A Short visit with Stephen, Candice and Family

The week before we left for California we spent some time with Stephen and Candice and their fab four. The purpose for our visit was two fold.  First of all we just always love being around their family, but also this time we had a secondary reason for the visit.  Stephen has had a bone spur on one of his heels for some time and it has been painful for him to walk and get around.  He is a very busy dad, husband and has a job that requires him to be up and about a lot of the time.  He is not one to shirk a responsibility and has thus endured the pain longer than he should have done in my opinion.  Candice also has a responsible job where taking days off is not something that can happen just anytime and besides that she is much the same as Stephen when it comes to dependability.  They love their family very much and it is always rewarding to feel the love they have for their children and us when we are together.  They are good examples to us all.  Anyway we stayed at their home in Lehi for five days while Stephen had an operation to remove the bone spur, have his Achilles tendon clipped and the reattached to the bone via a clamp or something like that.  I don't always follow all the medical jargon these days or ever for that matter, but assume that the doctors know what they are doing.  The operation went fine and he came home the same afternoon.  He suffered some pain of course and was medicated for that purpose.  He also felt the need to continue on, as he always does, whether or not he is feeling his best.  We stayed for five days and kept an eye on him while the kids were at school and Candice was at work.  He was hurting some, but recovering fairly well.  We left to go back to Logan and get prepared for our California trip.  While we were at home Stephen developed some complications, and was in more pain and not feeling well at all.  He got a hold of Candice who was at work and she called the doctor and her brother-in-law, Toby, who is also one of Stephen's good friends.  He dropped everything at his workplace and rushed home to help Stephen.  He put him in his truck and took him quickly to the ER at the Riverton Hospital as per his doctors instructions.  It was later found out that he had had a blood clot associated with the operation.  The term "blood clot" is a scary word for them, especially since Candice lost her mother just a couple of years ago to a blood clot after an ankle operation.  Anyway,  Stephen got the help he needed before it was to late and everyone is counting their blessings and acknowledging the power of Priesthood Blessings.

We love Stephen and his wonderful family.  They are such a joy to be around and are always so kind to us and one another.  We are so glad they live a little closer than they were when they were in Colorado and we are especially grateful that Toby was able to get to Stephen and see that he got the help he needed when he did. Sometimes these kinds of trials work together for our good and help us appreciate one another and our blessings a little more.  We are all so richly blessed and count Stephen, Candice, Mason, Halle, Gabrielle, and Sophie among our greatest blessings and sources of joy. Stephen asked me to give him a father's blessing while we were there.  It is an honor to be his father and it is an honor to give a priesthood blessing when one is needed.  I am very grateful.

 I didn't get many pictures, but we did stop by one more time as we were on our way home from California.  This time I at least pulled my camera out and got a few shots.  Below are just a couple of them.

Stephen, Candice and their sweet children pause for the Sandwich shop at Thanksgiving Point.  They share the photo with a chain saw carved ice statue of a snow man.  Other ice statues can be seen in the background.

Sophie decided she wanted to be a Christmas present with bows to go a long with the beauty.  Actually, Sophie does not need bows and tinsel to be noticed.  Take a look at those eyes and remember those big hugs and smiles.  She is awesome as is each and every one in the family.  We love you all so much and are so happy that you are together and that you are a part of our family too.

Christmas in Las Vegas

We had the good fortune of spending some time with Philip and his family in Las Vegas/Henderson, Nevada on our return trip from California.  It was so good to be in their home and to enjoy their hospitality.  They always treat us very well and it was good to spend a little time with the kids too.  They are very loving and  seemed to be glad that we came.  I suppose this will be the last time we will visit them in Nevada as Philip has accepted a new job as the Council Executive in the Rocky Mountain Council in Pueblo, Colorado.  The good people of south eastern Colorado must be doing something right because they are about to be blessed with another Eborn scouter.  Philip and his family wont be the only Eborns in Pueblo, Jessica and her husband  moved there with there children several months ago.  Kyrnn  works at the hospital there after finishing his medical degree in New Mexico.  I'm sure they will have fun reminiscing about the good old days in Bear Lake Valley.  Philip starts his new job on January 16th and the rest of the family will follow after he finds a home for them and there is a more convenient break from the schools in Las Vegas.  We wish them well and know the people of Pueblo will blessed for having them.  I suppose we will now start planning a few more Colorado trips, hopefully not in the winter time.

