About Easter Plans

Myrna wrote:
Dear AnnMarie: If you and I would plan in advance, Dad and I could come to your place for dinner and would love to do so. Another time, let us know your plans a week before and we would be glad to join in. All we need is an invitation so that we do not intrude.

We have, since Jim and Julie moved from Nephi, alternated Sunday dinner. One week we go to her home and the next we come here. We are actually going there this week. Jim and Julie do not always eat with us on Sundays. It is not always the case that we get together. During the winter, we have gone an entire month without being together (January, for example). There are times when we each do our own thing. Dad and I do like each other and we can have time alone and enjoy each other's company. Who knows how much time we still have together to do that? When that happens, we fix a nice dinner for just us. But you know that Julie worries about us and is concerned that we may be lonely on a holiday. She would rather eat nails than think she was neglecting us. Jim's sister is going to be living with them this summer and sometimes his dad is there. That may mean that, as in the past, we will alter our dinner plans.

We will see you next Saturday for conference and our bi-annual night out. I have no idea who is planning to be there, but I am.

Tell Alyssa to hang in there. It is nice that she lives so close by that she can come for dinner and still have time to study. You are always so busy and your kids are of the age when they are needing to have your home to come to just as you used to have our home to come to. That is the way life cycles.

Eric and Amy are staying at their home also. Amy has to work at 8 p.m. and our church does not let out until 4 p.m. David and Bree are staying home because David is on call. Shawn and Kimberly and family are down south and are planning to stop by and say hello to David on their way back tomorrow.

Monday, Dad and Jim are going to California. They will be back on Thursday. Julie wants me to come over and stay but I am going to be here. I have a lot to get done. Would you like some ever bearing strawberry plants? I have a ton of them.

Easter?

Myrna wrote: Are any of you planning to come here for Easter? Just asking. (I know you out of state folks are, most likely, staying out of state.) At any rate, we would enjoy hearing from you as to what your plans are. If you are all eating at home, that is great. Great is whatever you do, just please let me know in advance. 

By the way, did you all get an Easter package and a St. Patrick's Day package?

Thanks, M

AnnMarie wrote: Alyssa can't go to Nephi because she is so busy getting ready for finals.  We will stay here so we may eat with her.  You are always welcome to join us when you aren't busy hosting a dinner there. 

Myrna wrote: That's what I thought. Is Braden joining you?

By the way, don't feel sorry for us. Julie and family said they would be here so we will not be alone. I remember, when Dad got older, he was always wishing that one of us or all of us would visit. He did have Laurel and Cydney there and they did spend gobs of time with him but he always wanted us to visit. I know, from my own experience, that the older the children in the family get, the harder it gets to visit anyone because they are all so busy. We are not feeling sorry about that. We are happy that we have raised you well and that you have made your families priorities in your lives. We are thrilled to be able to watch them achieve and we know that now your homes are becoming "Grandma and Grandpa's." We are great with the plan. We are both well and happy and are not "Sad Sacks" sitting around mourning and waiting to be included. Each day. my energy level is increasing. I will soon not tell any of you that I am 72 because it will not matter. I can outwork many women half my age and I can walk really, really fast. I enjoy that. Dad will live to be 110 and will be in good health every day. He is still able to, and enjoys, helping with the bees. So my question to all of you was only for a head count. If I plan on feeding eight and 20 show up, it will not be good. So enjoy your lives and invite us to your happy events and programs. We are well and happy.

Arbree wrote: We would love to come up but unfortunately david is on call like he is for almost every holiday. We love you and the family and will see everyone real soon.

Kimberly wrote: We will spend some time with David, Bree and family. We will be visiting that area for Easter.

And then it's winter

Part of the piece is this introduction. I did not write it. It came that way.

I first started reading this piece and was reading fast until I reached the third sentence. I stopped and started over, reading more slowly and thinking about every word. It is very thought provoking and makes you stop and think. Read slowly.

And Then It Is Winter

You know. . . time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all.  I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams.

But, here it is. . .the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise. How did I get here so fast?  Where did the years go and where did my youth go?  I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like.

But, here it is. My friends are retired and getting gray. They move slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some worse shape than me but I see the great change. These people are not like the ones whom I remember, who were young and vibrant, but, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd be!  Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day. And taking a nap is not a treat anymore--it's mandatory! 'Cause if I don't of my own free will, I just fall asleep where I sit.

And so, now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!  But, at least I know that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last, that when it's over on this earth, it's over.  A new adventure will begin!

Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done. Things I should have done, but didn't, and, indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done.  It's all in a lifetime.

So, if you're not in your winter yet, let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think.  So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly! Don't put things off too long!  Life goes by quickly.  Do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not.  You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life. So live for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to hear and remember and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past.

"Life" is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after.  Make it a fantastic one.
Live it well.
Enjoy today.
Do something fun.
Be happy.
Have a great day.

Remember that It is health that is real wealth, and not pieces of gold and silver.

Life is too short to let even one day 
be frenzied or frazzled or frittered away.
Life is too short not to take time to do 
the things that will hold the most meaning for you.
So let yourself float like a leaf on a stream, 
relax with your memories, and let yourself dream.
Throw out your list that's impossibly long, 
and dance a few steps to a favorite song.
Turn off the news and go find someone real 
who'll listen and talk and affirm what you feel.
Life is too short and flies by if you let it, 
so choose what you want every day--and go get it.

Today is the oldest you've ever been, yet the youngest you'll ever be. So, enjoy this day while it lasts.

