Christmas, 2010

We have had a marvelous Christmas week. We worked the first three days at the Training Zone then had Thursday and Friday (Christmas Eve) off. Tuesday, Dec. 21, we went out to the new library in Herriman for Talisa's preschool program. The children recited sections of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and sang cute songs.

Afterwards we went to Keith and Kim's home in Riverton for cocoa and treats. It was fun to visit with them and Kathie and Scott Gailey, another set of grandparents.

Kira was enchanted to play with Grandpa Rogers

December 23 Kristilyn and Mark, Julie and Jason, and John and Kathyn went to "A Christmas Carol" at Hale Centre Theatre--a first for all of us. The special effects were amazing. Afterwards we had a chili dinner at Burninghams and played Catch Phrase. It was so fun.

Christmas Eve we had all of Utah families at our home for Christmas Eve FHE. John sang "Let Him In" then we watched a church DVD about the Nativity on our new flatscreen television mounted above the piano in the front room.

We acted out the Nativity story. Kristilyn is holding James and Grant is sitting beside them.

Kira didn't want any kind of a costume but she was pleased that her "Angel" doll was Baby Jesus. Talisa wanted to be a camel.

Reading the story from the scriptures.

Another view. Before FHE we had dinner then afterward we had orange rolls and cocoa for a treat.

CHRISTMAS DAY: I carefully organized these photos so they would be in chronological order but they didn't turn out that way and I'm not taking the time to redo it. Just consider these are candid pictures of the day. Julie and Jason had wonderful Christmas gatherings with Jason's family on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Christmas Day Keith and Kim visited with all of her family in addition to spending time with us. It was a busy time but we cherished time together.

Jason has been growing out his beard over the holiday since he doesn't have to shave. Both Mark and Jason got matching Norelco razors.

James and Grant are holding the precious steam rollers they gave each other before we started unwrapping presents at Eliasons. John and Kathryn Ann and Julie and Jason were there for the excitement.

The boys got a battery-operated train set.

Jason and Julie Burningham on Christmas morning.

Our children were very generous to us--what thoughtful gifts! We feel so spoiled!!!

The Eliasons on Christmas morning. Grant and James are thrilled over their yellow Matchbox steam rollers and articulated trucks. Kristilyn fixed a scrumpcious brunch!

John and I went over to Keith and Kim's to see their Christmas. Talisa was so cute and excited.

Keith and Kim gave us this beautiful picture of the Manti Temple where we were married which Kim made. They also gave us a personalized calendar which included pictures from her blogs through the months. We appreciate their sharing her creativity.

After Christmas night dinner James, Talisa, and Grant retired to the toy room to put together a 100-piece puzzle and play together. Kira would run back and forth between the grown-ups and the kids. She scoots down the stairs on her little belly.

After opening a few more presents it was time to go home. It was just a happy, happy day. We were so happy to talk with our out-of-state families so that made us feel closer.

Sunday morning, December 26, we attended church with Jason and Julie where they were the Sacrament Meeting speakers. They both did an excellent job about teaching of the Savior and of Joseph Smith.

Their apartment is beautifully decorated. I especially loved this Nativity which Jason brought back from Israel.

Sunday night Edie and Roger DuPaix hosted a wonderful Extended Rasband Family Openhouse. Karen Keetch showed up with a sore thumb from sliced thumb she received on Christmas Eve. She had pneumonia on Thanksgiving but the family all helped so they had their regular meal at the Keetch home. Karen quipped, "This is getting to be a really nice thing to get out of all the hard work!"

Rasband Siblings and Spouses:

George and Sonja Rasband, John and Kathryn Ann Rogers, Karen and Richard Keetch, and Edie and Roger DuPaix. There were about 30 people there we had a good time eating and visiting. Jeannie and Debbie DuPaix are expecting and Sarah DuPaix is engaged to John Southwick. They will be married the the Salt Lake Temple in February.

Our baby boys all grown up--Justin Keetch, Bill Rasband, and Keith Rogers. Bill is attending SUU (Southern Utah University in Cedar City majoring in construction. His church calling in his student branch is choir director.)

This is an assortment of the manly stubble and beards that were the style.

Brent Wade, Christian Bjarson, Jason Burningham, Stephen DuPaix, and Russell Keetch.

