Great Grandma

October 22, 2013

Baby shower for Jessica

The shower was held at the Walkers, Jessica's boss

Steph and Gabriel

Susan gave her clothes Michael had worn as a baby

October 18, 2013

It was great to visit the Dodges. They are good hosts. Sheryl took some days off work to go sightseeing with us. The first day she took us to Concord, Massachusetts to see the Orchard House where Louisa May Alcott lived and where "Little Women" is set. We had an excellent tour guide. I hadn't realized Louisa became famous and wealthy with her books during her lifetime.

Then we walked around Walden Pond and saw where Thoreau's hut had once stood. It was a very peaceful place.

We also went to the Concord museum and had lunch there on a park bench.

On Friday Jonathan took the day off and we went to Derry, New Hampshire. We saw the Frost farm where Robert Frost lived for a time. The guide could quote his poetry as he took us from room to room. Robert Frost also became famous during his lifetime and won Pulitzer prizes for his poetry.

This was the Frosts' bathroom with a 2-seater, no less!

We had lunch at a diner and then went to the American Stonehenge. This is an archealogical ruin built thousands of years ago with astronomical markers.

On Saturday we drove up to North Berwick, Maine and saw a wooded property they are thinking of purchasing as a getaway place. It was thickly wooded and surrounded by a rock wall.

There was once a cabin here and there are a few graves from the 1800's

Then we drove to the coast, only 5 miles away. It was cold and windy as we walked along the shoreline in Ogunquit. Those New Englanders are hardy people!

Saturday night the sister missionaries dropped in and it was fun to eat supper and get acquainted with them. The Dodges are now in a new ward because of a realignment --the Merrimack Ward--so going to church with them on Sunday was a real experience. The people we met were really nice. Sheryl led the singing in a baptism right after church which was very well attended.

On Monday we went to Auburn, New Hampshire to see Massabesic Lake. I have to mention the state things are in because everything is so close together you can get to the next state easily.

An island in Massabesic Lake

There was also visiting time and playing games and eating lots of good food!

Sheryl and Curtis

Grandpa and Trevor

September 28, 2013

Our missionary grandchildren

Jason (Elder Dodge) has been in Las Vegas 4 months now. He has just been transferred to the inner city.

This is a quote from his latest letter: "I had a talk with president a few days ago and it helped me really refocus. He's a really great guy. He told me that if I put my full effort then I would become the best missionary in the mission. I hope that if I get to the point where I'm a really good missionary I can be in a lot of leadership callings so that I can help other missionaries that are struggling. Hopefully everything goes well in my new area with my new companion. I'm pretty sad to leave elder Walker we've been starting to get along really well. But on the bright side they say your mission goes faster once you leave your first area which would be nice. I want to fast forward to my 18 month mark to see where I'm at and how good I am. But I guess I'll just stick with 4 months."

He also received a thank you note from a guy he helped reactivate that was touching: "Hi Elder Dodge: Thanks again for reactivating me, and for your prayers and volunteer efforts at the Wentworth of Las Vegas. Continue to stay committed to your mission and it will build a foundation in you that will continue for a lifetime. I consider you a friend and my prayers will be with you."

Our prayers are with him too. It's nice to know he's helping people and now, with a new beginning and refocusing, he will do even more good.

Esther (Sister Olsen) has been out 3 months. After Farmville, Virginia, she went to Broadway, Virginia. She is a trainer now. Her enthusiasm and wisdom come through in her letters.

Here's an excerpt from her last one: "However exciting yesterday was it was not as exciting as Wednesday was. It was wonderful day, the kind missionaries dream of having every day of their mission. But on that day alone we found four solid new investigators. It was incredible how everyone just kept letting us in. The Lord has really showed his hand to me this week. He does every week, but this week I really felt his love. The scripture I really want to share with you this week is Helaman 5:12. It is a wonderful promise that when we do what the Lord asks and build our faith upon him he will protect us when the storms come. I also love how it says "when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds" instead of if. It is a testament to me that we are supposed to have trials in this life and that we are not supposed to be comfortable. Those trials we are having are the things that keep us calling to the Lord. I almost think it would be harder to go through life having everything you need because you would never have that opportunity to reach out to him."

