Calgary temple open-house with Ammon

October, 2012, Ammon joined us for a tour of the Calgary temple before it was dedicated.  It is located in NW Calgary, on a hill overlooking the city.  As befits "The House of the Lord", its construction is of the highest quality.

We arrived at the temple at 7:30 in the morning.  I love this photo of Calgary taken from the temple hill; looking SE.

The temple sign at the roadside says:

"THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST

OF LATTER DAY SAINTS

CALGARY ALBERTA TEMPLE"

It was special for the three of us together to view the temple, inside and out. 

Here is part of my journal entry for that day:  "Liked the tour,  much like the tour of the slightly smaller Brigham City temple.  The tour started in the chapel 100 yards from the temple.  We first viewed an excellent video about temples and more about the history of the church in southern Alberta.  Our guide gave explanations in each room.  We stayed for an hour in the cultural hall after with cookies and water, watching the modestly dressed people, talking about the temple, and filling out Comment cards.

The walkway from the chapel to the temple was covered for an excellent reason - our protection from the cold winds.  There were many volunteers to help and answer questions.

Before entering the temple we stood at a rack for a volunteer to slip booties on our shoes, to keep the interior of the temple clean.  Once inside, everything was quiet, peaceful and orderly, as we were led from one beautiful room to another.  In each area our tour guide answered questions and explained the purpose of the room: the baptismal font below ground, the topmost celestial room with its high ceiling, instruction rooms and the sealing room where  couples are married for all eternity.

We ended the tour in the cultural hall of the church where we mostly sat quietly and contemplated the heavenly peaceful feelings we experienced in the temple.  Temples do bring us closer to our Heavenly Father.

Back in Ammon's apartment we had fun with McKinley, age 16.

What to do with smooth clean road?

What would you do with a shinny, new, clean, smooth road?  Our neighbour boys know.  And they can zip in and out of our parking pad once again too.  Their exhuberance reflects our joy at having our street back.  I like them better than the cars that have picked up speed driving past.  From Summer, 2012. 

Gubler Reunion in Peachland, Canada, August 3-4, 2012

July and August, 2012 saw the Gubler Family gathered around Peachland for their bi-annual reunion.  The following photos are not representative of who attended or of our activities, but nine months later I figure it is better to post these photos than none at all.

Ammon is Havie's favourite uncle, or is Havie Ammon's favourite niece?

Carroll's sister,GayeLynne and her husband, Dallan, stayed in our home.  We treasure our picture books and love to show them off.  This is one that Sarah put together for us.

 

Tali loves playing on her dad, Dave, and getting cousins to join her.

Back at the house, table tennis was a favourite.

  
The creek at the back (and down) from  our property is always a cool place to play and pose.

  

Starting back left:  me, Richard, Darius, Ammon.  middle row:  Tali, Sianne, Donna (and daughter), Valorie, Jenny, Arrianna, Keziah, GayeLynne, Dallan.  front row:  Sydell, Dave, Micah, Christopher

Yoga was one of the popular activities of the reunion.  Class led by Amelia's boyfriend, Quoc.  Food was the most popular, followed by beach activities, kayaking, talent show, scavenger hunt, and spontaneous gym activities.  Last - waiting forever for the bats to appear from the old school attic.

   

Javan made his health drink while Hensie tossed the salad.

Darius and Micah are extreme mountain bike enthusiasts. They brought their bikes to take advantage of great trails.  Micah is receiving first aid for gashes on his leg.  It doesn't hurt.  It's just part of the sport. 

Like peas in a pod, Tali and Sianne love books too.
Keziah takes lessons.  Yeah.

Micah and Havie.  Cousins had fun together.
The reunion also brought Americans to enjoy our lakes, streams, and the Canadian Rockies.  Most of all we enjoyed being together.  Until we meet again in 2014 in Idaho, eh.

Isabella, age 3

Isabella, sometimes called Bella, thrives on books, attention, and being cute.  Flanked by her mother and grandmother, she delighted in having pictures taken.  When she conversed with me at length on the telephone yesterday she asked to see pictures.  Isabella, this is for you.

Isabella loved showing Grandma things - like the breadmaker, well used in this home.

She loved twirling around with Grandma on the kitchen floor.

Bears come in all sizes.  Snuggled up close to her is Roar, her little lion.

Grandma is a journal writer.  Thank you Isabella for letting Mommy and Grandma talk.

Aren't we fortunate to have so many cute kids in our family!

Pieces of apple help pass the time while Mommy braids my very fine hair.

Isabella can be serious too.

One of Grandpa's favourite activities is to read with his grandchildren.  It's fun.  Snuggles are good too.

Notice the painting on the wall.  It is the Portland temple where Sarah and Rob were married.  That makes Isabella an eternal grand child.

