MARCH 2026 - TEMPLE, HOSPITALS, WEDDINGS AND FAMILY

 

LINDON UTAH TEMPLE

Spring came early this year and we have enjoyed the beautiful days and stunning night skies - especially around the Lindon Temple.  We have worked in our yard and love the signs of Spring.

Japanese Cherry

Daffodils 

These flowers have a very short life span and I delight in their beauty and resilience as the first signs of Spring.  It makes me want to plant and do more but Winter is still playing tricks with us and it is too early for much more.  The lilies will be next and they are beginning to show above the ground.  

The "Popcorn" is so beautiful in the trees and some days it is like snow falling.

We started the month a little different than we had planned.  Russ continues to deal with Dupuytren's Contracture in his hands.  During the past eleven years he has had three surgeries and three injections between his two hands.  His last surgery did not go very well and he has had some lingering problems with that finger.  We found a new Orthopedic Hand Doctor and he was able to do the Enzyme Injection in his hand.  A week after the injection we returned to his office and he then massages the area and breaks up the mass in his fingers and straightens them - yes, it is painful.  The best part is no surgery and a quicker recovery.  Russ is so glad to have  straighter fingers so he can hold a glass and other things.  

As part of the process of getting a new hand Doctor, he had to visit his Primary Care Doctor for the referral and while he was there they did his 6 month check-up and blood work.  His Total Cholesterol had jumped significantly and our plans quickly changed.  They scheduled a CAT Scan the following day.  We went to the Hospital and had the scan and his numbers came back  way too high.  The Doctor called and said don't exercise, work, keep a low profile and you have an appointment with a Cardiologist in Salt Lake City on Monday.  He had been rowing 4,000 meters every day at this point.  We went to the Cardiologist and he scheduled a Stress Test.  Russ failed the test and was in surgery the next day.  We had a trip planned to Wichita Kansas to see two of our grandchildren perform in Theatre Wichitas production of The Little Mermaid.  

I asked the Doctor if we could wait until the next Tuesday to have the procedure and he asked how important was it that we get on an airplane and we said we were flexible and he said, "I will see you tomorrow. "

So he had  two stints placed in his left ventricle artery and will have a third procedure the end of April.  He had not told me he was having chest pains for the past 6 months and they are now gone.  He goes to the Cardio Rehab at the Hospital two days a week and continues to exercise at home as well.  He is feeling greet and we feel so blessed that  we were able to have the procedure before he had a Heart Attack or other problems.  We are especially grateful for the very capable Doctors and staff that have taken care of Russ.  

We have kept Heaven busy this month with all of the prayers for healing and blessings for family and friends. 

 Our daughter Jaime has been dealing with a problem they thought was in her ears for the past two years.  She has been to several Doctors and they told her it was pulsatile tinnitus and she just needed to live with it.  It has affected her sleep, her focus and even how she could function on a daily basis.  They have tried several things and finally her Doctor referred her to an ENT who then  referred her to a Neurologist when it appeared that what she was hearing was her heartbeat in her ear. Imagine hearing your pulse like an ocean in your ear 24/7.   After specialized tests from MRI to MRA to MRV they found that she had the same very small artery in her neck like what Russ had that caused his stroke 6 years ago this month.  Her body compensated for the small vessel and a new one formed but it formed a very large bulbous area that was causing the problem.  They went in through her femoral artery to run imaging, test pressure in the vein and temporarily block it with a balloon to see if it stops the whooshing.  They placed a mesh implant in the bulbous area.  Everything seemed to go well and she was in great spirits - until it was not OK.  They did a CT Scan that revealed the implant had migrated from its intended position.  An additional CT scan of the head and neck was performed to locate the device, which was found to have moved into the vein leading to the lungs.  

She was then taken to emergency procedure to retrieve the device and then place a metal stent in the vein near the ear with a mesh implant as well to keep it in place.  The procedure was successful but took a toll on Jaime.  She was in ICU for two days for recovery and then was able to go home.  She is still recovering and we are hopeful that the procedure will do what it is meant to do and stop the whooshing in her ear.  The Doctor says it will take time for the body to process the changes that were made and to function properly.  

