Maddie about Eric

Madilyn wrote: My dad smashed his finger at work a while back and when his fingernail fell off he put it on the piano as a joke. saying "Maybe the fingernail fairy will come and leave me money." To our surprise she did. She left him a mini candy bar, ten cents and a note. 

Healthy Basic Crepes

Crepes are an easy and elegant breakfast , brunch or even dessert. These crepes use whole wheat flour.

Ingredients: 

2 cups whole wheat flour

5 eggs

I cup non-fat or regular plain Greek yogurt

1 cup low-fat milk

1 cup water

4 Tablespoons butter, melted

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions: 

1. Whisk together flour, leavenings, eggs and yogurt in a large mixing bowl. Gradually add milk and water, stirring to combine. Beat until smooth.

2. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium-high heat. Pour or scoop 1/4 cup batter onto griddle. (If using a crepe pan, tilt pan with a circular motion so batter coats the surface evenly.) If using a griddle, pour the batter in a circular motion so the batter is quite thin on the griddle. 

3. Cook crepe until bottom is light brown, about 2 minutes. Loosen with a spatula, turn and cook other side. 

4. Serve hot with yogurt and blueberries. (Use other fruits as desired. Also whipped cream or ice cream may be used if the crepe is served as dessert.)

From Nephi

We have been feeling the effects of the change in missionary age at the temple. Each of the two days that we serve, there are several young women who are turning 19 and are now entering the mission field and who have come to the temple to receive their endowments prior to entering the mission training center(s) of the church. There are also a great many young Elders who are ready to accept the call for the 18-year old men to become missionaries. We have been delighted at the great numbers of young people we see who are worthy to be missionaries. It is great to know that we have such wonderful young people in our family. 

My service as a temple sift assistant coordinator is now over. My two years are up and we were replaced this past Friday. It was strange knowing that every leadership service was the last time that we would be doing that work. It was also a bit sad since the five of us have worked so closely together and have formed a close friendship as a result. However, we no longer have the responsibility of making certain that things for our shift run smoothly. Now the new group gets to do that. 

We have been teaching the temple preparation class in our ward. We are teaching a young couple and one missionary-to-be in our ward. It is a great experience to share this special time with those who are preparing to attend the temple.

We had another missionary farewell, although we do not call it that anymore, yesterday. This young man is going to Peru and will go to the missionary training center for those Spanish speakers. He has been taking Spanish for some time now and chose to bear his testimony in Spanish. He certainly had a lot of people there to hear him. The chapel and the recreation center was filled. In fact, the recreation center was filled clear back to the stage. Mary Horrocks, Julie's good friend, spoke about her son, Ben, who is serving in Italy. 

We now have eight missionaries who are currently serving from our ward. Three more have recently returned home.

We also had a convert baptism in our ward and he was asked to bear his testimony as part of the meeting. We have a young man in our ward, Clifton Taylor, who is affiliated with the American Red Cross. He has been trying to leave for a mission but has been having a difficult time getting his health to the point where that can happen. He has really low iron and cannot seem to build his levels up. He went back to help at one of the disaster areas and, while there, met this young man. The missionary-to-be (Clifton Taylor), was asked by his parents to leave his home here in Nephi when he decided that he wanted to be active in the church. He moved in with Russ and Colleen Bender, at their invitation, and he called and asked if this young (32-year-old) man could come and stay with them also. They were happy to have him and he requested the missionary discussions while at the Bender's home. He was baptized on Saturday. He said that he had attended church with Clifton while he was working with him in Oklahoma and had felt that he found the spirit that he had been searching for. He wanted to know more and was now certain that he was in the "true church."

We are having weird weather here in Nephi. Last night, a huge wind and hail storm was forecast for our area. We were listening to the radio and heard a storm warning come over the line. It reported high winds and hail would move into our area. We sort of battened down the hatches, so to speak. When it came, the winds were not as high as predicted and there was no hail. There was a lot of lightening and thunder and a deluge of rain but it was only 15-minutes or so in duration. That was a relief. Hail at this time of year can wreak a garden and ours is doing really well at this point. The corn, to quote the song, "is as high as an elephant's eye." Maybe ours is higher than that. A couple of years ago, a high wind blew limbs off of our fruit trees and split one of the big branches. Luckily, that did not happen this time.

Michael's great-grandmother, Maxine Gordon, was at the Manti Temple on Saturday and I had the good fortune to be able to spend a few minutes with her. She is an elect lady. We were able to see each other a couple of times and give hugs and exchange "I love you" words. It was great. I do get to see so many people there. I met a "cousin" of sorts also on Saturday. He was a descendent of Judge Ferdinand Ericksen. One delight for me is working with one of my bridesmaids from way back when. Gerri Page was the former Gerri Shield of Price. She still lives in Price and now is one of the assistant matrons.

