! I thought he would match my downstairs bathroom - - - when I get home, of course.

It's bed time - gotta go - I'll finish another day.  Tomorrow is Memorial Day - I hope everyone has a safe and fun day!  Britta, Sister Morris and I are going to the Sequoia National Park tomorrow!  Fun!  Love, Sister Ure

What interesting things happened in Fresno this week?  Let me tell you!

Well – I didn’t go to the office on Monday, barbecue, sick … I already told you about Tuesday … Wednesday’s events were in the last blog too…

Oh - just one thing I want to mention - totally unrelated - 

There are SO MANY islands in the middle of every major road in this town.  You can't drive over them - it's against the law - you have to go right out of parking lots, drive ways, streets, then you have to go to a place where you can turn left, to make a U-turn to get back to where you wanted to go in the first place!  It's like someone has this great fondness for cement in the middle of the road.  Go figure!

Thursday we went to the Temple to do some temple work.  Sister Lydia Rasmussen went with us.  We are spreading the idea of taking people to the temple!  It's Sister Morris's idea.  We invite one person to go with us.  They, in turn, go on their own inviting another person, those 2 invite 2 more!  It just grows and grows!  Like a pedigree chart!  We have reservations to go next Thursday as well.  We aren’t sure who we will invite yet.   It still seems strange to make reservations to attend the temple.  But it’s SUCH a PRETTY temple!  I love it!

Friday we went to a ward function – it was Shamara Garcia’s ward – Shamara has been working part time at the ERSC while looking for work.  She is a very lovely, talented, funny lady with 3 beautiful daughters, and a devoted, kind husband!  I don’t have a picture of them yet, but we are going to teach a FHE lesson at their home Monday night.  I’ll try to remember to take my camera then.  I asked their youngest daughter, Isabella , and there’s Rose and Lilly too!, what she would like to have a lesson on.   She said prayer – so prayer it is!

Back to Friday night – we were invited to a production of Lehi’s Dream.  We started out with Lehi and Nephi telling us their story in the chapel.  Oh!  First, there was a couple, the brother played the piano very well, and his wife sang a beautiful song beautifully – I think they are professionals!  No!  Really!

We then went to a room, dressed up in native costumes of the Nephites (not the Lamanites!) and had a “family picture” taken, Britta, Sister Morris and I.

Next, we went into a room where we had to try and walk on the straight and narrow path, and this was on a 2 X 4 that was on its side – so 2” – okay, for all you builders 1-5/8” …….(or is it 1-3/4”?)  Anyway – we were holding onto a rope that didn’t give a lot of support.  Then we crossed it again, the rope had been switched out with … guess what… AN IRON ROD!  Of course it was much easier.  No I don’t have any pictures of these things… I didn’t even THINK about my camera until the very end.

We went into a room, where someone talked of what all these things meant, and what we needed to do to stay strong.  Following that was the mist of darkness.  We had to walk through a couple of rooms that were dark with glow sticks on the tables pointing the way.  We had to look for brightest light.  There was fog in the rooms and everything!   I had Isabella with me, as I asked her to hold my hand so I wouldn’t be scared.  She helped me all the way through! 

We finally made our way out of that but found ourselves, very next thing, going by the great and spacious building!  The “stage” scenery was pretty amazing ~ the cast was all decked out in different sets – some pretended to be drinking, some were playing video games and spending too much time on the computer or staring blindly at their TV, then some were going after the things of the world, like clothing, cars, jewelry, etc., etc. 

We finally “made it” back - into the chapel.  There was a pretty elaborate paper tree on the stand with the very desirable fruit.  Lehi, Nephi, and the Bishop spoke about what had transpired and just how important it is to hold to the iron rod.  Then the tree fell over – all the little kids screamed…  it was pretty funny. 

Then!  The fire alarm went off – remember the fog from the mist of darkness!!!!  Yup – it set off the alarm!  The Bishop went out to have someone try and stop the fire department, and the tree fell over again – you guessed it – little kids screamed – the director just put her head on her hands… 

The Bishop came back and said he would quickly pray to end, as the alarms are blasting, then asked everyone to exit quickly and calmly – we walked right outside to taste the delicious fruit – white chocolate covered apples and strawberries – YUM! 

THEN!  The fire truck came speeding into the parking lot, sirens blaring, lights flashing!!!!   You all are welcome to  LOL     LOL     LOL  !!!

I REMEMBERED MY CAMERA AT THAT POINT!  It was dusk when the firefighters arrived, but I used the “all available light” setting on my camera for a couple of shots, so it looks lighter than it was.

Someone said – I think it was Shamara – “Well – the Spirit of God like a Fire IS Burning!”




Though the alarm and the fire truck made this a night to remember, I was really impressed with ALL the work that had gone into this, and the Spirit that was felt.  How blessed we are to know that we ARE sons and daughters of a Heavenly Father who knows us by name and loves us perfectly.  Isn’t the Gospel of Jesus Christ great!

We went out for ice cream after that - whip cream, nuts - what a super night!

I am not even going to say if I'm late getting to bed or not. 

Today was really pretty.  It was about 92 I think.  I have been trying to get a copy of my car key made, but have been unsuccessful - I almost have it, but the buttons don't work.  The key does open the doors manually, and it does start the car, so that's the good news!  That took about 4 hours of my day waiting for that.  Not a good way to use the Lord's time.

