The Crisis of the American Family

What a sad world we live in. I think it was easier to worry about wolves eating your children than to worry about all of the problems that beset our children and grandchildren in the modern world. Well, maybe not, but it is hard for many of our loved ones. One of the largest problems facing all of us today is the weakening of the American family. While it is true that the news coverage of the epic health care debate in the Supreme Court represents one of the most important news stories in recent years, one story with implications for the future of the American republic, a potentially bigger news story, went largely ignored. Mormon Media Observer: Coverage of crisis of the American family under-covered story By Lane Williams, For the Deseret News Published: Monday, April 2, 2012 The traditional American family continues to break. That's a key takeaway from a quadrennial study by the National Center for Health Statistics recently released. It was a large-scale study of more than 20,000 people. News coverage of the report was spotty and uneven at best. Among the study's findings: • A full 38 percent of women under age 44 have never been married. • Less than one in three men in that age group are in a first marriage. • Only about 50 percent of first marriages are surviving 20 years. • The rate of cohabitation — living together before marriage — is growing rapidly. In 2002, about 9 percent of men were cohabiting. Today, that figure has grown to more than 12 percent — a 33 percent increase. (Evidently, about 60 percent now say they cohabit before marrying.) • It is one third as likely that men are cohabiting as it is that they are in their first marriage. • More than 50 percent of black or African American women under age 44 have never married. • Education makes a big difference. While one in five women without a high school diploma live unmarried with a man, only about one in 20 with advanced degrees do. For men, those without a high school diploma are cohabitating at a rate of about one in four. • U.S.-born Hispanic or Latino men are about half as likely as their foreign-born counterparts to be married. • Religiousity and education also correlate with longer-lasting marriages. • Cohabitation before marriage still correlates with a marriage more likely to end in divorce, especially among those not engaged. But those statistical differences seem to be narrowing as more people live in cohabitation. It all paints a picture of the nation's most important institution facing continued assault and great peril. It suggests that the value of chastity continues to fade. And without marriage, poverty and other problems rise among children. The foundation of the nation is cracking. To be sure, this report received some important coverage in the news media. And, rigorous, useful analysis by intelligent people is also available. But many important news organizations missed the news entirely. Who missed it? If my Lexis-Nexis and Google searchs were accurate, only two major national newspapers wrote about it and only two smaller wire services covered it. To be sure, these news organizations haven't ignored the story of the changing American family — as in a fascinating New York Times report on the troubling rise of out-of-wedlock births among women under 30. More than 50 percent of births to women under 30 now are outside of marriage. Furthermore, we must be grateful to careful government researchers who spend their time writing these remarkable, extensive reports. But there needs to be a greater focus on family issues by the national press. Here's why: One of the most important insights that has emerged in recent decades from the study of the news media is that as the frequency of stories about certain issues rise, so does the public's perception of the importance of those issues. Put another way, when you ask people what the most important issues are facing the county, they choose issues that correlate with how frequently issues are in the press. So, as news focuses on, say, the economy, so do voters. And as voters focus on issues, so, naturally, do politicians. Things, therefore, get done. Hence, the lack of coverage of these family issues by the mainstream press makes it less likely that people will talk about them and, therefore, less likely that any pressure will come to make policy change. Are their useful governmental solutions to help address this crisis? Probably. Yet, these proposals have a hard time gaining traction amid low national attention. What is the most important issue facing this county today? Obamacare? The economy? Possibly. Here's one vote that the declining norm of marriage may be the biggest threat to our long-term survival as a nation. I, for one, think this issue needs more serious, focused, consistent and thoughtful attention by the nation's mainstream press. The coverage of this milestone study needed far more attention than it received. The crisis of the American family is real and may be the most important issue in America today even if the press neglects it.

Will any of you be here on Thanksgiving?

Myrna wrote: OK, I know who will not be here--Julie and family are going to Idaho; AnnMarie and family are going to St. George; Todd and family are in Ohio; Melanie, Howard and Mikaela are in Texas (if that is still a state and not a new country); Siovhan is still at her far-away job; David is on-call; and the rest of you we do not know about. 

Auntie Helen called and she, and her wonderful popcorn cake, will be here. 

