I place before Him Gifts

Our Stake Presidency challenged us to memorize "The Living Christ".   
I thought it would be impossible, but little by little, a paragraph at a time, I completed my goal!  I wanted to give a gift to my Savior this Christmas.
It was the most hectic Christmas ever.  Because I had not only the usual, shopping, decorating, activities and even now Young Women activities, but also Jordan's wedding plans and a lot of work and stress.

I set aside some December evenings, when the Christmas tree lights were shining in the darkness and finished learning the beautiful words

Bessie Holbrook

Bessie Frances Cayton was born on February 6, 1895 in Alpine, Utah to Edward Clark Cayton and Frances Maria Beck. Her father had a piece of property located on the "bench" between Alpine and American Fork where he had built a log house. About a month before her birth. Bessie's mother was sewing by the window and looked up to see a mountain lion coming down the road from the canyon to drink milk from the empty milk cans by the gate. After that incident Frances was afraid to stay alone, so Ed rented a room in Alpine where Bessie was born. When Bessie was four years old her parents were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple and she remembered the excitement of going to Salt Lake in the wagon - a two-day journey. While they stayed in Salt Lake they slept in their wagon park in the "tithing barn" where the Joseph Smith Memorial building is located today. She was eight years old when Mel was born and up until that time admitted to being spoiled. Papa took her every place he went on the horse and in the wagon and even carried her on his back. She remembers getting electric lights install in their Alpine home in 1907. And about that time seeing her first automobile. One of her playmate's grandfathers was quite an inventor. He built an auto on a buggy and came to Alpine to take his grandchildren for a ride. The rest of the kids in town ran as fast as they could after him. Jim joined the Cayton family in In 1909 they moved to Salt Lake. Her mamma and Jim were both sick and wanted to be near the doctor who had moved to the city. The first night they found a hotel room while her Papa walked the streets looking for more permanent quarters. He found two rooms on the second day, with one bed and a cot, 3 dishes for 5 of us and a little table and 2 chairs. "Mama, Papa and Jim slept on the bed and Mel and I on the cot. It was at 6th South and Main and rented for $6.00 per week. We stayed one week. While we were there it was Thanksgiving. We bought a chicken and tried to roast it in the old worn out oven. Our celebration was pretty gloomy and about all we felt we had to be thankful for was each other and the fact we were all together." "Soon we moved to Sugar House where I loved the ward and all the dances and parties. We had been there about a year when I was called to teach the youngest girls in the MIA who were about two years younger than I was. This began my Church callings." "Papa bought a smaller team, two white horses, to use in the city. He bought and sold produce and had all the stores in SugarHouse as his customers. Papa often bought cantaloupe and watermelon by the full load. He purchased much of his produce from Oscar and Mose Holbrook who had a truck garden in Bountiful and sold produce at the Market. Once when we went to Bountiful, Papa stopped at the Holbrook farm and we met the Holbrook boys." The following summer, Oscar delivered a load of melons to our house and Papa told us to fix breakfast for him because he had gotten up at 3:30 A.M. to make the delivery. We made breakfast and the next week he delivered melons again and brought with him a bushel basket of his mother's flowers." "Oscar asked if he could come and see me, and he came out to Sugar House once. Then Mose asked Papa to bring his family out to Bountiful to spend Sunday. That day Oscar and I walked around the farm and as far town together. That was the beginning....by New Years, we made plans to be married that next summer." We were married in the Salt Lake Temple May 6, 1914. We had a reception at home; a hot dinner as they always served in those days. I don't remember much about dinner, only cleaning chickens all day the day before." "My wedding dress was a white crepe with lace overskirt and a "peg-top" style, loose and full at the top of the skirt and so narrow at the bottom I could hardly walk." Their first home was a 'two bedroom" house in Bountiful that they rented for six dollars a month. "My dad had a team of white horses and a surrey (with fringe on top). He and mama would leave Sugar House early on Sunday morning and arrive at Bountiful about 10:00 or 11:00 AM to visit, spend the day and return to Sugar house that evening." One night as they drove home they counted automobiles. Imagine. There were 25 crd on the road between Bountiful and Salt Lake. That was in 1914, and at the time Bessie had never ridden in a car! Bessie states: "we lived about a mile from the farm. When Oscar was ready to come home for dinner he would go to the west side of the house and yodel across the fields." She would be listening and know it was a signal to start dinner. Their first son Everett was born March 18, 1915 while they lived in Bountiful. They moved to Salt Lake and in October 1916 Oscar began his career working for Union Pacific railroad as a fireman. His railroad job kept him from serving in WWI. The War ended in Nov 1918. The big flu epidemic of 1918 had just started. Bessie noted that no one went anywhere with out a mask on and most businesses and churches were closed. Grocery stores were only open certain hours. People were dying everywhere. One morning there