Huckleberry Time Again

August 18th, 2014

Seven Hours of absolute solitude, Joints that may never work again. Two and a half gallons of fresh mountain huckleberries. Well worth the effort. That makes about five gallons for the year. God is good.

Yummie!

Ogden Temple Open House

Today we had the opportunity to attend the Open House at the Ogden Temple. What a beautiful and sacred edifice, upon which are inscribed these meaningful words: HOLINESS TO THE LORD. In temples the people pledge themselves to live their lives according to those very words.
Attendance at a temple is a sacred opportunity and blessing, especially as we go with a desire to learn and to participate in the sacred ordinances that are performed there. for both the living and those who have gone on ahead. These ordinances are sacred and solemn, additionally they are necessary as we covenant to live our lives in accordance with the teachings of our Savior and seek to refine our lives to become a better and more Christ-like people. How grateful we should be for the gospel of Jesus Christ in it's fullness, and the perfect example He set for each of us. We all have far to go, but we have the restored gospel, living prophets, and the perfect example of Jesus Christ himself. It is a most serious responsibility to commit ourselves as the Lord invites us to do, when He said: "Come follow me."

“People come to the temple for many reasons,” President Uchtdorf said. “Many will come seeking blessings of the Lord, answers to prayer, or knowledge, healing, and peace. Some come with broken hearts, with a prayer on their lips that the Savior’s healing balm will bring peace to their souls. They all come expecting to be lifted up. They come expecting to find the Lord. They come seeking the blessings of God.”

It was fun to be with Candice and her girls go with us on this special occasion.

A Few Incidents from our Missionary Activity

We are still serving our mission, but I must admit, it feels good to know that we can take a little break now and again for such things a s our little family get-together of the a week ago.  One of the more memorable days was a week ago Wednesday.  This is the day we have a scheduled /English Class for Chinese nationals living in the area.  We have a small group and on this day we were in competition with the Ward Relief Society who was having their annual summer salad social,  When the class started we just had the few regulars and then we go a visit from to Chinese women who were totally new to us.  The one, Yan, just had a baby boy and her mother , a teacher in China, has come to see her new grandson and be with her daughter for a couple of moths.  They came to social an seamed to enjoy it and the the next week they came for the English /class.  They are wonderful people and we have struck up strong a good friendship with each of them and with their families,  It is rather difficult ti teach people of such ages and experiences and to accommodate them and their challenges and different interests, personalities and  differences and abilities to accommodate the different desires and abilities,  I think we making  litte head way,  They also came again this week ,so I guess that's a good sign.

Another Mssionary

Several weeks ago Addison put in his mission papers.  His call came from the prophet, Thomas S. Monson, and he will be serving in the New York Rochester Mission.  This will be a wonderful experience for him and we have every reason to believe he will be a successful missionary and help many people come to an understanding of the true gospel of Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father's great plan of happiness for his children.  This area of New York is rich in Church History.  Such sites at the Sacred Grove, the Hill Cummorh , Palmyra, and many others important in the history of the restored Church are in the area.  He will no doubt get to see many of them and walk where Joseph Smith walked and  where the Angle Moroni came to him in vision.  Addison's testimony of the restored gospel will become even stronger and the many of the people he meets will have been prepared to listen to the message he bears and receive of the gospel blessings.  Addison has been preparing for this day almost since he was born.  He has worked hard and saved his money for this very purpose.  He has been a very good student, not only at school but of the gospel.  He has read the Book of Mormon and studied the scriptures.  He has been obedient to his Father in Heaven and also his parents,who love him so very much.  They will, no doubt, miss him, but he will probably be so busy that he wont have much time to miss anything.  That is what happens when missionaries are anxiously engaged in the work.  They know they are where they should be at this time of their lives and are doing what Heavenly Father wants them to do.  Addison will find great joy in the service of the Lord as he presses forward with faith, being strictly obedient to his Mission President and other mission leaders.

