Meriden 3/31/13

March 31, 2013

Happy Easter!

It was a nice day today.  It was cool (for here) this morning, so I went outside and read the accounts of the resurrection from the bible.  It was nice. 

I actually spent quite a bit of time in the kitchen today.  I think most of you know that is not one of my favorite things to do, but I made a nice breakfast for Nathan and me using crescent rolls, eggs, bacon, and cheese.  After breakfast, I made a cherry chocolate cake, homemade hamburger buns (Nathan just calls them flattened out rolls) and put a pork roast in the crock pot for pulled pork.  We had a great Easter dinner.  Nathan reminded me that last year he was by himself on Easter.  Aaron and I were in UT and Jim was in Ohio.  Nathan did go to a friend’s house for Easter dinner.

Last Sunday, I received an email from our SS president saying that we wouldn’t be having regular adult SS classes, but something different.  Well, today they were announcing this meeting, and found out it was to be held during Priesthood/RS time.  So, I had about a minute to look over the lesson before I had to give it.  And, it was not on a topic that would be easy for me to be able to get up and teach.  It actually, went ok.  I did have a lot of participation.  We ended up talking about the types gathering going on now and the importance of “gathering” at church each week and with missionary work.  

This week for me has been almost all studying.  I did sub on Monday, but the rest of the week was school.  I have a statistics test that I have to take tomorrow.  There is only 6 weeks left, but I am feeling quite overwhelmed.  My brain doesn’t absorb new information and retain it like it used to so I have to work really hard to relearn what I learned a week prior.  I am actually enjoying what I’m learning.  I even kind of like statistics, but I never knew there was so much to statistics!!

Nathan goes back to school tomorrow after his 2-week break.  He did run in his track meet this past Wednesday.  He ran the 2-mile and in a 4x800 relay.  He was 2^nd in the 2-mile.  It was senior night, since that was the last home meet of the season.  His coach passed out red roses to the parents.  Thursday in track practice, he hurt one of his quad muscles, Friday he couldn’t run at all, so he may be out for a few more days until it heals.  Nathan spent his week doing schoolwork, track, playing video games, and hanging out with friends.  

I spent time this morning thinking about our Savior and what He did for us so many years ago.  I am so thankful to Him that He was willing to suffer and die for us.  I am grateful to be able to partake of the Sacrament each week as a reminder for what He did for us and to be renewed by Him.  This gospel is true.  It really is all about Jesus Christ and the enabling power of His atonement for us. 

Love,

Meriden/Mom

Kathy 3/31/13

March 31, 2013

Dear Family and Friends,

How’s everyone on this wonderful Easter Sunday?  It’s cool today and overcast, but the last two days the weather has warmed up and people have been coming outside in droves.  Lynn had to go to some bank north of Prospect Park and he told me the “penguins” were out.  What penguins?  He laughed and said, “the Jews.”  He meant no disrespect, far from it, our respect for these people is very great, but the clothing of choice for the men and boys is a white shirt, black pants, black jacket and black hats.  Girls wear black stockings, flats, skirts and have a small amount of color for their blouse.  Married women completely cover their hair with something dark.  From 12 on they wear black overcoats in cold weather.  Apparently the warm weather brought out these people and everyone else.  I can’t wait for the leaves to start showing on the bushes and trees.  On Friday I bought two bunches of flowers at COSTCO to brighten up the living room. 

            We had a larger crowd for FHE last Monday and played “Family Feud.”  It wasn’t as gospel centered as I had hoped and there were those who had never heard of or seen “Family Feud” so there was some struggling going on.  But, hey, the refreshments were good!

            Lynn and I went to the temple on Tuesday, per usual.  I became more involved with initiatory and still don’t feel a 100% with that, but it will come.  The neat part was that 13 missionaries from our mission were there for their “going home” temple trip.  All 13 will be going home next week.  I talked briefly in the celestial room with the only returning Sister and after three tries, I found out she was from Puerto Rico.  She had a heavy Spanish accent, but was white with very naturally blond curly hair.  I asked her with enthusiasm if she was excited to go home, her glum, depressed reply was, “No sister, I don’t want to go home.” I talked to Pres. Calderwood about her yesterday and he shook his head and said she had nothing to go home to.  You know, there are quite a few missionaries in this mission that are in her situation.

            Lynn left the temple early to go to the Met to stand in line for “Rush” tickets, the ones that were $20.  As it turns out, he was late by a few minutes and 11 others in front of him didn’t get a ticket either.  But, as we listened, the man telling everyone the Rush tickets were gone, said that $150 tickets were available.  I told Lynn to go for it—how often do you get to listen to Placido Domingo, anyway?  He got to the window and was able to get two seats on an isle.  Sure they were in the fourth balcony, but there were only seven rows in the balcony, we were on the 7^th and there was lots of space behind us to put all our stuff, and we had a lot of stuff!  The seats were perfect.  We could see the orchestra, the singers were so good we could hear them quite well (and the words were on the back of the seats in front of us), my legs had the room they needed.  We were tickled pink with our situation.  La Traviata sung by the best there is, is, well, the best there is!!   The experience was breathtaking.  We had dinner at a seafood restaurant (only pretty good food) just before and bought a package of M&M’s to eat at the Met so we were all set to eat and enjoy, and enjoy we did.  It was a treasure.

            Wednesday I spent working on my talk for today.  Since Lynn and I were the only speakers I had plenty of time and created the longest talk I’ve ever given (20 minutes).  But, the ideas poured into me like water from a pitcher, I just had to flesh out what was being given to me.  Then, that night, we went to Institute.  Several people had already told me that they weren’t coming so we weren’t surprised with the two usual people.  The surprise came when two more showed up, one which had never been there.  Then a young lady came 5 minutes before we were finished, so we talked with her, encouraged her and hopefully she will try again this Wednesday.

