Preparing to say Good-bye

City Creek Park, Salt Lake City

The weekend of May 10th, Mother's Day, all our children and grandchildren gathered together for one last party. We took the grandchildren to Salt Lake where we played at City Creek Park. They were having a great time and Paul said "why move them on to something else when they are having such a great time." He was right. Eventually someone had to use the bathroom so we made our way over to the Joseph Smith Memorial, Church office bldg. and then back home. We did get a family picture taken and when we get it we will post it.

Here we have three generations, Paul, Rob, Robbie and Riley

Brigham Young Park

Saturday morning Courtney and I went to the Jordan River Temple to do some baptisms. I am also very proud of her because she finished reading this Book of Mormon for the first time today. I must say Kaylee has finished the Book of Mormon, D & C and is working on the Pearl of Great Price. Way to go!! When we came out of the temple we ran into our dear friends the Amsdens from Palmyra New York who were here for a wedding of a granddaughter. What a wonderful surprise. They were so good to us in Palmyra, Dee taught us in the temple office and this is the family Paul mowed the back 20 for.

Monday morning Paul and I left for California. We went through Blanding, Utah to visit an old friend from Agoura. She was my mentor those many years ago, Glenalee Casper. Oh the good visit we had reminiscing and catching up on what all our children are doing. They have a beautiful new home in Blanding and she is an incredible gardener. She gave us a grand tour of Blanding.

We left Blanding Tuesday morning and drove through Monument Valley, stopped to see the Goose Neck Canyons. It seems pretty desolate but absolutely beautiful rock formations. We had hoped to see our good friends, Jack and Sally Woldberg, in Kingman but they were in Camarillo.

We stayed that night in Upland at my brother Gary and Diane's home and had a good visit with them. From there we drove to Hemet for a visit with Edwina. All of these and those to come have had immense impact on our lives. We love you all dearly.

In Camarillo we were able to visit with many more people who have touched our lives. These are just a few of the ones we were able to spend a little time with. Shirley Porter lived with us for a few years.

We met Bill and Carolyn Skinner when Paul was Bishop. They are an inspiration and joy in our lives. They have taught us so much.

Bishop Roy and Nancy Hales have encouraged us to get going. He always keeps track of us and continually gives us guidance and counsel.

The Laurie and Steve Sullivan family we have known and loved for years. Laurie and I go way back to YW leaders day. What a great family.

There are so many more of you that we had an opportunity to visit with at the LA temple chapel session and Stake Conference. We cannot adequately express our love and appreciation for the influence for good you have had on our family. President Blickenstaff set us apart as missionaries on Thursday May 14th and Paul was able to bear his testimony in Sunday Stake Conference when Elder Maynes invited him to do so. It was an inspiring conference.


Monday morning 10:30 am we checked ourselves into the MTC. We started a whirlwind week of training in "Preach My Gospel". We were one of 19 couples and 1 sister going all over the world. Many were CES, but some were leadership, Military Relations, and PEF. We did a lot of hands on teaching and learning. Everyday we taught a lesson to an investigator. That was an experience of being bold and coming out of our comfort zone, at least for me.

The young returned missionaries who worked with us are incredible.

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Jill Cassinat was our language tutor. We have been working with her for over a month on the language. She served in Croatia and has been home a year. She was such a great help. We also got to meet the young Elders and Sisters who will be going over with us. Volim Te (I love you) Hvala (thank you). We had tutoring Wed, Thur and Fri evenings this last week in the evenings. Friday night we all came together and had a testimony meeting where we were able to share our testimonies in the language of the mission we were going to. We had Poland, Croatia, Mexico, Switzerland, and Russian.

Paul has born his testimony in Croatian at least three times now, at Stake Conference in California, at the MTC and today in our talks in the RiverRidge 9th Ward. I will leave mine with you.


Braco i Sestre, Znam da je crkva istinita. Znam da ye Krist zivi. Znam da je Isus nas Spasitelj. Znam da je Bog nas Otac. Znam da ye Thomas S. Monson prorok danas. Znam da ye Joseph Smith prorok. Znam da ja sam dijete Bezje. Znam da je Mormonova Knjiga istinita. Volim svog Nebeddkog Oca, znam da onzivi te nas voli. U ime Isusa Krista Amen

Pray for us, we will do our best. MTC Missionary group week of May 18, 2009

Elder & Sister Buchanan were in charge of us and did a great job.

Trip to California

We left early this morning for Blanding. We arrived around noon and Glenalee was working away in her beautiful garden. Her home is gorgious and in such a lovely spot. She took us on tour. We started at the Museum then drove up to the mountain for a picnic lunch. Sat next to a stream in the shade of the trees.

