In January 2004, the family held a baby shower for Yi-chin at Sharon’s house. The women of the family were there: Sylvia, Erika, Julie, Sharon, Nancy, Leslie, Elann, Becky, Michelle, Stephanie, Rachel, Katie, Hannah and a friend of Yi-chin’s. Mark did a yeoman’s job and kept the other kids watching TV. She received a lot of nice and needful things.
Also in January, we held a surprise 50th birthday party for Sylvia at Los Hermanos. All her children were present as were her brothers and sister, except for Tricia and Alan who lived too far away to attend. Leon and I were also there and we all had a good time.
January was a really busy month. At the end of the month, Leon and I drove to Manhattan, KS to see Alan and Peggy. We got a tour of his studio and he also took pictures of Leon and me. My cousin Velma Skimore also lives in Manhattan and she and her husband took us to dinner and afterwards visited them in their home. A huge snow storm came Sunday with so much snow that only Sacrament meeting was held. All schools and Kansas State were closed Monday because of the snow. It looked like about a foot of snow on Alan’s back porch. We waited until Tuesday to leave for Texas as the roads were then clear and dry, though there as some fog.
In Austin, Leon and Tricia played in a concert called Abendmusick. It was a lovely concert with Tricia accompanying her Dad and also playing solos. They played very well. There were also other musicians on the program. While in Austin, Tricia took us to see a traveling large scale replica of the White House. It measured 60 feet long by 20 wide. It was so interesting. I had toured the White House in Washington D.C. and it looked just like the real thing. It was decorated for Christmas and it was fun to peer into all the rooms. It is always fun to visit our families.
On the way back home we stopped in Albuquerque to visit Tannie and Dan and their little son Austin. He is a darling little boy. It was fun to see them and find out about their life. They graciously gave us their bed and they slept on a large semicircular couch in the livingroom.
While we were away visiting family, the snow was 17 inches deep the day before we arrived home. Luckily for us, Brent arranged for our bishop to have our driveway cleared or we wouldn’t have been able to get to our house.
Back home in Utah, we visited with Gina and John in February. They were staying at Dean’s house. They have been called to serve in the Lansing Michigan Mission, the same one Gina’s son Shane served in. They will be working in the Spanish Branch.
David and Yi-chin’s little son Leon David was born 19 February 2004. I was able to stay with them a few days to help out and give him his first bath. I’ve done that for several grandchildren.
In April, Leon and I were privileged to attend the sealing of my aunt Lucy and her husband Lou in the Vernal Temple. It was a special occasion. The old Tabernacle was remodeled into a beautiful temple. We go to visit them a few times a year; it is a long trip from Mt. Pleasant, at least 3 hours each way.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
More year 2003
In the summer of 2003 we held a great Smith Family reunion in Provo. We had family from California, Idaho and Arizona attend: Tolmans, Kaufmans, Williams, Morris and Blacks and, of course, Honeys were there. It was great to see everyone. First we all met on the steps of the Utah County building, across from the Provo Tabernacle, and had a group picture. Alan arranged all of us and his friend snapped the picture. We had a nice get together later at Fred and Carol’s house. It was fun to be together as family.
The city of Mt. Pleasant always has a big parade on the 4th of July. This year was no exception but we didn’t have a family band in it this time. Michelle and Stephanie upheld the family tradition and played in the North Sanpete School District band. Michelle played her baritone and Stephie a tambourine.
Later in the year we set off on another of our trips to Texas and Kansas. On the way to Texas, we stopped in Albuquerque to see Tannie and Dan. We went to a great Mexican restaurant called Garduños, then spent the night with them in their apartment. They graciously gave up their bed for us and they slept on the couch. Great kids!
I-40 was closed going east from Albuquerque so we went another way, crossing the state of New Mexico and going through Lincoln county. This is the home of the Lincoln County War with Billy the Kid’s involvement. It took place during 1876-79. There were some historic buildings in the little town of Lincoln that we photographed. It was an interesting trip but took a long time; just a two-lane highway all the way to get on to Hwy 285 and into Roswell and continue on our regular way.
We had a nice visit with Tricia and Alan and family. One of the highlights was Alex receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood and ordained an Elder by his father Alan, assisted by his brothers and grandfather. We then went on to Kansas to visit Alan and Peggy. David and Yi-chin were just finishing up their visit so we got to see two sons and their wives at the same time. Peggy showed us her classroom at Kansas State University where she works. Very interesting.
