A Proverbial Prophet

 I taught the gospel doctrine lesson on Proverbs in our Sunday school.  As I studied for that lesson, I realized that we have a Proverbial Prophet.  He loves to instruct us in short, memorable phrases.  Some examples:  Hear Him, Increase spiritual capacity, Stay on the covenant path, Repent daily, Gather Israel, Let God prevail, Give thanks, Strengthen your spiritual foundation, Remove debris from your life, Make your home a sanctuary of faith, Eliminate contention from your life, etc.  

I am grateful for a Proverbial Prophet.

Which of our prophet's proverbs has had the biggest effect in your life?

Words on Fire

 

Words on Fire by Jennifer A. Nielsen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Having traveled to Lithuania and seeing the results today of the Russian occupation, I was deeply moved by this historical fiction novel. We heard stories of the people’s battle to keep their language and culture. This story illustrates that dangerous battle. We traveled out to see the Hill of Crosses. It was one of the most poignant and memorable sights I have ever seen. How important are books? How important is freedom? This beautifully written story answers those questions.

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Queen Elizabeth Passes Away

 “I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong. But I shall not have strength to carry out this resolution alone unless you join it with me, as I now invite you to do: I know that your support will be unfailingly given. God help me to make good my vow, and God bless all of you who are willing to share it.” (21st birthday radio address, 1947)

“For me, the life of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, whose birth we celebrate today, is an inspiration and an anchor in my life. A role-model of reconciliation and forgiveness, he stretched out his hands in love, acceptance and healing. Christ’s example has taught me to seek to respect and value all people of whatever faith or none.” (2014)

I am saddened by the passing of Queen Elizabeth.  Like so many monarchs in the bible and Book of Mormon, she selflessly devoted her life to serving her country and its people.  She was a great example of righteous devotion to duty.

This picture, taken just a day or two before her death, shows her devotion to her duty.  Her purple hands are the only indication of her poor health.  Because of her love of horses, I think she would like it said about her that she died in the saddle.
May her successors follow her fine example.  Rest in peace, Queen Elizabeth.

Weekend with the Prince Family

 We went up north for the graveside service for my Aunt Grace.  We went up on the 9th and spent the afternoon, evening, and night with the Prince family.

A rousing game of Candyland.  Isn't this a cute picture?

The house smelled divine as Michelle baked bread that day.  It tasted even better.  What a wonderful welcome!

Gabbi and I played a rousing game of Catan.  She creamed me.

Friday evening, Michelle and Brian prepared a delicious chicken dinner for us.

Saturday

When we got back from Logan on Saturday evening, Jaron was out mowing.  He is such a good, responsible kid.  He does his chores without complaint and usually without having to even be asked.

It is automatic.  When we get to their house, William climbs up and gets a book for me to read to him.

Grandpa does his fair share of reading, too.

Saturday evening we took them all out to Chili's for dinner.  What a great family place.  We had a grand time and a delicious meal.

As I sat across from Brian and Jaron, I realized how very much they look alike.  Two handsome dudes right there!

Chocolate milk heaven

Gabbi fancied me up

She was actually trying to delay me from going downstairs to watch the BYU game.  It worked for a little while.  She wanted to be with me, but she didn't want to watch the game.

Later, we watched the BYU/Baylor game.  It was one of the best BYU games we have seen, and extra fun watching with the Prince family.  Even Michelle and Gabbi came down and watched the end of the game with us.  Though not big football fans, they were jumping around and rejoicing with the rest of us at the end of that exciting game.

This was a great moment after the game. Oldroyd missed two crucial kicks at the end of the game.  The first thing Hall did as the game ended was find Oldroyd and hug him.  Classy.

On Sunday, we got ready and went to their church to watch stake conference.  They had trouble with the audio feed, so sent everyone home to watch it.  The bishops sent out the link.  It was wonderful to watch at home.  It was a great meeting.

Elder Kyle McKay was the visiting authority and gave a great talk.  He revisited every subject that had been spoken about in the previous talks- becoming the second witness on each subject.  It was masterful and inspiring.

This was a precious grandma time- William snuggling me.

After eating Chili's leftovers for lunch, we headed for home.  Goodbye, precious Prince family.  How we love you! Until next time!

My Camp Chair

 Several years ago I got one of these camping chairs at Costco.  I loved it.  It is sturdy and comfortable.  And I love the little side table.  I liked it so much that recently we bought a second one.   I actually leave it set up out on my deck.  I love to go out there occasionally and sit and enjoy the outdoors.  My camping chair is one of my favorite things.

84, Charing Cross Road

 

84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This delightful non-fiction book is a collection of actual letters written in the 1940’sand beyond between Helen Hanff in New York City and a book seller in London. They are as opposite as two people can be, but they are brought together by a love of books. Helen is snarky and irreverent, but generous and caring. Frank is proper and efficient. He finds books that Helen wants and she sends care packages of food and supplies to her English friend during the rationing of WWII. The relationship lasts for years. I loved their interactions and relationship. It is extremely well-read on the audio version.

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Out of My Heart

 

Out of My Heart by Sharon M. Draper
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a sweet young adult fiction that powerfully shares the heart of a young girl who is severely disabled, but who thinks and feels all of the same things as any other pre-teen. Melody is thrilled to be able to go to camp and learn to swim, ride horses, do art projects, and mostly, make friends. The book is full of heroes to emulate. It is a positive, sweet story. We will be discussing this book at our upcoming online family book club meeting.

