Lewis Girls

Happy Anniversary, Bill & MK!

2012-02-03T07:32:00.002-07:00

Your marriage is a true example of faith, hope, and our Heavenly Father's love for His children. I know you will be together again because of it. Love you, mom!

Obituary Picture

2012-01-30T10:56:00.002-07:00

And to think that this is who I have been complaining about to anyone that will listen...

My Dad

2012-01-29T12:23:00.008-07:00

OLOF EBERHART ZUNDEL

Olof was born in Plymouth, Utah on December 5, 1919 to Eberhart and Laura Zundel. He married his eternal sweetheart, Ida Smith, in the Logan, Utah Temple on January 17, 1941. Ida was the love and purpose of his life, even beyond her passing in May 2009. They were reunited on Saturday, January 28th.

Olof is survived by three (3) children; Craig Eberhart Zundel (Jana), J. Scott Zundel (Vickie), Mary Catherine Lewis, 11 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and brother Neil Zundel (Jeanne), sister Helen Wallen, and sister in law, Sue Zundel.

Olof’s life is a wonderful example of service to family, church, country, and community. It was characterized by great strength and leadership.

He was a High Priest in the Mueller Park 5th Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many church positions, including Gospel Doctrine Teacher, High Priest Group Leader, and even at the time of his passing his calling was to assist with the missionary prep class. He and Ida also loved their time of service in the Bountiful, Utah Temple.

Olof graduated from Box Elder High School and attended Weber State College. He served in the US Military from 1942 – 1945 as Battalion Communications Chief, Fifth Air Force Aircraft Warning in Australia, New Guinea, and the Philippines. He witnessed up close and personal the brutality of war.

Upon returning from service overseas, he worked as a salesman for Fred M. Nye Co. in Ogden, Utah. He and Ida later owned and operated Zundel’s His and Hers, men’s and women’s clothing stores, in Brigham City, Promontory Point, and Bountiful.

During the time Olof and Ida lived in Brigham City, he served as Chairman of the Brigham City Merchants Committee (1952), VP of the Brigham City Chamber of Commerce (1957), member of the Brigham City Council (1960-1964), founder and President of Brigham City Off Street Parking Corp. (1963-1965), President of the Brigham City Rotary Club (1964), and Chairman of the Box Elder County Republican Party (1964-65) and Brigham City Downtown Redevelopment Committee (1964). He served as Mayor of Brigham City Utah from 1966-1973. He was regional directory for the Department of Heath and Human Services under the Reagan Administration. he was the first president of the first Brigham City Little League.

He was the first President of Golden Spike Empire (1969-1971). He was a board member of McKay Dee Hospital Foundation, Utahans for Effective Government, and Utahans against Pornography.

He and Ida lived in Brigham City, Utah until 1973. After leaving Brigham City, Olof served on the Utah Public Services Commission (1973-1979). He served as Executive Director of the Utility Shareholders Association of Utah from 1982 to 1984. In 1975, they moved to Bountiful, where he lived until his death.

Ole was loved, admired, and respected by all who knew him. He was known for his beautiful flower gardens, both in Brigham City and Bountiful. He was an example to his family who loved him and will deeply miss him and his handsome smile.
Graveside Services, only, will be held at noon on Thursday, February 2, in the Brigham City Cemetery under the direction of Russon Brothers. Ole will rest there next to his beloved Ida.

We are grateful to the angels who cared for Dad until the end. The family wishes to express heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated service of the Mueller Park 5th Ward. We will be forever grateful for their love and tender care to our parents.

Change of Address

2012-01-19T19:35:00.002-07:00

My dad needs a change of address card. After almost 40 years of 2139 Ridgewood Way, at Maple Hills in Bountiful, he has moved to a Care Center. Not just any care center for Ole. It is Five Star. I don't think he is going to the post office to get a card. He is not interested in staying. If he could arrange it, he would like to see his banker. I think he wants to get rid of that sustitute trustee amendment to his will. I think he also wants to get rid of his kids. If he could get the attention of "the bosses" at the care center, he would like them to help him "to get the Hell oughta there!" He isn't interested in that little button that he can push for help, as long as he can yell til they come, he is fine. When I went to see him today, he was in a new room. Evidently his neighbors got tired of the "Shut ups" going on between him and the guy next door. Did I really think my life was going to get easier with this move?????

Lucca Lewis

2012-01-18T22:50:00.008-07:00

We are expecting grandchild #15. Lucca Lewis will arrive in March. She is our 4th granddaughter. We are VERY excited!

January is for Jennifer

2012-01-18T22:41:00.003-07:00

Happy Birthday Darling Daughter! This is a little late, but no less heartfelt. You are 32 years young! You are still fun, generous, caring, and thoughtful. We hope this is a wonderful year for you filled with good health and happiness. Very nice of Craig to cook Prime Rib for you. Made for a very special birthday party.

"Higher Gramma"

2012-01-14T20:20:00.012-07:00

William Eberhart Mathie

Bold Protector

Two weeks of no alarm clock (except the night my phone alarm went off at three AM which is the time I had to get up to come and see you), adorable grandchildren, a brand new beautiful baby, warmish weather, AND not in my house between Christmas and New Years'. It was an awesome trip, and I loved every minute of it.

Thank you, Gramma

2012-01-14T18:08:00.003-07:00

Thank you, Gramma, for coming out to take care of all of us! We are so glad you got to come meet our new brother, William, and take care of mom while she recovered. Our favorite thing about you coming (besides the Legos and early morning snuggling) was jumping on the tramp with you and also your funny bedtime stories. Mom says she is missing her nanny and housekeeper but we think she needs to start pulling her weight around the house. She made you do too much work! We are so glad you got to come, we know that you are so busy at home and especially because we know you missed Maddie. Thanks for all you did and we can't wait to see you this summer!!
love,
Max and London
(William misses you, too! He cries a lot more now that you're gone...)

Unforgettable

2012-01-13T23:24:00.003-07:00

I am not proud of the fact that I have sorely neglected family history. I am grateful for the fact that I have now fully embraced it. It has been such a comfort and blessing to me. We did some work about ten years ago because one of Bill's non member relatives prepared a pedigree chart. A lot of the work had already been done, but we did what was left. It was all on his dad's side. We had a dead end on his mom's side. These days we are now saying "No" to dead ends. We first discovered Hattie Hallberg in Kansas City, Missouri, Jackson County in 1895 married to Enoch Malmfeldt. They are the parents of May, Bill's mom. We were somewhat aware of May's siblings, but none of the work had been done for them. We then HAD to discover Hattie's parents. I made family trees for all of the kids for Christmas, and there couldn't be any blanks. So after hours and hours in SL at the Family History Library with a very patient and instructive Swedish consultant (she was convinced that I had to learn Swedish before she would let me go). We found Hattie in Sweden with the rest of her family. Of course, then she was Hedda Christina Bengstdotter. We found her parents Bengt Johan Anderrson and Olena Jakobsen, and all of her siblings. She came alone to America on a boat named the Orlando when she was 15. We have a picture of her name on the log of the boat. Eventually we found the whole family reunited in Osage, Kansas in 1885. So finally, after a comedy of events which included temple recommends expired by a day, wind storms that cancelled church and recommend interviews, sinus surgeries, and two week trips to Florida, we made it to the temple last night. Isaac, our amazing grandson that just turned 12 last April, made his very first trip to the temple to do baptisms for the dead. He was inside of the temple with his parents for the very first time. Liz and Josh joined us for the very special event. Isaac stood in for the men with Jeff baptizing and confirming, and Liz stood in for the sisters, with Josh baptizing and confirming. So about a dozen women and a dozen men were baptized and confirmed. These precious spirits included Bill's aunts and uncles, his grandparents and his mom's aunts and uncles. We enjoyed a very special spirit. Like I said.....the evening was "Unforgettable."

"The Songs They Could Not Sing"

2012-01-11T20:51:00.003-07:00

While I spent a wonderful two weeks with Lindsay, Morgan, Maximus, London, and William Mathie in Gainesville, Florida, I was practicing my usual habit of reading The Ensign while I blow dry my hair. I am a little behind and still reading the Conference Issue. I came across Elder Cook's talk and thought, "Oh great, this one is going to make me cry". But I was wrong. This is the talk about problems and adversities, and a lot of talk about The Titanic. In the end of his talk he says, "A unique challenge for those who have lost loved ones is to avoid dwelling on the lost opportunities in this life". He says it has been described as "dying with your music still inside you". While it is very hard to know that our grandchildren will miss knowing and spending time with their "papa" and all of the wonderful things that it means to know him and spend time with him, My Guy sang all of his songs. He never missed an opportunity to live life to the fullest. He would have chased more rainbows, but he didn't miss any chance to chase the one that was in front of him. I believe that is his greatest legacy. Somehow it helps. What I learn from his example is while I can't be spot on every minute of every day, I can aspire to do most things, mostly right, most of the time.

Welcome William!

2011-12-30T10:54:00.008-07:00

We are happy to introduce William Eberhart Mathie. He was born Thursday, December 29. He weighed 7#, 6oz. Mom and family all doing well. Florida, family, new grandson! Wow, so many blessings.

This one is a must...

2011-12-28T17:33:00.002-07:00

Speaking as someone that has read a great many books about the Revolutionary War Period of our country, I am woefully ignorant when it comes to the all important Civil War Period. This book is awesome! It is informative and suspenseful. I learned so much, because I knew so little, and also because there are so many interesting details. Anyway, I loved it! Hope you do too! Be prepared to not being able to put it down.

A very special visit....

2011-12-21T11:35:00.002-07:00

Yesterday I was on my way to "team" meeting which starts at 8am, when I got a call from Dad's Bishop. He had heard that we were considering putting Dad in a nursing home and wanted to know what was going on. He gave me a ten minute pep talk on how it was the right thing to do. I told him how much I appreciated his call, and how helpful it was. I then asked him if he had received a call from one of my brothers, or if he had been inspired all by himself. He said actually he had received a call from President Eyring. He wanted to pay a visit to Dad and wondered what the situation was. I asked if it would be OK if I dropped by during that visit. After returning the call to President Eyring and getting the time, he called me and said it would be great if I could be there. When I arrived, President Eyring was there with Kathleen, his wife, and son, Patrick. Dad had already been anointed and they proceeded to give him a blessing. It was very beautiful. They stayed for a short visit. He expressed to Dad how much his and Mom's confidence in him had made him want to be better. He told Dad that he was not as good as they thought he was, but it helped him try to improve. He also wanted to talk about Uncle Neil. He ADORES Uncle Neil. He reminded us that Neil was captain of the baseball, basketball, AND football teams the SAME year at PRINCETON University. He was ten years old when Neil visited their home and taught him the importance of the left handed shot. He made such an impression on that ten year old boy who is now a member of the First Presidency. What a blessing to be part of such a wonderful family.

Memories

2011-12-16T07:55:00.002-07:00

Our family has so many wonderful memories of our wonderful Papa Bill. We are so grateful for those memories and hope to keep them alive and saved in the hearts of our wonderful kids and grandkids. Merry Christmas everyone!

I have not gone fishing,

2011-12-09T00:10:00.002-07:00

but I have been extremely busy. I have been spending a lot of time at the Family History Library. I have been able to connect Hedda Christina Bengstodotter in Sweden to Haddie Hallberg Malmfeldt in Kansas City, Missouri, who just happens to be My Guy's Grandma. She left Sweden when she was 15. I will save that story for a later day, when I am 100% sure, instead of 90%. But 90% gets her on that Pedigree Chart Christmas present. No blank spaces after all!