Later in the year, we went to Logan to attend a piano recital that Becky played in. She played beautifully. Thanks to Lonna, we were able to spend the night in the Anniversary Inn. What a “lujoso” (luxurious) place. I’d never been in quite that fancy a place before. James and Lonna, Ryan and Leslie and Becky spent some time with us there and enjoyed the ambiance.
December welcomed three new great granchildren: Cenna, daughter of David and Elann Barlow, Allie, daughter of Jenny and Garret Boswell, and Austin, son of Tannie and Dan Smith.
On a sadder note, December was when Brent, Sylvia, Chris and Becky were in a roll-over accident. They were on their way to see Jenny’s new baby when it happened. Brent was the one that received the most hurt. He had hit the top of his head and it was cut, scraped and full of gravel. He had bruises from his ear down to his shoulder and his ribs, sternum were also bruised but no internal injuries. Sylvia sprained her left wrist and Chris and Becky and a few small scratches We were so glad it was not worse, which it could have been so easily. We borrowed David’s new van and drove down to Barstow to pick them and bring them home.
The city of Mt. Pleasant always has a big parade on the 4th of July. This year was no exception but we didn’t have a family band in it this time. Michelle and Stephanie upheld the family tradition and played in the North Sanpete School District band. Michelle played her baritone and Stephie a tambourine.
Later in the year we set off on another of our trips to Texas and Kansas. On the way to Texas, we stopped in Albuquerque to see Tannie and Dan. We went to a great Mexican restaurant called Garduños, then spent the night with them in their apartment. They graciously gave up their bed for us and they slept on the couch. Great kids!
I-40 was closed going east from Albuquerque so we went another way, crossing the state of New Mexico and going through Lincoln county. This is the home of the Lincoln County War with Billy the Kid’s involvement. It took place during 1876-79. There were some historic buildings in the little town of Lincoln that we photographed. It was an interesting trip but took a long time; just a two-lane highway all the way to get on to Hwy 285 and into Roswell and continue on our regular way.
We had a nice visit with Tricia and Alan and family. One of the highlights was Alex receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood and ordained an Elder by his father Alan, assisted by his brothers and grandfather. We then went on to Kansas to visit Alan and Peggy. David and Yi-chin were just finishing up their visit so we got to see two sons and their wives at the same time. Peggy showed us her classroom at Kansas State University where she works. Very interesting.
Later in the year, we went to Logan to attend a piano recital that Becky played in. She played beautifully. Thanks to Lonna, we were able to spend the night in the Anniversary Inn. What a “lujoso” (luxurious) place. I’d never been in quite that fancy a place before. James and Lonna, Ryan and Leslie and Becky spent some time with us there and enjoyed the ambiance.
December welcomed three new great granchildren: Cenna, daughter of David and Elann Barlow, Allie, daughter of Jenny and Garret Boswell, and Austin, son of Tannie and Dan Smith.
On a sadder note, December was when Brent, Sylvia, Chris and Becky were in a roll-over accident. They were on their way to see Jenny’s new baby when it happened. Brent was the one that received the most hurt. He had hit the top of his head and it was cut, scraped and full of gravel. He had bruises from his ear down to his shoulder and his ribs, sternum were also bruised but no internal injuries. Sylvia sprained her left wrist and Chris and Becky and a few small scratches We were so glad it was not worse, which it could have been so easily. We borrowed David’s new van and drove down to Barstow to pick them and bring them home.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Year 2003
On 11 January of 2003, Jenny married Garrett Boswell in the Manti Temple. His grandfather married them. Garrett is from Fresno, CA and Jenny met him there while working in the children’s library It was a lovely occasion and Leon and I were very happy for them. They will make their home in Fresno.
On 18 February of 2003 David married Yi-chin Lu in the Salt Lake Temple. We were very happy to have David not alone anymore.. Alan again was the photographer and Tricia and Alan were able to come plus the Utah family. It was a very happy occasion. A wedding luncheon was held at Mark and Sharon’s and Peggy hosted an open house at their home that evening. Tricia made the beautiful wedding cake, a gift from her and Sylvia. Yi-chin is a lovely person and we were happy to welcome her to the family. That same day we took a beautiful family picture, parents, siblings and spouses. We love it!
