UNDAUNTED FAITH

I have started reading some church history books. I came across this story. I love it and wanted to share it.

Sister Ellen Niebaur walked to Utah in bare feet because she was so poor she could not afford shoes. For years she worked and saved to buy a pair of high-top, button shoes from the East. In 1856, she finally bought the shoes she had worked so hard to obtain. They brought her much happiness. She wore them to the October 1856 general conference where she heard Brigham Young announce that there were handcart pioneers stranded in the Wyoming snows. They needed help. They needed flour, clothing and shoes. Sister Neibaur, after eight years of sacrifice to get her own shoes, took them off and gave them to the relief teams. "Interestingly, when the handcart companies finally came in, all the Saints went out to meet them. typically, when meeting incoming companies, the Saints searched faces to find someone they knew. What do you think Ellen Neibaur was looking at? She was looking at feet. She wanted to see who had gotten her shoes. When she finally saw them, she was utterly astonished. It was a childhood friend from England who had not yet joined the church at the time Ellen left but since had joined and had come across the plains with the Martin and Willie hardcart companies."

LABRADOODLE

David thinks I need a dog.

The two of us have sworn off dogs.
We would tell people that we love everything about dogs except owning one. But now he thinks I will be lonily with him working as the Bishop. We kinda had a dog fall into our laps. (not that interesting of a story ~ so I will forego)

We brought her home yesterday. She is a Labradoodle. Half Lab and half poodle. We are working on a name. Got any good names?

She is 2 1/2 years old. She loves to stay indoors. She doesn't shed because of the Poodle in her. She does just lay around ~ which is a real plus. I don't like dogs that pace and wander.

We do see a developing problem....the cat. She is very interested in Scout. Scout doesn't like company or dogs. She hides when either are in the house. She crawls up in our box spring and hold up forever. Which is just what she did last night. About 11:30 today we got worried that she might have died up there. But all is well.....she came out on her own and asked to GO OUTSIDE.....PLEASE!!!. I wonder when she will come back in?

If you follow this post down you will see our dog Harry. She was our favorite dog of all time. Just a good pet. We still miss her.

We are trying to decide if she and what ever her name is are the same kind of dog.....Labradoodle. I see something in the eyes and nose and mouth. But the body shape is different but I was wondering if

anyone could tell me if they are the same or if I am imagining.

We always assumed she was a sheep dog. She definately has more hair. But maybe there are variations. I am thinking if I knew they were the same kind of dog then I might find it easier to like her and want to keep her.....inspite of all the dog things about her.

BISHOP MERRILL

Once upon a time I thought I had married a future general authority. I got that idea because he was called to serve as a bishopric counselor when he was 23. He was big in my eyes. Nearly 35 years later he is still big in my eyes but not a general authority. And realistically, we don't need or want to be general authority people. We just like being us. But as things go ~ he is back in a bishopric ~ only this time he is the Bishop. He has been serving in the Young Men's program for a number of years and just recently we were trying to figure where he would serve next if he were released. This wasn't even on the table! I went with him when the Stake President called him to serve. David just sat there for a long time looking at President Shumway and then said, "ya....ya, I'll do it". And that is just what he is doing. Somebody asked him about this calling today and he said, "you just do it". This is the Bishopric that he served in when he was 23. It was in

Joseph City, AZ and the Bishop was Doyle Hansen. That was a

nice time in our life together.

MY BROTHER RANDY

Randy about 15 years old. In the Service.Kinda handsome, don't you think?

I have an older brother named Randy. He was 10 years older than me. He died about 15 years ago from complications of alcoholism.
~

My childhood memories of him are few. I have a scar on my middle left finger where he shot me with a BB gun. I was just a little kid and got in the way of him and his friends. I have no idea if they were all shooting BB guns or what but he shot my finger.

~

When I was in the 4th or 5th grade he joined the army. I used to write him letters especially in the 5th grade. He had really nice handwriting....all caps. I think the army required that.

~

I have mentioned my youngest daughter's marriage in my last blog. Our day in the Temple brought Randy back to my thinking. I met four people in the Temple that day who told me that they went to high school with Randy. The Temple President and his wife and one of his counselors and his wife knew Randy. They seemed pleased to be able to tell me that. They really liked Randy. They knew he was full of it but they said he was fun and they had good memories of him.

~

This is the second time that the Temple has been a place where Randy has been brought back to my mind. The first time was a number of years back when Jeff and David and Tammy and I went to the Temple and had Randy sealed to my parents. I was a bit confused as to whether we should do that because my parents are divorced. The Temple Presidency was so gracious to us. They told us that we needed to take care of that. And they all knew who Randy was and were anxious to have this work done for him. That was also a sweet experience.

~

Randy's own work had been taken care of by my younger brother, Jeff, in the Mesa Temple the year after Randy died. Jeff said he had an experience there that assured him that Randy wanted the work done.