~Your kids are becoming you, but your grandchildren are perfect.
~Going out is good. Coming home is better.
~You forget names. But it's OK because other people forgot they even knew you.
~You realize you're never going to be really good at anything and especially golf.
~The things you used to care to do, you no longer care to do, but you really do care that you don't care to do them anymore.
~You sleep better on a lounge chair with the TV blaring than in bed. It's called "pre-sleep."
~You miss the days when everything worked with just an "ON" and "OFF" switch.
~You tend to use more four-letter words. "What?" "When?" ???
~Now that you can afford expensive jewelry, it's not safe to wear it anywhere.
~You notice everything they sell in stores is "sleeveless."
~What used to be freckles are now liver spots.
~Everybody whispers.
~You have three sizes of clothes in your closet--two of which you will never wear.
~But Old is good in some things: Old Songs, Old movies, and best of all, OLD FRIENDS.

It's Not What You Gather, But What You Scatter That Tells What Kind Of Life You Have Lived.


Myrna wrote: I was just feeling this way myself. I am now 72 and I really am in the winter of my life. 

Marti Wright wrote: You're only six years older than me.  We're STILL spring chickens!  I know what you mean though, there are days when I feel like I am 100!


Myrna wrote: I wouldn't feel so old but another classmate died recently. We had a class of approximately 350 and we are down nearly 50. A couple died during Viet Nam and several in accidents and of cancer and the like. However, most of the rest have died in the last couple of years.


Marti wrote: I had only gone to my 25th h.s reunion, and the 30th.  We have had classmates pass.  Our class was the largest that Astoria had ever seen back then.  We had around 250, give or take.  Not sure how many are left, but if any the one's that still are, if they are like they were in h.s.; they outlive us all!!   LOL.  They still acted like they were in h.s.....too much drama for me to handle then and now.

How is Lenoard doing?

Hugs to you both!


Myrna wrote: LHT had shoulder surgery three weeks ago. It was a success. Prior to that, he had his eyelids reduced so that he could keep wearing his contacts. Now he need catarac surgery and then he will be a new man. I have controlled the type 2 diabetes. I now weigh 120 pounds. Woo Hoo. :) It's too bad that I am all gray to go with it. I should have done the weight loss while I was young. Oh, well. Spilled milk and all that, right?

How are you?


Marti wrote: Am glad to hear the LHT's surgery was a success!!  I have the beginnings of a cataract in my right eye. Also have "dry eye" where it is red and itches, so have drops.  Its the pitts getting older.  You still feel like that 18 yr old kid inside, but your body just won't let you do what you want to do anymore.  Great news about the weight loss.  I haven't really been trying to loose weight but have. Am only 10 pounds heavier than I was in 1971, which is 140.  My mom was a diabetic, but was on pills only, no shots.  Dr said, it usually skips a generation.........so am thinking Kimberly may qualify, not sure, and sure hope it doesn't.  Had to get dentures and since I don't wear them to bed, I now have wrinkle lines all around my mouth.  Makes me feel ugly and old.  Just wish I had taken better care of my teeth when I was a kid.  I color my hair........its vain, I know.  But I have the very ugly dirty grey, if I don't.  My mom used to go have get a "blue rinse" so her ugly grey didn't look so ugly anymore.

Update on Helen's Health

Hello everyone,

This is Nanci, Helen's daughter.  I am writing per my mother's request.  

Helen fell and broker her patella 16 days ago.  There have been complications and as of 4:00 AM this morning, she has been admitted to IHC hospital, on State Street and 5300 South.   Helen was admitted with Cellulitis and a blood clot in behind her knee.  There is concern she has compartment syndrome and they are trying to rule that out this evening with an MRI.

As we all know, Helen is a very private person.  She was hoping to make a quick recovery and be back to her normal activities without causing anyone concern.   We believe she will be fine but the recovery is going to take longer than we would ideally like.

Helen is in the Tower room 821. 

Please pray for her and don't hesitate to contact me for any updates... 805-304-3733 or Nancidone@yahoo.com.

Have a great evening.

Nanci Trauntvein Done

Eyes

Myrna wrote: Pretty soon, LHT will be all new--from his head to his toes. He will get both of his eyes operated on sometime at the end of April. He has cataracts on both eyes and both are quite bad. It is no wonder that he has been complaining about his vision. The surgeon will meet with us soon and will set a date for the surgery.


Eva wrote: I am totally shocked.  Most Drs. spot cataracts right off the bat. My Dr. from Moran Eye Center found both of mine many years go when they were really small.  He watched them for five years and they never changed until my horrible back surgery and they either gave me too much oxygen or too much medication so that when I  checked out of the care center, I could not see to read a thing.  After a week or so, Claire took me up to Moran for an appointment.  Between the two things, my retinas were so swollen I could not even read the charts except the hugest numbers.   He gave me drops to shrink the swelling.  After two months, I could finally read again.  Richard just had his second one removed Monday and the first one two weeks ago.  His were caused from all of the chemo.  His eyes are doing well.  Oh, my the challenges we all face. God bless you. Love,  Eva  

Myrna wrote: Tim does go to the Moran Eye Center in Salt Lake City. They did spot his years ago but, for whatever reason, they have grown really quickly this past two years. Now it is time. 

Article

Dr. Jim Shank, Juab School District Superintendent wrote:
Hi Myrna,
Thank you so much for a well written and thoughtful article. I very much appreciate it.
Thanks,
Jim

Myrna wrote: I am glad you liked it. Thanks for all you have done, and are still doing, for our district. I appreciate it.

We Can Sorrow

Myrna wrote: We do have a right to sorrow. I was wrong and you need to know that. If God can sorrow and weep, so can we.

 Moses 7:

27 And Enoch beheld angels descending out of heaven, bearing testimony of the Father and Son; and the Holy Ghost fell on many, and they were caught up by the powers of heaven into Zion.

 28 And it came to pass that the God of heaven looked upon the residue of the people, and he wept; and Enoch bore record of it, saying: How is it that the heavens weep, and shed forth their tears as the rain upon the mountains?

