A Lost Mom...

Last Friday, Feb 24, 2017, my friend LaDean Weight, called and asked if I would like to go to the Temple in Salt Lake City.... I said yes..I had six names that needed to be sealed, I had already called the Temple the day before, and found out I could do them anytime as I only had a few names.

I had a short time to get ready, I had not called or text my daughter Paulette, as I knew James was home that day, and knew they would be busy doing things together, all day.

I had a great day at the Temple, we left at 12:30 pm, and made the 2:00 pm session.  I was advised to take the names to be sealed with me, and  go to the sealing office right after the session.

At the Sealing Office, we were escorted to a room where sealings were already in progress. They needed people to help so we stayed for the whole session.

 Feeling were so sweet, as family's were sealed together.  One that I was part of was of a Mom, Dad and five children.  As we held hands across the alter all together,  looking into our faces,  we felt the sweetness of this family, that had lived a long time ago, being sealed together, like our own family's are.

Also, one was where my friend, in proxy, was sealed to her parents, and I was the mother....I teased her about having a daughter, that was older than I was....

We stayed for a light dinner in the Temple cafeteria, then headed for home.

When LaDean turned onto my road, I noticed the light was on in my garage....I didn't think I had left it on...but it was possible.

Walking up to the front door the birds saw me and started chirping in greeting.  When I opened the door, I noticed the bird room door was closed.  I knew some one had been in the house as I never close the birds door if I am going to be gone. Perhaps one of my kids, Pauli, or David, as they also have keys.   Opening the door to check on the birds I found the cages all cleaned and the birds fed, and the room clean.....

It had to be Sister Mari Trapp, my Visiting Teacher....

Paulette had tried to call and text me.... When I hadn't responded, she started to worry and knew that Sis Trapp, and Marilyn and Cory Grua had keys to my house, and wanted someone to come over and check and make sure I was ok.

Brother Trapp had checked the garage and saw my car was still there.... Bro Grua said for him to check down stairs, and make sure none of the windows in the window wells were  broken.
He also checked all the rooms in the house, and reported he could smell perfume in my bathroom and thought I had gone somewhere...

Paulette called every phone number she had to find me......I had turned my phone off while I was in the Temple.   I was sooo surprised at all the contacts and people who took this serious to make sure I was fine.  Even Penny Prestwich called, and told me Pauli had called her...

Sis Trapp felt prompted to call Betty Mathews, and Betty told her I was at the Temple, as she had seen LaDean and she had mentioned I was with her.

I was very Surprised, But very Grateful to know that if something was wrong, someone would come looking for me...

And to top it off,  Our new Relief Society President, Jill Whiting,  brought dinner for me....



.

My Jewels....

I was thinking today of how proud I am of all my children.  Launie Michelle, David Lynn, Jennifer Elaine, Carolyn Paulette, Jodie Margaret, and of course Eugene.

All are adults now with families of their own, except Eugene who died when he was almost four.
All are Good People, all have been through the Temple, all are active in church.
I think parents are happy when they see their children, growing up through the learning years,  turn out to be good people.

I am very Thankful for them, They all have done very well, even though their likes are all different.



.

My Brother Ivan...

Oct 21, 2016


My Brother Ivan and his wife Grace came for a visit this afternoon.  Ivan is about 13 years older than my self.  He has lost a lot of weight, He weights less than myself right now.  His skin has a yellow looking cast.  I have been worried about him and wondering if his health is going down.

Today in our conversations Ivan asked about Lynn's health, and how long he was sick before passing.  Then the topic changed to Ivan not trusting Huntsman Cancer Hospital, because people go in and die there, or never come out...he doesn't trust them.

He soon express that the doctor said they had found traces of cancer in his body. I have the feeling he didn't want to know any more and left.

Feeling a little numb...

Oct 20 2016


Sister Hollie Bevan had called me last week to let me know that she would not be coming to the Genealogy building, the next week.  Their plans to move had changed and they had to move a week early.  Her husband was scheduled for surgery on the Oct 24th.

I had ordered the CD Beloved Hymns of Christ, by Michael Dowdle, on the Acoustic Guitar.  One of my most favorit CDs. I wanted to give it to Hollie as a thank you gift for helping me learn about Genealogy.

Hollie told me that the Dr. suspected the lumps in her husband neck, were cancer lymph nodes.  Some of the fluid they had taken had some cancer cells in it.  They will take several out and check them.... and if there is cancer, try to see if they can tell where its coming from. His surgery will be done in the Tooele Hospital, on the 24th.

Also Terry and Cathy Walker came for a visit yesterday.  They took me out for lunch at Apple bees.  Terry told me that he has Colon cancer, and may have three years to live if he is lucky...

Terry also informed me that Gary Hardman had died on Saturday Oct 15, from brain cancer...
He was Lynn's cousin, and also his best man at our Wedding Reception.

I am feeling so numb....sometimes when I give deep thought about this news, I get sick to my stomach to the point of almost throwing up.  I hate cancer and what it does to people...To those who get it, and what it does to their families...



.

A Spiritual Experience...

Oct 16 2016


I have felt that it is time for me to learn how to do genealogy, start or be involved some how.  I have procrastinated because I don't know very much about computers and everything is on computers now.

