Remembering Christmas Past

Written December 16, 2014

A three or four year old smells the live green Christmas trees, and sees colored lights, glass ornaments and tinsel, with gifts under the tree. My mother and I went to visit (I believe) my uncle’s wife, Evangeline. She had a gift for me that was a small baby doll. This may be a stretch of imagination but perhaps this happened during the months my father was in the Army or in Chicago at that time.
The lady we visited had dark olive skin, pretty brown eyes, and had long dark hair pulled straight back in a bun in the back of her head. She had dark red nail polish on her fingernails. She spoke to me in a sweet, soft voice, was affectionate and gave me hugs and kissed me on the cheeks.
When we moved to Chicago my mother took us to see Santa Claus at a department store, likely, it was Sears. We also went into the Woolworth’s store, commonly known as a “five and dime” store. All of the stores would play Christmas songs’ like “Here Comes Santa Claus” or “Frosty, The Snowman,” sung by Gene Autry, a cowboy singer. Also the new song which came to be quite popular then with Jimmy Boyd singing, “I Saw Momma Kissing Santa Claus”’ I remember shopping for a gift for my mother, and picked a heart-shaped bottle of perfume, or cologne called, ‘Blue Waltz.” I still remember what it smelled like. I really liked the scent of that cologne. Christmases were very simple and without a lot of fanfare.
My Dad was a Mason. Every year we went to the Masonic Lodge Christmas programs and were given a red mesh Christmas stocking with nuts and candies in them. The hard candy was ribbon-like and some were filled with jelly or chocolate flavor inside them, with candy canes. Some of the flavors of my favorites were clove or cinnamon. Sometimes they gave out gifts like dollhouse furniture, Doctor Kit sets, or color books. My grandmothers would send us clothes we usually needed. I recall when I was about eight that I got a beautiful Madam Alexander doll, and a full size doll that stood up about 2 ½ feet tall. I was given the tall doll and my sister the smaller Madam Alexander doll. But my mother for some reason switched them and gave my sister the tall baby doll and me the Madam Alexander doll. I had that doll for many years and even saved it for my oldest daughter, who named her Maggie. I thought that was kind of neat since my maternal 2nd great-grandmother’s name was Mague. After we moved to Utah I don’t remember what happed to the doll. The larger doll would make a [whahh] sound when squeezed; the smaller doll would cry Mama, Mama when she leaned back or forward. I liked her delicate features and pretty blond curls, small teeth and rosebud red lips. She was in a blue dress and white pinafore.

My Earliest Recollections Of My Childhood~

I think my age here is about two years old; we lived in San Antonio, Texas. Some of my earliest recollections are during the latter part of that year. My father had gone into the Army and was gone almost a year as I was told. He used to send us Hershey's chocolate almond candy bars. I remember we received a box of them from him while he was in the service. I loved eating the almonds and chocolate candy! I later discovered that because of the War (II)--sugar was rationed and not everyone could buy those Hershey's chocolate candy bars. My father bought us the treats at the Post Exchange aka the PX. The service men had the privilege of buying it unrestricted due to they were being rationed for civilians.

My mother did not drive very much at that time. So I recall going on the public transportation on the bus. She would take us into town since we lived in a rural area not far from the cement plant where my grandfather worked. My grandmother and grandfather were separated since my father was about twelve or thirteen years old. My grandmother lived farther down near town. They finalized their divorce about the time I was born. We would go see Buelito, as we called him which came from the Spanish word for grandfather, "abuelo," or "abuelito." When I was almost four my Uncle Richard built my grandmother's home on Center Street. I believe my grandfather, Richard may have provided the building of that home for her and my Aunts Celia and Helen who lived with Nane, (Nah-nee) as we called her.

Sometimes we would take the bus into town and stop at the drug store and get an ice cream come for each of us. Bea(trice) Canchola was a young cousin who worked at the drug store and made our ice cream cones for us. Mama always got me a strawberry ice cream cone``I think that was her favorite flavor. It was always a treat to go there on our way to town.

I think I was about 16 months here. I was just learning to walk at 15 months.

My mother had this photo taken for my Dad and sent it to him while he was gone in the Army. [He carried this photo in his wallet for many years with a wallet size photo of my beautiful mother]. He was a driver stationed near Portland, Oregon driving the medical corp vehicle aka an ambulance and picked up POW's from Germany and drove them to Camp Adair during the War.

Enrichment-- A Change of Scenery with a Challenge to Excel

We have a new ward and we feel a part of it already! Our new home has brought us new opportunities to grow, learn and get acquainted with our ward family. Their friendliness is boundless and they go the extra mile to make sure we feel welcomed. The bishop called us one evening just after we moved in and invited us to a ward dinner activity at the park behind the ward building that we probably would not otherwise have realized to go ourselves.

Then the bishopric came to visit us as well and again we felt welcomed and got to know who they are and they to know who we were too. I attended Relief Society each week and love the teachers' lessons and participation with them. We were recently asked as members of the ward through an announcement to get involved in doing Family Search Indexing. They announced that they have about 25 Family History Consultants for the Family History Center. They also asked if we would be able to do Family Search Indexing at home. The supervisor,( Verona E) for that [project] came over to show me how to do the Obituary project the Church is currently doing. She is our bishop's wife and such a fine, delightful person to get to know. She reminds me of one of my former bishop's wife, Sister England.

