Interesting Lecture to Attend New Article Re: Einstein's Theory of Relativity

Harold B Lee Library at BYU

David Neilsen of BYU's Department of Physics and Astronomy faculty will be presenting "Albert Einstein's Legacy: Big Bang, Black Holes and Gravity Waves" on Tuesday, Sept. 1, in 1060 Harold B. Lee Library.

The presentation will be held in connection with the International Year of Astronomy. Seating begins at 7 p.m. and the lecture will begin at 7:30 p.m. A short question-and-answer session will follow. If weather permits, telescopes on top of the Eyring Science Center also will be open from 8:30 to 10 p.m. The public is welcome, and admission is free.


Eyring Science Center At BYU

I have always been fascinated by the theory of relativity and quantum physics. I will report on what I learn.

Be Safe, Make Good Choices--Please

This is the scene of an accident where 4 teenagers were killed. The driver was going 90-100 mph. Such a tragedy. I saw this article in the Deseret News this morning. I made the comments below. This is my PSA for today.


Why? When do they Learn? | 10:51 a.m. Aug. 31, 2009

Why do teens and young adults think they are immortal? Life is too precious to throw it away with senseless acts of recklessness. Such a tragedy and the parents are left to mourn their children's deaths. Parents need to tell their children "NO" more often. My brother made some stupid choices driving with my younger sister and I in the car on a rain slick road. We swerved and made a 360' in the road. Luckily we survived. We didn't have seat belts then (1956) He said to us and we went into the spin, "Oh, God, hold on." We did hold onto each other and survived with a bent right rear wheel rim. We came out without a scratch or even a bruise. We were protected somehow. That incident happened again years later on a snow packed road with me, my 8 children, my husband driving a little fast for the condition. I had just told him to slow down and we went into a spin. I said the same thing my brother said, "Hold ON!" We stopped next to a snowbank like a pillow, and were protected. There was a semi-truck jack-knifed across the snow packed road, we missed it by inches. We then prayed and went on. We were very fortunate to be alive. God's tender mercies. My youngest child, (Matt) was a babe in arms, just four months old in the front seat as I held him in all this.

A McIntire

"How Great Thou Art"

How Glorious and Beautiful, The Nauvoo Temple

Today my granddaughter's, Sydney and Courtney performed in their sacrament meeting. Tara invited me to see and hear them play. Their Fryer grandparents were also invited and were there too. The song, How Great Thou Art," was accompanied by one of their ward neighbors and it sounded beautiful.

It was so sweet to hear my two grand daughters use their talents on the violin. The song went very well. Even though they played a duet, they had different parts of the song to play,like the melody and treble clefts. When it comes to music, I am so touch and the Holy Ghost bears witness to the sweetness of the Spirit.

It pleased me to be there and then attended Russ' Gospel Doctrine class. Tara said he had been called to teach the Gospel Doctrine class a few months ago. He did a great job in presenting the lesson on the Martyrdom of Joseph and Hiram Smith.


I remember going to the Carthage Jail and saw where the martyrdom occurred near Nauvoo, Illinois' It was in 2005 that i went with Tana and the kids through Nauvoo. We were going to Indianapolis and decided to go see Nauvoo on the way.




Well, it was kind of out of the way, but was worth the trip. It was my first time to see old Nauvoo remodeled like the original. The temple was beautiful. It was the high light of the trip.

I was watching a commercial on TV of the Afflack duck trying on shoes. It was kind of cute to see him dance when he looked in the mirror at the different shoes he tried on. Humorous.

I had a recollection of buying shoes with my mother in Chicago at a department store. In those days they had a large machine that did an instant ex-ray of your feet in the shoes you tried on. The ex-ray appeared green in color. I had not remembered that for a lot of years....almost sixty! Pretty good memory, wouldn't you say?

