End of January

Some rather interesting things happened at the end of January.  It was three years since we lost Jeffrey.  Maybe he was sending some reminders to us.  We had a huge snow storm that to this day in February we are still seeing the remains of.  It was a really heavy snow full of moisture.  Lots of big limbs broke on the trees behind the fence in our back yard.

 Neal getting ready to go out and shovel the driveway and a couple of the neighbors driveways.  He always takes care of others.  I text a picture to Tucker and he text back and said I miss the skiing but I don't miss dad telling me to go out a shovel the driveway!

then a few days after that we had what the news people called the red wolf lunar moon.  I think that is right.  I ran outside and saw lots of the neighbors outside looking a the moon.  I took a picture of it.  Of course my phone camera doesn't do it justice but you get the idea.  It was actually really neat to see it.  I stood outside as long as I could stand the cold and then finally came in.  It was incredible to watch it slowly going all red.  Actually, it was rather eerie.

Then Neal had a Klondike Scout Camp in the winter!  No kidding, why would anyone want to go camping in the snow, cold and ice.  He sent me a couple pictures of the tripod tower that was built with his poles and ropes. 

All I see is two frozen smiles and cold!!!!

Finally finished!

I finally finished a stitching project that I've been working on for quite a while.  It is a companion to another Americana one I did this past year.  They will hang in the kitchen when I get this one cleaned blocked and framed.  I need to now concentrate on finishing Mallory's stitchery for her mission.  I just need to do the lettering and put her name and dates on it.  I'll post it when I get it finished.  I want to be able to give it to her when he comes home.  Here is a picture of the one I just finished.

Hayley's Date

I got this cute picture from Annie, of Hayley and her first high school dance date.  She apparently had a really fun time and was happy she went.

Sad beginning to January 2019

We found out in October that Wendy Nelson Maxfield (Norman's wife) was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.  Tumors in her lymph glands and had advanced to the lining of her lungs.  She fought the battle with dignity and courage.  The cancer finally won and we lost her on January 11, 2019.  All who attended her funeral were uplifted and blessed by the spirit that was so evidently present.  Her father President Russell M. Nelson along with President Eyring, President Oaks, Apostle Quentin R. Cook, Apostle Ballard, Apostle Christopherson and Apostle Gong.  All of her children spoke and her father spoke at the end testifying that she still lives.  It was a beautiful testimony.  Maren and Lynda Ann were both at the funeral.  Lyndsy came late and security would not let her in so she had to wait outside the chapel.  After the funeral, we went to the cemetery for the dedication of the grave.  All the family members took a yellow or white rose and added it to the spray of roses on the casket.

I am grateful that I had the opportunity to know her.  She was a beautiful person inside and out.

Farewell for now to a sweet friend.

Finishing up 2018

There are a few things I need to add before I close out my posts for 2018.  I received some wonderful gifts for Christmas.  All of them very much appreciated and thank you notes written to all the children for their generosity.  This gift from Lynda Ann sums up my feelings about the holidays and our family:

I was grateful to have the family gather for a Christmas celebration.  One of the funny things is that Neal wanted to have a sing along, but that fell right on it's face.  Just isn't going to happen with this group!

Neal had an opportunity to fly to California and go to the Utah bowl game with Tucker.  They had a wonderful time together.  Utah didn't win but the important thing was Neal and Tucker having a couple days of one on one.  I was happy that Neal was able to go.  I stayed home and took down Christmas decorations, watched a movie and read a good book.  You all know how I feel about New Years Eve.  Dumbest holiday ever!

We ended the year by going to Stansbury to hear Emmi speak in Sacrament Meeting.  She did an amazing job.

We also got a special note from Mallory wishing Neal and I a Merry Christmas.  She sent one to me and one to Neal.  Here is mine:

I finished the Book of Mormon for the year 2018 and will start again for the year 2019.  President Nelson counseled the women of the world to "Read the Book of Mormon between now and the end of the year."  That talk was given in October.  He gave a powerful promise "that the heavens will open for you.  The Lord will bless you with increased inspiration and revelation."

I want those promises and those blessings.  I love the Book of Mormon more and more as I read it and every time I learn more and more.  The Book of Mormon teaches us some major lesson.  1.  The righteous prosper, the wicked fail.  2.  Right and truth always wins.  3.  Keep the commandments.  4.  God's hand is always stretched out toward us.  5.  People are happier when God is first in their lives.  6.  The Book of Mormon is another witness of Jesus Christ and confirms the truths found in the bible.

I think I will end this year on these words from our past President, Gordon B. Hinckley.  But, I'm changing the word "Christmas" to "this 2019 year".