were five deaths just in their little neighborhood. Soon a second son, Don, joined the family and in January 1923, Maxine was born. By this time they lived in their big brick house at 664 North First West where they resided until 1960. Bessie's story stops here but Elaine has added memories that she has a grandma: Grandma was always busy serving her family, in church callings or in the community. She served in the Primary, Sunday School, and Relief Society Presidency in the 24th Ward and in the Stake. She was the PTA president at Washington Elementary School. She was a n organizer and a "doer." She was a skilled homemaker and mother. Her house was spotless. She scrubbed her kitchen floor every night before she went to bed. She was a good cook. Everett, Don and Maxine's friends congregated there because she would feed them. She made wonderful bread, was noted for her lemon and coconut cream pies and coconut cakes with white mountain icing. I've been told she made six pies every Saturday for her Sunday guest. I remember hearing stories of her feeding the hobos who knocked on her door who had wandered from the railroad yards. She made them work for their meal, but was kind to them. Her homemaking skills included sewing and tailoring, quilting and needlepoint. She made the gradndaughters beautiful dresses; she loved making children's clothes...her specialty. She and Aunt Gwen were avid quilters and their specialty was the Double Wedding Ring pattern, one of the most difficult pieced quilts. Grandma pieced Double Wedding Rings for her children and all of her grandchildren as they got married...a wonderful tradition. She send hours needlepointing. All of her dining room chairs displayed her work as well as other chairs and piano benches and pictures. Somewhere along the way, Grandma acquired enviable social graces and skills even though she grew up in small Alpine and did not come from a family of wealth. She was comfortable in all social situations and at all occasions...it was jut natural for her! She was very fussy about her appearance and always had her hair done at the beauty shop. She passed on a legacy to her granddaughters of appreciation for fine things: crystal, fine china and sterling silver. Due to her "tutoring," Connie and I spent hours in the China department at ZCMI looking at china and silverware patterns much to the horror of the clerks. We were only nine or ten years old at the time, but Lenox, Wedgewood, Noritake, Hummel and Royal Dalton were part of our vocabulary. Each year for our birthdays we were given a piece a sterling silver. At nine or ten, getting a spoon or fork was no big event, but as we prepared later for marriage we were grateful for this tradition. She was always a child a heart and loved Holidays. She always took us to the Pioneer Parade on the 24th and then fixed a picnic and made homemade ice cream and bought us sparklers. Halloween meant hours of her sewing "custom created costumes" such as Raggedy Ann, Princesses or scary witches. We never wore store stuff. She made a hundred decorated cupcakes to give out to the children who came trick-or-treating at her door. Thanksgiving at Grandmas was a tradition. Plucking pinfeathers from the turkey and helping set the table with fine china are things I remember well. Also, for the older folks here, remember her clothes chute and how much fun we had going down the CHUTE!!! Christmas was her favorite time of year. She started shopping in July and hand picked gifts for all on her list. She always ha all the presents wrapped and hidden in the "Sleeping porch" and all of her Christmas cards addressed before December 1st. Usually, by Thanksgiving, her yummy fruit cake and carrot pudding were made and "aging" on the back porch, as were huge tins of short bread and other cookies baked and ready for the holiday ahead. She loved the movies and especially the musicals of the 40's and 50's and would take us to the Uptown, Utah and Center theaters to see them and we'd head for Fish and Chips at the Mayflower. I remember their first TV, a big Magnavox console - the best you could buy at ZCMI. She never missed "Lawerence Welk" or "Amos and Andy." Grandma didn't receive a great formal education, but she educated herself. She was an avid reader her entire life. She had a great love for history and added to her knowledge by traveling and learning. Before her health stopped her, she had been to more places than most people of her generation and time. Her free railroad pass helped her in accomplishing some of her adventures. In 1940, she and Maxine got on the train and traveled across the U.S. to visit Uncle Jim and his family in Florida. She visited every state in the United States when there were still 48 saw most of their capitol buildings. She and grandpa traveled to Alaska on a cruise before it became a state and before cruise ships as we know them were popular. She also had visited nearly every province in Eastern and western Canada. I'm sure she had crossed into Tijuana, too! She had hundreds of friends who loved her and were recipients of her love and service. She an Aunt Gwen were more like sisters than sisters-in-law an shared a lifetime of experiences together. She also ha a very special relationship with Ella Edwards, Almeda's mother. They were best friends rather than in-laws. The ladies auxiliary of the locomotive engineers and the OLD TIMERS were a big part in her life. She served in many offices in those organizations including President. She loved to travel with those friends to conventions. In the early 1960's, with health declining, Grandma and Grandpa moved to South Cottonwood on 1300 East near the Big Cottonwood Creek to be near Maxine so she could look after them.

