Erin's Concert

Myrna wrote: We had a sweet call from Erin inviting us to her Christmas concert at school. She said something about going to the airport on the 20th. Is that for another concert? We would like to be there for the school concert. I don't know if we can work it out or not. We are trying to figure that out and then we will call her.

We love you all, M

Information for December 4th‏

H D TRAUNTVEIN (prute@q.com)
11/20/10 
To: Leonard Trauntvein

Dearest family: it is truly a Winnie the Pooh's "blustery" day. Pray all is well for you and yours.

Recently at the Distribution Center, had the opportunity to serve a beautiful young woman and her mother, purchasing ceremonial clothes for the special occurrence coming up on 4th December in the Manti Temple. 

Heidi, the young woman, is married and is being sealed to her husband on the 4th., her husband has a brother who is also being married and sealed on the same day.

I shared with them about you folks working in the temple on that day and asked for information to give to you- it felt like we are kindred spirits.

Heidi Glade and her husband Matt Stoddard are being sealed at 11:15 a.m.

Matt's brother Luke Stoddard and Brenda Wilson are being sealed at 10:30 a.m.

They are soooooo excited.

When I had finished my shift and was getting ready to leave, one of the Distribution workers came into the storage room, where I was getting ready to leave and said there were some people looking for me and wondering if I might still be there. 

When I want out into the clothing area--there they were- Heidi and her mom- they wanted me to give them your names- wrote them down and gave to them.

It would be really special to them, should you folks have the time to meet them.

Have a good week-end

Am really looking forward to Monday for the tour of Carl Blocks' painting. Hope the weather, it is forcast to snow, will be drivable for us. 

Love you much. Just Me.

Pomegranate Fruit Salad Recipe

1 to 2 pomegranates (it depends on how big they are), peel fruits and break seeds apart
2 medium-sized bananas, peeled and sliced
2 oranges, peeled, sectioned and cut into bite-sized pieces
2 large apples, cored and cut into bite-sized pieces
2 cups seedless grapes, cut in half
1 20-ounce can pineapple tidbits, drained
1/2 cup celery, diced thinly
1/2 cup  walnuts, chopped
1 pint whipping cream.

Grandma T. made a fruit salad but she didn't add the fresh fruit. She used canned fruit and fruit cocktail and topped it with whipped cream

Both Aunt Renee and Grandma Smith made a Waldorf Salad dressing but Dad liked his mother's whipped cream dressing. The other day, however, he said that he remembered that he liked my family salad. I like it the way my family made it. And this is the recipe that they used. Grandma Edna learned to make it from them. She said to just never let anyone (like your dad) see you stir in the mayonnaise and you would be fine. There was no recipe just "do as I do" which was pretty much the way my family cooked. I am the one who made them let me measure their "one full hand of" and wrote everything down.

1 pint whipping cream, whipped
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar, lemon juice, and salt. Fold in the whipped cream.

I have tried it with one 8-ounce container of vanilla yogurt as the dressing. That is also good, I think.

Directions:
Mix fruits together and chill in refrigerator. Lightly toss fruits with the dressing. Top with walnuts just before serving.

Please Pay Attention

Myrna wrote: I bought the DVD, "How to Train a Dragon," for each family for Christmas. How many of you already have it? The one I purchased has the sequel to it included so that there are two DVDs in the package. 


Melanie wrote: Mikaela bought the double dvd set with her babysitting money a few weeks ago. Sorry. Mel

Myrna wrote: What else should I get?

Melanie wrote: You're asking the wrong Mother. Remember how I suggested something for a few people a few years ago, and it all went terribly wrong. Yeah...I don't even surprise my children with stuff any more...too much wasted money and effort if I do. 

I will ask them later when they get home. Mel


Myrna wrote: Oh, I don't know. The look on Howard's face was priceless. In addition, I have gotten a lot of miles out of that by teasing Ben. 

I should just return it and send the $25 and you could buy one back there (as a family). What do you think?

I think you should get Mother of the Year! That is what I think, if anyone asks. If they don't ask, tell them anyway.

You should call and ask Mary about school. She has been in time-out twice in the last two weeks. One boy teased her and she took his cap during recess and threw it over the fence. Then, yesterday, he tried to squeeze in between her and her girlfriend and she belted him. (Same boy!) Poor Julie! There is she as sick as a dog and she is having to go to school all the time.

I am sure glad that I am done with all of that. It is MUCH easier to watch my kids deal with the things I used to deal with. I understand and I have NO ADVICE. NONE! I think I am still the person who burns the last batch. I tell everyone that, had I known how much fun getting old was going to be, I would have skipped being young.

Kirsten wrote: Jared buys all the new releases through his office since he has DVD players in his operatories, so we'll have all the new ones.  Sorry.  I know that complicates life.  I don't even ask him any more... husbands + business expenses=funny things.  Thank you, though!  My kids do love that movie! Kirsten

Myrna wrote: OK, what else can I get that costs $25?

