Texas

There was no letter last week because we were in Texas until late Sunday night.  Monday I was recovering, Tuesday, too busy to write a letter, Wednesday, preparing for a colonoscopy, and Thursday, having that colonoscopy, and Friday I chose to do other chores, like work in the yard.  So, it's Saturday morning and I'm finally getting around to writing this letter.  It's close enough to Sunday that it will cover both weeks.

So, back to Texas.  On Wednesday, Oct. 19, Caitlyn, Roy and I got up early and left for Texas.  Elise picked us up at the airport and we met Andy at a restaurant downtown so we wouldn't have to fight Texas traffic at rush hour.  We ate at Papacita's, a famous Texas Mexican food chain.  We hung out with Elise on Thursday, did a little grocery shopping and enjoyed our grandsons.  Friday, Elise had a full day planned.  We started by taking Max to the zoo.  Elise came in with us and then left to take Maverick to his 9 month check-up.  By the time she was done, Max was done with the zoo, so we met Elise at the train (there's a train that goes around the zoo).  Andy was done with school for the day so he met us, too.  We had a great 20 minute train ride.  Maverick was on my lap and he was so excited.  He leaned forward and held on to the pole and the seat in front of us, and was bouncing up and down, making happy noises the whole time.  Max sat by Roy and they were obviously having a great time, too.  They both love trains.  After the train ride we ate our prepared picnic in the parking lot, then headed to Galveston to go to the beach.  On Thursday we had asked Max what he wanted to do on Friday.  When he heard the beach was an option, he told us he wanted to go to the beach, and then kept telling us the same thing every 5 or 10 minutes.  We could see why when we got there.  It was slightly breezy, so Roy and I thought it'd be kind of cool so we kept our clothes on.  Everyone else put on their swimsuits and were rewarded with beautiful warm water.  Max immediately went to play, and Maverick, not to be outdone, began crawling straight into the ocean as fast as his legs would carry him.  He had no fear.

Max loves the sea lions

And Mav loved pulling grandpa's hair

On the Train

Here he is--determined to get to the water

Caitlyn, expressing her joy of being away from
school and having a wonderful day at the beach

 Saturday we slept in a little, then prepared to go to the Renaissance Festival in a nearby Texas town.  Actually, it was about 2 hours nearby.  Apparently it's the largest such festival--at least in the US.  It was interesting, as most people dressed up as pirates, or wenches, or scullery maids, or barbarians--you get the picture.  The festival was much like one might have been in those days, with somewhat amateur shows (such as a fire-eater/sword swallower, and a circus with jugglers).  The shows were fun, but the real show was the people in their outfits--most women showing a lot of cleavage.  There were even Disney costumes (I asked Elise why someone would dress elaborately as "Belle" from Beauty and the Beast, since it wasn't the right time period.  She said that if you owned an expensive costume, this was the place to wear it).

The Fire Eater/ Sword Swallower

Pizza on the way home

Sunday, there was no sleeping in.  Church was at 9:00.  It was fun to attend church with the Jacksons.  Elise and Andy gave the prayers in Sacrament Meeting. Elise even taught the Relief Society Lesson.  It was based on Elder Bednar's talk from April's conference--Always Retain a Remission of your Sins.  She did a good job.  I reread the talk when I got home.  I think it's a pretty deep subject and hard to cover in one lesson, but she handled it very well.

After church we enjoyed a Salmon dinner and then relaxed until time to go to the airport.  It was a short but nice trip--and a necessary one--we need to see our sweet grandsons that we don't see as often as the others.  

The Wednesday after we got home, Ollie was in a little Halloween program at his school.  I had to visit teach, but Roy was able to go watch.  He was a dragon--in a pretty elaborate costume.  Roy said he didn't sing, though.  Pretty typical.

The stucco is finished and I think it looks amazing.
We're still waiting on rock for the front of the house.  Ryan
told us that it's his goal to get us in by Thanksgiving--or at least
a week or two after that.  I think I'll plan on the 2nd part
so I won't be disappointed.

Wednesday night Caitlyn had an orchestra concert.
Roy was the man of the hour again--since I was prepping
for my colonoscopy.  He said it was an excellent
concert.

Effie is starting to show her sweet and happy
personality.  Nick and Sara aren't sleeping much.
Hopefully that will change soon.

Is there anything sweeter than a daddy and his girls?