            Thursday Lynn and I took Claudette Clark to Long Island, to a hospital that she had gone to when being treated for lung cancer.  She needed to get a 6 month post treatment check-up scan.  Claudette was on our home teaching list, but was taken off.  However she is a dear friend, she needed transportation and we were very happy to oblige.  It gave us a chance to better know her and to find out that there are very good hospitals around, you just have to travel a long ways to get to them!  We’ll take her back in two weeks so she can talk to the doctors about the results. 

            After we got back Lynn and I sat down at the computer so he could help me with learning how to get pictures off my camera, into files, and subfiles, etc. etc. so I can finish my ward directory project.  I still have lots to learn and still want to learn how to put pictures on my email so you can see what I’ve been talking about. 

            Talked to J.D. on Thursday night.  He’s still on target for being the best in his two classes and has been on the computer to get more set up for his upcoming trip.  He’s been so excited to do the research and get the best deals possible.  This trip will be a great experience for him in more ways than one.

            Friday I went shopping then spent the rest of the day getting ready for company in the evening.  We were having Carol and Wight Jensen over for dinner since we owed them a dinner, for one thing, and they were going home for two months (then coming back here) and this was a short farewell dinner for them.  We had a nice time visiting with them.  Carol brought me a pot filled with purple tulips growing in the soil to add to my flower collection. 

            Saturday morning I did food prep for a dinner we were going to that night.  In the afternoon, we met with the bishop and a ward member who was having personal and financial problems.  The bishop and RS president are so overwhelmed with the welfare needs of some of the members of this ward that they asked us to take on a couple of people that they felt we could help.  So, we met with the man yesterday and a woman during church today.  Lynn will obviously be taking the bulk of the responsibility since he knows what he’s doing and I don’t.  You listen to these people talk and the lack of responsible choices and the result of those (in many cases) just foolish choices and their consequences breaks your heart.  Breaks their heart too.  But, you still wonder—having others take care of you financially causes you to feel entitled and lazy and excuses are plentiful.  Welfare is a troublesome thing. 

            That night we went to the Calderwood’s home (about an hour drive away) for a dinner with the senior missionaries.  The church has bought a lovely place in Long Island for the mission presidents and it was our first time there.  I brought the makings of a spinach salad and we borrowed a large bowl from Sis. Calderwood.  She had LOTS of large bowls, needed them for all her responsibilities.   My salad went over well and I didn’t get to bring any home because it all got eaten.  We had a chance to sit and chat with the other seniors and discuss various issues.  One important thing that came up was the problem of getting singles in the New York area to marry.  Then one person said they had been listening to the news a few days ago and a reporter said that 90% of the adults living in New York City were single!  I believe the percentage would be much higher than that except there is a large population of Jews in New York that do get married; take away the Jews…who knows what that percentage would be.  So, there is a culture of singleness here that even filters down to the single adults in the church. 

            Lynn and I gave our Easter/atonement talks in church today and I believe we did quite well.  The missionaries sang “Come Thou Fount” and with the addition of two new ward members, one who played the piano and the other who sang with the group, it was a beautiful thing.  Tonight Lynn and I will have ham (bought a small one) and left-over funeral potatoes from a week ago.  So, that  (plus a few other things) will be Easter dinner for us.

            The chance to get to reflect very seriously about the great gift of the atonement has been a special experience.  How grateful I am to Jesus Christ for this precious gift, one that gives us eternal life if we are worthy, one that gives us the chance to repent, one that gives us the gift of choice and accountability and one that gives us enabling power to become perfect—a lot of the best kind of gifts, the ones that ground us and bring us the proper kind of joy. 

            I wish you a warm and happy Easter.    Love to you—Kathy/Mom

           

            

Sean and Kyle's Ice Fishing Photos

https://plus.google.com/photos/103037883676123104368/albums/5859859650133937377

This looked like fun!

Kathy 3/24/13

March 24, 2013

Dear Family and Friends,

            It’s been a bit warmer lately although too many times we’ve been outside and the wind just freezes you.  That happened Friday night--Lynn came home from a bike ride and told me that the crocus were out in bloom at the botanical garden.  We got things together and went back in the late afternoon.  It was too late though because the crocus were there alright but closed up tight and it was cold!  However, there were masses of color in places where they had been naturalizing.  There was one place in the park where a new “statue” was going up.  It was actually done from wood, and included a platform that you could see from.  It was meant to be a hurricane Sandy commemoration. Right by it was a large tree and Lynn showed me a knot in the tree that was open.  Peeking inside there was breathing fur!  It was a raccoon waiting for the night so it could be out and about.  Pretty cool!

            FYI—Lynn has made flight reservations for the end of April.  We will be in Utah late on April 28^th and will leave to go to San Diego May 2^nd.  We’ll leave about the same time J.D. has his flight to Europe. 

            Lynn and I were responsible for FHE this past Monday night.  I made two cakes, took out part of the batter and colored it green, then put the batter back in dabs and ran a knife through it and the white batter.  I colored the icing green, put on green sprinkles and using a crude pastry tip, outlined the sides of the cake.  I went to the store hoping to find metal tips and didn’t but Betty Crocker had plastic ones.  I made pastry bags out of parchment paper—not as good as plastic but better than nothing.  My St. Patrick Day cakes looked good, tasted even better and were well received that night. 

            Lynn spent the day producing questions for a game of Hollywood Squares, Mormon style.  He sure put in the time and had lots of questions.  It was sad that only 4 ward members showed up that night, the fewest we’ve had for quite a while.  The game proved to be a challenge but I believe it turned out quite well.  Thank goodness for the missionaries hamming it up and providing comic relief!