     We had a wonderful Christmas at Philip and Megan's.  It wasn't a white Christmas, but at my age and with my creaky bones that is becoming less and less a priority.  Christmas has always been a time for us to count our blessings and to reflect upon the birth, life, and mission of our Savior, Jesus Christ, without which our celebrations at Christmas time, or at anytime would be pretty shallow and meaningless.  We love the Lord and we love our family and truly feel to sing "Joy to the world."

     Below are just a few of the photos I took on this leg of our "Winterreise".

MEgan and her offspring at Tom's Farm en route back to Henderson.  It was a nice place to stop,

Our little Cowgirl, Libbie

Neighborhood lights in Henderson, Nevada December 2013.  Many of the homes there sported some version of Christmas lighting.  I am always happy to see lights as we celbrate the Light of the World.

The balcony Christmas Tree at Philip and MEgan's house with Libbie and Gavin.

Showing of their new Pajamas on Christmas Eve with Mom and Dad.

Libbie playing Silent Night on her little flute on Christmas Eve.

Christmas would be Christmas without lots of presents, but even less so without His PRESENCE.

Thank you Philip and Megan for a wonderful Christmas and a special thanks to Garrett who surrendered his bed for the convenience of Grandma and Grandpa.  We love you all and wish you the very best in your new Colorado adventure.

California Memories December 2013

After spending time with Jason and Rene and their family in Oceanside/ San Diego, and  the MCTD we traveled back to Henderson where we stayed a few days with Philip and MEgan and their family.  They live further away from us than any of the others and as a result we do not get to spend as much time with them as we'd like.  As we were already down that way Philip asked us to spend Christmas with him and MEgan and their sweet family.  It is a wonder what happens when we don't see some of the family for a while, especially if they are children growing into adolescents.  This was especially obvious with Garrett.  He is growing so fast and is now taller than his dad, soon to be taller than his grandpa and most likely going on to be the tallest Eborn ever.  We'll see, but if he keeps growing at the present rate he'll likely be six feet six or more before he's done growing.  Mason might just give him a run for his money though, if his size fourteen shoes are any indication.  Gavin and Libbie are also growing rapidly.  They were glad to see us and we were glad to be able to spend a few days with them, including Christmas Eve and Christmas day before heading home on December 26th to prepare for our mission which will begin officially, January 6, 2014, when we go into the MTC in Provo for training as senior missionaries.  We are looking forward to this next chapter in our lives and hope we will be up to the task.

Below are a few pictures of our Las Vegas Christmas, one of very  few Christmases for me that were not white.  It actually felt pretty good to be in a warmer clime for a change.  We felt especially blessed when we checked the Cache Valley weather reports during our trip.  Here in Cache Valley it was always about 2 degrees and foggy.  Brrrrrrr!!!

Philip and MEgan and their wonderful family.  They are always so kind to us when we  come to visit.  Note how tall Garrett has grown.  It will be interesting to see how tall he will be in another couple of years.  He is in eight grade right now.  Libbie and Gavin are such fun kids and we love them all very much.

Philip and MEgan an the beach at Oceanside.  They both love the ocean and it is truly a beautiful place.  I am always impressed by the beauty, the vastness, and the power of the ocean and marvel at the thought of those early seafarers who settled in Hawaii and other isolated places so for from any other civilization and of those, like Magellan and Columbus who set out on uncharted seas to make great discoveries which changed the history of the world.

Some of the Eborn clan on a pier at Oceanside, California.  December 2013.

A family hug.!

A winter night in Oceanside, CA.  Hard to beat a little time in the Hot Tub on a cool evening.

Philip's girls enjoying a stroll on the beach at Oceanside!!

Well, at least there is one good-looking chick in the picture!!

Our eighth graders, Maddie and Garrett!  It will be interesting to see where the world takes them.

Grandma Iris and Garrett!!

Evening fun and games at the Condo.

