History of North and South (Nephi) Ward Relief Society

The Nephi Relief Society was organized on June 23, 1862. The first President was Sister Amelia Goldsborough. There were Sister Picton, Amanda Bryan, Mary Pitchforth, Frances Andrews, Elizabeth Kendall, Amy Bigler, Julia Bryan and others. Sister Amanda Bryan was the first to take the work basket and see to the quilting, then she was called to other work. They then called Aunt Julia Bryan to  take charge of the quilts and sewing and quilting. Ann Wilkey was called as a teacher in the year of 1869. The first teacher that went with her was Jan Stephenson. They went together for several years. Then there was some trouble with Sister Stephenson and Cytha Downs and the girls. The next teacher that went with Ann Wilkey was Harriet Lunt.

Aunt Julia Bryan gave up the work basket, then mother (Ann Wilkey) was called to take it. She looked after it a good many years until the ward was divided. Sister Evans was put in as treasurer and mother was assistant treasurer. They worked for a long time together.

The Relief Society bought a place of their own, located where the J.C. Penny store is. I went to Relief Society meetings when I was 17 years old. There were lots of young girls who went, Alice Ellison, Alice Pitt, Emma Millard, Alice Carter, Mary Golden and lots of others.

Sister Evans and Mother worked together until the ward was divided. One was the North Ward, the other, the South Ward. Every Monday morning they had to go to the Hall to get their supplies. Mother and Sister Evans would have to take it to them. Mother went when the snow was deep, she would have to make her own path.

Juab Stake was organized June 23, 1863, and continued as one ward until the latter part of 1890. The Nephi North Ward was organized on Thanksgiving day 1890. The Nephi South Ward was organized December 4, 1890 with Sister Ann Wilkey as President. Sarah Ann Cazier as First Counselor, and Elizabeth Miller as Second Counselor, Elizabeth Linton Secretary, Helen H. Grace Assistant Secretary, Priscilla Lunt Treasurer, Harriet Wheeler, Assistant Treasurer. Shortly after this organization, Helen Grace was called to fill a mission with her husband. Sister Addie Cazier was called to fill the vacancy.

Sister Wilkey and Sister MIller were among the first teachers chosen in the stake, the second meeting of the Stake Relief Society. Sister Wilkey was appointed to look after the sewing and quilting. At that date, they made quilts and sold them to get means to get things for the poor and raising funds for the society. Sister Elizabeth Miller was among the saints who were driven from Nauvoo. She knew the Prophet Joseph Smith.

The officers labored faithfully among the poor, helping the sick, and giving spiritual uplift to the meetings for 12 years. Sister Wilkey resigned when she felt she could not do her duty among the poor and sick.

In October 23, 1902, Sister Sarah Ann Cazier was selected President, Harriet Wheeler First Counselor, Mary Pettigrew as Second Counselor, Sarah Brown as Secretary, Harriet Christenson, Assistant Secretary, Jane D. Vickers as Treasurer, Elizabeth Batchelor as Assistant Treasurer. December 1905 Sister Harriet Wheeler was called to the Great Beyond. January 25, 1906, Sister Amanda Ellison was set apart as Counselor to Sister Sarah Ann Cazier.

It was February 1903, that the lesson outlined on Child Culture was started. In May 1904, the Book of Mormon lessons were outlined by the Stake Board. It seems from the records that the Relief Society had been gathering wheat, as the first selling of old wheat and replacing it with new wheat was made in 1904.

Sister Sarah Ann Cazier was President for ten years. She died August 8, 1912. August 29, 1912, Harriet Christenson was sustained as the Third President of the Nephi South Ward, with Mary Amanda Ellison First Counselor and Melvina Broadhead Second Counselor, Elizabeth Linton Assistant Secretary, Mary E. Black Assistant Treasurer. Sister Elizabeth Batchelor resigned because of other duties. At this meeting, the Word of Wisdom was the lesson. May 5, 1913, the gathering of Sunday eggs was started, in order to get an organ and to help meet the payments on the pavement that was put around the Relief Society Hall in 1913. From May 5, 1913, 500 dozen eggs had been gathered. The organ was bought from the Mutual in 1914.