The Lamb

By William Blake

Little Lamb, who made thee? 
Dost thou know who made thee? 
Gave thee life, and bid thee feed, 
By the stream and o'er the mead; 
Gave thee clothing of delight, 
Softest clothing, woolly, bright; 
Gave thee such a tender voice, 
Making all the vales rejoice? 
Little Lamb, who made thee? 
Dost thou know who made thee?

Little Lamb, I'll tell thee, 
Little Lamb, I'll tell thee. 
He is called by thy name, 
For He calls Himself a Lamb. 
He is meek, and He is mild; 
He became a little child. 
I a child, and thou a lamb, 
We are called by His name. 
Little Lamb, God bless thee! 
Little Lamb, God bless thee!

Re: Hello from Nephi!

Sounds like you all were rather busy this week! Golly!

First of all Mary is a goof, I like your hair. I think that your hair is realy beautiful. Never let anyone convice you otherwise.

JULIE'S PREGNANT! I secretly hope that it's a boy... ;)

Well, I love you and grandpa so much and hope that all is well with you two. Keep me informed of what happens out there in Nephi!
Love, Elder B

On Sun, Nov 7, 2010 at 6:54 PM, Myrna TRAUNTVEIN wrote:

We had an exciting day today. We left Nephi at 6 a.m. to drive to Layton in order to be there at 9 a.m. Toren was ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood this morning. We had Sacrament meeting first, of course, so that the ward could vote on him before he was ordained. Uncle Shawn did a great job with the ordination. We took photos and had dinner with the family and then drove back to Nephi. Each one of us went to the podium and bore our testimonies. That meant that there were eight Trauntvein testimonies in meeting. Grandpa challenged us all to bear our testimonies and we all accepted. Auntie Kim said she was very proud of us because we were each careful of the time and each of us had something important to say. None of the other families could be there. Uncle Jim is in the Young Men's Presidency in his ward and he had a talk and had to sing with the boys during Sacrament meeting. Auntie AnnMarie had to speak in a ward conference in her stake since she is the stake Young Women President. Amy J. was on call and Eric had to work.

Kimberly sent us the following before we went to Layton: "Sorina said her prayers tonight and asked that Toren would not be scared tomorrow when he receives the Aaronic Priesthood. Dane, because our youth group is so small, has been doing Fast Offering since he’s been a Deacon.  He keeps telling Toren how exited he is for him to take a route. And then Shawn told Toren that he had to knock on strange people’s doors and ask for money. His eyes got big. And I said what a lucky boy that his sister had prayed for him to not be scared." 

We had two very busy days at the temple. Friday evening had a lot of patrons and so did Saturday. I was actually surprised that we had so many patrons because of the big football games being played on Saturday. Of course you know that the University of Utah was playing but it was also the state finals for the high school teams. The Deseret News reported that it was "Black Saturday" with TCU scoring 47 and Utah scoring 7. The high school teams will all play another game for first and second places in the different districts.

Auntie Julie is now telling everyone that she is expecting a baby the last week of April. She will have to have a C-section so it really will be the last week of April. She has not felt well for the past couple of months. She has had a lot of morning sickness but she is feeling some better now. 

Little Mary gave me another compliment on Friday. "Grandma, you really need to do something with your hair. You look like a Zebra." I guess my white patches mixed among the gray do look sort of spotted but I don't think they look striped. 

Gramps and I so enjoy your letters!!!!! It is wonderful what a great job you are doing. We continue to pray for your safety and for your success. I think Heavenly Father has great things in store for you during your lifetime. I don't think that either of your uncles who went to South America ever had their photos taken holding a monkey. You are not only the first missionary grandson, you are the first on your mom's side of the family to hold a money! 

Keep up the good work of baptizing and of fellow-shipping. Remember that we love you dearly!

Lots of love,

Grammy and Gramps 

Weekly Report

Sometimes I feel as if I have so much to tll you all, but then I sit down at the computer and think, "My week is going to sound so boring to them." Although my life feels like a soap opera compad to some other missionaries I know, I feel like to you it sounds like the same things over and over again.

We had another baptism this week! We baptized a youth in an inactive family. We hope that the family might start going to church now that the children are getting excited about going to church, getting baptized and everything. Although it was crazy trying to find him. He plays baseball and trains duing th days and comes home at strange times in the afternoon. We finally found him the other day and sat down and asked him why he didn' get baptized last week. Long story short, he thought that we were going to get him last week and then we never showed up. Oops.

My comp and I get along so well, although it is interesting working with a white comp again. I keep telling people that I want Latin comps and then I get another gringo. Hahaha. But we have been learning so much working together. Ihave set some goals and right now I'm ahead of the game. I want to read all of PMG, BoM and Jesus the Christ in 12 weeks. It's possible, I just need to work hard to finish it.