Mission Update

Time for an update. Time is flying by too quickly. They changed the visa rules in Croatia and so asked us to move our MTC and departure times up. We enter the MTC on May 18th and fly out on June 8 along with six other Elders and Sisters. What fun.

The couple we are replacing, The Stirlings, leave Croatia on June 30th and they want time to train us and we certainly want all the training we can get. We have been going to language tutoring twice a week for about three weeks now. We are trying to learn prayers, testimony and general terms. It's coming. Jill is our tutor and she served there a year and a half ago. Robbie is about as good as we are at the language. We come home and practice on him.

We are spending time with the grandchildren. Last night we were at Kory's for a sleep over while they went to see "Wicked". We have been to Kimberly and Gary's about three times baby sitting for them and we play with Robbie and Riley every day.

Kelly is going to have a baby in November. We will miss that of course but are going to have Skype and a webcam so at least we can talk and see the new baby.

Our new phone # is 801-208-9450. Our cell # will be out of commission when we leave. we will have our blog going and of course email. Keep in touch.

I'm going to come back and edit this and add a few pictures.

Mission Call Received

Yesterday we received our mission call. We are so excited and very surprised. We were called to the Slovenia/Croatia Mission. Now you ask where is that? That is what we said. It is surrounded by Austria, Hungary, Bosnia and the Adriatic Sea. We have spoken with a few people who have been there and we understand it is a beautiful place.

We enter the MTC on August 10th. If anyone has been there let us know. We know the Lord is in charge and we are happy to serve. We will be working with Church Education and so that means we will get to be with lots of young people. Let us hear from you.

Where does the time go? It's been a whole month. We need to get back on a mission where we have more structure.

Paul went in for prostrate surgery on the 28th of January. He had it removed by robotics here at Intermountain Medical Center by Dr. Bishoff. He was out the next day and has been doing really well every since.

South Jordan has an ice pond next to the Library so we all went ice skating one Saturday. Kory and Katie joined us but couldn't get the boys to put on skates. Robbie had the most fun.

Kimberly and Gary went snowmobiling for five days and we went to babysit the kids. We had a great time with them. We also got a little snow and Mallorie was my great helper in cleaning off the driveway. We decided they have way too much driveway. Paul was laid up from his surgery so he missed out on the fun of snow removal.

We all (Katie, Tyler, Josh, Kelly, Rob, Robbie, Riley and me) went to the circus in South Jordan. We had such fun. I can't remember when I was last at a circus. It was really good. They had three motorcycles in one of those round balls all going at the same time. Incredible.

Kelly and Courtney celebrated their birthdays on February 4th. Kelly got to go bowling and a movie.

We had a mini Mission 2008 reunion in Provo at the home of Marge and Ray Pestanas. It was so fun to catch up with everyone on what they were doing. We were fortunate enough to have Pres. & Sister Jones with us. They were home on a short visit.

We were back to Kimberly's this last weekend. They went to Stanley snowmobiling this time. We got to Idaho just in time to go with Kimberly to her quilting class where we learned to make pillowcases.

Grandpa and I took the kids to the movies, Courtney was at Pomerelle skiing with the school ski club.

After the movies we drove over to Shoshone Falls to see if the water was running. It's really beautiful. By the time we got back into town it was snowing.

Bishop Hales called to see if we were doing our part in reaching the Ward goal of 2009 ordinances this year so I have been going to the temple quite often. Paul was able to go with me this morning and we did some initiatories. It's great to be back there together.

We had a fun week but not many pictures so bear with me. Kelly, the boys and I went on a tour of the Sweet Candy factory in Salt Lake. We put on our hair nets, took off all our jewelry and were told we would be walking very close to lots of candy and we could not touch it. They gave us samples along the way so we were able to keep our hands to ourselves. Katie and boys were suppose to go with us but they have been sick. We bought $28 worth of candy to can in jars for our emergency stash. They say in an emergency we will want chocolate. Of course we got cinnamon bears and taffy too.

Wednesday we met Sis. Payne for lunch. She was a sister missionary in Palmyra and was such a great missionary. She lives in Sandy and just got a job in St. George with a radio station there. We were happy to met up with her before she left. After lunch we went to the FH Center and visited with the Rikers who are serving a Family History Mission and served in the Palmyra Temple with us. We met the greatest people in Palmyra.

Sis. Payne is in the Red sweater and shite shirt in the middle.

Thursday morning, 7:30 am, we met the Crookstons and took a tour of the new Draper Temple. Beautiful, beautiful. We kept saying how much room they have compared to the Palmyra Temple. Friday we attended the Jordan River Temple for Ward Temple day.

