Aunt Hazel

On May 16, 2010 I attended the funeral services of my Dad's sister, Hazel. She has been battling cancer for 14 years and passed away on Mother's Day. She was an amazing person. She was probably the most Christ-like person I have ever known. Some of the words used to describe her were loving, a saint, an angel, long-suffering, meek, humble, cared for the poor, patient, kind, and non-complaining. She always had a smile. She was always thinking of ways to serve others. She lived in poverty most of her life as she was divorced at a young age and raised four wonderful children pretty much on her own. Her children are righteous members of the church with wonderful families of their own.

Her greatest desire was to be sealed to her children for eternity. This was a major concern for her. It brought great heart-ache through out her life. she did take out her own endowments and had done all she could to live a righteous life. She came to feel that the Lord's plan was merciful and that everything would be taken care of in the next life.

Aunt Hazel had very meager means and yet she never took a handout from the government. She did her best and then trusted the Lord would provide. She had great faith.

One time she wen t out to go to work leaving her 4 children 12 and under at home. The car would not start. They tried pushing it to see if they could jump start it, but to no avail. She knew it was her fault as she had left the lights on and the battery was dead. Nothing seemed to work. She went inside and knelt with her family in prayer confessing to Heavenly Father that she was sorry she had left the lights on, but that she must get to work or she might lose her job and the money needed to feed her family. She then went outside and turned the key and it started and she drove off to work.

She had such a big heart. She took in the homeless the destitute, abused children, and often nursed those who were sick.

One time she lived in a condo and they were having problems with vandalism. The community believed it was being done by a group of teenage boys. One day she saw them hanging out together, she asked her daughter who had dropped by to take out a plate of cookies to them. She did and let them know who her mother was. The next morning more vandalism had happened; more cars were damaged - windows broken, but there in the middle of it all was Aunt Hazel's car untouched.

She cared for those that no one else wanted to be around. She did the lord's work. She had no guile.

Whenever I saw her she would remind me of stories of my Dad "Richard" as she called him. She loved him and shared that love with us.

Many of the great attributes she had were also attributes my father had. They were taught by their parents to love and to serve.

I hope that I can carry on this legacy. Her example makes me want to be a better grandmother, mother and disciple of Christ.

8 months out and 1st transfer

Well its transfer day for Eder Jones! He is very excited. Where is he going? Who is his new companion? We can only guess. Some very nice ladies who go to the transfers posted these pictures for us old moms dying to know whats going on. Perhaps you can guess with me?

I recognize his stuff-brown suitcases, striped pillow case, etc.

I think these might be his zone leaders or something they are in a couple of pictures, but could be a new companion he's leaving with.



Do you think its Elder Cabrera? He's in a line with him.


Or how about Elder Cannon?


My guess is Elder Cabrera, what about yours?

This has been a great week. Ken and I went with the Youth to the temple for Baptisms For the Dead. Trevor and I researched names and found several in the Jones line. It was wonderful to feel that we might have found some names and can now do the work for them. The boys took care of the baptisms (and a few young women) and now Ken and I have some work to do. Good reason to go to the temple regularly.






We also had a great Easter, even with tons of snow. Melanie, Jayden and Aaryn were with us for a few days. Jayden is a pro easter egg hunter. Aaryn we had trouble motivating him - even candy in the eggs didn't work too well. Oh well, its was fun having them around.

Trevor and his friends hanging out at the mall after a track meet. They look pretty cute. (one of the girls helped them coordinate) Don't tell him I put this on the blog.

Soon we are heading to Arizona for Kamry's blessing. I will post pictures when we return. Warm weather here we come. (Ely has not figured out that spring is here-we have had snow every week lately)

I am officially a White Pine Substitue Teacher again! First job on Thursday at the High School. Ready or not here I go!