One of my favorite Christmas pictures of Kira, Kim, Keith, and Talisa.

We are excited about Uncle Dave and Aunt Tam Rogers' mission call to Japan on February 21, 2010, to serve as the mission office couple. Mark served in Japan and thinks it would be great to arrange a trip over there to visit with Dave and Tam while they are there!

The perfect end to the weekend was hearing precious Emily read her talk which she gave in Primary about her love for Jesus Christ. (Be sure to check Mike and Desi's blog! Emily is only four. ) We are filled with gratitude for the lives you lead, the safe homes your create, and the way you are raising our grandchildren. We are blessed byond measure with our testimonies and our families. We miss your close association but are comforted by the knowedge that you are a blessing to those around you whether in your wards, your neighborhoods, or your work. You each radiate the light of goodness and the gospel.

Finding Christ

John S Rogers—Training Zone--Spiritual Thought—December, 2010

President Thomas S Monson Ensign Dec. 1990

“With the birth of the babe of Bethlehem, there emerged a great endowment—a power stronger than weapons, a wealth more lasting than the coins of Caesar. This child was to be the King of kings and Lord of lords, the promised Messiah, even Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

“Born in a stable, cradled in a manger, he came forth from heaven to live on earth as mortal man and to establish the kingdom of God. During his earthly ministry, he taught men the higher law. His glorious gospel reshaped the thinking of the world. He blessed the sick; he caused the lame to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear. He even raised the dead to life.

“What was the reaction to his message of mercy, his words of wisdom, his lessons of life? There were a precious few who appreciated him. They bathed his feet. They learned his word. They followed his example.

“Then there were the many who denied him. When asked by Pilate, “What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?” they cried, “Let him be crucified.” (Matt. 27:22.) They mocked him. They gave him vinegar to drink. They reviled him. They smote him with a reed. They spat upon him. They crucified him.”

Then he goes on to talk about finding Christ and following Him:

“But how do we follow him if first we don’t find him? And how shall we find him if first we don’t seek him? Where and how should we begin this search for Jesus?

“The formula for finding Jesus has always been and ever will be the same—the earnest and sincere prayer of a humble and pure heart. The prophet Jeremiah counseled, “Ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” (Jer. 29:13.)

“Before we can successfully undertake a personal search for Jesus, we must first prepare time for him in our lives and room for him in our hearts. In these busy days there are many who have time for golf, time for shopping, time for work, time for play—but no time for Christ.

“Lovely homes dot the land and provide rooms for eating, rooms for sleeping, playrooms, sewing rooms, television rooms, but no room for Christ.

“Do we get a pang of conscience as we recall his own words: “The foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” (Matt. 8:20.) Or do we flush with embarrassment when we remember, “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7.) No room. No room. No room. Ever has it been.”

I would like to conclude by sharing (singing) the poignant feelings of the Inn Keeper who had no room in the inn for the Christ Child and later realized who He was.

(Music from the Forgotten Carols by Michael McClain, “The Innkeeper—Let Him In”)

I am a man forgotten, no one recalls my name.
Thousands of years will fail to fully erase by shame,
But I turned a profit nicely that day that I turned the couple away.
I turned them away.

I didn’t sleep that evening though I’d sold out my place.
Somehow I felt uneasy, something about her face.
Why did I wish that I’d let them stay? I don’t think they could have paid
Or could they have paid?

Restless I left my bedroom. I walked the streets all night.
Lost in the world I lived in, found by a heav’nly light,
Staring at one bright star in the sky I heard a baby cry.

I knew where that cry had come from
‘Cause I’d told them where they could go,
But I didn’t think I could face them. So I walked slowly home,
Missing my chance to share in their joy, I never saw the boy.

He never would condemn me, I did that all on my own.
He offered his forgiveness and ever since then I’ve known.
He lets us choose each hour of the day if We’ll let him in to say,
Let him in, let him in, let the joy and hope begin.
Let him in, let him in, let the peace on earth begin.
And whether it be in your world today or a crowded Bethlehem Inn,
Find a way, make him room, let him in,
Let him in, let the joy and hope begin.
Let him in, let him in, let the peace on earth being.
Let him in, let him in, let him in, let him in.