We attended his "Farewell" in the Spring Creek Ward yesterday. We were very proud of Addison and his whole family.  Addison spoke confidently and humbly as he bore his testimony and taught of the Restoration of the gospel in this dispensation.  His testimony is already firm and powerful, but he will find it growing rapidly as he serves faithfully in his mission.  Most of our immediate family came to support Addison, express their love for him and spend some quality time with him be for he leaves on July 30th.Below are just a few pictures of Elder Daugs and his family and some of the extended family who also love him and will be praying for him as the days of his mission go by.  We love you Addison and are so very pleased with your decision to serve.  We are happy to be a part of your life and you a part of ours.  We will always include you in our prayers and you can expect that your family will keep you posted about what is going on at home.  I hope letters from your Grandpa Eborn will not be a distraction, but rather, a token of our love for you, and a word of encouragement when it is needed from time to time.

Addison with his parents in front of the Logan Temple on the night when he received his Endowment.

I'm pretty sure Alison is going to be missing her firstborn.  It doesn't seem possible that she is old enough to have a missionary going out into the mission field.  She will be 40 the week Addison leaves for his mission.

Addison's adoring little sister, Ada, and a couple of loving cousins, Annika, and Gabrielle.  anyone doubt that they have fun when they get together?  All so happy and all so beautiful.

Avery will take your spot on the MC Cross Conty team.  He's already eating more to gain strength for the races.

When Addison get's back home from his mission, Neveah will be a "big girl" already.  She is the youngest in our family and a great blessing to all of us.  So sweet and pretty.

There is beauty all around in this family.  Megan, Chalisa and in the background our newest Cache Valleyites. Stephen and Candice.  We are so happy to have them close and love all of our family so much.

Doctor Eborn and Doctor Eborn.  One with a MD and the other with a lot of successful practical experience.  We love them both and would know quite what to do with out them.  Grabdma Iris is a fulltime missionary too right now along with Grandpa Bart.  Fortunately we get to "stand where we are, and lift where we stand."

Ethan and Hayden, a couple of loving brothers, who will most likely be doing what Addison is doing someday.

Samuel, the son of Jared.  He might get to serve a mission someday in China.  He is already learning Chinese in school, a Chinese language immersion program.

Justin and Chalisa's sweet Kate getting prettier by the hour.  Knowing her mom and dad, what were we expecting?

While addison is out on his mission, Maddie will be preparing for her own, by persevering and avoiding "perserverors".  She know what I'm talking about.

These girls will need to change their ways, or is that just "Root Beer" and some minor league acting?

A proud Grandpa, with his missionary grandson.  May God be with you always!

I have many more pictures, all of them good, but I've got to make an end to this  sometime, so I guess this is a good spot.  The real joy come in knowing that families are forever, and there really is never a stopping point.

FORTY-EIGHT YEARS

FORTY-EIGHT YEARS- Yes, that is right. Forty-eight years ago today Iris and I were in the Logan Temple. We knelt across the alter and exchanged sacred vows. We became husband and wife pledged to honor our covenants for eternity. Today has been a wonderful day for us. We attended the same temple where we made those sacred promises to one another and to our Father in Heaven. We have been here on this date probably 40 out of the forty-eight years. It has added strength to our marriage and our life together. There were a few years when our anniversary fell on a Sunday or a Monday when the Temple was not open, and then there was the one year which I so vividly remember, primarily because I felt so bad and so small (so very small) and unappreciative. I had planned a week long backpacking trip into the Wind River Mountains with some of my sons. It was a wonderful and beautiful experience to witness the majesty of that rugged mountain range in the company of some of my sons who were able to get away and whose company I cherish, especially if we can be together in such a beautiful and peaceful setting. The trip began about the 26th of July. On July 29th, we were camped near a beautiful mountain lake called Clear Lake. I remember the stillness of the morning and the perfect reflection of Haystack Mountain in the lake waters. We cooked up a good camp breakfast and sat around the fire and started to eat. Everything tasted so good. About this time one of my sons (I can't remember which one) came over to where I was sitting and enjoying my breakfast in the cool mountain air and handed me an envelope. I opened it. Inside I read these words, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY. Instantly my heart sank and my six foot two inch frame seemed to shrink to about a quarter of an inch. It is the only time I've ever forgotten our anniversary, and I pray I never do it again, not that Iris was very upset about it. She had actually encouraged me to go on the trip and take the boys with me, but I had forgotten a date which changed my life and has led to so much of what is good in my life. I love my wife, IRIS, I always have since we met through the tender mercies of the Lord those many years ago. Our life together has been blessed in so many ways. We've had our ups and downs like most marriages do, but we have tried to work together to solve our problems and challenges. We have never doubted the eternal nature of our relationship and it has given us hope and faith, that in spite of trials and personal challenges, with the Lord's help our union and our family will be eternal. Our problems will only make us stronger and better as we prayerfully seek to be better parents and better eternal; companions. One thing we have discovered is, that the more we remember and keep the covenants we made to one another and the Lord in the Logan Temple forty-eight years ago today, the happier we are. May we never forget this day nor it's significance. Not ever.