Strawberry Orange Salad

Orange Strawberry Salad

1 package spring mix greens

1 pint strawberries, sliced

1 large orange, cut into small pieces

3 green onions, sliced

1 cup Sliced Almonds

4 TBS butter

4 TBS sugar

To make candied almonds:

Mix almonds, butter and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until the the butter and sugar turn to a toffee color, stir constantly.

Orange Dressing

½ tsp grated orange peel, or orange zest
1/3 cup fresh orange juice ( 1 to 2 oranges )
2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 Tablespoons sugar
½ cup vegetable oil
1 Tablespoon “Good Seasons Dry Italian” dressing mix. It is about ½ a package

Put all ingredients in a container and shake- serve.

James Eyre and Ann Naylor

I have read parenting books from Richard and Linda Eyre since I was a young mother.
A few years ago, I started following their daughter, Shawni's blog and I read it most
every day.
It was cool to me when I found out that we are related through James Eyre and Ann Naylor.

I love how James was faithful, even when he was kicked out of his home by his landlord for joining the church




A BRIEF HISTORY OF JAMES EYRE AND ANN NAYLOR James Eyre was born 29 July 1795, Quarrington, Lincolnshire, England. Died September 1865 on Ham’s Fork along a pioneer trail which is near what is now known as Little America in Wyoming. Ann Naylor was born 12 November 1798, Heckington, Lincolnshire, England. Died May 1865 on board the ocean vessel “Bellwood” while crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Edwin Eyre, Sr., The son of James and Ann Eyre, was born April 16 1845 at Great Dowsby, Lincolnshire, England. He was one of a family of 16. His father being a farmer and shepherd, it was natural, due to custom and conditions at that time, that Edwin became a tiller of the soil. He worked on his father’s farm and surrounding farms during his early teens and up to the time of his leaving England. He has always been classed as one of the most efficient farmers, wherever he has tilled. His mother, Ann Naylor Eyre, was a faithful, diligent farmer’s wife and a mother in the broadest sense of the term. Her life was spent doing daily the many duties of a farmer’s wife. Her high hope was to see her sons and daughters faithful and serviceable in the cause of Jesus The Christ. We shall find evidence, before reading many pages of the life of her son, that her ideal was realized as far as he was concerned. Her soul has rejoiced and praised the Lord for the noble work and unceasing fight of her son Edwin in the defense of truth. Educational conditions of England in the latter part of the 19th century were only favorable to the privileged classes. It was utterly out of the question for a boy of a farmer or herder to receive training in the institutions. The days spent by Edwin Eyre, Sr. , in the school room as a student while in England and America total 0 (none). Edwin Eyre with his father James Eyre, Mother Ann Naylor Eyre and brother Benjamin, set sail on the ship “Bellwood”, a sailing vessel, for Zion. Keep in mind that the ship was not equipped as a modern vessel is found with all the comforts of the age. But rather depending upon the winds and the forces of nature to drive it to the new and strange land. As to the food and bodily comforts extended by the ship, listen to his words. “The food was not the best, especially for old people. Salt pork, dried beans, poor water and bad tea and hard tack were all we had to eat. This was not enough, a few weeks after leaving shore they went through the saddest and most trying trial of the journey. Their mother, Ann Naylor Eyre, whose age and health could not endure the chow and toss of the sea, in the latter part of May died, and because of conditions was placed in the mighty deep. A few days after this sad event had passed, his father related to him the return of the recent departed mother and wife to him. His testimony was that she touched him on the arm and cheek. He knew it was his wife. It was a great comfort for he realized that she-though gone-was near and interested in them and their great journey. It also gave evidence to them of the life after death, and the close relationship of departed spirits to earthly beings. This lightened the burden and was a ray of sunshine in the sorrow of the journey. The time they spent aboard the vessel between England and America-the land of liberty and opportunity-the heaven to the European-was about six weeks. They landed at Castle Gardens, New York, June 1, 1865. A few days were spent in exchanging their English gold for the U.S. greenbacks. By train, James Eyre and the two sons Edwin and Benjamin traveled westward to the city of St. Joseph, Missouri. They then went by boat a few miles to a small place called Wyoming, the place where the ox teams and freight trains were made up for the hardest part of the great journey to Zion. It had been the practice of previous years for teams from Utah to meet the Saints at this place and take them to the Valley of the Mountains. For some unknown reason it was not done the season these Saints arrived. It was only a matter of a few weeks until Edwin and his brother Benjamin each obtained a chance to