Sunday, December 27, 2009

Christmas, 2009--Catchup...

So much as happened these past few months, yet there never seems to be adequate time to write the events and feelings of my heart. Let me list a few since last May...
1.) Steve's major foot surgery occurred January 8, 2009 and it wasn't until the middle of August when he could wear two 'matching' shoes. Nine titanium screws and one drill bit later, his is walking upright, without a roller scooter, crutches or cane! Hurray! He walks slowly but that's because of his heart problem and lack of energy. Since then, he now has a church job as assistant ward clerk (in charge of the Sunday program) and assisting the bishop with other responsibilities.
2.) Lola completed her Church-service mission in the Church-service Missionary Department on November 8, 2009. It was 'quite a ride,' one which I will never forget. Eternal friendships and associations were made there which was the frosting on the cake! I loved the secretarial responsibilities and knowing that perhaps I helped further the Lord's work in some small way.
3.) Primarily because of the downturn of the American economy with no real estate work on the horizon (and because we need to eat), Lola threw her hat into the ring and applied for church employment despite the fact that the church has been on a 'hiring freeze' since last November 2008. Several opportunities occurred which seemed interesting and inviting, while in the meantime I worked as a "secretary on-call' for 3 different departments, including the Riverton Office Bldg. and Intellectual Properties Dept. However, 3 weeks ago, I substituted in the audiovisual department for one day at which time I became acquainted with Julie Merrill, Human Relations Director for that department. She invited me to submit my resume for an "senior secretary" position that had just become available that day; actually, she did more than this. She invited me into her office, shared with me some of the responsibilities of this position, showed me the wage chart, etc. and basically encouraged me to apply! I did so, was invited to interview the next week by herself and John Linton; two days later, I interviewed with Dan Isaac and another director. At that interview, my cell phone rang; embarrassed, I hurriedly "ended' the call without looking from whom the call came; ironically, after I left the second interview, I returned the call and it was Pat Viehweg telling me that my dad, Grandy, had just passed away (December 8, 2009). The entire week was bitter-sweet. Between this event and the third interview with David Nielson, Managing Director of the Audiovisual department, my soon-to-be boss and the funeral arrangements, 6 of our eight children arriving from out-of-town, funeral service and Dad's burial in Clifton, Idaho, the week was a whirlwind. My first day on the job was Monday, December 14, 2009 and I've complete 2 weeks. However, I was immediately advanced to "Executive Secretary" rather than Senior Secretary which will be filled by another individual. I'm overwhelmed and stunned by the confidence and encouragement of not only July Merrill, but others in the department. Let me mention, that several times Julie stated flatly, "we prayed you here." "You are just what this department needs!" I am flattered but mostly humbled by this vote of confidence, and pray that I can measure up to the new responsibilities and assignments (most of which I've never performed before). The only assets I feel I am bringing to the job are a hard work ethic, problem-solving skills, and a commitment to excellence. The Lord will need to 'take over the rest' because I feel so inadequate; however, I do have a deep desire to magnify my calling and to further His Work in any ways asked.
4.) Concerning my father's death on October 8, Heavenly Father blessed our lives in that we were able to be with him the night before his death. Monday, October 7, Louise Florence, my twin sister, flew into SLC from Houston preparatory to her major tooth surgery. Fred Goff, Wayne Jr. and Steve anointed Dad and gave him a priesthood blessing. In that blessing, Wayne Jr. blessed Dad that he would have a good night's sleep and rest peacefully and that there were angels, beloved family members and friends on the other "side" awaiting his return. Ironically, the next day he passed away. We buried him near his parents in the Clifton, Idaho, cemetery. We traveled about 4 hours to this site; Quentin Viehweg gave the graveside prayer and then the 'lights went out" (it was 5:00 PM and it immediately became dark). We quickly left for home. What a bitter-sweet week it was, but one to long remember.
5.) Currently, Steve is serving as an assistant ward clerk for the River Second Ward, Jordan River Stake and I am one of the gospel doctrine teachers and we both serve as temple preparedness teachers. How we love our ward members and teaching the gospel.
6.) Of note, Christmas eve 2009 was spent at Jen and Gordon's home enjoying a candlelight, formal dinner. Christy donated a delicious ham and I cooked funeral potatoes, chocolate pies, and prepared two salads, e.g spinach salad and "perfection salad." Our feast was followed by a reading called "My First Christmas in Heaven" (we all thought of Grandy) sent to me by Wayne Jr., the children enacting the "first nativity" and then playing Christmas songs on our homemade chimes (Christmas gift from 2008). Linda Herrington enjoyed the evening with us and spent the night. We opened gifts the next morning and all traveled to Christy and Marty's home and enjoying a Christmas morning of hot scones and ham. Sam and Jacob opened their abundance of gifts. Linda had to return home by 1:00 PM to go to work at Continental Airlines. Later that afternoon, we returned to the Watkins for a birthday dinner for Sam Jr who turned a glorious 16 years!
7.) Saturday, December 26 was spend preparing and carrying off Sammy's 16th birthday ice skating and friend party at Noah's reception center. about 50-70 of his friends attended. Steve prepared delicious chili and Christy provided all the trimmings, birthday cake, balloons, hot chocolate, dips, chips, etc. A grand time was had by all!
8.) In conclusion, I wish to express my gratitude to my Heavenly Father first and foremost for His watchful care over our family, especially Janie and Mark and children's save 45 hour road trip from the BYU Las Vegas Bowl game to their home in McKinney, TX. Truly, their lives were spared and they were blessed. Also, I am grateful for the birth, life and atonement of His beloved Son, Jesus Christ. How I love and adore Him, also. Also, I am especially grateful for my dear husband, children and grandchildren. We love them so dearly. Additionally, I am humbled to have the opportunity for the personal growth by studying the scriptures daily, especially the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants this past year. May I ever have this insatiable love for the scriptures where truth and God's Word is found. Also, I love America and am concerned about our liberties that are being eroded by divisive and evil and designing men. May we live true to God's truths and commandments and be found worth at the last day to enter His presence.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

