PIoneer Day--2011

We have had another wonderful week. After our trip for Anna’s sealing in the Palmyra Temple then going to the St. Louis Temple with Brandon and Melody, we are even more aware of the sacrifices that were/are being made so all can receive temple blessings. While in the East we were also able to see many of the sacred sites in New York and Missouri and feel the Spirit there. After those experiences it was a joy to return to our mission and sing with the Elijah Choir for the special Pioneer Day devotion. All the music was memorable—“Come, Come Ye Saints;” “To Those Who Went Before Us;” “Let the Mountains Shout for Joy;” “Faith in Every Footstep;”and “Though Deepening Trials.” It has been our privilege to sing with the choir for the last 2 1/2 years because the music has become part of us. Pres. Pinon quoted from the talk by Pres. J. Ruben Clark in July, 1947, “To Those of the Last Wagon.” The names of those of us who are completing our full time missions this month were read and then we stood for the closing hymn, “God Be With You.” It was sweet to be with so many people we love and to share another sacred experience.

John’s student this week was from Hawaii. He was familiar with the computer but had no experience with PAF5 or NFS. I had two call back sisters, one from Sanpete County and the other from San Juan County so it was delightful to research areas that I knew so well.

We had our exit interview with Pres. and Sister Wayne Peterson as we will be ending our full time missionary service July 29, 2011. We will take a month off to take care of family things then return as church service missionaries in September. Pres. Peterson told us about a church-wide policy change for senior missionaries: They will now be allowed to return home at their own expense during their mission for special things such as missionary farewells, graduations, baby blessings, etc.

A very special treat this week were the visits of Kim and Kristilyn and our grandchildren, Talisa, Kira, Grant and James.

Kim brought Talisa and Kira to see where we are working on Tuesday. Talisa was eager to try out my computer.

Kira and Talisa in front of the 100-year-old Model T Ford in the lobby of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building to commemorate the building's 100th birthday.

We had lunch on the patio. The girls were fascinated with the birds and the TRAX trains. They love to walk along the raised edges of the flowerbeds. They are so graceful.

Kira wants to imitate everything that Talisa does.

James and Grant came for lunch on Wednesday. They are standing in front of the statue of the Prophet Joseph Smith which they immediately recognized.

John, Kristilyn 34 weeks with twin girls, Grant in blue, James in red. The boys were fascinated with the "maze" on the carpet inside the building then later in the flowing fountain down to the temple.

I love the positions of the boys arms as they check out Temple Square.

There has been continuing replacement of the sandstone and granite edging around Temple Square this summer. Some morning it requires some creativity to get from the Conference Parking Center to the JSMB. It is fascinating to see how much work goes into keeping Temple Square in excellent condition. It is a like our own lives--we have to be constantly replacing and improving our habits so we become better and not apathetic or complacent.

Everything on Temple Square focuses on the temple. It is our privilege to be missionaries to bring both the living and the dead there for ordinances and to increase our knowledge and love for them. These weeks have increased my gratitude for those who went before us and for my appreciation of what they did. As I look to the rising generations I am awed with their commitment to keeping the commandments and their potential for good throughout the world. I am particularly grateful for our families for their steadfast examples of good and their desire to serve and lift others. We live in a challenging but truly blessed time with the fulness of the gospel on the earth and a prophet to guide us.

Trip to New York and Missouri

John and I had a marvelous trip to visit with Neal, Katrina, Daniel, and Anna Carter in New York and Brandon and Melody Roberts in Missouri. We arrived in New York on Neal's birthday. His treat was apple pie.

Daniel was excited to show Grandpa that he is learning to ride a bike.

Anna has vision therapy and is learning to reach for the ball to turn her music on.

Neal was released is bishop of the Olean Ward on Sunday, July 10, 2011. This is his bishopric. The new bishop is Ron DuPont, the man on Neal's right side.

Katrina, Anna, Neal, and Anna on the day of Anna's blessing. After Neal blessed Anna, he was released then both Katrina and Neal shared their testimonies. Daniel talked in Primary and Katrina directed the music.

Our FHE included a trip to the park.

Neal got a duplicate copy of the certificate of adoption on Monday afternoon so Anna was sealed in the Palmyra Temple on Tuesday, July 12, 2011.

In this close up notice the stained glass windows reflecting the design of the Sacred Grove.

John, Kathryn Ann, Katrina holding Anna, Neal with his hand on Daniel's shoulder. Daniel was able to witness the sealing and also to see the youth doing baptisms for the dead.

Anna, Katrina, Neal, and Daniel.

Anna, Katrina, and Neal on their special day.

We saw the Hill Cumorah Pageant Tuesday evening. It was the first time Katrina and Neal had seen it since they took Daniel when he was a tiny baby. It was a wonderful experience. Daniel was really attentive to everything about it and commented, "Some parts made me feel like crying."

We flew to Kansas City on Wednesday to visit Melody and Brandon. A very fun stop was the Steamboat Arabia Museum. A fully loaded steamboat sunk in 1856 and wasn't discovered until 1988 when it was unearthed. They have cleaned many of the artifact and it is fascinating to see what they had back then, including rubber boots! It was the Wal-mart of the time.

Their home is delightful! We love their painting and new sofa.

This is the new Kansas City Temple which is in their ward boundaries. It will be finished and dedicated the spring of 2012.

We went to a session at the St. Louis Temple. Brandon and Melody were the witness couple.

Brandon and Melody in front of the Gateway Arch by the Mississippi River.