~

It excites me to think that these simple conversations with these good Temple workers are by design. I am so hopeful that Randy has accepted all the ordinance work that have been done.

~

When I was in the 5th grade my family was sealed in the Arizona Temple. Randy was in the service so he wasn't there that day. I remember very clearly a man saying something to my parents about Randy missing and did they want him to go out into the street and find something to take his place. I was just in the 5th grade but I felt this man's criticism of my parents choice to not have him there. I don't know why they didn't wait until he was home on leave.

I WANTED TO CHRONICLE MY YOUNGEST DAUGHTER'S,

WEEK BEFORE THE WEDDING. AS IT TURNED OUT, IT ISN'T IN ANY PARTICULAR ORDER. BUT I THINK I COVERED EVERYTHING.

DUTCH OVENS

We took an evening and went up into the mountains for a dutch oven dinner. I loved it. Mikey and Mom

MIKEY AND PAISLEY



ABBEY AND QUINN



BODI

ABBEY AND ME.

MARSHMELLOWS!!

ONE OF THE MEN'S FAVORITE THINGS TO DO.

AND THE BRIDE TO BE WITH HER FAN CLUB.

LEE'S WEDDING

I LOVE HAVING ADULT CHILDREN. And I am happy that even Lee is an adult. When Lee went through the Temple for the first time the week before she was married that is when I really saw her and her sisters and her sister in law, Connie, as my adult women. A group of women who are my women and the best of women. I missed Brittany and wished she could have been with us. She is the head coach for St. David Track and it was State finals.

~

It is so fulfilling to see my children as grown adults who are where they are supposed to be doing what they are supposed to be doing.

~

~

I do not take for granted that Lee married in the Temple. We give her so much credit and respect for keeping her standards and not forgetting her goals and dreams. And continuing to live her life worthy of a Temple marriage after she left home. We pray for her and for Aaron that they will be strong and righteous together.

~

Lee and Aaron were sealed by the Temple President. He was so sweet and kind to them. I loved what he wanted them to remember. As members of the church, we do what we do "For the Establishment of Zion". He looked at Lee and said to her, "Lee, when you are up at 2:00 a.m. in the morning taking care of a baby.....that is for the Establishment of Zion". I love how important the family is to Heavenly Father and that those things we do within our family unit build Zion.

FRIENDS

I wish I had more pictures of friends who helped serve at Lee's reception. I love these women. They wanted to do this. And they worked so hard. I am indebted forever to them.

~

Who casts bread upon

The waters in crumbs

Receives it back

In loaves.

~

And who casts

The bread in loaves

receives it back

In banquets.

~

They will receive banquets.

WEDDING LUNCHEON AT EL RANCHO

We were invited by the Brooks to eat a luncheon at The El Rancho in Pinetop. Lee's friends Hannah and Ashley came. And there is Heidi's hand.....if you only knew how many pictures she tried to be in. She kills me. Aaron's folks are the best of people. We enjoyed the time there.

CHANGING OF THE GUARD

Lee told me one night that she knew that she had been taken care of and protected by her dad and now he was turning her over to Aaron who would care for her and protect her. So here's David walking Lee to the Temple knowing that he is doing just that.

THAT'S WHY THEY CALL THEM "GRAND"

UNCLE AARON
BABY LAINE AND HER MOM, HEIDI.

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS.

BABY JETT AND HIS DAD, PETE.

TIRED MIKEY AND GRANDPA.

ABBEY.

WHAT A GOOD MEMORY FOR THESE BABIES.PAISLEY AND HER MOM

MEGAN

QUINN

THIS IS JUST TOO CUTE.

TRYING HARD TO GET A GOOD SHOT. SO MUCH PERSONALITY!!

When I see myself in a mirror I see an older me. Some days I accept that and embrace it. Some days I don't. But Grandchildren help with that acceptance. They are medicine for my soul.

DECORATING

This is the cutest picture of Lee and Aaron. They were trying hard to help. I think it was almost frustrating for them because it was one more thing to have to do before they could JUST GET MARRIED....PLEASE. We owe so much to friends and family for helping to put the cultural hall together. Our children all have families that got put on hold so they could help decorate.
Aaron's parents were great. I asked my friends who came to decorate what they thought of Aaron. (soon to be mother in laws can do that!) One of them said he was quiet. What she really watched were his parents. She was impressed and said, "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, Tricia....and those are good people".

LEE

It was Lee's week but I didn't get a ton of pictures of her during the week. This one on top is her on Monday~Tuesdayish. She got the flu. Although some think it was just nerves. She was happy to have Aaron get to town. One of their wedding gifts was from the Hall's and Stapleys~who are dentists. They got free teeth whitening(s). That's Lee on her way into the office.