Put a bunch of us together and you can expect a good time, and there's a five dollar fine for whining.

Grandma Iris ready to depart sunny Oceanside.  We had a great time in California.

Tanner's Graduation from Marine Corps Basic Training at MCRD San Diego

We were blessed to be able to be with Jason and Rene for family day at the MDRT and also the next day for Tanner's graduation from Marine Corps boot camp.  This has been a very rigorous training experience for Tanner as he begins his service in the elite military force of the United States of America.  He has grown so much and has developed skills and confidence which will help him in the years ahead both in and out of the military.  As the photo below shows, Tanner looks like a million dollars and his parents are rightfully proud to have raised such a wonderful young man as Tanner.  We are very proud to be his grandparents.  He has grown physically, emotionally, spiritually and even comes out of boot camp looking a little taller and stronger than he did before he began this training.  He has a minimum of four years of active service in the Marines.  We have prayed for him always and our prayers have been answered.  We have every  reason to believe that our continued prayers and his hard work and determination will keep Tanner on the right course.   The Marines are often calling for a few good men.  In my view they have got one of the best,  The world would be a better place if all of us had the character of our United States Marine.  You are now one of the Few, the Proud, the Marines.  We are proud and grateful to you and love you very much.

Jason and Rene, proud parents, and justly so.  Tanner is a Marine!  Even more important, he is a man, and a very good one who listens to the Spirit and acts.

Below is a copy of Tanner's official Marine Corps photograph.

I'm not the official Marine Corps portrait photographer, but I actually like my snapshot better than the official one, unfortunately it's sans flags.  This is one handsome dude, just sayen!

 

Tanner with one of the LDS Senior missionaries who serve the recruits who attend boot camp.  They are miracle workers for whom we are all grateful.

PFC Tanner McKay Eborn USMC

Our Warrior Grandson!

Tanner and one of his Marine buddies.

Tanner and two of his most adoring fans, Megan and Maddie.

Tanner and some of his platoon on review during boot camp graduation ceremony at the MCRD.  Can you pick him out of the group?

 

We are very proud of our "Tan Man".  It's not much of a wonder that some of our little grandkids idolize this young man.  He is a great example to us all.

Two  Eborn soldiers, each in his own way, both of whom are waging their own war against the wiles of the adversary.  We love and support all who are so enlisted.

 

Some of Our Latest Activities 1

For the past few weeks we have been on the road, seeing the sites, spending time with family, helping where we could and trying not to get in the way of active people with much more energy than we have, doing temple work, seeing our grandson Tanner graduate from Marine Corps Basic Training, celebrating Christmas, visiting family and putting lots of miles on the car.  It has been a wonderful  time, filled with the joy of being together and counting the many, many blessings we as a family have.  If we are not happy, then maybe we just don't know how to be happy, because we have so very much about which to rejoice and be grateful.

Below are just a few of the pictures taken to serve as reminders of the good times we have had and the beauties we have seen.

 This is Iris in the Valley of Fire in Nevada, about midway between St. George, Utah and Las Vegas Nevada near Logandale, Nevada.

Sunset just outside our condo in Oceanside, California.

The beautiful Mormon temple in San Diego, California with Christmas decorations where we went and performed about 100 baptisms for some our dead ancestors.  Jason did the baptizing, I did most of the confirmations and Maddie, Megan, JT, Amber, Rene and I were baptized and confirmed for the dead.  It was a beautiful, spiritual, and uplifting experience in the service of those who have gone ahead.

Grandma Iris, Grandpa Bart, Megan and Maddie.  What an honor to attend the temple with them.

 The better part of our temple crew.

 

 

 Our newlyweds  JT and Amber, at the San Diego Temple.  Temple attendance is a great blessing which helps young couples and old stay true to the Lord and  to ourselves and to the covenants we have made.

 

Thanks, Jason and Rene, for chauffeuring us around in all the traffic and for making the appointment to serve in the temple while we were in California.  We will always remember being there with you and some of  your loved ones.

Good Friends and Temple Service

We were released from our Temple Officiator callings recently when we received our mission call.  They said we could not do both, though I think we would have tried,  if they would allowed us to do so.  We loved the work there and we made so many wonderful friends, whom we love and will miss.
 

