On March 12 we completed 22 years of marriage. We were privileged to spend most of the day in the Jordan River Temple, participating in temple ordinances on behalf of Debbie's ancestors. While we were in the temple, the world increased in chaos over the Coronavirus. This included the cancelling of public gatherings in the state of Utah and the biggest loss in the stock market in the past 30 years. We are grateful that we know that God is in charge and that those things that are eternal, such as our marriage, will last forever.
It has been 2 months since we last updated our blog. In that time, we have been thrilled to increase our study of the Book of Mormon following the Come Follow Me curriculum, have tried to serve our community in the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, the Cornerstone Condominium Home Owners Association and in the Sunday School of our ward, and continued our our service to our family on both sides of the veil. We consider these to be our eternal priorities and the focus of our lives.
Come Follow Me
We have loved the emphasis on Home Centered Education since the beginning of 2019. We have learned so much more than ever before and have grown together as a married couple. Each day we study individually and each night we then study together, sharing what we have learned during the day and supplementing our study with general conference talks and with podcasts or YouTube presentations. These YouTube presentation have been prepared by many knowledgeable members of the Church who are willing to share their understanding, fulfilling the scriptural mandate to "teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom . . . that all may be edified". This sharing by others has greatly increased our understanding and blessed us with new and inspiring insights. The following are examples of the photos that I take of the presentations while we study so that we can remember the highlights of what we learn. I just share a few of the many that are available and edifying.
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| From "Don't Miss This", a podcast that we usually listen to on Sunday Evening |
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| From Teaching with Power |
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| From Book of Mormon Central, an amazing discussion about the doctrine of Christ and the ancient temple |
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| From Steve Scott |
As the ward Sunday School president, I have felt inspired for the Sunday School to be the Church Support of Home Centered Gospel Learning. We have emphasized the formation of informal study groups and have started a ward Facebook group. We have asked a very capable sister to administer the page. We now have 29 members of the ward participating as members of our ward group with several others who are participating but have not yet accepted their invite. For many of our seniors, they need hands on help to follow the needed steps. Overall, we have enjoyed this Facebook group and have found additional resources for our own study. As we discover new insights or resources we try to share them with others so that "all may be edified".
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| A screen shot of our Facebook Page today with 29 members |
Tom and Debbie's Birthdays and Anniversary
We have just completed celebrating our birthdays and ou wedding anniversary. Debbie's birthday is in January, mine was in February, and March 12th was our wedding anniversary. For my birthday, I received some music books for the trumpet. I had not played my trumpet for a long time, but this gave me a good reason to start playing again. Debbie adjusted the register of her new piano to match my trumpet and we were able to play duets together. It is fun to put a little bit of music into our combined lives.
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| Tom's Birthday presents, music stand and music books and a few books and socks |
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| Debbie and I enjoying our birthday presents and music together |
On my birthday, Debbie allowed me to spend time with my passion, doing family history research. Through research on that day and the weeks before and after, Debbie and I were able to locate several more of Debbie's great grandparents and their families from the on-line Gispersleben parish records. For me this is really exciting, especially since we were able to extend lines that had been dead ended for many, many years. Three days later we were able to perform 50 baptisms for the dead with four of our grandchildren for these very same relatives. We find this is gratifying.
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| Our four grandchildren that helped perform the baptisms. Joseph had his first opportunity to perform the baptisms as a newly ordained priest. Jon had his first opportunity to participate as a newly ordained deacon. |
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| The 50 baptisms and confirmations performed, the majority were from the Gispersleben parish records. Several were Debbie's direct great . . . grandparents |
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| We always enjoy a dinner with our grandchildren after doing baptisms |
On our anniversary we kept the gifts to a minimum but decided to spend the day together.
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| Flowers, a Charity is the Pure Love of Christ necklace and a scripture a day book for Don't Miss This |
We started in the temple, where we were able to complete the temple work for some of these families whose baptisms were performed less than two weeks earlier. We chose to do the work for two of Debbie's great . . . grandparents and then seal them together and to their child that was Debbie's direct ancestor. We did a little bit more, but this is best represented by the temple cards below:
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| Direct Ancestors linked together on our Anniversary |
As we completed these ordinances, Debbie took her shift to play the organ in the temple and I went ahead and completed some initiatory ordinances for other ancestors. I was then able to sit in the chapel for a few minutes and listen to my wife play the organ. She is an amazing individual that I have been blessed to have as my eternal companion. I am so exceedingly grateful.