This is an exact ex-ray machine. The three scopes to see the fit were one for the salesman, the parent and the one whose shoes were being tried on. I had not idea there would be an image to find online! I struck pay dirt with this little historical memory.

My mother would take us to a department store like Sears, or Goldblatt's and the sales person would fit the shoes. However after a while the government agency that regulates those kinds of things took them off the market because of the exposure to the ex-ray and radiation waves. I think this was about the late 1940s. It was quite the apparatus and it was kind of neat to see my feet and wiggle my toes. It was an amazing process to see them instantaneously like a movie film.

Shoe Fitting X-Ray Device

In the late 1940's and early 1950's, the shoe-fitting x-ray unit was a common shoe store sales promotion device and nearly all stores had one. It was estimated that there were 10,000 of these devices in use. This particular shoe-fitting x-ray unit was produced by the dominant company in the field, the Adrian X-Ray Company of Milwaukee WI, now defunct. Brooks Stevens, a noted industrial designer whose works included the the Milwaukee Road Olympian and an Oscar Meyer Wienermobile, designed this machine. [Large image 27K]

Shoe Fitting E-Ray Unit

The primary component of a shoe-fitting x-ray unit was the fluoroscope which consisted essentially of an x-ray tube mounted near the floor and wholly or partially enclosed in a shielded box and a fluorescent screen. The x-rays penetrated the shoes and feet and then struck the fluorescent light. This resulted in an image of the feet within the shoes. The fluorescent image was reflected to three viewing ports at the top of the cabinet, where the customer, the salesperson, and a third person (your mother?) could view the image at the same time.

The radiation hazards associated with shoe fitting x-ray units were recognized as early as 1950. The machines were often out of adjustment and were constructed so radiation leaked into the surrounding area.

By 1970, shoe fitting x-ray units had been banned in 33 states including Minnesota and strict regulation in the remaining 17 states made their operation impractical. Believe it or not, this particular shoe-fitting x-ray unit was found in 1981 in a department store in Madison, West Virginia. It was still being used in the store's shoe department! When it was pointed out to the store managers that it was against West Virginia law to operate a shoe-fitting x-ray unit, they donated it to the The U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

On permanent loan from the U. S. FDA, the power supply is disconnected on this shoe-fitting x-ray unit. Photos by B. Gaukel and J.J. Gaukel.

Peaks and Valleys

Doesn't it seem like life can go along and the highs and lows come and go? Seems like this last week has been a spiritual feast and high. Then the let down comes when things just seem to stand still! Things just get back to normal. Not that there is anything wrong with "normalcy", right?

Life goes on. We swirl into each day and pick up where we left off the day before. There is always a list to accomplish and focus upon each day. I am thankful to have purpose and go forward. Life is good. I am very blessed to live at this time and season.

I count all my blessings one by one. Thank you all for being a part of my life and give meaning to it. God bless you all my dear ones. I Love you.

How Do You Improve Upon God's Perfection?

Newest Temple in the Salt Lake Valley Dedication

The outside halls of the temple to welcome patrons beginning, Tuesday, August 25, 2009



Another beautiful temple to bless the South Salt Lake Valley



A City set on a hill cannot be hid





Statue Moroni atop Oquirrh Mountain Temple



I stand all amazed with the love Jesus offers me. Again and again, my cup is filled to overflowing as I contemplate the most wonderful of blessings of my eternal family. The dedication was beautiful. I was so pleased to be there at son, Hank's stake building in Orem. Some of his older children attended with us. During the one of the talks given, I was reminded from one of the comments of the sealing of my children to me when they were just 4, 3, and 2 months old. Hank remembered. He looked over at me and tears came to our eyes as we recalled that beautiful day, even though he was only four at the time. I have such gratitude in my heart that the gospel came so early in their childhood and I was able to teach them from such an early age and the rest were born in the covenant.

He now stands as a bishop in Israel. How could I have ever known that forty-five years ago the day he was born just yesterday? He marked his birthday on Saturday, and today would have been my own mother's 91st birthday as well.

