Dar and Barry Whitaker Honor Flight June 2014

Sunday, 2 Feb 2014

This will count as my journal entry for tonight.

Hi Bryce Man!

So how's everything going?  

Well the Seahawks BLEW out the Broncos.....Honestly, Bryce, it was a complete and total rout! Poor everybody who wanted them to win who went all the way out there and spent all that money and it was an embarrassment!  Did you know Casey, Byron and Daniel went?  Also it was supposed to be freezing cold but it was like 47 degrees and some people were wearing shorts.  So that was good.  They are coming home tomorrow....with a ton of 1/2 price Bronco swag!

We have been fasting and  praying for the Fernandez Family, Mable, Miguel, Brenda and Jesus Family!  So did they make it to church today?  We have been very hopeful.  Let us know if we need to add anyone else to our list OK? Are you guys finding people to teach?  How's Elder Ponce?  Is that his name?

It is still really cold up here but hey, it's February!  Valentines is in 9 days so Happy Valentines!  Did you end up getting your hair clippers?  You'll need to send a picture of it and what it can do!  You might very well turn into the "Barber of Rosario"!  Wasn't it Casey who ended up cutting everybody's hair?

I was watching a movie last night that I'd recorded but it ran out right at the end so I ordered it from Amazon and paid $2.99 to rent it.  When I got to the part that mine had ended and I couldn't stand not knowing how it finished up....seriously there was like only 2 minutes I missed!  Grrrr.  I told Scott I should have just re-upped with Netflix and had it for a month for another $4.00!  That's what happens when you watch a movie and don't go to sleep like you should have!

Then a good idea, you might already do this, but I thought it was wonderful!  Kyle Bufton is a women's soft ball coach at Weber State and one of their team members got baptized and had invited the rest of the team.  Out of 23 girls only 4 of them were members so now that makes 5 of them.  Anyway she said that the whole team went to support her and they were all crying and tears in their eyes!  She had also asked the Sister Missionaries to come and while she was getting dressed, they gave the people who were in the room, the first discussion.  Then when she returned to the room she bore her testimony.  Anyway, Kyle said it was the neatest thing!

Did I tell you I earned a cruise from Rain? It is Feb 13 through the 20th.Casey called last week and said Dad could go and our flights would be paid but his passport had expired!  But we're OK with it. We'll go another time.  We kind of aren't very good cruisers.  We like to go and do things.  Plus I'm on this crazy diet so that would be very hard to be around that yummy food and act like I could care less!  

Joe Muhlestien met with the Bishop today to get his papers started.  We are all very excited about it.  I hope he will be happy! 

Dad and I are going to take Nancy and Terry to the airport in the morning.  We leave here at 7:30 and pick them up at the MTC at 8:00 A.M.  It will be hard saying goodbye to them for 18 months. But the good thing is that you'll be back just in time to welcome them home with us!  They have had a glorious experience over there and are prepared to convert!!

Last week Dad and I were walking down at the river and saw a foreign looking gentleman and I talked to him about Rain.  He is from China and has worked at NuSkin and Neways for years.  He's a photographer and takes people to China to photograph their tourist places. We are meeting with him this week hopefully if Casey has time.  So here's his name: John Wang.  Don't you love it??  I thought it was just the very best ever!  He has family and connections over there so we'll see what happens.

There were some neat thoughts at church today I thought I'd pass along to you.

"God has a plan for your life but he asks us to prepare".

"Paying tithing is paying a debt, it is not a "gift" to God.  Personal exression of love to a generous and merciful Father in Heaven."

"Your spirit is far older and wiser than your physical self.  Ask each morning how you can allow your spiritual self to dominate rather than your physical self who is often weak and wants to take the easy road."

From the Mission President in Rome Italy:  "If you don't learn to love imperfect people you will live a life without love."

"When we are negative or critical and unloving we distance ourselves from our Heavenly Father."

This is from President Monson:  The Good Samaritan"  Our opportunities to give of ourselves are indeed limitless, but, they are also, perishable.  There are hearts to gladden.  here are deeds to be done.  There are souls to be saved.

Then a good idea, you might already do this, but I thought it was wonderful!  Kyle Bufton is a women's soft ball coach at Weber State and one of their team members got baptized and had invited the rest of the team.  Out of 23 girls only 4 of them were members so now that makes 5 of them.  Anyway she said that the whole team went to support her and they were all crying and tears in their eyes!  She had also asked the Sister Missionaries to come and while she was getting dressed, they gave the people who were in the room, the first discussion.  Then when she returned to the room she bore her testimony.  Kyle said it was the nestest thing!

Time to sign off!  Have a fabulously productive week, dear son.  We love you so much and know you are doing your best!  Just allow your spirit to guide you, love imperfect people and they will feel the love you have for them and that their Heavenly Father has for them in turn.