            Tuesday was temple day.  We both did some new things but the best part was the end of the day when Lynn was the 1^st follower in a session where I was the patron.  This meant he was at the prayer circle and did that for the first time.  I was so impressed, he did so well.  He does look positively angelic in his white suit with all that white hair!  When it came time for me to go to the veil, he was on the other side.  I got to kiss the ordinance worker.  : )  Yesterday Lynn and I went to the temple for some video instruction.  We should have gone a while ago, but better late than never.  Turns out we were the “oldest” temple workers in the group in more ways than one and took a couple of newer ones on a practice session because we knew what we were doing.  That’s a nice feeling for a change!  That experience took up our afternoon and evening, but what a great way to do it.

            On Tuesday, after our day at the temple, we decided to walk through Central Park to get to the train station rather than use the one across the street from the temple.  It was a very nice afternoon and we took some paths we didn’t know, did a little exploring.  We saw groups getting tours and finally came across a young man named Michael.  He was a hired tour guide for the park but didn’t have many customers that day and was handing out maps.  Maps!! Lynn’s favorite thing.  So we stopped and got one and asked Michael if he could tell us about the park which he was very excited to do (good practice for the summer crowds). Michael was Mr. Enthusiasm. We asked him a lot of questions and he told us a lot of information; spent about a half hour with him.  Then, we went across the street to the swanky hotels and stopped in the Fairmount Hotel and discovered that the cheapest rooms are over $600 a night.  Yikes!  But we also discovered they have “tea” from 4 to 6 in the afternoon so we may have to try that sometime.  It was such a delightful afternoon in beautiful downtown Manhattan.

            The next day was a blessed, quiet day for me.  Lynn and I drove to Methodist Hospital to have my second, follow-up endoscopy to see how the ulcer was doing.  I had a nurse who did my check-in and put in my IV line tell me all about her 5^th grade daughter’s play.  It was a Passion Play at her Catholic school.  Her daughter was part of the crowd when a crowd was needed.  She explained in rather funny detail about the reactions of the girls to the crucifixion of Christ (he was played by a tall 5^th grade boy) and we laughed together.  I explained that I was a Mormon and was well acquainted with 5^th grade girls and how they could be drama queens.  Well, anyway.  She made the time rather pleasant since I had to do a lot of waiting before I had the endoscopy.  Lynn went to COSTCO to buy food and supplies for Thursday which was a good way for him to spend his time.  I finally got to the operating room and chatted with the people there, they put the sleeping medicine in and said it would burn a little—heck, it burned a lot, but time-wise I wasn’t experiencing much pain when all of a sudden I was waking up in recovery.  I was there for quite a while; Lynn finally showed up, then went to get the car and we went home together.  The news was the absolute best—there I was staring at a picture of a completely healed ulcer.  I didn’t even need a follow-up visit!  I told Lynn that this ulcer must have been coming on for quite a while because my stomach hasn’t felt so good in many years.   Now if I could just get my left ear to feel good too—it’s been a real problem since I bit down on some hard food a month ago.  (Still have a sore jaw from that situation).  The nurse in recovery told me to say down and “take a chill” the rest of the day, which I was more than happy to do.

            Lynn went to Institute that night and I worked on my talk for this Sunday, just spending my time looking at a lot of scriptures and discovering interesting things.  Did you know that there is exactly one reference to a “war in heaven” in all the scriptures and it is in the Book of Revelation 12:7?

            Thursday came and Lynn and I left early to go to the mission office but before we got there we went to the nearby COSTCO and bought 5 gallons of vanilla ice cream.  We were responsible for dessert and used the COSTCO brownie bites, the ice cream, chocolate syrup and whip cream for brownie sundaes.  We did have left overs, but not much.  We fed 120 people.  Two men from the missionary department out of Salt Lake came to give instruction to the missionaries and after talking to Sis. Ahlborn, (who is Midwood’s CES teacher and went to the instruction meeting), we found out it was an incredible, intense experience.  We were there until midafternoon doing nothing except get food ready, serve it, and clean-up—didn’t get to do anything else.  Thank goodness for the senior missionaries doing all that service!

            Friday I went shopping and when I got back ready to start dinner for the company we were going to have, Lynn said that Carol Jensen was sick and they wouldn’t be coming that night, but would come next week.  Well, I used my gift of time by writing part of my talk. 

            And, I told Lynn I really needed some new tennis shoes so we left in the afternoon, first to the botanical garden that I mentioned at the beginning of the letter, and then headed to King’s Plaza which is a fairly good sized shopping mall.  We had never been inside the mall before but had been to some other stores around it.  What a surprise—98% of the shoppers were black.  They had all the normal stores there and the place was in great condition except several stores escalators were not working.  It was hard to find the kind of shoes I wanted because I guess white leather walking shoes are not the norm here.  But, I did get one pair, yet may not keep them. 

            We came home and waited for a young lady named Carolina Rosario to show up at our place for a home teaching visit—yes, at our place.  She felt her place was way too noisy and crowded.  She’s the only active member of the church in her family.  She was a delight to talk to, didn’t know what home teaching was, never had a home teacher.  She’s been a member about a year and seems like a faithful little soul.  She works with the Young Women as a councilor and has enjoyed that a lot.  I gave her a loaf of fresh homemade bread and we drove her home.  She happened to come across the missionaries on her way over to our place and so walked to our place with them.  We will home teach at our place from now on—a real different situation.