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Aunt Grace Passes Away

 My 92-year-old Aunt Grace passed away.

This is what her son, my cousin, Evan, wrote about her on Facebook:

A giant has fallen. Well, not a giant, exactly, since she was only a smidge above 5 feet. But her heart was a giant's. For 92 years she loved and served people all around her, some of whom she reared, and most of the others she outlived. Born in Philly, wife of one, mother of five, possessed of an indomitable spirit. We will miss her, but are glad she can see again, walk again, and talk up a storm again. Full obituary:

Grace Gabrielsen

1930 ~ 2022

 

Grace Elizabeth Millard Gabrielsen, age 92, passed away peacefully on August 29, 2022.   Born at home in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, to Ruth Margaret and John Warren Millard, she graduated from Upper Darby High School, and attended BYU, Utah State and Weber State, graduating as a Registered Nurse. She worked at McKay-Dee Hospital, Weber County Mental Health Services, St. Benedict’s/Ogden Regional Hospital, and Mt. Ogden Convalescent Center, and felt like she really became the nurse she wanted to be when working in the oncology unit.

 

Grace married Alvin Gabrielsen, Senior, and is the proud mother of five. She is survived by children, Christie (Martin) Yurth, Al (Karleen) Gabrielsen, Carol Andrews, Evan (Terisa) Gabrielsen, and Ellen King; 17 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild; and her sister, Joanne Sorrell of Pennsylvania. Preceded in death by husband, Al; son-in-law, Wade King; granddaughter, Emily King; parents; siblings and many, many lifetime friends she will be happy to see on the other side.

 

Grace was a loving friend and caregiver. She has volunteered at the Ogden Rescue Mission free clinic, Red Cross disaster health services (twice traveling to flood areas to provide services), Ogden City Schools as a teacher's aide, and Your Community Connection, where she taught ESL. She also volunteered at the McKay-Dee Hospital for many years. She was a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and enjoyed serving in many capacities up into her 89th year; she especially loved teaching children.

 

She was an interesting mix of very proper (“What if you get invited to a White House dinner?”) and down-to-earth (“If it comes out of the human body, it’s been in my watch.”) She once said, “My life, as I look back, is a surprise to me. I exceeded my own expectations. I did things I would never have guessed I could do: raising five kids, finishing college, staying healthy to an old age, being married over 60 years, skiing, swimming, bicycling, hiking, fishing, camping, playing golf, square dancing, things nobody in my family ever did when I was growing up.”  She enjoyed reading, gardening, sewing and visits with friends and family.

 

The family is grateful for the loving care given our mother by staff at Hidden Valley Care Center, and Rocky Mountain Hospice Services.

 

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2022 at 11 a.m. at the Logan City Cemetery. Friends may visit with family on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Pleasant Valley Ward, 5735 South Crestwood Drive, Ogden, Utah.

Ken and I attended the graveside service in Logan, Utah on Saturday, September 10th.

It was a lovely time to visit with family members.  My dad had three siblings (that survived into adulthood.)  Each of the four of them had five children, so there are 20 cousins.  Of the 20, 15 of us were in attendance.  All of us from my family were there with our spouses, From Grace's family, all were there except her youngest, Ellen from Philadelphia.  From Ron's family, Diane was not there (lives in Missouri), and Todd (lives in southern Utah.)  From Nedra's family, Bryce was not there (lives in Indiana,) and Scott was not there.  He is running for Lieutenant governor of Idaho and on a very stringent campaign schedule (I hope he wins.)  So that is a pretty great turnout.  It was so wonderful to see my siblings and cousins and spouses.  Following are some random shots of people as they visited.

Laurie (Joe's wife and one of my favorite people) visiting with Al.

My cousin Eric Bedke visiting with Ken.

Roger visiting with Joe.

Ken and David

Joan, Marcie (Eric's wife) and their daughter

I have two Gabrielsen aunts left- both in their 90s- shown here on the front row: Nedra and Gary and my cousin, Randee.

The program was short and so very good.  All of Grace and Alvin's children are extremely intelligent and very fine speakers.  Each of them told a story about their mom.  It was entertaining and really captured Aunt Grace and her fun personality.

Evan

As I sat there, I looked down and saw I was right by my grandparents' graves.

Christie with Evan helping her hold her notes

Al or Skip as everyone in the family calls him told such a great story.  He is a pediatrician and Grace was a nurse.  He told about a time they saved a life together at the hospital.

Carol is my age and a Dr. in Pennsylvania.  She told such a cute story about a time she took a bite out of every ripening pear in the basement.

Evan told his story, then read Ellen's.  She participated on zoom.

Cousins of similar age:  Al, John, and Joe.  Three great guys right there.

Our family:  Ken, Kay, Patty, Hal, Cindy, John, Tom, Joan, Pam, and Roger- the oldest of us all hopped up on the chair to take the picture.  He's amazing.

The luncheon was delicious, provided by Aunt Grace.  It was her wish. An important Gabrielsen family tradition is Bluebird chocolates.  After the meal, Al and Karlene brought around Bluebird chocolates for everyone.  What a classy, sweet, poignant ending to a wonderful day.

It was a sweet reunion of loved ones.  I am blessed to belong to such a wonderful family. Rest in peace, Aunt Grace.