Precious December Days

It has been a busy, memorable week. Last Sunday Neal was sustained and ordained the bishop of the Olean Ward. We know he will be a blessing to his ward and his family will be blessed. Their family has been very ill for the last two weeks but is getting better. Anna spent six hours in the emergency room with many seizures. When Katrina recognized that the seizures were probably caused by the fever and infection, the ER, pediatrician, and neurologists decided that Katrina knew more about Anna than they did so allowed her to go home so Katrina could monitor and care for Anna there. Katrina taught the RS lesson on Sabbath Day today and was concerned about emphasizing that sisters should wear skirts, not pants, to Sacrament Meeting without offending or hurting feelings. That has become a problem in our ward also.

We are so pleased that Emily’s eyes are getting better and that the promise is being fulfilled that “there will be no lasting effects from the hemangioma.” This is a testament to faith and obedience. Desi, will your assignment change with the new church handbook? Mike we hope you are enjoying teaching Gospel Doctrine class since you were released as Elder’s Quorum President.

We love to have Kristilyn and the boys come to visit. What a delight to have them greet us with “Surprise! We’re glad you came home from your mission to see us.” Kristilyn arranged a special number for her YW with the three melodies of “Away in a Manger” with a violin obbligato.
We look forward to Talisa’s preschool program on Tuesday night. Keith sang with the choir in his ward for their Christmas Sacrament Meeting this morning. Kim is doing some very creative blogs. Talisa and Kira have been sick which has made it a challenge.

Julie had a busy, different day yesterday correcting papers from a section of BYU’s Teacher Education 301 class. Julie wrote the syllabus and class outline and taught the class two semesters. The assigned teacher this semester became very ill and was unable to do it and grades had to be in by a certain time. Julie and Jason sang with their ward choir today and will be speaking in church next Sunday.

We hope that Melody and Brandon’s car situation has eased for a while and that the weather will cooperate. They’ve had some very dangerous weather. Melody is the Cub Scout Den Leader and Brandon is the ward organist. We’d love to hear him play again.

We are enjoying the Christmas cards, pictures, letters, and emails we are receiving. This is our favorite mail time of the year.

This past week has been memorable. Temple Square is absolutely beautiful with Christmas lights and music. We’ve both had excellent students and spiritual experiences. (See previous blogs.) Tuesday was the RS social. They had a program telling about the Nativity from various points of view with music. I was the Inn Keeper’s wife and John sang “Let Him In” from The Forgotten Carols. Wednesday, the Elijah Combined Choirs sang for the devotional and luncheon on the 26th Floor of the Church Office Building. Elder Kent Richards of the Seventy was our speaker. Thursday night, John and I watched the simulcast of the David Archuleta and Tabernacle Choir Concert in the North Visitors’ Center on Temple Square. (Julie and Jason saw it live on Friday evening with Jason’s parents.) Friday was Go Forth meeting and the temple session. Many dear missionaries are leaving and they will be greatly missed. Saturday I played for the baptism of an eleven-year-old girl in our ward. This morning we sang three numbers with the ward choir and John sang “Silent Night” a capella with a men’s quartet. It was heavenly! John has a beautiful voice that blesses lives as he willingly shares his gifts. Our Sacrament Meeting was wonderful with eight musical numbers with various groups and two brief speakers. I thought how wonderful it was that all of our children and grandchildren were in church as usual and were enjoying and participating in similar programs in their wards no matter where they lived.

Monday morning is the last Christmas Concert for the Elijah Choir with our conductor Elder James Brague. Elder and Sister Brague are going to the Nauvoo Mission. He was head of the music department at BYU-I and has been very demanding of us but has made it fun. With practices at 6:24 AM, it had better be enjoyable!