In 1914, there were 162 garments made, 187 pair socks, 24 sweaters made for the soldiers.

When the Ward was divided, the First Ward gave the Nephi Ward 200 bushels of wheat. When Jane D. Vickers went in as Treasurer, there were 300 bushels of wheat in the granary. When she resigned, there 1,200 bushels.

Until June 1915, the Relief Society meetings were held every two weeks, then they changed to weekly meetings.

March 12, 1914, Melvina Broadhead was released as Second Counselor to President Harriet Christenson. Jane D. Vickers was released as Treasurer, and sustained as Second Counselor in place of Sister Broadhead. Eliza Howarth was sustained as Treasurer.

The two wards of Nephi were divided in the summer or fall of 1914, making three wards. As Sister Christenson was in the Nephi Ward, another president had to be selected. November 1914, Harriet Christenson, with her counselors, Mary Amanda Ellison, First Counselor, and Jane D. Vickers, Second Counselor, were released, also Elizabeth Linton, Assistant Secretary.

November 1914, Jane Vickers was put in President, Sarah Brown, First Counselor and Elizabeth Linton, Second Counselor, E. Jane Smith, Treasurer.

November 1914, the Teacher Districts were numbered. Thirty-five yards of carpet were made and sold. On November 15, the first janitor for the Relief Hall was appointed, with a fee of $2.50 a month. This same day, Jane Smith was appointed as the Relief Society Magazine Agent.

In 1916, our ward donated 20 yards of carpet to the Logan Temple, also gave the Bishop $93.50, to help furnish the seats for our new ward house. This money was raised by sewing and sale of Sunday eggs. From October 1918 until February 1919, the flu epidemic was raging and few meetings were held. January 15, 1915, Ann Lunt was appointed head teacher. A large choir was organized and new song books were bought.

In 1918, 162 hospital garments, 187 pair of socks and 24 sweaters for soldiers, were made by the members of the Relief Society. In 1918, President Thomas D. Reese advised the Relief Society not to gather any more wheat until they were advised to do so.

President Vickers labored faithfully in the building of our organization from 1914 to 1919. On account of failing health, President Jane D. Vickers was released March 4, 1919, with her counselors and Mary E. Black and Elizabeth T. Ostler as organist.

March 5, 1919, Elizabeth Linton was set apart as President, Sarah Brown as First Counselor, Jeannette Lunt as Second Counselor, Tryphena Belliston, Assistant Treasurer, Rhea C. Beagler, organist, Jane Booth had been chorister for many years, but was called into the Stake Choir and was released May 31, 1921. Julia S. Paxman was sustained as Chorister. Elizabeth Linton was released as president due to ill health, September 27, 1921, also her counselors.

September 27, 1921, Maude Forrest was sustained and set apart for President with Sarah M. Brown, First Counselor and Jeanette Lunt as Second Counselor. The rest of the Board had not been changed. Ethel Irons, who had been ward class leader, was released October 27, 1925 to be class leader in the stake. Sarah M. Brown and Jane Smith were released as class teachers November 28, 1921. Llsa Wood, Nellie Cowan, Elizabeth Linton and Allie Belliston were appointed class leaders, December 30, 1921.

It was July 9, 1918, when the officers said the Relief Society would discontinue the regular meetings in July and  August, only holding the teachers meeting.

In 1922, the Relief Society had a call for each member to do the temple work for one person or give the 50-cents to have it done. This had been an obligation for several years.

Now a general membership in the Relief Society of 52,000.

June 1922, was when the annual dues were raised from 25-cents to 50-cents this was for the Stake Board.

In 1918, our ward let the government have 165,549 pounds of wheat. In 1923, President Maude Forrest received a deposit receipt for $1,655.49 for Presiding Bishop’s Office.

In 1923, 204 pounds of clothing were sent to German Saints.

