January - April 2003

January 

January 3-4 – Bobcat Brawls at SkyView (wrestling)

YW on Tuesday nights

9^th  - my 42^nd birthday.  Went to the distribution center and got me some temple clothes, and then went to the Ogden Temple.  That night had dinner at Tami Bullock’s for the outgoing YW presidency, and then rushed over to the gym for Landon’s wrestling match – Ben Lomond @ Morgan.

I love the Temple

January 9, 2003

For the first time in more than 12 years, I have gone back to the temple.  I am so happy!  I went on my 42^nd birthday – Today !!  I went to the Ogden Temple.  It was a VERY VERY special day for me.

January 15 – Gwen doctor’s appt. OBGYN with Dr. Eggert.  Gwen and Landon to dentist in afternoon.
January 17, 2003 -   The Ogden Temple is closed for a couple of weeks, so this night (Friday) I went to the Bountiful Temple.  It was VERY VERY BUSY, and the Salt Lake Temple is closed also.  Roger and Landon are down to St. George to a baseball camp.

January 21 – sleighride party for YM/YW combined activity
January 23 – Wrestling @ Bear River

January 25 – Wrestling (High Country Classic) at South Summit
January 27 – took boys down to Mark Grogan, and weight lifter specialist for some instructions.

January 29 – Zac gone to doctor for his neck pain related to his accident last September.

February
February 6, 2003

Annette called this morning and said her mom had died.  Colleen only knew for the past 6 weeks, that she had cancer.  It is both horrifying and wonderful that she died so quickly. It is amazing how your life can change in such a short time.  We never know what is in store for us.  I talked to Colleen on Sunday the 2^nd.  She was medicated quite a bit, but still responsive.  I asked her if she would do me a favor, and when she passed to the other side of the veil, if she would find my little girl Ambure, and tell her I’ve finally figured it out.  That I know that God lives, and that Jesus died for me, and I’m doing everything I can to live right so I can return and live with them.  She said “I will” and nodded her head, and murmured, “finally figured it out”.  I continued to sit there and hold her hand, and I was crying softly, and she kind of came out of it again, and it was like she noticed me and wanted to comfort me, and she managed to raise her arm, and pulled my head down to rest it on her shoulder, and she said, “good friend”.  It makes me cry again, just thinking about it.   I appreciate so much, Annette and her family giving me the opportunity to share with them the last few days of Colleen’s life.  I just wish I could have done more for them.   It seems like death is becoming more and more a part of our lives.  I guess it will be even more so as we get older.  These past few  years, me and Annette have watched our grandparents die, our friend Lori, Dude, Cheryl, and now Colleen.  It is unbelievable to me, how people can lose loved ones and go one, without knowing that there IS life after death, and that WE WILL see our friends and family again.  I am so grateful for this knowledge.  It is sad for the ones of us who are left behind in this mortal world, but so wonderful for Colleen, who was a good and righteous person, and is now going on to the next stage.  She came to this earth for 66 years, and received her body, lived a good life, and has now returned to Heavenly Father and will one day be resurrected and reunited with her body, which at that time will be perfected, without that dreaded ovarian cancer.  She was such an example to me.  I often wondered how she could go to church as she did, week after week, without Vern, and not be mad and onery about it.  I never thought I would be able to do that, but I always admired her for it.  This past year, I have come to know for myself, that it is up to ME, and only me.  I love my Heavenly Father so much, and my brother Jesus for coming to earth, and dying for ME, and taking MY sins upon him, so that when I repent I won’t have to suffer for my sins.  This knowledge I have gained this past year, and the faith I have developed I will continue to nurture, for I know I need to always be pressing forward, or I will fall behind.  I have been happier this past year, than in anytime in my life up to this point, except maybe that year before our family went through the temple.  It scares me, because I know that if I relax and get lazy about it, I could fall back into inactivity and despair.  I love my family so much, and I love Annette and her family, and I hope I can be of some support at this sad time in their lives.  I will always remember Colleen, and her smile, and how kind she has always been to me.  I will do my best to continue to be a good neighbor to Vern, and to let him know of our concern for him.  He’s a good man, and I hate to see him lose his wife this soon.  I hope he will be able to get through this and go on, and not let loneliness get to him.  He has been so wonderful and supportive of her as she has gone through these past 6 weeks.  This experience has seemed to bring their family closer together, and that is a good thing. 

February 7-8 0 Region Wrestles at Grantsville – Landon took 4^th place and will go to state.
Feb – 10-12 (Mon-Wed) Gwen in Tooele to computer meetings

Feb 13-15 – at UVSC in Orem for State Wrestles.  Landon was beat out  losing both matches.   His first match was against senior Chad Young from Uintah who went on to win the championship.

February 15, 2003 -    Roger and I have been in Orem, Utah for the past few days watching the State Wrestles.  This morning (Saturday) I traveled North to American Fork, and went to the Mt. Timpanogas temple.  I went through a session, and then did initiatory work.  It was a WONDERFUL few hours.

February 19, 2003 -  Today  I went to Salt Lake and went through a session before attending an IAAO dinner at the Joseph Smith Building.  It was so special, as the session was done live (no film).  It was so beautiful in the Celestial Room. 

February 23, Stake Fireside concerning the upcoming trek this summer

February 28, 2003 -   Tonight I went to the Ogden temple again.  My mom and dad were working there, and I surprised them both.  They were SO happy to see me there, and my mom cried.

March
March 7, 2003 - Tonight was ward temple night at the Ogden temple.  I went down with my neighbor Sharlene Olsen.  We were the only people there (that we could see) from our ward.  It was VERY BUSY again.

March 9  - Stake Conference

March 12 – Wrestling Banquet – John Rock retires

March 14, 2003 - Roger and I went to Vernal for Landon to compete in wrestling.  While there, I was able to go to the Vernal temple.  It is an old chapel which has been converted to a temple.  It was smaller than other temples I have gone to.  It was SPECIAL.  I saw Larry and Jed Hall’s parents there.  They were such a cute little old couple.

March 18 – went with the YW down to “White Elegance” – a bridal store in Layton.  The girls tried on temple dresses.

Baseball has started – Landon is on the Freshman team, and Roger is helping to coach with Barclay Earl.

April

Today, April 5, 2003 I took my mom and we went to General Conference (Saturday morning session) at the Conference Center.  This is the first time me and mom have ever done this.  It was so special.  I could feel the spirit.  I am so happy.  It was snowing when we came out.

Tonight Landon went with Bishop Fisher down to Kaysville to the Priesthood session.  I wish that Roger and Zac were as in tune with the spirit as Landon is.  Landon is going to be the Teacher’s President – next week he will be set apart.  I am so proud.

April 15, 2003 - LuAnn’s birthday was yesterday and we went up last night for cake and ice cream.   Tomorrow I head to Price, Utah for the UAC (Utah Association of Counties) Spring Management Conference.  I’ll be gone till Friday.  I’m going to try and get to the Manti Temple before I come home on Friday. 

Went to Savior of  The World at the conference center tonight.  Tiana was in it.