Mark and Sharon welcomed Joshua into their family, child #6. They now have three girls and three boys.
2003 is the year for weddings! Nancy and Kirk Flannigan were married May 3 in Springdale, UT. This is the entrance to Zion’s Park. Kirk is from Georgia and his parents, aunt and sister were able to come. All of Nancy’s siblings, other family members were there plus many friends of the bride and groom. Rob played some prelude music before the ceremony. A lovely reception was held afterwards. Kirk is a great person and a good addition to the family.
In 2003, Leon and I celebrated our 50th anniversary. It was April 7th but we celebrated it on the 4th of June. Our children were so thoughtful and planned a dinner for all of us at the Lion House in Salt Lake City. Before the dinner, we went to the Salt Lake Temple and took pictures on the same steps where we had had our wedding pictures taken. We had a picture with just Leon and me, and then one with all our children. We had a private dining room for our dinner, which was delicious. But the most wonderful thing of all was to have our children there with us. We spent the time visiting and finding out things we hadn’t know about our children. It was a wonderful evening. I think we spent three great hours there.
On June 9th, we had a celebrations with all the family, including grandchildren, at Palisade Park. We had lunch and supper there. We had prepared baby pictures of all members of the family and gave everyone a paper to see if they could identify everyone by name. I think Doug won. It was such a fun day.
In June, Leon and I went to Austin. On the way we stopped at Carlsbad Caverns. What a wonderful thing to see. Leon and been there before but this was a first for me. Awe inspiring. In Austin, Leon worked on two pianos at once. Tricia’s and another lady’s. He set up shop in the garage with piano parts on various tables. The dogs would keep Leon company all day while he worked. We also went to the Houston Temple and did sealings for 46 children and 20 couples with Russell, Tannie, Dan, Tricia and Alan and Leon and I. While Leon worked, Tricia, Tannie and I had fun sightseeing in various places. We were there about four weeks.v
On 18 February of 2003 David married Yi-chin Lu in the Salt Lake Temple. We were very happy to have David not alone anymore.. Alan again was the photographer and Tricia and Alan were able to come plus the Utah family. It was a very happy occasion. A wedding luncheon was held at Mark and Sharon’s and Peggy hosted an open house at their home that evening. Tricia made the beautiful wedding cake, a gift from her and Sylvia. Yi-chin is a lovely person and we were happy to welcome her to the family. That same day we took a beautiful family picture, parents, siblings and spouses. We love it!
Mark and Sharon welcomed Joshua into their family, child #6. They now have three girls and three boys.
2003 is the year for weddings! Nancy and Kirk Flannigan were married May 3 in Springdale, UT. This is the entrance to Zion’s Park. Kirk is from Georgia and his parents, aunt and sister were able to come. All of Nancy’s siblings, other family members were there plus many friends of the bride and groom. Rob played some prelude music before the ceremony. A lovely reception was held afterwards. Kirk is a great person and a good addition to the family.
In 2003, Leon and I celebrated our 50th anniversary. It was April 7th but we celebrated it on the 4th of June. Our children were so thoughtful and planned a dinner for all of us at the Lion House in Salt Lake City. Before the dinner, we went to the Salt Lake Temple and took pictures on the same steps where we had had our wedding pictures taken. We had a picture with just Leon and me, and then one with all our children. We had a private dining room for our dinner, which was delicious. But the most wonderful thing of all was to have our children there with us. We spent the time visiting and finding out things we hadn’t know about our children. It was a wonderful evening. I think we spent three great hours there.
On June 9th, we had a celebrations with all the family, including grandchildren, at Palisade Park. We had lunch and supper there. We had prepared baby pictures of all members of the family and gave everyone a paper to see if they could identify everyone by name. I think Doug won. It was such a fun day.
