Comments from Son, Hank about Ron and Me

L.to R. Tracie, Tanise, Tara, Mom, Hank, Hank, Sr. Aaron, Tana. At Hank's promotion to Lt. Colonel. 2009

This is kind of a Post Script that would be nice to read and share as part of our story. I had forwarded this comment to Ron from son, Hank's blog comments. Hope it isn't redundant, but worth making note.

Friday, July 29, 2011
Mom's Engaged!
I was working away on the basement when I received a call from my mom this morning. She wanted to come over an talk to Lori and me.

When she arrived she showed us her engagement ring. Lori and I were very excited for her. We met her fiancé last Friday when Mom brought him over to meet us. His name is Ron Walser, and they have been corresponding for some time, and he was in town from Washington (state) where he lives to visit. Lori and I were very impressed with him.

They haven't set a date yet, but they are looking at late September for the wedding. It's so wonderful to see Mom so happy. She has been alone for more than 25 years. This is the happiest I have seen her in a long, long time. Such news is a day-maker.

17 Miracles Movie About the Martin Willie Handcart Company

We had some delicious buttered popcorn during the movie. My favorite treat.






This was truly an amazing movie to see. I heard about it from my visiting teacher on Sunday. Ron and I decided to go see it on Monday afternoon. We really enjoyed the message of the stories that told of the great miracles and sacrifices that were made by those who were part of the trek experience in that ill-fated company of Saints back in 1856. The miracles wrought were unforgettable.

No harsh words can be told of the faith of those dedicated brothers and sisters who knew it was worth it in the end. There was a great message, and one that is to "endure to the end." Amen to that.

Talk given on Sunday and Pioneer Heritage

I was asked to talk in sacrament meeting today. I had the pioneer spirit and told about my ancestor, Ricardo Rodriguez and his migration to the United States, with my grandmother, Maria Canchola. I also had the program set up to have pictures of my ancestors on the front of it. It was very effective and part of my talk.





The sister in the ward that does the program was so nice and helpful to put my ancestors' pictures on it. Top is my great grandmother, Maria Elena Eduiges Ulloa, a recent widow in the photo, and all but two of her sons, my grandfather and Uncle.The couple is Ricardo and Maria. The other one is Maria with all but her two youngest, twins born that same year the photo was taken, in 1925.

Actual program/bulletin is shown below.


The stories about our pioneer ancestors are ones that should be read and reread to our children. They will remember the sacrifices that were made in their behalf. I appreciate mine who came in the times that they did, and gave me the opportunity to prosper and live in this free land. That is something that is precious to me above any thing else.

My heart is full and cup runneth over.

Ron's First Visit to Meet the Family

Before Ron came he asked me to send pictures of each family and their names. I did. So when Ron came to visit he was very interested to go meet all of the McIntire Clan. So, at his request I set up times to go see each of them individually.

Matt and Beth were the first ones, then Hank and Lori's crew. I was very pleased how well Ron did his "homework." He remembered the grand kids' names, and of the couples, and called them by name. I am impressed, and it made me feel good. He felt welcomed by each of you and commented at how comfortable he was in the visits.

We had nice chats with each family. Then we went to see Tracie and the kids. Jared was just getting back from a Scout trip. Tracie was outside in her yard and looking for some tools to cut limbs that were blocking the sprinklers from watering the lawn.

Ron just pitched right in at the chore at hand as if he came to do that for her already and spent the next half hour trimming the lower branches on the north side of the yard in from to the side of the house. We carried the branches out past the pasture and were on our way. We also talked to her about her garden as Ron gave her some tips to successfully pollinate the tomatoes without the bees help by hand.

We went to dinner at Milagros in Orem. It is a new restaurant that serves Mexican food. I really like Mi Ranchito food and menu better. Oh, well, we had a great time and enjoyed visiting with Ron.

While visiting with Tanise and Kaiwi on Monday she mentioned Gary Cooper and Sergeant York. He warbles like a turkey in that movie and said Ron (like to hunt wild turkeys)warbles too; has a resemblance to the actor, Gary Cooper. I agree. Thus the post with similar photos of him and Ron.

Picnic In The Park

Dave's parents, Chris and Virl, with Ron and Anna



Brook learned to sign "I am A Child Of God" and showed us, how to do it



Ron got a meal of delicious Kentucky Fried Chicken, cole slaw, baked beans, mashed potatoes with gravy.


Aislyn and Ella join us for the fun at the park. They made friends with Jackie and Josh, Samantha, Caleb, Paige and Bridger--



The kids all piled on the swing with Dave in the middle

Fun on the swings jammed together and having a great time--



Ella and Caleb looking for beetles--


Dave and Brook

I ask,, "Have Miracles Ceased?"