After leaving the temple we had dinner together and then headed to the Hale Center Theater where we had tickets for a play. As we arrived we found out that the play had been canceled due to the Coronavirus concerns and the announcement by the governor while we were in the temple.
We were disappointed but came home and enjoyed the evening together watching a few inspiring movies. It was a wonderful anniversary that we will never forget.
A new Son-in-law
Debbie's oldest daughter, KariLyn, became a widow the first week after we moved to Germany. Since then she has worked hard to become a registered nurse and support her family as a single mom. Recently she fell in love with Michael Shelton and they made arrangements to get sealed in the temple. They made their plans based on an expected clearance to be sealed together, which required First Presidency approval, since they had both been previously sealed to others in the temple. They scheduled their wedding for January 31, 2020. As the date approached it became clear that there were still hurdles to overcome before they would receive their clearance. On February 1, they went to the temple for guidance and felt assured that they should move ahead and be married civilly and then return to be sealed once the clearances are completed. It was a wonderful example of finally accepting the Lord's will instead of doing it exactly like Kari had wanted it.
So the very same day, they scheduled a simple ceremony in their home and we gained a son-in-law with three additional grandchildren, born to Michael from former marriages.
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| Married by their bishop in their home |
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| With big smiles after their marriage ceremony |
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| Close-up on the wedding rings |
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| The completed Marriage License/Certificate |
Sealing Families Together forever
We clearly believe in eternal families. We believe that as our ancestors receive the gospel, they also want and need to be sealed to their families. This is the greatest joy in temple work, as these sealing ordinances are completed. Quarterly, we meet with our siblings and enjoy this special moment together in a sealing room in the temple. February was our month to have this sacred experience, February 1 with my brothers and mother and February 15 with Debbie's siblings. This also gives us a wonderful reason to be with our siblings on a regular basis. It helps to serve so many purposes on both sides of the veil.
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| Tom's Family - 9 couples and 44 children sealed together, many were multiple children to the same parents, often performed in one single sealing ordinance, including 3 direct great . . . grandparents |
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| 10 couples and 24 children sealed together, including direct great . . . grandparents for Debbie's Family. Most of the children sealed were groups of siblings sealed to the same parents in a single ordinance. |
On Valentine's Day Debbie and I were also able to do multiple ordinances in the temple, including multiple sealings. There are also other sealing groups that participate in sealing for our family members. Thankfully, we have a continual number of individuals who are ready to receive these sacred ordinances. Each time we listen to the words, we are reminded of our own covenants with each other and with our Father in Heaven.
Service to Others
We both are able to serve in our community. I serve as a member of the HOA management committee. Debbie is the editor of our monthly newsletter. Debbie also serves as the Camp Captain for the local Daughters of Utah Pioneers camp. This fills some of our hours with a chance to give back to those in our community. We find it rewarding to be able to give this type of service.
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| A little sample of the newsletter that Debbie creates and distributes monthly. She uses her creative touch to add borders, interesting articles and jokes. The residents love the jokes! |
During January, we had the annual meeting of our HOA and elected new officers. With this change, my responsibilities were changed from Buildings and Roads to Landscaping. This corresponded to other changes made. So I will not be changing light bulbs anymore but will be responsible to work with different contractors to take care of the landscaping and maintenance care of our lawns and garden areas. For the first few months, it has been an easier job, but that will change as spring comes.
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| Annual meeting of the HOA |
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| New Management Team for the Cornerstone Condominiums |
We have also been working with our son Ben to find additional service opportunities in the community. I first went with him to serve dinner to the homeless at the Rescue Mission. He decided that he would prefer to help with the children of the homeless. He and I got oriented and cleared to serve at the Road Home. We went together on one Thursday afternoon to help with the "Playtime with the Littles". I loved seeing his smile as he worked with these preschool children. He has signed up for each week for the near future.