In June, Leon and I went to Austin. On the way we stopped at Carlsbad Caverns. What a wonderful thing to see. Leon and been there before but this was a first for me. Awe inspiring. In Austin, Leon worked on two pianos at once. Tricia’s and another lady’s. He set up shop in the garage with piano parts on various tables. The dogs would keep Leon company all day while he worked. We also went to the Houston Temple and did sealings for 46 children and 20 couples with Russell, Tannie, Dan, Tricia and Alan and Leon and I. While Leon worked, Tricia, Tannie and I had fun sightseeing in various places. We were there about four weeks.v
Monday, August 30, 2010
First year home, 2002
Shortly after our return from our mission, Leon and I drove to Mesa for a Williams Family Reunion and to see Mom. We stayed at Gina and John’s condo. Fred and Carol, Greg and Mary, Jerry and Caryol, came. We spent time visiting and singing. We even were able to get Mom to sing a little. She really wasn’t aware of what was going on. Very feeble. On one night we had a big reunion with extended family members which was very enjoyable. From Gina’s family Debbie, Kevin, Steve and Shane and their families came. From my Uncle Orin’s family Myrna, Jeff & Nyla, Sharon & Harvey. From Etta’s family Don and JoAnn. It was great to see them; it had been years since I had seen some. John and Gina are caring for both their mothers. How noble and kind of them.
We had a great family get-together at Sylvia’s after our homecoming report. All the family was present except Tricia and her family. It was so nice to see everyone after being gone 18 months. We then drove to Texas to see Tricia and all the family there. We love to visit all our family.
On August 6, Ryan, son of Sylvia and Brent, married Leslie Davis in the Manti Temple. What a Blessing it is when grandchildren marry in the Temple. A beautiful reception was held in the Lindon Reception Center. She is a lovely girl.
Shortly after, my mother Corraine passed away. It was August 11, 2002 in Mesa, AZ. and Leon and I drove down. Gina, Mary and I were able to dress her. I had never done that before but was happy to do that for my mother. I was happy that she was now with Dad and in her right mind and healthy. The funeral was beautiful with songs sung that Mom had written. Also a tribute that Dad had written years ago was read by many of the women of the family. So many family members were able to come and pay tribute. I loved seeing all of them.
Leon’s brother Bill passed away; November 14, 2002 in Hacienda Heights, CA. Leon and I were able to attend the funeral. We then drove north to Merced, (I think that is the city) where he was buried. He and Katheryn had lived there many years. Joan was able to come to the funeral with Marla but had to fly home and not go to Merced. His three daughters were able to be there.
The last fun things for the year were the Thanksgiving dinner at Mark’s and the Family Christmas party. We love being with our family; they are our treasurers.
We had a great family get-together at Sylvia’s after our homecoming report. All the family was present except Tricia and her family. It was so nice to see everyone after being gone 18 months. We then drove to Texas to see Tricia and all the family there. We love to visit all our family.
On August 6, Ryan, son of Sylvia and Brent, married Leslie Davis in the Manti Temple. What a Blessing it is when grandchildren marry in the Temple. A beautiful reception was held in the Lindon Reception Center. She is a lovely girl.
Shortly after, my mother Corraine passed away. It was August 11, 2002 in Mesa, AZ. and Leon and I drove down. Gina, Mary and I were able to dress her. I had never done that before but was happy to do that for my mother. I was happy that she was now with Dad and in her right mind and healthy. The funeral was beautiful with songs sung that Mom had written. Also a tribute that Dad had written years ago was read by many of the women of the family. So many family members were able to come and pay tribute. I loved seeing all of them.
Leon’s brother Bill passed away; November 14, 2002 in Hacienda Heights, CA. Leon and I were able to attend the funeral. We then drove north to Merced, (I think that is the city) where he was buried. He and Katheryn had lived there many years. Joan was able to come to the funeral with Marla but had to fly home and not go to Merced. His three daughters were able to be there.
The last fun things for the year were the Thanksgiving dinner at Mark’s and the Family Christmas party. We love being with our family; they are our treasurers.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Latest Doings
Dear Loved Ones,
I thought I would let you know what I have been doing the past couple of weeks.
On Saturday, August 14, I attended a Smith Family Reunion at the Pavilion at Scera Park. It was wonderful to see some of my cousins. Some of those present were Mona Lue and Ron Ward, daughter of my aunt Mona; Alice and Rhett James, granddaughter of my aunt Edna; Mark and Dawn Smith and his brother Warren, sons of my uncle Howard. Warren very recently lost his wife to leukemia. Keith and Zona Smith, son of my uncle Don. There were also some children and grandchildren of these cousins. Gina and John, and Mary and Greg were there. David and his little boys were also present. It was so nice to visit with everyone.