I just love being a missionary so much. There are always so many lessons to learn and things to do to grow, become better and serve others. Mom and Dad, I do have to thank you for always pushing me to do servicve projects and work hard. I have been recognized out here as the Elder that serves others becuase I always seek opportunities to serve others. I keep my eyes open to opportunities to teach families by the service that I provide. Service is like a giant entry-way into people's hearts. 

I also want you all to know that I know without a doubt that if we want our families to be blessed, we will read scriptures and pray together EVERY NIGHT. The people thatgo inactive here stopped doing their family prayers and stopped reading the scriptures together every night. SO please keep doing it. We need the blesssings too much to not comply with this commandment (3 Ne. 18: 20).

Well, I love you all and hope that you are doing well at work, at home and at church!
P.S. Mom...i miss the temple soooo much and am SO jealous that you get to go!

Love, Elder B

In Layton

Trauntvein guys pose for a photo: Leonard, Toren, Shawn, Dane.

Carl Bloch Exhibit

'Once-in-a-lifetime' exhibit opening at BYU Museum of Art

We have tickets for Nov. 22.

When we were in Denmark for the temple dedication, we saw a few of the originals there. Another interesting story is that the man who painted the mural on the temple baptistry wall was invited to do so by President Hinckley who told him to paint it in the Carl Bloch style. When the mural was finished, the artist had painted himself as a blind man being led into the waters of baptism by Bloch. He also featured many of the past famous folks from Denmark seeking baptism. It is quite a wonderful mural.

PROVO -- After nearly nine years in the planning, curators at Brigham Young University are about to open an exhibit they are calling a once-in-a-lifetime experience for visitors: "Carl Bloch:The Master's Hand."

After years of planning and negotiating with Danish museums and churches, the priceless paintings -- national treasures -- traveled by air during an international terror alert late last week. Still, they arrived safely and will remain in Utah for six months.

The finest artwork of a great painter, Carl Bloch -- that is what visitors to the Museum of Art are about to experience. The largest pieces came from Danish churches, removed temporarily from the most sacred areas where parishioners receive communion. The request was unusual; agreeing to it, equally so.

Dawn Pheysey, curator of religious art at the Museum of Art, said, "But to ask the churches to let us borrow their altar paintings, which is the focal point of their church, was a true sacrifice on their part."

Bloch's subtle creation of lamplight or sunlight moves even those familiar with the works.

Pauline Lehmann Banke, the conservator from Denmark, said she worked one particular painting before all of the paintings came here, and she became very fond of it. Then she saw the larger one.

"I had just recently restored the smaller version of it, and to see the larger one, as I did two weeks before I left, wow!" she said.

That is what curators believe many will say when they see "Christ in Gethsemane."

Carl Bloch was an Evangelical Lutheran but Latter-day Saints are familiar with his works because reproductions hang in their meetinghouses and appear in Church publications.

"To see these altar paintings in their true size, see the real thing, there is nothing like it. They are amazing," Pheysey said.

No one was unimportant to Carl Bloch. A Danish writer said of him, "He dipped his paintbrush in his heart."

The Museum of Art, which is on campus at Brigham Young University, will have extended hours for this exhibit. It is free, but you have to register online for tickets.

Chaos

So....big news. The Lord has taken me out of my first area a little abruptly and rather quickly. On Tuesday night I got a call from the APs and they said the following: Elder Bolton, there are some problems in other parts of Nicaragua and the Lord has spoken to the Mission President and says that you need to be in Managua, pack your bags and be ready to leave tomorrow at noon (you have emergency changes). That was a little abrupt.

 

I got to Managua all by myself, took a taxi to a little place called La Primavera (the spring) and met my companion and my district. They are fantastic! My new comp's name is Elder Stratton. He's from Snowflake, AZ. We are working hard together in this very interesting area. I'm in another Branch out here and on Sunday the branch president asked us to be his counselors as I help him organize the branch a little bit more and help have more unity between Branch and missionaries.

 

Teaching, finding new investigators, everything here is new to me. The people here in Managua are hard-hearted, but not solid as rock. We can still penetrate the hearts of this people. I have found success as I have tried to show a Christ-like example for the people here. Sure it may be VERY different, but I know that I can adapt. I am so happy to have the opportunity to apply a lot of what I have learned and haven't been able to practice out in Puerto. Also, I love that here I live IN my area and that there are just 2 of us instead of 6. I actually have the opportunity to STUDY. Wow...  Hahahaha.

 

It is so interesting how the Lord puts His hands in our lives. I think that He knew that taking me out of Puerto would be like ripping a band-aid off of a wound. It would hurt, but if He did it fast it would be better for the wound (my area) and the bandage would have served its purpose (me). Sure, it is difficult to leave my son, my first area and the amazing zone that I was in to come here, yet it is very evident that the Lord needs my influence here. I have been prepared for situations like this.

 

I have found solace in reading my patriarchal blessing this week. It helped me to remember that the Lord has said that He'll guide me but that I need to trust in Him.

 

Well, I gotta go, but I love you all so much. Stay strong and pray lots.

 

Love,

Elder Braden Bolton