Meanwhile, I am making a list, and checking it twice. Pennsylvania and Florida were mailed today. Trust me, that was no small feat. Now I am left to a small amount of shopping, a large amount of wrapping, and three doll quilts and two baby quilts to bind. Oh, and decorating. Oh, and the Open House. Oh, and the Ward Christmas Party. Wish me luck!

One down, four to go!

2011-12-09T00:03:00.002-07:00

A quilt for Bitty Baby. I hope it is a perfect fit.

New Hobbies

2011-11-27T14:52:00.002-07:00

My favorite new hobbies are eating and Family History. So in honor of Mom's birthday yesterday, I spent three hours with our Ward's Family History people. I now have a paper in my hand called "Family Ordinance Request" that I will be taking with me to the temple. When I arrive there, they will give me some little cards. We will then be able to do the work for Bill's grandparents on his mom's side, including their sealing. We will also be doing the work for his mom's nine siblings. After we get used to the idea of all of that, we will be getting their spouses and children on board. I also discovered that Mary Francis Gelder (the one that started the whole "Gelder thing") has been sealed to her spouse, but none of her work has been done. So onward and upward. What was it that President Monson said to the overwhelmed and newly called Seventy that was looking at the floor when he got on the elevator?? "It is better to look up!" Doin' my best.....

Happy Thanksgiving from Gainesville

2011-11-27T11:36:00.003-07:00

Just wanted to wish my family a Happy Thanksgiving weekend! I have to say that topping my list this year of things I'm grateful for is that I got to spend my dad's last Thanksgiving with him. Even though I didn't get many pictures, I will always remember it and be grateful.
Loves to you, Papa Bill, we miss you but are grateful for you in our lives.

So many blessings...

2011-11-22T22:40:00.008-07:00

It was much easier said than done, but so glad that we braved it. Sizzler 2011, in the books. We are amazing!

Couldn't Wait

2011-11-17T20:38:00.007-07:00

I was going to wait until I got these bound and quilted, but I just couldn't. I have three adorable granddaughters, and their dolls are getting new quilts this Christmas. My quilter lady might be slow, so I just had to post the unfinished results. London is getting the one that matches her new brother's. Kate and Toryn are getting the results of the "Delightful" party.

Frame it in Forgiveness

2011-11-15T17:51:00.005-07:00

You can tell that it is my turn to teach Relief Society because I am organizing my thoughts by way of a post. I am having mixed thoughts about what I want to teach. A little bit of faith, a little bit of happiness, and a little bit of forgiveness. Well I came upon the perfect way to combine those subjects. AGENCY! All of these things, and many others, are a choice. We ALWAYS have a choice. I used to get into such interesting discussions with my sixth grade students about this. They would say that their parents made them come to school... no choice about it. But I would remind them that they had chosen to obey. At any rate I came upon the most wonderful article in the Ensign. It is called "Anticipating the need to FORGIVE". It is written by a mental health professional, so you know I was interested right away. If we were bitten by a snake, of course we would seek immediate medical attention. We wouldn't chase the snake to get revenge. We all know this in advance. So why not apply this same decision making process to the people in our lives that do and say things that we might need to forgive. If we anticipate that we are going to forgive ahead of time, we are spared all of that pain and unnecessary suffering. I would guess that 99.75% of the time when we are hurt or offended, or injured, there was NO INTENT for us to be hurt. We were hurt because we are sensitive or tender about certain things. IT IS ALL ABOUT MOTIVE. Generally people do NOT intend to hurt. SO why the fuss? According to the article, we can "screen out the negativism, the hurt feelings, the offenses. We can see people based on INTENT--giving them the benefit of the doubt and assuming their good intent (one exception to breaking "The Four Agreements" no assumptions rule). Sometimes when we feel hurt, offended, or frustrated, we frame what we see much like a frame around a photo. Forgiveness allows us to frame people and interactions differently." Framing forgiveness around others, and our self, makes life's journey much smoother. Try it! Being generous with others helps us to deserve the generosity of others, for the many thoughtless things WE do and say.

Season of Sailboats

2011-11-13T17:34:00.002-07:00

Lots of new skills learned, lots of love, and lots of fun! Baby Mathie, almost done!

Jonah and Colonial Days

2011-11-05T18:59:00.003-06:00

It really does come in handy having a Gramma that knows how to make a pillow. Especially when it is worth 50 points on your Colonial Days project list!! Love fifth grade! Love American History! Love Jonah!. Love piecing fabric!. Saturday afternoon just doesn't get any better!! Thanks Jonah for letting me help. He selected the fabric, designed the pillow, drew a pattern, did the math to figure out how big the squares had to be, and did ALL of the sewing, and stuffed it! Good job, Jonah!!

Snow Princess

2011-11-05T18:54:00.003-06:00

After Maddie and I watched El Dorado this AM, she discovered the snow. She really does watch TV, and she really does like the snow!

Happy Halloween

2011-11-03T17:22:00.002-06:00

Not the same, but we are doing our best!! Pretty awesome bunch of kids, I'd say! Spencer, Max, and London, we sure missed you!!

DO NOT

2011-10-30T21:44:00.004-06:00

by any means think that I am getting "Cutesy" or "Kitcheny". Not happening. I just could not resist this very easy idea. WAY big hit! The "owl" in me just couldn't resist I guess, for all you Chi Omega fans out there!

Castle Park

2011-10-24T22:41:00.002-06:00

Over in Kaysville on Nichol's Drive is an amazing place known as Castle Park. Kate and Johnny spent a little time with Gramma this last UEA weekend, and we spent a very fun afternoon over there. We also colored, played Candyland, did puzzles, jumped on the tramp (with Maddie), watered pansies, ate popcorn, and fell asleep watching movies.

"Delighted"---Quilted Fish--Riley Blake

2011-10-24T22:33:00.002-06:00

Jenn and I were invited to a "fabric show". My first one ever! I didn't even know such events took place. We went out to Noah's in South Salt Lake which is a great venue for such a party. We saw everything you could imagine made out of fabric. Dollhouses, guitars, banners, and even some beautiful quilts. My cute cousin, Patty's daughter Jana, knows someone that designs for Riley Blake. Riley Blake happens to be a very cute fabric line. So we got to meet Jana, which was awesome in and of itself. We received these cute little swatches as favors. The fabric was gorgeous! "Delighted" is the name of the line. I am sure that I feel a project coming on. I will keep you posted. Anyway, we really had a ball! Thanks, Patty and Jana!!

MAGNET BOARDS

2011-10-23T13:36:00.005-06:00

I haven't been busy blogging, but I have been busy!! This was a lot bigger job than I ever expected. Even though it is VERY active, I think I like the idea of all of these smiling faces on the wall as I sit here at the computer. We'll see if I get used to it. Organizing "our old office" into "our new office" was a lot bigger physical and emotional drain than I ever expected, but I think we are happy with how it all came together.

Happy Birthday Gramma Llama!

2011-10-14T06:55:00.006-06:00

G - Go go go! Gramma is ALWAYS on the go, and always doing things for others.
R - Rick rack stitch and many more...gramma is always working on a project for a grandchild or ward baby shower gift.
A - Accident prone...at least with the car. Never her fault, though!
M - Mediator. Will NOT talk bad about anyone.
M - Mom. Best mom anyone could ever have. Really.
A - Always picks up her phone. Even when she probably shouldn't. Always willing to listen, even if she has 10 million other things going on. Which she always does.

Happy Birthday, Gramma Horse, Gramma Llama, Gramma Pickle, Gramma quilt, and many more! We all love you and miss you so much. We are so blessed to have you in our lives and hope you have a happy birthday!!

Sailboats

2011-10-11T17:52:00.007-06:00

Last fall we were excited to finally buy our very own brand new matching bedroom set. It was something we had never done before, and we were SO thrilled about it. The set we chose was one that Bill fell in love with. I am not sure that I would have picked it without him, but I thought at the time that he liked it so much that I just couldn't resist. Of course, I love it now, and wouldn't change it for any other set in the world. At that time we didn't take the time to decorate the walls with pictures. Bill painted, which was pretty amazing in and of itself. Something I will always feel guilty about driving him to do. Anyway, we got new lamps and tables and such, but no pictures. After I lost My Guy from this world, I really wanted to find a great sailboat print to put on the wall with the biggest space. When Bill was a young man, he sailed from Hawaii to the Mainland in a sailboat with a couple of other guys. It took them about thirty days. I am sure it was an awesome experience, and he was always thrilled to talk about it. We share a great love of the ocean. It is just one of those amazing bonds we have. We loved to just sit at the pier in Lahaina and watch the boats. Well, I gave up trying to find one and just decided to wait until one presented itself. Well, one did. Actually fourteen did!!! Jeff and I were going through some stuff downstairs, and I found a box full of Sailboat prints. They are not just any old sailboat prints. They are VERY OLD PanAmerican MENU COVERS!! Bill used to work for the airlines. He bought/saved?? them, I am sure, because they might have some resale value. They are reproductions of authentic Currier & Ives prints. I had no idea they were there. Jenn knew about them because she said Bill had wanted her to try to sell them on EBay. They are AMAZING. Only about half of them are perfect, but no problem. I only need 5 to frame and put above our bed. What a treasure!! Thanks Babe.

Maddie is growing very attached to John's quilt......

2011-10-10T21:54:00.001-06:00

Can't Wait til Spring

2011-10-08T19:26:00.003-06:00

Can't wait til Spring when there will be tulips popping up, pansies, Forget Me Knots, and Hydrangea! Thank you Jonah, Brooke, Josh, Jeff, and Eli. I couldn't have done it without you!

Kung Fu Spencer

2011-10-05T23:07:00.002-06:00

Adventure Aquarium, Conference, BANANAGRAMS, movies, chips, licorice, "Blue Bloods", more Conference, the doctor, school, Karate, Barnes and Noble, Pottery Barn, sleeping in, staying up late, and just being together. Thanks Tracie and Spencer! I had a ball!

"Same Kind of Different as Me"

2011-10-02T12:04:00.012-06:00

Recently a dear friend gave me a thank you in the form of this book and a sweet card. Strangely enough the card included a "pressed pansy". Funny that she did this. I have never received a note with a pressed flower in it, let alone a PANSY! I don't believe she reads my blog, so I have no idea why she thought to include a pansy. Just a coincidence I guess, but such a sweet one, and I LOVED it! Anyone it is also odd that she gave me this book, because there is a woman that dies from cancer. I guess I thought it might be a hard one to tackle at this point in my journey. But nevertheless, I took it on the airplane, and ended up being unable to put it down. It is a very uplifting true story about three people. Ron and Deborah Hall and their friend Denver Moore. Ron is a very wealthy art dealer, Deborah loves to help the homeless, and Denver is homeless. The story is told by Ron and Denver alternating chapters to tell how their lives came together. They all had an incredible influence for good upon each other. The passages where Ron describes how he felt after Deborah passes away were especially comforting to me. If anyone wants to know how I feel, just read pages 134, and 202-03. I will spare you the tears (and me) of quoting them here. I really enjoyed it. There are amazing spiritual experiences throughout. It also gives you an inside view of what the homeless endure.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRACIE!!