Esther has had challenges and will continue to have them, but she understands their purpose and draws closer to the Lord because of them.

Berkeley (Elder Andrus) is still in the MTC, soon on his way to Ogden. He is what you call "on fire."

A quote from his first letter: "The quote of the week is: 'Obedience brings blessings. EXACT obedience brings miracles.' That is so true! We're doing our best to do everything we're supposed to and it has helped us so much.

The first thing I learned is that you can't go on a mission because that's what you're told to do. You really have to love the work and love the people or it doesn't work. As I've started studying the scriptures in behalf of our investigators instead of just for my own benefit I've received a lot more answers to my questions and felt more motivated. God knows what He's doing! He needs missionaries that love missionary work, not missionaries that are just willing to do missionary work."

We are confident Berkeley will be a fine missionary in the Ogden Mission.

September 8, 2013

Farewell to Berkeley

It was a privilege to hear Berkeley speak in church. The theme was obedience to commandments. Here is a rough outline of his talk:

Commandments are instruction from God, usually given through prophets.
The Ten Commandments are still in effect today.
The commandments are steps for happiness, not to restrict us but to help us progress.
Obedience helps us come closer to God.
We obey out of love, not fear.
All blessings come through obedience.
We had a choice to be obedient even before we came to earth. All we enjoy on earth can be attributed to that choice.
In this life we can have peace through obedience.
His Grandpa Andrus was a good example of obedience. When he died last winter, there was a feeling of peace and love around him because he had no regrets because of his obedience.
Obedience has contributed to preparing for his mission.
His parents were obedient in bringing up their children in the church.
The obedience of teachers and leaders have had an impact.
Alma said to plant a seed of faith and then it will grow. A leap of faith is necessary.
At age 11 he realized he knew the Book of Mormon was true. But it was a fragile knowledge and needed cultivation.
In Seminary they buried a sin (represented by a toy weapon) in the ground by the seminary building.
His mission preparation class helped him be ready to go at 18.
The Come Follow Me class in SS helped for there he felt the joy of growing closer to the Lord and hearing his friends' testimonies.
Berkeley said no mission is more important then another and he's excited to go to Ogden.
He said God loves us and wants only the best for us.

I so much agree.

His mailing address (the mission office) is:

Elder Berkeley Andrus
Utah Ogden Mission
4380 So. Orchard Ave.
South Ogden, Utah 84402

We are happy he can go and will be praying for him. His family will be blessed while he's gone.

August 24, 2013

Peace and calm

Today was a special day. We went with Berkeley when he received his endowment. The new film was amazing. It was very peaceful and calm except when Satan was exerting his influence. As our temple president said, "I just wanted to smack Satan!" I came away from it with a reverent feeling, grateful to our first parents for their choice so I could come to earth too! It was special to participate in the prayer circle--Mike and I, Grandpa and Jessica, and Berkeley with Brenda.

We just keep thinking how blessed Berkeley's mission president is going to be when he gets this fine young man to work with.

Berkeley looks very handsome in Carl's old suit.

August 4, 2013

Time to blog again

This was a great weekend. The neighbor brought over a bouquet of her beautiful flowers!

Brenda and her girls came in connection with a relay the guys were running. We got Jessica and went over so they could meet Joseph. They were fascinated by him and impressed watching Jason change his diaper.

On Sunday Joseph was blessed in the 4th Ward. Jason gave him a beautiful blessing. I really liked their testimony meeting, mostly because old friends spoke! Starley Smith told about being almost 80 and finally having all her kids together in the temple. David and Tiffany were sealed! Then Deon bore her testimony. She is a beautiful young woman and must be very grateful to Brenda for helping her come into the Church all those years ago. Then President Davis spoke. He is having brain surgery tomorrow to help with his Parkinsons. We surely wish him well with that.

We hosted a dinner and it was good to get everyone together.