It's not like were leaving the Universe.  We will be able to see them often as we attend the Temple as patrons, for which we are very grateful.
 

Today we were invited to the Group Three Christmas social.  Most of the workers from our former group were there.  It was held at the Blue Bird in their upstairs dining facility.  The meal was wonderful and the association with all of our good friends topped it off in a wonderful way.  The past five plus years have been so very rewarding in more ways than I could ever begin to number. 

Below is part of the Group in the Bluebird dining hall.  There are about 100 people on our group. Some work with their husbands or wives, a few are single, and a some have spouses who are disabled or can't work at  the Temple right now for various reasons.  They are simply a wonderful group of God's children, and we have been blessed and honored to have such marvelous associations with them.  We shall forever owe them a debt of gratitude for their help and especially for their exemplary lives and truly joyous spirits.

Below is most of the Group.  Truly a faithful and grateful group of Latter-day Saints.

Iris has an ability to make friends and serve efficiently and faithfully with so many different people, fellow officiators and patrons as well.  One sister called her work: "Service with a Smile".  The  phrase certainly exemplifies her work at the Temple and everywhere she goes.  Here she is with Sister Rosella Boman.

Below are Iris and a couple more of the workers, beloved friends all.  I cannot put them all on this post, but  rest assured there are many.  (Iris with Sister Kotter and Sister Ashcraft)

Some of the workers have found out that one of my hobbies is photography, especially of the Logan Temple.  They had expressed an interest in what I have done, so I made each of them a copy of one of my favorite photos of the Logan Temple.  It speaks to me  of the nearness of heaven and earth, especially when we are in the Temple.  I hope some of these good brothers and sisters will get the same feeling I get form this picture.

One day I even felt inspired to write a small poem.  I don't claim to be a poet, but the
Spirit seemed to be whispering so I gave it my best shot.  Below you will find the

results.

 

                                 

                    The Logan Temple   Beloved Temple on the hill.                                                                    A beacon light our hearts does fill.
People come and people go,
Always feeling His love and know,
He gave His life, that we might be,
And prepared a way for eternity.
His sacrifice, the purest love,
Streaming down to us from above,
Helps us to understand and know.
The way is revealed for us to go.
For each of us, He prepared a way,
To be with Him on that great day.
We feel His presence and also theirs.
We and they will, with Him, be heirs,
Heirs to all that is good and true.
Our hearts and souls will be made anew.
Not just for an hour, as we shall see,
But throughout all eternity.
Beloved Temple in the sky,
It was not in vain, that He did die.
We'll show our love for Him and His,
And pass to others the love He gives.
We will be true to covenants made, and share.
In Holy Temples built with care,                                                                                   
The blessings promised , He will fulfill,                                   
To all who learn and do His will.

I hope you get the same feelings I had when I was writing this little poem to show gratitude for the many souls, both  living and dead, who have touched our lives for good in the Logan Temple. 