In spite of my type 2 diabetes, we will have all the traditional dishes, including pie. I will have my own dishes--turkey, salad, vegetables and a baked sweet potato--but the rest of you can expect the same traditional meal we have always served, including stuffing and pie.

We love you and would appreciate knowing your plans.

Kirsten: Jared's parents are flying in tomorrow, so we will be here. Happy Thanksgiving to you all! Miss you all and love you all very much! Love, Kirsten

Melanie wrote: I do admit it feels weird not to be traveling to Ohio for Thanksgiving. I will miss being there, almost as much as I will miss not seeing Todd. :)

Todd wrote: Ah. She misses me. :)

Myrna wrote: We all do! This getting old is for the turkeys. I remember that my dad told me that.

Todd wrote: Yeah. Last year was my first year of odd. Told Amy we ought to just go out there for kicks and giggles. I know where there are a few places to eat dinner on Thanksgiving. I only hope hailey will remember those trips. Remember the year it snowed the whole time we were there? The kids rode the hill all morning long. 

Braden wrote: As you all may have seen in the news, Israel is suffering a great time. I write this so that you may all remember one of my dear friends who is serving in the Israeli Army. Her name is Ariel Bruce. Please keep her in your prayers over the next few days. Thanks to all!


Okay, just an update. My friend, Ariel, had actually been flown in to the U.S. and is currently in Boston for a surprise visit to her parents. She is safe and sound.

And sorry for all the emails, and the grammar that sometimes does not make sense. You can take Braden out a Spanish world, but you can't take Spanish out of Braden...


Myrna wrote: OK. It might be Auntie Helen and us and MAYBE David's kids, depending on whether Bree is still in the hospital or not.

Shawn wrote: We will be in Kaysville this year.  :(

Kirsten wrote: If no one is coming down you are always welcome to come here! I'll have lots of extra turkey including me! Love you lots

Myrna wrote: I'd need to bring Auntie. Maybe she would come. I haven't heard from Braden. 

I love my turkey girl. Happy Birthday! I hope you could read the card. Sometimes my pens smear. :)

Kirsten wrote: She'd be welcome, too!  I will let you know about the card.  Mail hasn't come yet today. :)

Braden wrote:  You are going to be in Kaysville?I think I should be okay to come down Wednesday night and help prepare for the whole next day. Just let me know what's going on with all the plans, okay?

Myrna wrote: I will not be in Kaysville at all, the Shawn Trauntvein family will be. It is going to be a small gathering at our house. You are invited and so is your roommate. We will be here and so will Auntie Helen and MAYBE David's kids.

Amy J. wrote: I am working but Eric and the kids will be there.

Myrna wrote: Thanks for all of the responses. I now know who will be here to celebrate with us and who will be celebrating elsewhere. Let's all have a great day. Thanksgiving is still one of my favorite holidays: food, family, fun. Of course, there is also gratitude, thankfulness and lots of good and happy memories.

One year for either Christmas or Thanksgiving, when Joey and Walter Olpin lived next door, they were our only guests besides our own small family. We crowded into our small kitchen, that was years and years before the addition was added, and ate, laughed and enjoyed a great meal. 

Most years, we traveled elsewhere. I don't know why it was that we stayed home that year. It was most unusual but it was fun. Perhaps all of our usual haunts had other plans. Strange that I do not remember why we were at home. It must have been Christmas. We usually stayed home Christmas Day after all of the children started to have lots of gifts to pack around. We would sometimes have family come to our home for dinner and sometimes not. 

We always had Auntie Helen's Christmas party in early December and met together as a big family then. We also, at some point, visited in Kenilworth, Price and Huntington. There we exchanged gifts prior to Christmas and were fed great meals. These are all good memories to warm my old age.

Oh, wait, I am old. Well, they warm my memories now and, perhaps, someday I will actually remember whether it was Christmas or Thanksgiving that we hosted the Olpin neighbors.

OK, Braden is coming on Wednesday, right? Am's youngest will spend her workday here and will travel on to St. George that evening. Bree is home from the hospital and none of them will be here. Amy J. is working but the rest of Eric's family will be here. Auntie Helen will be here. Is that all right? Three cheers for Thanksgiving. It is still a favorite holiday of mine--good food, great family, and lots of blessings to recall.