Afterward, I went to Alicia and Brian Gates’ daughter Aspen’s baby blessing. It was held in their home in Cedar Hills and she was blessed by her father.. It was nice to see Melissa, Salem and Daniel besides Alicia and Brian. Their little girl is beautiful and their little boy darling and getting quite big. Syl and Brent, Mary and Greg, and their son Dee and wife Denise and boys were also there.
On Thursday, August 19, I drove to California with Mary and Greg to attend the wedding of young Jerry and Kim’s daughter Tara. We went in my car and Mary and I drove she in Las Vegas and L.A. and I in the desert areas. Greg has been having little seizures so he didn’t drive. We stayed at their daughter Becky’s home in Riverside. She and her husband Todd have a darling family: Ethan, Ava and Andrew. Ava gave up her room for me.
Saturday we drove to Newport Beach to the Temple. It is one of the smaller temples with limited waiting room space. Some people waited in the Stake Center across a small street, others outside. We all put on plastic white booties to enter the Temple and Sealing Room. It was a lovely ceremony with Tara’s father and her husband’s father as witnesses. Ryan Terry is her husband. Some of those attending were Gina and John, Robyn Brown (who drove for Gina and John), Mary and Greg, Jerry and Caryol, Jenae and David, Mitchell and Grace, some Tolman cousins, and grandparents and many friends.
After the ceremony and pictures, we went to the Olive Garden Restaurant and had soup, salad and breadsticks. I sat by Jerry (the older one) and across from Jerry’s nephew and his wife. They were very interesting people. He had served a mission in Germany and had met a young girl, Monica, and when she came to the U.S. to LDS Business College, they became very good friends and eventually married. He travels a lot, mostly to China and told of his adventures there.
Between the Temple and the reception we went to Sonia Williams’ home and had a great visit with her. Gina, John and Robyn stayed at her home.
The reception was held in the Valley View chapel where Sylvia and Tricia had their receptions but they never would had recognized it. Jerry and Kim had already moved to Idaho so they had a professional decorate and what a great thing it was. There was a white gauze gazebo built in the foyer with a large white sleigh to hold the presents. The doors into the cultural hall were covered with white gauze and a huge garland of multicolored flowers were over the door. There were gauze streamers with lights coming from all points of the room to a large chandelier in the center.. The walls of the hall were also covered in white gauze and the basketball backboards too with baskets of flowers in the hoops. The area between the chapel and cultural hall was also draped in the gauze.
All the people that were at the temple were there plus many more. Paul Tolman, his brother Tyler and wife and kids, Warren and Dorothea Williams and kids, Becky and Todd Nelson and kids, Dana and Ana Tolman, Sonia, Dana’s daughter Nancy and son DJ were also there. It was a very nice affair.
Sunday we went to Church at Becky and Todd’s ward where he is the bishop. He is a convert of 10 years and a very nice fellow. That evening Warren and Dorothea and kids came to visit, also Randy and Tammy, Mary’s youngest came to visit.
All told, it was a very nice visit and I got to see lots of family. Monday, we drove home and it was so nice to have a lovely place to come home to.
That’s what I have been doing.
I thought I would let you know what I have been doing the past couple of weeks.
On Saturday, August 14, I attended a Smith Family Reunion at the Pavilion at Scera Park. It was wonderful to see some of my cousins. Some of those present were Mona Lue and Ron Ward, daughter of my aunt Mona; Alice and Rhett James, granddaughter of my aunt Edna; Mark and Dawn Smith and his brother Warren, sons of my uncle Howard. Warren very recently lost his wife to leukemia. Keith and Zona Smith, son of my uncle Don. There were also some children and grandchildren of these cousins. Gina and John, and Mary and Greg were there. David and his little boys were also present. It was so nice to visit with everyone.
Afterward, I went to Alicia and Brian Gates’ daughter Aspen’s baby blessing. It was held in their home in Cedar Hills and she was blessed by her father.. It was nice to see Melissa, Salem and Daniel besides Alicia and Brian. Their little girl is beautiful and their little boy darling and getting quite big. Syl and Brent, Mary and Greg, and their son Dee and wife Denise and boys were also there.
On Thursday, August 19, I drove to California with Mary and Greg to attend the wedding of young Jerry and Kim’s daughter Tara. We went in my car and Mary and I drove she in Las Vegas and L.A. and I in the desert areas. Greg has been having little seizures so he didn’t drive. We stayed at their daughter Becky’s home in Riverside. She and her husband Todd have a darling family: Ethan, Ava and Andrew. Ava gave up her room for me.