            Yesterday Lynn and I went to Dr. Doug Lee’s apartment to pick him up and bring him back to the church to meet with the missionaries.  He lives in a rough part of town and when we got close to his place we noticed a LOT of police.  Doug told us that the police were there because of the shooting of a 16 year old boy, which we knew about.  There had been a lot of demonstrations by the people in the neighborhood (black immigrants) who feel that the police were being oppressive.  The funeral for the kid was being held that day, thus the overwhelming police presence.

            Got Doug to church and the missionaries went over the kind of questions that he needed to know to pass a baptism interview.  We talked a lot about repentance.  He feels he has felt remorse for shooting his wife and has repented of that but in my opinion he still comes across as very arrogant.  Turns out if interviews with the mission president go ok, he would only need 3-4 months time before his case would be reviewed by a member of the 1^st presidency.  He still feels like he can force the issue and he talks like a well-seasoned lawyer (which he is).  I felt better toward him than before however and it will be interesting to see how everything evolves.

            Just regular church today with large attendance, which included some visitors and new comers.  Lynn put up blinds in our living room windows this afternoon and it is so nice to see them instead of a sheet in front of the windows!

            The church is true, a most comforting truth.  When Lynn and I were coming back on the train yesterday, from the temple, there was a young family across from us with a darling baby girl in a stroller.  I told Lynn I thought the couple were from Guatemala and when we asked where they were from, they were from Guatemala!  She gave me the baby to hold for the duration of the trip.  I tried to help her understand we had been to the temple and we had been to the Guatemala City temple this past summer.  Unfortunately she just smiled and really didn’t understand what I was talking about.   I’m going to grab some Spanish pass-along cards to keep in my coat pocket.  Wish I had J.D. with me so we could communicate about the church.  I would have liked to discuss it with her.  I showed her my name tag on my coat and that was my introduction to her about the church.  We did get their email address so they could send us a picture of me holding their daughter, maybe we can get contact that way.  

            Well, that’s the news for this week.       Love to you all—mom/Kathy

 

             

                       

            

Meriden 3/24/13

March 24, 2013

My frustrating news is that I’ve been fighting a cold all week.  It started last Sunday; I thought it was pretty much gone by Wednesday, then Thursday it came back with a vengeance.  I’m still fighting it today.  So, I really didn’t do a whole lot this week except for school and homework.  Yesterday, I made it to Wal-Mart, but was ready to come home after a short time of being there.  After school on Thursday, I went to the base Firestone because a tire needed to be fixed.  I then went to the commissary.  As I was driving toward the gate, I was stopped at a stoplight, I noticed 2 airmen go in the middle of the lanes going out of the gate.  The light turned green so I went, but noticed one car wasn’t moving.  When I got to the exit, the 2 airmen stopped me and asked why I didn’t stop for the National Anthem.  Everyday at 5:00, the National Anthem is played.  Well, I didn’t hear it (I was in our Passat and it’s pretty insulated); I did see other cars moving.  Oh well.  I’ve only been on the base 2-3 times at 5:00 in the last 13 years, and I wasn’t feeling well; the playing of the National Anthem definitely wasn’t on my mind. 

Today was my day to teach Gospel Doctrine, but since I haven’t been feeling well, I haven’t felt like preparing a lesson, so I had this “brilliant” idea yesterday.  I called 3 people and had them choose 1 part of the lesson to give, each taking about 5 minutes (which I knew they would take more time than that).  Then, when I got to church, I told another person that I wasn’t feeling great and really wanted to go back home.  I told him of my lesson plan and he agreed to finish the lesson for me.  During Sacrament meeting, I was looking at the lesson and read the story about Samuel Smith, who went on a mission to the eastern states, but didn’t feel very successful.  He did place at least 2 Books of Mormon, one with Phinehas Young and the other with John Greene.  Well, John Greene’s wife was Rhoda Young, Phinehas’ sister.  Phinehas and Rhoda were Brigham Young’s siblings.  Because of those Books of Mormon, Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball were baptized.  Then I wondered how Joseph Bates Noble found out about the church and it was on a mission of Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball.  So, at the beginning of Sunday School, I told those stories to introduce the lesson, then left.  Later, I texted my friend, who was one of the three who gave part of the lesson, to see how it went.  She thought it went really well and would like to see lessons like that more often.  So, I may need to incorporate having others teach the lesson more often and I would just start and end the lesson. 

Nathan left at 5:30 am yesterday to go to a track meet in Chandler (about 2 hours from here).  He was to run in only 1 event, the 800 meter run.  Unfortunately, about 300 m into the run, his hamstring pulled.  That was disappointing; he had a real good first 300 m.  He won’t run in Wednesday’s meet, but hopefully the meet after that.  He didn’t get home until 1:30 this morning.  That was a long day for a short race. 

Nathan is on his 2-week spring break, so he’s been doing some schoolwork and spending time with friends. 

Jim is still doing great!

Have a great week!

Meriden

Athena

This is Athena's kindergarten picture.  So cute!!!

Kathy 3/16/13

March 16, 2013

Dear Family and Friends--

            I'm starting my letter early this time because I need to take the time to do it before tomorrow and the rest of the activities for the upcoming week. 

            Right now I'm watching it snow on the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade.  It's a parade like few others--there's about 120,000 people IN the parade!  What you see are a lot of people marching from different "societies" or educational institutions.  Also, a lot of  three other things:  marching policemen, firemen and more bagpipe bands than you knew existed, looking for all the world like the Scotch.  Actually, the ancestors of the people in Scotland were the Irish (Celtics).   There were also a lot of marching bands, some from distant parts of the country.   95% of the people that I saw were lily white and during one break where the TV people were doing interviewing of people in the parade, one young lady gave the web address of the redhead convention--redheadconvention.ie--for all you redheads out there. With all the snow coming down, there are more people in the parade than were watching from the sidelines, at least that's true where the local TV station was broadcasting.