You've got to love this kid with his happy smiles.  I
miss Max and Mav and wish we could see them more often

Dancing with some show.  They were obviously
enjoying themselves. Ollie, Yuna, Doyeon, Hyeji and Gunnar

Hyeji giving a presentation at school

We managed to find something to wear for the
Young Single Adults Halloween party.  Even
though most of our stuff is in storage.  We didn't match though.
The bishop and his wife were Popeye and Olive Oyl
The counselor that dressed up was a priest and his wife was a nun.  

Can you guess?  I couldn't if I didn't know.  This is Crista and Matt!

So, Elise told me that one or two genealogy vignettes was all she had time to read--the eight or so I sent last time was too much.  I decided just to forward the original document from Steve so you all have it.  I challenge you to read one or two each week to get a little taste of what your ancestors were like.  This way you'll have the pictures as well.

I have added something to my scripture study and thought some of you might be interested.  There is a web site called Book of Mormon Central and they have an app also, called KnoWhy.  (not a misspelling).  Each day they ask a question and answer it with a short video and, if you have time, a longer synopsis.  The questions are linked with the Sunday School Lessons, so right now, all the questions are pertaining to 3rd Nephi, such as, "Why is 3 Nephi important for Understanding the Godhead?"  and "Who is the Servant Spoken of by Christ?"  I have found these to be interesting and informative.  At the end of the synopsis, the sources are listed and further reading suggested.  They often suggest conference talks that go along with the topic.  I have really enjoyed using this app. They have questions Monday thru Friday and nothing on the weekend.

I have more pictures from the family from Halloween parties, and dances, etc.  I will add them to next week's letter.

Happy Birthday AJ and Dan (and Doyeon in a few days).

Generally about this time of year, Roy and I head down to Cedar City to see their fall plays--the ones they don't show in the summer,  We also happened to have tickets to our local theater (Centerpoint), to the "Adam's Family" Wednesday night.  It was a musical.  We took some friends that have treated us to the Hale Center Theater a couple of times.  I was a little worried that the play would be awful (since we had guests).  It was a pleasant and fun surprise.  It was also very Halloween appropriate.  The actors were fabulous, the music (did I mention it was a musical?) was excellent, and the plot was fun.
Thursday morning, I exercised and cleaned the house and Roy went to work.  About 1:00 we headed for Cedar City.  We made it in time to have dinner and check into our B & B.  The play was "Odd Couple,"  the actors, Brian Vaugn and David Ivers.  We were excited to see this play because these are two very well known actors in Cedar City.  The fun part was that throughout the run of the play, they have been switching roles.  On the week days they are scheduled as to who they will play, but on the weekends, they flip a coin.  We really enjoyed watching.  Friday, we enjoyed a delicious B & B breakfast (baked pear, egg and potato casserole, and some sweet bread), a nice walk with a bit of shopping (and the most delicious cup of hot chocolate I've ever enjoyed--at the "French Stop" a little outdoor kiosk restaurant), and then the play "Murder for Two"  This one was played in a small theater, so there were a lot of people who wanted to see it that couldn't get tickets.  The two actors (and there were only two), were both concert pianists.  One of the actors played a "detective," I put that in quotes because he was really just a detective wannabe.  The other actor played about 10 different characters--with different body language for each one so they would be instantly recognizable.  Wow!  I have never seen anything like it, and it was amazing.
After the play we headed for home.  It was one of those wonderful vacations that you hate to see end, especially because it was so short.  I guess a lot of our little getaways are short.  We drove 4 hours on Thursday and 4 on Friday.  We do that a lot when we go to Dutch John, too.  At least we go.

Saturday was busy for both me and Roy.  He did paperwork and other chores, while I spent the whole day at a water aerobics training workshop.  The morning consisted of 2 hours lecture and 2 hours in the pool, exercising, hard!  And the afternoon was one hour lecture and one hour in the pool, exercising, HARD.  Needless to say, I am exhausted this morning.  And I couldn't even count my steps while I was in the pool.  I ended up with nearly 7,000 steps--not counting my workouts.  When I got home, I had just enough energy to pick the raspberries.  I heard it was to be cold on Sunday and didn't want to take a chance on not getting the last of the berries.  I got about 1 quart.  The picture doesn't look like it's that much, but it is.

Sunday evening we had the family over to celebrate AJ's, Dan's and Doyeon's birthday.--Everyone came minus Crista and Elise and their families. Roy showed them the new baby chicks that arrived this week (I guess I forgot to mention that Roy now has chickens. I think he planned on being in our new home and yard by now).  We had a delicious dinner and enjoyed the company.