2011-09-25T22:15:00.004-06:00

Happy Birthday, darling daughter. You were born on a Sunday night, much like this one. Gorgeous weather. Just exactly about this time. Start to finish four hours. You have always been "easy". Always obedient and always respectful. I love this picture of you and cherish the memory of that day. It was very special to be with you at conference and on Temple Square. Looking forward to being with you a week from tonight!! Have a great day tomorrow. LOVEYOUTONSANDTONSMOMANDPAPA

Inspiring

2011-09-25T15:07:00.002-06:00

President Uchtdorf and the RS General Presidency were "spot on" in their remarks last night. What a blessing it was to attend this meeting with the wonderful sisters of our stake. Such an awesome prelude to General Conference!

Welcome to Brigham City

2011-09-25T14:35:00.006-06:00

Famous Brigham City sign with temple in the background. Lots of Peach Day floats have traveled underneath this sign.
This is the Brigham City Tabernacle. I grew up five blocks east of this building. This is where we met for Stake Conference. I believe it was called the Box Elder Stake. I once gave a talk in this building for Stake Conference, and I graduated from Seminary in this building.
I believe this would be a view from the west. I can see Box Elder High School in the foreground.

The Brigham City Temple sits on the land where my elementary school was. Central School.

WOW!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIZ and JOSH!!

2011-09-20T13:04:00.004-06:00

Happy Birthday Liz and Josh! It was on a beautiful fall day, just like today, that Liz came into this world. I think it was about noonish! So twenty three years ago today, I was listening to the doctors talk about going to Cutlers' for lunch. I think at that time it was kind of a new place to go! What a happy day it was for our family when you joined us. You had four moms it seemed. We love you and are so grateful that you have your wonderful Josh to share your journey with, and Joshie to share your birthday with!! You are, and always have been, a wonderful daughter!!LOVEYOUTONSMOMANDPAPA

Very Special Date

2011-09-16T14:08:00.005-06:00

I am warning you before you read this, that this was a very special date. At the beginning of my journal entry I wrote,"Last night was so special I don't even want to write about it." Early in April, Bill had called me midweek to invite me to WARD TEMPLE NIGHT! Yes, Ward Temple Night! Our ward used to go together as a ward once a month. Not only was it WARD TEMPLE NIGHT, but it was Ward Conference. This meant that all of the people from the Stake would be there, a special meeting in the Priesthood Room at the Temple, AND and an ice cream social after. I wrote that I was "weak in the knees excited". He picked me up that Friday at ten til six. He looked fabulous. Remember this is our first "dress up" and public date! My smooth Guy told me that I "looked nice, but you always look nice--very attractive woman"--Such grown up words. I bravely told him how good he looked. I said, "I always think it, but never say it." On the way I was trying to fix my bracelet around my watch, and he helped me, then held my hand til we got off the freeway (darn gear shift). Keep in mind we are in his little red pickup with Texas license plates. Oh how I wish I had a picture of that truck!! We were in the Ogden Temple District at that time, so all this happened at the Ogden Temple. After the meeting we were going up the escalator for the session, and he asked me about the prayer circle. I said that I would love to, and he said that we would "see how it went". Always in charge! SUCH an amazing feeling! Still remember it. Still feel it! Still LOVE it! The session was very crowded, and we were way in the back, but we still went up. Almost passed out! I can only imagine what everyone was thinking. Lots of kind comments to us afterwards. Of course, you know that I am going to tell you we stayed in the Celestial Room after everyone had left. We just sat there talking for about ten minutes with his arm around me. WOW! I could have stayed forever. A dear friend in the dressing room told me that My Guy was grinning from ear to ear when we went up for the prayer circle. We held hands all the way home. When we walked into the church for the social, I "took his arm", and he exclaimed, "Oh, that feels so good!" Always love to "take his arm". Our dear friend and Stake President came up to us at the party and said, "You guys looked really good up there!" We sat in the truck holding hands and talking for a while when he took me home. We weren't making out yet, but I got some very tender kisses. Walked me in and stayed long enough to give me a "huge, warm, tight, and wonderful hug". I was floating. Finally went to sleep after two. When I went to school the next day, I no longer had to wonder what everyone was thinking. A lot of my students were in my ward. One darling girl whose parents had been at the temple with us told the class that Bill and I had been at the temple the night before, and we had done something "that only married people do at the temple"!! Honestly, I am not exaggerating one word. I felt like I knew I was in love by then, even though we had only been seeing each other about a month. It really doesn't take long when it's right. I just wasn't sure how I felt about being in love. VERY scary. I felt very blessed and thought how kind and good he was. As the song perfectly describes us, "two less lonely people in the world".

Book of Mormon

2011-09-12T08:33:00.003-06:00

When I was first called to the Relief Society I suggested that the ward read the Book of Mormon as President Hinckley had instructed us to do a few years ago. Our ward came up with a more personalized plan that worked very well. This year the goal was set by the Young Men and Young Women to read the Book of Mormon in 90 days, and so the rest of us jumped on board. I am SO GRATEFUL that we are doing it. It is such a blessing for me now. I don't know why I couldn't have just done it by myself, but I didn't, and now I am. This last week of reading has reminded me of two great scriptures that give me hope (small h) for me, that I might continue with Hope (big H). This is what I aspire to do. They are:

2 Nephi 31:20 "Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

Mosiah 5:15 "Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you His, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of Him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen."

Sunbonnet Sue Displaced

2011-09-11T20:31:00.004-06:00

Remember when my life's biggest challenge was having my "Sunbonnet Sue Day" interrupted? Oh well, those were the days! Well Sunbonnet Sue has been replaced by sailboats. This would be because Baby Boy Mathie doesn't want dolls on his quilt. I probably should have done footballs, but darn, I didn't. It is sailboats! After two and one half throw aways, I have finally reached a point where I can say I have one done, and I can move on to number two. This is WAY harder than I ever thought it would be, but VERY therapeutic. I have to do twelve squares like this one! Wish me luck!

MK's TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY.

2011-09-10T15:25:00.004-06:00

Friday, 8:30 AM Phone call--caller--"Hi, is Gelder there?" mk "Who is calling please?"--caller "Someone from Medicare Supplies." mk "He passed away"--caller "Does anyone else in the house have diabetes?" mk-click
9:00 Work til noon, bridal shower at 2:00. That means two hours of "stuck at school" time. Also clean up detail for the shower.
4:00 Leave school. Fridays I am through at noon usually.
4:15 Driving by cemetery to say "HI" to My Guy.
4:16 Turning up My Guy's street.
4:17 Car behinds me tries to pass my on the right??? Not a passing lane. Takes out my passenger door and runner panel. Now I have a smashed passenger door, broken windshield (from Maddie not wearing her seat belt), broken muffler from running around a parking lot filled with pot holes, and bad fuel filters from very bad gas.
4:35 Home-Phone call--caller--"Hi, is Bill there?" mk "Who is calling please?" --caller "the office where you renew your construction license, Bill always takes classes here. Is he going to this time?" mk "No, Bill passed away" This caller felt really bad because I was sobbing by now.
4:41 Email telling me I have to call the State office in charge of dissolving businesses. That would be Expanding Energy. Bill's oil company in Texas that meant a great deal to him.
4:45 Me calling State to take care of it. She was very sympathetic.

NOT TO WORRY. I am smiling today. AND my awesome ward came and started "My Guy's Plaza". Stage one is the beginning of the flagstone. Thank you wonderful neighbors and family!

Lucky Ducks

2011-09-10T15:14:00.002-06:00

Decisions

2011-09-08T12:57:00.003-06:00

The thing about decisions is that you first have to "decide" to decide. One can just "not decide". But then isn't that a decision? One of the problems with life is that it doesn't matter if you are an emotional train wreck, it just keeps happening. So I "decide" to get up everyday. I "decide" to keep breathing. I "decide" I want to keep my job so I have to perform at a certain level. My co workers just happen to be the most amazing people on the planet, so this is doable. But there are so many other decisions that are mentally, physically, and emotionally SO draining. What do I do with the basement? What do I do with My Guy's office? There is a part of me (no small part), that feels like not one thing can be changed, cleaned, organized, or touched. EVER, not EVER! Everything that even has his writing on has become sacred. Jeff has been monumentally helpful with this. I know whatever he tells me is exactly what Bill would say. This is a huge blessing in my life. So I continue to decide things, carry out the decision, revisit the decision, continue to carry it out, continue to revisit....you get the idea. But I recently made a huge decision. When I was visiting Lindsay in April, My Guy planted our pansies. We both LOVE pansies. He mostly loves all of the tropical plants, and can't tell the difference between petunias and marigolds, but we both LOVE pansies. I am sure it is because we have them through the winter. Anyway all summer long I have guarded those pansies with my life. But they are starting to look a little tenuous. SO WHAT DO I DO??? I recognize that I can't keep them alive forever, even though that seems simple enough. Just not realistic. SO, I went out and bought some new ones. In my feeble (not as sharp as I used to be) mind, I have made the decision that "his" pansies will ALWAYS be alive, as long as there are pansies in those pots (even if they are mine). I will never, ever know which ones are his or which ones are mine, because they are now blended and OURS. Perfect? I think so. NOT revisiting this one.

DON'T YOU WISH....

2011-09-06T22:24:00.005-06:00

YOUR NAME WAS JOHNNY OR STEFAN??

Together Forever

2011-09-02T19:59:00.013-06:00

Marie Callenders'

2011-08-30T21:58:00.004-06:00

Well just so I can keep everything straight we are at April 1. We had our first "walk date" on March 12, 1994. We had been on several walks by now. We had never been on a "spend money" kind of date. Not that I cared one twit. Well on April 1 he called me and left a message. I called him back at work. The number was 801-532-5279. This isn't important to the story. But the idea that I wrote the number down in my journal affirms the fact that I was a much better journal keeper then, than now. He invited me for errands AND ice cream!! This was a very big deal. "A date without exercise" is what I put in my journal. Of course we ended up not doing errands or getting ice cream, but we did go to Marie Callenders'. We ran into someone he knew from a long time ago. They talked for about 15 minutes. We had pie and talked. We did SO much talking. We visited in the drive way for a while. We had a slight hug. You have to understand that I am such a geek through all of this. I took him a note after this date to thank him and invite him to Sunday dinner. By this time he was calling me every other day or so. We walked Saturday, and he said that he was going to come to dinner on Sunday. He always asked if he could bring anything. SO thoughtful! I didn't write this down, but I remember wondering if we were EVER going to have a first kiss. I still wasn't sure where all of this was going. Maybe we were going to just be "BFF". I also remember thinking that maybe the purpose of the pie was "kissing rights". Well, yeah, I was right. The first walk after the pie, came the kiss. He was all spiffed up when I got there. If I am not mistaken he had on his great yellow Ruff Hewn polo and I had on my light blue oxford Polo shirt. I cannot believe that I didn't write this down, but I remember it SO WELL. We were looking at pictures or something at the bar. All of a sudden he just leaned over and planted one on. YEP, still remember it. Can still feel it. WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL. So casual. He left to use the bathroom before we left for our walk. I can vividly recall walking over to the window, looking out, and thinking that this was very real, and it was going somewhere, and I liked it. Sunday was Conference weekend. We had a great dinner. He brought me flowers and carnations for the girls. "What a guy. I'm gone" was the prophetic journal entry. We all did the tramp again and ended up in the house learning magic tricks. My Guy is "world class famous" for his magic tricks. He also told us scary stories in the dark in Liz's room. Holding hands for the first time with all of your kids in the room. Very interesting. More kisses at the door that night before he left. I was going to need a lot of practice......

