Memorial Scholarship

Twenty-three years ago after my mother passed, her boss, Frederic Eberlein set up an outstanding 8th grader award along with a scholarship.  He put enough money in the fund to last for 20 years. It's been given out for 23 years with enough left for one more year.

The criteria are as follows:
1. Student has displayed and demonstated a positive attitude, cooperative, considerate, courteous.
2. Character:  willingness to follow rules, dependable, truthful, punctual.
3.  Outstanding within their own dimensions regardless of ability or disability.
4.  Academic achievement commensurate to one's ability.
5.  Involement in extra-curricular activities.

This is voted on by the staff.

Mr. Klopke always presented the award when he was still working at school.  Since his retirement, I have been asked if I would like to present this award.  Over the past several years I  have taken this responsibility with great joy.  The funds in the account are low and my husband and I are considering funding it for many more years.  In fact, if we do that, I'd like to add my dad's name to the scholarship as he was a local hard-working businessman.

It fills my heart to know that someone thought enough of my mother's work ethic to name an award and a scholarship for her.  I think that is a testament to her character.

Excitement!

 Back in December when we were interviewed by Elder Scott, our area Seventy, to be extended the calling as Area Temple and Family History Advisors, I will admit I had my reservations.  I sat and listened to him describe the calling (He wasn't too sure what it all involved, or so it seemed.)  I knew it was something I had no desire to do and didn't know how I could tell a Seventy "no."  Since my husband had alread accepted, I didn't feel I had much choice.  Besides, I have covenanted to do whatever I can to build up the Kingdom of God on the earth.

In the past 6-8 weeks, I have discovered that I can add memories to my family search page and those of my relatives.  I've gone crazy!  I've uploaded more than 150 photos and stories and documents.  I started with obituaries since they tell a story.  Then I started with photos and finally stories.

I feel that finding these people's names is really important.  But just as important is finding out who they were.  Pictures tell a lot of stories.

 Cards and letters tell an even greater story.  I spent several hours typing people's words from their condolence cards into my parents' memories.

 Anyone who takes the time to look and read will find out that my dad was a kind, gentle, generous man with a heart as big as all outdoors.

 You'll find out that my mother was a woman of great testimony and who loved to serve.  Mostly anonymously.  She loved and cherished others.

 You will find out that others looked up to and wanted to be like them.  This is a marvelous legacy they have left for their posterity.  Now the grandchildren will have place to get to know these wonderful people.

 Once I feel I'm finished with them, I will go on to my grandparents.  I've actually started a little there as well.

 I wrote my own conversion story after I typed one of my mother.  I I researched her conversion by speaking with my dad and my uncle as well as the missionaries who taught her.  I wish it were her own words instead of mine but I don't have them.  What's worse is that I know nothing of my own father's conversion.  He was here and I never asked him.

As we meet with the stake presidencies and high counselors over family history, I am inviting them to write their conversion stories as well as the courtship with their wife and about their missions.  The Lord has commanded that we keep records and this is one way of doing it.

My husband has been bitten by the research bug and I have been bitten by the memory bug.  It is truly exciting!

Stake President Wrap Up

Who knew that when a person gets released from being the Stake President that an area historian would contact them and ask for you and your wife to do an oral history?  Certainly not us!  This wonderful woman, Sister Rosemary Palmer along with her husband are area historians.  The best part of their calling is that they live in Nauvoo kitty corner from the temple.  A beautiful home built to look like it fit in the Nauvoo era.  This oral history could easily have been done via the phone but they live in NAUVOO so we made the trip.

We left on a Thursday afternoon and stopped for the night in Poplar Grove to spend some time with Jack and Sharmon Ward.  We love those two people.  We met them while he served as an area seventy.  They have been called to serve as President of the Roseville, California Mission.  We asked some questions about their receiving this call.  They talked about a lot of things and concerns they hadn't spoken to anyone else about.  I guess we are far enough removed that they didn't have a problem voicing the things they are feeling.

We enjoyed a wonderful evening meal and another wonderful meal for breakfast with them.  It was just so great being with them again.  They are truly kindred spirits to us.  Our entire visit consisted of talking about the gospel.  We didn't worry about the things of the world and barely discussed anything like that.  Just a good-for-the-soul kind of visit.

We traveled to Nauvoo on Friday and stayed at "Nauvoo Neil's" home on the flats.  We took the Community of Christ tour.  I can imagine what the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints would do to those homes if they owned them.  Still, a nice tour.

We attended the temple in the evening.  It was the first time in months that I have gone through an endowment session as a patron.  I believe October was the last time.  As I sit through it, I image what I need to do as the follower.  I did help an elderly woman with dressing as much as I could.  It was a very nice evening and we went home and to bed early after finding out how the boy's basketball team fared.

