Box Filled With Love

Several years ago a well meaning group of women gave out an empty gift wrapped box that resembled a small Christmas ornament. The idea was you cannot wrap love, or the box was filled with love.

This year my new ward gave out boxes with a list of items to fill the box for the Salvation Army food drive. It had a list of things for a Christmas dinner minus the turkey or ham. They distribute the boxes for those who are in need.



We were glad to participate. I was given the thought to wrap the outside of the box for the items. It felt good to get those as we shopped yesterday and made it ready for the family who will received it. May God bless them in their time of need. I have been on the receiving end before of the gift giving and am so thankful to be able to share our abundance.

Eternal Blessings Now

Fidela Recio, daughter of Jose Maria Recio-> joined to her family today.

Maxima Munoz, sealed to her parents, wife of Clemente Ulloa. Maternal Grandparent to my grandfather, Ricardo Rodriguez

Reaching Back to find the second great-grandfather whose sealing work was performed for him, his wife and children. Jose Maria Recio and Catarina, are parents to my great-grandfather, Feliciano Recio.

Eufemio Canchola, father to my grandmother Maria Del Refugio Canchola. One of his children, Aniceto, was among the ones sealed to their parents.

Today is our two month anniversary and very happily married, still! Each day we are so thankful for each other and welcome the love we share. Ron says we are happy beyond expectation. I agree. Me too.

We went this morning to the temple and did couples sealings and some children sealings to parents. What a great way to spent our morning. We also had some extra time to go to the Family History Center next door to the temple. Ron and I updated ourselves on getting back into new.familysearch.org. website. Lots of records to get ready for more blessings for those on the other side that we enjoy here and now of being forever family.
Maria del Refugio Canchola and Ricardo Rodriguez, the original ancestors from Guanajuato, Mexico



Now we can work on our records from home. I was pleased to see the center had a business size card for patrons to write down their user names and passwords to take home. It is so annoying to forget the password and have to start over when trying to get into the website.

I am eternally grateful for the access I have had for these photos over the years. I continued forward even with small children to do my family history work. I have been blessed having these in my collection. My joy is full.

Patience and Waiting on the Lord

Alonso underground tunnel in Guanajuato, Guanajuato. Mexico


The Pyramids of Mexico City . . .

Each day Ron and I pray for the opportunities to serve and to prepare us for those same to come to pass.

Years ago I visited Guanajuato with my grandfather Ricardo Rodriguez and my youngest sister, Linda. He showed us where he grew up and where he and his father worked in the silver mines along the minerales aka as the pueblecitos named La Luz, Posos, Dolores Hidalgo, San Felipe and Guanajuato.

It has always been my hope and prayer to be able to go back to visit Guanajuato, the capital of the state of Guanajuato.

Today we heard about a project in the works for some time next year overseeing one hundred-twenty acres of fruit orchards. Ron has been highly recommended by some of his former colleagues. They sound very hopeful Ron would to go there to help them.

I feel the hand of the Lord prompting from the other side influencing what we may be given to do at a future time; and answers to prayer. My heart is so full that when I thought about this today, I was in tears with joy and the subtle way in how the Lord works and hears the yearnings of our hearts and desires as I ponder them today.

I feel my father close and know he would be pleased to see me go back to Guanajuato. His birthday was yesterday and has been on my mind perhaps of the connection. Quien sabe?

There is a lot to look forward to do, nevertheless.

Our First Christmas Tree

Close up of the birds on the tree. Love those birdies!



It has been about six years since I last had a Christmas tree of my own to decorate. We took out all the decorations that were packed in boxes in the move and went for it. There were some that I had never used and decided to use them this year. Ron helped me decorate it, after finding the boxes--he is such a good sport.

Ron wanted to make sure we got a really nice silk Christmas tree. I most appreciated that about him. It is another dream come true. What a PRINCE.

Frazzled . . .

Today I tagged along with Matt (he asked me to come) as he wanted to go do a little Black Friday shopping. He and Beth went last night for some early Christmas shopping. They didn't find everything they wanted so he opted to go look again. Beth stayed home with the boys since we were shopping for them.

The stores were not crowded like they usually are for Black Friday. It has been a lot of years since I have done any shopping the day after Thanksgiving.

I had a red hat to cover my bad hair day. But, I took it off when we got back and Beth took my picture with Tess before they left to go back to Redmond. So that is why my hair makes me look frazzled. I worry less about how my hair looks and comb my hands through it as needed.

Cole, Tess and Ethan as they were getting ready to go back home.

We had a great time with everyone here and it felt so good to be home and know it was where we are. I also took a nice (much needed) nap during the BYU basketball tournament Ron watched at 3:00 p m. I woke up after it was over. I didn't realize I had slept through the whole game! I fell asleep on the couch in the Family room. Ron let me sleep through. I appreciated that. We watched a couple of shows on KBYU and had a good evening together.