Some thoughts on Journal Keeping

2011-08-26T19:37:00.008-06:00

Today in Relief Society we had an awesome lesson on temple work and family history. Of course the topic of journal keeping was mentioned. It seems that whenever I am listening to someone talk about family history, the save-all that keeps me from feeling guilty is that I do keep a journal. In fact, I am an avid journal keeper. Recently, however, I have cause to call into question my quality of the practice. When I was young, I was always aware of my Grandma Laura's journals. They were beautiful. Unlike my assortment of mismatched journals (my current giant Dot Candy one being the most outrageous), hers were all beautiful red leather. They were all the same style and color. I just knew that they were filled with so many wonderful things. After she passed away, I had occasion to read through them. I was partly correct in that they were filled with her beautiful penmanship and wisdom. However, like my journals, they were filled with lots of mundane stuff as well. "She had hung the clothes out on the line." "She had gotten her hair done." At that time it was very comforting to me to know that it is OK for journals to be just a log of our routine activities of the day. The trouble is that sometimes, at least for me, those days all look the same. Recently, I have been working on a list that I keep in my journal of my memories of Bill. I don't want to forget important things. Those memories include the things that he said, that he did, that he liked, that he felt, that he laughed at, that he enjoyed, or that he valued. S0 yesterday I had a very valuable lesson taught to me. I was feeling very brave and listening to a Phil Collins CD that has the song "My Girl" on it. This brought to my mind something that HAD to go on that list. My Guy and I didn't really have "a song", but he chose "My Girl" for my ring tone on his cell phone. Everyone that knows us well is aware of that little detail of our lives. What most everyone doesn't know is that every time I called Bill, he would answer the phone singing 'MY GIRL" at the top of his voice. HOW IS IT THAT I HAD NEVER PUT THAT IN MY JOURNAL???? How is it that something that made me smile every day, at least once or twice, and means the world to me now, wasn't included in what had happened to me that day? I think that is was way more important information than the fact that I picked up my dad's prescriptions or cleaned the bathrooms. Lesson Learned: Even though some of those details of our lives are mildly interesting to posterity, the ones that teach us the true character of a person are way more inspiring. I am trying to do a better job of including those kinds of things on the pages of my journal. Anyway, it was an important lesson for me. I am such a slow learner!

Virginia Pearce "Through His Eyes" meets "The Optimistic Child"

2011-08-25T19:29:00.004-06:00

Just about one of my favorite things in the world is when something that I teach at school collides with a Gospel principle. That happened this week when I read Virginia Pearce's latest book. She has been my hero since I read "A Heart Like His". I am still trying to incorporate the things I learned in that book into my life. Now, more than ever, because that is what Bill was perfect at. That book taught the principle of keeping your eyes on the needs of the people in your world as those experiences come to you through the course of the day, instead of on "your list for the day".

Anyway there is something that I teach at school that I learned in "The Optimistic Child". It is called ABC. Something happens in our life. We will call it A, for adversity. It could also be called an event, an action, something said or done that was hurtful, a problem, and experience. B stands for belief. That means we have some kind of a thought about the event or adversity. Whatever that thought is leads to a C, for consequence or feeling. The feeling that we have is a result of the thought about the event (A). IF WE CAN CHANGE THE THOUGHT, WE CAN CHANGE THE FEELING! In a school setting it might look like this.

A-- Someone has a party, and you are not invited.

B--"He/She doesn't like me."

C--"I am a loser."

But if you dispute, analyze, correct the thought, it could look like this:

A--Someone has a party, and you are not invited.

B--"He/She doesn't like me."

CORRECTION/DISPUTE--"NO, I know they like me, but maybe they could only have two friends to their party."

C--"I hope they have fun, maybe next time I will get to go".

Well, Virginia Pearce has written a book based on the same idea. Hers looks like this:

Sensory/input/external data/experience

Beliefs/thoughts/interpretation/expectations

Emotions/anger/irritation, peace, depression, anxiety, discouragement

Actions/behavior

She talks about cleaning out our mind as if we were cleaning out a closet. When you really clean, you take everything out. You then make piles. There is the garbage pile, the DI pile, the "somewhere else" pile, and the "go back in" pile. She suggests we take EVERYTHING we believe out of our mind long enough to sort it. The TRUTH, as in Eternal (with a capital T) pile, the truth (small t) pile, and LIES. Make a list of each. Only let back in the Truth piles. Then when you have one of these events, measure it against what you KNOW to be true.

Don't accept every negative thought that pops into your head. We all have them. But if they are WRONG, and they often are, then they lead to negative emotions. EVEN WORSE they lead to negative thoughts about our self. And we all know where that comes from! Hope that all makes sense. I think it is pretty interesting and VERY helpful!

School Day #1

2011-08-23T19:07:00.003-06:00

Survived. Thank you, Awesome Kids!

Conclusion Proverbs 15:17 "Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith"

2011-08-21T14:27:00.003-06:00

This lesson is all about priorities. There are some things that are just plain more important than others. This scripture teaches us that no matter what else is happening, we should have a spirit of love, acceptance, and peace in our homes. We can reword the scripture a thousand different ways, and it still means the same thing. "Better a home with kind words, than a home with no clothes on the floor." There are lots of things that are JUST NOT WORTH FIGHTING ABOUT! The spirit of contention is the "spirit of the devil". The priority for us should be the Spirit of the Lord. That doesn't mean that we can't talk about clothes on the floor, dishes in the sink, raising children, money. It just means that we have to do it in a way that allows His Spirit to be with us. And as I always say......"Nice Face, Nice Words, Nice Voice".

Scripture #4

2011-08-20T12:50:00.004-06:00

D&C 58:42 "He who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more". This scripture helps us to feel hope that we can be forgiven of our mistakes. It is a source of hope. So if we are "trying to be like Jesus", then hopefully we will develop a forgiving disposition. If we want to be forgiven, then we have to forgive. Once our spouse has asked for forgiveness, our goal should be to do as the Lord has promised and "remember" them no more. I guess that means that if we are tempted to "rewind", "replay", or "rehash", past mistakes, that doesn't qualify as "remembering them no more". NO ONE IN THIS WORLD knows our weaknesses and strengths as well as our spouse does. So we should be each other's cheerleader and help each other improve and get better at overcoming those weaknesses. AND pray for each other and the strength to forgive AND forget.

Luke 14:28

2011-08-17T21:00:00.002-06:00

Scripture # 3 from our Five Scriptures Lesson. "For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost...?" Most couples spend more time planning the wedding than planning the marriage. The wedding is literally a piece of cake. The marriage, however, is a fifty to eighty year (if you are really lucky) commitment with adjustments, bills, illness, babies, overdrafts, debt, teenagers, tuition, heartbreak, and so on, and so on. John Bytheway paraphrases a popular saying, "Ask not what your marriage can do for you, ask what you can do for your marriage." Maintaining a marriage can be as simple as asking a few questions of one another on a weekly basis. Questions like, "Is there anything I could do better?", "Am I being a good husband/wife?", "How do you feel about things?" Then REALLY LISTENING to the answers. If you want to "build" a celestial marriage, it is a good idea to "sitteth down" first and count the cost.

Confessions of an "obsessed texter"....

2011-08-16T20:46:00.003-06:00

I will be the first to admit that I am addicted to my phone. My kids will be the second to admit it. I often justify sending or responding to a text when I am engaged in a conversation by telling myself that I will be more focused if I can just "get it off my mind". I LOVE texting. I think it is easier than talking. It is more convenient than talking. My shoulder is not as sore at the end of the day from holding my phone to my ear. However, it is often a distraction. I am not confessing this because I am going to give up texting. However, I will continue my quest to be a better listener. The listening gene was not passed out to the Zundel family.

There is another interesting fact about texting. There is so much potential for miscommunication. Twice in the last week I have received texts from friends that were meant for their daughters. It is very important to remember when one is texting that you don't write anything that you wouldn't want the whole world to read, because you never know where it might go. I often send a text to a friend in the ward that has the same name as one of the caregivers at my dad's. She always sends me a text back asking if I need her to do a shift there. I am always looking for good examples of miscommunication, and the perfect one came across my phone this very day. I am in the process of picking out a grave marker for My Guy and I. I ordered a marker more than a month ago. It is a beautiful light grey granite with perfect black streaks. The stone man and I have been exchanging emails about the inscriptions. Of course it has to be just perfect! I was looking at the latest proof and was wondering if my name looked like it was taking more than its fair share of the space, because it is so long. I sent off an email to ask his opinion about "stacking" my name. I hadn't heard a response for a few days, and so the following exchange took place tonight:

mk: "Hi. I wondered if you got my email about my name being too big? Would it look better stacked? I want it to look balanced. Am I driving you crazy? m. lewis"
him: "Yup and I haven't been to that office yet. I will be there tomorrow."
mk: "Yup I am driving you crazy? Or yup you got the email.?"
him: "Email yup LOL"
mk: "Thanks!"

Scripture Two

2011-08-15T22:35:00.003-06:00

In Matthew 26:22 it says "Is it I?" This was the response of the disciples when the Savior told them that one of them would betray Him. Their reaction was one of meekness and self-examination. This is an inward question. It is an outward recognition of an inner weakness. It says, "Will you help me to know if I have done something wrong?" Isn't that a novel idea? This is tantamount to asking for correction! When the disciples were told that one of them would be the betrayer, they did not start pointing fingers. They looked at their own behavior. When this scripture is applied to a marriage relationship, IT IS A VALUABLE TOOL for creating an environment in which problems can be talked about and solved. The Spirit may dwell in this setting where there is no blaming and no resentment. We can only change our self. We can't change others. Sometimes we hope that changing our self will help to change others, but that is a bonus, and not to be expected.

"Our Tiny Cups"

2011-08-14T13:10:00.003-06:00

Everyone has their own challenges. It seems to be on everyone's mind. It certainly is on mine. I am ever looking to discover how to get out of these "deep waters" and learn my new purpose. Adversity was the topic last night at our adult Stake Conference Session. It was an awesome meeting and was so comforting to me. I have a wonderful friend that sends me a packet of "thoughts for the day" each week. So every day I am reading thoughts and stories about adversity. They always give me lots of food for thought. I got one the other day that was particularly interesting. It was from Neil Maxwell. It said, "I testify that in eloquent example He partook voluntarily of the bitter cup in the awful, but for Him avoidable, Atonement; we must, therefore, drink from our tiny cups. I thank Him for likewise not interceding on our behalf, even when we pray in faith and reasonable righteousness for that which would not be right for us. Our glimpse of Gethsemane should teach us that all prayers are petitions! I testify that He and the Father are serious about stretching our souls in this second estate. I testify that just as He has helped to carefully construct this second estate for all mankind, He also has helped to carefully construct each of our little universes of experience." Ensign 12/07

"The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party"

2011-08-12T22:53:00.004-06:00

This was a fun and fast read. The characters are charming. It was all about relationships. I loved it! It ended too soon.