29 And Enoch said unto the Lord: How is it that thou canst weep, seeing thou art holy, and from all eternity to all eternity?

 30 And were it possible that man could number the particles of the earth, yea, millions of earths like this, it would not be a beginning to the number of thy creations; and thy curtains are stretched out still; and yet thou art there, and thy bosom is there; and also thou art just; thou art merciful and kind forever;

31 And thou hast taken Zion to thine own bosom, from all thy creations, from all eternity to all eternity; and naught but peace, justice, and truth is the habitation of thy throne; and mercy shall go before thy face and have no end; how is it thou canst weep?

The answer, as you well know because you know and love the scriptures, was that God could weep because of his children.

We can be filled with joy at the potential of each child and can be happy at the promise that comes to all of a glorious resurrection because of Christ. We can joy in the promise of eternal life and eternal families. We can love and love and then love some more. Love is the answer to every question.


Shawn wrote: Thank you. I was aware of that. I also remembered when Jesus was among the Nephites and after blessing the children he wept because of his knowledge of a future state of unbelief. I love you. Shawn

Myrna wrote: I was thinking that sorrow was anti- and happiness was pro-Heavenly Father. I know that He does expect us to be happy but not all curcumstances can be greeted with joy. Some situations are full of sorrow. We are loved by Father in Heaven. We all, each of us, have great potential. We are ever evolving as individuals. The person I am today is not the person I was yesterday. Hopefully, each day, we are each better than we were the day before. We can all change for the better. I have faith that that is true. Nevertheless, If God can weep, we should be able to weep. Sometimes we just learn to know sorrow. I apologize.

Tissues

I have been floating around this past week. I went to my endocrinologist and had my six-month check-up. I no longer need any meds except for my thyroid medication. She cut that in half, almost. I do not need to worry about my cholesterol because the good is great and the bad is also at a great level and the total is 130 (it can go down a bit more), my A1C was low normal (a good thing) at 5.0, my blood pressure was 113/70. My glucose average is 85. I am no longer diabetic. I told the Dr. however, that that only meant I would keep doing what I was doing because, if I did anything else, it might get bad again. She agreed. I now know, however, that some people (me) can reverse diabetes with exercise and diet. On her scale I weighed 120. We think that 115 might be where I should stay. I am beginning to worry about how to stop losing weight. Every week I drop a pound or two. I love walking. I am just so much happier, most of the time. It will be nice to get my thyroid level adjusted down. When it is too high, it makes me anxious and nervous. (She said crabby, but I don't believe that.) :)

I think that I am going to have to take tissues, my own box, to sacrament meeting with me from now on out. I am talking the ENTIRE box. I have turned into a real crier. I have no idea what has happened to me. I didn't cry in my middle-age. I did when I was young, so I suppose, I am just back to "phase childhood." Maybe the sages are right to call old age, the second-childhood.

We have had a somewhat busy week. Thursday, we went to Hurricane and watched Donovin earn his arrow of light award. I love scouting. It is such a great thing for young men. David and Bree fixed quite a wonderful meal for us. David smoked a pork loin over applewood and Bree, in consideration for me and my sugarless meals, made a great sugar-free cake that she served with strawberries. There was also a really great fresh-fruit salad and other good things.

We are making some schedule changes at the temple. The afternoon shift (that starts at 10 a.m.) will start one hour later in the day, at 11 a.m. but we will pick up one more endowment session. That will mean that we have more opportunity to serve, rather than less. It is so wonderful to work with my childhood/teenaged friend Gerri Page. (She was Geraldine Shield back then.) She was one of my bridesmaids and is now one of the assistant matrons. We get to work closely together and it is like old-times.

Today, Sunday, we got to go to AnnMarie and Brandon's ward. Kyle ordained Matthew to the Aaronic Priesthood to the office of Deacon. Matthew got to pass the sacrament for the first time and got to serve our row. Kyle blessed the sacrament. That was quite special. Then Brandon was released as a counselor in the bishopric and was sustained as the new stake executive secretary. We got to be there for his being set-apart for that calling. Randy and Tammi were also there though none of us knew what was happening to Brandon until we got there. I don't know why, in particular, but my heart was so touched. One of the sisters from the ward sang, in an outstanding fashion, one of my favorite hymns. Sitting on the row with the Howards was like sitting with the Mormon Tab, they are all such gifted singers, and Matthew was so very somber and serious about his new calling. Then the speaker talked about the Savior and I may as well have just kept my hanky in my hand. We also got to sing happy birthday to Matthew and to Braden. By the way, Braden also sings very, very well. Shawn, Kimberly and Sorina came over after church and we got to spend some time with them also.

Speaking of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Jim's sister is going to be singing at April Conference. I am certain that you will recognize her.  She looks like our little Christene.

Mary's birthday is tomorrow and she wants to come here for her birthday dinner and have Grandpa fix his fried chicken. That is her favorite meal. So we will be celebrating her birthday with cake and ice cream at our house. I was feeling sad that I am getting so old and Mary is so happy that she is getting older.

When I went to the temple on Friday, one of my good friends came up to me. She said she had prayed and asked who needed her help. Heavenly Father told her that I did. So she put my name on the prayer roll, gave me a big hug, and asked if I wanted to talk. I did, though we only had a few minutes. I told her what I was feeling sad. I have been so happy in being alive, in feeling good, and in being part of a big and loving family.  Then the idea hit me that I am getting old enough that LHT or I may not live forever after all (who knows how long) as I had supposed when I was a kid. Life for us is likely winding down. I had that brought home to me when I heard that still another classmate had passed on. We have lost so many and all my age, for goodness sake. My friend told me that Heavenly Father wants me to be happy. She is right. It is only Satan who wants us to be worried and unhappy. He likes us to be miserable. I resolved, with her help, to count my blessings and to leave the tomorrows to Heavenly Father. I want you to know that the thing that helped most of all, however, was that Heavenly Father wanted to answer my prayer. He wanted me to be content. He sent my friend to tell me that. How grateful I am for the knowledge that He cares about silly little old me. He cares about you, also.

