2019 BRINGS GREAT PROMISES

                                     

How elderly missionaries celebrate the New Year at 7:00

Lazy New Year dinner at the Seamons.  We invited them but ate at their house because it's bigger.

The Buckeyes won the rose Bowl game so we were very happy.

Wednesday we walked our 2 miles with Max and Ruth.  We do this every Mon, Wed, and Fri.  We are glad they have us go.  It is good for us. 

These geese refuse to fly South.

The night shift was a surprise because we had a prayer meeting which changed our service in the temple greatly.  Our Prophet, Russell M. Nelson and the 12 Apostles, together received revelation that some of the ordinances needed adjusting.  They carry the same blessings and sacredness as before but are just a little different in how we go forth.  It is wonderful and such a blessing to have these men in tune with God and Jesus Christ.  The temple is such a sacred place to feel the Spirit of our Father and His Son, so we can be uplifted and reminded of the covenants we have made with them.  We love the temple, and especially the tiny one in Palmyra.  We feel so close to the good people we serve with and love them.  It is a safe and holy place to spend so much of our time.

The next Sunday we were again at Niagara Falls.  It is now only a 7 hour trip but we are hoping to go after meetings next week to give a sister a blessing.  She is 83 and can’t go to church, but is working on feeling better.  Sister Targun again fed us.  She asked if we cared that she fixed a brunch which we were pleased to accept thinking it would be easier on her but she just went way overboard.  She fixed a beautiful fruit dish that was so yummy, hash browns, a sausage, cheese and egg casserole which you could make into a breakfast burrito, and to top it off biscuits and gravy.  I don’t think she knows how to fix a simple meal.  She is amazing.  She cleans 9 homes a week for her finances and is always giving to others.

 After Dad had shoveled.

The twins are now in YW with Tiffani and are so excited.  This new change in the youth is so needed.  They are so ready for it.  Now Dave and Tiffani can go to the temple with their children and do baptisms.  What a blessing and Cameron can do the baptizing. Clark and  can also take their family to the temple because Jonny can also go.  The church is so true.

We love the new Follow Me Program and are doing it together.  It is so easy and such a great way to teach our children in the home.  We are hoping you are all using it.

Monday, January 2^nd, we had Home Evening in the Temple President’s home.  The speaker gave a great presentation on the symbols of the temple which are not new but even in the Old Testament.  Interesting.

our side yard

January 10^th and 9 months have flown by.  It seems like we just got here a few weeks ago.  We have much snow now and the high is 16 degrees.  We love the snow and its beauty.  The day was a little hard for me.  I have learned the wording that is new but I was just was very tired.  I had a hard time focusing on things which made me nervous. 
 Friday, the next day, was marvelous.  We had served a few weeks ago for the Titsworths and they served for us in return.  We had the entire day off.  We started by walking our 2 miles with the Seamons, then eating at our favorite, Charles Philly Steak, then going to the Palmyra Library, which is a historic beautiful building and a wonderful library. 

It was so refreshing to have this day.  We did what we wanted, when we wanted.  The energy is back and I am ready for the next 3 months, especially since we get to spend several days with Kristin, and her family when they close the temple for cleaning in February.
We love when we get pictures like this from family.

Jonny, Lily, Camden and Molly.  They are all growing way too fast.

We got news from the Clark Bayles family that Jonny was able to go to the temple with the new age program, now that he is a Deacon. 

Check out how tall some of these little Grands are

He went even before school and we are so proud of him.  Our family is growing up way too fast.  We miss you but know that you are doing what our Father in Heaven and His Son have prepared for you.  That gives us great peace and comfort.  We love you all so very much.  We don’t think you have any idea of how much love that is.

Another Sunday in Niagara Falls Ward, which is really in Lewiston, which is a little farther. After church we went to Dee's home where we had a wonderful visit.  We had Patriarch Van Tassel come too so they could give her a blessing.  She can't come to church because she is so crippled with arthritis and can barely get around.  She was so happy to have us and we spent good time with her.  She loves the church and one of the missionaries in the 70's was an Elder Young from Monticello.
We study the scriptures and the new Come Follow Me, which we love, and are on chapter 4 of  Saints.  This is a very easy read and full of information, some that we did not know.  We love these 4 hours every Sunday that we can study together.  (Dad sometimes puts his hands on the wheel.)
Dennis Stoutsenberger called to say that Brother Snow had died.  He has been a good neighbor.

