After Conference sessi 
ons on Sunday, Jeff and Nicole made it official. They are looking to a wedding date in May.We think Jeff and Nicole are ideally matched and we thank Brother and Sister Bullock for raising such a fine young man for Nicole.
More Wedding Bells
Ashley now has her engagement ring on her finger, her wedding dress (chosen in August) hangs ready in her room on Spring House Court, the engagement pictures were taken on Saturday, and Wendy has found a caterer. All is on schedule for December 27.
Meanwhile in Minneapolis, Sara and Ian are proceeding with their plans for a February 24 wedding in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Sara has chosen the site for the reception and gotten the invitations printed.
Reed's Baptism
What a wonderful day! Reed celebrated his birthday by entering the waters of baptism. Reed's
More Birthday Celebrations
We have enjoyed a happy birthday season with Sadie's, Hannah's, Michael's, and Reed's birthdays bunched together these past two weeks. On Monday we gathered at the Olsen house for a family party to celebrate with dinner, cake, and presents. Holly topped off the chicken lasagna and Caesar salad with choices of chocolate birthday cake and cheesecake. Yum! Nana is pleased to have Reed as another chocolate lover in the
Another Triathlon and a Big Bike Ride for Brett
Brett has bee
n busy in September with another triathlon and then a bike ride starting in Camarillo, CA to raise money for multiple sclerosis. We applaud his discipline in preparing for and completing these strenuous and worthy accomplishments.
We leave for Oklahoma
On Wednesday, October 15, Dad and Mom leave for Oklahoma to visit Lisa, Brian, Lindsay, Hannah, Ava, Sam, and Maggie. Dad is pretty excited to see the Gladwell family. We plan to drive from Lawton to Dallas on Thursday to see the BYU-TCU football game (and hope the Cougars don't let us down). Dad would enjoy seeing the buffalo in the preserve in Oklahoma and the artillery at Fort Sill but he will be totally content just to be with the five Gladwell grandchildren.
Fall in the Air
Barely a month has passed since our Labor Day picnic at Holly's house when the kids (including Christopher who made some great belly flops) were playing in the sprinkler and the wading pool. This morning, our outside temperature registered at 39 degrees and the mornings and evenings are crisp. The yellow finches are absent from our bird feeder and we choose to believe that they have migrated south rather deserting us for a more attractive or generous feeder elsewhere. Mom made a trip to Baugher's in Westminster for apples and pumpkins and has pulled up the summer annuals to make room for pansies and johnny-jump-ups.
Feeding the missionaries
Last April, Dad made an offer to President Moody to feed the missionaries between sessions of General Conference when October came around. Accordingly, Mom slow roasted ten pounds of beef barbecue, bought rolls and chips, made a big Tex-Mex salad, assembled an oversize fruit tray, and baked brownies. Additionally, Dad (who thought Mom had overdone it on the quantity of food prepared) brought home a box of some of Brother Blasco's cookies to add to the menu. On Saturday, two of our sweet senior sister missionaries offered to contribute to the meal. Mom assured them that we had plenty but these good women went back to their apartment and made two big pots of chicken chili. How much food was left after feeding 14 missionaries, three visitors, President Moody, Mom, and Dad? Not a crumb! What a great priviledge it is to be in the presence of these missionaries.
The Last Word From Dad/Grandpa
Happiness is highly prized and desirable but sometimes elusive. Here I mean more than mere momentary and fleeting pleasure, I mean deep and lasting happiness and joy. There is a big difference between pleasure and happiness.
Many people find momentary pleasure by doing such things a playing a video game, watching a TV program or taking a thrill ride. Happiness is not found in the movie theater or in the gym although pleasure my be found there. True happiness and joy will not, no it cannot be found in these kinds of activities.
For many years I have known a person who often expressed unhappiness with life and was treated for deep depression was an unrelenting part of life. This person seemed to walk around under a cloud of gloom and doom. Nothing went well. Everything and everyone else stood in the way of happiness.
Then one day, this person came to see me and I quickly noticed a new joy I had never seen before. I remarked about how happy the person seemed to be and was told something profound. This person said, "I came to really believe the words of Jesus when he said, 'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light' and I finally decided to live the Gospel and now for the first time in over 20 years I am very happy and life is just wonderful." Once a decision was made to turn to the Gospel, the doom and gloom lifted and instead of a countenance of sadness, there is now a glow of joy and look of sheer happiness. For several years a life which once been miserable, had been transformed into one of unimaginable happiness.
A Book of Mormon prophet said, "Men are, that they might have joy". On the other hand, another said, "Wickedness never was happiness." Joseph Smith said, "Happiness is the object and design of our existence and will be the end thereof if we pursue the path that leads to it, and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, and holiness and keeping all the commandments of God."
Real happiness and joy comes in and through living the Gospel, and in forgetting oneself and by serving our fellowmen and women. I have observed many times that when we really turn to Christ and do these things, our lives are filled with joy. We become truly happy.
ons on Sunday, Jeff and Nicole made it official. They are looking to a wedding date in May.We think Jeff and Nicole are ideally matched and we thank Brother and Sister Bullock for raising such a fine young man for Nicole.More Wedding Bells
Ashley now has her engagement ring on her finger, her wedding dress (chosen in August) hangs ready in her room on Spring House Court, the engagement pictures were taken on Saturday, and Wendy has found a caterer. All is on schedule for December 27.