It's been toooooo long!

A LABOR OF LOVE FOR MY GRANDDAUGHTERS....







Easter was fast approaching and my creative voice was calling for me to sew up a few skirts (17 in total) for the younger granddaughters. See attached. What fun! I hope they have as much wearing them as I had sewing them!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

A Beautiful Spring Day!

The tulips and crocuses are in full bloom on Temple Square. What a sight to behold!! How blessed I am to be working as a Church-service missionary on the 1st floor of the Church Office Building, processing hundreds of applications for those who wish to expand their service to the Lord and build His kingdom. Additionally, as I await a telephone call from a Russian sister missionary who serves on Temple Square, I rejoice at the opportunity Elder Cook and I had to serve as full-time missionaries at the International Office on Temple Square and to interface with so many of His choice young foreign missionaries who have sacrificed so much to serve Him.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008



Wednesday, December 10, the HR Department of Church Headquarters held their annual Christmas luncheon and program in the Social Room of the General Relief Society Bldg. The headquarters’ CSM Coordinators are part of this department, and we happily accepted the invitation to attend. The highlight of the event was Elder David Bednar’s Christmas address entitled “Trees, Lights and Shepherds.” His hope was that we would never look at a Christmas tree, its lights nor shepherds in the same way again! He initially quipped that “the only thing between us and lunch is my speech,” and that for a speech to be memorable, it needs to be good or short or both!! Through scriptural reference found in 1 Nephi 11-15, he likened the ‘Tree of life’ to the Savior and that the ‘fruit’ of the tree are the blessings of His Atonement. Secondly, he likened the lights on the tree as the ‘light’ that shined for 2 days and 1 night when the Savior was born, a symbol of His birth, of continuing light. He has been referred to as “The Life and The Light.” Third, he reminded us that the shepherds were not ordinary but divinely-appointed shepherds watching over a ‘special’ flock of sheep who were headed for temple sacrifice.
An introductory musical number called “Mary’s Lullaby” was performed by 12 lovely women in the HR department; Elder Bednar’s talk was followed by a male musical duet and then a scrumptious lunch. We so appreciate being an integral and appreciated part of this department. The ambiance of this lovely room coupled with the sights and sounds of the Church Office Building are quite spectacular and often overwhelmingly touching. How we love serving our church-service mission--we, like President Hinckley wish to "wear out our shoes in service!"

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Whew!! What a month!!



The Thanksgiving and Christmas season are continually full of food, music, spiritual stirrings, family and friends, all meant to enrich our lives and hearts. Since the last blog I penned a little less than one month ago stating our release as full-time missionaries, our Bishopric and Heavenly Father didn't want us to slack off, I suppose, so assignment after assignment have been heaped upon us (Steve always there to lend mental and physical support). As each opportunity for growth and service surfeited, I was reminded in my patriarchal blessing with the admonition that I was to "gladly accept every assignment given me." For journaling purposes, I wish to record the ones I can remember as follows:




Nov 4 - Interviewed by the full Bishopric and called to be a Gospel Doctrine Teacher

Nov 5 - Community Christmas Chorus rehearsal

Nov 12 - Spoke at Young Women's In Excellence meeting for all YW, parents and leaders-spoke on "remembering" (pre-existence, past and future)

November 13- Next evening, President Dallin Sohm, Stake President of S. Jordan River Stake phoned and asked me to speak for 5 minutes to the Stake H.Priest meeting and dinner on Church-service missionary program the next night.