 Mission application picture

 NY World's Fair

 with Elder Carlston

NYC where he served and still loves.

January 15th, was dad's 53rd anniversary of being released from his mission.  WOW, that was a long time ago.  We were up at 5:15 to help with an early endowment session in the temple.  It only happens twice a month and the temple is so quiet and solemn.  We love it.  Just a few missionaries are there and maybe 2 or 3 patrons.  The Lord definitely loves each and every one of us.  We went back that evening for the evening shift.
Tiffani and family sent us candy, goodies and stuff to make us happy in February.  They really do lighten our apartment.

We LOVE the letters we get from Riley.  He helps our faith grow and our labors be filled with the Spirit of the Lord.

The 18^th, Friday, we walked our 2 miles and got back just as it started to snow.  Snowed all night.

Saturday it snowed all day and night but it is a softer snow and comes down lightly but still puts it on the ground.
Somewhere in here the Jennings family was able to take the entire family to the temple and do baptisms.  What a glorious day.  Cameron was the first 15 year old to baptize an 11 year old, (2 of them) in the Las Vegas Temple.  What a parent's joy.  What a special mile stone.  Families are forever when they follow the doctrine of Christ.

Sunday, it is still snowing.  It snowed bigger flakes and the wind was blowing drifts and as we watched, the snow was going up and to the sides.  I wanted to take a picture to show you but the snow just doesn’t show up.  It’s crazy.  The canceled church in Niagara and Palmyra, so we just read our scriptures and did Come Follow Me.  We love this program.

 Leavit's car (from Vegas)

 deck

 steps

flag

Julie Bond

Ray & Lynette Pickup, Bill & Elaine Stallard, Dale & Julie Bond

Three of our couple missionaries came to today to make snow angels.  They are just like family and we love them so much.

January 19^th was Jalen’s birthday. 

What a boy.  That just describes him.  He is everything wrapped up in one great package.  We are so glad he is in our family and sealed to us and all his aunts, uncles and cousins forever.  We love that he is in our eternal family and is loved so much.  He is 9 now and loves being a Cub Scout and has memorized the Scout oath and promise
This is a very busy month.  

The next day was Dianne’s birthday; no idea how old she is, looks very young to us. What a valiant sister she is in the gospel of Jesus Christ.  She lives by faith and teaches her family the doctrine of Christ.  She is the queen of her home and makes everyone comfortable there.  We love her.

The 21^st was my birthday and I am proudly 75, and very healthy and happy. (I want to add here that this is an incredible woman.  She has a deep love for her Savior, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  She loves her family and sometimes me.  She has a love for others that is amazing.  The light she brings to the temple is tangible.  Her smile elevates everybody.  I love her with all of my heart!)  We skipped our 2 mile walk and went to President Miner’s home for a brunch given for all temple missionaries because of Martin Luther Day.  It was so yummy and tasty. 

We were served a yummy sausage and egg casserole, with all kinds of homemade muffins, and fresh fruit with yogurt.  The best part was the fresh hand squeezed orange juice, apple juice and my favorite homemade grape juice.  Sister Miner goes to a farm and they give her huge containers of this juice (concord and Niagara grapes combined) and she goes home and processes it into large jars.  I have never tasted anything better.  I had 3 glasses.  When we were full’ all the missionaries sang the Primary “Happy Birthday” and then the normal one.  They are so sweet and kind to us.  We just love them.  The snow was so deep and the roads icy but we went straight to Costco, which is in Rochester, with the Seamons, to get Dad’s heart medicine. 

On the way back our cars automatically turned into Walmart, where we bought necessities.  When we got to our place, we put the groceries away and took a nap.  Next, the four of us went to Longhorn Steakhouse, in Victor, for some really good food and fun. They sang the birthday song again and we even had dessert. That was a special day for me as all our kids called or texted, some a little later.  We are so grateful for technology that permits them to stay in frequent contact with us.  It makes our being away much easier.  Tiffani sent us a bouquet of 15 roses and other flowers. When dad opened the door, he noticed the package left by UPS.  The flowers were frozen solid as it was 1 degree.  We called the company and they are sending us another, UPS from Virginia.  Crazy.  They came 2 days later, traveling all night from Virginia. The man knocked very hard on the door and we got them immediately.  They were so cold but not frozen.  My birthday was a perfect day.

 William turned 3 the next day. 

