THANKSGIVING @ WHISTLER, BC

WHISTLER HAS ALWAYS BEEN A FAVORITE OF OUR AND THIS YEAR WAS NO DIFFERENT. WE GOT AWAY FOR THANKGIVING AND ENJOYED A PREVIEW OF WHAT THE OLYMPIANS WILL EXPERIENCE AS THEY ATTEND THE WINTER OLYMPICS. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL ON THE TWO DAYS WHEN THE SUN CAME OUT AND WE WERE ABLE TO ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL WHITE SNOW ON THE MOUNTAIN. IT WAS SPECTACULAR. WHISTLER HAS RECORD SNOWFALL THIS YEAR ESPECIALLY FOR NOVEMBER. IT WAS ESPECIALLY FUN TAKING THE NEW GONDOLA WHICH SWEEPS YOU FROM ONE PEAK TO THE NEXT WITHOUT EVER GOING TO THE BOTTOM.

WE WILL MISS YOU SANDY

SANDY BENTLEY

The first time I met Sandy Bentley I was greeted at her front door by a long dark haired gypsy looking witch woman with a southern accent. Needless to say she didn’t introduce herself as Sandy. Talk about theatrics, she convinced all of us that we had been transformed deep into the south while she hypnotically lead us along into her lair of Halloween trickery. Sandy Bentley truly was our favorite drama queen. Who wouldn’t want to be friends with such a fun creative person? Luckily I became one.

I will never forget a camping trip we took with the Bentleys. As most of you know I love the outdoors, but sleeping in a tent isn’t quite my cup of tea in enjoying the great outdoors and I’m sure Sandy felt the same way. However finding ourselves early in our careers without much money we vacationed by tent. One such outing was shared with the Bentleys over the 4th of July. It has always been understood living in the northwest you head east over the 4th of July if you want to soak up the sun. Naturally we headed to Sun Lakes. It sounded like a perfect place coming from gray and soggy Seattle so off we went gong ho with kids in tow as well as our boats. It was a picture perfect day until evening came and a great wind and dust storm came up and blew our tents over. I will never forget laughing so hard was we were trying to hang onto the tents while our husbands rapidly tried to secure the stakes back in place so we could keep our shelters in place, let alone the kids safe. I think that may have been my last camping trip…..

We all have milestones in our lives that are fun and rewarding and Sandy made my 40th birthday just that. She was the toast and host of the party. She had a song for everything and she wrote one for me turning 40. I have a copy of this and it will always bring a smile to my heart when I think back on that evening and remember the star who stole the show.

The Bentleys were the Ken and Barbie of the ward with good looks and four beautiful children. Sandy was not only beautiful on the outside but beautiful on the inside as she invested time in developing her children’s talents and sharing her talents within the community. She told me last year that she had been committed to a mental hospital where she felt people had conspired against her because of her belief in her Mormon faith. She knew then that she had to stand up and show that she believed in Christ because she could not deny her faith so she started singing ‘Amazing Grace’ in the foyer and had the entire hospital chiming in as they sang along. Can’t you just see her? It was an experience she said she would never forget. Nor will I. I could just see my friend stand and defend her faith with the God given talent she had been blessed with.

“Who can find a virtuous woman for her price is far above rubies?” Sandy Bentley is what I think of when I think of that scripture. She made us laugh and her influence will be felt in the years to come. Her memory for good will never be forgotten for ‘many daughters have done virtuously, but thou (Sandy), excellest them all.” Proverbs 31: 10 & 29.

You’ll always be my friend, Love you!
Sheila Fischer

MEMORIES IN THE NORTHWEST

It is remarkable how fast time flys as well as things that never stay the same. We had a wonderful visit with Niki's family on Orcas Island last weekend. It had been exactly ten years ago when we spent time together at the same resort, Rosairio, on Orcas Island. Unbeknownst to us at the time did we know that we'd be visiting there again that same weekend, at the same location ten years later, and with our first grandchild. It was a great time had by all. We played with Casch, ate too much and hiked extra hard to wear it off.

MT Constitution, Orcas Island July 24, 1999

MT Constitution 2009, Ten years Later

July 24, 1999 Rosario, Orcas Island

July 24, 2009 Ten Years Later

CUTEST LITTLE BOY EVER

This is the cutest boy. He looks like a cherib in this picture

ALL IS SAFELY GATHERED IN

This has been a busy weekend. Since we can't move we might as well stock up the wood pile. We were able to get a lot of wood for the winter. Can you say aerobics on steriods! It was sweat equity kind of weekend. With these heating reserves, soon we''ll be safely gathered in!