November 16 - Presented Gospel Doctrine Lesson #42, 3 Nephi 22-26

November 19 - Christmas Choral rehearsal

November 20-Bethany Ogletree, our BYU-I coed came to visit us for 8 days! What a week!

November 25 - Christmas Choral rehearsal

November 26 - Visited Grandy at hospital in Orem; began cooking 5 pies and cornbread dressing at 8:00 PM. A very long day...

November 27 - Thanksgiving at Cowley's home-fantastic!!

November 28- Bethany and I decorated the outside and inside our home--how fun to have her 'legs' and assistance.

November 29 - Bethany and Steve clean Church; Lola at Christmas choral rehearsal

November 30 - Gospel Doctrine Lesson #44, Mormon 1-6

December 2 - Presented book review (45 minutes) on Gathering Christmas to Relief Society sisters are ward Christmas party

December 3-4-Christmas Choral rehearsal
December 4 - Steve and I attended the viewing of Apostle Wirthlin at Larkin Mortuary; what a grand reunion to visit with all 8 Wirthlin children and spouses, plus Joe and Kathy; truly, this is one of the great families of the church.
December 5 - Attended Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin's funeral services in Tabernacle; tickets given us by Joe Wirthlin, Jr. What a sweet tribute to this dear, humble man.

December 6 - Assisted with food preparation for Ward adult Christmas party, 10:00 AM, "First Nativity"-10:00 AM--beautifully decorated by planned by the Activity Committee

December 6 - Community Chorus Christmas Concert at Bingham H.S.-wonderful array of Christmas songs celebrating the life of Christ, led by Marlene Stanley

December 14 - (forthcoming) -Play Christmas prelude and accompany Sacrament meeting; also, teach Gospel Doctrine Lesson #46, Ether 1-6




All of these commitments and activities don't mention our three day Church-service missionary service every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays at the Church Office Bldg. plus all the Christmas preparations, sewing, cooking, wrapping, mailing, etc. for our family spread out all over the world.

How we love Christmas and all its preparations; however, today, Sunday, December 7, was most memorable as testimonies were borne and hearts touched forever in sacrament meeting Relief Society. How grateful I am for this gospel of Jesus Christ. I know beyond of a shadow of a doubt that Jesus Christ lives and that He and Heavenly Father only desire us to have faith, repent continually, partake of all the opportunities for spiritual growth they continually invite us to participate in, to serve, to pay our tithes and offerings, to love one another and to endure to the end so that we might live with them one day. I cannot begin to feel enough gratitude for the showering of blessings that have come to Steve and myself our entire lives. Our lives haven't been particularly easy, but our multitude of challenges and hurdles have only made us stronger and more committed to living the gospel.


I am reminded of Elder Wirthlin's last General Conference talk at which time he quoted his mother who said, "Come what may and love it." This is what we continually strive to live and to do. Perhaps, it has taken me years to fully embrace this attitude and to truly have integrated it into my life. I have come to realize that "THINGS" don't matter, but people, family, eternal life and my precious testimony.


Wednesday, November 5, 2008

LAST OFFICIAL DAY OF OUR MISSION!

November 5, 2008--last day of our official full-time mission. We began serving November 5, 2007, called to the Missionary Training Center, Utah Provo Mission, specifically assigned to the the International Office. We served and loved our international missionaries with all our hearts but knew that Elder Cook's health wouldn't allow him to continue his expected activities. Joel Moriyama and Elder and Sister Bush prayed us to their office. After 8 months, we were reassigned to the Church Headquarter, Salt Lake City, to work in the Church-service Missionary Department as Coordinators. We have served with all our heart, might, mind and strength and pray our offering is accepted of the Lord. I know this work to be true and eternal and pray that we will be found on His Right Hand in the eternities.

Now, officially, November 6, we continue working in this office, in His service, as Church-service Missionaries. Today, we had our first snow of the season--it seems appropriate that God is the Lord is showering the earth with His beauty after such a disappointing national election--one of which we could be so very depressed!! We know this gospel will roll forth and consume the earth. We are humbled to be part of this great work!!