Ollie and Chick

Doyeon, Ollie, Hyeji

Finn and Doyeon

Hyeji

Gunnar and Doyeon

Dan, Adrienne, Nick, Doyeon, Ollie

Other news from the week:

Ori is Potty Trained and received quite a reward for her compliance:

We are headed to Texas on Wednesday to see these guys:

Life goes by so quickly. We need to enjoy the moments.

When my mom turned 75 years old, she said to me, "I'm three quarters of a century old and my life has passed by as if it were a dream." (There's a similar quote in the Book of Mormon).  I'm only 56, and it seems as if my life is passing by as a dream also.  Time goes so fast.  Every week when I sit down to write this letter, it's all I can do to remember what I've done during the week.
This past week did have a few memorable moments.  Ollie turned 4.  Roy and I wished him a happy birthday on Sunday when he was over, but dad didn't feel very good when they had his party, so we stayed home.  He has a wonderful Aunt Jennie, however, who made a special effort and took him to Build A Bear and Chick-Fil-et to celebrate.

Ollie and Jennie

Roy and I made a quick trip to Flaming Gorge to winterize the trailer.  We made it in the nick of time.  It was actually lightly snowing when we drove the last 30 minutes to Dutch John.  Because of a little blunder on my part, we were able to go on our walk to the overlook.  The blunder was this:  I made reservations for Red Cliff's Lodge.  They said they only had an opening at 7:45.  So, I took it. They asked me if I was staying with them.  I said, "No."  Then they asked if I was in Moab.  I said, "No, I'm staying at Pine Forest Campground."  It didn't register with me that they had asked about Moab until were nearly finished with our 60 minute walk (which we were able to take because of the late dinner time).  I said to Roy, "I think I made reservations at the wrong restaurant." Sure enough, I had.  The restaurant I wanted was Red Canyon Lodge.  So, we hurried and called the correct restaurant, only to find it was only open on weekends.  We drove over to the Flaming Gorge Lodge and got seated--just before closing.  We both had beef.  I had beef medallions, and Roy and a rib-eye steak.

Thankfully, everything was tasty, so it all worked out.  It's not like there are a lot of dining options up there, so it's good there was something open.  If everything had been closed we could have had pancakes.

View from ouy walk

View from our drive

On our drive home we had hail that was heavy enough to lightly coat the road.  It was quite beautiful.  

Friday night Crista and Matt came down and spent the evening with us.  They were down for the wedding of one of Matt's cousins as well as our Rasband family reunion on Saturday night.  I was able to pick a few raspberries on Sunday morning for my breakfast--which Ruby loved.  Crista sent us this picture from her babyhood--picking raspberries in Grandma Cook's raspberry patch.  And I thought Ruby didn't look like her.  I admit I was wrong.  

Crista as a baby in grandma Cook's raspberry patch

As I've probably mentioned before, my calling right now is Senior Primary Chorister.  I LOVE my calling.  Friday we had the practice for the annual primary program, and Sunday we had the program.  There is not a more wonderful meeting all year.  My kids sang great, knew the songs, and had fun.  We added bells to one of the songs at the last minute (they practiced a few times on Friday) and it went well.  I made one mistake.  I put the words up for two groups of kids to each sing a verse.  The boys had verse one and the girls had verse two.  On the day of the program, I put the words for verse one on the girls side, and verse two on the boys side, and then had the boys sing first--as usual.  I saw a few questioning looks on the boys faces, but they sang the song (2nd verse), and then the girls sang the song (1st verse).  I don't know how many people knew besides the primary and myself.  Probably not very many.  

I have spent several hours this week studying the most recent conference talks.  It seems like every one that I have studied so far is on being more grateful for the incredible blessings of the gospel and the plan of salvation.  I am studying them, and at the same time, planning my primary singing time for the next couple of weeks.  I will read all the talks from the 1st presidency and the quorum of the twelve, and then correlate these talks with primary songs.   Then I'll have the kids match the message/song with the apostle.  I love how there is always a primary song that teaches the doctrine of any of the talks that are given.

Speaking of conference, and gratitude for the gospel (and the Book of Mormon) Jacob Christensen wrote to his parents this week about an experience he had in Georgia (not Georgia, USA).  I wanted to include it because it went along with the themes of October's conference.