In March of 1933, a successful bazaar was held, clearing $164.90.

In Mary 1923, Jeanette Lunt was released as counselor to Maude Forrest, on account of leaving Nephi. Nellie S. Cowan was sustained to the position.

In January 28, 1924, First Counselor, Sarah M. Brown was going to leave town and asked to be released. She was given a vote of thanks for her labors. Nellie S. Cowan was released as Second Counselor and Elizabeth Linton was sustained as First Counselor. Sarah E. Brown had worked faithfully for 22 years.

The piano was bought in September 1924. Some repairs were done on the out building.

March 1925 was very successful. A bazaar was held, clearing $300.00. Ten dollars were given to the Bishop for Ward expenses. In 1925, the flower fund was started.

May 1925 was the beginning of teachers making reports of teaching to the President and Secretary.

June 23, 1920, a meeting was held in our ward to commemorate the Juab State Relief Society. Twenty-eight of those present were in early day costumes. Unity Chappel presided. Refreshments were served to 80 people.

October 26, 1920, many different kinds of work were begun for the Work and Business Meetings, millinery, basket weaving and also the making of flowers.

It was on the record of October 2, 1926, that our Relief Society was very much against having the picture show run on Sunday. At the Stake Conference, august 17, 1924, President Maude Forrest was chosen as Stake Relief Society President and was therefore released as ward president, September 6, 1924, also the officers and class leaders were released; Julia Paxman, assistant chorister and class leaders, Addie Belliston and Elso Wood. The following were sustained for the vacancies: Lillian Carter Assistant chorister, Ida Memmott, Assistant Organist, Elizabeth Ostler, Orsena Warner and Joey Olpin. They were set apart January 11, 1927.

September 6, 1924, Emma Brough was sustained as Ward President. She retained the old board members. The home-bound committees were formed in 1926. Eight teachers each month served refreshments on Work and Business Day. The officers assisted.

The committee set apart January 11, 1926, were as follows: Emma Memmott, chairman, other members were M.E. Schofields, Jennie Brown, Sarah Bryan, Harriet Brough, Jane Booth, Jennie Belliston, Clara Park, as Chairman of the work committee, Unity Chappell as social worker.

The white draping for the ward house was bought and made ready for use by Jennie Belliston and Emma Memmott.

April 1927, the Zinnia was selected as our community flower because of its beautiful color, 225 packages were given to the teachers to give away. Also a successful fly campaign and clean street campaign was carried out by the Relief Society of the Stake.

June 4, 1927, a testimonial of appreciation was given to the teachers. Teachers and class leaders planned and successfully carried out a pleasant surprise and program with refreshments for the officers, June 28, 1927.

The hospital (bed) was purchased for the ward for $25.00.

The Relief Society  Chorus was called in 1927. In the fall of 1927, Jane Neeley and Ella Cowan donated an organ for use in the Hal. During the summer vacation, the workroom was remodeled. July 27, 1927, the water was put in the wash room of the hall. Boy Scouts dug the trench.

In the fall opening of our meetings, President Emma Brough said the teachers would take charge of the programs through the coming year, which they did very well.

Our ward received  $7.00 as second prize in the Clean-up campaign. In November, a special program was prepared and refreshments sold to raise money to meet the expenses of the improvements of the workroom, cleaning and painting. During the entertainments and plays were put on to meet expenses.

In June 1927, $10.00 was given to the Bishop for ward expenses and Missionary fund.

In October 2, 1928, the following were set apart: Etta Phil __________ Ellison were set apart as Historians, Fern Paxman and Ruby Carter, Laura Sowby, Fanny Olpin and Nellie Blackett as homebound workers. __________ Assistant Organist.

Martha Smith, Charlotte Howard were set apart as teachers, Stella Olpin and Delia Stanley were the entertainment committee.

January 8, 1929, Mary Irons was released from looking after the quilting. She had been at the head of quilting for many years. Clara Park and Delphi Morgan were put in charge of the quilts.