"This "2019 year" mend a quarrel.  Seek out a forgotten friend.  Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust.  Write a letter.  Give a soft answer.  Encourage youth.  Manifest your loyalty in word and deed.  Keep a promise.  Forgo a grudge.  Forgive an enemy.  Apologize.  Try to understand.  Examine your demands on others.  Think first of someone else.  Be kind.  Be gentle.  Laugh a little more.  Express your gratitude.  Welcome a stranger.  Gladden the heart of a child.  Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth.  Speak your love, and then speak it again."

Goodbye 2018

My Gift to the Grandchildren

I made a quilt for each grandchild.  The quilt was made out of all the different materials from their home made pajamas over the years that I had made for them.  I forgot to take pictures of them as they opened them but Tucker took a picture of his three girls and set this to me.

Christmas Day

Neal and I opened our presents to each other.  I bought him a set of coins that were from his birth year.  I think he liked them.  It's always hard to tell whether he is excited about a gift or not.  I also bought him a heavy duty three in one hand truck to use hauling his patio pots back and forth.  He bought me a pink light weight jacket and a ruby ring.  The ring totally surprised me and I was thrilled.  We don't usually exchange gifts, but this year for some odd reason, we both bought each other something.

After we exchanged our gifts we drove out to Maren's to see their Christmas and from there to James home to see what River and Desmond got.  We had a very nice visit with James and his wife Mirian.  Then we headed out to Stansbury to see the Gertsons.  While we were there, Mallory called in.  Emmi had it all set up so that she came on the big screen and she could see all of us.  It was so fun to visit with her and see how very happy she is.  She is loving her mission and wishes that the church would allow the young women to stay for two years like they do the young men.

You can see by looking at her smile how very happy she is.  It was a beautiful experience to hear her share her testimony of the gospel with us.  Everyone in the room had tears in their eyes and down their cheeks.  The spirit bore witness that what she was saying was true.  We were able to talk to her for an hour and a half and then she had go.  We all just sat there and enjoyed what we had just experienced.  I wished we had recorded her thoughts.

After, we played a game and Annie fixed a delicious dinner.  We visited for a bit longer and then saw that it was starting to snow so we headed home.  It was a beautiful ending to a perfect holiday season.  Annie gave me a framed saying that she made that pretty much summed up Christmas for me:  "It's not what's under the Christmas tree that matters, it's whose around it."  Charlie Brown

Christmas Eve with Ron and Judy

Ron and Judy invited us to their home for a delicious dinner and bridge.  Judy is an amazing cook and her dinner was incredible.  After dinner we played bridge until about 10:00 and then we exchanged presents, laughed and talked until we left for home at 11:00.

 The patriotic Santa was our gift from Ron and Judy.

Christmas 2019

We celebrated Christmas as a family on Sunday, December 23rd.  Everyone gathered at 5:00 for dinner.  We had the traditional ham, funeral potatoes, veggies and fruit, along a turkey breast for those who don't care for ham.  Annie brought a delicious raspberry dessert and we also had ice cream.  After dinner Neal tried to have a family sing along (which didn't work), then shared the true meaning of Christmas and then the present exchange.  This year the cousins didn't exchange with each other and the adults didn't.  Everyone seem to be happy with the family picture puzzle and the family picture blanket.  The children were very generous with Neal and I and we received some wonderful and thoughtful gifts.

 I love this picture of Maren.  She looks just like she was in school taking a test that she hadn't studied for.  What she was doing was taking a Christmas quiz along with others at the table.

It was a fun evening and we enjoyed having everyone over for the festivities.  We always miss our California family and Derek.

Harold (Hal) Hintze

We got sad news that Hal was fishing and either getting in his little fishing boat or getting out, he slipped, fell and hit his head and died.  Some people you think will just live forever and I kind of thought that about Hal.  Never imagined that he would ever be gone.  Edwinna and Dana came in to town so that was the positive event during this time.  Annie and I were able to spend an evening with them at the Cheesecake Factory just talking about old times.  We had such fun.  We've already decided that Annie and I are going to Oklahoma in September to visit with Ed and Dana.  Annie is already looking for tickets.  The next day we were all at the funeral for Hal.  It was a very nice celebration of his life and accomplishments.  It was also fun to see some of Harold's brothers and sisters.  It was especially fun to see Maralyn and visit with her for a minute.

U of U basketball game

Norm called Neal and invited him to go to the Univ. of Utah basketball game last week.  Norm picked him up and Neal said they had a great time.  The U won so that always tops the night off.  Norm wanted to take a selfie of the two of them at the game.

Maxfield Brothers and Sisters Christmas Dinner

All the Maxfield siblings and spouses gathered at Ellen and Nalin's for dinner.  Our dear Wendy is at stage 4 cancer and so we were all happy that she was able to come and be with us.  We decided that pictures were needed.  We just don't know how long we are going to have her with us.  It was funny watching the all the Maxfield siblings who are all Chiefs, agree on how and where to stand so we could take the picture.  It was comical.  The in-laws were taking bets as to how long it was going to take them to agree on the order.  Here is the outcome along with pictures of all of us.  Every one was there.

