SHARING CHRISTMAS WITH OUR OREGON FAMILY COMPLETES A BUSY DECEMBER

December is always a busy time but even more so when you combine the normal Christmas activities with all the missionary meetings and visits.  It was a rewarding and joyful month, especially because we spent Christmas week in Oregon with our Oregon families.

The month started with Jaron's birthday dinner.  We were delighted that he isn't too old to go out to dinner with his grandparents.  He turned 16 and assured us he would always want to spend time with us. We went to Olive Garden and had a wonderful visit with him. He thrilled us when he said he was planning on going on a mission after high school. We truly hope that remains a prominent goal of his as he would be a tremendous missionary. He is going to seminary and so will have a great basis in the gospel by the time he graduates.  

As we drove up to Jon and Mindi's to pick up Jaron, we noticed several pink lit trees in their neighborhood.  Jon and Mindi even had one outside their home.  We asked about them and were told it was a tribute to the young Mahe daughter who died during the month of December from a terrible accident.  Pink was her favorite, hence the pink trees to remind the Mahe family of the love their neighbors have for them. Many acts of kindness were shown this family during their time of need.


Missionary activities for the month included a wonderful mission meeting with Elder Cook. It was held in Payson and all the missionaries were invited to attend, even the senior missionaries. Elder Cook and those in attendance with him were very inspiring and instilled is all of us a greater desire to do all we can to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ with the people in our Utah Provo Mission. It was interesting that there are over one hundred senior missionaries in this mission with more being called. Eventually the senior missionaries will outnumber the young elders and sisters. It is the mission president's desire to have at least one, maybe even two senior couples, in each stake of the mission. There are 91 stakes in the mission.

We visited many people this month. The Chapels took us to meet Sandra Verbina and her daughter, the Llewellyns, and Courtney Brown and her children, all of whom we will continue to visit. At the middle of the month, the Chapels were officially released so we are now the only senior couple in the stake.  They left us with a list of people to visit in the other stake with whom they were working. We will visit them, as well, until the new missionary couple, the Wards, comes on board.  We also taught the 15th ward mission leader and his family, the Hoffmans, the family mission plan. Our goal is to set up appointments with all the members of the 15th ward ward council to teach it to them, too. That should keep us busy after the first of the year. 

The best 2 visits of the month were to the Rick and Carolyn Kinsie. On one visit where we taught the Word of Wisdom lesson, Rick handed his last can of chewing tobacco to Brother Roney, the fellowshipper, as we left. He has not chewed ever since.  The second visit was the one just before Christmas where we were inspired to give a different message than originally planned. We showed a couple of Christmas videos and shared with them a Christmas message challenging them to give a gift to our Savior by changing their life for the better in some way. The spirit was so strong as we testified of Jesus Christ and his message to the world. We could tell the Kinsies were touched as they both were wiping tears from their eyes by the end of the lesson. We had given them a set of scriptures with their names on them the week prior so this time we left them with a tea ring and a basket of fruit as a Christmas treat.


It was transfers this month so we said good bye to Elder Duncan, who left to serve in Moab, Utah. We were sad to see him leave as he was a dynamite missionary for being so 'young'.....only out 12 weeks when he left us.  We were given two new elders to serve with Elder Ruess, until he goes home in January. The new elders are Elder Twui and Elder Abbot. We had a delightful lunch with them just before we left for Oregon. We served teriyaki chicken sandwiches and sweet potato fries. It was a hit. Of course, we sent them home with a Christmas tea ring and added a gift certificate for Cafe Rio so they could have lunch there on the Tuesday we would be gone on our trip to Oregon.

December always brings baking lots of tea rings for our friends and neighbors and this year was no different.  I baked a total of 17. It is always fun to deliver them and to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. We had a wonderful visit with our new neighbors, the Smiths. They are a very interesting couple with many exotic happenings in their lives. They just returned from a mission in Jerusalem at the Jerusalem Center where they acted as hosts and tour guides for the center. For Christmas, they gave us a beautiful hand carved olive wood nativity scene.  We were a bit taken back as she presented it to us. Our tea ring paled in comparison, although they loved the tea ring.   

The hand carved nativity from the Holy Land

The weekend before we left for Oregon, we attended a Moscow Russian senior couple mission reunion. The Ropers organized it for all of us who live in the Utah area. It was so fun to see everyone again and to catch up on what everyone has been doing since returning home. The Burgeners and ourselves had been home the longest of anyone in attendance. Lots of good food and great conversation.  