A Day with Family at Bear Lake

When it was learned that a reservation at the Bear Lake State Park East Beach was about to go unused on July 11 our reaction was: Not gonna happen. Calls were made to all of the immediate and extended family and all were invited to come and spend some quality time together. Of course, Friday is a work day and that is fully understood. Nonetheless, many were able to juggle their schedules and make time to get together. I hope, I speak for all of you when I say, it as wonderful to be together again, to see your smiles, to hear your voices, to visit, to play, to reminisce, and to feel the caring attitude we have for one another. It was a great reminder, that families, can and should be together forever. Below are just a few of the pictures we took. We hope they will serve as a reminder that we are a family and that we will love one another forever. I know, I missed a lot of faces with the camera, but never forget, we love you all and each of you have a special place in our hearts.

Megan and Maddie arrive.  Let the fun begin!

It never ceases to amaze me how much fun a little white ball and a yellow plastic bat can generate in the Eborn family.  Wiffleball.

My little bother,Mark.  Sixty years old today.  Hard to believe.  Time flies by so fast.  We couldn't help remember the day he was born in Montpelier sixty years ago today 11 July 1954..  Dad went to be with mom at the hospital and dropped all of us kids off at the Rich Theater/now Centre Theater in Montpelier while he went down to see mom and the the baby who arrived about the same time as he got there.  I can still remember the movie, "River of No Return" with Marilyn Monroe and Robert Mitchum.  Mark has been a great little brother and he and Gail have raised a wonderful family.  No great reward can be had.

Halle and Neveah.  I think their smiles represent the joy we all felt being together as a family.  Neveah is the youngest of our immediate family.

Alyssa's husband, Ben showing Mason how to fly a big three meter kite.  So fun!!  I appreciated Stephen and Mason making the special trip from the Hinckley Scout Ranch in the Uintas so that they could be with us, even if it was for just a couple of hours.  That is pretty typical of Stephen, always going the extra mile, as do so many of you in your own ways.  We appreciate and love the effort and thought put into this little get-together, even if you were unable to be there.  We know you were in your mind and heart.

I got a lot more pictures, of course, but due to space restrictions, we'll have o leave most of them to your personal recollection.  We do love our family and it brings us the greates t joy to know that we all love one another.

Foothill Flowers

The Great Artist Has Been at Work Again

The Foot Hills Around Bear Lake Valley in Springtime Are Amazing

A few highlights of the week

The highlight of today was about a three hour block of time I spent working with an elderly gentleman from Germany. He has never married, never owned a car or a home, in spite of having a BS degree from USU. ( I wonder how many more of those there are.) He was born and raised Catholic though he has never practiced that faith as an adult. Deep down He said He always believed in God an Jesus Christ, but just couldn't quite put all the pieces together. Recently he was taught by young Mormon Sister missionaries. He was open to their teachings and said he truly felt the Spirit whisper to him that he should be baptized. This happened about two weeks ago. The missionaries explained the importance of eternal families and the ordinances which are necessary for these to become a reality. I talked to him today in depth about the necessity of making and keeping covenants in order to develop true Christ like character. He wants to be a part of an eternal relationship with his parents and siblings. I was asked to see if I could help him in this regard. By the time our session was over he had an FOR with the names of all his deceased parents and siblings. This will be presented at the Temple and he will receive the necessary ordinance cards. He knows he can only do those for the males in the family and then only the preliminary ordinances of baptism and confirmation. This he wants to do soon and hopes to be able to do the rest of the work a year from the date of his baptism. Last week our focus was on our little but growing Chinese Group in our ward. This week it is helping an elderly German gentleman take his first baby steps in the true gospel of Jesus Christ. I guess I'd better lay off the "elderly gentleman" remarks. He is in actuality one year young than I am.