The next morning was our traditional meal at Grandpa John's and then over to the Palmer's for the purpose of our trip.  We spent 3+ hours with them talking about the history of the church in our area as well as our time growing up and what our families were like.  We spoke of our important callings through the years.  By the time we were finished, we hadn't even begun talking about the stake president calling.  We agreed to finish the interview on Tuesday evening via phone due to our need to get on the way to Wausau for stake conference.

The time we spent at the Palmer's was very interesting spiritually.  Pat shed quite a few tears and I only a few.  It was basically us talking about our lives and adding our viewpoints or other details when each of us took our turn.  It was quite spiritual reliving those time and experiences.

On Tuesday we finished the history.  This was most exclusively about the calling as stake president. This time Pat did the bulk of the talking and I added a few details here and there.  It was much more spiritual for me this time.  I could barely speak without shedding a tear.  At the conclusion we were able to bear our testimonies.  It was a sacred experience for me/us.

The Struggle is Real

When I was younger I thought that perhaps, just maybe, I would have to assist one of my parents in their old age.  In reality, my mom.  Of course, she passed from this life far too young and I never had that thought again.  I never thought I would have to care for my dad because he was always so full of life and vigor.  As it turned out, I cared for him for a few weeks prior to his hospitalization and eventual demise.  It wasn't difficult as he slept a lot and really didn't need any help except that he was no longer driving so he needed someone to take him where he wanted to go.  Usually just to the mill.

I never dreamed that it would be one of my siblings that would need care.  With the sham of a marriage that Bonny was in coming to an end, she moved here.  I didn't recognize how much help she needed and just how much she was incapable of doing until she was living in my home.  She literally did nothing.  I gave her a few odd jobs now and then but even with my assistance she couldn't really do them.  It was a huge relief when she moved into Brett and Sue's home.

We needed to get some health coverage in place prior to her divorce.  I was the one to do the paperwork.  I've never applied for Badgercare before.  It seemed that everything that could go wrong for her did.  We hired an attorney specializing in trusts to help us out.  After Dad's passing and Bonny receiving her divorce settlement, we had to put the money somewhere so she would qualify for aid.  The amount she had in cash and assets seems like a large number until you realize that it will need to last the rest of her life.  Now it isn't so much.

Fast forward.  She has HUD sponsored housing.  Its a nice apartment.  She has health benefits and meals on wheels as well as food benefits.  Here's the big problem.  She doesn't take care of her personal hygiene.  I shouldn't have to go to her place and tell her that she smells bad and take a shower.  I shouldn't have to figure out how she acquired a credit card and what she's been spending and how it will get paid.  She's living off of a trust which is funded by her spousal support.  That trust will NOT pay a credit card balance.  All these things have been put into place for her support and protection and yet she doesn't comprehend them.  It's a constant battle to remind her of them.

I spent my day cleaning her apartment, unsubscribing and deleting emails and getting rid of 1-800 phone numbers from her contact list.  I took her to return some merchandise and get a haircut.  I got the most foul smelling of her laundry in the washer.  There's more to do but it doesn't smell like the bedding did.  I shouldn't have to be the "bad guy" or her mother and yet between Sue and I, we have to in order to keep her safe and healthy.

I love my sister and I feel horrible that she has this disease which has robbed her of her physical abilities and makes her forget and unable to focus on anything for very long.  I feel that the abuse she suffered for all those years in that horrible marriage is the cause of some of her worst behaviors.  She needs counseling and won't even consider it.  Yet she will talk to anyone who will listen about the abuse she suffered.  I can sympathize but at times my patience is very thin.

Yesterday before going to her home I prayed that I would have help.  I specifically asked that I would have patience and that I could be the Savior's hands.  I accomplished all I set out to do in the manner in which I desired.  The Lord truly will strengthen anyone who asks. The struggle is real but when I turn the matter over to the Lord, He helps me more than I can imagine.

Papa's Birthday Lunch

The last birthday that my dad had prior to his passing, he asked me to provide lunch to the guys at the mill.  I made Indian Tacos and it was a hit.  He came over to my home a day or two later and expressed his gratitude for my contribution to his special day.  He said he loved it and the guys loved it and it was so delicious.  I was glad to have a part of making him happy.

I've continued that tradition in the years since he's gone.  Yesterday would've been his 79th birthday. I made a mountain of fry bread as well as German chocolate cake (his favorite).  The guys appreciate my efforts as well and it makes me feel good that I'm continuing something small that he was so grateful for.  I don't do much as an owner of that company, but I can boost morale.