Saturday we drove to Newport Beach to the Temple. It is one of the smaller temples with limited waiting room space. Some people waited in the Stake Center across a small street, others outside. We all put on plastic white booties to enter the Temple and Sealing Room. It was a lovely ceremony with Tara’s father and her husband’s father as witnesses. Ryan Terry is her husband. Some of those attending were Gina and John, Robyn Brown (who drove for Gina and John), Mary and Greg, Jerry and Caryol, Jenae and David, Mitchell and Grace, some Tolman cousins, and grandparents and many friends.
After the ceremony and pictures, we went to the Olive Garden Restaurant and had soup, salad and breadsticks. I sat by Jerry (the older one) and across from Jerry’s nephew and his wife. They were very interesting people. He had served a mission in Germany and had met a young girl, Monica, and when she came to the U.S. to LDS Business College, they became very good friends and eventually married. He travels a lot, mostly to China and told of his adventures there.
Between the Temple and the reception we went to Sonia Williams’ home and had a great visit with her. Gina, John and Robyn stayed at her home.
The reception was held in the Valley View chapel where Sylvia and Tricia had their receptions but they never would had recognized it. Jerry and Kim had already moved to Idaho so they had a professional decorate and what a great thing it was. There was a white gauze gazebo built in the foyer with a large white sleigh to hold the presents. The doors into the cultural hall were covered with white gauze and a huge garland of multicolored flowers were over the door. There were gauze streamers with lights coming from all points of the room to a large chandelier in the center.. The walls of the hall were also covered in white gauze and the basketball backboards too with baskets of flowers in the hoops. The area between the chapel and cultural hall was also draped in the gauze.
All the people that were at the temple were there plus many more. Paul Tolman, his brother Tyler and wife and kids, Warren and Dorothea Williams and kids, Becky and Todd Nelson and kids, Dana and Ana Tolman, Sonia, Dana’s daughter Nancy and son DJ were also there. It was a very nice affair.
Sunday we went to Church at Becky and Todd’s ward where he is the bishop. He is a convert of 10 years and a very nice fellow. That evening Warren and Dorothea and kids came to visit, also Randy and Tammy, Mary’s youngest came to visit.
All told, it was a very nice visit and I got to see lots of family. Monday, we drove home and it was so nice to have a lovely place to come home to.
That’s what I have been doing.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
More Mission
One of the special things during our mission was taking a sister to the Denver Temple. Connie Hanson was a member, a widow, but didn’t know anything about the church. She had joined when she married her husband who was a member. We went every week to her home and taught her the discussions, then continued visiting with reading the Book of Mormon with her. She loved to have us come and would treat us to lunch or dinner in various restaurants. She would have taken us every week but we couldn’t let her do that. It was a real thrill to go to the temple with her. One of the sisters in the ward, a good friend, was her escort.
One of the missionaries, Elder Malufau, had been Leon’s 7th grade student in band in Monument Valley when he taught there. Small world.
We visited Wildhorn Ranch where Mark Knight, a member of the ward, was the caretaker. The ranch encompasses 350 acres. It was developed in 1929 by a stunt man in the movies. It is a three-story lodge with many bedrooms and a game room in the basement. It has a restaurant-style kitchen and a large dining room. The outbuildings consist of a carriage house, two honeymoon cottages, and several guest rooms in a motel-like layout. There is also a large caretakers cabin where Mark lives. In the 1930s and 40s many Hollywood stars were guests there. John Wayne was one. It is said that once, as he was the worse for drink, he shot a rifle from the living room into the upstairs wall; the bullet hole can still be seen. Esther Williams was also a guest and a swimming pool was built for her use, now in disrepair. After we came home from our mission, a huge wildfire burned the lodge to the ground but the caretaker’s cabin was spared.
Towards the end of the year, Leon started to get sick. We finally realised it was from the mold in the windows in our bedroom. We were able to move into a two-bedroom trailer with washer and drier. It was very nice to be more private. We later learned that the old landlords redid all the windows in the apartment, getting rid of the mold.
Our Stake Mission Leader, when they used to have them, was Mark McConkie, son of Bruce R. McConkie. We liked to visit together. He would comment that our two great great grandfathers, Hyrum Smith and F G. Williams, had been companions.