"Five Scriptures That WIll Strengthen Your Marriage" Part 1

2011-08-11T21:16:00.004-06:00

I have been reading a book by John Bytheway, and he gets all credit for the ideas presented here. Sometimes we hear things that change our life or how we think about things because they ring true. That is how this book affected me. I am working on my next Relief Society lesson, and this is the outline for it.
Scripture 1.."Remember the covenant wherewith ye have covenanted one with another" (D and C 90:24). There is no one else on this earth that we have made a covenant with except our spouse. When we struggle to make decisions that affect our marriage--and almost every decision does--our first and best strategy is to remember our covenants. We have to remind ourselves that we don't have a covenant with our kids, parents, work, hobbies, church calling, or friends. He says that his marriage thrives when he and his wife remember their covenant to each other. It is incredibly affirming to have a wife who makes him feel that he is first in her life, who hangs up the phone when he walks in, and who understands that he likes to have time alone with her each day. It is sad to get more excitement from the dog than by the one with whom he has made and received covenants.

The Moon

2011-08-09T19:49:00.004-06:00

The next Sunday I found myself behind him in the hall at church. We exchanged the typical "How are you's?", but I thought they were all full of hidden meanings. After church he waved me into his Sunday School class and invited me for a walk. Of course I said yes and promptly invited him to Sunday dinner. I was watching his reaction very closely and thought he seemed very pleased. He said that he would love to. We decided on five. He was late because he had been home teaching. The kids were great, not nervous or silly. I was a wreck. Liz talked non stop. Right in the middle of dinner she said, "How about you just come and live with us?" We all laughed. It wasn't awkward as one would expect. Dinner went pretty well. We had the typical Sunday dinner. Roast and mashed potatoes. If I remember right, the blender broke, and I had no masher, but oh well. I was never going to be able to hide the fact that my talents are not in the kitchen. After dinner we retired to the tramp. The kids showed off for him. He jumped for them, then I jumped. We had a lot of fun. We then took a walk. Don and Merlene Moss had bought the home that he had built at the end of the cul de sac. They had asked him to come down to ask him some questions about the house. Mostly My Guy was with Don, and I was with Merlene. Don and Merlene found love with each other late in life, and if I remember correctly we heard their love story. If not that night, then we did hear it another night. We were there for two hours! It was our first time to be together around other people, and it felt really nice to me. After we left, we just continued our walk around the circle. He pointed out the moon to me, and it really was beautiful that night. He always points out a beautiful moon. I don't have a very good memory for things, and most all I write about is word for word from my journal, but I remember that moon on that night like it was yesterday. I had been beginning to wonder what our relationship was about. Were we just going to be friends or was their romance in the air? When he pointed out the moon to me, I remember thinking that maybe that was my answer about our relationship. If I had known him better, I would have known that he was just pointing out a beautiful moon. I think he was also sending me a message. When he was ready to be romantic, I would not have to wonder. You can only imagine how I feel when I see one of those beautiful moons.

Happy Birthday, Babe XOXOXO

2011-08-01T23:56:00.010-06:00

We started a new tradition tonight. We celebrated Bill's birthday at Woodland Park instead of the pool. One of the nice things about Woodland Park is that it is very close to the cemetery. We roasted hot dogs and made S'mores. It was awesome! Even when there is just half of us, we have a great group. We have such an amazing family. We each shared a memory of Bill. The wonderful blessing is that everyone agreed that every recollection of him is a good one. Never anger or impatience, just love, kindness, and concern. We miss him, but are so grateful for all those incredible good times. Love you, babe.

Lagoon Part 2

2011-07-30T18:26:00.014-06:00

It took two visits to get most of us there. We opened and closed the park yesterday. We had a great time. The weather wasn't too bad, and the lines weren't either. Thanks to all that came. So fun to be together!

London and Max

2011-07-28T21:02:00.003-06:00

It is always fun to visit the farm animals. Chickens, sheep, and llamas!

Happy Birthday Lindsay!!

2011-07-19T11:36:00.003-06:00

Well the LAST of the "good" birthdays. This is exactly the age I was when we moved to Farmington. Almost the exact same age I was when you were born! Think of that !! We are so very, very proud of you and happy to have you as a wonderful part of our amazing family!! Loveyoutonscutie!!

See you soon!

Some thoughts on being assertive.....

2011-07-17T17:32:00.001-06:00

The next day I took a walk down around Bayview Drive, and who should I run in to but "my guy"? He needed a ride to SL to pick up a car. We had to take Trace and his friend in to a concert. He actually picked me up. I think this was a first time his car was parked in my driveway! We visited in the car while we waited for them to pick up their tickets in SL. I remember that conversation as if it were yesterday. He told me I wasn't very "assertive". I was very surprised by his directness. I was also surprised by how much his opinion mattered to me. I think he noticed my reaction. He let me know that he didn't think that was a bad thing. I think if we had that same conversation today, the outcome would be different. I think he would say that I am at least somewhat assertive, and I think he would mean it as a compliment. I am more assertive now than I was then, mostly thanks to him. I believe that he did everything he could to help me with my confidence after the experiences that I had just had at that time in my life. He always tries to make sure that I feel secure. We also talked about how badly I felt that I hadn't made him eat. He explained to me that if he had wanted anything to eat, he would have said so. How interesting. Someone that said what they meant. He explained to me that he was straightforward and honest about his feelings. This continues to be my favorite quality of his....honesty about his feelings and his opinion. He also asked me what radio station I listened to! How cute is that??!! (can you even imagine how grateful I am that I kept a journal).

Nose Trick

2011-07-16T21:35:00.003-06:00

Ally Girl and Papa Bill have a very special bond. We miss them both very much but we have faith that these two best friends are taking care of each other.

Ally-Dog

2011-07-15T21:06:00.009-06:00

Our dear and beautiful Golden Retriever, Ally-Dog, has been diagnosed with cancer. She is not doing well, and her days are few. This will be a big loss to all of us. She has been a wonderful part of our family, and it will be hard without her. We have many fond memories of her from the time she was a marvelous surprise Christmas gift for Liz eleven years ago. Bill often said that she was his favorite, of all the dogs he had ever had, even as a young boy. I would certainly second that. I think we all feel the same way. She almost always performed the "nose trick" perfectly for him. She is a loving and gentle dog, and we all love her very much.

Lagoon Day

2011-07-13T23:40:00.005-06:00

Memories everywhere. Hard day, but fun. Spenceroo, Kate the Great, and Big J loved it. So did the big kids!

BANANAGRAMS!

2011-07-11T23:52:00.002-06:00

When Tracie lets you win at a game, you know you are pretty pathetic. Thanks kid! Oh well, still tons of fun.

Welcome to the Nortons

2011-07-09T19:06:00.002-06:00

Tracie and Aaron officially started the "Lewis Wing" of their Utah trip. We are trying to get out of the house as much as possible because Aaron doesn't do too well with our dogs. So today we introduced Spencer to the ducks at Barnes Park. This is a favorite of the grandkids. Gorgeous weather til the rain came up.

Perfect Fit

2011-07-05T22:30:00.001-06:00

Liz was right in her comment. He was there for only about ten minutes and spent most of it trying to get her to talk. No go. I had to wait a week for the next date. He called and left a message before I got home. I think this is when I learned about the "late" thing. We were supposed to go at 4:30, and he called me at 5:30. He was late because he had bought an old car to fix up and sell. So now I was learning about the "selling" thing and the "car" stuff. This was a fun date because he showed me all of his family pictures. I learned about Jim and Peg. They are very dear to him. We talked about how comfortable we felt with each other, and how much we enjoyed being together. We had to go to town and get his truck. We had to go to my house first. He was very cute with the girls and they with him. Liz, too. I "met" his office on South Temple and learned all about what he was doing then. He was working on drilling a well in Nevada. It was so interesting to hear him talk about his hopes and dreams. Before we drove back to Farmington we had to establish "who" would follow "who" home. Our pattern for me "following him home" never varied from that night on. I stopped by his place to thank him for being so cute to the girls (any excuse to stop would do). We had our first awkward moment when we "kind of" hugged. I think we were both surprised at how perfect the fit was becoming.

Happy Anniversary Trace and Lisa!

2011-07-05T22:18:00.002-06:00

It is only a year late! But I think you are going to like it.

Boys' Night Out

2011-07-01T20:41:00.005-06:00

We are having our "big boy" movie-sleepover night. Isaac, Jonah, and Noah are here. We have our treats, drinks, and we are just getting ready for popcorn. We have already put on our first pick of the evening. Isaac's choice was "The Count of Monte Cristo". This is the first time that Jonah and Noah have seen it. Sweet, sweet boys. Their dads didn't want to miss any fun so they are here as well. Making a tidy garage out of a not so tidy one. In this picture they are just getting ready to demolish the big old ugly shelf that has been in the garage for 30 years. Simply amazing! Awesome kids. Thanks SO much Todd and Jeff. You are wonderful!

Always a Party

2011-06-29T22:11:00.013-06:00

It is always a party here these days. Today's guests were Kate the Great, Big J, TyGuy, and Iguy saved the day by helping me with the other three. We had a lot of fun. Yesterday we spent the afternoon at the park. We got rained out today and had to go to McDonald's Playland. Oh well. Last night was popcorn, tonight it's Doritos. Puzzles, making necklaces, tramp, throwing the tennis ball for Maddie, legos, and movies-movies-movies. SO GRATEFUL FOR GRANDCHILDREN.

"The Note" (maybe this will help me feel better)

2011-06-27T20:22:00.008-06:00

Well OK, I wasn't that OK with waiting clear til Thursday. I did have his sweater, and that gave me some security. There was something about my guy that I hadn't yet learned. Probably the greatest lesson that I ever learned from him. He was honest and straightforward. If he said it, he meant it. He didn't ever say things just to make people feel good. He never hid his emotions or tried to sugar coat anything. There were no "games" played. This was very new to me at that time in my life. I was raised with people that played games. Actually I learned more from my guy about communicating than I did in my masters' program. Anyway, he had told me that he had a good time. I should have known that he meant it, and that I would hear from him again. But, because I hadn't learned these important lessons yet, by Thursday I was getting nervous about not hearing from him. So I came up with the idea of writing a note. I can tell you exactly what it said because I wrote it down in my journal. "Dear Bill, Nice walks (Nice was underlined). Thank you!! Hope you have a wonderful weekend. You deserve it--mk." Of course I had to get approval from one of my trusted advisors. This time it was JoLynn. She advised that I do it. I dropped the note by his apartment about 3:30 that afternoon. Now you realize that the risk of the note is that if he called me after he got it, I would forever wonder if he only called because of a "beggar" note. Boy, was I rewarded. He called me at 3:40 FROM HIS OFFICE. He called me without even having received the note!! He wanted to know if I was going for a walk. Funny, cause he knew I walked every day. He said he was going to call it a day at work and wanted to know if he could call me when he got home. We took little Heidi -dog on this walk. Heidi was our miniature schnauzer. She was Heidi until Bill came into our life. Then she became known as "Heidi-dog". Heidi was annoying, but she did get us all tangled up in her chain a couple of times, which was rather pleasant. He told me all about his diabetes. He was cooking for the boys again so it was an early evening. He brought me home and walked me in. He stayed for about ten minutes. When he left he said, "I want you to know that I appreciate the note." My clever response was, "Well I appreciate the walks". And that was date three.

Still Learning

2011-06-23T22:49:00.002-06:00

As I was stumbling through all my old cards looking for love notes from "my guy", I stumbled across an old talk I had given about 15 years ago. It was a talk on adversity given to graduating seminary students. Funny how it seems like it was written for me to read this very week. In the talk I told this story that I have used in at least a hundred different lessons or talks.

