Tribute to Garth

TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2011

Tribute to Garth

At the conclusion of the funeral for Garth L Childs, in Huntington on Thursday, May 19, I was grateful for many the many comments made from the pulpit and from those who came to his viewing and funeral as they shared their thoughts as we gathered to celebrate his life.

I for one, was particularly grateful that I had grown up thinking of him as brother and that he allowed me to be "Big sister" though we were only first cousins. I was happy to have been a small part of his earthly life and to have the happy memories that I do. He was so beloved by me, my husband and my children. He was greatly loved by his family and his community. A large group of people who were family and friends gathered and others, who could not be in attendance, sent messages of love and condolence.

I am grateful for his example. He has been a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend.

I am grateful for his service to his God, his country, and to his fellowmen. He is a man who knew how to love. He has always been willing to volunteer his time and efforts to help others. I am grateful for his example of what it means to be a dedicated servant and of what it means to live a Christ-like life.

As pain became his physical companion, his spirit became ever stronger. I appreciate his example of enduring faithful to the end. He was always a kind and gentle soul and he became more so.

We are grateful for the lessons he taught us. He lived life and his personal relationships and taught us to do the same. He never asked, "What can others do for me?" but, "What can I do for others?" He loved the beauty of the world and, through his eyes, we saw that beauty.

He taught us what it means to be happily married and what it means to cherish and be cherished by a companion.

He was a father to be grateful for and a grandfather to cuddle.

Thought we will miss him, we would not have him suffer more pain. He has been through the refiner's fire.

We ask only that we remember and cherish all the happy days we spent together. We ask, in particular, that our Father in Heaven will help us to live our lives in such a way that we may be with him when our lives end. We ask that we may be helped to follow his example and to be worthy to live with him in eternity.

How thankful I am for the plan of salvation that sent our Savior to this earth to die for each of us that we may be forgiven of our sins and once again to live with our Father, our Savior and our loved ones for all eternity

One Year! Huh?!

This week I hit a year on my mission. SO WEIRD. Honestly. When I got here to Puerto Cabezas about 11 months ago I never thought that this day would come (I think that back then I was going to die on my mission rather than going home at the end of it). The funniest thing of all is that I still feel like it was yesterday that I got here. I can remember getting set apart, going to the airport and all as if it were yesterday. Totally bizarre for me.

This week I got SO sick. It was the first time in my entire mission that I felt that sick. I call the mission nurse and she told me that she thinks that I have gastritis. I have to be careful about eating spicy foods, lots of onions, etc. I also have to take this pill for like a month! So annoying to try and remember it. I did still go out and work that day. I didn't work a LOT but I did do what I needed to do in order to help out people in my area. It was awful though. I also got very sunburned, so naturally I am very tan right now.

While I was sick I received some rather cool revelation for my life that I think some of you might enjoy. I hope that this helps out some of you who may be thinking that you are just "normal" or "average" and that you aren't that unique. First of all, get sick. Just kidding. But really, being sick always makes me super humble and makes me reflect more on divine help and inspiration. Okay, so step one should always be to read your Patriarchal Blessing. This opens up the means of communication between our Heavenly Father and our hearts and minds, so if we read and ponder on the words therein, we will be able to have heaven's inspiration ever close. Step two is to study things out in our minds. Sometimes we think about something for like 5 minutes, come to a conclusion and then decide that's best. No. That's not how it works. You study it out, ask Father for confirmation on the ideas, thoughts and feelings that you receive and then you act. So that brings us to step 3, ACT. Do something about the revelation or inspiration you receive. If it is personal revelation for a problem, trial or dificulty in your life, GO WRITE IT DOWN. Save such things in a very sacred place and review them at times.

Okay, that brings us to what I was trying to say like one paragraph ago. If you a are feeling average, think for a while. Do you really think that you are where you are in your life because of mediocracy. If the answer is yes, start acting differently. Be the person you can be. Recognize that you have divine potential and act on it. Do something to prove to others that you can and will be your own you. I am Elder Braden D. Bolton. I have a different mission than my companion on this earth, I have a different mission from my family members on this earth. Some of us may be called to do similar things (i.e. be parents, hold Church callings, be spouses, be employees, etc), yet each one of us has the opportunity to be our own me. This kinda sounds like dribble right now, but this is how I feel and what I want to express to you right now.