drive an ox team-from three to five yoke-in a freight train to Utah for $50.00 per month and free transportation for their father. The boys had never seen an ox team work before. We can imagine the experience that two young, green Englishmen, fresh from the old world would have, crossing the great desert with its unbridged streams, savage red-men and roaming animals. They started their desert journey from the city of Nebraska, which is in the southeastern part of Nebraska, just west of the Missouri line. It seems that some unpleasantness was had with some of the wagon masters of the freight train. They were vile, corrupt, ungodly men; hence one can easily picture the trials of these two clean, God-fearing young men. One young man had his head split open with revolver in the hands of one of these characters. An old man, about sixty years of age, received a broken nose. Benjamin the brother to Edwin was whipped by one of them with a loaded black whip. The company came upon the remains of a train or two that had been captured by the wild red-men of the desert, taking that which they wanted and leaving the remainder in ashes as warning to new coming trains. They circled their wagons upon two occasions and prepared for battle with the Indians, but each time the Lamanites disappeared, leaving the company unmolested. Considerable difficulty wss encountered by the company in crossing the Platte River. All day was required more than once in crossing said river. Many teams had to be hitched to one wagon to get through. The drivers would usually cross the streams with shoes off and pants rolled up. It often happened that the roll would not go high enough for the water was up and past their waist. Sore feet and legs was the result and added much to the many discomforts of the desert. These were just a few of the many trying experiences that these “Mormon” youths endured that we might enjoy that which we do. In the midst of the Indian attacks, sore legs, empty stomachs, Etc., the boys would sing song, which revealed the spirit: In the early part of September as the company was traveling up what was called Bitter Creek, a heavy snow storm hindered their progress. It was here that the father of the two boys took sick and in a few weeks died. During his sickness a special wagon was provided for him. The sons had to do their regular labor and when able to spare a few moments, they spent them in giving what comfort and aid they could to their dying father. James Eyre, their father, had great faith in the gospel. He expressed many times after becoming a member of the Church that he never knew what real joy was until he became a Latter-day Saint. One of his favorite songs that he loved to sing at the fireside was this: “A Mormon father loves to see his Mormon family all agree, With the prattling infant on his knee, cries, ‘daddy, I’m a Mormon.’ Ha, the merry, ho the merry, ha the merry Mormon.” In the year 1855 James Eyre and his wife and three sons were turned out of their home by a minister of the Church of England, because they belonged to the “Mormon” religion. The minister told them that they could live in one of his houses if they would give up this religion. The father replied in these words,” My religion is a pure and undefiled religion. It is the religion of the Lord, Jesus Christ and I would not give it up for your house or this town or all that my eyes ever beheld.” Such was the faith and character of James Eyre. Having prepared him as best they could, they buried him by the roadside on Hamsfork in Wyoming, not far from Ft. Bridger. Thus, the old Pioneer Road, from the hard-hearted east to the Valley of the Mountains, has been made sacred, having held the remains of many of the dear, faithful followers of the Christ. It is a mark of unique distinction for us to be the descendants of such noble characters. It is for us, the living, to prove worthy of such heritage. The 11th day of October, 1865, the company beheld before them the great city of Salt Lake. We are at a loss when we try to imagine the feelings of joy and happiness this picture brought to them. It had been their soul’s greatest desire. The pen and human tongue are always lame when attempting to express soul appreciation and thanksgiving. No one save those who have had the experience can enjoy and imagine the feeling experienced upon that occasion. They were met on this date by a group of the Saints and friends and relatives from Zion. They brought to the hungry new-comers the ripened fruits of the once desert that now began to blossom as the rose. Having lived upon hard bread, bacon and dried apples - the food of the desert traveler. We easily picture the scene upon receiving the palatable fruits. Edwin Eyre, especially at this time, spent a few long moments of stomach discomfort. We would say at home, “He simply made a pig of himself.” We can hardly disapprove any such act on such occasion as this one. John Eyre, a brother to the two lads who left England earlier, and was now in Utah, met them at this time. He came with high hopes of seeing his beloved parents. He never knew until meeting his brothers at this time about the death of his mother Ann Naylor Eyre and his father James Eyre.