We also went to the Westward Movement Museum which is as large as a football field but completely underground under the grass under the Arch.

John, Brandon and Melody are sitting on the steps looking at the Mississippi River with the Arch in the background.

Saturday, we went to the St. Louis Zoo. It is a huge place. We touched stingrays, watched a sea lion show, and enjoyed all kinds of animals from anteathers to penguins.

It was fun to watch a "teenage" elephant go down to the river/waterfall.

We had a great tour of Kansas City. Most of all we loved spending time with Brandon and Melody. They are both very busy with their work and with church. Melody teaches Primary or the teenage SS classes most weeks. Brandon had a 6:00 AM meeting Sunday morning and after all of his regular Sunday ward clerk duties still had four more hours to go with two hours on the road and two hours of meetings. He continues to play the piano and organ beautifully!

Mark, Grant, and James picked us up at the airport and Kristilyn had our house cool with dinner on the table when we arrived home. The baby girls are doing well and it would be all right if they came now but every day they stay inside is a good day! A special thanks to everyone who made our entire trip so memorable. We appreciate your efforts very much!!

July Family Activities

We enjoyed having Kira and Talisa come for a visit. Their dolls, Giggles and Pink Baby, are constant companions.

Talisa was eager to push Kira in the stroller over to the school to play.

Grant has learned to climb the pole in the family room and can touch the ceiling. James has some remarkable dance moves.

We loved having Katrina, Neal, and Daniel spent a couple of nights with us while they looked for a rental home in Rexburg, Idaho, for a few months. They have decided to build so they can put in the ramps and other special needs for Anna.

We celebrated Daniel's fifth birthday. He put the candles close together so he could be sure to blow them out.

Sunday, July 3, we went to a double DuPaix blessing. On Sunday July 4, 1976, we attended Jeannie DuPaix and Russell Keetch's baby blessings. It was special to attend Jeannie's and Debbie's sons' blessings.

Elijah Thomas Wade

Lance Anthony DuPaix

Maybe it's Lance Andrew DuPaix and his older brother is Lucas Anthony DuPaix.

Kathryn, Jason, Julie, John

Maddy, Sarah, and Becca

Debbie, Lance, Lucas, and Christian.

Most of the DuPaixs were there and we had a wonderful time visiting with them as well as other friends and family.

The weather was perfect for the 4th of July parade. It wasn't too hot and there were occasional raindrops to keep it cool. James and Grant were enchanted with the police cars, fire engines, and all the candy they could grab.

The boys loved their little flags.

We had lunch at our house in West Jordan then went over to Eliasons's home for dinner. See the stump that is left from the tree that had to be removed because the roots were getting into the neighbors' sewer. The Eliasons and Burninghams went to the fireworks in Sugarhouse Park. There were extensive fireworks all over the valley.

Keith, Kim and their girls drove to Colorado to visit with Mike and Desi and their family. We're happy they had a good time together. Thanks so much for the pictures, Desi. We will also look forward to Kim's pictures and narrative as well.

Melody was rescued by kind co-workers last week when a hose in her car broke and sprayed freon all over under her car in the parking lot. A couple of men noticed the problem, told her about it, then fixed it--including buying the needed part so she could drive home after work. What a blessing!

Hold to the Rod

As I walking along the Jordan Rive, I thought a lot about the importance of holding to the rod and staying on the strait and narrow path. The river was high and moving very fast just inches away. In the past week two men we know have died from accidental deaths. The one was 56 and living a good life. It was a great comfort to his family to bury him in his temple clothes and to know he was safely Home. The other death was a young man who died from a drug overdose. He had been in and out of prison and jail and assaulted his wife on various occasions. He had a lot of charm and charisma but he didn’t think he needed to obey the law. What sadness we feel for his wife, children, and family. They will continue to suffer in many ways. There is safety and peace in keeping the commandments.

Walk to the Jordan RIver

Saturday morning I took a three mile walk from our home around to the Jordan River. The Bateman surplus canal was full. The area between the canal and the river had a lot of standing water.

They have built a view area by the parking lot entrance. When the sign said closed I was about ready to turn back because the river was so high but I saw many people walking and riding around along the trail so I continued. See the new Schmdt business buildings on the east side of the river.

This is the underpass at 70th South. Notice the water on the sidewalk. The river was just a few inches below the sidewalk.

Another view of the underpass.

The banks have been shored up with a lot of rocks but in some places the river has gone over them. Notice in the back some of the many apartments and condos on the east side of the river. The snowmelt is almost finished with these 90 degree days. Unfortunately we have had at least nine drowndings this spring because of the extra cold water and the swiftness of the streams.

The river has been flowing at full capacity since early spring to get water from Utah Lake and the mountains down to Great Salt Lake.

This is the underpass at 7800 South. The water comes up to the orange cones.

The covered bridge at Gardner Village is ready for Independence Day.

Gardner Mill

The mill wheel at Gardner Mill.

They are putting in a stop light so people can cross from the UTA TRAX station to Gardner Village and the hundreds of apartments.

The TRAX station is just a few hundred yards from the Old Meeting House in West Jordan. There are two TRAX stations on this new spur going out to Daybreak.

The Old Meetinghouse in West Jordan.

West Jordan may have over 100,000 people and be the fourth largest city in Utah but notice the goats clearing the grass.

It is fun to see the old cars that were used to haul ore from Kennecott to be processed.

This is a view of our house from Redwood Road.