So, today I celebrate several things. The sealing ordinances that bind us together as a forever family, a son's birthday, and the blessings of my own mother's influence in my life. The dedication of the temple brought me to contemplate the many temple blessings besides dedications I have witnessed over the last forty years.

The first dedication I attended was the Provo Temple, 1972
2. Then the re-dedication of the Mesa Temple, 1976
3. The Mt. Timpanogos Temple, 1996
4. The Nauvoo Temple, 2002
5. The Palmyra Temple, 2003
6. The Draper Temple, 2009
7. And now the Oquirrh Mountain Temple, 2009. I think that covers it.

Oh, I just remembered to add the dedication of the Salt Lake Temple. I have a very strong witness that I attended the original dedication from the other side of the veil before I was born.

Reflection Upon Blessings of Motherhood

My heart was so touched this week as I thought about the pure love of Christ my grandchildren have for me. They are without guile and never judge me. It is such a feeling so wonderful to know that. My children show me their love in different ways, and it is appreciated just as much. My connection to each of you is precious.

I was talking to a few women who sat next to me at Education week. I told about the talk times we had daily before having family prayers. My patriarchal blessing gave me specific counsel that blessed our lives forever. I gathered my children around me, night and morning and called upon the Lord for his blessings to know what to do for them individually. I was given instruction and followed it according to their needs.

The counsel has blessed us beyond comprehension. I am pleased that my children practice talk times with their own even today. My efforts, as promised were rewarded over the years time and time again. I am thankful to have had that role as mother and be there for each of them even still. It is a calling that I have always taken seriously and pray the legacy will live on.

Today marks the (forty-fifth) birthday of my oldest son, Hank. I learned how to be a mother first from him. My joy was complete when I carried him, was placed in my arms and all my other children and greeted them each for the first time. There are just no words to describe how I as a mother feels holding her babies in arms, mine.

Happy Birthday, Hank!

Being in A State of Happiness

I attended a class given by my former home teacher, Dean Barley. He is a psychologist at BYU and was teaching a class on strategies for a Happy Life.

Here are some of his points to being in a state of happiness:

Express and experience gratitude

Cultivate optimism

Avoid over thinking

Practice acts of kindness

Nurturing relationships--social websites

Develop strategies for coping

Get in the flow

Learning to forgive cleanses the soul, forgiveness is a choice.

Savoring life's joys

Taking care of your body

Practicing religion and spirituality



Dean expanded on each of these valuable points using scriptures. I was unable to write them down fast enough. I am certain I can follow up with a phone call and get his list and more substance to today's lecture. I was able to reconnect with him and it was good to see him again. He was always there for my family and remains a good friend. I appreciated his input over the fifteen years he was there for me and my youngest three sons as they were growing up in the ward.

The Glory of God is Intelligence

I love this clock. It is such an unusual one that it portrays how we go about our day and try to pull everything together to make it complete.

This week I am taking in BYU Education Week. There are so many classes it is difficult to choose just a few...I want to go to them all!]

I will report back later with some highlights of what I gleaned...
Have a blessed day...and be sure to learn something new today.

Anna :)

Looking At Grains in A New Way

Can you imagine making salads with grains, loving the flavor and healthy for you?

Chef Brad tells us there are 8 Super Grains, that are gluten-free


Time just stands still in his classes.



Chef Brad from his website.

Chef Brad did a demonstration of a savory salad and fruity salad. It was so flavorful you would not have believed it had grains in it. I can hardly wait to introduce some of his recipes at a family feast.





This week I attended two classes a day with Chef Brad teaching about grains and how to implement them into a daily diet. Grains are an incredible addition to eating healthy. Wheat flour is not for every one. I had no idea there are so many alternatives!