I love you. Gramps loves you. Your parents and siblings love you. Other family members love you. Your good friends love you. Heavenly Father loves you. 

1. For the beauty of the earth,

For the beauty of the skies,

For the love which from our birth

Over and around us lies,

[Chorus]

Lord of all, to thee we raise

This our hymn of grateful praise.

2. For the beauty of each hour

Of the day and of the night,

Hill and vale, and tree and flow’r,

Sun and moon, and stars of light,

3. For the joy of human love,

Brother, sister, parent, child,

Friends on earth, and friends above,

For all gentle thoughts and mild,

Text: Folliott S. Pierpoint, 1835-1917

Dumb Bunny Grammy‏

Myrna wrote: OK, did we say Wednesday or Thursday?

Braden wrote: I thought that we said Wednesday, but now you/we know about that concert thing that Kyle will be doing. What will be easier for you all to do? I have class from 1-2 and 3-4 on Wednesdays and then I have classes 1-2, 2:30-4, and 5-6:30 on Thursdays. Just let me know what works best with your schedules and trying to see Kyle and everything.


Myrna wrote: Do you want to go to the concert with us? We could do the meal and the concert, if you wanted to go. Honestly, do you feel neglected? I feel neglected and I am not in your shoes. I think we have had our share of postponements. You will be going home and I will still not have spent the time I wanted to spend with you. I am getting old and who knows how many years worth of chances I will have? I think, if I work it right, I may just request being translated. How good do I have to be? :)

Braden: I think that I just want to go to The Brick Oven tomorrow. Is that okay? I think we should go to the exhibit first. 

OK, the concert is from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. We will call you when we leave there and meet you for supper. We can still see the exhibit afterward, right?

Matthew's Ordination‏

Monday, AnnMarie wrote: This is late notice, but if you are available and would like to attend Matthew's ordination will be Sunday before church, probably at 12:15.  I know that is a terrible time for most of you.  If you cannot make it at noon, we are still having a big dinner after church to celebrate March birthdays (including Braden).  My ward is from 1-4 p.m. If you live close and want to drop by for the ordination and then come back for dinner, that would be good, too.  Brandon's parents will be here, so we will eat as soon after church as possible so they may get on the road to St. George.

 

I am including the rest of you who cannot attend so you know you are thought of and loved.

Thanks,

AnnMarie

Myrna wrote: What potluck can we bring?

AnnMarie wrote: I'm not sure.  I haven't decided on the menu. 

Fun for St. Pat's Day‏

Melanie wrote: I am going to use some of these on Sunday!

Myrna wrote: St. Patrick’s Day is the perfect opportunity to add a bit of Irish humor to your family's dinner table. Here are some silly, but funny St. Patrick’s Day jokes for kids and fun facts to share with your own wee ones to tickle their Blarney Stones and keep them laughing all week long.

Top 10 St. Patrick’s Day Jokes for Kids:

1. Q: Why do frogs like St. Patrick’s Day? A: Because they’re always wearing green.

2. Q: Why would you never iron a four-leaf clover? A: Because you shouldn’t press your luck.

3. Q: Why can’t you borrow money from a leprechaun? A: Because he’s always short.

4. Q: When is an Irish potato not an Irish potato? A: When he’s a French fry.

5. Q: What do you call a fake stone in Ireland? A: A sham rock.

6. Q: What would you get if you crossed Christmas with St. Patrick’s Day? A: St. O’Claus.

7. Q: Why did St. Patrick drive all the snakes out of Ireland? A: Because he couldn’t afford airfare.

8. Q: What is left out on the lawn all summer and is Irish? A: Paddy O’Furniture.

9. Q: What do you call a diseased Irish criminal? A: leper con.

10. Q: Why did the leprechaun cross the road? A: He wanted to reach the pot of gold faster.

Top 10 Fun Facts about St. Patrick’s Day:

1. St. Patrick's Day began as a religious holiday to honor St. Patrick, who brought Christianity to Ireland in the fifth century.

2. There are four towns in the U.S. named after a shamrock, the emblem of Ireland. They are Mount Gay-Shamrock, West Virginia; Shamrock, Texas; Shamrock Lakes, Indiana, and Shamrock, Oklahoma.

3. Nine cities are named after Dublin, the capital of Ireland. The most populous are in California and Ohio.

4. The actual color of St. Patrick is blue. Green became associated with St. Patrick's Day during the 19th century. Green, in Irish legends, was worn by fairies and immortals, and also by people to encourage their crops to grow.

5. The very first St. Patrick's Day parade was not in Ireland. It was in Boston in 1737.

6. Nine of the people who signed our Declaration Of Independence were of Irish origin, and nineteen Presidents of the United States proudly claim Irish heritage - including our first President, George Washington.

7. The Irish flag is green, white and orange. The green symbolizes the people of the south, and orange, the people of the north. White represents the peace that brings them together as a nation.

8. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the highest number of leaves found on a clover is 14.

9. One estimate suggests that there are about 10,000 regular three-leaf clovers for every lucky four-leaf clover.

10. Legend says that each leaf of the clover means something: the first is for hope, the second for faith, the third for love and the fourth for luck.

What exactly is a Blarney Stone?

The Blarney is a block of bluestone built into the battlements of Blarney Castle, Blarney, about five miles from Cork, Ireland. According to legend, kissing the stone endows the kisser with the gift of gab. The stone was set into a tower of the castle in 1446. Today, the castle is a popular tourist site in Ireland, attracting visitors from all over the world to kiss the stone and tour the castle and its gardens. The word blarney has come to mean clever or flattering talk.