This is our Thanksgiving spread with family. Matt and Beth made it in early and were actually the first ones here. I snapped this just before we had the blessing on our meal. Ron gave it and we had a great day. Everyone stayed and visited until late around 8:30 p m.

There was plenty of food and we made lots of memories. The kids and Jeremy played Scrabble and did Origami on colored paper the size of post-its. Of course there was several football games to keep the men occupied as well. The turkey eat fell off the bone, was so tender. Ron fixed it and the delicious stuffing. He said I could make it next time. We also warmed the tamales and were tasty. The gravy turned out well too.


The weather was windy but clear. Some of the kids went outside after our meal. We ate about 2:00. So there was plenty of day light after dinner. Annie brought two pies, Key Lime and Banana Blueberry, which were a big hit. Kevin, Shelly's husband made yummy two pumpkin pies. It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie! I made a raspberry pie from some raspberries frozen from the one Ron picked last month. I liked it with whipped cream over the top.

Dreams Come True, Answers to Prayers Too

Getting ready for Thanksgiving guests:

Who would have ever thought having a lovely crochet table cloth or two set for our first Thanksgiving would be an answer to my prayers?


Well, it has been my hope for about five years to again have a place to call home of my own and be with a wonderful companion to share it. [with Ron.] That is what today fulfilled.

This is a tablecloth Matt had made for me on his mission in Paraguray. Thanks Matt!
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day. Family coming to share it with us means a lot to me, on top of that preparing the Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, homemade rolls, pumpkin pies, apple pie, and fruit pie.
And to add the Heritage food this year as a new tradition. (see my Facebook page), Tamales. We made them yesterday and sampled them.

I have so much to be grateful for all the blessings I enjoy. I have so much support from Ron, my wonderful husband. I tell him how much I appreciate his love and being his wife. IT is beautiful.

It is so fulfilling with my Dreams and Prayers Answered too. I see the hand of God in my life each day.

A Small and Simple Thing

We went to our ward sacrament meeting. It had been three weeks since we attended our own ward. Every time we go it is like we are visitors practically. I feel like it anyway.

The meetings were uplifting and the message was to read our scriptures each day to feel connected to others. I appreciated the talks.

After Sunday school Ron went to his quorum. I stayed and was on the row all by myself. No one came and sat by me. A few ladies talked to me, in front and the back of me, but no one came to sit by me. I was feeling like I had no one to visit with and left there alone.

Then, to my surprise--one of the counselors came to sit by me when the teacher went up to teach the lesson. It made me feel good and not so lost there on the row. It ended up that she is our home teacher's wife. It felt like she cared and it made my day. It was a small and simple kind thing to do.

The lesson was about the signs of the times or the Second Coming. I always enjoy that subject and wanted to go home and read it again with Ron. We talked a little about it on the way home from Church. Our discussions in our classes were very similar which was encouraging.

We had a nice late lunch of roast, sweet potatoes, and asparagus. We put a roast in the crock before we left. It was delicious and had a wonderful lunch together.

We were fortunate to have a late nap for a few hours.

Elect Lady, Alice Nielsen Raynes Passes Away

I am still in shock that Sister Alice Raynes passed away. I attended her husband's funeral in January. It was just ten months ago. This week I read her obituary in the Deseret News.

She and Joe, her husband were a Celestial couple. They were such an example of the pure love of Christ and personified Christ-like love for others as I observed over the years that we were in their ward. I ponder all the memories of Alice and her willingness to help others, use her musical talent and serve with a smile. The photo of her shown was just exactly as she was in life.

When I heard of her passing, I was quietly happy for her to be able to go be with her Sweetheart again. She had a massive heart attack and passed away a few days later. I cannot imagine how their ten children and posterity will manage without them.

Ron and I attended the funeral for Alice. The service was so touching. A few of the children spoke, unlike at Joe's funeral all of the children spoke at his. All them participated in prayers, or sang at Alice's, but only a few were speakers. Her son, Jonathan gave an incredible farewell to his mother, and one could almost see his father in him as he spoke so tenderly of her. He said she was his "first love." He bore his testimony of Jesus Christ, much like his father did as well.

I know the family must have felt the void without her, but I can just imagine that both of their parents will minister to their children and be a strength to them even still.

I feel it was a privilege to have had Joe Raynes as my home teacher for several years before his was called to be bishop. He worked with my Aaron as his first assistant and I knew he treated him with respect and grew close to my son as his bishop.

Alice was one of the sisters I visited as her visiting teacher. I am the one who gained and was blessed to be in that calling. It never ceased to amaze me of her unconditional love and sweet smile when I would go visit her.

She was a choice daughter of God and elect lady. May God bless her family in her absence. I always learn how to be a better person when I attend funerals.