This is Ephrem.  We met him in the mall while we were sitting waiting to leave for the reunion.
He noticed our missionary badges and sat down to talk with us for almost an hour.  He had led a
very interesting life, having been born in Ethiopia into very poor circumstances.  He was introduced
to the church there but baptized after he was adopted by an American family.  He lives now
in Draper and going to UVU after having served a mission in Texas.  His story can
be found in the Jun 2016 Ensign.  What a privilege it was to meet him.

Now for Christmas....Decorations went up around the first of December, including our Santa filled tree. Tea rings and cookies were baked and delivered just in time for a Sunday afternoon Christmas dinner with Todd, Kailie and Aria, and Jon and Mindi and their two families. Taylor and his girl friend joined us, too. We had tri tip and chicken oscars with all the trimmings, just like we did last Christmas Eve when our whole family was here. After dinner, Paul and I opened gifts from each of them and presented our gifts to them. Todd and Kailee gave us two fry pans, which we desperately needed, and a family picture. Jon and Mindi gave Paul a statue of an English bulldog to remind us of their beloved dog, Alice. They then presented me with 8 place settings of the blue Lennox china that matches the china we used as a family while I was growing up. Dad gave me the whole set of Mom's Lennox china several years ago but I have been afraid to use it for fear of breaking it. With this new set, I can continue a family tradition of using the blue china on Sunday without worrying about breaking Mom's, which is priceless to me. So thoughtful. (Now I just need to get the right place mats and napkins so I can set a beautiful table with the blue china.) 

Taylor and his girl friend

This dishes and the dog,

such thoughtful gifts.

We found the perfect place for the bulldog -
A boy and his dog!!

On Thursday, the 22nd, we flew to Portland, Oregon, rented a car and drove to Cheryl Ashdown's home to visit with her and Bill. We then drove to see Yvonne in the care unit where she now lives. It is a memory unit and is very nice. She seems to be happy and the move had taken a lot of pressure off Bill and Cheryl. We were glad for the chance to see them all. 

Paul and his sister, Yvonne

On our  51st anniversary at BJ's

At the River Inn

 We traveled on down to Eugene where we checked into the Candlewood Suites. We met Andrea and Casey for dinner at BJ's to celebrate our anniversary with them. The next day we spent at Andrea's baking tea rings and sugar cookies. We went to dinner that evening with the whole family at River Inn.  Casey had some trade dollars he had to spend so we had appetizers, main courses and desserts.  His total bill was $313 of which he only had to pay $13. Pretty sweet for us.

Breakfast table all set

On the morning of Christmas Eve, we had a big breakfast of crepes with strawberries, sausage and hash browns. In the afternoon, after wrapping presents for Andrea, Paul and I went to see the movie, Mauna, getting back just in time to go to the Borine's for the traditional Westover Christmas Eve dinner and celebration. With 28 in attendance it we a little chaotic but dinner was good. The annual performance of the Christmas story was interesting. We were grateful to find a little quiet back at our hotel room later that evening.  

The very long Santa letterread pm Christmas eve  

On Christmas day, we arrived at Andrea's at 8 in the morning to watch their family open their gifts. That was followed by a traditional Christmas morning breakfast of scrambled eggs and ham and a tea ring. Church was a 1 in the afternoon and lasted about an hour. The whole Westover family sang in the choir and the music and program was amazing.  Not many ward choirs sound like this one did, thanks to over half the choir being of the Westover family, including some aunts and uncles. We loved going to church on Christmas day. It helped us remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Notice the beautiful prime rib in the middle of the table.

Christmas evening was topped off with a delicious prime rib dinner. Andrea and I were a little nervous as neither of us had ever attempted to cook a 9 pound prime rib before. We followed a recipe we found on line and it turned out wonderfully well. Dinner was amazing and the singing game we played afterwards was fun. All to soon, though, it was time to say our good byes as we were headed to Medford early the next morning.

We were greeted in Medford by some excited grandchildren.  They were so eager to show us their newly remodeled home and what Santa had brought them for Christmas. They were also excited to unwrap one of four gifts from us waiting for them under the Christmas tree. We had sent Ryan and Katie money to buy gifts for the children from us. They had waited until we arrived to open them, and in fact, had designed the activities for each of the three days we would be there around the gifts. The first gift was a big set of Legos so we had a building Lego afternoon. We paired up and each took a part of it to build. It was a fire station complete with a fire engine and fire chief car.  A fun afternoon.  After dinner we did a couple of puzzles with the children before they headed to bed.  

The finished product

 

 

The next morning's gift was a Hungry Hungry Hippo game so we played that and several other games. After a lunch at In and Out, we opened the second gift - 6 Nerf guns. We spent the afternoon in a competition Nerf gun target shoot out. Lots of fun, too. That evening, we met the Thompsons at Kalioscope Pizza for dinner.  