May 14, 1929, Georginia Wilkey was sustained as a teacher.

The fence around the Relief Society lot was put up and painted in the summer of 1929.

January 19, 1930, the following officers were set apart: Emma Memmott, president, Tryphena Belliston, First Counselor, Louise Christensen, Second Counselor. Louise Christensen died 1936. Sister Francis H. Orme took her place.

February 10, 1935, Anna D. Allred was made president, with First Counselor Thea C. Beagley, Second Counselor Lida C. Lomax.

November 7, 1937, President Charity Garrett, Thea C. Beagley, Mina Nielson.

September 4, 1938, President Lua L. Stephenson, Jennie Robbs, Mina B. Nielson. In 1942, Ada Kendall was made First Counselor, Rhea Beagley as Second Counselor. In 1944, the First Counselor was Rhea Beagley, Second Mattie Belliston.

In 1946, Alligee Anderson was put in as President with First Counselor, Louise Vickers, Second Katie Haynes.

March 23, 1947, the wards were divided, Alligee Anderson continued as President of the First Ward with Pearl Jenkins and Katie Haynes as Counselors. Lula Memmott had served as Secretary from 1937 until the wards were divided in 1947. Ruby Cox and Lucille Lunt were made secretaries.

In 1952, Mavis Hansen was sustained as President with Anna Ostler and Elva Nielson as Counselors. Vivian Paxman as secretary.

In 1955, Anna Ostler was made president with Joyce Memmott and Elva Nielson as Counselors. Lela Fowkes as secretary.

There was only one ward from 1858 to 1890. December 4, 1890, this one ward was divided into two wards, First or South; Second or North. First Ward held its meetings in the Old Social Hall on Center Street and Second East, at first.



Nephi Relief Society Organized June 23, 1862



Pres., Ann Wilkey

1st C. Sarah Ann Andrews (called into Stake) 1900

2nd C. Elizabeth Miller

Sec. Ellen Linton

Asst Sec Helen M. Grace (left for mission), Addie Cazier (took her place)

Treas. Priscilla Lunt

Asst Treas. Marriett Wheeler



1900

Pres., Ann Wilkey

1st C., Harriett W. Wheeler

2nd C., Mary Pettigrew

Sec, Sarah Brown

Teas., Jane Vickers



1902

Pres., Sarah Ann Andrews,

Cazier (died Aug. 1912)

1st C., Harriett Christensen

2nd C., Armanda Ellison

Sec., Sarah Brown

Treas., Jane Vickers



Oct. 1912

Pres., Harriett A. Christensen

1st C., Mary A. Ellison

2nd C., Melvina Broadhead

Sec., Sarah Brown

Asst. Sec., Elizabeth Linton

Treas., Mary Black



March 1914

Pres., Harriett A. Christensen

(relased 1915 to Stake)

1st C., Armanda Ellison

2nd C., Jane Vickers

Sec., Sarah Brown

Treas., Eliza Howarth



Dec. 3, 1915

Pres., Jane D. Vickers

1st C., Sarah Brown

2nd C., Elizabeth Linton

Sec., Jane Stephenson

Treas., Eliza Howarth



March 19, 1919

Pres., Elizabeth Linton

1st C., Sarah Brown

2nd C., Janette S. Lunt

Sec., Jane Stephenson

Treas., Eliza Howarth



Sept. 27, 1921

Pres., Maude Forrest

1st C., Sarah Brown

2nd C., Jeanette Lunt

Sec., Jane Stephenson

Asst. Sec., Tryphena Belliston

Treas., Eliza Howarth



Sept. 1924

Pres., Emma A. Brough

1st C., Elizabeth Linton

2nd C., Nellie S. Cowan

Sec., Jane S. Smith

Treas., Charity Garrett



Spring 1929

Pres., Emma C. Memmott

1st C., Tryphena H. Belliston

2nd C., Louise A. Christenson (died)