Here are a few things I observed and gleaned from her funeral.

1) Each of her children secretly knew they were her favorite.
2) She was always happy and smiled.
3) She forgot herself and dedicated her life to serving others.
4) She took a trip to Ireland six weeks before she died with one of her daughters.
5) She had talent for playing the cello, piano and organ.
6) She always made me feel I was important to her each time we visited.
7) She was a devoted wife, mother, and friend.
8) She was the oldest of her eight siblings and was very responsible growing up.
9) She was hit by a car as a teen, but refused to go to the hospital to not leave a sibling she was taking care of at the time.
10) She loved the Lord with all her heart, might,mind, and had unconditional love.
11) She loved to read her scriptures everyday and set an example to her children and to others.
12) She always said her prayers and knelt at the side of her bed.

In The Moment .. .Mutual Appreciation

These days I am so thankful for my wonderful companion, husband. Not having had one for so many years lends to the appreciation I have to be with him and enjoy my life at his side.

I thought I would make note of that and share how precious life is and the commitment I made to 1) tell him I love him 2)always let Ron know by my actions each day and moment how much he means to me and (3)is appreciated.

Each day is a new adventure for us. We learn so much about each other and it builds more and more trust between us as each day goes by. He takes time almost every day to rub my feet for me before we go to sleep. My feet had some roughness on them, and since I had my surgery he took it upon himself to make sure my feet had some TLC, tender loving care. They are now about as smooth as the tops of my feet. I also take a few days of the week to massage his feet and give his back a good work over. He always sleeps the longest after I do that it relaxes him so much. I am grateful for that effect it has on him. He deserves it!

He shows me in so many ways how cherished I am. Especially when he demonstrates patience as we go through my storage unit and he helps me pack and sort through all that. He is my angel and helper. We work side by side and get so much accomplished.

The other day, we went to lunch at McDonald's in between working at the storage since it was the closest to where we were at the time. I made sure I went to the bathroom since there are no facilities there at the unit. I mentioned to him that in the past whenever I had that need and was there working at the storage I would find a quart jar and relieve myself and go on with the work.

Well, that urge came again about an hour and a half after we got there, and not wanting to make a big production to go to McDonald's I found the quart jar, and quietly closed the door of the one side of the unit while he worked in the open area of the slide down door to the unit. It was private so after that I told him about and was laughing so hard that I was glad I had already relieved my bladder.

He was impressed that I would even do that and said most women would make him take them to McDonald's to use the bathroom! He said that told him that I was like a pioneer woman and could adapt to the circumstances around me. I took that as a compliment and am grateful for the compliment.

So I came away appreciating the man that he is and the respect he has for me to help me sort through all of the "stuff" aka hud, according to son, Michael. He said he appreciated my ability to "rough it" and even said he could take me camping without worrying about if I could handle it. No worries.

Of course. I don't know if I could have had my babies in the wilds on a trek across the plains but I certainly could adapts to having no bathrooms along the way.

Getting Things Done . . .

Seems like there is always something we need to do to get things in order. Today we went to Orem to get my passport updated with my married name. We had to send off the new one I had just renewed in September along with our certified marriage license. We went to Costco to get a new passport photo. We ordered our Christmas cards too.

Then we also had to take care of some IRS stuffed and change my address. They said I couldn't change me name with them, but that Social Security Administration would take care of that for me. The teller agent there congratulated us and said, "May you be happy for a thousand years." We thought that was so nice and personable. I happened to know the gentleman from working at the temple.

He spoke to us in Spanish, and went very well to take care of the business at hand.

We also took a few minutes to go visit an old friend of mine and called her before to tell her we were close by. My friend Betty Christianson used to know Connie Walser when they lived in Edgemont. Connie used to do her hair. Small world.

My friend Betty is getting up in years and looked so frail. She has Parkinson's now and had tremors. Her hair looked beautiful as usual. She remembered Ron, and he remembered her too, and saw some of her family pictures she had on the wall and see what she looked like then too.

I went away feeling perhaps I that I may not see her again, as she mentioned how she hoped remodeling her house and to see it done, she may not be around for it.

I felt a little sad what that would mean, but know she would be happy regardless. I have missed her over the years we were not in touch. I am glad we took the few minutes to go see her.

Sunday, Fast and Testimony Sacrament Meeting

The first Sunday in November and it is Fast and Testimony Sacrament meeting today. Our morning prayer was about bearing our testimonies if we felt impressed upon to do so.

Well, we were and did. Ron insisted that he go first. So the things he said, I could either agree or say something else. He did a great job and I was pleased. He paid me a great compliment and bore his testimony of the Savior. I was very happy how he said it.