The last day's gift was a Kariokee machine.  Yes, we spent the morning singing (and dancing) to music. Even Paul and I performed. Paul sang 'I Will Survive' and surprised everyone with his good voice. He and I sang 'Lollipops and Roses', the song we picked as 'our song' when we were dating. The morning sped by and we were soon having to say our good byes to the MIllars in Medford.  We drove to Salem and spent the night in a hotel so we could easily make our early afternoon flight home.  A great week in Oregon.

Singing as a family

Dad singing his 'I Will Survive' 

On New Year's eve, we were invited to the Chapel's home for games and goodies. They wanted us to meet Daniel and Melanie Funk, a couple they had been working with during their mission. They have become good friends and will continue to do things with them but this gave us an opportunity to meet them. It should make it easier to get into their home to visit with them later on. Daniel is a non member while Melanie is very active. It was a fun way to spend New Year's eve though we left before bringing in the new year.  

Of course, we must include Aria in our December blog as she changes weekly.  She is now walking all over the place and loving her new found skill.  

With her cousin, Taylor

Loving the phone, as always

Walking on her own

The new year is now upon us as December is in the history books.  

We look forward to what 2017 will bring.

NOVEMBER - A MONTH OF MEETINGS, ELECTIONS, BABYSITTING AND THANKSGIVING

This month has been one of many meetings - mission training meetings, district and zone meetings, Stake missionary coordination meetings, ward councils, and a special meeting with a general authority, Elder Curtis, who was on a tour of our mission.  We also have gone out to meet a few people and been on several missionary discussions with the couple we are replacing. We had a very encouraging meeting with our stake president who is extremely missionary minded.  He is going to talk with the bishops about having us go with home teachers into the homes of less active members. That will be so much more effective than just knocking on the doors of the people whose names we've been given ('cold calling'). He will also order a case of the book 'The Power of Everyday Missionaries' so we can give it out as we teach families how to start a family mission plan. His idea is that the books become a pass along book - once a family reads it, they pass it on to another family. A great idea too.

Peanut Butter, Toffee Bit, Chocolate Chocolate
Chip and Banana Cookies all in one day.

All one Saturday, I was busy baking cookies.  I did four different kinds and put them in the freezer. Our plan is to make up a small plate of cookies each time we go out to visit someone. We will put a pass along card with them so even if we don't get into their home we will have left our name and phone number and the web address of the church with them. The first plate of cookies we gave out was to Jon Jacobsmeyer. He readily invited us in and we had a great visit. He is semi active but doesn't hold a calling or a temple recommend. He said we could return so we will take him a Christmas video to watch with us next month. We visited a Julie Jensen who told us we were wasting our time with her and even handed us back the cookies. She can't eat dairy and because the cookies have egg in them she couldn't eat them. We have tried several times to take her a fruit basket but have not found her at home. 


Our favorite meeting was with an inactive couple who are trying to become temple worthy. He was excumunicated when he was younger and spent time in prison.  He has a chewing problem and his wife has a smoking problem. We visited them with Elder Chapel and, after getting to know them a bit, gave them the third discussion on the gospel of Jesus Christ. Ricky, the husband, seems to have the great knowledge of the gospel and both are reading the Book of Mormon again. They go to church most Sundays but don't partake of the sacrament. He had not chewed for 6 days and was really proud of himself. Carolyn wasn't doing as well with her smoking but we challenged her to try this next week to lessen the number of cigarettes she smokes each day. Paul promised to bring her the church's program for quitting cigarettes and she seemed grateful. We knew she was gong to have surgery on her right wrist on Friday so, Friday evening, before leaving for the airport, we took a plate of cookies over to them to make sure all went well. Carolyn was sitting on a chair with her arm totally immobilized by a large foam rubber contraption which caused her to keep her wrist elevated. We immediately commented that she now had a forced means of quitting her smoking as she has no way of lighting up a cigarette, or to put on a coat so she can go outside to smoke. We all chuckled. 

Other mission happenings included a delightful lunch with the elders assigned to our stake, Elders Duncan and Ruzi.  They are really sharp. It was fun to get to know them and, of course, to feed them, of which they were very appreciative.  We spent some time talking about people we could go visit which is the purpose of a weekly lunch with them. We will really enjoy that part of our mission assignment as we always love to feed the elders and sisters.




