Hello!

Dear Sister Jensen and Family:

We have a little calendar that I have to change the date on every day. It seems like I just start the month and then the month is half gone and the next time I change it, it is the end of the month. When the Lord said that in the last days he would speed up the time to save the Saints, it seems like he has doubled the speed of time. The next thing I do is look in the mirror and find out, yup, he has sped up the time.

I have been wondering if you are getting some of the snow that I have been reading about in other parts of Europe and England. We have had very little snow, and for a while, the cold was at 0- to 10 degrees far. The ski resorts are hurting. They have about 3-5 feet of snow as compared to 10-16 feet they normally have. I have not shoveled much snow.

I was in the temple a few weeks ago and I was introduced to a couple. Their name was Libbert. I asked them were they where from and they said Canada. I told them that I was transferred from Copenhagen Denmark to Odense and my companion was Elder Libbert from the state of Washington. He asked what his first name was and I said Elder. It took me a few seconds to come up with his first name. I said that it was Dean and he told me he was his brother. They grew up in Canada but Dean's dad moved to the United States.

I told him I would like to talk to Dean and tell him the rest of the story about the Knudsen family in Odense to see if he remembered them. I told him about how they had grown up Catholic but there had been some problems when he divorced his first wife and married another Catholic. They had one son. We did not have the chance to baptize them. They did join the church. Brother Knudsen’s son was a High Councilman, at that time. He may be a bishop or in the stake presidency now.

When were over there for the temple dedication, and we were staying  with a family in Copenhtold Brother Libbert about Else and her family and said that I had baptized her when she was twelve years old. I told him that her name is Else. She continues to carry on her mother’s tradition of feeding the missionaries. Between Else and her husband (Erling), only Heavenly Father knows how many. When Else was old enough to go on a mission, she taught a young girl in Aarhus. That young girl married Brother Knudsen's son and their son served a mission in the USA in the Las Vegas Nevada Mission. Small world.

He gave me Dean's phone number. Before I could call him, Dean called me. We talked for quite a while. He remembered Brother Knudsen and the Catholic Priest and what went on there. He still lives in Washington state.

You will never believe that I have had another experience at the temple. A few year’s past there was a young man called to serve a mission in Denmark. He is from the Nephi North Stake. I saw him when he was receiving his own endowment. I talked to him and his dad, I knew his dad very well. I told him if he was ever in Copenhagen to look up Else and Erling Knudson and tell them hello from us. I told him that there would be a good chance that he would get a fantastic meal from them. I do not remember his first name, however, his last name is also Knudsen. When I saw him at the temple the other day, I asked him if he had been in Copenhagen and he said yes, that he had been there. I asked him if he knew Else and Erling Knudsen and he told me he did and that he at eaten at their home several times, I told him that it has been a two-generation service to many missionaries. It is a small world. 

How are you doing with your pacemaker? My mother had two of them implanted--not at once but a couple of years apart. It made a difference in her life. She lived to be just a few months shy of 93 years old. 

Well! Enough about us. How are you doing? How is the family?

May you and your family have a great year.

God bless all of you,
Leonard and Myrna.

P.S. Takker dig for den Jule cort, det var fint. Se, mine Danske er ikke saa godt.Three weeks ago we started our 13th year as temple workers. We work on Friday Evening and Saturday Afternoon.

Just to See

April 2012 (If you want us there, we have to be invited.)

Also, we got to visit with Benjamin when we picked up his things to store and with Brigitta and Kimberly when they came to our house.

(March 31, we all met in Provo for the Priesthood Session.)

182nd Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, held on March 31 and April 1. Kirsten and family visit. 

7th, Tom's birthday

9th, Jacob's birthday

12th, David and Family visit

14th, Todd here to get Michael. Goes to church with us and visits other family.

17th, Symphonic Band

18th, Alyssa's Young Women's Award

19th, Passover at the stake center. For nearly 40 years, Professor Victor L. Ludlow, a specialist in Jewish studies, has been conducting annual Passover celebrations. The Passover Seder Service included unleavened bread, bitter herbs and other traditions of Passover, along with a special catered meal and commentary by Ludlow.

20th, Laurel's birthday (1956)

21st, Rachel and Dad, dance (We didn't go.)

22nd, Temple Devotional with President Uchtdorf

23rd, Erin's birthday and we were invited

25th, Benjamin's birthday

Kyle's birthday

26th, Mike's birthday

Matthew, concert at 7:30

Sis. Viciki White receives endowments at 6 p.m.