• As a de

Wilderness

This morning I was reading about Lehi and his family wandering in the wilderness.
I began to ponder the wildernesses I have been going through in my life

There was a time when scarcity of money was a big wilderness for us.
We obeyed the principles of tithing and the law of a generous fast offering.   Result: Blessings

There are times when I have struggled with relationships with my children.
I trusted in the promise of my Stake Presidency that if "I would do Family History Work I would have the hearts of my own children turn towards me.  If there are wounds in our family - It can
heal them"  (He also said family history work can also heal our spiritually dead family members.  It is a work of healing within families across generations)
I obeyed this and have seen this in my family and in my relationships with my children.  What a glorious blessing!

I've been in my own wilderness of physical pain and suffering.  Mental Anguish.  I have suffered anxiety attacks and fear.  I was in extreme physical pain when my Kidney was removed and that
recovery process.   I was blessed my the strengthening power of the atonement.  I remember how I would be in my bed in pain and focus on a picture of the Savior across the room.  That is how I coped with the pain.
I had severe morning sickness to the point of feeling forsaken.  It's hard to explain but I thought it would be easier to die than suffer it.  Again, I was strengthened and now look back thankful for these experiences.

An even harder journey is having to watch your children
suffer in their wilderness.  Anxiety is in our family genetic makeup
My kids have suffered with it more than most.  Because of my previous sufferings, I have somewhat been able to guide them
of course only with the Savior's grace.

We are going through the wilderness of other family members losing their way on the covenant path.  This brings us extreme anguish of soul.  Agency must be given.  We can only sit back and
watch and pray and hope for their return someday to their covenants.

We are all on a hard and difficult journey.  I testify as we stay on the covenant path through our
wilderness journey we will partake of the fruit of the tree of life.  This fruit, the atonement of  our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Will heal us and cleanse us.

"And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled.  And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them; wherefore, he did provide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness." (1 Nephi 17:3)

Mary and Martha

Martha, Martha thou art careful and troubled about many things  But one thing is needful;
And Mary hath chosen that Good Part

Today I feel like I'm just running around never quite accomplishing anything.  I want to focus.  I want to do good things.  My heart wants to chose that Good Part.

It's very symbolic to me personally that I am pondering on this story. 
 I am too often careful and troubled.     There is a line from a favorite poem I memorized when I was a very young mother
and I was teaching a class which I called "A table encircled with love - motherhood"----That gives word to my feelings.
(full poem below)


I watch my years go tumbling by
and I must use them better I
have yet so much to learn and do before I can return to you

The hour is late 
The night comes on 
My celestial self I would become
So, If royal robes I would obtain to wear as all Thy glories burst,  I'll need to do the laundry first"

My heart wants to stay focused on divine things.  I get easily distracted with unimportant things.
I need to find the balance.  I have remembered the words from our dear President Nielson's wife, Mashelle.  Chris and I were able to sit next to her several years ago at a wonderful Stake Bishop's Council at temple square.  She spoke and her words have always stayed with me.  "Eternity rests on our organizing our time wisely and properly.  Especially time for the scriptures."  
I distinctly remember how I could feel her love of the Book of Mormon.    I want to be like her.  I have tried to focus on those 
women who are truly like what I want to be.
I have a long long way to go, but sometimes I feel like heaven is
around me and I will do all I can to take part in this great work.

Today I will chose that good part

scriptures of the day:  
2Nephi 2:30  Lehi is speaking final words to his sons and concludes with "I have chosen the good part"

Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing, and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God; D&C 109:15


An Unfinished Woman

Here am I, Lord,
The dishes barely done and night long since fallen.
The children would not go to bed
And would not go and
Would not go -l
And now they are gone.
Gone to places of their own with children of their own
Who will not go to bed and will not go...
And I have taught them what I could and 
They have learned the things they would
And now they've gone their way alone to learn the rest most on their own.

And I remain, not half spent.
And I remain, not yet content,
So much to do, so much to learn,
So much to feel, so much to yearn.
My past mistakes make stepping stones,
Not millstones great around my neck but
Stones to guide my searching feet - 
And I must search; I'm incomplete.

I watch my years go tumbling by
And I must use them better, I
Have yet so much to learn and do
Before I can return to you

The hour is late.  The night comes on,
My celestial self I would become.
Ah, What wisdom thou gavest to mortal life -
I,
As sister, mother, daughter, wife -
In earthly roles have seen Thy face.
In my womanly life Thy heavenly place
Is taught through humble tasks and pain.
So, if royal robes I would obtain,
to wear as all Thy glories burst -
I'll need to do the laundry first!

Cornbread Salad

Sounds a little strange, but I promise It's very delicious!

I served this for Tyler's ordination and seminary graduation dinner.

It was really a full, emotional day  (see post).   As I walked in
the door from church with our parents and cousins I went to the 
crock pot and noticed it was not even close to being cooked!
(the setting which I thought was on "high" was slightly off and 
so it had only been on "warm".)

