AUNT MARIA (MARIAH)

Sundays are always wonderful.  We went to our BYU 8^th Stake President’s farewell.  He has been a mission president in Trinidad and now is going to be the MTC President in Ghana.  They will do such a great job.

Mondays we tend Nixon.  He loves to do things with Granddad before he takes a nap 10 minutes later.

Monday he wanted to shovel the little bit of snow we had left.

 He is so easy to tend.  He just sleeps the whole time.

He needs his friends to nap with him.

This week we went to dinner with Dave and Rene Cunningham.  They are such loving friends and we so enjoy being with them.  They’re trying to get us to go to Alaska with them again to fish.  Sounds good.
Granddad ground some wheat and we baked into the best bread ever.   We ate a whole loaf; gave a loaf to Brad Wilcox and one to Dennis Stoutsenburger.
We went to lunch with Clark on our way to Malad.  We had some clothes to give him from Bethany, and Dianne's birthday presents.  We were going to Malad for Aunt Maria's funeral.  We stayed the evening with my sister, Karen.  Her husband, Bert is really in bad shape.  His back is broken or smashed from top to bottom, he has diabetes, and his heart is on a pace maker.  I so worry about Karen because she is busy every second.  She has such a huge home to take care of, and now her husband on top of it all.    We got up to a yummy breakfast of waffles and then went to see Aunt Bev. 

Bev and jay

She is the only sibling of my mother I have left.  She is a great lady and I love her so much.  She is quite a fire cracker.  Her sons were there also, Dean, David and Dan.  We visited for awhile and then went to the viewing.  It was such a happy occasion.  Maria had been a widow for 26 years and was so much in love with Uncle Larrel.  How happy everyone was that now they are together.  Everyone of Maria's sons was there and all of her grandchildren, which is many.  It was just good to be with so many relatives that I had never met.  They are such wonderful people.
The funeral was one of happiness and love.  The memories they shared of Maria were so special and so full of her goodness.  The music was just right.  The restored gospel was preached by all who spoke.  I'm certain Maria was pleased to be with her family on the other side and to see how her family on this side were working so hard to please her and our Father in Heaven.

boys wives and Aunt Bev

We went to the cemetery on such  a beautiful afternoon. 

Brent, Gail, Jerry, Tom

 After the prayer we went to see my parents' graves.  It was so beautiful with the snow on the ground and the sun shining.  

Grandma and Grandpa Jones' stone

We went back to Aunt Bev's to change clothes and head home.  It was a long drive because we were so tired but filled with peace.  My only concern was for my cousin, Jerry.  He is Maria's  son.  He has Parkinson's, diabetes, and heart problems.  We are the same age and he can hardly get around.  It's so sad.  They just returned from their mission but I can't imagine how they did it.  I know the Lord helps his servants but Jerry is so limited.  I am so proud of his faith and determination.
Families are so wonderful and I am so grateful to be sealed to such a wonderful one.