The Stake Relief Society had a women's seminar in April, called "What A Holy Woman Do?" It was a beautiful challenge for the stake sisters to try an experiment for three days to ask ourselves the question, "What would a holy woman do?"
The R S Stake board did that since January and reported to us what they experienced. It was so uplifting and the reported how it changed so many lives as they chose to live those words. The idea came from a book written by Kristen W Nelson, the wife of one of our Twelve Apostles. It is a short book but very full of counsel and encouragement. They gave us each a spiritual "gift card" with the same words, "What Would A Holy Woman Do?" I decided to accept their suggestion to try the experiment.

I started reading the eBook of it and put into practice. I found it helped be be more attuned to the guidance of the Holy Ghost and listen to the still small voice in accepting a new church calling that made that experience so sweet. I figuratively went from night to day in my perspective in that decision. It was nothing short of a miracle. My husband and I went to the temple during that week of contemplation. I received a sweet confirmation and witness of what a holy woman would do and was convinced of the blessing it would become in that acceptance. I felt so much peace, love and support all around me that I have never known regarding the steps to accept what the Lord would have me do in this instance. I know I had a 'mighty change of heart' that would have missed had I not taken the time to really search for the answer I sought.

I hope anyone reading about this challenge will seek out the book and see the miraculous effect it has upon each of you. It is an incredible, life changing event.

New Place, New Experiences

Moving to Nevada has been a new wonderful adventure!

We are enjoying the warmer weather in our new home in Mesquite, Nevada. Ron has the garden plot in and a few rows with tomato plants, Anaheim peppers, egg plants, with seeds planted for cantaloupes, and Crenshaws. Our garden here at home he's planted a few tomato plants, and seeds for cucumbers.

He has been focused on having our front yard become an orchard. So far he has planted several trees. 2 pomegranate, one apricot, one peach and two fig trees. I even requested a Bouganvillea vine. He installed the drip irrigation system out front. (See photos)

He has been busy!

Conversation From A Deep Thought

I love my husband. I learn something from him every day. I learn who he is and how he has come to be who he is. We were having lunch and I had a question that I had pondered in my mind for a long time. We talked about when Jesus performed his first miracle with making water into wine at a marriage in Cana of Galilee.

I am in awe of the workings and miracles that Jesus performed while he was on the earth. We are reading the New Testament and are into the lives and writings of the Apostles. Some of those writings are not as easy to read as I would like. Nevertheless I continue to be touched by the "miracles" that Christ performed, as told and quoted by his apostles. His first miracle was noted at the marriage at Cana in Galilee.

It was a social gathering (a wedding) and the hosts ran out of wine. Mary came to Jesus to tell him there was no more wine. Then she told the servants to do whatever Jesus asked of them after she begged him to help as there was a need for wine for the guests. I thought about her insistence and realized that she knew in her heart her son was capable of making wine from water, no ordinary request.

He was obedient to Mary's request and instructed the servants to fill the stone pots to the brim with water. The next thing you know, there are pots of delicious wine served that even the ruler at the marriage gathering commented on the quality of the wine they were served.

Not much is said about how the actual wine was made, but the results of the crowd deemed that the wine served before was "not as good" but the "thou hast kept the good wine until now." John 2:1-11

Ron and I talked about what other miracles were performed and was pleased to hear his explanation with depth and understanding. I saw in him for that moment the instructor and professor he had been teaching me and answering my questions.

It was like drinking from a well of pure water that quenched the very thirst I had to know what he knew and taught me. I am most grateful for the scriptures and the blessing it is to study them with Ron.

Appreciation and Admiration

Morning thoughts~December 4, 2011 Anna R Walser

There is such beauty in a husband and wife’s relationship that continues to impress me as I feel my Savior’s love for us as a couple. The love that God has for us also is so evident in the same way.

I know how real my Heavenly Father is and that Jesus is the Christ, his only begotten Son. I know that they are aware of me and know who I am and what I am about in my life.

Their Love for me has given me through all my trials I have had in this life such comfort and peace. I know that those experiences have given me experience to endure and come unto them.

I feel a great love and bonding toward my wonderful eternal companion and to Connie. I know that she had so much love for our Savior and for her husband and children. She blesses them and us every way that she is allowed to do from the other side of the veil.

She has the most beautiful striking blue eyes. The light in them is reflected and His image is upon her countenance. [Alma 5:] can truly testify that she has received His image which is engravened upon her face which I have seen in pictures of her throughout her life.

I know that she endured the refiner’s fire of her life’s journey and experiences here on earth. The other day I was doing a massage (btw, I am a licensed massage therapist)on Ron. He was so restful and appreciative of my hands moving over his back and arms. I went to do his feet and held them in my hands and worked on the deep tissue. I, all of sudden heard in my mind a voice tell me "how much she loved her husband Ron, and thanked me for takimg good care of him.”