Gramps and I are so proud of the work you are doing in the mission field. It makes our hearts happy and strengthens our testimonies each week when we read your letters. We pray for you several times each day and want you to know that we love you. You are great! Thanks for serving our Father in Heaven, His son, Jesus Christ, and your fellow men.

The missionary yesterday told the story of a young man who had a dream that he would go into the world and find his pre-earth life friend who had not been sent to as great a place as he had been sent. He later wrote his bishop that he had found his friend. I know that you are also finding yours.

Love, Grammy and Gramps

I changed the letter for Michael to read: 

We saw your great-grandmother, Maxine Gordon, who was at the Manti Temple on Saturday and I had the good fortune to be able to spend a few minutes with her. She is an elect lady. We were able to see each other a couple of times and give hugs and exchange "I love you" words. It was great. 

Kaylene

Kaylene wrote: A little something silly to put a smile on your face this Monday morning!

Announced plan to open Mormon-themed restaurants! There is an idea floating around Utah, Arizona, Missouri, Idaho and California for a chain of non-pretentious Mormon-themed restaurants called "The Steak Center" (Where There's Never a Dry,Boring Meating!). Each Steak Center will have one enormous dining area with basketball hoops at either end and folding metal chairs and long tables covered in plastic tablecloths. The Steak Centers will not have hostesses, but greeters -- men in their seventies will meet you at the door and talk like they have known you all your life. The main menu items for lunch and dinner will be: Porterhouse Rockwell Steak Primary Rib Poor Wayfaring Pan of Beef Parsley P. Pratt Funeral Potatoes Eliza R. Snow crab (in season) And It Came to Pasta Kraft MacaMoroni and Cheese. Breakfast items will include Pearls of Great Rice Frosted Minivans Adam-ondi-Omelettes Also available In Our Lovely Desserts Fast Sundaes Gadianton Cobbler Laman Meringue Pie (just sinful!) The waiters will be 12- and 13-year-old boys wearing white shirts and their fathers' ties.. At the end of the night the customers will be asked to help fold up the chairs and tables and vacuum the floor. Franchises are selling faster than Sunbeams on Skittles! Get yours while they last! Closed Sundays and Monday evenings. --

-k-

Kaylene Armstrong

Erin Trauntvein at Dixie College

Erin Trauntvein wrote: i got accepted to this camp at Dixie College for girls only. We got to go to some of the classes that had to do with science, math, engineering and technology. It was a great time.

Yes I did have to apply.  I got accepted by filling out the scholarship and then I got another scholarship so I didn't have to pay cuz the camp costs $100. Gotta Love Me ;) 

It was science math engineering and technology. A lot of us applied but only a few of us got to go.

I' m at the Dixie College stem classes! Me and my roomate are hanging out in our dorm having so much fun but the girls next door keep knocking on our door. What should we do to them? Hmmmmm. . . Anyway thanks for the soda and treats mom!


Arbree Trauntvein I miss you baby girl....but so glad your having so much fun. I love you.

Barbara Anderson: Knock on theirs! Keep having fun!

Arbree Trauntvein: What grandma said...lol

David Trauntvein: Ur so cute 

December 26, 1981

The following is retyped from my poorly kept journal.

I have just finished reading, "President Kimball Speaks Out on Personal Journals," printed in the December 1980 "Ensign." I also read: "Will I Ever Forget This Day, Excerpts from the Diaries of Carol Lynn Pearson," editied by Elouise M. Bell.

I don't beleive it would be possible to read either the book or the article without deciding to keep a journal. So, once again, I am making a beginning.

Tomorrow I teach the lesson in Relief Society. I don't feel up to my usual pizazz. It is 3 a.m. and I am very tired and humble and worried. I need another four hours to be ready and I don't have them. The newspaper stacks were just left outside and snow is blowing against the windows. It will be cold tomorrow--or today--and I am weary.

Goodnight!

WONDERMENT-FAMILY/SUMMER‏

Helen wrote: What a summer filled with FAMILY, GOSPEL AND LOVE-- Thanks for letting me know  your comings/goings. WHAT WONDERMENT TIME FILLED WITH ALL ONE COULD WANT-- Tell everyone Hi and give them my love and regards.

SAFE JOURNEY--GO IN PEACE-- LOVE JUST ME/AUNTIE.

Myrna wrote: Did you want to be here? I was thinking that you were still not quite up to travel but you are always welcome here. ALWAYS!

Helen wrote: Hi, dearest ones: yes, yes, and yes--I would have loved to share some of your family reunion, and know it would be most enjoyable-  am still not traveling far at this time--- still have quite a numbness in the left side of my left foot from the back of the ankle to my toes-- the doctor said, on Monday for my followup-- the nerves were compressed with the fall and the pressure of the hematoma and fluid-- it is just going to take time for the nerves to repair and she said that is a slow  process-  am just grateful for the ability to do all I can do and still, hopefully, have my mental abilities in tact. Thank you for the invite and for being my family--what a WONDERMENT OF THE REUNION YOU HAVE ALL HAD!!! Be safe and go in peace. Love you all---HT/Auntie.