27th, Maddie's choir performance

28th, Temple Training

The Bearer of Bad News

Saundra Cochrane wrote: Here I go again, the bearer of bad news. 

Juanita Gordon Llewellyn's husband Bill passed away last week.  Am sure she would appreciate some words of support from her classmates.  Our hearts go out to her at this sad time in her life.

Also, Richard Tatton could probably use some words of cheer as he is presently undergoing chemotherapy.

Myrna wrote: Juanita and I were friends before high school. We lived in the same ward. I am so sorry to hear about her husband's death.

There is too much cancer in our world. I know we all have to die but I certainly wish that we could have an easier time of it. 

Saundra wrote: I know what you're saying.  The money plus the government doesn't want the people to know what they did to us, their very own people. 

Not looking at any extended family, just my immediate family:  Have lost a sister to breast cancer at age 43 (left a family of seven children) and my mother to colon cancer.  Now my brother is fighting for his life from Non-hodgkins lymphoma and his wife (originally from California) who lived in Carbon County in the 50's has had cancer as well as myself.  So, we have had 4 out 7 and 5 out of 8.  Charlotte Smith has the same stats.  She has lost four out of her immediate family of seven to cancer.

It's true 9/11 was a horrible tragedy, but pales in comparison to what Utahn's have suffered.  Congress was quick to jump on the bandwagon (within months) and award the surviving family members about 1.4 million dollars.  The declared 'downwinder' counties' people received $50,000 each and about 50 years later.  The people involved in 9/11 were just in the wrong place at the wrong time and it was terrible for their families to witness, but their family members were in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Plus, our government had nothing to do with it as it is was perpetrated by people from another country.  In contrast, they brought our suffering upon us.  And it is not a quick, painless death.  So we have had to witness the long suffering of family members as well as ourselves (not to mention the lifelong side effects of chemo and radiation) and pay for the medical expenses ourselves, which far exceed $50,000. 

If you can get hold of and read the book The Day We Bombed Utah, it is very disheartening and scary and makes one lose faith in our government.  Guess that is the norm nowadays. 

Ah well - time to get off my soap box for the day.

Myrna wrote: AMEN!  Carbon County has a very high cancer rate and I know it is from the radiation from the atomic bomb testing.  We were not declared a downwinder county, but if you look at a map of the path the radiation followed (north/east) it went right over us.

I have already lost two very dear cousins to cancer--both younger than I am--one at age 50 and the other at age 60. My sister, next in age, had breast cancer as did two cousins. One Uncle, my one grandfather, two aunts, who were all residents of Carbon or Emery, have died of cancer. Two other cousins are fighting for their lives. I just can't understand why those two counties were not declared downwind areas. It bothers me. Sometimes I think it is more about money than about truth.

Ben's Mission Call

 Myrna Trauntvein wrote:

So, where is he going? Love, M

Melanie Bolton wrote:

Did he not call you?

Myrna wrote: Yes, he did. However, Dad and I both heard California but we did not agree on the place. We also heard Spanish speaking, which makes all those classes in school worthwhile, but we can't remember the town.

Melanie wrote: Fresno, California, Spanish speaking. Report date: July 18th.


Myrna wrote: We even remembered the report date. We just did not remember Fresno. I just finished some news. Now it is off to the bed. I have the temple tomorrow so I will feel the lack of sleep. By the way, your Easter package will not get there until Monday. I don't know why I didn't realize that Easter was this Sunday but I didn't. I put all the Easter stuff together in a mad rush and didn't get it mailed until today.

Lowry G. Olsen, Uncle Max's Brother-in-law

Lowry G. Olsen

February 18, 1919  ~  March 5, 2012

Lowry Grant Olsen, age 93, passed away peacefully on March 5, 2012, surrounded by his daughters. Lowry married his sweetheart, Dorothy Childs, on Aug 23, 1939 in Orangeville UT and was sealed in the Manti Temple on June 4, 1958.

Lowry was born to Arthur and Della Olsen on February 18, 1919 in Ferron, UT. He spent most of his life in Ferron. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother, Elden Olsen, and his wife. He leaves behinds his two daughters, Della Marie (Duane) Marble, and Pauline (Roy) Wood, 8 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren.