I have always liked wheat sprouts, and wheat grass, but all the other choice give variety to a new way of eating. Tana and I went last year to Chef Brad's classes. We learned so much. This year he has switched to working for Bosch and has a ball working their company. He has a website: chefbrad.com






He has been teaching at the Orem store and suggested using a pressure cooker that looks like a very large crock pot. It is amazing and one can cook meals in just 12 minutes! Saves time and the food is delicious. It has been a very enjoyable experience seeing and tasting the new recipes. Grains are an important addition and some that I will introduce to my diet for sure.

Blessings Untold are Immeasureable

Maria del Refugio Canchola aka Nane, and her children, my dad, Carlos is sitting on the step, and my father's Uncle, Tio Reynaldo. Nane(Nah-Nee) was expecting my twin aunts, Alicia and Elena, September 1925.


Seems like I am always on the receiving end when it comes to blessings and experiences when I serve in the temple. I substituted for Geraldine, Candice's mom, so she could attend her Relief Society Retreat activity in her ward. She is going to sub for me this week while I go to Education Week. I am looking forward to an incredible week there too.

For several months, I have had the impression to get back to doing the FamilySearchIndexing program. It is indexing records, i.e. census', parish records, etc, that helps researchers find records that were previously unrecorded.

Today I was doing the sacred ordinances and the names that came up were from Guanajuato, where my Great Grandfather was born, in Silao, Guanajuato, Mexico. I also found some work being done for the surnames Sanchez.
My parents knew people who lived in Anaheim who were Sanchez' from Guanajuato who knew my grandmother as a child and her mother. Small world!

Well, as I was finishing up the names, I felt a warmth come over me as if to thank me for my service for these good sisters on the other side. I was amazed. The next thing I had was the impression that my Grandfather, Buelito, ( Ricardo) and his wife, Maria del Refugio had taught them the gospel on the other side. They also wanted ME to do their work. It was no coincidence that I was there today at the right place and the right time for me to be doing these ordinances in their behalf. My heart felt full of gratitude and had such a feeling of great love from my grandparents.

Their ability to move forward now has been such a benefit for this work to continue on the other side and for their kindred spirit friends. It never ceases to amaze me the joy that can be found in these sacred saving ordinances. our ancestors are missionaries, and I had that confirmation today. How sweet it is...

I see the hand of God in my life and how he blesses me daily. I can truly see how the hearts of the children are turned to the father's and the hearts of the father's to the children. May there be no curse at his coming nor utterly wasted at that time for this work to go forward.

Family History Photos to Share per Matt's Request

Carlos & Elena in 1948 shortly after we moved to Chicago.

On the shore at Lake Michigan. Aunt Alice and Uncle Henry with son, Henry, Jr. joined us, Carols, Elena, Anna Maria and Martha on the blanket. Fun times on the beach memories of Chicago. 1948

Grandfather, Ricardo, quite handsome and well attired. aka as Buelito

Big Boy, Texas Longhorn mascot, with brother Charlie, about between one or two years

Elena, second from right with her friends. She is about eleven years old. Harlingen, Texas-- Below she is dressed to go dancing.

She and Uncle Albert used to be partners and dance. People would toss money at their feet for their performance. Mother loved to dance as a youth.


My mother, Elena with her mother or grandmother on calf in Harlingen-


Anita's friends posed for a photo for her 14th birthday. Harlingen, where her mother, Nestora lived, she owned her own home in Texas.

I am so thankful to my mother and her desire to preserve the family history in photos and story telling. I have many fond memories of looking through her big black photo albums, just sitting on the sofa in our living room and browsing for hours and connecting with my ancestors as an early age. Thanks Mama, I love you still!

My Testimony, the Church is True . . .

This I do know. I know that as we renew our covenants, the prayers that we say over the sacrament are blessed each week are from revelation from our Savior. ( III Nephi 18:1-5) I know he gave us the prayers and He taught it to his disciples and to the Nephites. He commanded the prayer for the sacrament to be recorded in our scriptures, the Doctrine & Covenants, and included in the Book of Mormon by the hand of Moroni by another revelation. I know the scriptures are true and the Word of God. I know that the commandment of tithes and offerings that are given to the brethren today of the bishopric are similar to the ones given to Melchezidek of old, in the Old Testament.