Today I was looking at the babies and remembering Christmas 1972. We were living in Frankfurt am Main where John was in the Army. It was our first Christmas together with children. The year before I was home with my parents and Katrina and John was alone in Germany. In 1972 we were a family far from our homes and families in Utah. The building where we had been living on the Germany economy had been sold and we were homeless with 16- month-old Katrina and newborn Michael John. A couple was returning to the States for the Christmas season and allowed us to live in their apartment while they were gone. We felt very much like Joseph and Mary with our babies, sheltered by kindly strangers (members of the church who we met once). We had bright hopes for the future but the Lord has blessed us far beyond anything we could have dreamed of at that time. To have six beautiful children with firm testimonies of the gospel who have married faithful, talented spouses and who are living the gospel is an incomprehensible blessing. We are so grateful for the way our grandchildren are being raised and look with an eye of faith to an increasing righteous, faithful posterity. “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”—III John 1:4

A Promise Fulfilled--The Church in Mexico

The past two weeks I have had the privilege of training Elder Rodolpho Piñón. He was raised in the Mormon Colonies. Three-quarters of his ancestral lines are native Mexican and one-fourth is Mormon pioneer ancestry. He served in the Mexican Mission from 1963 to 1965, just before I did in many of the same areas. He married a Swedish girl from the Northwest who was baptized at BYU and they have six sons and a daughter. He has served as president of the Torreon Mexico Mission and the Mission Training Center in Mexico City which trains missionaries from Central American and Mexico. He was serving as a sealer in the Columbia River Temple before their call to the Church and Family History Mission. He and his wife, Mary Ann, were assigned to the Church History and Collections Zone even though the International Zone was adamant that they needed his services because he speaks and writes English and Spanish perfectly because of his bicultural background.

I knew a lot about the Mormon Colonies because Pres. Jasper McClellan, my mission president, was from there. My missionary companion, LaRayne Whetten Call, and others were from there so I knew a lot about the area and the people. (I continue to correspond with LaRayne over 40 years later.) Those missionary cousins from the Colonies were very close and diligent in setting a standard for excellence in the mission! I have transcribed several oral histories of people from the Colonies and always had a special interest in them because Camilla Eyring Kimball, wife of President Spencer W. Kimball, and Henry Eyring , the scientist, were from there. I knew a lot about the exodus from the Mexican Colonies in 1912 but I didn’t know the story of those who remained. There were nine colonies originally in the state of Chihuahua but now only two remain—Colonia Juaréz and Colonia Dublán. Nuevo Casas Grandes also has many Mormons, descended from the original settlers.

When Pancho Villa came and attacked the settlements in 1812, the Anglo people were told to evacuate the colonies. The women and children were put on a train to El Paso, Texas, and many of the men soon followed. However because the colonies were so scattered and communication was extremely difficult, Franklin Spencer and his wife Hannah arrived at the gathering place after most people had left, including their daughters. They did not know the whereabouts of their son Josiah and were very concerned about leaving without paying the people who worked for them. (Many years before while living in Salina, Utah, before coming to Mexico Hannah Jane had a remarkable experience about coming to Mexico and the missionary work that could be done. They and their seed would be greatly blessed if they would establish their home in Mexico.) Franklin and Hannah had deep friendships with everyone—Mexican and Anglo-- in the valley and they didn’t want harm to come to anyone. After much consideration, they decided to stay along with their 25-year-old son Josiah and protect the Mormons’ assets. This was an arduous endeavor because the rumor being spread was that the Mormons were gone and what was left was free for the taking. An army leader with 300 men came for the purpose of burning Colonia Dublan after taking all the supplies from the stores for the army. Hannah knew this man and many of his top officers well because they had been neighbors for decades. She served dinner and eventually persuaded them not to burn the town but to take the merchandise from the store. (Much of the merchandise had already been hidden and was eventually restored to the rightful owners in the USA.) This was a terrible time. Eventually some of the men returned who had gone to the US returned to Mexico to check on their lands, but instead of being grateful that their homes and much property was saved, some were angry. Some said Franklin, Hannah Jane and Josiah Spencer were disobedient for not following the counsel of the church leader and leaving Mexico. Others were furious that their property had not been burned. Some were tired of living in Mexico and wanted the Mexican government to reimburse them for their property so they could have the money to make a fresh start in the United States. This was very hurtful to the Spencers. The Spencers home and property was lost while they were protecting the assets of others. They stayed in Mexico because the Spirit told them to stay. They truly loved Mexico and the freedom which it had provided them during the turbulent time when the Mormons were so persecuted for polygamy. Today there are beautiful farms and orchards. It was a beloved place and still is. Though they go to El Paso to shop and for medical care, they consider themselves Mexican-Americans and many have chosen Mexican citizenship over US citizenship. The smallest temple of the LDS Church is in Colonia Juarez. Josiah married a lovely Mexican girl, Aurora. Ironically, Josiah and Aurora were killed by bandits in their own store in 1963. They were mourned by the entire state of Chihuahua.