           Lynn went to the parade, I declined because I needed some time to do church responsibilities and I was tired.  Friday I spent the day fixing food--had our district over for biscuits and gravy and fruit this morning.  Always great feeding the missionaries.  We got a small table from our Super about two weeks ago and we can get four people around it, plus the round table which holds six--everyone was able to sit at a table.  Thanks goodness for COSTCO's gray folding chairs, they were here in abundance.

            Lynn and I have spent as much time as possible visiting people from the ward--the less active people.  We have to come unannounced sometimes because people don't answer their phones.  Getting into buildings is a problem because of locked front entry doors, so you wait till someone comes along and allows you to get inside.  Both Lynn and I look pretty safe.  I make enough bread so that a loaf goes to the people we visit. 

            This past Tuesday was temple day for us--went quite well, no glitches, I did a few new things and so did Lynn.  Lynn suggested that we go to the opera that night.  I just didn't want to stand in line or stay up so late.  But, we got out of our temple responsibilities early and I changed my mind.  So across the street we went to the Met and got in the short line waiting for the $20 tickets which were tickets sold to fill up the auditorium.  Since Lynn could get 2 tickets, I didn't need to be in line which was a good thing because there was no place to sit except the floor. 

            So, I went back to the temple and told the men in the front foyer what I was up to--wanting a quiet place to sit and read, and one of the men there said "Have you seen the Ambassador Room."  No, I'd never heard of it.  We went next door to the 2nd floor which is the Distribution Center, and behind it there's a large room with chairs and a piano used when people come for special meetings, or when they have a large group of youth doing baptisms for the dead.  The kids meet there first, get some instruction and then are taken to the temple.  I grabbed the April 2012 Ensign and sat down and read--there are some great articles in that issue, I would recommend you re-reading the articles on the Atonement.

            At one point a Br. Jones came in wondering what I was doing there all alone.  I introduced myself and told him what I was up to.  He is a PR person for the church working exclusively with the UN.  He and his wife don't spend much time actually at the UN, but they are either invited to or set up gatherings for people involved with the UN--most of these "parties", "open houses" involve people from different countries that want to know about the church in their countries.  Jones said he is not allowed to proselyte but just "make friends." 

            I was back downstairs in the temple lobby and Lynn came to get me.  We went a few blocks away and went to a nice, busy, noisy restaurant and I got their Tuesday rib special and Lynn got fish and chips.  The french fries with the fish were some of the best I have ever tasted.  I had a piece of cornbread with my dinner, but it wasn't the usual kind--it was only 3/8" high and was fried in oil.  Different, but quite delicious. 

            We went to the Met, found our seats on the main level, but off to the side and looked around.  There were lots of empty seat, most of the place was filled, could have moved to a different location, but choose to stay since no one was sitting in front of us.  The opera we went to was called "Francesca da Rimini".  Never heard of it? Neither had I.  Also, never heard of the composer, Riccardo Zanonai, who made up the opera from a play by Gabriele d'Annunzio, who made up the play after being inspired by Dante's "Inferno".  I guess you've heard of "Dante" at least.  Since this is considered a minor opera and it was a rainy night, it was a light audience. 

            Boy, it was a different thing, but did end up being a tragedy--both hero and heroine being stabbed to death by the supposed bad guy at the end.  The best part of the opera was a gorgeous cello solo done during the first act.  He really should have done it during the other three acts.  The opera was "on" for 35 minutes, then took a 30 minute break and they did this 3 times.  Lynn and I did not get home from the opera until 1:45 in the morning!!  We enjoyed the opera because that was our first experience with a big time production--the costuming and scenery were incredible, the singing was pretty good too but the story line was lacking.  It was received politely from the audience and I was grateful to have the experience, but think I'd rather watch something more engaging in the future.

            We did FHE on Monday and that turned out great.  Also, had more show up for Institute than usual, which was encouraging.

            We talked to J.D. Thursday night.  He decided on his own to go to Europe for two weeks in May.  What a shock.  He's going by himself, already has his airline travel arranged for and will do the "particulars" when he has time.  I don't remember all the countries but do remember Paris, Berlin, Rome, and he still has to decide between Budapest and Vienna.  He finishes his schooling at UVU at the end of April.  So far, he's kept his straight A average.

            (Sunday)--I kept myself busy yesterday and Lynn came home in the late afternoon.  The parade lasted, gulp, 4 1/2 hours!!!

            Last night I took the two English speaking sister missionaries with me to the RS birthday party being held at church.  It was raining so I was concerned that fewer women would show up.  However, they had such a good turn out, another table had to be set up.  Five children also came with their single mothers.  Most children in our ward have a single mom as a parent.  The place was beautifully decorated--looked like something a professional would do; I was greatly impressed.  There was nice background music and an introductory game was handed to all sisters so they could get to know each other.  It was terrific.  We were to go around and find all the people that met certain criteria, (i.e. same hair color, same shoe size, born in same country etc. etc.) not just get one name.  It took a while to do this and caused the women to get out of their comfort zone and talk to others they might not normally talk to.  We had a program where some women shared stories of how some other sisters in the gospel made a difference in their lives.  Also had two musical numbers.  Then a chicken and rice dinner using my creamed chicken recipe.  I sat next to two women who were literally sisters and of Chinese descent.  They were both raised in the church.  I could tell from their conversation that they knew what was going on in the church.  Turns out one was the 1st councilor in the stake RS presidency and the other had another stake RS responsibility.  The oldest looked about my age, the other a little younger.  Neither had married but instead chose to take care of their mother after their father died.  Interesting.  The father immigrated to the US about forty years ago and a year later he and his wife joined the church.  They had 7 daughters!!  And this is a Chinese family......