2nd C., Frances H. Orme

Sec., Louise C. Vickers

Treas., Charity Garrett



Feb 10, 1935

Pres., Anna D. Allred

1st C., Rhea Beagley

2nd C., Mina B. Nilson

Sec., Charity Garrett



Nov. 1937

Pres., Charity Garrett

1st C., Rhea Beagley

2nd C. Mina B. Nilson

Sec., Lula B. Memmott



1942

Pres., Lua L. Stephenson

1st C., Ada B. Kendall

2nd C., Jennie Hobbs (Moved to Provo)

2nd C., Thea Beagley

Sec., Lula Memmott


1944

Pres., Lua L. Stephenson

1st C., Thea C. Beagley

2nd C., Mattie V. Belliston

Sec., Lula Memmott

Asst., Della Belliston


1946

Pres., Alligee Anderson

1st C., Louise C. Vickers

2nd C., Katie Haynes

Sec., Lula Memmott

Asst., Della Belliston


March 23, 1947, Wards Divided

Don't worry about the flood at our house, family.

Myrna wrote: We will be home Tuesday evening. We have scheduled the same folks who put in the water heater to come and look at what went wrong. They will be there early Wednesday a.m. We love you and all the offers of help. Dad thinks that maybe some sediment built up inside the water heater and blew into the valve blocking it. He wants the guys who installed the plumbing to come and look at it. He is afraid that if we start twisting and turning we may end up in a lot of hot water. :) Literally.

Todd wrote: What flood?

Kimberly wrote: It's fixed. The relief valve failed. Shawn replaced it. Just washing some towels, Toren snow shoveled for you.

Myrna wrote: Wow! Thanks for all the work. We owe you big time.

Kimberly wrote: Not us. Julie did all the clean up. Blessed she found out when she did. Could have been much, much worse.


Myrna wrote: Julie went to the house to mail a bill for dad so that we could pay it from here. Our water heater had malfunctioned and there was water in the basement. It had made it under the stairs and into the family room but she was able to turn off the water heater and lift the carpet so that it would dry.

We certainly appreciate the work. Thanks for replacing the valve, doing the clean-up and shoveling the walks. We are certainly thankful to all of you and are thankful for all of your help. I think Julie was inspired to go downstairs and check the basement. It could have really been a major flood. It was another one of those "tender mercies." I think we owe you, Shawn, the cost of the valve. As I recall, I sort of left the house in a mess as well (the bedroom and office). I had to do news and put away the rest of Christmas from around the house. There were a few other things that HAD to be done as well as the packing. So I apologize for the mess.

Thanks, Kimberly, for the news. I didn't realize that it was you who relayed the good news. I thought, at first, that it was Shawn. Now I know, from Julie, that you worked to make things nice for us. So thank you. I need to apologize. I didn't realize that you and Sorina had also been here and worked. You, Kimberly, helped move that heavy carpet in addition to the other help you provided. I am sorry that I did not know and I would have sent you all a thank-you note. I do love you.

Thanks also to AnnMarie for meeting Julie and working with her earlier.

Sympathy for Kirsten

Erin wrote: I was reading about Auntie Kirsten with my grandma Barbra so she could explain to me what all these words meant haha. We both agreed poor Aunty Kirsten. And we both hope that she will get better soon. Its a good thing you were there though so she had someone to help her. Tell her i said hi and that i am terribly sorry she had to go through all of that. Its a good thing though too that they found out what it was instead if her going through that another few times. Anyways i hope you guys are still having fun with all of this excitement. Must be lots of exersize. Love you lots. 
Love
Your loving grandaughter Erin


Myrna wrote: You should be getting a Valentine package from us. We mailed it from Colorado.
How are you? I hope that you are doing well at school.

Gordon wrote: You are all in our prayers.   Wow!
Love,
Gordon and Roberta


Cheryl Utley, Friday Evening Shift Coordinator, wrote: Myrna 
Got your message, all will be fine at the temple. We will just keep filling in for you. So sorry to hear about all your daughter's  problems.  Love Cheryl

Olena Blackham Hunt wrote: Give Kristen my love. She will be in my prayers. I have allergy to certain medication and know what she is going through. I'm alergic to morphine plus others. Enjoy your grandkids while you are with them.