Truman Madsen was alone with President Hugh B. Brown and his doctor in the valley known as Hebron where tradition has it that there is a tomb to father Abraham. Acting as the guide---but in need of guidance, Brother Madsen asked President Brown, "What are the blessings of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?" Elder Brown answered in one word, "POSTERITY". Then Brother Madsen asked, "Why was Abraham commanded to go to Mt. Moriah and offer his only hope of posterity?" It was clear Elder Brown had thought, prayed, and wept over this question before. Finally he said, "Abraham needed to learn something about Abraham." We are blessed with adversity and trials so we can learn what we are capable of doing. Our Father in Heaven already knows what we can do. he wants US to know.

To think that I thought I knew a lot about adversity and faith when I wrote this particular talk. NOT EVEN CLOSE.

The funny thing about gratitude...

2011-06-21T10:30:00.004-06:00

Maybe if I focus on the things that I am grateful for, it will help me to not think about the things that I am not grateful for. I have told a thousand people to try this, so maybe I should take my own advice.

1) Very wise friends that teach me things I need to know.
2) Daughters that don't believe me, when I tell them I am OK.
3) Sons that help me through dark hours, when I tell them that I am not OK.
4) The beauty of the earth.
5) Sleepovers with grandchildren.
6) Words of love from my Laurels of yesteryear.
7) Big brothers.
8) Finding very special birthday cards.

That is the best I can do today. Maybe we can "talk" about the next date another day.

Finding Faith after the Staggering Pain of Loss

2011-06-17T21:31:00.007-06:00

There is a great big difference between being physically alone, and being without your Eternal partner in mortality. BIG. There is also a great big difference between knowing something in your mind and spirit, and really experiencing it in the flesh. The pain of loss is mind numbing. Romans 8:35, 38-39: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulations, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Thanks G and J. Bitter and sweet always there for us.

How could I forget?

2011-06-16T22:08:00.005-06:00

This is a retraction, somewhat, of my previous post. The second date was the next day. No wonder I was so grateful I didn't have to wait to know if he was going to ask me out again. I spent some time in that very special journal today. I told Lindsay that I was reading through my old journals, and she sent me a text about two hours later that said, "Well are you through torturing yourself yet?" Actually it wasn't torture, it was very sweet. It certainly isn't that I needed to be reminded how much I love Bill. It was just so nice to be reminded how special it was from the very beginning. Our first date had lasted two hours and had flown by. All of a sudden he remembered he was cooking dinner for his boys. He did take me home as promised and came in. When he left he told me that he had enjoyed it and would like to do it again. I promptly agreed. Tracie was with someone named Jared. I am wondering if it was Jared Mabey. Jared told me it really wasn't a date because he hadn't spent any money. I didn't care. I did see him at church the next day, and I was patting HIS arm. He called me right after church. He said he could be ready in 15 minutes. I said I needed thirty. We were together for four hours. We talked and talked and talked. His comment was, "we covered a lot of ground". I remember thinking that was kind of an odd thing to say. I remember thinking that Bill was in charge of what was happening. It was a wonderful feeling, and one that I had never experienced before. I really liked it. I had to wait til Thursday for our next date. I was OK with that because on Sunday night I had borrowed a sweater from him because it had gotten cold. I remember sleeping with that sweater every night because the smell reminded me of him. Now I open his closet about four times every day and get that same wonderful reminder in the very same way.

"I'll catch up with you...."

2011-06-15T22:58:00.003-06:00

Well, that first walk was followed by another, and another, and another. But, I will never forget the second one. I am going by memory now because I don't trust myself to dig in to my journals. As I remember, the first date was on a Saturday, and then I didn't hear from him on Sunday. I don't remember if I saw him at church or not. I did not even have time to wonder if he was going to ask me for a second date. And I will always love him for that. Within a day or two, he called me. He said how much he had enjoyed our walk, and "would you like to do it again?". I am thinking that we followed the same formula, but I am not sure, (now I am getting curious about getting the old journals out). We were trying to figure out a time, and I think he wasn't sure about his schedule (something I was soon to learn was very common). So he told me that "he would catch up with me". The first time he said this to me, it made me kind of nervous because it felt rather vague to me. But I was soon to learn that I would hear this phrase often, and he NEVER, ever failed to "catch up with me".

Falling in love while the ward watches...

2011-06-13T23:40:00.002-06:00

When I was at church on Sunday, I was painfully reminded that during the period of time when I was trying to decide if I wanted to be interested in him, he was flirting with me like crazy. He would wink at me if i saw him at the grocery store. He would reach out and "touch my elbow" when he walked by me in the halls of the church. I DROVE MY FRIENDS CRAZY trying to get them to help me figure out what all of this meant. I was unable to be myself, which is not a good sign for a relationship. Just a couple of months before he asked me out, the Sunday School Presidency threw a party for all of the teachers. Bill was a SS teacher at this time. In fact, he was Jenn's SS teacher. I was invited to this party. What is strange about this is that I WASN'T A Sunday School TEACHER!. When I asked them why they had invited me, they said it was because I substituted so much. I think I had subbed once, maybe twice. Nevertheless I went, and my guy was there. We actually talked and I was able to coordinate my brain with my mouth. It was yet another example of how the ward was standing by, cheering us on. Thank you Bill and Barbara Shelton. We will always love you for this.

How it all started.....

2011-06-09T22:41:00.008-06:00

I have some wonderful friends that knew Bill a lot better than I did. In fact, I didn't know him at all! Even though we had been in the same ward together, we had never really had a conversation. Well there was one in the parking lot of Smith's Food King. That would be the one about Heidi-dog. We had a little Schnauzer that liked to chase motor cycles. She would run into the street and get right under their wheels. It was always very annoying to the drivers. One day Jeff was racing down our street about 100 mph in Bill's beloved Shelby. The car was so noisy that Heidi thought it was a motor cycle and ran out to "get it". Jeff skidded to a stop and saved her and was so concerned. Anyway, as I remember it, that was the one and only time I ever talked to Bill. We laughed about Jeff and Heidi. That is until our first date. My friends, Marsha and David Derrick and Greg and Jolyn Bell, all knew him well and really liked him. I remember one conversation with Marsha went something like this.

Marsha: "Mary Kay, David has worked with him in Scouts and thinks he is such
a great guy."
MK: "Isn't he broke?"
Marsha: "Oh yes, but he will do OK. He is a great business man."
MK: "Does he have a job?"
Marsha: "Well, no, but that won't last long. He always has something going on."
MK: "But he has no debt, right?"
Marsha: "Well he didn't come out that well."
MK: "Well this doesn't sound so great to me."
Marsha: "But David says he is such a good man."
Mary Kay: "But he is older than I am by more than ten years."
Marsha: "Yes, but he is in such good shape, except for the diabetes."
Mary Kay: "He has diabetes?"
Marsha: "Yes, but he takes really good care of himself."
Mary Kay: "NO WAY."
I can't swear to the details of the "Jeff story" or the conversation with Marsha, but believe me they are close enough! Marsha wanted me to chase him. Well there was no way that was going to happen. She kept threatening to take him cookies and put my name on them. At any rate, they did get me to thinking about him. Greg had been our Bishop, and he thought the world of Bill. So on a beautiful Saturday in March when he called me, I said "yes". He wanted to know if I would "like to take a walk", and I thought that sounded like a great idea. He wanted me to walk down to Irene's basement where he was living and pick HIM up. He said that we would take a walk on Lagoon Lane and then he would walk me back up to my house. He had it all figured out. As I was walking down to get him, I thought to myself that it seemed like I was chasing him. Well we walked and talked and it was WONDERFUL. We sure did get a few looks, but we didn't care. He walked me home, and THAT was how it all started.

Hard to be tough..

2011-06-08T22:31:00.004-06:00

when your eternal partner is the most patient and loving husband that ever existed. Especially when I was not even close to being as kind and gentle as he was. Please learn to live your lives so that you have nothing to beat yourself up with. Because let me tell you, I have plenty! This picture is what my guy and I looked like after we had been married about two years. Pretty cute, aren't we? We started dating in the Spring of 1994.

Most Amazing People EVER....THANK YOU!!

2011-06-06T21:42:00.016-06:00

What in the World? Tonight it was my honor to be our ward's service project. Thanks to some amazing sisters and home teachers, my home got a makeover tonight like you cannot even imagine. There is nothing like giving a talk in Relief Society about how we should let others serve us because it helps our relationships to grow and because it is a blessing in our lives to serve, and then WHAMO! receive that service in a very big way. AMAZING!! Young and old, male and female. I even have clean windows on the inside and out, not to mention the sprinklers have been checked! Feeling VERY loved and SO grateful for the outpouring of care and support. The area that has been cleared in front of the house had a dead tree that had to be pulled out. All of the shrubs have been yanked. It is going to be designed to be a memorial to Bill. Thanks Canyon View! You are the BEST!

Trace's Remarks

2011-06-05T14:39:00.004-06:00

I’d like to say a couple things about my dad as well.

I am so proud to be able to call Bill Lewis my dad. I love him so much. Since he passed I’ve been sorting through a treasure trove of rich memories of him as a father. I could probably talk about him for hours and relate all sorts of silly stories and meaningful times. I won’t though, but I wanted to share some things that I’ve been thinking about. First and foremost Bill Lewis was the coolest, most loving Dad. As a father he was very loving and caring and an incredible amount of fun, while still being a strong and admirable leader. He portrayed as a father, and a man, that perfect blend of confidence and humility that endeared him to his children and all that met him. He loved spending time with his kids and instilled in us a love for adventure by always including us in his activities. He was above no chore and worked incredibly hard professionally and even more so at home. He always had time for us and loved to include us in all his vacations and adventures. Whether it was camping, boating, traveling all across the country, going to his beloved Historic car Races, he enjoyed including the family in all of his hobbies and interests. My dad really was the coolest. You know when you’re young and kids would say my dad could beat up your dad, well the coolest thing about my dad is he wouldn’t have wanted to have beaten up any ones dad, but he was a Jet Fighter Pilot and a racecar driver, so…as far as tough, cool dad’s go, I win…and if he wanted too, he probably could have beat up your dad.

I’d also like to talk a little about the end of my dad’s life. As long as I’ve been alive my dad’s been sick with diabetes, although you wouldn’t think about it until he would take his insulin shot and then you would be like, “oh yeah, my dad has diabetes.” When I was young he would love to scare me by telling me that he was going to give me a shot too, but luckily he never did. It was his way of defusing the seriousness of the situation and being strong in the face of hardship. He didn’t let his disease dictate his life or his demeanor, even up to the very end. Of course throughout the years he had a myriad of other health problems in relation to his diabetes and fought courageously until the very end. I would like to thank him for fighting so hard. He was a fighter. I was married to my wife last July and it was a miracle that he was able to travel to Seattle to be in our wedding. It’s something I’ll always be thankful for. There was a lot of pain in the end and numerous serious events that kept the family always worried that the next call or text would be the dreaded news. With so much pain it sometimes made us wonder where’s the meaning in fighting so hard when the battle was often seemingly hopeless and the pain so excruciating. I’d like to share with you that last time I saw my father he expressed to me that he was at peace with his life and that he felt extremely fulfilled. He lived to see all his kids married and with families of their own. He told me how proud he was of me and all his kids and I’d just like to say how proud I am to be his son. It brings me great peace that he said things to me, knowing that he felt he wasn’t long for this world and wanted to share what was in his heart with us. I love him so much and I treasure all the time I spent with him. I’ll always love and miss my dad.