Friday night is pizza and movie or game night with Kelly & Rob and Saturday morning I drove to Lehi to baby sit for Kory and Katie while they went to the temple.

Paul has come down with a cold and we hope he gets better before Wednesday when we leave to go to Idaho where we will baby sit for Kimberly and Gary while they snowmobile for a few days. Tonight, Sunday, we went to the Conference Center for a Devotional for the Jordan River Temple. The new presidency spoke and it was a great meeting. We are so blessed and count our blessings every day.

Ring out the Old, Ring in the New

On FHE night we went to Temple Square with Kelly and boys and Kory and Katie and boys. It was a beautiful night, not too cold. We took hot chocolate and donuts to enjoy. The boys didn't want to leave the visitor's center especially after I told them I would give them a quarter for each mural they could tell me the story of. They made a little money that night.

Kelly and boys at Temple Square. Rob was at work.

Gage, Kory, Tyler, Katie and Josh at Temple Square

On December 19th we celebrated Josh and Paul's birthday. Katie made two cakes, one for each of them. Josh is 5 and Paul is 65. We had a reindeer party and it was fun.

We went to Island Park two days before Christmas and missed the big snowstorm getting there. Kimberly and Gary and family came in Wednesday and Kelly and Rob had to wait til the day after Christmas to get here. Kory and family decided not to come since the roads were so bad and they could only stay the weekend. I personally went on a couple of snowmobile trips with Kimberly, Gary, and Rob. Had a great time. We spent time at the clubhouse swimming, and playing racquetball.

After snowmobiling all day the guys came in and played Guitar Hero all night. The kids had a hard time getting any time on it.

Kaylee, Gary, Mallorie, Brayden, Kimberly and Courtney on Christmas eve in the Christmas pajamas.

South Jordan has a little ice skating rink so Saturday we met Kory and Katie and tried skating. You can see that only Paul, Robbie and Kelly were brave enough to try it. We had a good time anyway.

Paul and I went to the Capital building to see Gov. Huntsman inaugurated. That was interesting and we got to hear David Archiletto sing the Star Spangled Banner. Paul got interviewed by Fox 13 but didn't make it on the evening news. We have been to the temple many times and enjoy our time there. The weather is cold and Paul keeps busy keeping the huge driveway cleared off. That was his major job at the cabin over Christmas. Have a great week. It's good to get back to blogging again. I hope to be more consistent now.

We have finally landed!!!

It has been some time since we last wrote but we are now settling in and have Internet access again. We have had a great month. We left Palmyra on October 31st after finishing our final shift and cleaning assignment. That Friday morning eight couple missionaries and Pres. & Sister Jones looked out the clear window and watched the sun rise over the sacred grove. What a glorious experience. We had also had a wonderful temple session with all the Presidency and missionaries that week on one of the sessions. We served with a great group of people.

Our lasts goodbyes to our beloved Temple President and wife, Ralph and Timmy Siebach. They were so very good to us and we love them dearly.

Our last view of the Palmyra Temple. Even as I write it brings tears to my eyes. We spent much of the last week in Palmyra seeing all the sites one more time and feeling that special prompting of the Holy Ghost that this great work is true and that there are prophets on the earth again and Christ's church has been restored in its fullness. What a blessing in our lives.

A few of us pulling out from the temple Friday morning. The Pestanas, Lewis' and Gehrigs.

Our greeting home from a few of the grandchildren. Kory and Katie and Tyler, Josh and Gage came up to Kelly's for dinner and to welcome us back.

After three days we took off for Camarillo, California. We took Kelly, Robbie and Riley with us.

We arrived at the Los Angeles Temple Apartments and Rose, our dear friend, had a beautiful orchid waiting for us to welcome us back. Paul spent Saturday in the temple helping with the Camarillo Stake Baptism day. He was there from 5:30 am to 8:00 pm. What a great opportunity to see so many of the people from our Stake. While in Camarillo we had the privilege of speaking in the Camarillo 1st and 2nd Wards on the 9th, then in Stake Conference on the next Sunday and on the 23rd in the Oxnard 1st and Camarillo 6th Wards. I think we're done for awhile. We did enjoy bearing testimony of this great work.

Riley ran right up to Minnie with his arms outstretched. He turned 2 on the 6th of December, his party is tomorrow night.

Robbie really did have a good time. Can't remember what the frown was for.

I got to spend a day with my dear friend, Edwina, in Hemet. We were lucky enough to catch her daughter, Lesliann and her son Spencer, who were visiting from Alabama. Alaina is standing next to me, Edwina's daughter who is 12.