He is so full of wisdom and sang “Happy Birthday”, I don’t know how many times.  He is so cute, sweet and special.  Can’t wait to hug him

On January 23rd, I was the same age as my mother was when she died.  It made me really think about how wonderful she was and how young with so much more that she wanted to do with her life.  I am sure that she joyed in being with her son, Corliss Ray, who died 3 hours after he was born.  She remains a perfect mother.  It was also my dad’s birthday.

  They have both been gone for over 24 years which is hard to realize.  There are so many times I have needed my mother’s soft lessons and my dad’s encouragement.

We had a day off this day and took a nap for 3 hours.  We did not realize how tired we were.  We went to Newark for dinner at the Monterrey, our favorite Mexican restaurant.

I am such a blessed person to be born into the family I  have.  My sister Karen, has always been my hero and I have 2 great brothers.  They would do anything for me.  I love them so much and love being sealed together.  The Lord just handed George to me because I didn’t know how to date due to my rheumatoid arthritis.  I was not very mobile.  The Mormon boys my age lived in Cincinnati so I had no choice unless I dated my brothers.  UGH!  I dated boys from my high school but it was different.  I am now a mother, something I prayed for as long as I can remember.  I have 5 of the most wonderful children.  I could not have chosen better ones had I the choice.  They have blessed my life in ways I never dreamed possible.  I was told by my doctor that I would not be able to have children due to the arthritis, but they did not know the power of the priesthood.   Neither did I. They are good people who love their Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ.  It was very hard while they were young and even in high school.  They helped me when I would get very down and not able to function as I wanted to.  Each one is so different and strengthened me in their own way.  They were so fun and helpful as I struggled with being a mother and a wife.  I am so grateful for their dad who did more than his share.  I am grateful for his family, because we never lived close to mine and they stepped right into my life.  As a mother I prayed very hard for my children to make good choices and just prayed for them in their everyday lives.  My prayers were answered so many times.  There were times when I forgot to pray and those times did not go so well.  They chose partners whom I love.  I love how they love each other and the constant positive reinforcement they give my grandchildren.  I didn’t know how to do that and I love the cheers and opportunities they provide continually.  They give such positive feedback.  They are a light in my life.  “They spark   joy”.  I pray daily that I may be worthy to be their mother for all eternity.  These grandchildren they have given me are like no other.  They are so tuned in in to what’s important in their lives.  Each is so different and such a joy in my life.  Each one is my favorite and my heart leaps for joy when I see or hear them.  Looking back, I would have been so different and relaxed in my mothering .  I am so blessed to know that we can continually learn and improve in this life so that we can indeed be forever.  I could have never accomplished the things I have without this man I married and love so much. 

He is my beacon and strength.  He doesn’t let me give up on my goals.  I know that without the gospel of Jesus Christ, I would be a lost soul.  It is so true and I love it with all my heart.  These past months have been so lifting and filled with opportunities to grow in every way.  I love my family I grew up in and the family I am the mother of.  I love them all.

Wow, I don’t know what got into me there.
The 24th we were able to go to the new Palmyra Distribution Center.  It is right next to thee Grandin Printing press.  It is so beautiful and now people in Upstate NY can buy garments and temple clothes without having to order them on line.  They are loving it.

January 25^th, We put in an extra shift for the Southern Virginia University to come and do baptisms and endowments.  It was wonderful.  They are going to bring a bus every Friday.  The next shift some of the RS sisters from Niagara Falls came to do a session and I was assigned in the Celestial Room at the time they finished.  They just hugged me so hard.  It made all the Sundays so worth it.  It also made an 8 hour day in the temple which was wonderful.  The next morning the youth from Niagara Falls came to do baptisms.  They were so excited to see us and all gave us such loving hugs.  They are great young people. 
 There was a couple there from Buffalo and had run out of gas as they exited the freeway. They had walked quite a distance before they got a ride from someone.  He is from Brazil so he thought he was getting frost bite.  They had on Sunday shoes so they were very cold.  We gave them a ride back to their car after they had finished an endowment and waited with them until a Geico guy came and put gas in their car.  They were so sweet and excited to have been in the temple.  That night it snowed.

The next morning we headed out for church in Niagara Falls and got about 30 minutes down the I-90 when we noticed we passed only 3 cars and a semi.  The snow was blinding so we called the RS president and she said to turn around, that she could only go 40 mph and she is only 5 miles from the church building.

 

 all I could see out my window  The snow froze on all our windows.