Miraculously I was able to find several packages of BBQ meat
already in the freezer.

The reason I didn't panic too much was because I knew this yummy
salad was also on the menu to back me up.  

so here it is.... Layered Cornbread Salad (picture and recipe from Mel)

Salad:
• 3 cups chopped romaine lettuce
• 3 cups cubed or crumbled cornbread (see note above)
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 1/2 cups corn kernels (fresh or frozen, thawed if frozen)
• 1 red bell pepper, small diced
• 1 (15-ounce) can black olives, drained and sliced
• 3 green onions, finely chopped
• 4 roma tomatoes, liquid squeezed out and chopped
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Dressing:
• 1/3 cup regular or light mayonnaise
• 1/3 cup light or regular sour cream or plain yogurt
• 1/3 cup lowfat buttermilk
• 3/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon chili powder

DIRECTIONS

1. In a blender, combine all the dressing ingredients until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use (this can be made several days in advance).
2. In a 9X13-inch pan, layer the ingredients in the following order: lettuce, cornbread, beans, corn, red pepper, olives, green onions, tomatoes and cheese.
3. Pour the dressing over the cheese. Cover with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for 1-2 hours. Serve chilled.

Bishop News, ordination, Seminary Graduation and snails

"if you won't even try eating your dinner you will go somewhere on your mission where you eat.......SNAILS"

Date: June 02, 2014 
Area: Faro 
Companion: Elder Simpson

Hey mom, i'm glad your week was good. i can't believe dad will be released, thats way crazy. its too bad he cant wait until after july 8 though, oh well. i hope dad becomes the nursery leader again, that sounds like a good calling for him.

Tell ty good job for graduating from seminary, thats way cool. And especially for getting the Priesthood. He'll be a great priesthood holder for sure. 

This week was good, i spent the first few days in Olhão waiting for the new missionaries to come in, then went up to Lisbon on thursday to pick up my new comp. Like i said, his name is Elder Simpson, he's a way nice kid. He's pretty much fluente in portuguese already, i can't believe it. He's from Houston, but i think not very close to where Jordan served. I haven't told him yet that this is my last transfer ha, i'm trying to avoid it for as long as possible, i told him i have just over a year in the mission..it will be a fun surprise for him. 

One thing we really focused on this week was working with the members and gaining their trust, and i think we did well. we got a lot of member help the past couple days. another cool thing is that Samira, our RC, brought a friend to church and gave him a book of mormon. She is doing really well. Also Danilson came to church and participated a ton. 

We had a good lesson with Iran this week, to help him read and pray more we asked if we could call him every night this week to remind him, and he agreed. so hopefully that will make this difference. he came to church again, so he's going in the right direction. 

Also Geraldo got baptized! so i sent pictures of that. I miss them a ton. Plus i asked Florbela to send me an email with her testimony and she did, so that was way cool to read. I asked her to do it because Iran has the same doubts that she did because of the 7th day adventist church, so i'll probably share it with him. 

also this week in church for some reason we had like 5 people randomly show up that spoke english, so i spent the day translating for an Irish guy. it went well, but it was kind of hard to get something out of the lesson when i was thinking about the language and stuff. 

oh also i ate snail this week. A member asked us what we wanted to eat, and i told them to make snail half jokingly because i had never tried it. and they made it. it was not that great, and i was a baby and only ate like 2. but it was a new experience. they give you a little stick so you can scoop out the body from the shell, and then you can see the eyes and everything and you just put the whole thing in your mouth. probably won't ask for those again...

Love you a ton,

Elder Soutas   

 Dear Benjamin/Elder Soutas

It's June!!!  I can't believe it already.     How did your week go?   I am so happy that Danilson was baptized.  I'm so glad you have good member support for him

How are things going for your new companion, Elder Simpson?  Is he a brand new missionary?Where is he from?

This was an eventful week. 

We had fun on Monday meeting Jordan's girlfriend --  I hope it's OK with Jordan that I tell you that they seem to

really like each other.  She is very pretty and nice.  It was fun to get to know her a little bit.  So we will see how that goes.

We had the funeral that we told you about last week.  Dad did a good job with his talk and I know he told you that President Hinkley's son was there and Dad was able to sit next to him on the stand since he is an emeritus General Authority.  

The reason he was there is because he  was next door neighbor to Sally (the mom) in our ward while she was growing up

It was cool...  Elder Hinkley looks a lot like President Hinkley so It was kind of crazy to see Dad and him sitting together on the stand.

Of course the BIG news happened today, but we found out about it on Tuesday.  