The Angel

I would like to share with you a Christmas story that was shared in prayer meeting last week in the Training Zone. The story is written by Tamara Stitt and is an account from the diary of her great grandmother. She presented this account at a Relief Society Christmas Party in Rexburg,Idaho in December of 1990. The story is true.

"The true meaning of Christmas is charity. And the true meaning of charity is the unconditional love of Christ, which is the unconditional love of our fellowman. My great-grandmother, Beth, left me this story, which has had a tremendous impact on my life. she kept a detailed journal and this entry took place in the year 1900...

Carl, my great-grandfather was a rough, tough old trapper man who homesteaded what's called Burnscreek, Idaho, which is 15 miles above Heise, above Kelly Canyon. He took a team of horses and a sleigh and he built the road that you travel on today. He trapped furs for a living and sent them back east to Boston every fall, and every fall the fur trader in Boston would send him a check for the furs that he had received, until the year 1896, the fur trader had no money. But he was a man of honor so instead of sending him money, he sent him his 17 year old daughter as a mail-order bride and she was to become my great-grandmother. I think the reason she kept such a detailed journal is that's the only way she kept her sanity, as she wrote how badly she hated Burnscreek, Idaho. What a cultural shock it was from Boston, Massachusetts, and how she never could quite forgive her father for doing this to her.

In December 1900, when she made this entry in her journal she was 24 years old and pregnant with her fourth child. She wrote that she had asked Carl to take the remaining furs to the valley and trade them for the things she'd asked for in her Christmas list. She was embarrassed at how much she had wanted that year, for on her list she'd asked for three things: peppermint, chocolate, and a little piece of yard goods to make her only little girl a dress for Christmas.

She wrote that Carl had heartily agreed to take the furs to the valley and to trade them for supplies and for the items on her Christmas list. He told her that he would be home early on Christmas Eve morning and that he would bring with him a tree that he would stop and chop for his children. He left her in fine shape with lots of wood chopped and that the only thing she needed to do every day was to go out to the barn and milk the old cow.

The first day was delightful. They made ornaments for the tree that their father would bring home. They also made Christmas pudding. Late that night a tremendous storm hit the mountain. It snowed and it blowed like nothing she had ever seen before. The storm did not subside until early on Christmas Eve morning. When it finally died down enough that she could hear herself think, the wind was still howling, but she could hear that poor old cow in the barn bellering to be milked.

She wrote how she tried to get the front door of the cabin open and physically pushed and worked for one hour and ten minutes. She could not get the door open. She knew that something must have frozen on it from the outside. Even though logic told her to stay calm, she panicked and she took the axe from beside the hearth and chopped the hinges off the door to slide the door over. She was faced with a tremendous ice strip that had fallen off the top of the cabin, so she took her axe and shopped a hole through it, big enough that she might step out to the other side. She couldn't believe the devastation that the storm had left, how high the drifts were, and how hard it was still snowing, and how hard the wind was still blowing.

She could hear that poor old cow in the barn bellering to be milked, what empathy she had for it. She said that she was afraid that she couldn't make it out to the barn herself and back again. So she tied one end of a rope to the doorstop and one to her waist and started out towards the barnyard. She got less than a few yards when she realized that being with child she dare not go any farther because the snow was over waist deep, so she stopped in her tracks and said a silent prayer to her Heavenly Father that Carl would hurry home early that day and that the poor old cow might forgive her.

She spent the rest of the day waiting for Carl in great anticipation...Christmas Eve came and ...went and Carl had not returned home. She was just about to put three cranky children to bed when she heard someone outside the cabin. They all rushed to the door where she slid if off its hinges once again to peer out the little hole of ice.

She anticipated seeing Carl. She wrote how her heart sunk, for there on the other side of her doorstep stood the dirtiest, straggliest old trapper she had ever seen. But to three little children on Christmas Eve, an old man with red long johns, a long white beard, a tree in one hand, and a pack over his back, was a most welcome sight in their home. Those children gleefully explained, "See Mother, Santa did find Burnscreek, Idaho after all!"