Two quotes Myrna needed to hear.

"We can lift ourselves and others as well when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues. Someone has said that 'gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.'" Thomas S. Monson

Melody Beattie
"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow." 

We would like to leave early.

Could you work out our schedule so that we could leave a bit early on Saturday? We have a Senior grandson at TimpView High who has a role in the play. We can't go Friday and would like to go on Saturday. It starts at 7 p.m. so we would have a tough time getting there and getting a seat before it starts if we leave at 5 p.m. It takes about 45-55 minutes from Manti to Nephi and then about 40 minutes from Nephi to Provo. We would then need to fight Provo traffic to get to TimpView. The play is also on Thursday but I have school board meeting and I hate to try to make up the meeting afterward by listening to the tapes. It is possible, however. So if it is difficult for you to do, then let me know. My daughter-in-law in Hurricane is having health issues and we may also have to go get her kids. (Our youngest son's wife.) He is trying to hold down the fort but I don't know how that will go. We will let him do what he can and what he thinks a good dad should do but I will tell you it would be easier on me emotionally if he would let me help. I don't know how long they will keep her at the hospital so we may be looking at a week or two. Eileen wrote: Dear Myrna, I am so sorry about your daughter in law. Live is so hard. I have texted Bro. Maxwell to see what he wants to do about the temple schedule. We had you portraying 3/4 at 3:30. He'll get back to me and I will let you know as soon as he does. I don't believe getting off early will be a problem. Enjoy the play and, as for the daugther-in-law's health, keep your chin up, my dear friend!! Love you Eileen aka Sis. Lofthouse

About the note about Trauntvein.

Myrna wrote: The man, in Texas, who handed me the note really did not have much helpful information for us.

The first word he had written on it was "Opladen."

Next was, "Leverkusen--Opladen."

He then wrote:(Rheinland) NRW (stake); Nord Rhein Westfalen

He then wrote: "Trautwein."  It is note spelled as ours is "Trauntvein." There is not much there.

The Trautwein, he said, was a member of the church and could be traced through church records.

Eva wrote: Thank you. In all the years I researched, many of the family was wein, one Tromp wein.  I think the spelling was just whatever the Parish minister heard- Danish with a heavy German accent.  As I think back over those many years, I was so blessed to be able to find so much and be able to connect families.  I know the Holy Spirit was my constant companion.  As I get older, I keep thinking about in not too many more years, I am going to finally meet all of those wonderful folks and be able to finally tie them into their parents.   

One day  David showed me how he was able to pull  up the huge family tree in a fan shape.  As we were looking at the lines, I noticed that our gr grandmother about three back ( Marie Fredericka Birch Trauntveins  parents were not there.  I had brought that family group sheet to the library with me that morning and showed it to my favorite missionary who had been helping me for weeks.  She showed  me how to add  her parents and a brother I had also found.  In doing that , she also showed me how someone else had added a sister; I had never found her in any of my extensive research.  I was elated It was in a totally different parish than I knew about.  How wonderful the Spirit is  to help us be successful  and for somone else to connect us.  I would like to find that person; maybe he could help me in joinning up some more families. 

Have a great Turkey Day. God Bless you.

Oh, by the way, I loved Ben's quote about the 100,000 missionaries. Both of you young men are doing terrific. 

It took me three full days (AT MY SNAIL'S PACE TO WRITE, STUFF AND MAIL LETTERS TO 13 MISSIONARIES WHICH INCLUDED THREE MATURE COUPLES IN PAIRS, AUSTRALIA AND COVE FORT,  ELDERS EVERYWHERE FROM TWO IN AREAS  IN AFRICA, TAIWAN, PHILIPPINES, TONGA, SOUTH AMERICA, ENGLAND,USA.)  It is so rewarding. I am so grateful for the Lord's help in writing and thinking and planning. May He continue to bless you in all you do.   

 MAY HE CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU IIN ALL YOU DO. LOVE  AND  HUGS ALWAYS, EVA

Kimberly wrote: Opladen is the place my piano tuner gave me for knowing a Trauntvein, last year

Myrna wrote: I wonder if we could get in touch?