BRIDAL SHOWER

Ashley and Sherry Paxman had a bridal shower for Lee. It meant so much to us for these friends to open their house for Lee. I know people's lives are busy. I am just amazed when they take time out of their lives to come to the rituals of marriage. I love Lee's friends for coming and I love my friends who came.

MID-WEEK MEN

My sons in law came up mid week and really chipped in. One of my friends who helped decorate the cultural hall called me and told me that she had never seen sons in law help out like John and Jeremiah did. She was really impressed that they were there from the morning to the late afternoon and even had ideas about decorations and even helped put lunch together and run errands. I just took it for granted (while she was taking notes). They helped at home with kids and ironing and just adding their personalities to the days. David spent alot of time making sure the Grandchildren didn't get hurt.

BETTER THAN ANY CATERER

WASHING THE BACKDROP FOR LEE AND AARON. CONNIE IRONING ON THE FRONT PORCH.

TIME OUT FOR HEIDI AND LEE.

~

I just want to cry when I think back on the week before Lee's wedding. These girls came home with their children and bags and bags of things to take care of them. The kids played and the moms went to work.

MAKING OREO TRUFFLES (JILL MAKING US LAUGH)

~

Each day seemed like it was stretched and we accomplished so much. They all worked so hard. It was a great service to Lee. And it was a great relief to me to have them come and just keep asking what needed to be done. I love my adult daughters/daughters in law. I didn't want to go to bed at night because I was afraid I would miss something they would be doing or talking about.

SEWING BRIDEMAIDS DRESSES. CONNIE IRONING..AGAIN. HEIDI SEWING TABLE CLOTHES. CHECKING OUT THE TABLE ARRANGEMENT.

THEY MAKE ME LAUGH

These grandchildren were troopers. BIKES, COUCHES, SINKS, CAR SEATS, BEDS, TREES, BUBBLES AND GARDENS.....BUSY BEES.

THE RECEPTION

We were so happy to see so many people come. It was a busy weekend. I think some of Lee's favorite people came. I had no idea her classmates would come. I think she was pleased to have them come and celebrate this day Cutting the cake together symbolizes two lives becoming one.

TRIP TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM

We had the flu being passed around the week of the wedding so when Jeremiah started showing the suspect symptoms we were sad. He was a trooper and came to the sealing. But went back to the motel to try and sleep it off. Late into the evening he went to urgent care and they sent him to the emergency room. Turns out it was his ulcer. It can have similar symptoms as the flu but is much more SERIOUS. He was ok ~ dehydrated and weak ~ but ok.

When his brothers in law got the word that he was in the hospital they could not get out of the church fast enough to go and be by his side and give him a blessing.

BIG LAKE

The road to Big Lake has been closed for a couple of years due

to road construction. We had begun to think it would never get

reopened. But we learned today that it was finished and OPEN!

So we drove it just to check things out. We felt at home and like

we could take possession of it again.

Once you get past Winn Camp ground you turn East and

rive through a meadow area. If you look at the

center of the above picture you can see where the

road used to be. It is completely dug up and

graded over. We are on the new road ~ it is

up the hill, parallel and north of the old road.

It is on the old railroad grade.

This place has sentimental value to David and I. When he left

on his mission my mom and I drove this road and we stopped

at the cabin and took pictures of me to send to David. (isn't

that just soooomantic?)
These guys were everywhere and none of them

seemed a bit concerned about us.

Looked a bit like Colorado. This is on the back road.

They didn't fix the dust.

Southwest side of Big Lake. Here fishy, fishy, fishy.

The road running east to west along side the lake

just past the store.

Ice cream, anyone? We did stop and went inside for ice cream

sandwiches and they didn't have any today.

New bridge on the north side of Cressant Lake. you can see

the old road to the left running parallel with the new road.

This is sorta hard to explain. The new road is on the

railroad grade and it meets up with the old road (which

stops just west of here at the junction of the back way

out of Big Lake) right before Cressant Lake. You

sorta can read the sign.

This is Sheep's Crossing. Wow!

Sheep's Crossing ~ looking east.

That's it. It is so good to have it open.

Fishing anyone?

Here are a few shots of our children at Big Lake circa 1984-96.

Tim

Jill and Heidi

Jill

Pete

Lee

Big Lake has alot of memories for us. We would load up
our camping gear and plenty of food and go. It isn't that

far away but it was another world.

Peter was about 2 months old the first time we took him.

Jill was 6 months old.

Tim was 4 or 5 months old.

Heidi was 2 weeks old.

And Lee was close to a year old.

We didn't plan big things but why would you need to?

We fished and climbed up to the lookout tower. We made

smores and ate good camp food. And the campfire nights are the best.

I loved reading to

them at night when they were going to sleep. It would

rain on us sometimes and I liked that. Tents make

you fall asleep. So does being worn out from playing.

I don't remember anyone catching alot of fish. But

it was exciting and fun. I didn't fish much because I

needed to watch the littliest one.