I know, I know,

2011-06-02T21:50:00.005-06:00

I know, I haven't been on, but honestly what can one expect of me? (Patty, was that said correctly?) Because I braved Book Group tonight and previewed "Pioneer Woman", I was reminded that one of her guidelines for blogging was to "mix it up". I have been spending time "filing" all of the pictures that everyone took, so I thought a couple of pictures would suffice for a post. That way I wouldn't have to think about what I might say. I picked the three that Bill likes the best. All of the girls had leis, and we put them on the casket. Each member of the family put on a long stem red rose as well. One is a picture of the grand kids in the limo. Yes, they ALL rode in the limo with me to the cemetery. Lastly, the grand kids all (sorry we missed Toryn) got in the back of his truck, which was at the funeral. They all LOVE to ride in the back of the truck and do 360's!

Jeff's Talk "Father and Friend"

2011-06-01T17:30:00.006-06:00

Thank you to everyone who has made an effort to be here today. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers for us. WE thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your prayers and kind words bring a spirit of healing and peace to all of us. We feel a tremendous amount of gratitude that we have such amazing family and friends. I want to specifically thank this wonderful ward for the friendship and so many expressions of kindness and love. My father enjoyed so much his fellowship with the saints.

We are particularly thankful for all the memories of my father that were shared with us over the last week since his passing. They are great reminders of fun times and precious moments.

I have reflected deeply on the meaningful history that we have shared with this amazing man Gelder William Lewis.

MY FATHER MY FRIEND.

The Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ reassured His disciples that in His death He would not leave them comfortless. I hope that some of what I share with you today will bring you comfort. I also desire today that you will feel the Holy Spirit and know the love that our Savior has for us.

This pulpit is a familiar place to me. This Church Building holds a special place in my heart. From the age of 5 when my family moved from Hawaii I have memories of this place, important and sacred learning experiences here where I learned that I am a Child of GOD. This is the first place that I publicly bore my personal testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ. My Dad was here with me.

We had a lot of fun here. We had pinewood derbies car races here, bike derbies, Church basketball games, Youth activities, Christmas parties, and so much more. At all of these events I was supported by my Dad. He helped me build the pinewood derby cars, he fixed my bikes with me, he was there with me all the way.

My father baptized me at the age of 8 in a Church not far from here. He ordained me to be a Deacon, Teacher, Priest and Elder in this building. A few years ago in the Church building where I was baptized my father ordained me to be a High Priest. My father honored his priesthood. While my father was serving in the bishopric here in this ward I was serving in a bishopric in my ward. He would ask me how things were going in my ward and share insights and observations. He loved to serve his fellow man. Whatever was asked of him he did it with a smile and with love.

As a young man I did not realize how fortunate I was to have such a wonderful mentor, teacher and friend. My Father was my first Home teaching companion. He taught me at a very young age the important responsibility that we have to help and love one another. When I say that he taught me this he didn’t stand there and preach to me he showed me. His sermon was his service.

He taught me respect for women, respect for Motherhood, respect for ourselves and most importantly respect to God.

My father was with me through the most important stages of my life.

As you know he was so much fun. And he loved cars. When I was 12 years old my dad took me to the races in Elkhart Lake Wisconsin. The famous track called ROAD AMERICA. I had no idea what we were doing but it sounded like fun. And I loved being with my dad. A close friend of his from High School Glen Wigglesworth had bought an Alfa Romeo T33 can-am car and invited my dad to partner with him so they could race it together. This was in 1985. They had a professional driver and the day before the race they had the car drivers take the volunteers workers of the track around in the cars. This was the chance of a lifetime to ride in these amazing cars around this beautiful track. You were supposed to be 18 years old. But my dad picked me up threw me in the Alfa Romeo and pointed to the driver to take off. We took some very memorable laps around that amazing track. I had purple converse chuck taylor shoes that I thought were going to melt off my feet because of all the vibration and heat from the engine. The driver later laughed with us telling my Dad that I looked like this. Moments like this told me that my dad wanted me to have great memorable experiences and he always wanted me to jump at the opportunity to have a great adventure. I will strive for the rest of my life to provide exhilarating experiences for my boys. He wanted me to have these once in a lifetime experiences.

Our dad took special opportunity to have one on one time like this with his children. Trace and I were talking just a few days ago about a special trip they took together to southern UT and how meaningful this time was.

I was talking to a business associate of my dad’s in Texas a few days ago and she wanted to tell me about the struggling population of horny toads in Texas. And she was hoping that the Horny Toad that Tyler had brought back to Utah many years ago was still thriving here. My Dad took Tyler to Texas by himself and brought him back with a horny toad.

The one on one time was very special and he made sure that we each had time to be with him and talk about what was important to us.

Our dad was very generous. He loved to share. He loved to share his time and visit with family and friends. He let anybody that wanted to drive his cars. This surprised people sometimes. He loved to see the look on people’s faces when he would burn rubber. He would be driving very respectfully down Shepard Lane and out of nowhere he would slam it into first hit the gas fishtail around a corner and go through all the gears flying up highway 89. And he loved to see the stunned faces of his passengers. He would look at us in the rear view mirror with a big smile.

When I was 17 years old my dad took me to a Mustang car club slalom race in Park City. He entered both of us in the race. I remember the organizer talking with my Dad and saying. “Well Bill, Jeff is not 18.” Will you be responsible for him if something happens? YES he would say. And then tell me that I better not crash the car. He trusted me. He let me drive his car in the slalom. He took 3rd place and I took 4th. I am reminded by this great lesson that I need to trust people even when I am a little nervous.

My Dad spent a great deal of time with me in Scouts. Campouts were very fun with my Dad. A few months before my eighteenth birthday I was working at the Wild West shoot out at LAGOON. This was a fun job. And I was trying to save some money for my mission. But, I had not completed my Eagle rank in the Boy Scouts of America. I had been a Life scout for probably 4 years. We had a conflict with something in my work schedule and It looked like I may not be able to travel to do my Eagle project in Durango Colorado with my troop. I told him about this dilemma and said sadly I probably can’t get my Eagle. He explained very seriously to me that even if I lost my job I needed to get my Eagle scout award. You see my Dad was a Life Scout. He always regretted not getting his Eagle and wanted to see me achieve this. My father drove me all the way to Durango to meet up with my Troop then turned around and drove home. It was about a 15 hour round trip. My dad impacted my life because he helped me see that when you start out on a goal you don’t give up. You stick with it and find ways to accomplish it even when it looks hard. Don’t give up! Because of my dads support and example, I earned the rank of Eagle Scout.

My Dad was a great story teller. He would tell great stories all the time. If it was a funny story many times he would start laughing so hard that he couldn’t finish the story.

My dad would say….”I want to tell you about a BOBCAT. A group of friends were out in the woods and found a bobcat in a trap. They found an old trunk and put the bobcat inside. Once in the trunk they thought it would be fun to leave the trunk on the side of the road with the BOBCAT still inside and see what would happen. Soon after leaving it on the side of the road, a truck stopped, grabbed the trunk and sped off. Sorry, I can’t finish this story because at this point my dad would be laughing so hard he would have tears streaming down his face and could never get the rest of the story out. And we would all have tears of laughter too.

Father and Friend: Here is a special thought from my sister Kelsey:

When I was in junior high school and my friends and I wanted to pursue social activities, but couldn’t drive ourselves around, my father was our personal chauffer and party host. He would drive us to the movies or a haunted house for Halloween or doorbell ditching a boy’s house and sit in the car and wait for us even if it took hours. My friends were surprised how willing my father was to spend this kind of time with a bunch of adolescent girls. At one point I asked my Dad why he always offered to be the driver or the host when other parents were too busy. He said he was happy to spend as much time with me as he could because someday I’d grow up and wouldn’t want him hanging around so much. Well, that day never came, Dad. I never grew tired of spending time with you and I will forever cherish our time together.

While Dad had his professional pursuits, he cared more about spending time with his children and family than his own personal hobbies or interests. We talk about him loving cars, but he always took the family along to the races. He would work hard all week, but worked equally hard at home to care for his children. My Dad cooked, cleaned, did laundry, drove carpool and changed diapers. And he was a tender and nurturing father.

My Dad had an Angel in his life. A living beautiful, pink grandma named Mary Kay. She is his queen. He loves her so much. Mary Kay, we want to thank you for your love, tenderness, and dedication to our Dad. You took such good care of him. Your love for him gave him extra strength and courage to overcome tough physical challenges. We love you very much.

President Joseph F. Smith (April Conference 1916)

"I believe we move and have our being in the presence of heavenly messengers and of heavenly beings. We are not separated from them. We are closely related to our kindred, to our ancestors...who have preceded us into the spirit world. We cannot forget them; we do not cease to love them; we always hold them in our hearts, in memory, and thus we are associated and united to them by ties that we cannot break. If this is the case with us in our finite condition, surrounded by our mortal weaknesses, how much more certain it is...to believe that those who have been faithful who have gone beyond...can see us better than we can see them, that they know us better than we know them.

I claim that we live in their presence, they see us, they are solicitous for our welfare, they love us now more than ever. For now they see the dangers that beset us; they can comprehend better than ever before....hence their solicitude for us and their love for us and their desire for our well being must be greater than that which we feel for ourselves."

Before my father passed away there were many tender mercies. He was struggling to walk and tried to hide that he was not doing well so he could attend my son Isaac’s Aaronic Priesthood ordination. I will never forget that and I know Isaac will not forget that his Papa Bill was there.

My Dad had many difficult things happen throughout his life. He wrote on the inside of his personal scriptures in bold letters…

TRIALS ARE MANDATORY MISERIES ARE OPTIONAL. What an amazing attitude he had through all difficulties.

When I was on my mission he wrote me every week. He knew what I was doing was hard and he sent me letters that helped me through very difficult times.

I have thought and prayed to know what he would want me to say to you. First of all he loves you. He loves all of you. He wants you to know that. He wants you to know that he has a testimony that Jesus Christ lives that he is the son of God.

Gelder William Lewis was my best friend. My Dad was my best friend. He was my best man at my wedding. One of the greatest blessings of my life is that he is my father. His life was a living sermon. I will forever strive to be like him.

the Book of Mormon it says:

Alma 40:11 - 12

11 …The spirits of all men, … are taken home to that God who gave them life.

12 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.

This is what my Dad wants all of you to know. He is at peace he is not suffering he is in the presence of loved ones. His spirit is alive. His body is here, his spirit is not. Because of the power of the atonement of our savior Jesus Christ we can all someday be with our loved ones again. Through the resurrection we will all be restored to our perfect state.

I want to express my love to you. I want to leave my testimony with you.

In the sacred name of Jesus Christ Amen.

Lindsay's Tribute "Thanks, Dad"

2011-05-31T14:31:00.012-06:00

My mom wanted me to put this on our blog, since mine is private. It's the talk my sisters and I wrote and I read at his funeral. I hope it conveys how grateful we are to have Bill be in our lives.

"I am honored and privileged to pay tribute to our dad, Bill Lewis. Some of you don’t know that when Bill married my mom, he took on a houseful of girls… Liz was 4, and the rest of us were entering our teenage years. It was like a sorority. Little did we all know the impact he would have on all of our lives. We didn’t make it easy for him, that’s for sure. But in just a few short years we realized what an amazing father we had and asked him to make it legal. He made us feel like it was his honor to call us his own.

We want to tell him thank you for all the memories.