Annette Morely wrote: Dear Myrna,
It sounds like you have had quite the time.  We miss you, but will get along fine for however long it takes.  Good luck to all of you and especially poor Kirsten.  Love, Annette

Joan wrote: Dear folks,
We are so very concerned about your daughter and her health situation.
We pray that everything will work out for her and you very soon.
Don't worry about what is going on at the Temple.  Sister Morley and I
are keeping up with everything.  We miss you, but the sisters have been
good to help.  Just take care of your daughter and don't worry.  
Much love, 
Sister Joan Meade

Ann wrote: WOW! When it rain it pours.
Hope Kirsten can get some relief soon.
We will keep you in our prayers
Love
Ann Carter

Eileen Lofthouse, Saturday Afternoon Shift Coordinator, wrote:  Oh my, Myrna!!!  What an experience.  I am so thankful that you are there to help her and the children and you need to stay as long as you are needed!!!  I'm glad that you are healing as well.  I'm sure you fall into bed exhausted every night but the Lord does give Grandma's and Grandpa's extra strength to do whatever we have to do.  

Keep me in touch and let me know how everything is going.  We'll have a substitute for you as long as we need too.  Prayers for Kirsten and you and Leonard, too.  

much love,
Eileen aka Sis. Lofthouse
Lyla wrote: Myrna, 
You stay right there with you daughter who needs you more than any of us!!  Of course we will miss you and I will get detailed notes for you knowing you won't be here. Have you put her name in the temple??  I am sure you have.  Keep me updated and please be safe!! 
Love You, 
Lyla


Russ Bnder wrote: Hello Dear Friends,
We have missed you for the last couple weeks.  We hope all has gone well for Kirsten. 
I read about the Republican Dinner this month.  Are you going?
Just wondering about you.  If I remember right, you will be home sometime this week, right?
Love you,
Colleen and Russ

Deborah Woodbrey wrote: I am glad that you are alright, I was worrying about you the last couple weeks not seeing you at all. I hope your daughter gets better soon. Sounds like a scary thing to go through. Be safe in your travels. We are getting lots of snow right now and should be going through the next couple days.


EllaDean wrote: I am so sorry to hear about your daughter.  That is terrible that with so much pain , especially in her mouth, that she can,t take any antibiotics.  
My granddaughters husband is a Pediatrics surgeon at Memorial hospital, in Denver.
Hope and pray all wil  go well with her.


Russ Bender wrote: Hi Dear Friends,

We've been concerned all week about Kirsten.  How is she doing? Since we have not heard from you, we have been more than concerned.Let us know. We love you guys and your family.
Russ and Colleen

Copycat Thin Mints Recipe

Do you love those iconic Thin Mint cookies? Look no further than this recipe to make your own at home. These have too much sugar for the  Type 2 Diabetics like Myrna. If you can eat sugar, enjoy.

Ingredients
1 1/4 C. all-purpose flour 

1 C. sugar

1/2 C. cocoa powder

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. baking soda

3/4 C. butter or vegan margarine
3 Tbsp. milk
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. pure peppermint extract
Chocolate Coating
4 C. semisweet chocolate chips

2 Tbsp. butter or vegan margarine 

1/2 tsp. peppermint extract
Directions
Use a food processor to blend dry ingredients, by pulsing. Add margarine, milk, vanilla, and mint extract and pulse until well combined. Scrape out dough, knead until all the ingredients are well incorporated, and chill in refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours, till mixture is firm.

Preheat the oven to 350° and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. When dough is ready, roll balls about as big as a heaping teaspoon, and press them, one by one, onto the baking trays, leaving about 3 inches of space around each. Flatten each to about a quarter inch thick and bake for 12-15 minutes. Roll a heaping teaspoon of cookie dough into a ball and place onto prepared baking sheets, leaving about 3 inches in between each ball. Cool on rack completely.