Our relative, Marg, passed on.‏

1927 ~ 2012
Marjorie Musig Greenhalgh passed away Monday, Nov. 12, 2012 in St. George, Utah.

Marjorie was born July 4, 1927 to Lucina Clark Musig and William DeMille Musig in Springville, Utah. She was married and sealed to her eternal companion Ralph Clark Greenhalgh on Sept. 8, 1948 in the Manti Utah Temple.

She lived her life with joy, and deeply loved and enjoyed rearing her family of four sons: Larry Clark; Kent Dean (deceased); Blaine William; Wesley Joseph; and two daughters: Karen Lou; and Linda. She taught them a love for the Lord and His Gospel, and for family, service, work, and our nation. 

Marjorie was very patriotic and loved that her birthday was on Independence Day. She was a lifetime member of the Chalice Club of Nephi. 

She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many responsibilities in the Stake and Ward Primary organizations. She especially enjoyed their mission together, serving in the Boston, Massachusetts Mission office and their success in searching for and teaching many interested in the Church. From 1991 to 1994, she served as assistant to the Matron in the Manti, Utah Temple. She was faithfully attending the temple until just a year ago. 

Marjorie developed into an accomplished artist. Her home is adorned with many of her oil paintings, depicting the beautiful Utah landscapes she loved. 

Marjorie is survived by her husband Clark of Nephi; Larry (Diane) of St. George; Karen (Bill) Bennett of Laverkin; Blaine (Janet) of Pleasant Grove; Wesley (Janet) of Heber City; and Linda (John) Curtis of Star, Idaho. 

She is also survived by two sisters Merial (George) Hawkins of Bountiful, and Elva Christian of St. George; brother-in-law James (Elaine) Greenhalgh of Logan; as well as 18 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren (one deceased). 

Funeral services will be held Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012 at 11 a.m. in the Nephi 128 LDS Ward Chapel (222 South 100 East, Nephi, Utah) following a brief viewing from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Family and friends may call Friday evening at the Anderson Funeral Home (94 West 300 North, Nephi, Utah) from 6 to 8 p.m. She will be laid to rest in the Vine Bluff Cemetery in Nephi.

Published in Salt Lake Tribune on November 14, 2012

Melanie wrote: Linda said that her mother had suffered a severe stroke that she never really recovered from. Marjorie was always very kind to me. Her family loved her very much.

Sorina's Program

Sorina's primary program is this Sunday at 1pm. 

Schedule change

Myrna wrote: Could you work out our schedule so that we could leave a bit early on Saturday? We have a Senior grandson at TimpView High who has an important role in the play. We can't go Friday and would like to go on Saturday. It starts at 7 p.m. so we would have a tough time getting there and getting a seat before it starts if we leave at 5 p.m. It takes about 45-55 minutes from Manti to Nephi and then about 40 minutes from Nephi to Provo. We would then need to fight Provo traffic to get to TimpView. The play is also on Thursday but I have school board meeting and I hate to try to make up the meeting afterward by listening to the tapes. It is possible, however. So if it is difficult for you to do, then let me know.

My daughter-in-law in Hurricane is very, very ill and we may also have to go get her kids. (Our youngest son's wife.) He is trying to hold down the fort but I don't know how that will go. We have to let him do what he can but I will tell you it would be easier on me if he would let me help. I don't know how long they will keep her so we may be looking at a LONG week or two.


Eileen wrote: Dear Myrna,

I am so sorry about your daughter in law.  Life is so hard. I am sorry that she is sick. 

Sickness is one thing. I worry about other things with family. Wish these kids could find a better way to handle life's ups and downs. This is coming from one who has 2 granddaughters in the UT county jail on drug charges.

I have texted Bro. Maxwell to see what he wants to do about the temple schedule.  We had you portraying 3/4 at 3:30.  He'll get back to me and I will let you know as soon as he does.  I don't believe getting off early will be a problem.    

Keep your chin up, my dear friend!!

Love you
Eileen  aka Sis. Lofthouse

Melanie's Favorite Pancakes

One of my favorite cookbooks is, "The Mormon Diet,' Ethel C. Updike, Dorothy E. Smith, and Earl F. Updike, 1992, distributed by CFI (Cedar Fort, Incorporated), 925 North Main Street, Springville, UT, 801-489-4084. I bought it about fifteen years ago, while I lived in Missouri. I use it frequently. It is a Word of Wisdom cookbook, with limited meat, white anything and no sugar. My favorite parts are the soups and salads, but also, they have fabulous breads and breakfast foods.