She said that he looked at her and must have felt her great anticipation of where her husband was, and felt her hesitation at letting him into her house so he stared her straight in the eye and said, "Beth, don't be afraid. Carl's at Table Rock at Spaulding's trapper cabin with a lame horse." He said, "I was out on snowshoes this night and told him I was going to check my own lines and that I'd stop off and tell you that he was alright, that he'd be home early in the morning and bring you this straggly old tree and this pack that he'd sent from the valley."

So she brought him in the house and fed him stew from her fire. She wrote he helped set up the tree and helped the children decorate it. She judged him to be a man of fine character because he could recite the story of Christ's birth by heart from the Bible. He carried the children to bed and helped her putout her meager Christmas gifts. The old trapper chopped more firewood and milked the cow. he told her he had no family of his own, but thanked her sincerely for letting him spend such a wonderful Christmas Eve with her family. He asked if it might be all right if he spent the night in the barn and he would leave early in the morning to go on up Black's Canyon to check his traps. She told him only on one condition, that he join them in the morning for Christmas breakfast. He heartily agreed, thanking her once again before retiring to the barn.

She wrote that that was the very first time that she'd had a chance to look inside the old, worn, leather pack that had been sent by Carl. She went to bed a happy woman, for there inside the bag was peppermint, chocolate, and little piece of yard goods. She woke up the next morning to the children's gleeful sounds underneath her tree and it grew late into the morning before she realized that the old trapper had not joined them.

Just as she was going to the barnyard she noticed Carl was coming over the horizon. They all gathered at the front door to welcome their father home in wild anticipation and to tell him, "We have Santa locked in the barn!" Carl looked stern and tired and sent the children into the house. He asked her who was in the barn. She said, "Well, Carl, it was just the old trapper who came last night and brought me the tree and the pack and to tell me that you would be home early this morning."

He said, "I never even made it to the valley. I made it as far as Table Rock when the storm hit, and I went to Spaulding's trapper's cabin and tied my horse to a tree. Another old trapper had tried to water his horse at the river and had fallen through the much ice. It took three of us to fish him out, and we could tell he was a goner but we took him into the cabin and rolled him in blankets, and laid him by the fire and stayed with him until early on Christmas Eve when the storm broke. We hesitated and pondered what to do, but all three of us were anxious to get to the valley so that we could return home to our families on Christmas Eve. So we stoked up the fire a little, wrapped him a little tighter, and left him lying in front of the fire. We saddled up our horses and started down the lane. But I got less than a few hundred yards when a tremendous feeling came over me that I could not leave that old man alone on Christmas Eve to die. I sent the other two trappers on to the valley and I returned to the old boy where I held his head in my lap. Once in a while when he would regain consciousness I would tell him about you and about my children and how much I loved them and how disappointed you'd be that I never made it to the valley to get the peppermint, the chocolate or the little piece of yard goods that you'd so desperately wanted for Christmas. Early on Christmas Eve night the old boy died in my arms, but it was too late for me to come home so I waited until today."

She said right at this particular moment she couldn't understand what was happening to her as she ran to the barn to show Carl that there was an old boy in the barn. So Carl followed her out, showing her that there was no man in the barn and there were no snowshoe tracks.

She stopped, she pondered, and she prayed, and she got a wonderful peaceful feeling as she said to Carl, "I read in the Bible once that when you show charity to a fellow man, Heavenly Father sometimes lets you entertain an angel in your home. (Hebrews 13: 1-2) Carl, I think I had a blessing last night to entertain an angel underneath your roof."

Carl scoffed at her and told her there had been no angel in his home, until she took him by the hand and led him into their home. She showed him the tree and underneath the tree she pulled out an old worn leather saddle bag, and inside showed him a small bit of peppermint, chocolate and a little piece of yard goods.

Sixty years later, in 1960, great-grandmother was at my parents house when she died on Christmas Day. I was just a little girl and my great-grandmother left me her diary, this story, and a little piece of yard goods wrapped in white tissue paper with a note, 'This is never to be used.' It was fabric from an angel and a reminder that true charity and the true love of Christ was to be shown 365 days a year."