I was actually in Dad's bishop office and he was interviewing me for a temple recommend since mine expired at the end of May

Right in the middle of the interview, the Stake Clerk called asking both of us to meet with President Nielson on Sunday morning at 9:15.  So of course that was emotional and made the rest of the temple recommend interview emotional for us.  

We were both crying as he asked and i answered each question.  But I admit it is something I will always remember because of the strong spirit that was there.

So then the rest of the week we kept wondering and wondering when he would be released.  We had no idea if he would

be released Sunday Morning and then on Sunday during Sacrament meeting and that would be it...we really weren't sure

until we met with President Nielson this morning.  As it turns out President Nielson asked Dad to continue serving until

the end of the month, but he came into our Fast and Testimony Meeting to tell the ward that a new bishop had been called but would not be announced for a few week.

He want's the members to pray to receive new leadership and he challenged everyone not to speculate, because he wants us to learn to keep confidences so that Heavenly Father can trust us.   So no speculation here..

It is still quite overwhelming and a bunch of mixed emotions.  But I feel peace and I felt the spirit tell me that we and he had accomplished what we had been asked to do.  So it's all good now :)

Today was also Tyler's ordination and receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood.  Dad gave him a wonderful blessing.  A lot of it focusing on keeping covenants.  Wish I could remember the words.

Both grandparents and Danny, spencer and Makayla came for dinner after the ordination and then we all went back to the church for seminary graduation

It's been quite a day and It's nice to sit and just relax and contemplate it all now for a little bit.

Dad, Brycen and I are going to go for a Sunday walk now before it gets any later.

Can't wait to hear about your week too.

Love you forever, Mom

Danilson's baptism

I love this picture of Geraldo's baptism.....Ben was able to teach him, but was transferred before he was able to baptize him

Elder Soutas and his new companion Elder Simpson with Presidente and Sister Fluckiger

A very kind Sister emailed me this picture today 

Elder Soutas returns in 1 month!!!!

Sarah Maria Terry White and the white sheep

What a faithful woman!