Chocolate coating: Melt chocolate chips and margarine until smooth using a double boiler or microwave. Stir in the mint extract. Dip cooled cookies into thechocolate using your fingers or a fork. Arrange cookies plates lined with parchment paper and refrigerate until coating sets. 

Where We Are

We are here in Colorado Springs for the second week. We will need to be here for week three. Kirsten, our youngest daughter, had surgery on her jaw and had it broken in four places so that her joints would work as they should. She has been in constant pain with them and the spacers the orthodontist had her wearing for the last four years did not work. The surgery was extremely painful and I am certain that it would have killed me. (Especially since I cannot take most pain relievers.) She had the surgery on Wednesday, and then came home to pain and drugs. That was when the trouble started. She had two ambulance rides in two days. Monday, either the oxycodone, hydrocodone, or Keflex caused her to have a severe allergic reaction. She swelled, got hives and had great difficulty breathing. At the ER, they were unable to determine what caused the problem for certain. Although the Dr. there thought that it was most likely that it was both the narcotics. They took her off of everything at the hospital, except for Tylenol. (I do not have time to look any of this spelling up.) They kept her overnight and, in the morning, they put her on a morphine-type drug and sent her home at noon. We got back about 1 p.m. but had to go to Walgreens and get the new drugs. Guess what? She took the first dose and started to swell again. She was not as bad the second time and did not need to stay the night even though her breathing was labored. It is difficult when your tongue and your breathing passage swells shut and your jaw is wired closed. The medics were afraid that they would have to do a tracheostomy but they were able to get her to respond with oxygen and epinephrine.

The next day, on a Wednesday, one week after the surgery, we were headed to the surgeon, who is located in Denver, also where the surgery was done, when she started to swell again. We ended up back at the ER at Memorial in the Colorado Springs area where they treated her and sent us on to the surgeon. It took the three times before they finally figured out which medication was making her stop breathing. Apparently she cannot take any narcotics. It is a good thing that she never took up drugs. ;) They also had to take away the steriods which were supposed to keep her from swelling because they gave her panic attacks. They did not restart the antibiotics either. At any rate, she is weak and worn-out and cannot drive. We are needed for one more week to assist her and take care of her five children under the age of 12 (one is 16-months).

I am certainly happy that I never had the same surgery. At one point, one orthodontist said it might be a good thing to do to cure my TMJ but I found a different specalist who just made all my teeth fit together. The orthodontist who took over Dr. Kitchen's practice, who was practicing in Provo, after he died in the airplane accident was the one who told us that Kirsten did not need braces and that her mouth looked just great. HAH! Can I sue at this late date. I know, I know, he did the best he could at the time. She was just 12 at the time but he continued to say that her teeth were lining up well. Her jaw hinges were so deteriorated from the constant misalignment that they had to be replaced with artificial ones. I am too old for all of this fear of dying. Just be healthy, strong and do NOT have surgery or accidents. :)

My tooth was removed, the bone graft done, and, next October, I will get an implant. I have a new cap on the tooth that was decaying under the old cap. I am in good shape. Leonard also has a new cap and the same molar that I had removed had to be extracted on him. We are twins in that we are both missing the rear lower molar. He will also need an implant but that will not be until Fall for either of us. I hope Kirsten soon will be. I think she is very brave and has had so much pain, in addition to the allergies. Hopefully we can schedule that for our break from the temple.
© 201

From Erin

Dear Grandma,
            I am so sorry I am now just getting back to you. I haven't checked my email in a couple of years. When I first opened it today I saw that I had about 560 unread messages. I have seen so many messages and read all that you have sent me and with each one I appreciate more. All of the things you have sent me are fantastic. Thank you so much. Even though I just saw you recently I would still like to know how both of you are. What's new? How are you? Love you lots and thank you again very much.
  Love,
  Your granddaughter Erin

We will stay in Colorado for a short while longer.