One day many years ago, I attended one of my son’s wards. He was a counselor in the bishopric at the time. I watched as there were many that came up to him, greeted h im by name and shook his hand with one hand and handed him their tithing in the other. At that instant I saw in my mind’s eye, the offerings given to Melchezidek of old, in the same manner. I know the Lord’s house is a house of order, and know God is the same yesterday, today and forever. God is constant and unchangeable.



I know the Church is true, and that Jesus is the Christ, and is our Redeemer, the Messiah, and Savior of the world. I know we have a living prophet today, even Thomas S. Monson, who was called of God and is his chosen mouthpiece for our time.

I have always known that Joseph Smith is a prophet from the first time I was told [as a visitor at temple square in 1967] the story of a young boy only fourteen years of age in the Sacred Grove who went to pray and asked God which Church to join. I am so thankful for his example, for that is what I did, I asked if this was the true Church and I was told that, YES it was indeed, and I never doubted that Joseph was that prophet of the Restoration. I know He was given the keys of the priesthood and restored the ordinances of the temple of which I have a part of serving in the temples today. I give this testimony in the sacred name of the my Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Happy One Year Old Birthday, for Joel

Happy One Year Old Birthday, for Joel



Joel's happy face full a cake and frosting.


Having some of his own birthday cake.


Joel, not walking yet, but knows how to climb up stairs and just learned how to go down stairs. He can say, Mama, Dadda, Ella, and Grandma!



Joel with his Mommy, :)Candice at Children's Garden, Thanksgiving Point

We Never Know What Tomorrow Brings

A tribute for a very special little boy--

Live, and Love for today, for we don't know how many tomorrows will be ours to embrace our loved ones today.

COOPER KOFFORD

Cooper Hamblin Kofford (a.k.a. "Coop") Cooper was born October 4, 2004 and returned to heavenly surroundings on July 31, 2009. Quinn Macdonald Kofford and Jana Lynn Worsley Kofford (Orem, Utah. Married 23 years) are blessed to have been Cooper's earthly dad and mom. Cooper is the fifth of six children. He is one of four boys and two girls. Cooper loved his sisters and brothers. He loved climbing into bed and snuggling with his sister, Hunter (13), and loved "playing house" with Kennedy (9). His oldest brother, Carson (12) taught Cooper about baseball. Duncan (7) loved playing legos and swimming with Coop. Lincoln (2) was Coops wrestling mate, car seat buddy, and "partner-in-crime." As his earthly family we are amazed at the depth of our love and respect for Cooper and his impact on our family. We will miss him very much. We have been and will continue to be enveloped by overwhelming feelings of love and gratitude. We are at peace including an absolute blameless recollection of the circumstances surrounding Cooper's last day on this earth. As a family, we have felt the love and support of our extended families, neighbors, friends and the community-at-large; and express our thanks. We have been blessed with clarity of mind and peace of heart and soul which stems from our faith in and knowledge of our Heavenly Father's plan for all mankind, and of Cooper's progression in that plan . . . and its eternal significance for our little family. We are certainly biased toward our son and brother and cannot say enough positive about him or his influence on everyone who knew him or came in contact with him. He was always on the go. At home, he was most comfortable outside . . . usually barefoot and in shorts (or a swimsuit) sometimes even in the winter. He had soft, sun-bleached-blond hair that framed his perfect face and little body and accentuated his amazing deep blue eyes. His two huge dimples (one in each cheek), tan complexion, perfect annunciation of every word and syllable, and his sweet voice (combined with his unique twang) are part of what made him Cooper. He loved to giggle and to make others giggle with him. He loved swimming, riding his bike (training wheels triumphantly removed in May), going to Navajo Lake and Kanab, Utah, and eating otter pops like they were going out of style. He loved taking his brothers for self-made adventures into "Randy's field" or to Betty Jo's "bumpy road." He loved chewing gum which usually only further accentuated his perfect little teeth, ear to ear smile and deep Hamblin dimples. He loved to snow ski, going "faster" in the water tube at Lake Powell, and sleeping wherever and whenever he chose. He loved all of his friends, cousins, aunts and uncles and would interact and immediately engage anyone. He also loved both sets of grandparents (Cree-L and Ila Jean Kofford of Bountiful, Utah, and Steven and Cheryl Worsley of Provo, Utah) and the horses, kisses, Christmas treats and unconditional love they showered on him. We will miss such things as hearing him yell-back "I Love You" as he ran off to play. We will also miss kissing his soft puckered lips, his refusal to eat anything healthy, and his causing havoc in church. We will miss holding his hands (even though the rest of him wouldn't hold still), riding bikes to go get snow cone treats, and just playing and laughing together. If you knew Cooper, you experienced a bit of heaven on earth. As parents and as his family, we are grateful to have been blessed with Cooper. Because of our convictions toward Jesus Christ, we absolutely know with no doubt whatsoever--that we will be reunited with him someday.