The Big White Envelope Has Arrived

For the past few weeks we have been expecting the arrival of a Big White Envelope in our mailbox. Our Stake President, President Horsley, called us into his office some time ago  and announced to us that he had had a revelation from the Lord concerning us.  The Lord wanted us to serve a full-time mission.  We had often thought of it after retirement, but were called to serve in the Logan Temple as officiators.  This was to be a two year assignment.  We were expected to work two shifts per week for between seven and eight hours each day.  We accepted this calling gladly and soon found ourselves immersed in one of the most spiritually energizing and fascinating works imaginable.  We loved the work.  We loved the Temple.  We loved the people who came to the Temple as officiators or as patrons, both young and old.  They were all such wonderful examples of faith and desire to assist the Lord in his work and utter selflessness. We loved the Temple Presidency, the Matron and her assistants, who so devotedly administered the marvelous work that goes in in the Temples.  It was an honor to serve under their direction.  We loved feeling the presence of those who had departed this life, but who now look to us for assistance.  In no small way we owe all that we are or ever hope to be to them.  What a marvelous experience it is to be able to reach through the veil of time and show our love for them and for our Savior, who died for all mankind, those who live, those who have lived, and those who will yet live in this mortal existence.  We were very happy doing what we were doing and felt it was a very important work.  When our two years were up we were asked to serve for another two years.  There was never a question about what we would say to that request.  Along with our regular service we were also often called upon to sub for some other officiator who was ill or had other issues requiring them to miss their normal shifts.  We gladly accepted as often as we could and so our service as officiators often extended to three or four or on occasions as many ans six shifts per week.  We met many, many wonderful people and learned to appreciate all of them.  When our second two year stint had been completed, we were asked to continue on for another two years.  Gladly, we accepted.  We had been blessed in so many ways, spiritually, physically, as had seen our beloved family, also receiving blessing in such rich abundance.  The idea of serving a full-time mission more or less, was replaced by the thought that Temple Work and family history work is also a mission.  We did as much family history work as time allowed  and also attended the Temple to do work for our own kindred dead often.  This was a rewarding experience, which we were able to share with our own children and grandchildren and other extended family members as well as Young Men and Young Women groups and YSA wards.  One young couple even credited us for helping them find one another and to be married in the Temple.  They met while doing baptisms for the dead for some of our ancestors whose names we had provided.  All in all, it was just a wonderful, productive, feel good, experience for both of us.  Occasionally, however, I would wake during the night with flashes of us doing missionary work, so I guess it was not a total surprise when President Horsely had some of those same flashes.  He explained a new pilot program in the Church for senior missionaries and said we were the ones the Lord wanted at this time to serve in this capacity from our stake.  What do you say?  Our only objective in life at this point is to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord.  My response to President Horsely was this:  "If the Lord wants me to go to Antarctica and preach to the the penguins, I will do it."  I was serious.  All I want to do is what the Lord wants me to do.  I don't always measure up to all that I should, but it's not for lack of wanting to.  Accordingly we filled out the regular missionary "papers" and forwarded them to the bishop. After he reviewed them they were forwarded to the Stake President, then on to the First Presidency.  Then the real wait began.  After our discussion with the Stake President we kind of "knew" what our mission would be, but one line in our application  stated that we would be willing to serve wherever the Lord called us to serve.  Anyway,  last Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, the Big White Envelope arrived.  We are excited and happy with our call.  It's not the Hawaii Visitors Center,  It's not Ouagadougou, or Sweden or Brazil or Germany.  The Utah Ogden Mission might not be at the top of very many people's list of places to serve a mission, but it is one of the highest baptizing missions in the Church and there is much work yet to be done.  We are anxious to "put our shoulder to the wheel."  I am reminded as I write this of President Uchtdorf's talk from a few conferences ago where he asked us to "stand where we are, and lift where we stand."  We plan on doing just that.

The unopened Big White Envelope

The Call to Elder Eborn

The Call to Sister Eborn

We will enter the MTC on January 6th, 2014.  This will give us some time to attend Tanner's graduation from Marine Corps Boot Camp in California and to spend a little time with some of the family members whom we do not see quite so much of.  After our training we will return to Logan and begin our missionary service.  We are grateful for this opportunity in our lives, an opportunity to pay back just a little to the Lord for all the many, many blessings that have been poured out upon us and our family.  We know that prayers are heard and answered.  We know what a great blessing it is to serve in the restored Church of Jesus Christ.  We love the Lord and His gospel, all that it does for us now and all that is promised.  We love our family and are so grateful for Temple covenants which help us to know that families can be together forever.  We are grateful to know that we will be strengthened and made equal to the task before us.  I personally am glad to know that I will have the best companion possible and that we will be together through every transfer.  We are grateful for the experiences and blessings of a lifetime which have helped us to prepare for this assignment.   We pray that we will have wisdom and health sufficient to be tools in the hands of the Lord. There is a song by Alex Boye', I Want Jesus to Walk with Me", which expresses the feelings we have right now.  We both want to live close to the Lord together so that Jesus will truly walk with us, not just during this mission, but forever and ever.  Your thoughts and prayers will be appreciated by us just as they are by all missionaries serving everywhere in the world.

http://youtu.be/IP7UHGgAKao