Sunday, November 2, 2008

A TIMELY MESSAGE, Saturday, Nov 1, 2008

This was not just 'another' Saturday evening session of Stake Conference. Words were spoken and hearts touched by the message and spirit of our visiting General Authority of the First Quorum of the 70, Elder Bruce D. Porter last evening.

He began to tell us that 2000 years ago in China, if a person desired to wish you bad luck, he would say, "May you live in interesting times!" Such are our tines. He quoted D&C 88:91 and reminded us that we live in times "when all things will be in commotion." He reminded us that President Hinckley warned us after the eventful "9/11" catastrophe in New York City, to prepare. I was gently reminded that at that time President Hinckley alluded to Joseph of Old's interpretation of the seven years of plenty and seven years of famine dream the King of Egypt was plagued with. IRONY: IT HAS BEEN EXACTLY 7 YEARS SINCE PRESIDENT HINCKLEY SPOKE THESE WORDS!! He told us not to fear for our grandchildren--we will find ways to support ourselves, to continue our education, etc. "We won't always live in the most prosperous of times...Trust in Heavenly Father, pray, follow His council and all will be taken care of!"

He then cited an abbreviated version of the "Parable of the Ten Virgins," reminding us that this is a parable of the last days. All the women were virgins, active and worthy members of the church. Referring to D&C 45:57, "For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide and have not been deceived--verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day," he taught us this parable is about living worthily to have the Holy Ghost as our guide and to withstand the fiery darts of the adversary. The "oil in our lamps" is the reception of the Holy Ghost.

Then, he taught us two powerful principles to take the Holy Ghost as our guide.
1. We must overcome the worldly things. DON'T COVET (Tenth Commandment). Covetousness is the desire for world things we don't need. Our economy is based on it-spend, spend, spend and perpetual borrowing is the basis of our economy. Our economy will fail, but we need to work hard to save it. "Get over thinking we need to have so much." His simple financial formula was three words: S B T (Stop Buying Things!). STOP GOING TO THE STORE!!

The Prophet Joseph Smith said that "the reason the children of Israel apostatized was because they didn't keep the last commandment (10th)." Don't covet! This is the 'bridge' commandment to higher law (heart) and lower law (outward). We cannot serve God and mammon (money)! We won't have Holy Ghost in our hearts if we worship money. OVERCOMING COVETOUSNESS IS VITAL IF WE ARE TO SURVIVE!!

AFFLUENCE + COVETOUSNESS= DISASTER!! As a point of humility, citing an example of an African woman and member of the Church who ate only one meal a day because of lack of food, she ask Elder Porter for clarification if she should then be fasting every three days, Monday, Thursday, Sunday?? He said that 1 billion people in the world are starving (Bolivia also) because the cost of grain has increased. He warned us again, "don't borrow; work hard, save and prepare to give to others!!" He reminded us of King Benjamin's warning to pray that our hearts might be softened and pure.

2. We are too encumbered with too many things--"It doesn't give us time to seek God!" He cited a story of a busy Bishop whose ward members didn't feel comfortable to come to see him because of their perception that he was too busy. "Business has become to be prestigious"in our day. Christ wasn't rushed once--he was never over-scheduled. He reminded us that President Monson doesn't do things that don't matter, so that he has time to do important things. He still visits the widows and shut-ins 2-3 evenings a week.

He cited the "Parable of the Fig Tree" whose branches gave plenty of leaves but no fruit. The Savior cursed the fig and tree and it withered (Galatians-Paul). He interpreted the 'fruits of the Spirit" as gentleness, long-suffering, kindness, etc. that He would have us bring forth.
"We must overcome distractions and covetousness so we can heed the voice of the Holy Ghost."

How do we overcome business and distractions? PRAYER. All too often our prayers are insincere and redundant, full of vain repetitions. "Often we don't pray in sincerity, earnestness, holiness and peace; prayer is not another checklist or a 'to do' list.'" One memorable example of a man who prayed earnestly was Heber C. Kimball, First Counselor to Brigham Young. B. Y called him his 'prophet.' Whenever Pres. Young couldn't find a answer, he would go to Heber and ask him to pray to God for answers. Heber even built a 'prayer room' in the attic of his home' in Salt Lake.

WE MUST ALLOW QUIET TIME FOR STUDY OF SCRIPTURES AND PRAYER! IF WE DO THIS, WE WILL COME TO KNOW GOD AND HAVE 'OIL IN OUR LAMPS!'