A member in our ward works for a picture gallery in Orem and told us this additional story. A few sisters came in to buy some framed pictures by Liz Lemon Swindle for two other sisters who just lost Cooper. He said there was a tragic, accidental run-over of this little angel. They chose what they decided upon. When they went to pay for it they were told there would be no charge, but their gift from the owner. That is the most Christ-like thing anyone could have done for this grieving family.
Comment:

I was familiar with the accident account that had been in the paper just days before. It was written by someone who loved this little boy very much and had a beautiful way of telling his sweet life story. The tribute to this little guy is a reminder to me of just how precious life really is. Live, and Love for today, for we don't know how many tomorrows will be ours to embrace our loved ones today.

Love, Grandma Mattie aka Anna

Early Birthday Dinner for Matt with Beth & Boys

Home made guacamole and fresh salsa aka Pico de Gallo with corn tortilla chips


A rare opportunity to have Ben, Mary Ann and William besides Matt & Beth for dinner.





I admit it, one of my top languages of love is service and cooking for my family! Is it any wonder? I decided to go ahead and make some tamales since Matt was headed back home. I had originally planned to make them for the family bash last week. But it was put on the back burner instead, (pun intended) so to speak.

I worked most of Saturday cooking and preparing the meal. I had bought the meat ten days ago before Michael arrived, and just froze it besides the masa. I hope everyone who sees the pictures of the table spread out with Tamales, Chicken enchiladas, Guacamole,Pico de Gallo, and mole with Mexican rice, and my homemade lemonade fixed for dinner. I am just full thinking about it all over again. Beth has not been a guacamole fan, and Matt told her that the one I made was really good, and should try it. She did and is now a fan of my famous guacamole. It must have been the extra garlic, and cilantro and lime juice with Olive oil of course!




Believe me when I say there was so much food, I could'nt eat everything and even forgot about the luscious potato salad that sat in the refrigerator until it was too late and everyone had eaten dinner. It must be a Texas thing to have potato salad and tamales on the same menu. Oh well, it tasted yummy the next day at a picnic with some of the grand kids when we went to the park with Beth, boys and Candice and kids with Fillerup's while I was tending them on Monday.

Kind of strange to write and talk about what I did tomorrow. Just know that I wrote this blog days after, :) I took Matt up to the airport for his flight back to Seattle. We had a nice visit on the way up and the heritage food must have really turned the hearts of the children to the fathers. He asked that I tell him some stories about his ancestors, his dad's and mine. He also suggested I write them down on my blog for them and have as a Family History. Thanks Matt for the reminder. I will get that project going and soon.