One P-day we were able to visit a gold mine. The Ward Mission Leader was an engineer there and invited us. It was quite interesting. It was located just outside the town of Cripple Creek. We saw an, explosion; they broke up rocks, then leached the gold out with cyanide. They did say “Fire in the Hold” just before setting off the explosion. It takes tons of rocks to get a little bit of gold but it is worth it. The trucks had huge tires, more than double my height.
When it came time to leave the mission, the ward held a farewell dinner our last Sunday, just after our meetings. We had met so many wonderful people and they had all been so kind to us.
Rob came to help us move back as we had too many items to all fit in just our car. We appreciated it very much. When we arrived in Mt. Pleasant, I wanted to get to the house so we could unpack all our furniture and things stored in the shed. To my great surprise and delight, everything was in place in the house. It looked so good! What a blessing families are!!!
One of the missionaries, Elder Malufau, had been Leon’s 7th grade student in band in Monument Valley when he taught there. Small world.
We visited Wildhorn Ranch where Mark Knight, a member of the ward, was the caretaker. The ranch encompasses 350 acres. It was developed in 1929 by a stunt man in the movies. It is a three-story lodge with many bedrooms and a game room in the basement. It has a restaurant-style kitchen and a large dining room. The outbuildings consist of a carriage house, two honeymoon cottages, and several guest rooms in a motel-like layout. There is also a large caretakers cabin where Mark lives. In the 1930s and 40s many Hollywood stars were guests there. John Wayne was one. It is said that once, as he was the worse for drink, he shot a rifle from the living room into the upstairs wall; the bullet hole can still be seen. Esther Williams was also a guest and a swimming pool was built for her use, now in disrepair. After we came home from our mission, a huge wildfire burned the lodge to the ground but the caretaker’s cabin was spared.
Towards the end of the year, Leon started to get sick. We finally realised it was from the mold in the windows in our bedroom. We were able to move into a two-bedroom trailer with washer and drier. It was very nice to be more private. We later learned that the old landlords redid all the windows in the apartment, getting rid of the mold.
Our Stake Mission Leader, when they used to have them, was Mark McConkie, son of Bruce R. McConkie. We liked to visit together. He would comment that our two great great grandfathers, Hyrum Smith and F G. Williams, had been companions.
One P-day we were able to visit a gold mine. The Ward Mission Leader was an engineer there and invited us. It was quite interesting. It was located just outside the town of Cripple Creek. We saw an, explosion; they broke up rocks, then leached the gold out with cyanide. They did say “Fire in the Hold” just before setting off the explosion. It takes tons of rocks to get a little bit of gold but it is worth it. The trucks had huge tires, more than double my height.
When it came time to leave the mission, the ward held a farewell dinner our last Sunday, just after our meetings. We had met so many wonderful people and they had all been so kind to us.
Rob came to help us move back as we had too many items to all fit in just our car. We appreciated it very much. When we arrived in Mt. Pleasant, I wanted to get to the house so we could unpack all our furniture and things stored in the shed. To my great surprise and delight, everything was in place in the house. It looked so good! What a blessing families are!!!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
I’m back!!!
We were told, that as missionaries, we should give service. We went to the public library and offered our services. We read the shelves, meaning we checked the stacks and put books back in alphabetical order. I also typed W-2 forms for library employees. We quite enjoyed doing this but our Mission President’s wife said that we shouldn’t do service for an institution. That put an end to that.
About the only time we saw other missionaries was when we went to Colorado Springs for Zone Conference. We were really on our own. When we had a candidate for baptism then the District Leader would come and interview him or her. The Stake President, in Colorado Springs, would occasionally have our zone meetings at his home. His wife would provide a great breakfast. Usually those meetings were held at a local chapel. It was the missionaries’ custom to sing “As I Have Loved You” to the sisters that prepared the luncheon as a thank you.
We met many interesting people. We visited part-member families, inactive members, and families with children who had not been baptised. We were instrumental in baptising eight children and two adults. One interesting baptism was of a child, a daughter of a woman who had been a member, then married a Muslim. She had three children, a boy and two girls, and decided to leave her abusive husband and escaped from Saudi Arabia. She became active in the church again and her nine-year-old daughter was baptised. Leon had her bus driver, who was a member and good friend, do the actual baptising.