GRANMA GET AWAY

This was a great get away with my grandson and married kids on the side. He has changed since I last saw him even though it has only been 5 weeks. He clapps his hands and laughs so much. It fun to interact with him at this stage, although I will say I'm glad I'm not starting all over at this age with new little ones. I'm exhausted and I only spent 3 nights with them....Until next time, bon voyage!!!

Life without grandchildren would be like the beach without the sunshine. Believe me, I need sunshine. I love my children and am grateful to cherish a new grandson into the mix. I miss you Casch!

SURVIVORS CLUB

Listening to the radio this week I was intrigued with the topic entitled the 'Survivors Club'. The commentator used his hour to discuss the need to follow simple steps to survive the economic downturn. As I listened to this I was reminded of the talk from Elder Wirthlin's October Conference address, entitled, Come What May and Love it. In his talk he gave 4 steps to react to adversity which will help lead us toward times of growth and happiness:

1. Learn to Laugh "The next time you're tempted to groan, you might try to laugh instead. It will extend your life and make the lives of all those around you more enjoyable'.
2. Seek for the Eternal With an eternal perspective we can take great comfort as 'the very moments that seem to overcome us with suffering are those that will ultimately suffer us to overcome'. Look to Christ and Live.
3. The Principle of Compensation "The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with the tears of rejoicing and gratitude."
4. Trust in the Father and the Son "He who descended below all things will come to our aid. He will strengthen us in our weakness and fortify us in our distress. He will make weak things become strong"

"Adversity, if handled correctly, can be a blessing in our lives. We can learn to love it. As we seek for humor, seek for the eternal perspective, understand the principle of compensation, and dray new to our heavenly Father, we can endure hardship and trial."

Today after reading an address given by President Hinckley at BYU I came across a portion that was timely then as it is today,

"We are experiencing a serious economic downturn. You read of thousands of layoffs. This may be a difficult season for you. You worry much about your personal affairs. You worry about money. You worry about marriage. You worry about the future.There may be some lean days ahead for some of you. There may be troubles. None of us can avoid them all. Do not despair. Do not give up. Look for the sunlight through the clouds. Opportunities will eventually open to you. I finished the University of Utah in 1932. It was the very bottom of the most serious depression of modern times. The unemployment rate in Utah was then more than 30 percent. There was much of cynicism. It was a time when men stood in soup lines, and some committed suicide in despair. But somehow we managed to eat and keep going. Opportunities gradually opened, first here and then there. In 1982, I spoke at the fiftieth anniversary of my graduating class. I met there men and women who had become prominent in many undertakings. They had begun almost in poverty. But they kept climbing upward. They had become leaders. They had looked for the positive in life, praying with faith and working with diligence.

No matter the circumstances, I encourage you to go forward with faith and prayer, calling on the Lord. You may not receive any direct revelation. But you will discover as the years pass that there has been a subtle guiding of your footsteps in paths of progress and great purpose."

That address was given, September 9, 2001, two days before 911. It could have been give today concerning our economic down turn. The message given then is as applicable then as it is so today. Opportunities will come in time. Now is the time to be focused and faithful. We must be positive, faithful and diligently working to solve our problems. I'm grateful to have the truthfulness of the Gospel that makes it all possible. Through it we can all become survivors.

WE'RE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD....

With all of the doom and gloom in the headlines and the cold grey of winter we decided to escape to the Magic Kingdom and make our dreams come true.....at least help us forget our present worries......It may be our last HOO-RAH for a while with the state of the economy and national debt spiralling out of control...might as well spend while we can....

Anyway we loved the sun, views, and especially our children...What more could we ask for.

Home Improvement Continues

Home improvements continue despite our opportunity to list the house this year. Due to the downward economy we are hoping for a house rental option instead. It will certainly make a nice rental if anyone is so inclined. Send them our way. Check it out!

Colorado Dreaming

I love the red rocks. Last weekend we were Colorado viewing prospective home sites. I wish we could be there now. We enjoyed having Aaron & Kim travel with us from Castle Rock to Colorado Springs. Beautiful environs. No wonder they called the red rock park we visited, "The Garden of the Gods". The weather was unusually warm....high 60's and low 70'. Perfect weekend to be out and about, not to mention the blue sky. I really needed the sunshine since it is so gray in Washington at this time. We love the prospect of having a new and different environment to explore....we just wish it were alot easier in making it happen sooner rather than later.....