Kirsten's Surgery

If one photo is worth 1,000 words, then this one must be worth much, much more. She was so brave to have it done.

Alyssa's Email

Myrna wrote: Do you have an email address for Alyssa? You note that I do not send them much but I do like to send the "away" kids a few things. Thanks.

By-the-way, would you check and see if she got her St. Pat's package? I had the zip as 84604 and the postmaster said that it should be 84602 and changed it. When I got home, I looked at Braden's and it is 84604.

AnnMarie wrote: Her address is on the last email.  But she doesn't want it given out so I respect that by not including her in group emails beyond me and the kids and now you. It is how BYU and her professors contact her.

Her zipcode is different from everyone else because she is on campus. I'll check with her though.

Myrna wrote: OK. I will not include her in a group email. Thanks.

Birthday Dinner and Delay

Myrna wrote on March 5: Braden, could you go out to dinner on Wednesday or Thursday? We are going to be in Provo on Thursday to take Gramps back to the doctor. We don't know what your plans are for celebrating. Would you rather wait and come here on Sunday? Let me know what you would like.

Myrna wrote on March 6: Braden, I am so sorry that I got so sick. I still feel terrible but some better. I haven't heard angels singing so I must be going to live.

Melanie wrote on March 6: Maybe you weren't supposed to go to Provo today. I heard there was a horrible accident near one of the freeway exits.

MelBraden Bolton wrote at 2:06 p.m. Mar 11: Thursday would be fine. I'll be even closer to the Brick Oven.

Moroni Painting

Myrna wrote: Brother Justensen, the assistant recorder, went upstairs, as he does to check on "things" as part of his job, into a storage area by the Priesthood Room and said that he had seen the painting was still in the temple.

Sister Grimshaw said that she understood that it had been commissioned for the temple. Do you know if that is true? Your relative, the sealer (whose name escapes me at the moment), might have been the one she mentioned. Is it Christopherson? I said that the painting had been in the temple since I first attended in 1960 to receive my own endowments.

I was worried about where it might have gone to as Sister Grimshaw said she did not know.

At any rate, Brother Justensen said that the painting, by Harold I Hopkinson (the same painter who painted the one that hangs in the St. George Temple featuring the signers of the Declaration), was based on a statement by Warren S. Snow. Was Snow the man who was with President Brigham Young at the site dedication? Hopkinson, whose son, Glen, is also a painter, was born in 1918 and died in 2000 according to a web bio.

Can you remember that the painting was taken down once before? Someone reported the painting missing to President Hinckley (story one) and he called and told them to put it back. Or he was visiting and saw that it was missing (story two) and said he wanted the painting hung back up again.

Brother Justensen also said that when the park at the foot of the temple was dedicated and the Mormon Tab came to sing that one of the speakers was also a church historian. The church historian did not believe the story about Moroni and the temple site dedication was true and thought that it was legend. He said that there had been a problem with a statue of Moroni also and that it had been removed.

Also, he said, that at a recent stake conference in Manti (Is there more than one stake?), the president of the stake went into some detail about the history of Moroni and the story by Snow. Brother Justensen was a busy man and Brother Hagemeister (sp) was waiting to record some information so that was all the time we had.

President and Sister Grimshaw came into the office about then and I said that Brother Justensen could tell them about the painting. He replied, "Yes, I know who painted it." He then told them the name of the painter and they left and so did I.

One of the sisters at the clothing desk, from the Saturday evening shift, told me when I went to return my Eve vest, that she knew the President had received a letter from the First Presidency telling him to take the painting down. However, in pre-preparation meeting, Sister Grimshaw said that it was done while they were not at the temple. Rumors abound, do they not?


Merilyn Jorgensen wrote: Yep—rumors are wonderful.  Many problems for many years about this—and many of us are VERY upset about the Mortal Moroni statue not being put back up.  And the MM Pageant has had ‘grief’ for eons about the ‘tradition’ mentioned in the Pageant—and that part may be removed this year, if the ‘powers that be’ have their way.  My son, Michael is pageant pres. And is looking for documentation to prove the story, but so far all we have is a quote in “The Life of Heber C. Kimball”, about Warren Snow, etc. But that book is well documented, and claims to have had some general authorities double-checking for authenticity of the book’s contents.  Plus, Pres. SW Kimball was the editor of the 2nd printing in 1945.  He reportedly removed the things at that time that he did not think were authentic.

The book was originally printed in 1888, so only eleven years after the Moroni ‘story’ had been first told.

I really do not know, of myself, the story of the painting—only what I’ve ‘heard’ J  The sealer who is related to me is Elder Gillespie.  I’ll speak to him about it, but I do know his wife (who is my cousin) has said she had a dream/vision about it, and claims the story is true.  Since she died last fall, I’ll need to ask her husband for confirmation when he gets back in town.

Bureaucracy in government is deplorable, but I’m sorry to say that I don’t care for it in the Church either.  ‘Committee’ is somewhat of a ‘nasty’ word in my book.

Merilyn


Myrna wrote: I just hope the painting stays put in the storage area until the "committees," "boards," "departments," and "others" make certain that the painting has a right to hang somewhere important. The painter's son, an artist in his own right, is the person that I contacted.

Let me tell you about the "Ghost of Crede," painted by Dean Fausett. It hung, proudly, at Juab High School until it "disappeared" and an investigation has not uncovered it in the past six or so years. His family, after his death, wanted to buy it back at a rather nice sum. The school board said they wanted to keep it. Someone knows where it is but not anyone in the family or in the school district (who will admit it).