            Had corned beef and cabbage today but had to do the meal in a crock pot because I don't have a pressure cooker.  The flavor was different, not as intense for the meat, but it still tasted good.  I actually put whole red potatoes in a pot of water and boiled them.  The kicker is that I had to go to the internet to find out how to boil red potatoes!  Mine turned out perfectly.  : )

            Going to my ward never ceases to amaze me.  I'm so impressed with the spirit and dedication of those that attend.  The church is true and I love it.  Grateful, so grateful, to my Savior for his atonement and all that that entails.  We're grateful for our service here.

            BTW, we are going to come to Provo at the end of April before we go to San Diego.  Lynn is being honored at a meeting there.  We'll be in Provo 2-3 days. 

            Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Love to you all--Kathy/Mom

Ben 3/18/13

***Here is Ben's email for this week.  It is a good one. It involves Gators (the real ones). The questions I asked him are at the end of the email if you want to understand his answers better. ENJOY!!!!***

 

Family!

 

Oh man you guys are awesome!  I hope you had an awesome spring break and I'm sorry you have to go back to life today!  Life is so good I can't even tell you! I'm gonna start getting fat we're being fed so well! The work is good and it's gone by way too fast!  This week was a trip! Before I forget though I sent Grandpa a letter and I figured the best address to send it to was Suzy. ( I couldn't find Cathy's) So anyways just make sure he gets it.  I sure do miss you guys!!!

 

All-STATE!  That's what I'm talking about!!! Should have been MVP as far as I'm concerned!  They just knew you would win it next year! That's pretty sweet though! Congrats man! You ought to go work out with them up at snow even if it's just to make you look better for someone else.  Keep up the good work man!!!

 

Matt way to hit up the chicks in California man!!! I hope you had a good spring break!!! Let me know if there is anything specific you want for your birthday!!! I'm workin on a few treasures for you now!!! Its awesome out here man!!!

 

Probably the most memorable thing that happened to me this week was the closest I've come to death!!!  We were contacting at a lake at the very south border of the mission and we saw this huge gator! (Don't worry I got pictures)  But at first we thought is was dead, because usually when they see you they run away.   So I kept getting closer to it slowly and safely just to make sure it was dead, always in an athletic stance so I could get away. I was sure it was dead because as scary as it looked it wasn't even paying attention to me.  I even got within five feet and stomped the ground right in front of it trying to get it to respond! So just to make sure it was dead I crept up very carefully, and I kicked it's tail! OH MY GOSH!!!! I saw my life flash before my eyes. In like a tenth of a second it flipped around and opened its mouth and hissed at me and I slipped on the sand trying to run away and I screamed like a little girl! I ran away and then looked back and its mouth was wide open staring at me!!!  Everyone in the park saw and laughed at me!!! Definitely something I won't ever forget!!! We actually got a lot of contacts out of it though!  The most interesting one was this guy named Abraham, a Muslim from Saudi Arabia! We met him and his arranged-marriage wife and taught them the restoration.  She had never shown her face before she came to America! They were hard core!!! Definitely a collect a life tile conversation! One crazy part is that Abraham is a business student at University of Indiana! If Ryan could find him that would be sweet!!! I think it would also be a sweet follow up with my lesson.  I think he felt the spirit.  He was definitely engaged!!!  I know he'd remember if Ryan asked him if he'd seen a crazy missionary in Florida almost get eaten. Anyways.... Crazy!

 

In a week from today are transfers! It's kinda scary! I'll be able to tell you in my next email what's happening!  I don't really like the whole change idea.  I am really enjoying Clermont and the ward and Elder P.  We hope we both stay here, and crazier things have happened, but its more likely he gets transferred and I stay.  I'm just happy I will probably stay.  It would be nice though if I didn't have to go through companion adjustment though.  I'm a spoiled brat here though, couldn't ask for more.   It's a lot of pressure to take over.  Especially with all the awesome people I have entrusted to me! A LOT!

 

I also took an investagator on my first temple tour this week!  The Orlando temple is beautiful!!!  I love that it's just pure white like the St. George temple!  Things like the temple you have a much deeper appreciation for.  I have had so much of an outpouring of the spirit this week, I can feel myself be encouraged by God, and I have been blessed with vision.

 

That cracks me up Bunting is going to Tonga!!! I love it! Missionary work is the funnest thing to hear about! Keep that stuff comin!

 

We also had our angriest door approach this week!  It involved F-words, shotguns, and pictures of Jesus.  The dude literally called the cops on us.  Pretty funny!  Elder P got the most worked up I've seen him! I felt very at peace and unintimidated.

 

1. Already answered.

2.  Just down to 4 stamps. Out of gum and protein bars.  I might have to dip into my home debit card this month for some toiletries and stuff just so you know.

3.  I really don't want any gift cards honestly! Just know I appreciate it and take it as a gift if and when I use that debit card.  I'm really trying to eat healthy when I get to pick, because when others pick for me its not very healthy. Just letters and pictures, gum, protein and stamps ha ha I'm a man of simple means.  I'm really taken care of.

4. Already answered.

5. I have also been learning how to build fences this week! ha ha one for an investigator to let us teach her, and one to a member for some referrals!  It's good hard work! I love reactivating inactives and motivating youth.  I feel like my personality it better suited for that than knocking doors and I have found it to be rewarding to me not to worry about numbers and more about people.