Preslee was at a Cheerleading workshop preparing for tryouts and was in the Base position when the Flyer came down and Preslee turned a little too soon and it broke her nose.  She was scheduled for surgery at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City late in the afternoon.  After a two hour delay she was finally in surgery at 7:00 pm.  The Doctor called Emily and said her adenoids were very large and inflamed and needed to come out and he needed her authorization .  She said, "give me two minutes."  She called me and just needed the assurance she was doing the right thing.  So Preslee had her nose put in place and had her adenoids out and they returned home about midnight.  One more person to pray for and help recover.  

Needless to say, my calendar changed drastically in March and filled up quickly with many Doctor appointments.  

GRANDKIDS

We enjoy supporting and seeing our Grandchildren perform in their different activities.  Spring is filled with lots of concerts, plays, dance, etc.

Preslee at her Spring Choir Concert.  Delightful evening.

Preslee loves Chocolate Chip cookies and she asked if she could come down and bake cookies with me.  We made her favorite Chocolate Chip and then she took them to school to share with her friends.

She enjoyed many for herself!

SPRING BALLROOM DANCE COMPETITION AT BYU

What an amazing day as we watched dancers from all over Utah and Idaho at the BYU National Amateur Dance Championships.  It is a real cultural experience watching the many dancers perform from elegant Ballroom to Country Line Dancing.  

Preslee and partner received 1st in Bronze category for her Division.  We are really proud of her.  She danced with her Broken nose and then had surgery the next week.  

THE LITTLE MERMAID

William and Nora performed in with Music Theatre Wichita's Academy production of THE LITTLE MERMAID.  Nora was a little fish and Will had a great time cooking little fishes up as Chef Louis.  

This is the performance that we missed but they were able to send us a video and it was FANTASTIC.  I wish I could share it.  Will was a natural as Chef Louis and is an up and coming star.  He has an amazing voice and the cutest personality to match.  

Mom Beth is also awesome in the make-up department.  

Theatre Update:  William called this week and announced to us that he auditioned and got the part of Mike in ELF with Music Theatre Wichita's Broadway Summer Show.  We are looking forward to watching this performance.  

BYU MUSEUM OF ART

While we were at BYU for the Ballroom Competition we went over to the BYU Museum of Art to see the. new GILDED PARADISE.

Lorenzo Ghiberti's GATES OF PARADISE (1425-1452) are a masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance, depicting Old Testament scenes with breathtaking depth and detail.  Created over 27 years for the Florence Baptistery, the doors were so admired that Michelangelo - according to historian  Vasari- declared them worthy of paradise itself.  

Acquired in Florence in 1984 by BYU-Hawaii - this plaster cast of the original doors was brought to BYU's Museum of Art in provo in 2016.  It was recently restored at BYU and is currently on display.  

There are 10 panels on the door and I am highlighting some of my favorites.  

Panel 1

God created Adam and Eve.  They are tempted by the Serpent and expelled from the Garden of Eden.  Genesis 1-3

Panel 3

Noah, his family, and animals emerge from the ark.  They offer sacrifices to God.  Noah's sons cover his nakedness.  Genesis 8-9

Panel 4

Three angels visit Abraham to announce the birth of Isaac.  He prepares to sacrifice Isaac as an angel intercedes.  Genesis 18, 21-22

Panel 6

Joseph is sold into captivity.  He tests his brothers and reveals himself to them.  They receive grain for their families.  Genesis 37, 42, 44-45

Panel 7

The Israelites gather at Mount Sinai.  Moses receives the stone tablets with the Ten Commandments.  Exodus 19, 24

THE LAST SUPPER - Emil Janel (Swedish-American 1897-1981)

Alder wood, 20th Century

The expressive faces and movements of these alder wood figures - accentuated using aniline dyes - are particularly emotive as they each ask, "Lord, is it I?" (Matthew 26:22)

This three dimensional grouping of unattached figures emphasizes the diversity of Jesus' followers individual differences exist with the group, het they are each called "disciple."

"No amount of alls will really undo us if we keep on picking ourselves up each time. We all shall of course be very muddy and tattered children by the time we reach home.  Bt the bathrooms are all ready, the towels put out, and the clean clothes are in the airing cupboard.  The only fatal thing is to lose one's temper and give it up.  It is when we notice the dirt that God is most present in us; it is the very sign of His presence."