Moroni 7:37

37 Behold I say unto you, Nay; for it is by faith that miracles are wrought; and it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men; wherefore, if these things have ceased wo be unto the children of men, for it is because of unbelief, and all is vain.

Miracles — Bible Dictionary

Miracles are a part of the gospel of Jesus Christ. If miracles cease it is because faith has ceased. See Mark 6:5–6; Morm. 9:10–20; Ether 12:12.


Ether 12:12-19

12 For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith.
13 Behold, it was the faith of Alma and Amulek that caused the prison to tumble to the earth.
14 Behold, it was the faith of Nephi and Lehi that wrought the change upon the Lamanites, that they were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost.
15 Behold, it was the faith of Ammon and his brethren which wrought so great a miracle among the Lamanites.
16 Yea, and even all they who wrought miracles wrought them by faith, even those who were before Christ and also those who were after.
17 And it was by faith that the three disciples obtained a promise that they should ot taste of death; and they obtained not the promise until after their faith.
18 And neither at any time hath any wrought miracles until after their faith; wherefore they first believed in the Son of God.
19 And there were many whose faith was so exceedingly strong, even before Christ came, who could not be kept from within the veil, but truly saw with their eyes the things which they had beheld with an eye of faith, and they were glad.
20 And behold, we have seen in this record that one of these was the brother of Jared; for so great was his faith in God, that when God put forth his finger he could not hide it from the sight of the brother of Jared, because of his word which he had spoken unto him, which word he had obtained by faith.
21 And after the brother of Jared had beheld the finger of the Lord, because of the promise which the brother of Jared had obtained by faith, the Lord could not withhold anything from his sight; wherefore he showed him all things, for he could no longer be kept without the veil.

The last two months I have been immersed in finding answers to some family heart health issues. There have been many tests run by Endoscopy, Ultra Sound, CT-scan, nuclear medicine. As if that was not enough, I had one more administered today which was a procedure that measures the bubbles of air between the heart chambers through saline solution and monitored by ultra sound.

My appointment this morning was with the surgeon who was the one who would do the procedure to mend the hole in my heart. I was unable to see the screen where the monitor showed what was going on. Aaron went with me and was there through the tests.

The wait was almost two hours. He is a very busy doctor and is very well known for his expertise in this type of procedure. He gave a thorough explanation of what they looked for and how my heart appeared through the tests and the results.

The good news was that I do not have a significant need to have the procedure done. He said my heart is strong. It is healthy, and I am risk free of a stroke. Some of my symptoms are not caused by a defect in my heart.

I feel like this nothing short of another miracle in my life. I know numerous prayers of great faith have been said in my behalf and I have been miraculously healed. My gratitude for those answered prayers and feel most humbly thankful for my loving and faithful family who pray and continue to pray for me.

The fact that the biopsy of my colon tissue came out clear, clean and with a negative result is also another tender mercy in my behalf. I go forward in faith and give thanks for all of those who petitioned the Lord in my behalf.

The words, "Thank you." seems so inadequate.

I am so blessed.

I know the heavens are open, and angels have attended me through all of the testing, and procedures. Even though I have one more surgery to see me through, I know all will be well and taken care of to make me whole again. I am not alone. I am thankful for the medical technology that has advanced over the years so that I can benefit,look forward to and have a healthy, long life.

A New Friend to become Acquainted

Introducing my friend, Ron. He is from Richaland, Washington


A man outstanding in his field.




This weekend Ron is coming to make his first visit to Utah to meet me.

Thanks to the technology of the internet, it makes it possible for people to get acquainted through that medium. I was given to understand many years ago to stay abreast of the modern fast changing world. I include having internet access and communication is possible for people to meet that perhaps would otherwise be impossible.

Some of the many things that draws me to him and his personality is his honesty and sincerity. He is somewhat of a tease, but in good taste. I like that about him.

Another great characteristic is that he speaks Spanish! I have never come across anyone who is so naturally expressive using the Spanish language with me as he does. He is so comfortable to talk to and communicates to me as an equal. His growing up years were spent in the Mormon colonies in Colonia Juarez, near Nuevo Casas Grandes, about 150 miles Southwest of Ciudad Juarez which is across from El Paso, Texas-

I look forward to his visit and the opportunity to get to know him better this week end and see where it can go from there. Wish me luck!

Faith of Our Fathers

These are my paternal grandparents, Ricardo and Maria (Canchola) Rodriguez. They are a great example of faith against all odds for them to come to the United States from Mexico. I know Ricardo, my grandfather must have had a very strong impression to make the long train journey from Dolores Hidalgo,Pachuca in Western Mexico.

The silver mines had closed down due to the political and civil unrest between 1911 and 1916. The conflict was resolved after they left Mexico and settled in San Antonio, Texas. They had intended to go to Miami, Arizona but fate had other plans.