 

I don't know Harris's niece. I met this Pro wake boarder from STG who came to stay with bro Judd. We have a lot of common contacts, he goes to d state and he has a little sister in law Nate's age who goes to Desert Hills smh. Her last name is Rhymer! 

 

The investigators are coming along well! We found, Diane, Vincent, Ryan and Savannah, and Gemma this week! I am really going to push for some baptismal dates this week!  Maybe try to set one for Matt's birthday!!! ha ha no trust me whenever is fine with me!!!

 

Keep me posted with our new president Berry. I don't want to think about President Hall leaving but at the same time that info could be valuable.  Hopefully he lets us fish on P-day.  This mission is such a blast right now though and change of any kind is just unwelcome

 

I love my mission, I love the gospel, I love you guys, I couldn't be any happier! Thanks for all you do!

Love, Elder B. Gary Gottfredson
 

 

***Questions for the week***

 

1. So... When is the next transfer? Is Elder P. getting transferred? Are you getting transferred?  Or you do not know anything for sure?

2. Are you running out of any bathroom items?   or clothing?  Items needed for gators?

3. How is the cooking and food situation?  Do you have enough money each month for what you need?

4. I googled and only found McDonald's in your area.  Is that right?  Do you have any other fast food places that I could send you a gift card for?  Do you have a McDonald's and do you want a gift card for that?

5. Tell me a neat experience you had this past week.

Meriden 3/17/13

March 17, 2013

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

This past week was my spring break, and it was just as busy as if I was in school.  Tuesday I went with a friend to the temple.  It was nice, and I was so glad to be there!  Wednesday I subbed for a great 6^th grade math teacher.  The kids were so good!  The best part of the day was that it was an early release day (most Wednesdays in that district, the students get out about an hour early so the teachers can have staff meetings and whatever else they do) and the teacher had lat period plan, so I got to leave early.  Thursday I went hiking with a friend.  We went to one of my favorite places to hike, but it was so hot, it almost wasn’t enjoyable.  I was hoping that the wildflowers would be out, but there were only a few.  It was nice to get out and get some exercise.  (There is a small trickle of water coming down… look closely for it) 

What I hope my Bougainvillea will look like!

After hiking, I ran a few errands, including going to the commissary.  Friday, I subbed again, and it was a half-day.  Yay!  When I was done, I went to Nathan’s track meet and watched him run a mile, then made a couple other stops before coming home.  Yesterday, I planted a bougainvillea plant (the picture shows what the flowers look like), a peach tree, and a couple of herbs.  It was nice to be outside for awhile.  I’m still trying to decide if I’m going to plant some vegetables in the horse trough garden that I made last year.  I want to, but something eats the plants before they can really start growing.   Last year, I bought a lot of plants before the something stopped eating the plants.  Then, we really didn’t get that much produce from the plants, so I’m not sure that garden was worth the money and time.  I guess that I need to decide very soon.

Nathan had a 2-day track meet on Thursday and Friday.  It was a big invitational held at the University of Arizona track stadium.  Thursday, he ran the 800 m; he hasn’t run that since he was a sophomore.  He had a personal best.  Friday, he ran the 1600 m and 3200m and he had personal bests in both those races.  That’s Nathan jumping, warming up before the 1600m.  Nathan now has spring break for the next 2 weeks.  He’ll be busy; he has a lot to get done in the next 2 weeks, and he still has track practice everyday.

Jim was able to find new information about his Toombs ancestors this week.  His 3^rd great grandfather, Jesse Toombs was born just 35 miles from where Jim is currently working in upstate New York.  This week Jim went to the Oswego County Courthouse to see if he could find any vital records for the Toombs family.  He learned that the state of New York didn’t begin recording births, deaths and marriages until 1883.  Since Jesse Toombs was born in 1818 and was married in 1840, records for him would only be found in churches and not at the courthouse.  It seems that the state has since collected those earlier records from the churches and may be available through a state archive.  Jim plans to pursue that this coming week.  However, he was able to find out the maiden name of Jesse Toombs’ wife Ruth.  She was a member of the Burke family that moved from Vermont to New York in the early 1800’s.  Also, Jim found the grave sites for Ruth’s mother and father, Anson Frary and Irena (Burke) Frary. Like the Toombs’, the Frary family moved from Massachusetts to upstate New York in the early 1800’s.

Have a great week!

Meriden

Aaron 3/11/13

Aaron just replied to mine and Jim's emails to him.  Here are some responses:

March 11, 2013

Hello! I love you! hahaha

1. We've been asking everyone for service, but nobody really has anything yet. Once spring really kicks in we'll have a bunch to do though, chopping wood, cutting down trees, and all other sorts of fun projects!

2. They're doing better at this point. They stayed at church for the whole three hours, and we had a really great lesson with them last Saturday. We showed them the Mormon Message "Mountains To Climb." I got an email from Molly and she recommended it to me, and as I watched it I just thought "Enoch and Casi need to see this."

3. We've been working some with less actives, but the senior couple on a mission in our ward are actually on a "re-activation" mission, so they're focusing on that. :)

4. I have worked out! Only twice though.. haha. Elder cook and I got out and we went bike riding for a little bit. I'm way out of shape! But that's slowly changing.

Thanks for getting that sent out to me, I'll need it  :) (GPS unit)

I'll be needing short sleeve shirts here soon. Yesterday it got up to 70 degrees and that was a little warm to be wearing the suit and backpack walking around.

I love you a ton Mom! I miss you some too ;)

Love,

Elder Aaron Toombs

Kathy 3/10/13

March 11, 2013

Dear Family,

            A more ordinary week this week.  Not as many meetings until we got to the end of the week. 