I miss my daddy at times.  As a little girl I didn't think there was anyone more wonderful than he. Even as a teenager, I didn't think there would ever be any guy who I would love more than my dad. Amazingly I found a man just as kind, gentle and genuine as my dad.

I was sad to let him go from this life but knew that he wasn't happy in the body he was left with. Who would ever choose to have constant headaches and a body that you couldn't control?  That wasn't him.  I'm ever grateful for the time I had him and even more grateful that eternally he will still be my daddy.  I smile when I think of him.  Just a twinge of sadness that I can't see his smile and feel his touch, but so much gratefulness that he's free of the burdens of this life and can be with his eternal sweetheart, my mom.

I'm a Temple Ordinance Worker

Back in October my husband and I were set apart as temple ordinance workers in the St. Paul temple. I wasn't sure I could ever memorize and learn all that needed to be done.  After being there two months in a row, I felt that I could learn everything necessary.  I was looking forward to being back in December and then we had a blizzard come through that kept us home.  I was disappointed.

We were back this past Friday night and Saturday morning.  I love the women that I work with on my shifts.  I still feel like the newbie but not like I did in the first two months.  My coordinators have such faith in me and believe I can do whatever they assign me to do.

I had a very tender moment while working in an endowment session.  As I was performing my duties, I felt that my hands were indeed the Savior's hands.  I was doing what He would do.  It was so tender. I loved having that feeling.  I cannot express wholely just what I felt.  I just know it was amazing.

I am blessed once again to be able to do what the Lord asks me to do.  I will forever be grateful to be His hands in this work.

Another year makes 34

On January 11th we were able to celebrate 34 years of marriage.  It was a rather uneventful day as I had to work and Pat was just getting over a bout with the flu so he spent part of his day working from home.  We did, however, go out to dinner at Perkins.  It was perfect!

My parents celebrated 35 years of marriage just a few months prior to my mother's untimely passing.  I always thought they didn't get enough time together.  Thirty-five years seemed like such a long time to be married and yet I'm right here next to that number.  I always wanted a marriage similar to what I saw modeled by my parents.

My dad was such a loving man and they always greeted one another with a kiss when he came home from work.  I'll admit, we don't do that, but I do have a very affectionate husband who likes to hold my hand and sit close to me.  I think I got a guy very much like my dad.  Very tender, compassionate and generous.

There are lots of things I love about this husband of mine and I think I'll list 34 things to show my appreciation for him.
  1.  He tells me he loves me everyday.
  2.  He rubs my back almost every day.
  3.  He brings me flowers randomly.  It doesn't even need to be a special occasion.
  4.  He calls me during the day to hear my voice.
  5.  He randomly gives me a foot massage. 
  6.  He helps others with whatever they need.
  7.  He serves the Lord in any way he is asked and then some.
  8.  He submitted our names to work in the temple.  We both love it!
  9.  He genuinely wants to be with me, work with me, be around me.
10.  He routinely tells me that he's glad I married him.
11.  He LOVES our house/home.  It was mine first, but now it's ours.
12.  He corrects me when I need correcting. I know that isn't easy to do.
13.  He asks the hard questions.
14.  He buys me beautiful clothing and now jewelry.
15.  He loves to go on vacation with me. 
16.  He supports me in all that I do.  Even when I'm crazy.
17.  He provides for us.  We have never gone without the basic needs.
18.  He plans for our future.  Both financially and otherwise.
19.  He likes to take walks with me.
20.  He enjoys the grandchildren and takes an interest in them.
21.  He is a Mr. Fix It for me and our children.
22.  He trusts me to take care of our financial situation. 
23.  He scratches my head.  Some people don't like that but I do!
24.  He refers to Clint and Jeff as his sons.  No in-laws around here.
25.  He guides our children when they need it and gives the best council he has.
26.  He is worthy to exercise the priesthood that he's been given.
27.  He loves our Heavenly Father and Christ.
28.  He listens to the Spirit when he feels guided either by thought or feeling.
29.  He is slow to anger.  I think I've seen him angry once or twice in our married life.
30.  He sleeps out in the tent with me when we have our grandchildren camping night.
31.  He keeps the snow removed from our driveway so I don't have to do it.
32.  He treats others with kindness.  Even when officiating.
33.  He lets me have my own interests and encourages me in them.
34.  He takes me to the temple every month.

I think that's enough for this time.  I am very blessed to have this wonderful man in my life.  We have created a family full of love and fun.  We understand that we have been blessed beyond measure.  Our cup truly overflows when we think about our family and our marriage relationship.  We're not perfect but we're doing what we can to remain happy.  Life is an adventure and we're doing it together!