It was also a great blessing for Ricardo to relocate his family where he did in the long term. His cousin whom he had gone to look for work before making the move, died a few years later and worked in Arizona where they first had scouted the area.

I am so grateful for my grandfather and his desire to have a better life for his wife and children. He was a hard worker and provided for his family during those economic hardship times of the Depression years. Carlos, my father told us that his father had work during the time others were scraping to make a living. They did not suffer like some did during that economic depression.

I note the way they were elegantly dressed in this photo. It was taken in 1919. It was also very likely that this picture was taken when Maria Canchola, my father's mother was expecting him. He was born November 28, 1919.

I was so pleased to acquire this photo in 2000 or so, and many others though family.

It is a blessing for the hearts that are turned to the fathers and the children to the fathers when it comes to accomplishing the eternal blessings and binding families forever. I pray to be diligent in the cause to bring to pass the immortality and eternal lives of my ancestors. Their faith in me, inspires me to carry on in that great effort all the days of my life.

I know I will be accountable and when I come face to face to them again, I will make a accounting of myself and thank them for their assistance and blessings they were given from my service in their behalves.

Temple Square and Conference Center

My amazing grandchildren enjoying the Temple Square experience

Austin, Kaleb, James, Aislyn, Ella, Cole, Ethan, Parker (all) McIntire



This is an inside view of the Conference Center in Salt Lake City. We went up as a group with Michael, Joanna, their boys, Beth and the boys and Tess. Candice and their kids, and Tracie with her younger three joined us as well. We took the short tour of the Conference Center, since it is a long tour. We opted to see the huge meeting room first, and got to spend about a half hour there before going to Temple Square.

It was almost 44 years ago next month, that I first visited this same place as an investigator. Although I did not know I was one at the time. It was just a few months before the LDS missionaries came knocking at our door to ask if we would like to know more. Yes! I did. The rest is history.



It was such a great feeling to be there and see all the exhibits with my now third generation of members of the Church in our family, my grand children. We all had a good time, and enjoyed lunch at the Lion House Pantry, cafeteria style.


The grand kids enjoyed the time there and the exhibits. I will post some of the pictures I took, later.

Provo Freedom Festival Hot Air Balloon Fest

Michael and I went down to Provo to see the launch of the hot air balloons this morning. The weather was already quite warm. We found a parking place not too far from the field where the balloons were being filled. We parked in front of a business that we needed to move the car if past a certain time, since it was open for people to use the space where we parked.

The balloons were all over the field, and firing up their balloons, on and off with that familiar sound of the torch inside it. There was a balloon that was stripped like the American flag and actually had a flag hanging from the bottom of it. It was held down by a rope line and the Star Spangled Banner was played, and we saluted the flag as well as gave the pledge of allegiance. I was so excited and felt my patriotic heartstrings during the song and pledge. I felt a unity of everyone their honoring our country and flag.

We then, decided to go move the car to another space. By the time we did and walked back to the field people were leaving and all the balloons had been deflated. Someone said it was due to wind. A 'No Launch.' was declared.

Walking in His Footsteps

Sunday is a special day for me. I love the times to go to my meetings and embrace the Spirit of sacrament meeting, which was Fast and Testimony, today. I visited Hank's ward, with Michael and Joanna, and their sons who are visiting from Cincinnati. The ward members brought a sweet, loving Spirit as they bore their testimonies. They truly had broken hearts and contrite spirit.

K5 was advanced in the priesthood to Teacher, and ordained shortly after that meeting. I was touched by the comment made by Hank and I post them here:


"A powerful meeting, and then to leave that setting to be in the circle as K3 ordained K5 a teacher and pronounced a beautiful, heartfelt blessing upon him while his father, grandfathers, and uncle stood next to him. I have had many proud moments as a father; this one is among my most cherished."

It has been said, that "the apple does not fall far from the tree." I agree. He walks in the footsteps of his dad, Hank. K3s ordination and blessing and of his brother brought tears to my eyes and made my heart pleased as I listened to the words in that blessing. I was impressed at the ability for K3 to pronounce the insight and reaffirm what "a fine boy his younger brother truly is." I know how Hank felt hearing his son in those moments made.

The rest of the meetings were uplifting as well. It almost felt like my home ward, since I get to visit there on occasion.


Dinner at Hank's with most of the rest of the siblings and their families was later in the afternoon. We had taco salad and yummy desserts made by Mary Ann, Ben's wife.

I was able to bring the shirts for the family reunion and everyone, especially the younger kids were excited to put them on and wear them home. I left my camera out on the counter at home, so I was unable to take my own pictures. I had taken a few pictures of Michael and Joanna and the baby at home, and mentally thought the camera was in my bag.

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Click on the bar and see the rest of the article/pictures--Hank in his element.