"They really did put an emphasis on the Book of Mormon.  That is the word of God, and not taking it for granted.  In Georgia, they don't have the Book of Mormon fully translated.  They have a couple verses and they are currently finishing up the translation, but it's a long and daunting task (Yes, I just wanted to use the word daunting).   The missionaries up there use pamphlets, that are translated, and Russian copies of the Book of Mormon, but not everyone reads Russian and Georgians in general don't like Russians, so it doesn't always go well. There are members that have testimonies of the Book of Mormon, but have never read it because they don't know Russian! How amazing is that!

Well last week, when I went to Georgia, I saw an unexpected surprise.  As we arrived at the church, President pulled out a package and handed it to a Georgian member that was there.  When he opened it, we found out that it was the Final Draft for the Georgian Book of Mormon.  They only have to read through this once and then they will start printing the Book to be passed out. As soon as he saw what it was, he started crying.  The way he opened it, the way his eyes feasted on those words, was incredible.  I've always had the Book of Mormon in my life.  In English, always available. I always took advantage of that Book.  But this man, has never had it in his native language, he has never had that real opportunity to read it like we have. And now that it's so close he can barely wait.  And it made me really think of my testimony of the Book of Mormon.  So I would just like to add my testimony to all those who have testified of it before.  That it is true.  The Book of Mormon is the Word of God, it was translate by Joseph Smith with the Power of God, and it is the most true book on this earth.  I know it to be true.  I know it, I know it, I know it.  And I know that nothing can change my mind.

We truly are blessed to have the Book of Mormon whithin reach at all times.  The same with Temples, with Prophets and Apostles.  Things that some people have never even heard of, things that people would sacrifice all that they have to see, or hold in their hands.  I am so grateful for the Church. I love you all."

Elise's Memories of our family and pictures of Mav, Max and Andy

I received Elise's memories of our family.  Now I've had three of my children respond (Crista, Adrienne and Elise).  I am putting Elise's memories in its own post.

Memories:
As I read Crista's memories, it triggered many memories of each sibling, so I think I'll copy her method, if that's okay. But this edition I'm focusing on spiritual experiences related to each individual. I will do a more fun memory one later.
Dad: as I was preparing for my mission I was terrified, but dad always gave me the courage to do what I knew the lord wanted me to do. He never pressured me about it, but after I had come to the decision on my own, he said, "I knew you'd serve a mission."
"I wish you would've told me that before I went through all of the stress of deciding."
"If I had, you may not have realized it's what you wanted and maybe it would've kept you from doing what you were supposed to do." Dad knew me well. Though by my college years I had matured.... a bit... I was still a stubborn (did I say was?) soul.

Mom: I look at mom as a well of knowledge. Isn't that a beautiful thing? That a woman who dedicated her best years to raising 8 crazy kids is known for her intelligence? Yes, she is definitely known for her spaciness (and side note to Crista's comment, we were talking about someone's talk from sacrament meeting who said they'd take their leftovers from dinner or hotel soaps and shampoos and give them to the homeless and mom, who was in some other realm, blurted out, "that's not true!!" She was very passionate about it which was weird to the rest of us (because we're thinking, how would she know if this man delivered stuff to the homeless or not?) but then later explained she thought we were talking about some creepy urban myth. Not sure where the disconnect was.) anyway I'm surprised Crista didn't say she remembered me for my tangents.
So mom's intelligence excels when it comes to the gospel. I definitely grew in my desire to be studious of the scriptures because of listening to what mom knows and watching her take the time and effort for her daily scripture study.

Nik: I always looked up to Nik and Dan growing up both spiritually and otherwise.
When I was in college I had a huge naive crush on this roommate (don't even remember his name) and Nik kept telling me to drop it. At first I thought it was because he was embarrassed by me, but then later discovered it was because he didn't think that guy was good enough for me. I also remember the summer I turned 20, Nik was in California doing pest control and he told me, "ya know if you met The right person I could see you getting married." Not sure exactly what he meant by that but it meant a lot to me. I felt like it was his way of saying, you're mature enough. Though I'm sure I wasn't.

Sara: she has been such a wonderful addition to our family. She has been a great example to me of being nonjudgmental and accepting while still standing up for what you believe in.

Dan: during my college years he was my rock. They were some of my best yet, but amongst crazy roommates, lame boys, and especially learning Italian, he helped me with advice, let me vent, and tutored me.