We tried to go see the end of the Fresno "leg" of the pro bike race, but didn't get there in time. I have some pictures, but I don't know who they are ...

All of these photos are from the "crew pit" area - as you can see, there were motor homes and cars, etc.  I have no idea about any of these things, but hey!  they are supposedly famous!

Later, we went to help out in the Bishop's storehouse, but there wasn't that much for us to do, so Sister Scoffield showed us how to keep tabs of the orders on the computer. That was kind of fun ~

Monday we had a barbecue here.  I was still feeling sick, so I did not get too close to anyone.  I had stayed home from the office.  I was introduced to everyone, then intentionally went to my room.  Sister Morris brought me dinner.   It was good food too!  Sister Lydia Rasmussen took the picture, so I'll add one with her in it; she's in the pink top.  They are all really nice people!

We went to a farewell fireside last night.  It was for missionaries going home, and those that wanted to say goodbye to them.  Sister Morris was asked to go give a condensed version of the workshop to the 4 Elders and 1 Sister returning home.  She did a really good job.  The person who usually does it was with his family, as his daughter was having a baby!  Cute little girl after a couple of boys.  I think Brother Addington said that was grandchild #17 for him.  Anyway, we went to the Mission Home, as that is where the leaving missionaries were.  Sister Gelwix asked if we had had dinner, and we hadn't, so she pulled out leftovers for us, and we ate there.  Then we were invited to attend the fireside. 

A darling young woman (10-12 year old) sang the song "I Heard Him Come".  She did a really good job.  I wondered, somewhat, being so young, if she knew the real meaning of the words.  When she came to the part about Jesus being nailed to the cross - she could not sing for her tears....  I guess I had my answer.  I was blessed, when set apart, to see the testimonies of others.  I have seen quite a few people, so far, who have great testimonies.  It is definitely a blessing!  It was a great meeting.  I was happy to have been included.  Nite!

Hello to everyone and Happy Day to all the women out there!  It was a scorcher today, almost 100 deg - and all people could say to me was - Just wait - it will get worse!  What kind of thing is that to say to someone who is heat challenged I ask you?

Today Sister Morris and I went to help a friend of our landlady, Britta, pack up her house.  We had just a few hours, but we boxed up pictures, dishes, and things like that.  We met some nice people!  Britta's friend's name is Sandy.  This is a picture of her ~

Yes - we are wearing our exercise clothes!  It was either that or our jeans!  Do you know how hot it is????

I received an email at the office from Dan on Friday saying he wouldn't be able to come for a concert he was planning to attend, as it would cost way too much money.  We were going to meet somewhere between San Francisco and here, so I was disappointed, but Dan was very, very sweet and sent  me flowers for Mother's Day, which arrived yesterday after work which softened the disappointment.  They were shipped closed, but have really started to open up and are so pretty!
These are pictures of them - the last ones are today's pictures.

The day lillies are the same kind that Jen had in her wedding.  They are very fragrant.  It irises are a lovely shade of purple.

We went to the Farmer's Market in Clovis, just north of where we live, last night.  It was fun to walk around and look at and sample the fresh produce!  We bought some orange juice that was fabulous! and cookies, and cheese, cherries, and some kind of weird looking vege - (jk - it was swiss chard).  I may even try it, who knows?  I'm on a mission, I can eat weird food (which is what I tell my companion when she tries new recipes).  My sons all ate weird food.  Thomas ate bat pizza!   Hopefully Sister Morris won't want to try that!  Here's a picture of the street crowds ~ (looks like I was caught mid-chew, but I don't know what I was chewing on! (maybe a sample of the delicious strawberries or something ...)

It's just like a town fair atmosphere.  There were musicians playing on a stage, and people sitting around in their lawn chairs listening ~ 

This is taking forever to load the pictures.  I will post this and finish tomorrow!  I hope you all are having a great day!  Love, Sister Ure



Happy Birthday to Karla! and more ~

Happy Birthday Karla!  I hope you had a good day!  I'll place this balloon in for you!  It was given to me by Sister Schofield.  She and her husband are serving as directors of the Bishop's storehouse in the back of our office.  It was for Tom's birthday, but it's more important to celebrate those with us!

Here are the pictures of the sign of the Fresno Temple.  We enjoyed being there again, and so soon, was an added bonus!

Too much sun, but never too much SON!

These are some really bad pictures of the YM/YW at their play.  I had people complain behind me about using flash photography, so I stopped before getting any good shots.  :P

This is a picture of the building we work in.

This is inside our office; the area is set up for teaching for the very 1st time, part of the Career Workshop!  It was scary at first, second, and third, but then I was just worried about the amount of time I was taking and covering everything I was suppose to.  I didn't, so better luck next time!  I'm glad we don't get fired for not doing everything perfectly!

This is, sort of, a picture of the Bishop's Storehouse where Elder and Sister Schofield serve.

This is the Fresno State Institute where we are taking the self employment workshop.





Here are a couple of pictures of the balloons I sent up to Tom on his birthday.  There was a Hawaiian shirt balloon at the dollar store!  I thought it hilarious, as he had such a collection, and it seemed fitting to add one more!  He would be 58 this year ~   I also tried doing a "Coke Salute".  I shook up this bottle, but I should have used a can, as it took too long to take the lid off.  You see the result!

Tom's "Elixir of happiness".

 Yes, I went home and changed!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AGAIN KARLA!!  SORRY I MISSED YOU ON THE PHONE!

Gotta go!  Love, Sister Ure