We only got stuck once in the snow, even though our home in Woodland Park was 8,500 feet in altitude and some of our members lived at 10,000 feet! We were driving to give a lesson to a nine-year-old and got stuck by the side of the road. After a few minutes, his father, noticing that we were late, came looking for us. Luckily, he had a strong tow rope and pulled us out of the snowy ditch.
In April, 2001, on a Thursday, I started to have pains in my back, really hard ones and I began throwing up. Leon and a member gave me a blessing. Friday I felt o.k. but went to a doctor and he didn’t find anything. Saturday, I started hurting badly again and went to a clinic. I was told it was probably my gall bladder and that I would have to make an appointment in Colorado Springs the next week. I couldn’t get in to see a doctor until Friday but when I did, he put me right into the hospital. The zone leaders came by and gave me a blessing and on April 7th, (our wedding anniversary; I had had a heart attack April 7, 1997, dangerous date!!) I had surgery. The doctor had to make a very large and long incision because he told me my gall bladder was gangrenous! That really surprised me as the only pain I had felt was just the week before.
David and Alan drove to Colorado to visit me in the hospital and it was so good to see them. But they kept making jokes and it hurt to laugh. Rob and Erika and family came to see us later in the year. We took them to see the old gold mining town of Cripple Creek. They have lots of casinos there now. I t was always great to see family. Alan and Peggy and family also stopped by on their way to Tricia’s in Albuquerque for Thanksgiving. Mark and Sharon and family also stopped a couple of times as they were driving to Utah from St. Louis and back. David also stopped by another time. We loved seeing all of them.
We were told, that as missionaries, we should give service. We went to the public library and offered our services. We read the shelves, meaning we checked the stacks and put books back in alphabetical order. I also typed W-2 forms for library employees. We quite enjoyed doing this but our Mission President’s wife said that we shouldn’t do service for an institution. That put an end to that.
About the only time we saw other missionaries was when we went to Colorado Springs for Zone Conference. We were really on our own. When we had a candidate for baptism then the District Leader would come and interview him or her. The Stake President, in Colorado Springs, would occasionally have our zone meetings at his home. His wife would provide a great breakfast. Usually those meetings were held at a local chapel. It was the missionaries’ custom to sing “As I Have Loved You” to the sisters that prepared the luncheon as a thank you.
We met many interesting people. We visited part-member families, inactive members, and families with children who had not been baptised. We were instrumental in baptising eight children and two adults. One interesting baptism was of a child, a daughter of a woman who had been a member, then married a Muslim. She had three children, a boy and two girls, and decided to leave her abusive husband and escaped from Saudi Arabia. She became active in the church again and her nine-year-old daughter was baptised. Leon had her bus driver, who was a member and good friend, do the actual baptising.
We only got stuck once in the snow, even though our home in Woodland Park was 8,500 feet in altitude and some of our members lived at 10,000 feet! We were driving to give a lesson to a nine-year-old and got stuck by the side of the road. After a few minutes, his father, noticing that we were late, came looking for us. Luckily, he had a strong tow rope and pulled us out of the snowy ditch.
In April, 2001, on a Thursday, I started to have pains in my back, really hard ones and I began throwing up. Leon and a member gave me a blessing. Friday I felt o.k. but went to a doctor and he didn’t find anything. Saturday, I started hurting badly again and went to a clinic. I was told it was probably my gall bladder and that I would have to make an appointment in Colorado Springs the next week. I couldn’t get in to see a doctor until Friday but when I did, he put me right into the hospital. The zone leaders came by and gave me a blessing and on April 7th, (our wedding anniversary; I had had a heart attack April 7, 1997, dangerous date!!) I had surgery. The doctor had to make a very large and long incision because he told me my gall bladder was gangrenous! That really surprised me as the only pain I had felt was just the week before.
David and Alan drove to Colorado to visit me in the hospital and it was so good to see them. But they kept making jokes and it hurt to laugh. Rob and Erika and family came to see us later in the year. We took them to see the old gold mining town of Cripple Creek. They have lots of casinos there now. I t was always great to see family. Alan and Peggy and family also stopped by on their way to Tricia’s in Albuquerque for Thanksgiving. Mark and Sharon and family also stopped a couple of times as they were driving to Utah from St. Louis and back. David also stopped by another time. We loved seeing all of them.
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