Is it Winter or is it May? The Seasons are playing with each other and Winter is not ready for Spring to arrive. We have had everything from snow, rain, hot, cold and lots of wind.
Temples are literally houses of the Lord. They are holy places of worship where individuals make sacred covenants with God. Throughout history, the Lord has commanded His people to build temples. Temples are places of learning. Their principal purpose is to provide ordinances necessary for the children of God to enable them to return to dwell with Him.
Pres. Russell M. Nelson taught: "The Savior and His doctrine are the very heart of the temple. Everything taught in the temple, through instruction and through the Spirit, increases our understanding of Jesus Christ."
In addition, temples bless communities and nations worldwide. President Nelson taught: "With the dedication of each new temple, additional godly power comes into the world to strengthen us and counteracts the intensifying efforts of the adversary." Temples continue to be built around the world to bring more of His covenant blessings to His children and to help accomplish His work.
FRIENDS
Sherry Bernal from Benson, Arizona came to Provo for Women's Conference and took time to come and visit me. From the day we met when they came for about 18 months to Arlington, TX we have been like Sisters. We have such a good time together - just never enough time. Sherry is so talented and shares her talents with everyone and is always serving and blessing others.
Jessey, Kaja and Makori came for a visit while they were in Utah. Kaja served with us in Vienna Austria and we LOVE when they come to visit. They are "family". We love catching up with their life and especially getting to know Makori. They currently live in Everett, Washington and are enjoying the good life of the mountains and ocean for many adventures.
I was invited to the Bridal Shower for Adi Astorga (friends from Texas).
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| Jessey, Kaja and Makori |
Her sister, Jessica Hutchinson was in town for it and it was so fun to catch up and to be a part of this special time in Adi's life. I really enjoyed meeting her fiance’s mother and sister and many of their neighbors. I was so welcomed and really enjoyed sharing in this special day.
We look forward to seeing all of the family in the coming weeks at her wedding reception.
We ended the month with a visit from Tii and Mary Lolotai - they brought the most delicious rolls from Budda's Bakery. It is a Hawaiian Bakery and I had a coconut roll that was filled with coconut and sweet dough. Tii and Mary are special friends from Arlington and it is always a great day when we are with them.
Russ and I serve in the Temple every Tuesday morning from 6:30 AM - 11:00 AM. It has been the most amazing month for Russ and I as we have been trained and started our service. Tuesdays are the highlight of our week and we come home filled with a special spirit and so much love. It has been the best decision for us to serve in the Temple.
FAMILY
HAPPY 76TH BIRTHDAY TO RUSS
We celebrated his birthday at a fun restaurant in downtown Provo with new to us Mexican food. It was delicious and a really fun environment.
His birthday was on Mother's Day this year so we share in the celebrations.
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| Restaurant mural |
The red barn is one of our favorite places - next to our mid way rest stop where we sit for a few minutes, take a drink and enjoy the views.
Adi Astorga and Walker Millet were married on May 16 in the Provo City Center Temple.
We had a delightful evening at the reception seeing friends from Texas. Jessica and Luis Astorga and their families, John and Sharon Hutchinson and Camille and Evan Fox. John and Sharon had just been set apart as mission leaders for the Lima Peru Northwest Mission that day and will enter the MTC on June 17. We are excited for them as they begin this new adventure in their life.
Russ and I met my sister, Pam in Salt Lake to visit the two cemeteries that our parents, grandparents, brother, son and aunts and uncles are buried. It is one of our favorite traditions and we especially enjoy seeing all of the flags waving throughout the cemeteries. It is an honor to remember those who served and gave their lives in serving our Country. Uncle Robert (Bob) Walton served in the Infantry in WWII, George E. Haney Sr. served in the Infantry in France during WWI and contracted Tuberculoses and was sent to Denver, Colorado to Fitzsimmons Hospital. It effected the rest of his life.
My father, George Haney, Jr. served in the Army Air Corp as a training pilot during WWII. They did not die in battle, but they are honored with flags on their graves and I am grateful to them and their service.
We went over to the BRIGHT SIDE!
We were treated so wonderful at the Tesla showroom. We learned very quickly that you are not just buying a new car - it is a whole new way of thinking, driving and the need for an upgrade with a Charging station at our home.
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| Red Barn on Trail |
WEDDINGS
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| Astorga Family |
We loved catching up with the Astorga family. They are very special to us as they took care of our home while we served our mission in 2018-2020. We will forever be grateful to them for being such wise stewards of our home.
Aleissa Uscanga and Eric Coons were married and sealed in the Provo City Center Temple on May 23rd. Aleissa is the daughter of Zully & Michael O'leary - friends from Arlington that have moved to Utah.
We met Michael when he was a single adult in Arlington and he became a good friend. Zully had two beautiful daughters and was living in Mexico. Michael and Zully met at a Single Adult Activity and the rest is history. I loved Zully from the very first time I met her. I have always appreciated her friendship. It has been fun watching the girls grow up and was special to be able to share in this special evening.