Meanwhile in Minneapolis, Sara and Ian are proceeding with their plans for a February 24 wedding in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Sara has chosen the site for the reception and gotten the invitations printed.
Reed's Baptism
What a wonderful day! Reed celebrated his birthday by entering the waters of baptism. Reed's
dad performed the baptism, his grandmother Olsen offered the prayer for the service, with his mom giving the talk on baptism, and Nana giving the talk on the Holy Ghost. Reed was then confirmed by his dad with both his Grandpa Olsen and Grandpa Johnson in the circle laying their hands on his head. The presence of both Grandpa and Grandma Olsen as well as many dear teachers, leaders, and friends added to the happiness of the evening.
More Birthday Celebrations
We have enjoyed a happy birthday season with Sadie's, Hannah's, Michael's, and Reed's birthdays bunched together these past two weeks. On Monday we gathered at the Olsen house for a family party to celebrate with dinner, cake, and presents. Holly topped off the chicken lasagna and Caesar salad with choices of chocolate birthday cake and cheesecake. Yum! Nana is pleased to have Reed as another chocolate lover in the
family.
Another Triathlon and a Big Bike Ride for Brett
Brett has bee
n busy in September with another triathlon and then a bike ride starting in Camarillo, CA to raise money for multiple sclerosis. We applaud his discipline in preparing for and completing these strenuous and worthy accomplishments.We leave for Oklahoma
On Wednesday, October 15, Dad and Mom leave for Oklahoma to visit Lisa, Brian, Lindsay, Hannah, Ava, Sam, and Maggie. Dad is pretty excited to see the Gladwell family. We plan to drive from Lawton to Dallas on Thursday to see the BYU-TCU football game (and hope the Cougars don't let us down). Dad would enjoy seeing the buffalo in the preserve in Oklahoma and the artillery at Fort Sill but he will be totally content just to be with the five Gladwell grandchildren.
Fall in the Air
Barely a month has passed since our Labor Day picnic at Holly's house when the kids (including Christopher who made some great belly flops) were playing in the sprinkler and the wading pool. This morning, our outside temperature registered at 39 degrees and the mornings and evenings are crisp. The yellow finches are absent from our bird feeder and we choose to believe that they have migrated south rather deserting us for a more attractive or generous feeder elsewhere. Mom made a trip to Baugher's in Westminster for apples and pumpkins and has pulled up the summer annuals to make room for pansies and johnny-jump-ups.
Feeding the missionaries
Last April, Dad made an offer to President Moody to feed the missionaries between sessions of General Conference when October came around. Accordingly, Mom slow roasted ten pounds of beef barbecue, bought rolls and chips, made a big Tex-Mex salad, assembled an oversize fruit tray, and baked brownies. Additionally, Dad (who thought Mom had overdone it on the quantity of food prepared) brought home a box of some of Brother Blasco's cookies to add to the menu. On Saturday, two of our sweet senior sister missionaries offered to contribute to the meal. Mom assured them that we had plenty but these good women went back to their apartment and made two big pots of chicken chili. How much food was left after feeding 14 missionaries, three visitors, President Moody, Mom, and Dad? Not a crumb! What a great priviledge it is to be in the presence of these missionaries.
The Last Word From Dad/Grandpa
Happiness is highly prized and desirable but sometimes elusive. Here I mean more than mere momentary and fleeting pleasure, I mean deep and lasting happiness and joy. There is a big difference between pleasure and happiness.
Many people find momentary pleasure by doing such things a playing a video game, watching a TV program or taking a thrill ride. Happiness is not found in the movie theater or in the gym although pleasure my be found there. True happiness and joy will not, no it cannot be found in these kinds of activities.
For many years I have known a person who often expressed unhappiness with life and was treated for deep depression was an unrelenting part of life. This person seemed to walk around under a cloud of gloom and doom. Nothing went well. Everything and everyone else stood in the way of happiness.
Then one day, this person came to see me and I quickly noticed a new joy I had never seen before. I remarked about how happy the person seemed to be and was told something profound. This person said, "I came to really believe the words of Jesus when he said, 'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light' and I finally decided to live the Gospel and now for the first time in over 20 years I am very happy and life is just wonderful." Once a decision was made to turn to the Gospel, the doom and gloom lifted and instead of a countenance of sadness, there is now a glow of joy and look of sheer happiness. For several years a life which once been miserable, had been transformed into one of unimaginable happiness.
A Book of Mormon prophet said, "Men are, that they might have joy". On the other hand, another said, "Wickedness never was happiness." Joseph Smith said, "Happiness is the object and design of our existence and will be the end thereof if we pursue the path that leads to it, and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, and holiness and keeping all the commandments of God."
Real happiness and joy comes in and through living the Gospel, and in forgetting oneself and by serving our fellowmen and women. I have observed many times that when we really turn to Christ and do these things, our lives are filled with joy. We become truly happy.
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