Jieun: I have had many wonderful spiritual conversations with Jieun on walks when I come visit Utah, I really wish I could get that in Houston.

Adrienne. I think overall the gift of forgiveness comes to mind. Not me to her though, if I ever was upset with her I am not any more, but her forgiveness of me.  I'm sure a lot of our fights were mutual and sometimes got physical. It was my harsh words that still linger with me. I have been trying to tame my tongue since adulthood and I'm grateful for those who forgave me for my words in my adolescence (namely mom, probably dad, Adrienne and Crista.) I hope that if I ever do offend someone that they'll come to me. Because I love y'all so much I would never do something to intentionally hurt you. So if I have, please let me make it right.

AJ. Well since he stole my sister from me while I was on a mission I don't have much else to say. Just kidding. I admire AJ's calm nature and he always seems to know how to break the tension if there is any he is such a great addition to the family.

Crista: adorable Crista. She has always been Adrienne and my guinea pig. Lol. We would play school with her when she was like 3 or 4 and she figured out how to memorize multiplication tables before she even went to kindergarten. She's always been destined for greatness. (Well what Rasband hasn't?). She has always been our peacemaker and many times she helped me calm down and allowed me to vent when I was a hormonal teenager. She was my best friend for many years and helped me get though some tough times.

Matt. Well let's just say he ain't no door mat. Lol. What joy he has brought to our comedic bunch. We love you Matt.

Jennie jennie jennie. You have always been so unique but what I love about you the most is your ability to see past people's shells and love their spirits. I remember going to a play in Cedar City with you and you sat next to a cute girl about your age. While I would've been pretty shy, by the end of the show you two seemed like best friends.

Cait de bait!
You are our angelic caboose. I am still impressed that though you have a sassy side to you, you seem to have deliberately avoided caving into the teenage drama. I am so impressed with the woman you are becoming. What a gift it was to see you born. While Adrienne was right, at the immediate time of birth you resembled an alien, it didn't matter because that moment was so beautiful. The veil of heaven was so thin and you were so precious. I had almost forgot how worried we were because they found fluid in your lungs, but also I was so relieved when shortly after they concluded it was nothing dangerous. You are such a blessing to those around you.

_________________________________________________________________________________

As I was rocking Maverick to sleep tonight, a memory came to my mind and maybe it was not exactly this way because it was so long ago, but I think I remember you moving me into Thomas'  room because of my heart surgery so that you could hear me and him on the baby monitor.  I remember the pink curtains and white bed frame and pink covers.  I remember calming him down in the night once when he woke up upset.  I think I remember me waking up in pain from the surgery and dad coming in to help me.  These memories are so faded.  I wish I could see them more vividly because I feel like tending to my brother's needs would be a very sacred moment now, knowing that I lost him soon after that.  I have other memories too, during that age.  I remember playing ring around the Rosie a million times with Thomas, it was his favorite.  But I remember one particular afternoon we were on the driveway waiting for dad to come home and we were playing Ring around the Rosie.  Every few minutes he'd pull away to point out a plane.  When Max started pointing out planes, it made me smile.  It was such a fun experience with Tom.  I remember going to dad's airport to watch him practice flying (and seeing scantily clad women on calendars in the waiting room which had holey furniture and smelt of oldness, dust and petrol).  I remember the drive to the airport, passing deep green pastures and lots of horses.  No wonder Thomas loved planes so much.  It must've been pretty neat to see dad fly when I was that age.
I remember Nick and Dan locking me up in who knows what kind of places.  From Velvet's (our rabbit's) cage to the playroom/train/rock room closet, to rolling me up in their blankets and tossing me around.  I remember Christmas eves, so excited I couldn't sleep.  The first year I knew Santa wasn't real (I think I was 7) I lay in bed trying to pretend I knew he was real I thought somehow that would still get me presents (I guess I had to believe to a certain extent if I still thought that).  I remember in the Derby Ct. house we'd sleep as long as we could (till like 2 or 3) and sneak into Nick and Dan's room and play Nintendo.  Although, I'm pretty sure they played and I watched).  I also remember having to wake Nick up for high school every morning and one morning he had locked his door in his sleep and I was banging and banging on it to wake him up.
I was also thinking about the haircuts that my younger sisters all got.  I am pretty sure all of them got caught with scissors and as consequence ended up with boy haircuts after that.  I'm not sure if those haircuts started Adrienne's pilot bob but I adored that hair.  I also remember being so upset when she got a perm.  I couldn't believe she stole the one thing that was uniquely mine.  Lol.  Now I think all of the arguments we had growing up were so comical.  I'm so glad we're close now.