Time to go.

Rebecca graduates from Simon Fraser University

Congratulations to Rebecca on her graduation from Simon Fraser University.  The graduation of Rebecca from university is worthy of this blog going back to October fourth, 2012 to note this most worthy achievement.  That day represents many hours of study, writing and effort to meet the grad requirements.  It also represents learning, discipline, and sacrifice.  Of 71 photos on my camera, enjoy these few.

The graduating students entered the open air grad area in their Grand March.  A covey of bagpipers led them in and in this photo are standing on the sides.

We arrived early for the afternoon ceremony, but not as early as most others.  We had to sit at the back.












                                                                                                                                                                                                             After the long time of the ceremonies there was plenty of time to take more photos.  Introducing the one and only - John, the encourager.

Mom and Dad, the proud.

The university has many picturesque spots for the hundreds of cameras.

The new restaurant of choice where we celebrated, and ate pizza.

Two sisters joined in the celebrations with much joy for Rebecca.

Rebecca majored in English and Sociology.  She loves her job helping the handicapped.

Rebecca
All the best to you.  We love you.

Pickleball -- A New Passion

Pickleball – A New Passion

            Ken was the first person I told at church about my latest activity.

            “Pickleball?  What do you do, bat a pickle around?”

            “No, Pickles was the name of the dog that chased the ball when the game was being created in 1967 in California.”

            “So what is it?”

            “It’s the fastest growing sport, in the whole world, I think. (I’d spent over two hours researching this on the internet but facts quickly disappear from my mind these days.)  The game is played on a badminton court, but a little smaller, with a net at the height of a tennis net, with a hard paddle just a little larger than a table tennis paddle, a whiffle ball, and with scoring most similar to badminton.”

            “Who plays?  What makes this game so special?”

            “In the Okanagan Valley most players are 55 plus.  It appeals to people like us because the game isn’t quite as fast as the games it was derived from and it doesn’t cost much.  Paddles are provided at the Peachland Community Center where I play with between ten and eighteen others.  It’s lots of fun.”

            “Give me a phone call because I forget, but I’ll go with you.”

            I’m happy.  I have been looking for something fun to get me off the couch.  Table tennis has been my favourite sport ever since my parents bought a table when I was twelve years old.  Some of those skills are transferring over to this new sport.  The women even congratulate me on a few shots. 

            Every activity has a down side.  This is no exception.  Two weeks ago after my first two hour session of playing pickleball I thought I would never be able to walk down the stairs again – not even to my beloved man-cave where I enjoy my wood burning stove, computer and TV.  I would stop at the top of the stairs to ponder if going down was worth the agony of antagonising my aching muscles.  Thankfully, after two more sessions, the stairs are no more painful than hobbling on the level.  A $70 paddle is on the shopping list.  I’ll play even better.  Do I dare dream of playing with the better players?

            I have no illusions that this new sport will ever be my claim to fame, but it is getting me out of the house having fun instead of getting depressed watching too much TV while  eating chocolate covered peanuts.  I wonder, is pickleball included in the B.C. Games?

            What am I learning from this new burst of activity?  In spite of sore muscles, I feel better emotionally.  Just as I taught people in the Life Skills Program, physical activity is necessary to overcome depression.  Instead of depressing thoughts, I went to bed thinking of the helpful tips I was given by experienced players: don’t stand in the kitchen (the area by the net) or you lose a point, in the dead zone in the middle of the court the ball is difficult to handle it when it lands at your feet so stand forward or back, concentrate on returning the ball instead of any fancy placements or spins, stay back when your partner serves because the ball must bounce when it is returned to your side before you return it the first time, and best of all, “You are playing so well.  Is this really your first time?”

            Amelia, my fitness daughter in Vancouver, will be relieved to know about my activity.  During her Christmas visit she said, “Just as you give us advice for our spiritual well-being, I’m concerned about your physical well-being.”  My wife Carroll is concerned too.  I have to listen to her because she goes to Curves and yoga several times a week.  As soon as my muscles stop protesting we will all be happy. 

The $3 drop in fee at the Peachland Community Center is an average cost.  Takes me 14 minutes to drive there.

The yellow lines mark off four courts.
We play doubles so 16 play at one time.
Those waiting to play rotate in at the end of a game.  First side to win 11 points, with a two point lead, wins.  

I like how everyone rotates their play and partner so we end up playing almost everyone after we've played for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.  I usually went three times a week.  

   

Olive, in yellow, had a hip replacement two years ago.  She has a deceptively strong serve.

The rules of the game and the hollow  plastic ball with holes called a whiffle ball, make for a slower game, suitable for all ages.  I still like to slam the ball though.  In this photo I'm just concentrating on returning the ball.

At the end of the game we all touch paddles as a way of saying, "good game; good fun."