            Monday was spent doing laundry.  How much fun is that?  But, in addition to that, I made two cakes on cookie sheets using the Duncan Hines Butter Recipe cake mix.  Lynn bought 4 pounds of strawberries at an unheard of price (for this area) of a $1.00 a pound.  Perfect timing for strawberry shortcake.  He bought some more the next day.  I pureed some frozen strawberries and added sugar to them.  Then I cut off the tops of the fresh berries, cleaned and cut them up in the food processor, then added that mixture to the puree.  After the FHE lesson we had strawberry shortcake with whip cream.  It was a major hit.  Didn't have nearly so many come to FHE but one guy from another ward did come to observe so he can get one going in his ward.  The Midwood 2 ward (Spanish speaking) is now inspired to start their own FHE, so our little efforts are taking hold.

            Tuesday was temple day.   Thought I had all my problems figuring out the temple and it's procedures, and I did.  But, 3/4 of the way over while on the train, I remembered that I forgot my temple recommend.  I thought, "No problem" but it was.  A member of the temple presidency tried to call a lot of men who knew me and were responsible for me getting a temple recommend (and that included our mission presidency) and he could not find anyone!  He said, "I might be fired for doing this, but I know who you are and I'll just let you in." Believe me, forgetting my temple recommend will no longer happen.  It's just not worth the hassle.   Had one other problem, and that was my left ear was killing me the entire day but I just sucked it up and then took percocet (SP) that night which solved the problem.  I finally got some extra strength Tylenol to keep the ear problem at bay.  Despite the few problems it was a lovely day and I enjoyed it a lot.  After we finished our temple responsibilities we went across the street to see if we could get into the opera that night, but we were too late, the tickets were gone.  I was fine with that, I was anxious to get home.  I've now got the temple ceremonies down 99%.  Yay!

            Wednesday was a day I loved--I finally had a full day that I could spend going through all my drawers, cleaning them out and rearranging them.  Then I went through all the things I needed to file and got the file folders all labeled and papers put in their proper places.  I've been wanting to do that for such a long time!!!  We went to Institute that night and had two new people come. 

            Thursday was shopping day.  It was frustrating.  I left earlier than usual only to encounter heavy traffic.  A trip that should have taken about 15 minutes took 25.  That was one store.  Then it took me a long time to get to the two other stores.  I've decided for sure that Thursday in Brooklyn is like Friday every other place in America.  The Jews treat Thursday like Friday and they are out in force.  From now on, only shopping Wed. and Friday. 

            Lynn has been teaching me how to download pictures from my camera, identify them, enhance and embellish the identity, crop the pictures--been a lot of learning in a short time.  I'm trying to get a picture of everyone in our ward, young and old, for a picture directory (that would also have addresses, phone number, email).  For this ward, having a picture to go with the name is critical.  We obviously won't get everyone, but we hope to get those that are active.  Lynn's been helping me a lot with the project. 

            Friday afternoon we met with the missionaries and much to our great dismay found out they are changing district meetings from Friday afternoon to Tuesday.  What!?              We wouldn't be able to go then because we'll be at the temple.  Can't change the temple because Tuesday is THE day they need us.  Friday evening Lynn went to another ward with the two scouts from our ward for a scout meeting.  It's proving to be working out.  Hopefully more boys will want to join.

            Saturday morning we went to church to help clean but found out that they started earlier than usual and the missionaries were there in force to help out.  By the time we got there it was done.  So, Lynn grabbed the garbage can in the kitchen which was in need of a cleaning and did that, then went and cleaned the font.  I had nothing to do so I sat down next to one of the sisters in our ward that showed up to clean and asked her questions.  Got a lot of her history, but the most exciting thing is that she was originally from Ghana, Africa.  Her parents were good friends with Br. Johnson, the man who found a Book of Mormon and started having church meetings based on the book.  So, her parents were part of that original group.  Later, Merrill Bateman was assigned by the church to organize wards and stakes in Ghana, baptize people etc.  Her family was on the ground level of all this pioneer stuff.  I told her she needed to write down her history.  She came to the United States for medical reasons and still has problems (she's got tumors in her brain).

            That afternoon Lynn and I with one set of missionaries sat down with Doug Lee and he spent 2 hours telling his history from birth to the present day.  He filled in the story with so many unnecessary details that he drove me crazy.  Finally Lynn interrupted him and said, "and then what happened,  and then what happened" until we finally got him down to the present.  I think he's a very arrogant man.  It's a dark experience being around him.  He said he wanted to be baptized and if the bishop and stake president couldn't get that to happen right away, he'd go to the next person above them and do some demanding, and if they couldn't help, then he'd go right up the chain of command till he got to the first presidency.  All right.   Good luck, Doug.  Part of his problem he says is that he's got medical problems and a doctor told him he might not have more than two years to live.  Well, maybe the powers that be might push things along, but Lynn asked me the question:  does he seem repent to you--no way, I said.  It will be interesting to see how the saga continues.

            As a nice change of pace, Lynn and I went home teaching to two families yesterday.  They are new for Lynn.  Such sweet people with such sweet children.  Especially this was the case with Lana, who is originally from Russia.  Being around her was just a sweet, sweet feeling--we didn't want to leave and stayed longer than usual.  That's the reward of this service.

            The church is true.  I know it is.  I love to study the gospel and share what I know and be around the angels in our ward. 

            Oh, did talk to Cathy Farr and asked about Lynn G.  The Farr's have a small apartment kind of situation in their basement (that they just finished) so when Lynn needs more help, he can move in.  He spends a lot of time sleeping and she's concerned he's not getting enough good food.  She thinks he may move in permanently within a few weeks.

            That's all the news for this week. 

            Love ya,  Mom/Kathy