I was able to give mine and express my gratitude for him and how well he was "trained' by Connie. I acknowledge his goodness and how I had waited twenty-five years to find him. When Ron told how many of my friends he was introduced to, would tell him what kind of person I am, and he said he knew that to be true. I saw the sisters in the audience and some of the brethren smile and nod in agreement. He said I was a "jewel," as they nodded. It made me feel good inside and so appreciative for my husband.

I know that it was necessary for me to feel I "deserved" a good husband and man in my life for my eternal companion. One of our guests who came to the reception from our old Cascade II ward told me in my ear as he gave me a hug, how much "I deserved this (good husband and be happy," My heart was full and know Heavenly Father brought us together and that we had a lot of unseen helpers as well.

I bore my testimony in Cincinnati too, but he didn't. I remember telling the ward there that all fifteen of our children and most all their spouses attended the sealing in the temple.

I realized more and more what a great sacrifice and effort it must have taken for them all to be present. I saw several tender mercies and miracles occur for that to come as an answer to prayer. I had felt very strongly that somehow they would all be there. My faith was strong and I was so thankful for that to have happened. It was a dream come true.

I still ponder that special day of our marriage and the pre-sealing talk given by the sealer, Patriarch Donald H. Holdaway. He was also my home teacher for two years. He practically walked me through the last two years, counseling me and giving me such hope that I would have an eternal companion, and just needed to (continue) be patient. He would pronounce blessings in prayer and literally too that showed me how and the way to have an eternal sweetheart.

It was worth the wait. We are so happy together, and each day confirms that. I had confidence from the time we spoke and on until we met and carried on our courtship long distance at first. I feared not, and doubted not. How blessed I am, and we are to be together. He is the love on my life here and forever.

How sweet it is!

I will add pictures soon to this post.

Talk By Grandma Mattie on The Holy Ghost for Allison Fryer

The Holy Ghost--talk given by Grandma Mattie, for Allison’s baptism November 5, 2011

This is a very special day for you, Allison. You have been baptized and now are ready receive the Gift of the Holy ghost. Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost a very special blessing. It is A GIFT THAT CANNOT BE BOUGHT ANYWHERE. It is a gift from Heavenly father for his faithful children who have chosen to become members of HIS True
Church. Your Dad will say the words through the laying on of hands through the power of the Holy Melchezidek priesthood.

I will tell you some of the ways it works for you in your life. The Holy Ghost can be with you as you remain worthy of his presence.

He will talk to you through a still small voice that tells you to be careful and warns you of danger that your cannot see with your eyes. it is like having a pair of “spiritual glasses.”
The Holy Ghost is called the “Comforter.” You can feel it like a blanket, and feels good when he is there.

The Holy Ghost is a helper in the Godhead with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ to tell you when you need to know truth and to help you bear your testimony.

The Holy Ghost will always help you to be true to yourself as you listen to its promptings.

It will help you feel peaceful, and happy inside and to know that Heavenly Father loves You! and listens to your prayers.

He will help you get along with your brother and sisters, your parents and friends. They will all love you for that too and bring them Joy. You will notice and even tell your Mom how the Holy Ghost helped you get along with your brother, jacob and sister, Erin too!

Allison, Did you know that When you have the Holy Ghost with you,

You are not easily offended
You feel confident in what you do. Playing in Sports or playing the violin.
You are happy and calm
You mind are clear and full of light
You are giving and generous
You are glad when others succeed.
You want to make others happy and bring out the best in them
You feel like praying.
You are more calm in difficult times.

You overcome temptations.

“BUT THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT US LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONG SUFFERING, (PATIENT) GENTLENESS, GOODNESS,
MEEKNESS, TEMPERANCE, AGAINST THERE IS NO LAW,

Galatians 5:22-23 Allie, I hope you will remember these things always, Bear Testimony.

I know these thing to be true.

Grandma Mattie

"Home" Again, Juggity, Jig . . .

It seems strange to be back "home" again, figuratively, anyway. Home has been in Lindon for a while, so to call it home is different. Our home is really back in West Richland, WA.

Ron and I arrived in Utah yesterday afternoon. There were several errands to do so we got those done before we got to Lindon. Things look pretty much the same, the weather is a little cooler than when we left a month ago. WE were thankful for safe travel as well.

I guess we could say, Lindon is our second home base. It felt good to be back though. Nothing strange about that.

The grand kids were so excited to see us too, and that allways makes us feel good.

I have a talk to finish writing for Allie's baptism tomorrow, which I was really supposed to be doing now. There are lots of things to get done before going back to West Richland. Ron is overseeing that while I do this. First things first!

Later on today, we get to go see the Hallows, and see baby Presley!! Her mom said she got her second round of immunizations so is not too chipper this morning. She is doing better than yesterday when she first got them. Poor thing. :(

Then we will be back this afternoon to take care of Aislyn, Ella, Parker and Joel. Fun, Fun. We will get a movie and have fresh popcorn and treats. We hope to get a fun, much desired movie too.