I love the story of the Great White Sheep ---It's a family story treasure

SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF SARAH MARIA TERRY WHITE, A UTAH PIONEER OF 1852 Prepared by Venus Robinson Rossiter A grand-daughter Sarah M. Terry White, daughter of William Reynolds Terry, and Mary Allen Phillips Terry, was of sturdy New England stock which dates as far back as 1626. In September 1838 her parents left their home in Exeter, Rhode Island and settled in Van Buren County, Iowa, where they heard and accepted the gospel in August 1841. They were baptized by Brothers Freeman Gillette and Jos. T. Ball several months later in the Des Moines River. Soon after this they had the spirit of gathering with the saints, and they sold their property and moved to Bancock County Illinois, near Nauvoo. Here they suffered the persecutions common with the saints at that time, being driven from place to place by their enemies, and having their property stolen and burned. Many times they went to bed fully dressed in fear of having their homes burned or pillaged during the night. Sarah was born in a covered wagon in Patowatomic County, Iowa, Oct. 9, 1848, during the time her parents were crossing the plains with the great Mormon migration westward. The family started west in 1847 in one of the earliest companies, but were twice called by the presiding authorities to give up their wagon and oxen, and to remain behind to plant crops, build wagons, and construct forts of safety for companies that were to follow, thus delaying their arrival in Utah nearly five years. Bro. and Sister Terry with their children, Albins, Dorcus, Mary Abbey, Sarah Maria, Joseph, Benjamin Franklin, and Silas (Leah Anne, Rosina, and Minerva Deseret being born in Draper later) arrived in the Great Salt Lake Valley Sept. 1852 with Washington Lemmon's Company. (Bro. Terry was Captain of this Company.) They camped a few days on Mill Creek and then moved south to Willow Creek, now known as Draper. Here Bro. Terry built the first adobe house, and planted the first fruit trees. Three months after their arrival he commenced teaching the first school in Draper with twenty five students in attendance. The settlement was so greatly molested by the Indians that they built a fort for safety in which they lived for a period of three years. They suffered all the privations of hunger and cold of that period; at times living on boiled mustard weeds and pigweed greens, sego roots, and occasionally a bran pancake. Bro. Terry was then called to go to St. George with his family, to St. George to assist in the building of the Temple. Not long after they were there, the river overflowed and the waters periled the new building. Bro. Terry worked long hours without rest to save their precious work, in the flood waters. This caused him to take pneumonia, and he died very suddenly leaving his wife with a large family. The family later returned to Draper. At the age of fifteen Sarah was married to Richard Herman White, a young English convert, in the old Salt Lake Endowment House. Although not much more than a child, she received a wonderful blessing, which at the time she could not understand. In it she was told that she would be the source of two separate nations. In time this was fulfilled as she later married a second time. A few years after their marriage the young couple moved to Ogden, Utah, where they built their home one half block east of where the Hotel Bigelow now stands. Here they prospered, owning the first Drug Store in Ogden, and also being associated in the lumber business with Mr. White's brother named Barnard white. The following children were born to them: Richard Terry, William Burgess, Annie Marie, Robinson, Ernest Atmore, George Q., Joseph Franklin, and Barnard. (The last three died in childhood.) They moved to Salt Lake City for a time, later returning to Ogden, soon after which her husband died leaving her a widow at twenty seven years of age with four small children. Left alone with her little family to care and provide for, she cast about for a means whereby she could educate her children and provide for them, and at the same time not be separated from them. She opened up a private school in the large front room of her home at 256 South 7th East, which was well patronized. Many now prominent citizens attended that little school. Up until this time her education had been very meager (as was the rule, rather than the exception in those days) so she decided to attend a night school which was being conducted by Mr. Joseph Ward, whom she later married. To them were born Mary Wiona (Burg) and Joseph Frank Ward, former bishop of Emigration Ward, Salt Lake City, Utah. Once more widowed with two additional children to care for, her health became impaired, and following a long serious illness, they were reduced to straightened circumstances. She was very proud and never complained, or let her condition be known nor asked for help from her relatives or closest friends. She always turned to the Lord for help and relief, who many times miraculously cared for her needs. On one particular occasion they found themselves without funds and nothing to eat in the house. She called her little family around her sick bed, where they all knelt in prayer, asking the Lord to send help to them in their hour of sickness and need. Scarcely had they finished their prayer, than they heard a scratching at the door, and upon opening it a great white sheep rushed in the house, bleating and refused to be driven out. It was a different species of sheep than they had ever seen having long silken hair. To all their inquiries no trace of where the sheep had come from could be found. Soon after the unusual appearance of this sheep a large box of groceries and a sack of flour were left at their rear door. Years later, Bro. Sears who kept a grain store bore testimony in fast meeting of the 11th Ward that while working in his store, a voice spoke to him three times telling that Sister White was in need and for him to send a supply of food to her, which he did immediately. Sister White as a woman of great abiding faith in God and in man. The above incident is only one of many that might be related to show her infinite trust in God. Second only to her great faith was her boundless charity, for even in times of need, she was never too poor to divide with those who were less fortunate then she. She was a ministering angel to the sick and needy, and a comfort to those in trouble and a strength to the weak. No one ever left her door hungry, whether for temporal or spiritual food. To have known her was to be uplifted and better. Later in life she studied medicine, and was a practicing mid-wife for more than thirty years. In all her practice, in which she delivered in the neighborhood of one thousand babies, she never lost a single mother or baby. Never did she go out on a case before getting down on her knees and asking God for wisdom and strength, nor was any distance too great, nor any night too stormy, or disagreeable for her to go out on call to the sick even though she were obliged to walk miles alone in a storm and in many cases knowing she would never be recompensed for her services. Her charitable cases were innumerable. In one case I know she delivered and nursed eight children in the same family without ever receiving a penny for her services. Although her opportunity for schooling had been very limited she was a cultured and educated woman, for she was a great lover and student of the classics and fine literature. For thirty five years she was a teacher of the Theological Class in the Eleventh Ward Sunday School, and a Relief Society teacher in the same ward for even a greater period of time. She was a perfect lady, having a queenly bearing, and a rare quiet dignity that few possess. So great was her trust in mankind, that she never possessed a key to any door in her house during her lifetime, and nothing has ever been known to be taken from her premises, even after her death when the old home, which is still standing was left unoccupied for a period of two years, the spirit of her, still seemed to permeate the place, for not as much as a single window pane was broken or disturbed. She died at the age of sixty-nine years, Dec. 17, 1917. She was mourned and loved by many in all stations of life. She left a posterity of six living children, forty grandchildren, forty seven great grandchildren, and three great great grandchildren, a total of ninety six descendants. She was a true friend, a faithful Latter-day Saint, and a real mother of Israel. Truly one of God's choicest spirits.

• My grandfather William Burgess White used to tell me stories about his mother and how he loved her. His eyes would glisten with tears and he would say, "Shes an angel and I know she watches over me." His mother loved to hear him sing and taught him songs he sang to me like the "Baggage Car Ahead". I have a recording of him playing the piano and singing that was made on a wire recorder in 1941. David Arnold White