 Picture below is oldes to youngest.

 The whole gang!

 This was a picture of Neal and Nelden quoting the scriptures of the birth of Christ.

Intresting Facts to Post

We had a lesson in Gospel Doctrine and the teacher had gone to the trouble to show the growth by members, Languages of the Book of Mormon, Stakes, Missions and Temples.  I was fascinated with the numbers and asked her if I could take a picture of the chart.  I thought it would be fun to post it at the end of 2018.  I think the church will grow in great numbers over the next few years.  It will be fun to watch and compare.  It was hard to read the far left column so I took a picture of it and posted it below.  Just think how the church has grown from 6 members in 1830 to 16,118,163 in 2018.  In just 188 years.  Amazing!

Obedience

In Relief Society we discussed obedience from a talk by M. Joseph Brough.  The discussion covered how obedience to God's laws can bless us.  I remember when President Gordon B. Hinckley counseled the women in the church:  "We discourage tattoos and also the piercing of the body for other than medical purposes.  We do not, however, take any position on the minimal piercing of the ears by women for one pair of earrings - one pair."
I clearly remember that talk.  I had two piercings in my ears at that time and made the decision that night to take one of them out.  It was a simple thing but a way for me to show that I could follow the prophet in a very specific way.  I could show the Lord obedience right then and there.  I didn't need to think about it.  It made me happy to do it and I've never regretted it.  I heard someone say once that they didn't remember the Savior saying, "If ye love me, keep my commandments that appear important."  It was a small thing the President Hinckley ask of us, but I trusted that it came from Heavenly Father.  I know that when God promises miracles and blessings, those miracles and blessings are NEVER small and insignificant.  "Obedience brings success; exact obedience brings miracles."  Russell M. Nelson

Hedge Hog

I saw this hedge hog Christmas ornament and thought of Derek and had to buy it.  You all remember that he had a hedge hog for a while.  I remember he would bring him out and let him waddle around the kitchen.  So, in memory of Derek, the hedge hog hangs on our Christmas tree.  We miss you being here Derek and wish you could come home for Christmas.  Today is your birthday and we wish you all the love we have and a happy birthday!  Love, Mom

Ward Christmas party

Neal and I were in charge of the ward Christmas party.  Of course, I called Lynda Ann and begged for help.  I told her that the theme of the dinner was "Light the World".  We wanted to follow the church theme for the month of December.  Annie immediately started coming up with all kinds of ideas for a hand out and for decorations for the dinner.  The night before the dinner she came in with Abby and Hayley to decorate the cultural hall.  Within two hours they had the hall festive and decorated.  We borrowed lanterns from Nanette along with some small tree stumps to set the lanterns on.  Annie bought some little lights to put in each lantern and then decorated the lanterns with holly and ribbon.  On each table she had made signs that read "Light the World" and at the end of the serving tables she had signs that said, "Give as Christ Gave".  The hall was absolutely beautiful and I will be forever indebted to her, Abby and Hayley for all their help.  Lynda Ann always comes through for me no matter how busy she is with her own projects.  We also decorated a place for Santa and the kids to have their pictures taken with Santa.  She made these little Christmas ornaments for each person to take home and hang on their tree to remind them the 'light the world".  200 of them!!

 This was the area we had set up for Santa and to have pictures taken.

The evening was a huge success, thanks to Annie!

Reflecting

It was mother's birthday on the 27th of November and I always, always think about her all the time but especially on her birthday.  I still miss her after all these years and always reflect on her life and what an incredible example she was to me.  And what a good mother she was.  I love this picture that Lynda Ann framed for me.  It is my oldest brother, Donald and my mother as they were walking down the downtown streets of Seattle.  There used to be street photographers who would take random pictures and then you could buy them.  Donald was in his navy uniform so must have been on leave and in Seattle visiting with mother.

I am grateful for the blessing I know that because of the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ any sadness I feel can be turned into hope and strength.  I know one day I will see Mother, Annette and Jeffrey again.  Not just as spirits, but with resurrected bodies.  I am grateful I can look in the eyes of my posterity and tell them that Christ makes it possible for families to reunite, return, and rejoice.

There is a phrase in the scriptures;  "His hand is stretched out still".  we read that phrase in Isaiah, Nephi, Exodus, and Samuel and we know that God is merciful to His children.  He wants us to succeed and find happiness and joy.  He's picking us up and dusting us off when we slip.  He's showing us the way and encouraging us as we go.  We need not ever ask where we belong, because we belong to Him.