“Very Intentional”

A phrase I have heard several times lately: “very intentional”
– seems to be catching on.  Meaning ...
(Still a work in progress.)

grandson paying attention at Memory Grove, SLC

at RootsTech family history conference, SLC

MDM – a happy place – intentionally!

“No other work transcends that of righteous, intentional parenting!”
— President Russell M. Nelson, "The Sabbath Is a Delight”

family leaving Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve
– a favorite site of very intentional conservancy –

In the Trenches

My idea for this post (a work in progress):

"in the trenches
adverb phrase
In the workplace; in contact with the people or problems in a situation; unprotected by distance or illusion"
(dictionary.com)

"Soldiers in the army ..."

Personal Storehouse Project – part of what we do in Metro Detroit

mittens to keep hands warm and show where we live on lower peninsula

Sister Kay Cannon with 8-year-old grandson on roof of Conference Center, SLC
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Motor City Hosts a Car Show

It would be great to see on our "prep. day".  Get senior tickets and save, they say.  Expect new products to be on display, and plenty of people to meet, by the way.

So ... let's get up and go to the show!  (NAIAS)

(family history – not representative of what we see in Detroit area)

A Calendar Year

The end is near.  Here in Michigan, it's only several hours away – the end of 2017.  Interesting twelve months for Kay and me, as you can see.

Kay at Aztec Ruins National Monument, northwest NM

grandson taking care of bunnies on Arza's camp chairs in the far West

Detroit Michigan Temple

Roseville Ward mission "cookie splits"

no problem with SE Michigan snow at Roseville Ward

Family gathering in front of Provo Utah Temple by our MTC 

The Week Before Christmas

This is the week when I normally start feeling anxious about what to buy or do for loved ones.  Here in the Michigan Detroit Mission this Christmas time, it is intense, but different.  Hard to explain, but it really goes without saying.  Sister Cannon and I are busy helping people this week, so we don't think about what to give each other.  She lovingly sent gifts to our children last week – always ahead of me in that regard.

In our "new" home in Roseville Michigan, we hear the trains passing nearby -- far enough to not annoy her, but close enough for me to enjoy the sounds I have loved since my boyhood.  (Some favorite memories of Christmas are of model railroads.)  A few nights ago, we watched some neighbor children building a snowman in the parking lot near our front door – in freezing cold!
Many homes in the Metro Detroit area have elaborate displays of Christmas lights ... similar to what we enjoyed seeing in Utah.  Walmart stores here are full of anxious shoppers as everywhere, I suppose.  Some smiling, others not so merry; (how can anyone frown at such a happy time?)  Actually, some are homeless, down-and-out with good reason to miss feeling the Spirit.

As missionaries and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we do what we can to spread the good news of the gospel while assisting others with temporal needs.  As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we know He lives and is aware of people's needs, hopes, and desires.  It is our hope to follow His example of love this Christmas season and thereby experience a happier New Year!

Elder Cannon's Point of View

These photographs by Elder Ned Cannon will tell some stories someday.
All taken from his point of view.  It was fun sharing some memories this month!

stagecoach favorite at Cove Fort Days 2017

family gathering at west Layton frontier home

Grandma Kay's favorite – ready for delivery to

Herriman Utah gathering on Thanksgiving Day 2016

Kay admiring Sojourner Truth

American women's rights activist

Battle Creek MI, on the way to Detroit mission

MDM office, our temporary workplace, Sep-Oct 2017

untypical Detroit home – Meadow Brook

built in 1929 by Matilda Dodge Wilson

family trip to Colorado Rockies, June 2017

father & sons on train to Silverton CO

Where did this month go?!  Now we're thinking of Christmas already!
Wish you were here.  Share the Light with love.

Sister Cannon's Point of View

These photographs by Sister Kay Cannon will tell some stories someday.
All taken from her point of view.  Share some memories this month!

blacksmith shop at Cove Fort Days 2017

Kay's Thanksgiving decor, west Layton frontier home

Grandpa Ned's favorite – pies ready for family
on Thanksgiving morning 2016
(one apparently for early taste-testing)

west shoreline (Lake Michigan) on the way to Detroit mission

pet parrot talking to beloved, 96-year-old Sister Terry, 

member of our Michigan ward

typical Detroit haunted house, Halloween 2017

our youngest on family trip to northeast MN (Lake Superior)