My all time favorite recipe from this book is the oatmeal pancakes.

1 c. flour, half whole wheat, half white (I use 3/4 c. whole wheat and 1/4 c. white, just to bind the batter together better)
1/2 c. uncooked oats, quick or old fashioned (I use the old fashioned)
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. almond milk
2 egg whites, beaten
2 Tbs. applesauce

In a medium bowl, combine the dry ingredients. In a pyrex cup, mix the beaten egg whites and the applesauce together. Add to the dry ingredients, and mix until just moistened. You need to let the batter sit for about five to ten minutes, to let the oatmeal soften a bit. Cook as you would normal pancakes, watch carefully, they tend to brown more quickly.

I eat them with peaches, apples slices, berries, whatever. They really are the best pancakes for me. Howard and Mikaela aren't fans...probably too healthy for them.

Mel

Granny Sycamore Copycat‏ From Kirsten

Kirsten wrote: Ok, so I found a recipe that is really yummy and for those of us who cannot stock up on Granny Sycamore's white bread, here's a copycat version that I have tweaked a bit. Enjoy!
By the way, the original copycat (does that make sense) recipe can be found here:
http://robbygurlscreations.blogspot.com/2011/06/robins-perfect-homemade-bread.html
her loaves come out a little squat, so I use her original recipe to only form one loaf.


Granny Sycamore Copycat
3 C. All Purpose Flour
1 - 1/4 oz. Pkg. Fast Acting Dry Yeast (or 2.5 tsp SAF yeast)
1 1/4 tsp. Salt
3 Tbsp. Sugar
4 Tbsp. Butter, Melted
1/4 C. Non-Fat Dry Milk
1/4 C. Mashed Potato Flakes (or potato pearls that have been processed to powder)
1 1/8 C. Luke Warm Water
1 1/2 tsp. Vital Wheat Gluten or dough enhancer
A Pinch of Sugar


1. Proof the yeast with warm water and a pinch of sugar.  
2. Combine flour, salt, sugar, non-fat dry milk, potato flakes and vital wheat gluten into your mixer. Mix together.
3. Add dough enhancer to proofed yeast.  Measure out your 4 tbsp of butter and stick in the microwave for about 20 seconds.
4. Pour melted butter into yeast mixture add this to your mixer.
6. Knead for 10-15 minutes.  
7.  Transfer dough to greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap (that has also been “greased”).  Place in warm area and allow to rise for 1 hour or until dough has doubled in size (I learned a trick from ATK, set your oven to 200 degrees before you even start gathering your ingredients.  Allow to come to temperature and sit at 200 for 10 minutes.  Turn off oven and let cool slightly.  You will be left with a perfect proofing oven.) 
8. While the dough is rising, grease a loaf pan. 
9. Punch dough down, then place dough on a lightly floured surface.
10. Roll out to a little bigger length than your bread pans, then fold in all 4 sides to match the length and width of your loaf pan.
11. Place the dough folded side down in the loaf pan and cover VERY lightly with saran wrap. Then place the loaves in a warm place. 
13. After the bread dough has risen to twice its size in the loaf pan, place it in the preheated oven (350 degrees) for 15-20 minutes or until instant read thermometer reads 175 when placed in the side of the loaf.
14.  Remove from oven.  Using a stick of butter, run butter along the top crust of the loaf.  Immediately remove loaf from pans and allow to cool for 15-20 minutes on a cooling rack.  


Kirsten

Todd wrote: That last sentence doesn't make sense. Allow to cool for 15 minutes.
Like that's going to happen. :)

Kirsten wrote: hahahahaha! I now double the recipe and let one get "ripped into" and the other to cool accordingly! :)

Shawn wrote: I'll have to try it with some whole wheat flower. Toren eats a peanutbutter and jam sandwich for lunch every school day, and he only likes it on Granny Sycamore's whole wheat bread (also has to be some kind of blackberry jam without seeds).