Zully was glowing all evening and this picture shows how happy she is for her daughter and enjoy the special day. She made all of the homemade tamales that were served for the dinner and the whole meal was amazingly delicious. Everyone at our table commented on the delicious food.
It has been a really memorable month having so many connections to our Texas friends. Friends forever!
MEMORIAL DAY
When we were reminiscing about them my sister said, "I really would like to go to the Salt Lake City Cemetery and visit Uncle Don's grave. " We said, "Let's Go". It had been over 50 years since we had visited his grave. We looked it up on Find A Grave and got the map to be able to find it.
Harry Don Walton - my mother's brother - served as a Training Pilot during WWII. At one point, he was even one of the Instructors to my father as he was going through training. After the war ended he stayed in the military and 4 years later, on October 19, 1949, a United States Air Force B-17 Flying Fortress carrying a crew of five crashed into the Great Salt Lake. The aircraft departed from Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico on a routine flight bound for Hill Air Force Base. Seven hours after last radio contact, when the plane was over Salt Lake City, searchers discovered the shattered remains of the B-17 floating in the Great Salt Lake, roughly 14 miles northwest of Antelope Island.
Harry Don Walton - my mother's brother - served as a Training Pilot during WWII. At one point, he was even one of the Instructors to my father as he was going through training. After the war ended he stayed in the military and 4 years later, on October 19, 1949, a United States Air Force B-17 Flying Fortress carrying a crew of five crashed into the Great Salt Lake. The aircraft departed from Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico on a routine flight bound for Hill Air Force Base. Seven hours after last radio contact, when the plane was over Salt Lake City, searchers discovered the shattered remains of the B-17 floating in the Great Salt Lake, roughly 14 miles northwest of Antelope Island.
Tragically, all five crew members on board lost their lives in the crash.
Don was only 27 years old and left a wife and son. "little Don", his son, never knew his father. My mother talked of her brother often and tried to stay in touch with little Don over the years.
It took us a few minutes to navigate the map of the cemetery and we finally found the section we were looking for. There was a lone rose bush filled with Red Roses and I was drawn to it. I walked over to it and looked down and it was Don's grave. The Rose bush is literally growing out of the headstone. I do not know who planted it many years ago - it is about 7 feet tall. I had pruning shears with me and we spent some time trimming and grooming the bush. It really touched me to think that no one has visited the grave for many years, but that rose bush keeps blooming in honor of his service and life. His wife has lived in California since his death and all of his siblings have been gone for several years. The three of us were touched by the scene and the memories of our Uncle Don. It was a special way to end our day of visiting cemeteries to honor the lives of those who are special to us.
We have gone Electric with the addition of a beautiful pearl white TESLA.
With the cost of gasoline for our Kia Van and all of the driving we do just around town and to Salt Lake we saw this as a good alternative.
We have talked the past few years as the Lindon Temple was being built that we needed to get an electric golf cart to drive to the Temple. We just went a little bigger with that dream!
Elijah, our sales rep was so patient with us and walked us through the whole process of setting up our account, linking our phones and making sure we knew enough about the car to be able to drive it home and to be safe.
We were so glad to have our son, Joshua - a Tesla owner - close by on the phone to help us with all of our questions. Russ has spent countless hours on YouTube learning everything he can about the options and systems available. I am the driver and he is the navigator and he is having a great time learning all about it.
We had a real adventure on Friday when the Electrician came to install our new Tesla charger. Our electric panel is located in our basement in the center of our home. He needed to get the wiring from the garage to the panel. We got several bids for the job and the first company wanted to make three big holes in our ceiling to get the cable from point A to point B. We went with a great electrician who really knew what he was doing and in the end, he said he was relieved that he hit the right place on the first try and he only had to make one small hole in the ceiling to get the cable through to the panel.
Russ and I built a little cord holder for easier handling of the charging hose and to keep more storage space on the shelving unit. Needless to say the past two weeks have been a real adventure and a huge learning curve. With that said, WE LOVE IT!
MAY IS ENDING even crazier than it began. May 30th we woke up to serious rain and snow on the mountain. It rained all morning and then the afternoon was beautiful. We really need the rain for the watershed, and the snow is great - we just needed it two months ago. Park City got 5 inches of snow today.
This month has been filled with family, friends and special spiritual experiences as we have served in the Lindon Temple. Most evenings after dinner we walk down to the Temple along the Murdock Trail and love seeing the light coming through the stain glass windows and the beautiful grounds.
Russ had his follow up with the cardiologist this week and everything looks good. He is feeling really good and has his energy back and no pain in his chest. We continue to be grateful for the tender mercies and blessings we have received in his healing process.
How long will Spring last?
"Mortality is a master class in
We are looking forward to a great Summer and all of the adventures we have planned. Our home is always open and if your Summer Travels bring you to Utah we would love to see you.
learning to choose the things of
greatest eternal import.
Far too many people live as
though this life is all there is . . .
I encourage you to
begin with the end in mind . . .
carefully considering where
each of your decisions
while here on earth will
place you in the next world."
"Think Celestial!"
President Russell M. Nelson
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