Lowry worked as a farmer, coal miner, and heavy equipment operator. Lowry's unmatched wit and delightful sense of humor will be greatly missed by all. He loved his family and they loved him.

He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was a member of the C.C.C.
In his free time Lowry loved to fish, camp, and travel. Lowry was a "rock hound". He turned the rocks he gathered into beautiful pieces of jewelry.

Funeral services will be Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Ferron Millsite LDS Chapel (35 W. 200 N.). A viewing will be Friday, March 9, 2012 at Fausett Mortuary in Castle Dale (720 N. Center) from 6-8p.m. and Saturday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the church prior to the services. Interment will be in the Ferron City Cemetery. Services are in the care of Fausett Mortuary. Friends and family may sign the guest book and share memories of Lowry at www.fausettmortuary.com.

**This was where Uncle Max got that neat tie slide he sometimes wore.

I just heard about this from your Aunt Denise but I cannot go. That makes me sad.

From Melanie About Conference

Melanie wrote: I was wondering if you were the Mom that had written one of the letters over the years to the Apostles, just to make sure that her children, who would be listening would hear the words she had taught, but out of the mouth of the prophet. 

I am glad that Ben came down for all of conference. He is turning 19 very soon and his mission call is imminent. I keep wondering how I will feel knowing that I don't have to really worry about the choices he is making with his friends and that he will be serving the Lord. I think you can relate when you think about Eric and his friends. 

I too felt like many of the talks were meant for me. Our Stake President encouraged us to ponder and pray before Conference and go with doctrinal questions in our minds and hearts. I had never really done that. I have always gone thinking about how I just need something and the Lord will give me what I need. This time I did as instructed and found that the questions were answered and I was more than sufficiently filled. 

This was the first conference where anyone in my household has said, "Wow. Is it really over? I feel like it just started." Hearts have been changed. Even Howard stayed awake. That is a Bolton house first!

I was thinking of you and Dad the whole weekend. I am so glad that Kirsten was able to spend time with you. 

Love you.
Mel

To Braden

Myrna wrote to Braden

Wasn't conference amazing! I can't even choose a talk that I could call my favorite. I do think, however, that someone who knows me very well called church headquarters and ratted me out. Most of the talks, if not all, were aimed at me in particular. I am quite repentant and plan on being much more forgiving, loving, and Christ-like. I am 71 and time is running out for me to be repentant in this life. I understand that repentance is much more difficult in the next sphere--not impossible in the Spirit World but ten times more painful than here. Many of the talks also told of the love we should have for the sacrifice of our Savior.

Our prophet is such an excellent man. He truely is a great person. Each time a prophet dies, I wonder how anyone could ever replace him. Then all the keys are given to him and his life is told to us and we see that we have another great man who has been shaped by our Heavenly Father for this calling. How great and wise is our Father. 

Ben came down for all of the sessions of conference. It was so neat to have him with us. He is very good with the little ones although, when he plays monster and they scream and run and I think they may really think he is a monster because, like all of you older men in the family, he is so tall and big that they really think they are being chased by a giant. It was also nice to have Kirsten and family here. What great times we have as a family. I will be very sorry to leave all of this joy when it is my time to go. I will be like Uncle Garth and leave reluctantly. 

I know that you are probably feeling that way about leaving your mission. Just keep up the good work until the very end. Always remember that we love you and that we are praying for you!

Benjamin and Natalie

From Saundra

Saundra wrote: Here I go again, the bearer of bad news. 

Juanita Gordon Llewellyn's husband Bill passed away last week.  Am sure she would appreciate some words of support from her classmates.  Our hearts go out to her at this sad time in her life.

Also, Richard Tatton could probably use some words of cheer as he is presently undergoing chemotherapy.

Saundra


Myrna wrote: Juanita and I were friends before school. We lived in the same ward. I am so sorry to hear about her husband's death.

There is too much cancer in our world. I know we all have to die but I certainly wish that we could have an easier time of it. 

Saundra wrote: AMEN!  Carbon County has a very high cancer rate and I know it is from the radiation from the atomic bomb testing.  We were not declared a downwinder county, but if you look at a map of the path the radiation followed (north/east) it went right over us.

Myrna wrote: I have already lost two very dear cousins to cancer--both younger than I am--one at age 50 and the other at age 60. My sister, next in age, had breast cancer as did two cousins. One Uncle, my one grandfather, two aunts, who were all residents of Carbon or Emery, have died of cancer. Two other cousins are fighting for their lives. I just can't understand why those two counties were not declared downwind areas. It bothers me. Sometimes I think it is more about money than about truth.