Glen Hopkinson About Moroni Painting That Once Hung in the Main Hallway

Myrna wrote: Harold I Hopkinson, another painter, painted an oil of Moroni dedicating the still-future Manti Temple site. Are you related to this painter.

Glen Hopkinson wrote: Yes.  Harold is my father.  Dad passed away December of 2000. Should you have any questions, please let me know.  Thanks, Glen

Myrna wrote: There has been some controversy surrounding your father's (Harold I. Hopkinson) painting of Moroni dedicating the temple site for Manti Temple recently. (It has nothing to do with its beauty but, rather, with the story that surrounds it.) It has been removed from the hallway wall (whether permanently or just until the facts can be verified, I do not know). The painting is so very beautiful that I thought you may be interested in contacting the Manti Temple president, or the temple recorder, and discussing it. It may even be  wise to contact the temple committee, located in Salt Lake City. I do not know if the painting was commissioned or not so I do not know who the rightful owner is. I am, quite literally, sticking my nose in where it does not belong. All I am is a worker at the temple and I have no authority whatsoever. There is a controversy swirling around the story of Moroni and his dedication of the temple site while Moroni was still on the earth. All there seems to be to authenticate the story is a quote in the book, "The Life of Heber C. Kimball." The Manti Mormon Miracle Pageant people are also working to authenticate the story because it is included in the pageant. 

Artist Glen Hopkinson wrote: I think that is all my Father had to go on when he created the painting of the Manti Temple.  Just a statement somewhere that when Brigham Young dedicated the Temple he indicated that Moroni had already been there and dedicated the spot.  I don't know much more than that.  I believe a lady  commissioned him to do the painting based on that comment and a dream that she had where she saw Moroni but he was accompanied by others thereby explaining the other figures in the painting.  It's been a long while since I've seen it.  I do remember posing for Dad when he was doing the painting back in 1989.  Let me know if there is any other info on the painting and the controversy surrounding Moroni's visit to Manti.  Glen 

Glen Hopkinson

P.O. Box 45

19 West Shoshone

Byron, Wyoming  82412     ph. 307-548-2471   cell 602-509-5513

visit glenhopkinson.com

Myrna wrote: Thank you for your response and for your time. Thank you for answering. I know that you are a very busy man. 

I am a fan of the painting.

Which Seed?

Myrna wrote: Was it quinoa or chia seeds that was in the drink that your friend made? I was going to order myself some and could not remember. 

Dad has a good shoulder again and the doctor was quite pleased. 

I will, someday, have a good stomach/digestive system again; I'm thinking after the resurrection.

We hope that you are all doing well. Literally, you have been the falling-apart family.

Kirsten wrote: It's the GST mom. The July is a grain that you use in place of rice or pasta.

I'm glad you and dad are feeling close to your old self again. You been in my thoughts and prayers. Hope you're both out of pain soon. One good thing with your stomach bug, is that you probably lost those other 2 pounds that you had wanted to lose. :-)

Saw my doctor yesterday. Everything is looking good. He's not too worried about the drainage from my nose. Says it will get better on its own. I am supposed to start chewing now. It's still a little tender to chew – kind of like when you first get your braces and your teeth first start moving that's what it feels like. But I'm starting to feel more human. So that's a good thing :-) still have a number lower lip. But things are looking up.

Thanks again for coming for so long and taking care of me. Hope you both start feeling better very better very soon. 

Sorry.  My phone didn't understand what I was saying.  Chia seed.  Quinoa is a grain you use in place of rice/pasta.

Myrna wrote: Three cheers! You can even live a a numb lower lip because, at least, it isn't a throbbing and/or swollen lower lip. It has been a L-O-N-G trip. I am glad we could be there, though, looking back, I wonder that we didn't drive you nuts.  We love you.

We were Adam and Eve again today. The coordinators on Saturday said they are going to miss us when we are in Payson. I guess that will be within a year. They may not want us at Payson with all the other people from that area to choose from.

 I love you!

 Kirsten wrote: So you're for sure part of Payson, huh?! Love you lots! Kirsten

Myrna wrote: My fingers don't understand what I am trying to say. 

Yes, we are, most likely, part of Payson. We may or may not work there but our temple will be the Payson Temple. We would work there, IF they want the Manti Temple workers as Payson Temple workers, because they may have a glut of workers in that area and we may not be wanted or needed. As tired as I am of church politics, I may or may not care. I need to learn patience. I wonder if I ever will.

Helen Yarrow

I remember a Helen Yarrow from junior high. She was a pretty blond, blue-eyed girl who wore her hair like what I thought a Swedish princess might wear hers: in heavy thick braids wrapped around her head. 

I enjoyed her friendship during the seventh grade but she moved during the summer. She played the cello and was quite good at it. 

For years, I have thought I owed her an apology for one of those childhood quarrels at the end of the school year. I might not have worried about it, off and on, over the years if I had had a chance to make it up to her the next year. However, by then she had moved on. I think her parents were divorced and that she and her mother came to Price because that was where her mother found a job. She told me that she had once had more money and was able to take private lessons. 

At any rate, I just wondered if I was the only person who remembered her. It was sad, because I think I may have been her only friend and then I lost my temper, easy for me to do back then. It was all boy-related and stupid. She thought that the boy she really liked at school, who probably didn't even know she was alive, paid attention to me because we were in the same ward. Big deal. He acknowledged that I was alive but barely. (I don't know what happened to him either.) My grandmother would have had my hide if I really had a boyfriend because I was way younger than age 16. At any rate, I told her that I did not want to be friends with someone who would think so badly of me and we all went home for the summer only she did not come back. 

I would like to know what happened to her and if she has had a happy life. I would write and tell her that I was sorry that I was a dumb kid but I have no idea how to go about that.