We did and got on even worse roads but made it home just fine.  The snow here is crazy because the wind blows so hard and causes drifts.

Our tracks were the only ones we could see going back.

Monday the 28^th is Aunt MIkki’s birthday.  What a great lady.  Dad called her and she said she wasn’t having a birthday.  She’s a riot.  We love her so much. 

 That evening we went to FHE at the temple president’s home.  It was Al Carraway, who wrote the book, “The Tattooed Mormon”.  She was amazing.  Dad wants to buy the book now.  Her story is so faith promoting and she does such a marvelous job in presenting her conversion.  She spoke for almost 2 hours and we were shocked when she closed because the time just flew by.  What a testimony.

 with the missionaries

with the presidency  Pres & Sis Miner, Al, the Millers, the Kimblers

January 29^th we made reservations to go to the Montreal, Quebec and Toronto, Ontario temples.  We have invited the Barretts to go with us.  It will be after we get back from Kristin’s.

The next day we went to the Palmyra Museums.  It had been on our bucket list for some time and we were so happy that two other couples went with us.  They were amazing.  Three homes have been turned into the museums and each was so filled with early information on this area.  One was especially on the Erie Canal, which the plan was used in building the Panama Canal.  We have gone through those locks and it is so amazing how they change the water levels.  The stories and articles told such great information on this area of our country.  The first home had many rooms on both floors. There was a religious room that included Joseph Smith.  
Our favorite was the Wm. Phelps Store. (Not our Wm. Phelps) Wm. Phelps had a very successful store on the main floor and his home on the next 2 floors.  The top floor had 8 bedrooms.  The main door was open to the Erie Canal and is called, Bloody Corner.  That's where the canal boat workers would meet and fight to see who would win and get the sales from their boat.  The winner then had the right to disfigure the loser making him unable to work.  The front door of the Phelps' store was on that corner so Julius moved it to the side, on Market Street.  William retired and left the store to his son, Julius.  Julius kept the store until times got hard.  He got tired of food stamps and federal regulations so in 1940 he just closed the door and walked away never coming back.  The shelves are the same as when he left, nothing moved or changed.

 This is she same info but from a book.

 The museum "where time stands still," has served the needs of Palmyrans and Erie "Canalers" as a boarding house, tavern, bakery, and general store since its construction in 1826. Proprietor William Phelps completed renovations to the store by 1875, subsequently left untouched by his son Julius, who locked the doors in 1940, leaving a curious retail time capsule for you and your family to explore. Upstairs you’ll visit the elegant Phelps’ family home with post-Civil War furnishings and Victorian splendor, unspoiled by electricity or indoor plumbing, where Sibyl Phelps resided until her passing in 1976! The haunting presence of the Phelps’ 108 year legacy remains to this day.

My favorite place in the back yard.

front

 The register still says the last sale. $1.50.

 Shelves where the spice bottles still smell good.

 These eggs are the same ones left.  They no longer smell yucky. 

Calendar on the wall.

 The youngest and daughter, Sybil lived upstairs in the family home until the end of her life.  She died in 1976 and had never put in modern inventions; not even a modern bathtub or functioning stove or furnace.  It was extremely cold.  She was a recluse.  

She lived in these circumstances until she died in 1976, a recluse.

bathtub as she used it

kitchen  as she used it

two stoves, only one worked right

vacuums

laundry in the kitchen

clothes pins

her bedroom

The wind was so biting hard that the short walk back to the car was very difficult.  We got the message on our phones that the temple was closed for the night shift and also the next morning shift.  The temperature was -2 with the wind chill of -22.  The next day would be a high of 10 and low of -22 again.  It’s dangerous if you have to travel.
The last day of January, the temple was closed again.  We walked our 2 miles and went to Charleys.  We worked on genealogy and our blog.  We love our Long Johns.

We are so grateful for being able to serve in this great country of the USA.  We are having problems with government things but there is no other country we would rather claim.    We are so blessed to have the blessings of the priesthood of God and to be able to serve in His temple every day it is open.  I am so grateful to have a companion who will help with everything.

  In these last days we must be strong to fight the adversary and teach our children and grandchildren to do the same.   We pray they are reading the Book of Mormon and the Bible with us daily and praying for the truth to take hold and help us become better people in serving Christ.   We must take hold of the iron rod firmly and fight for our Savior.  We love His gospel and pray for the time when we are truly a forever family.   Gosh, but we love you, every one, so much.