Love you!!

Mom

Picture of the Provo Temple with the center spire as it was originally built.

Does this picture from the MTC of the sacrament look familiar?  Nancy took it and sent it

Journal writing challenge

January 28, 2014

I am taking a Family History Class from my good friend, Ann Lewis.  It is every Tuesday morning at 10:00. Today's class was on Journals and I lifted my hand to the square and promised that I would write in my journal every day for 8 minutes for the duration of the class.  I'm glad I have a sense of honor or I would be in bed right now.

In order to take the class I had to weigh my options.  She teaches the same class three times, 10, 1, and 6. We serve in the Provo Temple as Ordinance Workers and need to be there at 10:30 for prayer meeting.  I called the shift coordinator and told her the last part of December that I was going to take the class but the only time that would work out for us was at 10.  I said I would be happy to work on Thursdays so I wouldn't put a strain on the shift on Tuesday by not being there for an hour and a half but she told me they would be happy to work with me.  So I drop Barry off at the front door and drive to class.  It ends at 12:00 and I jump back in the car and hustle back to the Temple eating my lunch the entire way.  Fly in the door, change my clothes and report for duty at 12:25!  I don't take a lunch so in reality I'm only missing one hour!

This is beautiful Ann Lewis my friend and FH teacher!

I really love the class!  Jean and Wayne were there today and Cathy came too.  I think Tom was going to be at the 6:00 class.  I hope so.  He would love it.

Has it been 8 minutes since I started writing?  I think so.  I also updated Bryce's Missionary blog today as well so that should take care of it.

I'm doing a cleanse that lasts for 21 days.  I am on day two and already feel a difference.  I can slip my rings on and off easily!  I slept really soundly last night and I hope that will be the case again tonight.  Two more days of the same foods I've eaten the last two, veggies only.  Not too bad.  I've done a lot worse.  I hope I will be fabulously healthy, I'm planning on it.

Jan. 26, 2014

Hi Brycer!

How is everything going?  Have you received the package I sent from home yet?  Maybe this week?  Dad and I were saying today we cannot believe that Christmas was a month ago!  It seems like Januarys always fly right past in a blur!  This one has been cold, teens at night and rarely over 39 days.  We've been able to run down at the river at least once a week so that's been nice.  The days it's too cold or the air is too bad I just go get on the treadmill.  I have the "Gym Box" which has all kinds of workouts you can do and not have to pay a gym membership.  I did a treadmill workout last week and the instructor about killed me!  Wow that's a workout.

We had another fun but busy week.  It seems like we're always doing something we have to get ready for and run out the door.  I'm so thankful!  I would be way too bored sitting around all the time!  I know Dad is looking forward to being able to get outdoors and putter around.  We have been washing walls and I took down the curtains in the dinning room and tv room and am contemplating what I will do   It's always fun to spiff things up a little bit.

Nancy and Terry spent Monday through Thursday at the Marriott in Provo receiving their medical training.  They came back to their house Thursday night. They are getting set apart as missionaries tonight at 6:00 so we will be going along with Casey and his family and Scott and maybe Erica.  Lance and Fae and their kids are on their way to Disneyland for a week!  

Casey's 33 Birthday party at Orb 6 20 Jan 2014

Back to what Nancy and Terry reported to us as the number one reasons missionaries get sick is they don't drink enough water.  They said that they get stomach concerns.  So Bryce my question to you is are you drinking good water, lots of it every day and how is your digestive tract doing?  Keep taking those oils and keep things in good working order OK?  Also you need to get adequate sleep.  You need to remain really healthy and strong to have the stamina to get this work done!  She said they need to work out too.'' I'm guessing all of your walking is taking care of that aspect for you right?

Monday night we were going to have a family birthday party for Dad and Casey but as night came it looked like Lance wouldn't be able to break away from work because of an important project they were working on at Orb 6 so we loaded everything up and took it over to their office so he could be there!  We had lasagna, garlic bread, salad and Casey's favorite, lemon meringue pie with ice cream!  It was a lot of fun and great because then Lance could be with us.  Their businesses are really growing great!  So great that Casey, Byron and Daniel are all flying back to 

NY to the Super Bowl next Sunday.  They have really good seats, on the 14 yardline in the end zone!  Byron paid a lot for them.  He just had them both pay $2,000 each.  They have frequent flyer miles and get to stay free at the Marriott because they stay there so much as they travel. So that will be a once-in-a lifetime experience for Casey.  Byron also gave him a cool new gun.  I have no idea what it s but everyone was having a fit over it!

Casey's Birthday party

Tuesday is our day in the temple and it is just so wonderful!  We love it so much!  I am taking a wonderful Family History class from my good friend Ann Lewis who lives in Orem.  I go every morning to the Temple, drop Dad off and scoot over there for two glorious hours of instruction from 10 till 12.  Then I hurry back to join my shift.  Sister Ashton the Temple Matron took the class last fall and loved it.  Anyway, it's all about truly knowing your family and getting to know their histories etc.  

