MARCH

Shutting the door on March

Time...where does it go?

Shout out birthday greetings to: Bryan, London, Kevin, Matthew, Cecily, Anthony, and Coulson.

The guys out number the gals this month.

Special thanks to all who wished me a happy birthday, and made my day special!

It's OK to have another birthday, and get another year older.

Think of the alternative.

Well, don't think of the alternative too much.

A Name and a Blessing

CONLEY MARSHALL VIDALConley Marshall Vidal
is
officially on the records of The Church

Sunday, 29 March 2009, Conley was given a name and a blessing by his father. My mind took a photograph. I was standing in the back with “little” Marshall Harris, who was making some noise as I was holding him on my lap, but was very quiet, with his head on my shoulder as I stood up with him. Our family members, who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood, headed up to the front of the chapel to encircle sweet little baby Conley. It was quite a sight seeing those worthy men head to the front of the chapel to assist in this ordinance.

All of a sudden, into my mind popped this thought: Terry is up there! I had the distinctive impression that Terry was up in the circle. Of course I couldn’t see him, but the feeling that came over me was powerful. I really don’t know how things like that work, but I do know that Terry never missed any family events. Why would he miss the blessing of his grandson? We have been told that the Spirit World is “right here”, not somewhere way out there in Space gazillion miles away!

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Questions

Coulson and his Great Grandmother Rich share the same birth date. Coulson is named after his Great (7 times) Grandfather Rich. Coulson is one of the cool kids. Happy birthday to Coulson, and happy birthday to Grandma Rich. I am starting to rack up lots of fun memories with Coulson. Here's one: After a visit from Coulson, I almost always find that he has left me a reminder, of his visit. Usually it is something he has created. He is very creative. Sometimes he'll leave me a note, or a drawing. Many times he'll put stickers in unusual places. I will find the stickers for days after he has returned home. Every time I find a sticker, I smile. Sometimes I don't even take the stickers off.

DOB ~ 25 March 1999 ~

DOB ~ 25 March 1905 ~

Louisa Ann Headman Rich: While the list of memories with Coulson is growing, I have a pretty extensive list of memories of Grandma Rich. Here are just a few: She loved to bake. Her sister LaNae loved to sew and hated to cook, so while growing up, grandma learned to be a good cook, and her sister learned to sew. Grandma loved music. She always had music playing in her home. She loved to sing. She could read music. She played the piano and the organ. She loved the beauties of nature, and could often be heard saying: "It's that lovely?" I never saw her cry. I am sure she shed a few tears in her day, as she had some great sorrows, but I never saw her cry. She loved to shop! She loved to buy new clothes. An interesting fact about Grandma's engagement to Grandpa. Grandpa Rich sent Grandma an engagement ring in the mail, with a written proposal of marriage. She accepted his proposal, and was married at age eighteen. Oh there's lots more stuff I know about Grandma, but today I am wondering what she did for her birthday this year?

I H A V E Q U E S T I O N S !

Coulson

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COULSON

~ 25 March 1999 ~

Northern California

Wonderful Weekend

During a conversation about Adam’s brother's upcoming wedding this question surfaced: “Who would watch Megan while Adam and Elizabeth and all the Johanson family members would be attending the sealing?” In addition to Megan, Adam’s brother Matt has three little girls, twin three-year-olds, and an eighteen- month-old, who also would need to be watched. And Adam’s sister Cindy has seven children, who would be waiting outside. Without any hesitation, I volunteered to be the designated sitter. Thankfully my offer was accepted.

Elizabeth has posted the fun details of the weekend. So I'll just post a few more photos here. We arrived the day before the wedding, so we had some free time to be San Francisco tourists. This is a photo taken from inside the car, shortly after we were rear ended. Adam and I need Tad's services. Elizabeth said she was just fine. JK you had to be there.

Elizabeth, Adam and sweet Megan at the family dinner before the wedding.

At the beach. I love the beach!

The family at the beautiful Oakland Temple

And here's the adorable reason I got to tag along! Megan had a great weekend and so did I.

Dance Magic Dance

"I could have danced all night."

said Eliza DoolittleAnd that's just what Megan did. This little gal danced all night, non-stop, at her Uncle Josh and Aunt Alyssa's wedding reception. She had so much fun, and I had so much fun watching her. DELIGHTFUL!

~ 14 March 2009 ~

Be Not Ashamed

Be Not Ashamed*

Most are aware of the persecution of the early members of the Church. They were driven from one place to another, and were only able to find peace by moving west. The Prophet Joseph Smith was persecuted and finally martyred. Today you'd think the persecution perhaps is behind us. I don't think that's true.

When the name Warren Jeffs appeared on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list, and when the news of his arrest in Las Vegas hit, polygamy again made headlines, along with tons of misinformation about the Church. Then, Mitt Romney's run for President of these United States, was a real eye opener for me, regarding how far we have NOT come, regarding being understood as a people. When the opponents of California's Prop 8 , caused such a sad stir, they even suggested that of all people, the Mormons should know better than to discriminate. Last week HBO's Big Love aired an episode depicting what they understand to be sacred temple ceremonies. Pretty sad. I am reminded of Elder Hales last message at General Conference, Christian Courage, and Elder M. Russell Ballard message The Truth of God Shall Go Forth.

* I entitled this post "Be Not Ashamed", because when I was fifteen-years-old Patriarch Spongberg admonished me to: "Be not ashamed to properly represent the Lord Jesus Christ as one of His chosen people." Those have been words I have tried to live by, and I plan to exhibit 'Christian Courage' 'til the day I die.