This will let you all know that we are staying in Colorado for a few more days. Kirsten really could use our help just a while longer.

memberservices@travelocity.com 
Sent: Tue 2/05/13 10:48 PM

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Passenger Name: LEONARD TRAUNTVEIN

Passenger Name: MYRNA TRAUNTVEIN

A Bevy of Old Fashioned Valentines

To Our Beloved Missionary Grandsons

Gramps and I read your letters with great interest. We are thankful that Heavenly Father blesses you with many tender mercies and that he is helping you both to be successful and to be happy in your work. We pray daily, and usually, more often than once a day, that you will be blessed. You are in our thoughts continually and we are proud of you young men who are serving our Father in Heaven and our Savior.

We are here in Colorado Springs for the second week. Kirsten had surgery on her jaw and had it broken in four places so that her joints would work as they should. She has been in constant pain with them and the spacers the orthodontist had her wearing for the last four years did not work. The surgery was extremely painful and I am certain that it would have killed me. (Especially since I cannot take many pain relievers.) She had the surgery on Wednesday, and then came home to pain and drugs. That was when the trouble started. She had two ambulance rides in two days. Monday, either the oxycodone, hydrocodone, or Keflex caused her to have a severe allergic reaction. She swelled, got hives and had great difficulty breathing. At the ER, they were unable to determine what caused the problem for certain. Although the Dr. there thought that it was most likely that it was both the narcotics. They took her off of everything at the hospital, except for Tylenol. (I do not have time to look any of this spelling up.) They kept her overnight and, in the morning, they put her on a morphine-type drug and sent her home at noon. We got back about 1 p.m. but had to go to Walgreens and get the new drugs. Guess what? She took the first dose and started to swell again. She was not as bad the second time and did not need to stay the night. The next day, on a Wednesday, one week after the surgery, we were headed to the surgeon when she started to swell again. We ended up back at the ER where they treated her and sent us on to the surgeon. It took the three times before they finally figured out which medication was making her stop breathing. Apparently she cannot take any narcotics. It is a good thing that she never took up drugs. ;) They also had to take away the steriods which were supposed to keep her from swelling because they gave her panic attacks.

I am certainly happy that I never had the same surgery. At one point, one orthodontist said it might be a good thing to do to cure my TMJ but I found a different specalist who just made all my teeth fit together. The orthodontist who took over Dr. Kitchen's practice after he died in the airplane accident was the one who told us that Kirsten did not need braces and that her mouth looked just great. HAH! Can I sue at this late date. I know, I know, he did the best he could at the time. She was just 12 or 13. I am too old for all of this fear of dying. Could you guys all knock it off, OK? Just be healthy, strong and do NOT have surgery or accidents. :)

My tooth was removed, the bone graft done, and, in six months, I will get an implant. I have a new cap on the tooth that was decaying under the old cap. I am in good shape. I hope Kirsten soon will be. I think she is very brave and has had so much pain, in addition to the allergies.

Well, Gramps and I wanted you both to know that you were loved and remembered. Take care, keep safe, and remember, no accidents or surgeries. I am too old for the trauma.

Lots of love, Grammy and Gramps

The ER and Kirsten

She ended up in the ER again today. It was just a mild reaction today. We took her in the car so she didn't alarm all of the neighbors. (They come running each time that something happens. Two of the older ladies really love her.) We were actually headed toward Denver and her surgeon when she started getting short of breath and her lips and tongue started to swell again. We took a trip to the ER, they treated her, and we went on to Denver. The doctor in ER seemed to think that she was so sensitive because of all the meds she had been taking and because of the adverse reactions she had had that she was just sort of cycling through the junk working out of her system. Pray that is the end of all her misery though she is still in great pain. Love you all!

Kirsten wrote: Thanks for resending.  And for walking me through all this!  Love you!

Myrna wrote: I love you also, lots! That doesn't mean, however, that you can take any more ambulance rides for a very long time.

Melanie wrote: By the way...I don't remember the orthodontist that took over the Kitchen's practice...but I didn't like him as much. The Kitchens were fabulous!