Twin's Birthday Celebration--Elijah Choir Concert

Mark and Kristilyn decided to celebrate Grant and James' 4th birthday 10 days early because Joe and Phyllis were in town for their Thanksgiving/Christmas visit. We had a lovely dinner then the boys were promised that they could open their presents after we got some pictures. Joe, Grant, and Phyllis Eliason, Kathryn, James, and John

Mark, Krisitlyn, Grant and James. Kristilyn gave an excellent talk in Sacrament Meeting earlier in the day.

Mark with Grant and James with their birthday cupcakes. They love anything "schockat." They were excited to blow out their candles and open their gifts--Sunday clothes, Thomas the Train pajamas and two new parts for their wooden train track.

John and I sang at the Elijah Missionary Choir of 70 voices in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square on Sunday evening. The concert went really well. Julie and Jason and all of the Eliasons were there but the Eliasons had to leave early to get Joe and Phyllis to the plane to return to San Jose. Before the concert we all went down to the rehearsal room under the stage for prayer. It was fun to see new areas of the historic old building. Jason was especially delighted with our first number, Christmas Bells, another arrangment of I Heard the Bills on Chirstmas Day" which their ward choir is preparing for next Sunday. It meant a lot to have part of our family in attendance.

The weekend was very warm. In fact it was up into the 50's on Saturday when we were still cleaning up limbs and leaves from the bad storm. This is a picture of John, Julie, Kathryn, and Jason in the North Visitors' Center after the performance. Temple Square was very busy!

Saturday we had the ward Christmas Breakfast. The cultural hall was packed at 8:30 AM. The entertainment from the West Jordan Choirs--Take Ten and Bel Voix--was delightful. They sang some of our favorites from years past. Colton Klunker was the "Santa" for the girls' choir of "Hey, Santa" and he was appropriately embarrassed and delighted with the attention. It brought back lots of memories of high school concerts. Kelly DeHaan isn't directing the the choruses any more. There were very few for Sacrament Meeting the next morning which started at 9:00 AM.

Thanksgiving 2010

We had a lovely Thanksgiving Dinner at DuPaixs for 31 of us. Julie and Jason were with their family but Keith's and Kristilyn's family were with us. Danny and Becky DuPaix were there with their cute Judson and Lila.

Beckie DuPaix and Kim. Kim got her hair cut 7 inches last week end. Her hair always looks nice. Sarah DuPaix and John Southwick are being married in the Salt Lake Temple on Feb. 5.

Debbie announced that she was expecting. She's 10 1/2 weeks along. Jeannie is expecting in April or May. Lily will be baptized in February.

Eliasons came over to play for a while late Thursday afternoon. They love "railroad tracks" (Blokus) and the ABC floor puzzle. They had two cute Thanksgiving jokes:

Grant: What did the turkey say to the turkey hunter? QUACK, QUACK.

James: What did the turkey say to the turkey roaster? I'M STUFFED.

Julie and Jason came over Thanksgiving night and we enjoyed a charming Christmas movie with them. Friday night they went to "Savior of the World" with Jason's family.

Friday, we tended Kira while Keith and Kim took Talisa to "Tangled," the new Disney version of the Rapunzel. Kira was so fun. She walks around and plays happily. She didn't fuss at all, ate what we gave her for lunch, and went down for a nap without a whimper.

Friday afternoon/evening we met at Keith and Kim's for Wii, ping pong, and pizza. It was fun to have the 10 of us together.

Talisa is giving Grant and James some pointers on cooking.

Grant, Talisa, and James were proud of the tall tower they built in Keith's workout room.

They would take turns catch the random ping pong balls. Kira thinks she is as big as rest.

Trains are always very fun. Grant and James brought some of theirs from home. The boys know all the different trains by names and can recite their unique characteristics.

John, Mark, Kristilyn, Keith, Kim, Julie, and Jason

We have had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. It started early because we were released early from the training zone on Tuesday because of the blizzard. We went to the the Jordan River Temple and did baptisms and initiatory that afternoon. Wednesday we stayed home all day and worked on family history and started cooking for Thanksgiving. Thursday and Friday were wonderful Thanksgiving family days. We hope Mike's family had a good time in Wisconsin with Desi's family and Carters traveled safely to Neal's family. Melody successful hosted her own Thanksgiving feast.