[I told Elise that I didn't remember a lot of the above.  I'm pretty sure that Jennie was the only one that cut her hair enough to warrant a boy's haircut, though Adrienne probably cut her own hair, too.  I was sitting in church one day playing with Crista's hair (she was lying in my lap) and a big clump of hair came out.  I found out that while Nick was tending, she got gum in her hair and he didn't know what to do, so he just cut it out.  I certainly was unaware of the boys locking up Elise in various places.]

Our Little Chef

Our Knight

Library story time

Max was a bit grumpy at story time

Max' picture face

Mav loves "Moo, Baa, La La La"

Squirrel; Cook A Rama; Conference weekend and Happy Birthday Ollie

Highlights of the week:

Squirrel in the basement!  Roy went to the downstairs laundry room to put groceries away, and a squirrel ran by him.  He called me to come quickly and I ran downstairs and stood at the doorway. Roy said, "Don't let it get past you."  But, as it came running at me I wasn't about to stand in its way. Thankfully it ran into the theater room where I could close the door to contain it while we found something to trap it in.  Unfortunately, when I closed the door, it locked behind me.  Someone must have turned the lock.  It's been a long time since we've used the key to that room.  We put in a regular keyed lock because we wanted to be able to keep teenagers out of the room.  We had to go on a key hunt.  I was pretty sure we'd have to call a locksmith, but, after trying many keys, Roy found one more and it fit.  He got a large bin with a lid from the garage.  I knelt in the doorway with the bin and the lid so I could be like a hockey goalie and get the squirrel to make a goal without missing and leaving the room.  Roy chased the squirrel around.  Every once in a while the squirrel would head to the door, see that there was no exit, and head back into the room.  I guess it finally decided that it was the only possible way out, and he ran into the bin.  I quickly slid the lid over the bin and we had the squirrel.  We should have taken a picture when we let it go, but we didn't think about it.  We checked throughout the theater and the laundry room and could find no squirrel deposits.  I don't think it was in our house long, but we're really not sure how it got in.  Roy had left the garage open for a while to cool it off, so it probably got in that way somehow.

Cook A Rama--Thanks to everyone who came and supported me in my assignments.  I felt that it was a very successful night.  We have such a wonderful legacy.  Our ancestors sacrificed greatly so that we can have the gospel of Jesus Christ and live in this beautiful state.  Let us find joy as we teach our children their history.

General Conference--We are always spiritually fed when we take the time to listen to our leaders and this conference was no exception.  We also enjoyed having Crista and Matt stay the weekend and were also able to associate with all our kids except Elise and Andy (with whom we Facetimed for a few minutes).

Happy Birthday to Ollie today.  Ollie had tubes put in his ears last week and has been trying to regain his energy.  He is four today.

Genealogy Excerpt:

Fifth Generation

Alonzo Howland Cook

Born In Cov’t: 29 Sep 1855 Salt Lake City

Baptized: 5 May 1865 Swan Creek, Id

Service: Bishopric Counselor

Endowed: 1 Apr 1872 Endowment House

Died: 7 (6?) Jun 1933 Salt Lake City, Ut

Melvin Cook wrote: A.H. Cook was as much like my father as any father-son pair could be. He was strictly and religiously honest, general very serious but often jovial, genuinely kind and considerate-a driver-man with great skill in the building and design. . . . Alonzo did his best to comfort them and to keep [his children] together as a family after their mother’s death. . . . Alonzo had great faith in God and he was constantly aware of blessings he had at the hand of the lord. He was honest and frugal, and he taught these qualities to his family by precept / example. He talked continuously about the church, how to live righteous lives and true religious philosophies. . . Once he called on me to shave him with straight edge razor, though I had no previous experience. Yet he had complete confidence in me; I came through, though with much difficulty, yet no cuts.

Amy Ellen Laker

Born In Cov’t: 24 Dec 1857 Wallingford,Ct

Baptized: 6 Jun 1868 St. Charles, Id

Service: Stake Relief Soc/YW Coun.

Married:14 Nov 1878 Endowm’t Hs

Died: 21 Jun 1919 Swan Creek, Ut

            Melvin Cook wrote: “Amy was a good, religious woman with great faith. Mother lived with Grandmother Cook a year while Father completed school and found her to be firm, determined but kind and sympathetic. Her strong determination and great faith certainly rubbed off on my father.”