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| Ben in front of the Road Home, no photos allowed inside for privacy reasons |
Debbie and I have followed up with additional visits to the Rescue Mission to help prepare and serve lunch. This has been a gratifying experience. Meals are provided to probably around 100 homeless individuals each and every day. We especially enjoy working with the individuals who are on the "program", preparing and cleaning up for the meals. These individuals are in the middle of trying to change their lives and are an inspiration to us. We hope to be able to serve here on a monthly basis, although volunteering may be on hold with the Coronavirus challenges.
One of our continuing opportunities to serve is with our disabled daughter Camila. As her health declines, her challenges become greater. We were able to meet with the Huntington Disease team and the guardians of her children in January. This turned out to be a very helpful group therapy type session, to understand feelings of the guardians and the children and to organize our efforts going forward. We are thankful for their aunt Caren who takes the major role in raising three of the children and Steve and Jamie who are raising Cherish. We appreciate their letting us remain a part of these children's lives.
Recently Camila was admitted into an emergency room due to her inability to sleep at night or during the day. This had contributed to more agitation and reactions from her. As I spent several hours with her in the hospital, I found it a special sacred time. With no one else near, I was able to talk to her about her life experiences on this earth. I felt the spirit very strongly. We were able to reminisce about the many experiences that she has had. I know that she cannot communicate back, but I also felt that she understood my words. I felt prompted to give her a priesthood blessing, which I was able to do without interruption.
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| Camila in the emergency room of the hospital |
I don't know what she has still to endure in this life, but I know that I am learning so much from her. I feel like I am on holy ground when I am with her. I feel that she remains alive to teach me and others. She is certainly a chosen daughter of our Heavenly Father, clean and pure. I know that all will be well with her when she returns to her Heavenly Father.
Caring for her is getting more difficult, but those workers at the Canyon Rim Care Center continue to serve her with love. Unfortunately, during this Coronavirus time, all visitors are prohibited at the Care Center.
Temple Workers Devotional
In February we had our annual Jordan River Temple workers devotional. There are about 4,500 temple workers in the Jordan River Temple, a significant increase since the Salt Lake Temple was closed for renovation at the end of last year. The devotional was held in the Salt Lake Tabernacle and viewed in Church meetinghouses in Nevada, Tooele and West Jordan for those who could not attend at the Tabernacle. President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve, spoke to us. He shared several examples where the hand of the Lord and those on the other side helped Family History and Temple work to be accomplished. The choir that sang was comprised of temple workers.
As we sat in the tabernacle, we were in awe at the number of people who consecrate so much of their lives to serve in this temple. We are blessed to be able to associate with these amazing workers.
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| President Ballard with the Jordan River Temple and Matron, President Burton and Linda Burton, and the former Salt Lake Temple President and Matron, President Wixom and Rosemary Wixom who also spoke. Also in attendance are the counselors of the Jordan River Temple and their wives (assistant matrons). |
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| Debbie and the temple workers choir in the tabernacle |
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| Part of the royal army of ordinance workers |
Family Events
We held our Family Gathering in January to organize and plan our 2020 family activities. We then had our next activity, a Leap Year game afternoon, held on February 29. This turned out quite well. It seemed that all that attended had fun. The younger grandkids do well with each other, allowing their parents to participate with other adults. Being a Saturday, we were able to have Pizza brought in to make the meal side of things easier. We love being with our family and share of their love.
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| Tables set up for our January family gathering. No additional photos taken. We were too busy planning. |
We have the privilege to watch grandchildren receive recognition or perform. Some of these follow:
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| We were pleased to have Giovanna and her husband Leo over for dinner. We are planning a baby shower for her as she has her first child, little Sophia. We hope that this can happen with everything that is going on in the world at this time. |
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| McKenzie received her Young Women's Medallion for completing her Personal Progress as she turned twelve. Quite an accomplishment, we are proud of her. |
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| Katelyn singing with her Concert Choir |
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| Jon, as part of the ensemble in "A Mid Summer Night's Dream" |
Birthdays and more Birthdays