It's Sunday afternoon and we have 7-8 inches of snow on the ground already and it is supposed to snow until Monday evening. We went to Lillis and Frank's ward this afternoon where Lillis and Frank sang "I Need Thee Every Hour." They did a very nice job and many, many of the ward members and friends expressed their appreciation. Lillis was frightened but did well.

I've enjoyed these days at home and with the family. My house has been deep-cleaned and the Christmas tree is decorated. I'm eager to get back to my computer in the training zone--even though it means a 5:00 AM wake-up call. I've started certification for the US/Canada Zone and I can't do much more here at home. I love learning new things every day. We had a spiritual time at the temple on Saturday sealing family members on my side. Last week we had inservice training from Jim Greene and various zone leaders which makes us appreciate the work of the other zones even more. Tomorrow we start with new students which is always exciting!

This year I'm especially thankful for having a righteous priesthood holder for a husband. The last couple of students have been single moms and several of the trainers are single, widowed, or divorced. They are exceptional, spiritual, outstanding people that I greatly admire and appreciate. I'm so grateful that I have had a good husband to share the last forty years with. I'm so blessed to have a companion who has always cared for me and for our children in every way he possibly could. It is fun to share our mission experiences and to have a companion with whom I want to spend eternity. We value and appreciate our children and grandchildren, extended family, and precious friends. We enjoy the blessings of the gospel. Life is very good!

Sunday's Snow Storm

After severe winds on Friday night and Saturday, we woke up to no power and about 10 inches of snow. Even before the power came back on John shoveled the driveway and walks.

These are the garbage dumpsters on the driveway.

There were many, many broken tree limbs in our area. These are some from the front yard.

Damage in the back was more severe because the globe willow still had a lot of leaves on it. The chimney cap was also blown onto the ground and there were tree limbs on the roof. Monday afternoon John was able to get part of the limbs into the trash to be sent to the landfill.

View from the sunflower room window. You can see the damage to Barry's tree as well. Roland Wadley heard some creaking so quickly moved his vehicles from his driveway. A few minutes later large branches from Dumas' trees fell where the car had been parked. Cary Roberts cleaned all the roads in the subdivision with his four-wheeler with a mounted blade. A blizzard is forcast for Tuesday night into Wednesday with temperatures in the teens and single-digits for Thanksgiving Day. I'm glad we're only going to DuPaixs for dinner!

Carters are planning to go to Moira for Thanksgiving.

Mike and Desi should be in Wisconsin by now. We hope they have a wonderful time with the Bainbridges for their family reunion and the holiday. Mike was released as Elder Quorum President after about three years. He is now teaching the adult gospel doctrine class.

Melody is hosting her first Thanksgiving dinner. They have invited friends to join them for dinner. She is a Cub Scout Den Leader in her new ward.

Julie and Jason will be having Thanksgiving dinner with Jason's family.

We are excited to have Keith's family and the Eliasons join us for Thanksgiving with the DuPaixs. May you all have a time of gratitude and appreciation with those you love.

Preparing Temple Square for Christmas Lights

The work started the last of August to prepare Temple Square for Christmas. Many trees are wrapped with lights, even before their leaves fall. Trees are not lighted two years in a row because it causes problems for the health of the tree.

Notice the electrical circuitry that will light these lanterns.

The pansies and other spring flowers are covered with white protective matureials and festive wreathes are placed around them.

Even the "paper bag" luminarios have electrial circuitry.

Candles have been placed in the reflectiing pool east of the Salt Lake Temple.

Artifical lighted trees and other decorations are placed in some flower gardens.

The area north of the Tabernacle has a life-sized Nativity. The characters are very life-like and wear clothing which moves with the breeze. They have a tape of sheep and other animals running all the time these days and it sounds like one is walking near real animals.

The full view of the stable.

Close-up of Mary and Joseph.

The Elijah Missionary Choir is presenting a 40 minute Christmas Concert at the Assembly Hall on Sunday, December 12, 2010, at 5:30 PM. John and I are pleased to be participating again this year. The public is invited to attend the concert and enjoy Christmas on Temple Square. We would be delighted to see you there.