We are all different. We all have varied potential on this earth, but our divine potential is all the same. We are all born to be Kings and Queens. We need to recognize that and prepare ourselves to be such. I teach this principle to others on a constant basis, and it always astounds me how much of an impact it can have on someone. We need to recognize this and apply it to our lives. We need to be better, live up to our potential and become the Princes and Princesses we are meant to be on this earth.

Well, I love you all and wish you happiness and success in your lives this week. 

Love,
Elder B

Re: Yes, we still love you!

I am so sorry grandma, I was reading the emails that you sent me and trying to think about what I could possibly say to you.

I know that Uncle Garth is enjoying his rest now, that he has passed his test and that he is enjoying the rest that the souls of the just enjoy when they have lived righteously on this earth. The pain of those passing from this earth is fleeting and will be swallowed up by the knowledge that he was a great man, that he did his part, he was true and faithful, a great example to all those around him.

I am truly sorry grandma that such a great friend and a companion has been lost to you lately. I know how it feels to be close to someone and have them taken from you very abruptly. It hurts. But, the best thing is that after a little bit of time, the wound gets better. These times are somewhat like scars: they may look a little bit harsh at first, but when one truly thinks about the experience that led to the scar, one remembers the miracle that is healing. When we look at our scars, we remember the pain, but at the same time we remember that we have gotten stronger because of such and experience.

I love you grammy. So does your Heavenly Father. Turn this trial over to him and you will be lifted up and feel stronger than before.

Love,
Braden

On Mon, May 23, 2011 at 4:11 AM, L H and Myrna Trauntvein wrote:

This has been a wild week. My brother/cousin was buried on Thursday. I said the closing prayer at the services and Grandpa dedicated the grave. We have been staying with Julie and trying to help out. Your Mom had surgery and so did Aunt Amy J (Eric's). On top of all of that, the made 27 drug dealer arrests in Nephi. 

We did want you to know that we STILL love you, pray for you and care about all you are doing.

About Liberty Jail from Eva

 Eva wrote: Liberty Jail is a lesson to us.

I learned a lot from this video, and hope you will find it - at the very least, interesting.
Love,
Jim Price

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSsUAzUF8V4&feature=player_embedded

The painting: Joseph Smith’s “Windows” at Liberty Jail by  Andrew Knaupp.
"Windows at Liberty" is a unique painting of the Prophet Joseph Smith's experience in Liberty Jail by Andrew Knaupp. To learn more about Andrew Knaupp, please visit http://www.artbyandrewk.com

Eva Wrote

Dear Myrna, You did a great job writing his obit.  He would have been proud of you.   May you be blessed with peace.  Love you,   Eva

Where We Are At

Myrna wrote: We are at Julie's. Please call there. Or call my cell. Or e-mail.


Lyla Spencer wrote:
Thanks Myrna,
Congrats on your new gradson, hope he is doing well.  Please enjoy yourself, hope to see you at our next meeting.
Love ya!!


Blaine Malquist wrote: Just thought I would give you an update on what is happening with the Mosquito spraying.  Juab County was served with a notice of claim this morning.  We have been told not to comment further at this time.  We are going to a funeral tomorrow for a dear friend Nellie Alkire.  She was 100 years old on May 1, 2011 and still mentally going strong, although she was unable to walk.  She served with Sr. Pinegar at the Mt. Timpanogas temple until she was 92.  She died two weeks after her birthday.  When we are able we will let you know more.  Thank you for all you have done for us and the work you do keeping all of us informed.  Blaine.

Myrna wrote: I used your quote about not being quoted. Thanks.

Graduation Money is Written Down

Myrna wrote: How much did we give Brigitta for graduation? I cannot find the record I was keeping but I did the same for Siovhan and Braden. Now I have Michael and Ben. Of course, I am at Julie's and have not been home but I did a search before we came. You can text me.

Shawn wrote: I do not remember. Maybe Kimberly does.

Kimberly wrote: I think it was 50, but I am not positive.

Myrna wrote: It was $100. I found my records. I had it in my address book. Dad remembered that I put it there.