Dad and the boys

Wednesday morning as I have been going through everything imaginable your Patriarchal Blessings surfaced and Dad and I read through them.  It was the sweetest birthday gift for him to see how your lives have unfolded through the choices you have made.  

I loved the part in Casey's that states... your worthiness many blessings will be realized many times and in many countries."  "There have been many, many blessings realized in your behalf by your family pertaining to your existence upon this earth.  Be grateful for these blessings.  Be proud of the name that you bear and the heritage that is yours.  Become more acquainted with your progenitors. Honor them. Study their lives.  Gain an understanding as to why you are what you are. Be proud of it and build upon it. Build your character upon the admirable qualities that you find and know about those who have gone before you."    

I wonder if that would have had the impact it had on me as I read through it if not for that wonderful class!  I feel an even heavier responsibility to make sure that information is gathered and available so you and your children can know and love your ancestors even more!  Bryce, read through Alma 37:1-20 and apply what Alma is teaching Helaman to Family History.  I'm going to forward you the class notes she gave us which would be a fabulous talk if you ever need a really good subject! The part about the "Myths" of Family History are especially good. If I'm not mistaken, I don't believe any of us are excused from doing this important work.  So check it out and see what you think.

Bryce, we are praying for your investigators especially that you can find the Lord's elect and that they will have a strong desire to attend church so they can feel the spirit there in rich abundance. Send their names to us and we will pray specifically for them.  I wanted to tell you, last night we had our Sat. night session of Stake Conference and Elder Lewis who just returned from Mexico City, you might know him...anyway he said how Elder Bednar taught them on Christmas day at the MTC when he had just arrived that "If you are truly converted you will never fall away."  He told a story about a Brother Alvarez who had been a member since he was 22 yrs old and was then 65 yrs old.  He lived in a tiny little house. He and his companion had been teaching a family who were being targeted by the drug lords down there and they had to move immediately out of their house for their safety.  They had no place to go so this dear kind brother told them they could move into his house and he would sleep outside in a tin shed.  He was so worried that they would move out of the area and that their lessons would stop and they wouldn't be able to progress in their lessons with the missionaries!  For TWO months he slept outside and freely shared with this little family.  Elder Lewis said that a year later he was able to go back to that area and go with them as they were sealed in the Mexico City Temple!  He said that peace and joy are to be found in this work.  We will see miracles in ourselves and others as we serve.  Through missionary work we can all be converted and never fall away!  

Then right after that a dear father, mother and their teenage daughter all spoke.  They had been married in the temple 21 years ago and stopped coming to church.  Their daughter's friend's parents asked if she could go to church with them.  She then wanted to be baptized but her dad didn't think it would be a good idea.  Anyway, they had the missionaries in their home teaching the daughter and they brought such a sweet spirit it softened the heart of the dad and he met with the Bishop and was able to baptize her.  He said last night was the first and only time he had ever spoken in church!  Talk about courage!  It made me cry my little eyes out to see him so humble and so much like every single one of the members in our ward!  What they are now and what they could be, an eternal family just like his if they would only come unto Christ and be healed by his matchless power!  

This is probably, no, for sure long enough!  I'll dear elder it to you so you can read it later.

 That baby looks exactly like Corrin, right? But it is her grandfather!!  Grandpa Barry!

Love you ever so much!

Mama 

Pictures:

Corrin and Cade who always grits his little teeth and smiles that funny smile

when he has his picture taken!

Casey, Kindra and Corrin, other kids off playing!

Raedene Warner passed away on January 1, 2013

I loved Raedene!  She always had a smile on her face and was ready to laugh.  She is one you could definitely say had a cheerful disposition.

She was always willing to help out.  Always ready to serve and lighten the load.  My boys spent a lot of time with hers and they remembered her as being very kind and gentle.

I worked part time for a few years and she tended Scott for me. He loved being at her home and I was always so thankful to have a good friend and neighbor whom I could trust and who would treat my son as her own.

I admired her industry.  Raedene was always outside busy in the garden or preserving the harvest in hundreds of glass jars in her kitchen each fall.  When she moved she offered those glass jars to anyone who could use them.  I feel it a privilege to be the steward over those I received from her. To me they represent countless hours of a faithful woman who loved her family.  Who loved being a wife and mother and every year for years and years would prepare her garden, plant, weed, water, harvest, preserve and finally present the fruits of her labors to her family as they gathered around her table.  We would all do well to follow in her footsteps and live our lives as she did hers.  And now, she is no doubt reaping the rewards of the seeds of the gospel of Jesus Christ that were planted deep in her heart her whole life, as she hears these precious words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”