Myrna wrote to Saundra: I thought, after I had asked if you remembered Helen Yarroll from Jr. High, what I nut I was being. You didn't go to Price Jr. High. :) 

Saundra wrote: In the book from the last reunion, there are e-mail addresses for some of the girls who attended Price Jr. High. Some of them might remember Helen Yarroll

Re: Group Letter

Melanie wrote: This was a very nice email Mom: "Group Letter." 

Braden called Howard last night and said that you and Dad were going to take Braden out for dinner on Wednesday. That is so kind of you. He was feeling a little homesick the past few days, and I think this will be nice for him. He was wanting to spend time with his family, as this will be the fourth birthday he has celebrated away from his immediate family. 

I am glad that Dad is doing well. It sounds like the latex allergy must be a Trauntvein gene, with Auntie Eva suffering so badly from the adhesives as well. When they take a latex bandage off of me, it removes the top layer of skin, and then leaves a huge, welting, red rash that feels like a burn. Don't know if that is what Dad experienced, but if it is, I am very sorry for him.

I love you.
Mel


Myrna wrote: We are so looking forward to helping Braden celebrate. AnnMarie has planned a co-party for Matthew and Braden the day that Matthew is ordained. It is also Matthew's birthday this month.

David and I also have the adhesive rash. We both end up with welts and no skin. Dad's skin came off, left welts, and, in addition, he got hives. That is why the doctor was not certain if it was all caused by the tape or if it came from the Percocet as well. On Dad's side, apparently, the latex allergy comes from the Rostons. Dad's cousins have all told us that they are allergic to adhesives. When we were at the funeral, they started talking about the "shakes" that each one of them has. They moved on to allergies and they all have problems. Very interesting, is it not? Some of them have Factor V. 

These Great Americans Are Soon To Be Gone

LuWayne Walker wrote: From A Military Doctor--This should be required reading in every school and college in our country. This Captain, an Army doctor, deserves a medal himself for putting this together. If you choose not to pass it on, fine, but I think you will want to, after you read it. Myrna, this one is very touching I thought you would like to read it. Lu

Myrna wrote: I cried. My Dad was a WWII vet as were three of my uncles, his brothers and one of his uncles, nearly his age. My mother's father was a WWI vet. My youngest uncle was in Korea. My cousins made it through Viet Nam, Desert Storm, and some have been deployed to these other horror spots that we keep on fighting. My hat is off to all of you for your dedicated service in so many ways. I lived with heros on a daily basis. Some of them were women. My step-mom was a "Rosy the Riveter," an aunt drove a dump truck when there were no men to do the job, and all of my family, along with countless others, shared in the war effort. I am certain that there is a special place in the Hereafter for each man and woman who gave their all.

Guess what your email address comes up as on my spell-checker? Lawmaker. 

To Benders

Colleen Bender wrote: Hi There,

    I heard Leonard had shoulder surgery and a muscle repair?

    How is he doing?  So many things happen and we hardly hear about them.

    We talked to Bert Paxman yesterday.  His chemo and radiation seem to be working.  That's good news.

    Vard White is not doing well at all.

    Anytime we go to the Dr. it seems to be the same, "Hate to tell you this, but it's age related."

    We sure hope Kirsten continues to heal.  Wow!  that was major.

    Tell Leonard we hope to see him soon, good as new.

    Are you still maintaining?

Love you,
Colleen


Myrna wrote: I prayed last night that I would have the needed energy to keep on keeping on.

Leonard had a rotator cuff repair (minor) and a ruptured biceps repair (major). The surgery went well and Dr. Robert Jackson was proud of the work he did. However, LHT ended up being allergic to tape and codeine (like Kirsten) so he ended up with hives all over the shoulder area. I thought that he had had percocet before but he may have built up an allergy. That can happen with anything.

It is good to hear that Bert is doing well. I wondered when he bore his testimony if that might be the case.

Whenever I scold LHT about not taking care of himself, he tells me that it would be a shame to put a healthy body in the grave.

Kirsten is healing but it will take quite a few more weeks. The doctor tells her that she should be a new and improved model of her former self by the end of June or the first of July. Meanwhile, her kids are falling apart. Emma takes gymnastics, fell and got a minor concussion. In a second fall, she broke her toe. She thinks she might give up the sport. (I wonder why?)

Thanks for your concern and for your continued love.

LHT It Sounds Familiar Said Eva

Hon, Sorry you are having to go through that.  When I was in he care center after my 2nd back surgery, they changed the huge dressing on my back, what a nightmare.  I was so totally allergic to the adhesive tape they used I thought I was going to die from the terrible itching. Now I have to tell everyone to use paper tape on me.   I hope you are beginning to heal after all that surgery. God bless you  Love you always.  Eva  

Helen About Funeral Photos

Myrna wrote: I posted all of the photos of Ila's funeral that I took on Facebook. Just go to my site and there they are. I can send them via email but you will be sorry. My kids hate when I do that because it bogs down the world. If you would email me the addresses for Jimmy, Neldon, Loy Beth, and Tammy, I would be happy to pass on the information or to share any way that I can. I uploaded them in the highest quality setting so they should download in a usable form for printing or sharing.

I also plan to upload to photobucket. When I get that done, I will send the link. It is password protected so I will send that as well. I love you all.


Helen wrote: Hi,  hope all is well- thanks again for your care for Tim- I do not have e-mail addresses you requested but am giving mailing addresses-
Jim- 1007 North 840 East--Orem, Ut  84097
Neldon- 899 North 75 East- Orem, Utah 84057
Tammy- and Loy beth I do not have addresses for- Claire told me she thinks Loy Beth might be living with Tammy at present- she has not been able to keep her own living accomodations- just spoke with Claire- she doesn't have their addresses either- Have a good week. Love Helen

Group Letter

How am I doing? I prayed last night that I would have the needed energy to keep on keeping on. ;) For a 72-year old woman, I am doing well. Grandma Smith, Aunt Renee, and Grandma Edna all died at about age 72. I guess I am just walking on the edge. Let's hope that I keep walking the narrow line and don't fall off. I have never been graceful when walking. Hehehe. I like being alive. I go to see the endocrinologist this week for thyroid and diabetes. Hopefully, the fact that I now weigh 122 pounds and am physically active will make a difference. 