Shawn wrote: Thanks. I was not sure I actually heard how much you gave her, although I knew you had done so.

From Denise

Denise Allen wrote:
I really enjoyed your letter, And when I went and seen Garth in the hospital it
brought back so many memoires that I had put away. But he is with his mother
and Richard and now she has two of her sons with her. What a great reunion that
must have been if only we could see it.  love you and see you thursday, Denise


Myrna wrote: I know that was very difficult for you. I think my Grandmother was also there and, I believe, that Baby Girl is having a great time getting to know her brothers.

Flowers for Garth

Leonard wrote: We will buy flowers from our family. None of you need to worry about it.

Myrna wrote: Dad says he did not mean that none of you could contribute to the funeral flower fund. He just meant that I was to tell you that, if you wanted to and if you could, you could contribute but we would do it from all of the family at any rate. I was thinking a $50 spray, because I know he will have many flowers from many groups. Then I was thinking that we could give Alyce $50 in addition to help with the funeral expenses. In our family, we used the money, in the past, to help pay for the gravestone.

Todd was thinking that we should do a $100 funeral flower arrangement.


Amy J wrote: Whatever you feel is best will be great with us.  Let us know how much you need from us, $20, 30, 50.  Let me know.

Amy


Kirsten wrote: I think there are enough of us, we could get a nice spray and have some money leftover. Yes? I know we would like to contribute either way. How are their medical expenses? Do they absolve them because of death or are they left paying for them?

Kirsten


Kimberly wrote: In Utah, the spouse is responsible for uncovered medical charges.

Kimberly


Kirsten wrote: Mom, does she have a fund set up to help with expenses? That might be an easy way to contribute...

Kirsten

Garth L. Childs

Garth L. Childs

HUNTINGTON-Garth L. Childs, age 67, returned to Heavenly Father on May 15, 2011 in Price, Utah. He was born March 10, 1944 in Price, Utah to Max L. and Vivian Renee Smith Childs. He was sealed to Alyce Grace Geary on June 18, 1971 in the Manti Temple.

Garth graduated from North Emery High School and also attended two years at College of Eastern Utah. He served an honorable mission in the Hill Cumorah Mission in New York and Pennsylvania. He also served his country in the US Army during the Vietnam War from 1964-1968 and served with the Utah National Guard during Desert Storm from Jan. 24, 1991-June 18, 1991. He was an EMT for more than 20 years with the Huntington Volunteer Fire Dept. where he worked for more than 35 years and became Fire Chief before retirement. He was a member of the Emery County Jeep Posse and the Utah Army National Guard. He served in the church as a Boy Scout Leader, a Stake Mission President, Elders Quorum President, Counselor in the Bishopric, Young Men's President and on the Stake High Council. Garth had worked for the Emery County School District, and also was a member of the American Legion and the Mine Rescue Team. He was named as Emery County "Person of the Year" in 1998, and Tri State Rocky Mtn. "Man of the Year" in 2002. Most importantly he was a good husband, father, grandfather, and servant of the Lord who endured to the end.

Garth is survived by his beloved wife Alyce Childs of Huntington, his four children: Kimberly Anne and Shayne Monson of Kingman, Ariz., Kristine Kate and David Bird of Huntington, Utah, Kevin Jeremiah M. Childs of Gresham, Ore., Kalvin David and April Childs of Washington, Utah, three grandsons, Kameron Monson, Derek Childs, and Connor Childs and four granddaughters, Kaira Monson, Grace Childs, Desiree Childs, and Kadrianne Bird. Garth is also survived by his brother, David and Kim Childs of Tacoma, Wash., his sister Myrna and Leonard Trauntvein of Nephi, Utah, and a sister-in-law Denise Allen of Emery, Utah. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Richard Childs, and an infant sister.

Friends may call for a visitation at the Heritage Funeral Home at 620 N. Main St. in Huntington on Wednesday May 18, 2011 from 6-8 pm. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2011 at 11 a.m. at the Huntington Stake Center on 100 North Main Street in Huntington. Burial with military honors from the Huntington American Legion will follow in the Huntington City Cemetery under the trusted care of the Heritage Funeral Home.

Friends may sign the guest book for the family on line at www.heritagefuneralhomeut.com.