We took a quick one day trip to Jerome, Idaho to see Kimberly, Gary and family. Then on our way home from California we went back that way and spent a week and Thanksgiving with them.

Black Friday we were up at 3:30 to go to the Penny's sale where Kimberly, Paul and Sheri had to have leather jackets. We have Kimberly, Debbie, Staci, Alex, and Sheri. We had a fun time and kept the economy going.

On the way back to Utah we had to drive past my growing up home. It brings back such memories.

Only one picture would come in and isn't it wonderful. A view from the "clear window" of the temple looking down at the Sacred Grove.

Last week we shut down our Internet and so I was not able to do a blog. This week we are using the Palmyra Inn's Internet so I hope to give you a quick update on our final weeks in Palmyra.

Last weekend we traveled to Messena, NY which is on the northern border of NY on the St. Lawrence River. It's about 4 hours from here. We truly felt we were in the Mission Field. They had 14 people to church and four of us were missionaries. Nevertheless it was a wonderful experience and what great and faithful members they have there. They also had an investigator. We had a great time with them. We spoke in Sacrament meeting and then gave our "Come to the Palmyra Temple" presentation for Pres. Siebach, the temple president.

There were still a few beautiful colors but most were already gone. On our way home we stopped in 1000 Islands and had another look at that beautiful area.

For FHE last week we had a movie night. We saw "The Ultimate Gift". What a sweet story, we all loved it. We got to watch it on the big screen in the Visitors Center. We had a fairly busy week at the temple and were able to work in all the areas of the temple including the baptistry. What sweet experiences we have had.

Thursday we got to go over to the Waltons for a photo shoot. Brother Walton was doing a photo seminar and needed a few models. That was fun. Saturday evening we had a surprise party for us given by a dear friend, Amy Dalycus, from the Palmyra Ward. We had a great spaghetti dinner and lots of fun visiting with many people we have met here in Palmyra.

Today was our last Sunday in Palmyra. We had the Crookstons, Amsdens, and Harris' over for dinner. A great salmon dinner, which the Crookstons provided. Then we drove out to the Whitmer Farm for a last tour. We were fortunate enough to get Sis. James. She is wonderful and as many times as we have been there we heard new things. These site missionaries are just wonderful. We then made it to the Sacred Grove as it was getting dark and then to the Hill where we went into the Visitor Center. It was raining and lightening so I refused to walk up the Hill. Another time.

This will be our last blog until we get home. We leave on Friday afternoon and are heading to Utah and California. This mission has been a great blessing in our lives. We have loved it and come to love our Savior, Jesus Christ, even more. How blessed we are to have the gospel restored and in our lives. I hope we all appreciate this great blessing we have and share it with others. Love to you all.

This has been a beautiful week, the weather is great and the colors are beautiful. We have to enjoy while we can because we hear it is dropping to the 50's the middle of this week. We have had several tour groups coming through on a fall colors and church history tour. It's been fun to have them. This is the sacred grove as seen from the temple.

This is Jerry and Pamela Tidds from Meadville, PA. We met these wonderful people in June when we visited and spoke in their Ward. Pamela came to the temple in July to receive her endowment and Jerry came Friday to receive his endowment and to be sealed. Paul and I were privileged to be with them in both sessions. They had also been to the temple to do baptisms and we were privileged to help them there.

These are their friends who came with them. Bishop and Sister Welter and the young sister in the green shirt (Sister Johnson) was the missionary who taught Bro. Tidd the gospel. She flew back to be here from Utah for this special day. We met them for dinner Thursday evening and had a wonderful visit.

Monday evening for FHE we met at the Whitmer Farm and had a special visit from "Joseph". Elder Neil Pitts, portraying Joseph, came in while we were singing "Praise To The Man" and retold us the organization of the church on April 6, 1830. What a special evening this turned out to be.

This is President Ralph and Timmy Siebach, our Temple President & Matron. We had our release interview with them this week. These two people have touched our lives in wonderful ways and we love them deeply.

We had our first morning of frost this week. The sun came out and it has been beautiful ever since. Kimberly said they were expecting a frost also so she went out and picked all her tomatoes 7 gallon buckets full.

Saturday, Oct. 11 Tyler Zachery Lewis was baptized by his father, Kory. He had wonderful support from all of his family. Katie's family, parents, brother and sister and families and her grandparents were all there and Kimberly and Kelly and their families were also there. We are so proud of you, Tyler, you have set a great example for your brothers and cousins. Today, Sunday, is Kory's 33rd birthday, Happy Birthday Kory, we love you.