When people live the gospel of Jesus Christ and share it, it shows in their faces and maybe even in their thumbs. Thanks for letting your light shine, Alina, Lucila. and Ruth. Never let your light grow dim and you will change the world.

Alina, Lucila and Ruth.i,,immigrants to the United States and anxious to make s difference in the World!

If thy keep the miles on their faces they will be a force to be reckoned with wherever they choose to life live after their schooling   Alina on the left was baptized just s few weeks go. She is from Laos. The other two are sisters, immigrants, from Mexico by way of Texas.   We went to the temple to do baptisms for some of their deceased relatives,
They were so happy.  The know what  is right and they are doing it!  We were honored to be able to help out in some small way.  Happy, virtuous,and motivated to make the world a better place,  They are an inspiration to everyone who comes in contact with them.. There are no more strangers and foreigners in the Kingdom of God.  My greatest wish would be that all of God's children could feel ad the feel like these young women are.  The only sure way is by making and keeping covenants.   Bart & I had such a wonderful experience today with these beautiful young women. Finding names for the sister missionaries families and sharing them with a new convert so she could go to the Temple and feel the spirit there. They all were able to do baptisms for those who have been waiting for someone to help them progress in the gospel. Beautiful smiles

Accepting the gospel and living by its covenants are the key.  The promise is sure,  Thank you so much sisters and especially for allowing us to be small part of the great work you are doing. We to blessed  to be small part of your wonderful world.   God be with you always.

Left to Right:  Sister Shreeve, Eilna, zlucila. and Ruth near the reflecting pool at the beautiful Logan Temple.

Our Love and Respect for all of you !!!

Flegling English Class for Chinese National etc.

We are teaching a small group of Chinese nationals who want to learn to speak English better. They represent a wide age group and it is a challenge to keep them all on the same page, but we are enjoying it and I think they are learning. They are learning to understand and speak better English, but most of all we are all learning that we are children of God and that we have much in common. We consider it a great blessing in our lives and an opportunity to make some more good friends, Here is our little class enjoying an after class treat. These are wonderful people and we are supported every time by our good and faithful ward mission leaders.

Just s beginning but we are making progress,  Wonderful People!!!

The Empty Sacrament Table

I love Sundays. I love new beginnings. I love new commitments. I love the opportunity to become better than I am. I love the Savior and His atoning sacrifice. I love the Lord's sacrament and pray never to take for granted. The following story is a part of Elder Tad R. Callister's book , INFINITE ATONEMENT, and causes me to reflect with gratitude on the debt we all owe to our loving Savior, Jesus Christ.

An Empty Sacrament Table

One Sunday morning our teenage son stood with two other priests to administer the sacrament, as they had done on many prior occasions. They pulled back the white cloth, but to their dismay there was no bread. One of them slipped out to the preparation room in hopes some could be found. There was none. Finally our troubled son made his way to the bishop and shared the concern with him. A wise bishop then stood, explained the situation to the congregation, and asked, “How would it be if the sacrament table were empty today because there were no Atonement?” I have thought of that often–what would it be like if there were no bread there because there had been no crucifixion, no water because there had been no shedding of blood? If there had been no Atonement, what would the consequences be to us? Of course, the question is now moot, but it does put in perspective our total dependence on the Lord. To ask and answer this question only heightens our awareness of, and appreciation for, the Savior. What might have been, even for the righteous,” if there had been no atoning sacrifice, stirs the very depths of human emotion.
First, there would be no resurrection, or as suggested in the explicit language of Jacob: “This flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more” (2 Nephi 9:7).
Second, our spirits would become subject to the devil. he would have “all power over you” and “seal you his” (Alma 34:35). In fact we would become like him, even “angels to a devil” (2 Nephi 9:9).
Third, we would be “shut out from the presence of our God” (2 Nephi 9:9), to remain forever with the father of lies.
Fourth, we would “endure a never-ending torment” (Mosiah 2:39).
Fifth, we would be without hope, for if “Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. . . . If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable” (1Corinthians 15:14, 19). . . .
Without the Atonement, Macbeth’s fatalistic outlook on life would have been tragically correct; it would be a play without a purpose:

Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player
that struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more. it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing (William Shakespeare, Macbeth, 5.5.24-28)