-C.S. Lewis (1898-1963)

JENNA AND NATE  - Wedding Reception

Nate, Jenna and my Sister Brooke

Emily and I catered the wedding reception for my Nephew's daughter, Jenna.

The reception was held at Bridle Up Hope in Mapleton, Utah.  It was a beautiful setting on the Horse Ranch with a private lake and beautiful grounds.  

We served a Dessert Buffet for about 200 people.  I baked for the week leading up to the reception.  We served Fruit Tarts, Oreo Truffles, Cherry Cheesecake bites, Lemon Raspberry cookie towers, Ginger chocolate cookie towers, Granola bars, three varieties of Spritz cookies, Lemon Bars, Brownies, Mini cupcakes filled with cream cheese, coconut, pecan, chocolate filling and white and dark chocolate covered pretzels.  

Emily takes the food that I bake and make and displays it so beautifully.  She works magic - and makes it so festive and inviting.  We had a great evening and were exhausted when we got home.  Russ and Joe (Emily's friend) were a great support and help as well as my Sisters.  

YOUTH MISSIONARY DINNER

March was Youth Missionary Month in our local Ward (Church) and we hosted a dinner for two young men - Carson and Creed.

We had a delightful night dressed in our German/Austrian clothes and sharing our experiences from our Mission and eating authentic food.  I served a traditional Austrian meal of Schnitzel with lemon sauce,  Spaetzle (noodles), red cabbage, rolls, mineral water with flavored syrups and a nice assortment of desserts (left over from reception the night before).  

The young men prepared a short lesson to teach us.

Creed shared his feelings about the 10 Commandments and his favorite of "Love Thy Neighbor".  He bore his testimony of his desire to Love everyone. 

Carson shared teachings on Baptism and shared his testimony of Jesus Christ and his desire to serve a mission after he graduates from High School.  

LINDON TEMPLE OPEN HOUSE

We have so enjoyed this month as we have hosted two different shifts as Tour Guides for the Open House.  We have also started our training to be Temple Workers once the Temple is Dedicated and opens in May.  

We also loved taking family and friends through the Open House these past few weeks.  

We started with my two sisters, Brooke and Pam.  They came for the wedding reception and we took time to take them earlier in the day.  It was a special morning being with them and sharing our thoughts and feelings about the Temple.  

John & Denise Sivo

Mike & Sharon Lloyd

We spent a morning with John and Denise at the Temple Open House and then went back to our home for Lunch.  We are so grateful for their friendship and to have the opportunity to spend some time together.

We said good-bye to the Sivo's and 15 minutes later welcomed Mike and Sharon Lloyd from Ogden, Utah.  We are so glad they called and arranged to go to the Open House with us.  It was much busier in the afternoon but was a beautiful day to be outside waiting in line for a few minutes.  We then had them for dinner and a little visiting before they were off to a Wedding Reception .

We have One Week left of the Open House - through April 11 and would love to host anyone who would still like to Come and See.  

Stain glass Window

Main Staircase

Baptistry

Front Doors

Celestial Room

This is a room for Prayer, pondering, quiet peace and reflection.

PALM SUNDAY

We had the opportunity to attend a Palm Sunday fireside with the Gentlemen Trio - GENTRI for a preview of their Easter Concert King of Kings.  It was held at the historic American Fork Tabernacle.   The picture on the left is the inside showing some of the beauty of the building.  

The music and testimonies born by the musicians was so filled with the Spirit and was a celebration of Jesus Christ.  It was a beautiful way to begin Holy Week and prepare our hearts and minds for the week leading up to Easter.  I am so grateful for the many opportunities we are given in this area.  

We left the next morning for Portland Oregon to visit Josh and Julie and their boys.  I will share our time with them next month.  

March has been a memorable month in so many ways.  We needed to go out of town just to get a little rest and gear up for all that April with bring.  We are so grateful for the blessings given to us for Russ to have his body restored to better health before it was an emergency.  We have also been blessed through the experiences at the Temple Open House.  We are so grateful for live in the Shadow of it's walls and to be able to take nightly walks along the trail and see all of the people taking the tours.  It has truly been a blessed time for us.  

HAPPY EASTER!  HE IS RISEN!

The Grimmett's