I had met Sister Hollie Bevan, when she helped Lynn with his genealogy.  I felt she might be able to teach me what I needed to do and be very patient with me as I learn slowly.  I was pondering what day would be best for me to go over to the Genealogy Building in Grantsville, and Wednesday kept coming to mind. Wednesday morning came and I felt I was fighting with the Spirit, as they kept telling me I had to get over to the Genealogy building, and that it was Wednesday morning...over and over again.

The Church built a new Simminary building for Grantsville High School, which was right next to the old building.  They then used this old building for Family History, which makes it very nice.

I walk into the building and Sis Bevan and her husband were there.  I told her that I had never so strongly been prompted, and pushed to be there that morning.
The only thing that I knew how to do was to log on to the church sight. During the last six weeks Sis Bevan was very patient with me, helping me to feel good about what we were doing.

In the six weeks that she worked with me we found 89 ordinances to be done, and added four new families. Sis Bevan also showed me how to copy photos and documents, and tag the names of the people in the photos.

When I went last Wednesday Sis Bevan informed me that next week would be their last day.  They were going to move to Bountiful, north of Salt Lake City.  They would be helping their family for the next five years.   That was a shock!

Thinking I would get as much instruction as I could before they left, I asked what other days was she working at the Family Search building.....And was Surprised to hear they only come in on Wednesday!


.

New Stake Presidency...

Feb 14, 2016

Our Stake President, Stephen Collings, and his wife Tracy, have been called as a Mission President over the Uganda Kampala Mission.

We had Stake Conference today, I have been wondering who was going to be our new Stake President.

I  had a feeling all month that my bishop, as young as he is would qualify for being there.  I have been praying that Bishop McBride would not be called, for I so needed his help, and right now it is very hard with all the changes that have fallen on my shoulders in the last two months, to loose the one person who seems to know all the crazy things in finances, and my life,  I have to do since Lynn's passing.

When the time came, it was announced that Jason Killian is the new Stake President... I know him and I know he will be great...a young man, but has a deep heart.  Troy May is first counselor,  and Ryan McBride is the second counselor.... My heart sank, I knew it... I cried inside, and felt so alone.

Bishop McBride was asked to speak, he is so spiritual and humble.  I was happy for him, but still very sad for me.  Then Pres. Killian spoke, as I listened to him speak I felt a warmth and a feeling that everything was going to be ok.  I don't know how, but I know the Lord knows how I feel.


Latter in the afternoon, the doorbell rang.  As I answered it, a man and his daughter were there and he was caring a flower arrangement from Stake Conference.  He said it was for me for Valentine day, from the Stake President....I asked the old or new? and he said the new one.

The Flower arrangement was one of the most beautiful I have seen, and stands about four feet high.  I admired it during all Saturday evening session as I sat on the front row with Kim Gamoushio and her husband. (who sang a duet that evening) The Flowers were right in front of me.


Today is also Valentines Day.  I received a beautiful Valentine card from Terry and Cathy Walker, Lynn's brother.  Pauli and James gave me some beautiful white roses that had the most delicate pink trim running on the edges of the peddles.  Launie sent me a text, wishing Happy Valentines day.



.

The Struggle ended...

On Dec 13, 2015  Lynn at home passed threw the vail. being surrounded by his best friends, Bishop Ryan McBride, Our Stake Patriarch Cory Grua, Our Home teacher, Cris Reilley, our son David and myself.

Lynn has struggled for at least seven months with the symptoms of Acute Leukemia.  Getting weaker as time continued. He was determend that he wanted to write and finish his life story. Even being very ill the Lord granted his request.  Finishing on Saturday, a week before he left, he took his history to Priesthood meeting to show the brothern that he had actually accomplished the task.

Lynn did not like to miss church on Sundays.  He would dress in his suit, oxygen tank, cane, pillow and go to Sacrament meeting.  He walked slowly, placing one foot just in front of the other, as he entered the church building.  Taking of the Sacrament was very important to him, and needed the blessings it gave.  If he felt he could make it, he would try to attend Priesthood meeting.

On Sunday Dec 13, Lynn informed Bishop McBride, he didn't think he could make church today, and requested Sacrament in our home.  We feel that Lynn actually did make it to church that Sunday, for at 11:30 pm he made it into Heaven.

Lynn in his own way spent  time with each of our children.  He gave father blessings to Launie, David, and Paulette at their request.
As Jennifer had some questions about computer programs he used, life seemed to spark, and he went to his computer and talked with her about them, with renewed interest.
His last Sunday, as he was not feeling to well Jodie, who is a EMT, spent time talking, and working out, the amount of medicine he could use...spending time and talking with him.

Latter in the evening, Bishop McBride came to check on Lynn.  Seeing Lynn was struggling more, he said he thought "we needed to give Lynn the blessing he had asked for earlier in the week".  Bishop McBride went next door to talk to Bishop Grua and would be back soon.  In the meantime our Home teacher Bro Reilley was getting ready for bed, and "had the strong feeling he needed to go to the Walkers."  He got dressed and came over.

As the four Priesthood holders surrounded Lynn's chair.  David was asked to anoint Lynn's head with oil.  Then Bishop McBride gave him a blessing.  In the middle of the blessing with hands of the Priesthood on his head, The spirit flew free.... Lynn slipped into heaven, and we heard his last breath.

So sweet was the present of the spirit, that we  talked and cried for about two hours, before someone suggested that we should call Hospice.  The lady came and pronounce Lynn's death.  Bro Reilley had written down the time when it had happened,  at 11:30 pm. on Sunday Dec 13, 2015.



.