            Her daughter Alvira wrote: “Amy was called to be first counselor to Nancy E. Pugmire in the presidency of the Bear Lake Ste YWMIA . . . for 28 years. In the early years, the stake extended about 155 miles to be traveled by team and buggy. . . . These stake officers were often away from home one week at a time.

            “Amy was very active from early childhood always anxious to gain more knowledge. . . . In 1879 Amy was called to be the first counselor in the presidency of the Bear Lake Stake YWMIA-serving for 28 years.

            “Amy was dynamic and efficient, yet she was tender and sympathetic. A strict disciplinarian. She kept all her children and home in order. She was a very hard worker often forcing herself far beyond her physical strength to put over the many home duties as well as the great number of public jobs and responsibilities she always carried.

            “Because of ill health, Amy was released (from her stake church calling). She was an invalid for the last 11 years of her life, but through it all she retained her strong will power and wonderful mentality to the end.”

            Of his mother A.L. Cook wrote: “I trust that for me and mine their lives shall ever be a beautiful and strong incentive to “make our lives sublime and in parting leave behind us” records like theirs.

George Anson Osmond

Born: 18 Apr 1858 Bountiful

Baptized: 1 Jul 1868

Service: Sunday School Superintendency

Endowed: 12 Jul 1883 Endowment House

Died: 19 Nov 1904, Portland

            Of her father Maude wrote: “He was a quiet man, not easily provoked.  His judgment was often sought after, as he was a straight thinker.  He was a hard worker, from morning until dark he was busy.  He did his best in everything he did, never slighting the smallest details. It was said that he could do the work of two men, as he was strong and a steady worker. He never seemed to be in a hurry, but he was always busy, and having his work well planned he was able to accomplish much.  During the forty-six years of his life he accumulated between two and three hundred acres of land and a sizeable herd of cattle. He did not believe in debt and paid his way as he went along. He was honest to a marked degree and was an ardent lover of truth. He loved his family, both his own and his parents and brothers and sisters.  At the close of each day he would call at his mother’s home for a visit with her, and she relied upon him a great deal.

            He met with an accident when he was forty-six years of age. He was a member of the Sunday School superintendency and had attended Sunday School and an officers meeting. The sacrament meetings were held at 2 p.m. on Sundays and he desired to attend this meeting.  He climbed by ladder to the top of a high haystack and fed the horses and then instead of going down as he came up, he jumped to the roof of a shed. This roof was firm in most places, but the spot he landed on gave way and he went through and on to a cement stable floor, striking the manger as he fell.”

Alice Catharina Hart

Born in Cov’t: 14 Sep 1864 Salt Lake, Ut

Bap: 15 Sep 1879

Endowed: 12 July 1883 Endowment Hs

Sealed Sp: 12 July 1883 Endowment Hs

Died: 17 Sep 1942, Farmington, Ut

            Alice grew to young girlhood carefree and happy. Nellie Osmond wrote of her brother’s engagement: “Alice was a general favorite in [the Cook] family. She was one of Rose’s closest friends.”

            Maude wrote: “Joy and success, pain, disappointment, and sorrow have been her portion, but through all she has kept her faith and optimism, and her love for humanity has not diminished. She did not spend time in self-pity nor bemoan her lot, but with courage and faith in the future and in the kind Father of all, she rose to her responsibilities. Alice was for many years a visiting teacher. She worked for three years indexing names for the temple. She had a gentle, loving nature.

            “Alice was, and always had been, extremely charitable and was generous to a fault. She was never so happy as when she was giving something to someone or doing something to make someone glad. . . . [P]romised as a child in a blessing that her table should always be spread with the bounties of life, and she would impart to others, this has been verily fulfilled.”

            Seventy years “of abundant living has been Alice’s privilege. . .  She may now look back on a life-time of interesting experiences, of unselfish interest in others, of devotion to duty, of faithful performance of every task required of her, of a conscience void of offense, of a heart filled to overflowing with the “charity that never faileth.”

This last was the great grandmother I was named after.  I thought it was interesting that she spent three years indexing.  When I think of indexing, I think of turning on my computer and digitizing the names.  Of course, my great grandmother wouldn't have found it that easy.  We are certainly blessed to live in such a time.  We need to appreciate our marvelous blessings and not take them for granted.