Whenever I scold LHT about not taking care of himself, he tells me that it would be a shame to put a healthy body in the grave. I wonder about LHT's doctor. His A1C is as high as mine and his doctor did not declare him a diabetic. His bad cholesterol reading is a lot worse than mine and he did not get bent out of shape. He just tells him that his problems are age-related. I don't think that is comforting to me. I have a husband who has Factor V and had a heart attack. I worry about him. I think he should change doctors but Dr. James Besendorfer is the doctor who saved his life when he had the heart attack.

We had our young about-to-leave missionary/home teacher, Ben Horrocks (he is going to Italy), and his grandpa, come to our house and give LHT a blessing before he went in for his surgery. He was promised that he would heal quickly and would not have much pain. That certainly was the case. So we are thankful for that. He and Clifton Taylor, who is submitting his papers and who has been in our temple prep class, decided to bring the sacrament to LHT because they love him and they were doing the service for the shut-ins.  

Kirsten is healing but it will take quite a few more weeks. The doctor tells her that she should be a new and improved model of her former self by June. Meanwhile, her kids are falling apart. Emma takes gymnastics, fell and got a minor concussion. In a second fall, she broke her toe. She thinks she might give up the sport. (I wonder why?) The rest have had ear infections and etc.

Julie and family and AnnMarie and family all went to Disneyland this past month. Jim took a load of bees to California, came back and they left. Kyle and Megan were with the orchestra/choir from TimpView who performed there. So the whole family, including Alyssa, were able to go. They all had fun but Rachel got sick and Julie and kids all got ill. (Jim escaped.) 

Uncle David has damaged ribs. He said that he did not break the ribs but did injure the ligaments that cross over the ribs. He said he ended up paying for the doctor visit himself because his work has a policy that you have to report the work-related injury when it happens. He waited two days because it just kept getting worse so that he finally had to go to the doctor. They really don't do much for you when you do that kind of damage. They tell you to take ibuprofen and to be careful. 

We have our sixth, seventh and eighth missionaries from the ward leaving in the next month. We have two more who are submitting their papers. We have been teaching them in temple prep and it has been really great. We love these young and devoted men. It makes us think of our family missionaries whom we love and are so proud of. 

We had an especially spiritual testimony meeting. It was a touching meeting. One of the brothers, Bert Paxman, has been being treated for cancer and was thankful for his healing. Others were thankful for the temple, for family, for ward members who sustained them, for trials they had overcome, for the Spirit of the Holy Ghost which testified to them of various truths. All were thankful for the Savior and for our Father in Heaven. I suppose, on the face of it, it sounds just like most testimony meetings. However, my heart was touched over and over again. One 30-year old man, who is just going to be living in our ward with his family for a few months while their house is built, was just released as a bishop of his former ward one week ago. He and his wife put their house up for sale following that event and it sold for the asking price in five days. They put everything in storage and moved in with her parents, Norm and Carla Wood, until the house is completed. He was so grateful for the love he had felt through all of the upheaval that he could not stop crying. One of those who took the stand, on a lighter note, said he had just decided to take the stand to bear his testimony so that he could bet a tissue because he needed one. At any rate, I was happy that I was there and sad that LHT was not.

When I was a girl, after I was baptized at age 12,  I decided to attend church. I went alone, at first, and was a bit confused by how things proceeded but I stuck with it. (In those days, we met for Sunday School in the morning. We then went home and came back later for Sacrament meeting and, at the morning meeting, we left the chapel in class groups. I wasn't certain where I belonged but I was taken in hand and got where I was supposed to be.) It was not too long before Grandma Smith started going with me and then there were the two of us together and that was good. She had had her feelings hurt by a bishop and had stopped going but when I started going again she decided to bury her hurt and return to the fold where she had always belonged. I so wanted to be one of those families where the father, mother and children all gathered together at meetings each week and where the church was the center of activity. I chose that for myself. I assumed that my children would all want to attend meeting with me so that we could be a happy group together enjoying time spent worshiping as a unit. Now I know that the most important person a missionary can convert is himself. The most important person anyone can convert is himself.  And though I became converted myself, I cannot convert anyone else. Each person must do that job, with the help of the Spirit, by himself. Having said that, I am grateful for the missionaries in my life who introduced me to truth--line upon line--so that I could be converted. There is no greater job on earth. There is no greater calling than serving as missionaries for the living and as surrogates for the dead. I am grateful for the missionaries in our family. They make my heart happy.

How I love my family! I pray for each person. I think of each person each day. I care about what is happening in each life. I like to hear the goings-on. I like to see the photos and receive the contacts on Facebook, in email, on the telephone, by snail-mail. You are so important to me. I get teary-eyed thinking of how wonderful my life is because of each of you. I know that sometimes I am a bit grumpy and out-of-sorts but I do not mean to be that way. I have no idea why I am. LHT tells me that I get tired and should just go to bed. That is, of course, easier said than done. And, even though I am 72 and slower than I used to be, I still think I can get everything done instantly. Bear with me, I have never been old before. Nevertheless, I still like to go to programs (we missed Matthew's because LHT was in pain after surgery), I sill like to have you all around me, I sill like to go places with you and do things with and for you.

Thanks for your love. Thanks for letting me be part of your life. I love you to infinity and beyond.