Time Away from Duty for Family

Myrna wrote: I have a problem. I am not going to be able to be to the temple for our Friday shift. I am over the special dressing room so I know that this creates a bind and make a problem for all involved.

It is our family reunion and every one of my children will be in and out at various times for that three-day event. However, I still planned to be to the temple. Then I found out that my grandson, the one who graduated from TimpView in May, will be giving his farewell concert at 4 p.m. on Friday in Provo, prior to his leaving the next morning for a two-week tour of Europe. (He is the one who just received his mission call to Samoa.)

I feel just terrible about this because I know we are about to leave our positions and that my not being there will create another hardship. I would have liked to have left office feeling that I had done my share but I continue to fall short. I took off in February for my daughter's surgery and now here I am asking again. I am so sorry.

Annette Morley wrote: Hi Myrna,

We will be able to cover for you--somehow it always works out. We all have to miss from time to time.  We will miss your cheery smile!

Love, Annette

Myrna wrote: Thanks! I will miss your smile. You always make the work we do seem so worthwhile. I have been praying that it would not be too difficult for any of you. A loaded initiatory and lots of people in the special dressing room would make it really difficult.

I called Cheryl Utley and she said that you would all work it out. She also reminded me that family is first and said that she had taken time off for her son's wedding. All of us, she said, have had to take time off to attend to family matters. 

Even knowing that, I think that I need to be concerned. I love you all.

July 4th Plans and Questions

Some of you are going to the parade in Provo on the 4th. There will be fireworks in Nephi, as usual, that evening. Quite a few of you will be staying here, either camping or in the house. We will have meals for those who are here on the 5th. The afternoon of the 5th, at 4 p.m. in Provo, Kyle will be giving a free going-away concert. He and Brandon leave the morning of the 6th. Who wants to go and who wants to stay in Nephi?

AnnMarie and family will come on the 6th. Julie will be here on the 5th after driving back from Idaho. Jim's baby sister is getting married.

Then beginning early on the morning of the 6th, we will have breakfast, go to the reserved ball park for fun and games, and go to the reserved pool for swimming. That will start at 7 p.m., the earliest that it can be rented. I reserved it for one hour but, if anyone thinks I should, I can add another hour or half hour. LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!

Sunday is church, food, visiting together and doing whatever you all think would be fun. We are always open to ideas on that. We will have a fire pit fire for roasting marshmallows, etc. 

Two things I was hoping to have done, and do not and will not, is the pink bathroom retiling project and the new swing set. We have all the bathroom stuff but have not had time, with Dad's multiple surgeries, to get the work done. Maybe by next year. :) As for the swing set, we want to make a huge one like President Sutorius' but haven't purchased the pipe. Maybe by next year. (Wait, am I saying that a lot?)

One problem we have this year that we have never had before is chickens. Our neighbor, who lives where Merlene Collard lived, has chickens in a coop. The rooster and I are not friends. He starts crowing at 4:30 a.m. That would have made Grandpa Pitts happy, since he thought the whole world should be up and ready to work by 5:30 a.m., but it does NOT make me happy. They also have a bulldog that barks at me when I am in the backyard. I thought he would lose his voice when I was helping LHT weed the garden but he just kept right on barking so I do not know what that will mean. I think he only barks at me and probably because it often makes me jump.

Kirsten wrote: I think with all of us there, another 30 mins would be great at the pool.  I'm happy to pitch in on cost. 

As for retiling, sounds like a fun family service project... We can all be Utah road construction workers and stand around the bathroom door as we watch Shawn, dad, Eric, Jim and David work. :)

Todd wrote: I'm with Jared, we can pitch in as well and I'm more than happy to lean on my Laurels (I'm assuming Megan will be there). Worse case scenario, I can bring the donuts.

Melanie wrote: I thought that too! I want to learn how to re-tile a bathroom (I have two bathrooms I want to redo), and what better learning facility do I have than the School of Leonard and Myrna?
Mel

Myrna wrote: We love you all but you cannot work on the bathroom this 4th of July family reunion. Dad said that, with all of you here, we cannot have the bathroom out of use. It will take a full day's labor to get the old linoleum and old tile off the floor. The toilet has to be removed and the glue has to dry for a full day before it can be grouted and the new one installed. If any of you Utah kids want to help Jim and Dad build the new cupboard, you are welcome to come some other day. 

He said there is just no way that the work can be done during the reunion.

Site with Lots of Rostron info‏

Am I the only one who hasn't seen this? Came across this today as I was searching great grandma Nielsen's records.

 http://genmayle.com/gen/getperson.php?personID=I39590&tree=Test

This particular link is for Grandma Trauntvein. He has compiled lots of information besides just the charts. Thought I'd pass it along just in case, but I know some of you probably already have this site saved.

Love,
Kirsten