Saundra wrote: I know what you're saying.  The money plus the government doesn't want the people to know what they did to us, their very own people. 

Not looking at any extended family, just my immediate family:  Have lost a sister to breast cancer at age 43 (left a family of seven children) and my mother to colon cancer.  Now my brother is fighting for his life from Non-hodgkins lymphoma and his wife (originally from California) who lived in Carbon County in the 50's has had cancer as well as myself.  So, we have had 4 out 7 and 5 out of 8.  Charlotte Smith has the same stats.  She has lost four out of her immediate family of seven to cancer.

9/11 was a horrible tragedy, but pales in comparison to what Utahn's have suffered.  Congress was quick to jump on the bandwagon (within months) and award the surviving family members about 1.4 million dollars.  The declared 'downwinder' counties' people received $50,000 each and about 50 years later.  The people involved in 9/11 were just in the wrong place at the wrong time and it was terrible for their families to witness, but their family members were in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Plus, our government had nothing to do with it as it is was perpetrated by people from another country.  In contrast, they brought our suffering upon us.  And it is not a quick, painless death.  So we have had to witness the long suffering of family members as well as ourselves (not to mention the lifelong side effects of chemo and radiation) and pay for the medical expenses ourselves, which far exceed $50,000. 

If you can get hold of and read the book The Day We Bombed Utah, it is very disheartening and scary and makes one lose faith in our government.  Guess that is the norm nowadays. 

Ah well - time to get off my soap box for the day.

Saundra

Myrna wrote: We need to stay on our soapboxes. There is too much of the "silent majority" in our society.

From Cousin Toni Jackson

Hi pals... just sharing,

Yesterday we had an earlier appt. than usual at OHSU, started at 8:15 am so thought we'd be getting out of there & back home early, but as it happened we didn't get to leave OHSU until 4:30 pm, so didn't get home until dark... hard rain the whole day.

Altho' my 3 scans last chemo visit never showed anything in my leg, I have been complaining about pain in my legs, in back of my knee & down my calf, for months & now it looks swollen & different so had them check it & the nurse pract. ordered an ultra sound of my lower left leg.  Unfortunately it showed a DVT (deep vein thrombosis or blood clot) about 6-8 inches long & it has to be treated by me giving myself 2 injections per day, in my belly, for months or even indefinitely.  That med allows the body to try & break or dissolve the clot before it travels to my heart, lungs or brain, thereby causing death.

The hard part is that the shot has to be given EXACTLY 12 hours apart & no times seem to be easy... my first choice would have been at 4 am & 4 pm cause I'm always home at those times, but that wouldn't work well to wake up Craig at that hour as he prolly wouldn't be able to go back to sleep for another hour, so I did it this morning at 6 am & we'll just have to do a 6 pm from wherever we are... out to dinner? to an early gig? (sometimes starts at 6) not convenient at any time, plus you know how much I'll love giving myself shots in my abdomen, above the waist, which means I have to be near a long mirror because I can't SEE that part of my body... boobs are in the way, ya know.

Craig gave me the shot yesterday, at the hospital, because with no mirror I couldn't see.  I got a huge bruise from that one, but I did my own this morning with no bruise.... hurt some tho'. And because this med is a blood thinner, like coumiden, they said I'd bleed easily if I fall or something, and no alcohol again (darn!).

I'm obviously not happy about having another thing to worry about, (cancer, kidney disease, various infections caused by the chemo, severe sleep apnea, exposed tooth socket, etc.) to treat... and OH YEAH our co-pay for this stuff is almost $1800 per mo. otherwise, without my Rx ins. it would be $4400!  So much for me bragging that cancer has not really cost us any money.

Note to Kris & Kelly... since I invited 51 gals to my Cookie Lee party and only TWO attended, I did not get any credit, or if I did Craig spent it on me as he arrived home during the party & picked out about 4-5 things for me that HE liked.  Kelly I may be able to get you something you had picked out of the catalog.  If we win the lottery, I'll get them all, LOL.... with $540 million on the line, we have about $20 bucks worth of tickets.  Wouldn't that be fun to share!  Gotta get busy while I still feel ok... the river is rising again & is supposed to be high all week, close to flood stage, hopefully not TOO close! I can only stand so much stress!

Hugs to all, Toni