On Wednesday of that week, we drove out to Tabiona for the funeral of the daughter of good friends, Janice and Allen White.  Janice served with me in the primary presidency and Allen served with Paul in the High Priest leadership.  Their daughter, Keri, lost her year long battle of breast cancer.  She was only 40 and left behind four children, the youngest being about 10. It was sad but the funeral was beautiful, full of hope and the promise of eternity.  We were so glad we had driven the hour to get there as we left with a greater love our our Savior and His Atoning sacrifice as well as a deeper understanding our Heavenly Father's plan for us.  

A horse drawn hearse - probably a Tabiona tradition.
The procession of automobiles followed it all the way to the cemetery.

The following Tuesday was election day and history was made.  We witnessed a miracle as the vote tallies began to come in.  They were in Donald Trump's favor which led to his eventual win of the Presidency of the United States. He is not the most honorable candidate but the alternative, Hillary Clinton, would have taken this country even farther down the left's progressive road then did President O'Bama. We went to bed late that night with a renewed sense of hope for our country's return to its former greatness. It truly was a miracle that a Republican could so soundly beat the Democratic corrupt machine. The American people were fed up with government as usual, especially the policies and executive orders of this past 8 years.  We have a renewed faith in the American people and so grateful they would finally stand up and be counted!



Mid month, I flew to Oregon to babysit Andrea and Casey's girls for a week. Casey and Andrea went, for a second time, on a business convention trip to Florida. This time Charlotte and a friend went with them for a 'senior trip' experience so I only had 4 girls to take care of.  My week was getting up early enough to be dressed and ready with lunches to get Jillian and Maggie to early morning seminary.  Then it was picking them up, taking them to high school and Allison to middle school. At 8:25 I dropped Lydia off at elementary school and was pretty much free till it was time to reverse the order and pick them all up from school. Evenings meant getting dinner and making sure piano practicing and homework got done. This babysitting of grandchildren gets easier with each passing year.

 Of course we had to bake sugar cookies and frost them.  It is a tradition that Grandma makes some kind of cookie whenever I come to Eugene.

It is always nice to see the sun in Oregon.  I have a hard
time with all the clouds and rain whenever I'm at Andrea's.
This time the clouds parted to let the sun in more than I had
expected, based on the weather reports.  That's always a treat.

Paul stayed home and went to two ball games and attended all our missionary meetings - ward councils, lunch with the elders at the Chapels, the mission tour meeting, and the stake missionary coordination meeting.  He visited again with the Kinsey's, Rick and Carolyn.   

Thanksgiving always means tea rings
for breakfast.  I baked an extra one
for Jon and MIndi to take home.

The Tuesday after I got home, we fixed a lunch for the Elders and the Chapels and then it was Thanksgiving. Jon and Mindi and three of their children joined us for a late afternoon turkey dinner. We were glad they could come up as it's always better to share Thanksgiving with family. We loved being with them and giving thanks for the many blessing we all have. 

Carly loves helping Grandpa - even carving the turkey

All set for our traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings.
Note the red china being used.  It was a gift for our 50th
wedding anniversary last year.

We had a delightful lunch here at our home with Sarah Bunnell Bray, the daughter of old friends in Spokane.  She had recently moved to Heber from back East and was needing to be with someone familiar.  We had been meaning to have her to our home so this was the perfect opportunity to get together and visit. I served Cafe Rio chicken soup - perfect for a cold and showy day. 

We spent the week of Thanksgiving promoting the Church's Christmas program. To all our inactive and non member neighbors in the Crossing, we took an invitation to the ward Christmas party as well as a pass along card and 25 day calendar.  We took time with each of them and explained about the Christmas video, Light The World, and the suggested 25 ways of emulating Christ in 25 days as outlined on the calendar. It was great to reconnect with our neighbors and do a little missionary work at the same time.


On the next to the last day of November, we had a delightful lunch at the Chapels with the Elders and then were fortunate to catch an inactive sister, Jamie Shaw, at home. She came out of her trailer to talk with us and we had a wonderful 20 minute visit with her.  We gave her the 25 day calendar, too, and challenged her to do the things outlined on the calendar to emulate Christ.  Our day ended with a visit to the Hiltons. They are an older couple who were so gracious to us the first time we met with them. This time we showed them the Light the World video and gave them the 25 day calendar.  Again, we challenged them to follow the ideas on the calendar and told them that we would follow up with them after Christmas to see what special things they were able to do to emulate the Savior.  We look forward to that visit and hope we can inspire them to go back to church.  They know they should go every Sunday but haven't for over a year.  

That's about all for this November.  It did turn cold this month and that brought with it our first blanket of snow.  We always pray for a good amount of snow in the winter so we'll have plenty of water during

the summer months.  

And then there's Aria - as cute as ever.

Loving the drawer filled with our plastic storage containers