Her children are the jewels in her crown. I am impressed how they live their lives and are in honor of their mother who taught them from their early years to love the Lord with all their hearts, might and minds. She was also a powerful force for good in the life of her dear husband, Ron. I have a witness that her work continues beyond the veil and blesses each and every one that she loves and serves even still. The veil is parted just enough to feel her presence and goodness that permeates her Spirit and soul.

Many times Ron and I will have long quiet conversation especially in the morning about Connie and insights that come to mind. This morning I sensed a sweet warmth about us and had a thoughts come to mind about Connie. I know Ron loved her very much and at times must have some of feelings of her loss in his life. I then thanked him for giving me a place in his heart to share with her.

I know that we have a partnership that is beautiful and Celestial and I am so thankful for Connie and her acceptance of me to be with Ron. I cherish those thoughts and feelings and embrace them which fill my soul with great peace and love.

Reading II Nephi 9: How I love this Chapter in the Book of Mormon!

52 Behold, my beloved brethren, remember the words of your God; pray unto him continually by day, and give thanks unto his holy name by night. Let your hearts rejoice.

This reference struck me and reminds me to stay close by with thanks unto His holy name.

Many years ago when I was in a class taught by Bro Ed Pinegar, he impressed upon us to study and read this chapter everyday for 30 days. I did that and it changed my life. I know from the full measure of this scripture and it is pure and how the Atonement permeates our lives in any and every degree of our beings, lives.

I am moved by the reference when he tells us how there is no keeper of the Gate except for the Holy One. " . . . and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name.

There is nothing left out of this chapter to bring us to the path to Eternal Life.

What is Eternal Life?

"3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."

It is my witness that I know as we ALL walk through our own life's experiences we come to know through those trials, triumphs, joy, pain, disappointment or sorrow that we are beckoned to come unto HIM in our own way and time.

It rests upon our shoulders to carry on and bear those burdens though the Atonement of our Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Rediscovering "My Roots"

Maria del Refugio with her children Celia, Richared, Carlos, Chelo, Elena and Alicia.

Eufemio my Canchola great-grandfather, father to Maria del Refugio.

Today I had the privilege of following through to call some of my San Antonio relatives that I had not spoken to since my father, Carlos passed away. While Ron and I were in San Antonio in November last year (2013) I found some phone numbers for R. Canchola. I wanted to reconnect with them to do some genealogy research and perhaps see if they had a few photos of my father as a young boy in a group school picture that I just have a computer generated printed copy.

However, the name and phone number I found was a Canchola cousin on (Carlos' side )and discovered that the cousin I was looking for had passed away. Isn't that a reminder to me to ACT when the thought comes to check on things like that and not wait! The relative I contacted was also cousin to Reynaldo Canchola, and was Eufemio Reynaldo and went by "Memo." His wife is Isabel. I think the other Reynaldo went by the same name but listed his wife's name in the directory. I actually found Isabel C. and had a wonderful hour long conversation catching up on family history. I think this couple are my second cousins.

Isabel told me a few stories about my grandmother when she was a young girl just married to her husband. She said she herself married very young and Nane, aka Cuquita taught her how to cook and spent time at her home at the cement plant or on Pinto Street. Her husband worked at Portland Cement too. She told me that her husband was my grandmother's favorite nephew and called him "Memito."

It was a real joy and pleasure to talk to her and felt such a warm return of her kindness and interest in me. They both spoke to me, and I do remember meeting them in 2003 at Daddy's funeral in San Antonio. We exchanged emails, photos and will keep in touch with each other.

I made note of the information on the Reynaldo who passed away and found one of his siblings Maria de los Angeles (obituary online) later who had never married and passed away since her brother, Reynaldo. They all lived out at the cement plant in their younger years as adults. I felt like I had touched history once again and was back in San Antonio as a child. I loved the opportunity to reconnect and catch up on these Canchola relatives.

This family history work is never done, is it? I find that piercing of the veil prodding me to keep searching and never stop finding more relatives. Sometimes my husband tells me to stop doing more of the extraction names I found on my own on church CDs. There are thousands of names and we cannot possibly do them all ourselves. But the problem is I don't now how I am connected with them even though their surnames are Ulloa, Canchola, Munoz, Garcia, etc. I see his point. These recent finds are different in that I KNOW who they are and how we are related and connected. So that is perfectly acceptable to submit their names of their temple blessings. The other names I am not sure what can be done about them, perhaps only that I must leave it to the Lord to have them extracted in an orderly way and be obedient to the Church's stand about that issue.

I am so thankful to have rediscovered my father's cousin, Reynaldo C. who very likely has accepted the gospel. The missionaries on the other side of the veil must have prepared him to open the doors of understanding and accepting the message since November 2007 when he passed away. I can do my part to follow up and talk to his widow who lives in San Antonio and got acquainted with them too when I was there in 2003.

Isabel C remembered me and knew about me that I was "Mormon." The Tias had told her about me, and asked about my brother, Bob and knew him when he lived in S.A. in his youth. She invited me to come back and visit with them next time we go to Texas.