Singing Time

We had a great singing time a week ago. We played "Compete for the Gold". It was a combined event, where the kids had to sing 3 songs and they were scored 1-10 on how well they did. I had the Priests come in to judge. The kids did amazingly well, of course the prizes were treats so that really helped. A jelly bean for bronze, a gummy worm for Silver, and a fun size candy bar for Gold. Two of the songs we had just learned and then we threw in a ringer of "I Am A Child of God". What was great was everyone was singing - this rarely happens, so I was very excited.
This week our primary split into Junior and Senior so we have two small groups. We were learning "Follow The Prophet". For Junior we marched around the room and out the door while learning the chorus and I was holding a poster of President Monson. They did really well, and at the end of primary both groups met for closing exercises and we were singing the song one last time, when we got to the chorus I asked them to stand up and march. Jared Fonger figured that meant out the door, and he headed out and down the hall. No one could understand why he took off, but I'm sure he was just "Following the Prophet" haha!
I am really enjoying my calling! Can't wait for next week!

It seems the older I get the harder it is to remember things and the more things I have to remember. One of these is birthdays of my kids, spouses, grandchildren, extended family, friends, etc. I use to just keep it all in my brain, but now that doesn't seem good enough. So I created a Birthday/Anniversary Calendar to help me remember. I still have more names and dates to add, when I find some more hearts, but until then, this will help me keep on track.

I have been enjoying my calling as primary chorister. It has been a long time since I have spent so much time preparing for a primary calling. I'm enjoying making posters, games, and being creative with teaching songs. My goal is to figure out how to get the boys to sing. This is about the 7th time I've had this calling, but the last few times have been very short term. You would think by now I would have it together. I'm grateful for all the blogs I've found, that help spur my ideas (see the side of my blog for some of these if you are interested).

I am also keeping busy with Independent Study Classes through BYU. They keep me very busy. I just took my first College Algebra test and received at 95%, I am very excited about that as I haven't had a math class for about 30 years and this is a pre-calculus class and I basically started from scratch except knowing my times tables and other basic items.

Alex is doing well in Texas and will reach his 1/4 mark in a few days. It's hard to believe he's been out that long, and yet I miss him so much.

Trevor just finished a great season with the JV Basketball team. He ended up being one of the lead scorers for the team, and always put forth his best effort.

Spencer just finished his first play "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" where he had a minor, but essential part.

Both Trevor and Spencer are looking forward to an exciting Track Season that starts practices this week.

Ken is busy as the Young Men's President and work, and of course keeping up with BYU Basketball.

Well March is just around the corner and spring will be here soon. So on to more adventures, challenges, and the joys of life.

First Granddaughter Arrives

Kamry Renae Bennett arrived on February 2 after a long induction. In the end it went quickly and Selina did very well. She was born at 6lb 6oz and 20 inches long. She is just adorable in pink and is a very good baby. She sleeps alot and is quite content. Richie wasn't too sure about her but really liked to look at her, just not to touch her. It took a few days to convince him to hold her a little so we could get a picture. Grandma is back home now to take care of the boys, but misses Richie, Kamry, Selina, and Bobby. We had a busy week and everyone was amazed that Selina and Baby were at church on sunday. Like mother, like daughter I guess.












Proud Big Brother
First Day At Church

Richie and I had a great time reconnecting and had a great adventure on Wednesday climbing Poston Butte mountain. Trevor did is Eagle Project here and I wanted to see if they had finished the sign that goes on the top of the mountain, so Richie and I set out for the top unplanned as you can see by Richie's shoes. About half way up, he wanted to turn around, but I urged him on. He decided he had to stop every few feet-pick up a rock-and toss it. It took awhile to get to the top, and then no sign. Richie wasn't sure it was such a great experience. If we talked about it he would get sad, and insinuate Grandma made him go all the way to the top. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Mountain in the distance
Inappropriate hiking wear

Making it to the top!

Back to the car, Yeah!

January Snow

Today is a rather snowy day here in Ely, NV. I sent Trevor out to shovel the back path and this is what he found. It started last night and just stopped this afternoon, plus we have had snow most of the week.

I have stayed inside working on sewing a blessing dress for my soon to arrive granddaughter. I made two so I would have one on hand for future needs. I haven't made them in several years, so I had to relearn.