Chasing "Grandpa"

In my “blast from the past” baking 

My cooking entertainment--fun childhood jabber from cassette tapes

I laughed to hear my brother and cousin quip “Hey chicky-wicky, how ‘bout a date?”

We have learned from the younger missionaries that President Palmer is religious about date night.

We are working at it. Last Monday, a creative, handsome husband followed missionary suggestions to meander a few miles to Frank Raines Regional Park.  

Along the way, I noticed that grasses seem to have been sheered along the mountainsides.  Still wondering if and why and how that happens.   

I traveled Tuesday, to Turlock, a larger neighboring town, with our branch family history specialist to receive training from our stake.  In a short period of time, Sister Bjarnason had helped Hermana Melendez connect ancestry "dots" to the late 1600s, with maybe six generations.  Martha’s mother and sister had input some of the names, but many were on the Catholic registries (that this year has collaborated with FamilySearch in making public, records from parishes and churches dotting villages and towns throughout Mexico, Europe, United States and everywhere.) Young, talented fingers have indexed and reduced laborious microfilm searching to a few computer keystrokes.  If you do indexing, we love you!!

And by your good fruits, we are learning who we are!

Sometimes, we wonder!

The time was uplifting and useful in preparing me to teach others to experiment with FamilySearch on their phones (tablets, computers...)  She also invited us to share that LDS FamilySearch centers offer use of Ancestry premium subscription  free of charge.   We learned about getting past User name and password issues, and reviewed tips with record hints (top right) on the FamilySearch screen to find and attach sources to individual family members.  

Amid Fiesta preparations we spent time in Patterson, Grayson and Vernalis, visiting active and less active families.  The son of our last week’s friend (who shared their Costco treasure) introduced us to his bobtail truck he drives as a business (occupation popular in this area.) He also explained to us about the planting of trees.  In this area, farmers plant spacious fields of almonds, apricots and nectarines, as this “California Central Valley” produces a good portion of the country’s fruits, vegetables and nuts. 

Bean Bag throws
before becoming "Grandpa/Grandma"

Before and after District meeting, Thursday, Sister Westmoreland met with us to share supportive materials, which Friday, I decorated after scouring clipart sites to find ideas to disguise the game.

After

(How will they come to the booth without something to draw them?) 

Sister Melendez offered old-fashioned cloth to zip around for our tablecloth and helped nieces and nephews create a family tree.

Saturday's  Fiesta: 

(written by Val): “The Apricot Festival had an interesting feel.  It was clean, well-organized, and moderately attended.  The Crows Landing Branch and Ward sponsored a booth extolling the importance of the Family and finding our ancestors.  We think it added a positive twist to a 48-year tradition. We were pleased to help a little and conversed with a number of individuals and families about the excitement of finding their ancestors.”

  

 

Sunday, we found a neighbor home we had tried all week to see.  Heaven does open doors.  We just have to be out and walking…A fun experience, on our Sunday walk, we passed a yard that had just been replanted (ours has many big spots, concerning to handsome husband.)  In receiving grass seed, we also were laden with cherries, garlic, and two aloe plants.  (Ask, and ye shall receive!)

We loved the talk from President and Sister Nelson to the youth:  the field is white.

We made promises before we came.  What will we do today to keep them?

"They will be my people. I will be their God."  (Ezekiel 37:27)

We began temple preparation classes with young adult sister A., who readies for a mission.  

We appreciate things we learn in our time with missionaries: 

Elder R.  taught us last week in district meeting that one of the best ways to become a better person and allow “the Lord to be our God” would be making and keeping promises. 

Elder H.  taught about a time in his life when he was feeling very far away.  As he was laying on his bed one night, a still small voice whispered, “Read your scriptures.  You will feel better.”  He did, and he did (feel better.)

The next night, the same thing happened.

And again.

Soon, he was led to open the Book of Mormon.  And make better choices.  Now, he is helping others make better choices.  He is one of our leaders. 

Elder R. reminded us we are looking forward to Elder Cooke coming in nearly two weeks for a stake conference. 

The sisters, a threesome, beam!  One is from Kaysville!  One, from Utah, has two different color of eyes.  Another plays the piano proficiently.  A Turlock Elder likes piano.  Another likes leather working.  

We also appreciate our visits with branch members, neighbors, and others.

 Did you know:

 

 We have met been welcomed by Chiuahuas and met Thomas the Tank.  

And sung along with four-year-old children a favorite song:  

Don't forget it!!

​A P.S.

 I am dedicating this letter to Uncle Johnny Custer, husband to my mother's sister, who passed away yesterday morning.  Invariable, after sending out a family letter, 
I would hear encouraging words from Uncle Johnny.

Sympathy, love and appreciation to Aunt Aloma, to her siblings who traveled thousands of miles to celebrate Aloma & Johnny's 50th wedding anniversary last month.

  We love you, Aloma.  Prayers and love to your family, missing a wonderful, joyous light!