Thank you for sweeping our mother off her feet. You taught us how a man should treat a woman and how a true gentleman should behave. Thank you for loving her unconditionally. We could see how much you loved her through your eyes and we will always love you for that. We loved your nicknames for her, “sweet pea” and “sweetness of my heart.” You were very protective of my mom and set the bar high for how she needed to be treated. It is an attitude we have internalized and come to love our mom so much more because of.

Thank you for all the back rubs and foot massages. Our husbands do their best to live up to the standard.

Thank you for all the family trips, whether they were to the West Coast, the East Coast, or to the Fairfield Inn 20 mins away from home. You sure loved to travel. Anytime any of us planned a trip, we always knew who to call for advice and suggestions.

Thank you for taking four miserable teenage girls (and mom) camping – we still laugh about that one.

Thank you for instilling in us the importance of a good education. You did everything you could to encourage and support us getting through college.

Thank you for the wedding toasts. Jenn will always appreciate hers.

Thank you for lessons on grilled cheeses, stick shifts, and how to make a proper hamburger patty.

Thank you for giving us jobs, teaching us the value of work. We all remember trips to SL, days spent filing and lunches with you. That was always something we looked forward to.

Thank you for opening our mother’s eyes to the opportunities available in the kitchen.

Thank you for all your impersonations. Even if they did scare away our boyfriends.

Thank you for loving our pets. Even Emmy Lou, the cat, that rode with you partway to the church every day on top of your truck. Liz will always remember sitting around the fireplace with you giving Ally-girl pat-pats.

Thank you for your stories. You always had one to share, even though we never knew if it was true or not. You always had us laughing until it hurt. Tracie’s favorite was when you would laugh so hard you would cry and couldn’t finish your own stories.

Thank you for your enthusiasm. It was contagious.

Thank you for your testimony. We knew your love for Jesus Christ through your good works. You were always willing to help whoever with whatever. We knew you valued your membership in the church by your actions. No church calling was too small or too big for him to give 100%. Thank you for the Priesthood Blessings. We knew we could ask you anytime, day or night, no questions asked. You were always a comfort, always calm, always prepared.

Thank you for making family prayer and scripture study a priority. No matter how early in the morning.

Thank you for teaching us that if you want someone to respect you, you had to respect yourself.

Thank you, Papa Bill, for the horsey rides, the truck rides, the sword fights, the duck noises that terrified my kids, but most your grandkids loved.

Thanks for the birthday calls. Everyone loved your off-key version of Happy Birthday.

Thanks especially for snuggling my newborns. I will never forget you staying by my side in the hospital while I recovered.

I want to conclude with something Jenn wrote that expresses how we all feel:

“Only now that you are looking down from "above" you may see how much you did for me as a daughter, a wife and a mother. You will always mean more to me than any other father to his daughter. You helped me realize my true potential. And I know you are continuing your legacy.
I don't think a single one of us ever took a special talent of yours for granted. And for that, I believe we will always be blessed every day with you in our hearts.”

I am so grateful for Bill helping us understand what an eternal family means. I know he is reunited with his mom and dad and I know we will all be with him again. I’m so grateful for my Father in Heaven for making that possible and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. "

"To be fair..."

2011-05-24T22:45:00.003-06:00

To be honest, I didn't think I was going to be able to do a new post for a while. Someday I will be able to share the last 24 hours of Bill's precious life, but not this week. However, something happened tonight that I had to share. It is said that the way we treat others reflects to what extent we follow our Savior in loving one another. We show our love for Him when we stop to assist others. That was how Bill lived his life. Tonight I asked Lindsay to get something from Bill's email that I needed for business. While she was looking at his email, she came across the one that the ward High Priest group leadership sent out about the funeral. In our ward, when there are opportunities for service, we have mass emails for Relief Society and High Priests. The email that went out to the High Priests said, "I am sure that all of you want to help set up for the funeral on Friday. To be fair, we will use the first six that respond to this email." I think that statement is an accurate reflection of how Bill's fellowmen felt he treated them.

GELDER LEWIS Obituary: View GELDER LEWIS's Obituary by Salt Lake Tribune

2011-05-23T23:14:00.000-06:00

GELDER LEWIS Obituary: View GELDER LEWIS's Obituary by Salt Lake Tribune

Miracles No More

2011-05-22T16:35:00.002-06:00

The last of the updates.
We lost our wonderful father, grandfather and husband last night after several complications with... diabetes. He was surrounded by his wife and 6 (of 8) children and went peacefully to our Heavenly Father.

Thank you to ALL for the love and support to my mom and all of us at this time. We have felt so much love and support. Thank you.

Reporting

2011-05-21T06:54:00.002-06:00

Blood Pressure is holding its own, and they continue to lower "pressers".
Heart was in A Fib all night. They gave him medication for this (which had been stopped yesterday morning). This medication causes his BP to go lower, so that makes BP news even better. Still getting the medication. I am not sure if he is still in it or not. Looks less to me.
Dialysis all day yesterday and all night last night. It is a solution that "pulls" fluid off. This is a delicate balance with his BP. "Pulling" fluid causes BP to go lower. That makes BP news even better.
It is not raining, and I see lots of blue sky from our deluxe suite. We have a beautiful view of Costco and our beautiful mountains. Love to all. By the way, Greg and Jolynn, I hope you don't mind that I told Dr. M. that I could arrange for him to have "your ear" anytime he wanted. He remembered you and was VERY impressed. VERY.

Mixed News (updated)

2011-05-20T15:07:00.006-06:00

Bill's ultrasound brought mixed news. It showed that his heart muscle function has improved since he came in. It is not as good as the last time we went home, but halfway there. This is something that can get better. What is not better is his leaky aortic valve. I wasn't here, so I don't know how much worse it is. I do know that the only way they can know exactly how bad it is, is with an angiogram. It has always looked worse on the ultrasound than it really is. I might be just a little too optimistic here, but facts are facts. There is a procedure that is not open heart surgery that fixes aortic valves. We have asked them about it before, but he didn't need it then. It might be an option. Jeff was here when the doctors were, and he didn't know about it to ask. Of course, Bill can't talk. How unfair is that? The ventilator is still in to support his lungs. He got to sit up in a chair today, and that felt great. They also had him do some exercises with his legs. No pain! His blood pressure has been great. They reduced the "pressers" (that is what they call the helper drugs), and it is still doing well. That is wonderful news. Our sweet Bishop came by today and got in at a great time. He and Jeff gave Bill a blessing. Flecks of gold. There are plans for a walk, if we can figure out all of the equipment. He is having dialysis today with stronger solutions. He already looks less puffy. Not that it matters, but I got 2 out of three lessons done today and ready for Monday. I got a bath in my own tub and cleans clothes. I grabbed the few things I was missing. For those of you that know Doug and Carma Luke, it is their son Chris' birthday today. They are amazing people that have had more than their share of challenges. Helps so much to know that others have gotten through hard times with a smile.

Update after visit with Dr. M.
Aortic valve is not worse. Is there a repair for how it is? Yes, but it is not bad enough to repair.
Mitral valve is worse. Is there a repair for it? Yes, but Bill is not eligible because of his kidney failure. When it is approved, he could have it. Not "approved" at this time. It can get better if his ejection fractions get back up around 40-45, which they can do. The leak would be less severe. Blood Pressure still good with reduced "pressers". Down, but not out.

Still trying to smile.

2011-05-20T08:27:00.002-06:00

Tests, tests, tests, and waiting for results. Chest X-ray will tell us how his lungs are. Ultrasound, yet to be done, will tell us about his heart muscle function. BP still holding OK, with medicine support. Waiting for a decision on the ventilator. These are hard minutes. Bill had a good rest last night, but hospital life is getting very old. Hoping for a little movement out of the bed. We'll see. I am heading to school to finish up some things and then home for a bath. Thanks to Celeste, Scott, and Jeff my "dead battery car" will start. Did not need car trouble!!

Tired, but Happy

2011-05-19T23:21:00.002-06:00

When the head doctor of the Trauma Team calls you "Miracle Man", you know you must deserve the title. We still have questions unanswered. Stomach (dialysis) fluid seems to have no infection. Not a final answer, however. There is still a question about his lungs. He does have a slight fever, so something is going on somewhere. He sat up in bed today. That was his physical therapy. He has to be vigorous in his therapy. It will keep him from having trouble with his lungs, and it is good for his arteries. He is still dependent on "helper" drugs for his BP. Last time we went through this, it took him about four days to get off those drugs. His spirits are very good. He is tired tonight. He didn't sleep well last night. But he has big smiles for everyone that comes in the room. He really is amazing.

Acts of Kindness

2011-05-19T18:07:00.004-06:00

Well, for anyone out there who thinks I am not being well taken care of, let me just tell you a thing or two about that. My sweet daughter and adorable grandkids picked me up and chauffeured me to my hair cut appointment. I had a GLORIOUS hair wash and hair cut. My darling visiting teachers were here when I got back. They brought me the softest blanket EVER and a stash of Diet Coke and Big Hunks and Chocolate. Someone also shared an amazing thought with me that I just had to pass along. It is by CS Lewis, and it goes like this,"I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn't change God; it changes me." Thanks, Kathy. Thanks everyone. I don't know so much who reads these posts, but I know they help me focus on being positive, and I am so grateful for that.

IMC Morning Report with Correspondent MK (Updated version)

2011-05-19T08:46:00.003-06:00

Simple version--Bill had a great night. Slept well. Spirits are great. He has no pain. Still on a ventilator, so he cannot talk. All of his labs look great.

Detailed version--Bill is taking two medicines to "support" his blood pressure. They are trying to wean him off of them. They were hoping to have made more progress there. His blood pressure is perfect right now (with support). There are two things that are working to lower his BP. One is the fact that he has an infection, (pneumonia). The other is a medicine they give him to stabilize his heart (keep it from doing A fib). Dr. M. thinks they will keep him on the ventilator, not necessarily because he needs it, but so it is easier for his lungs to work well. Helps with the pneumonia and less stress on his body.

Updated: They are not sure it is pneumonia. There is fluid at least around his lungs. This could be from not taking enough fluid off during dialysis. They haven't been able to take much fluid because it lowers his BP. They are still testing. They are also testing the fluid in his tummy. There might be an infection there. Always more questions that answers. Also they are going to work on getting him up. WAY TOO MUCH sitting around. NOT good for him.

Very Grateful Children

2011-05-18T17:51:00.003-06:00

Miracle Man is awake and smiling. He is very happy to be with us and feeling very grateful. All of the kids have been so amazing. They have all been here and helping, and checking in from out of state. It is hard to not be here, but their love is felt in great abundance. Kelsey, Ty, and Jeff were here when he woke up, and it was very special for everyone. LOVE OUR GREAT KIDS!!

Quick Fix

2011-05-18T15:02:00.001-06:00

The stent that was put in a month ago is still working great. An older stent, also in a main artery, was 80% blocked. They reballooned it. It is open for now. There wasn't any other excitement. Bill is still sleeping.

Unhappy Report

2011-05-18T13:26:00.002-06:00

Bill had another cardiac arrest this AM. They brought him back with CPR. Then he went into something called V Fib or something like that. This involved shocks. They brought him back. He is stable. (with very little credibility). He has fluid in his lungs from either not strong enough dialysis or lack of good deep breaths due to cracked ribs. They weren't sure if they would be able to do the angiogram because they suspected some bleeding (from CPR). They finally decided to do it. He is in the cath lab right now. The kids have all been here. We are doing as well as can be expected. Bill is gratefully drugged. He is expected to be there about two hours. Always grateful for prayers. Love you all.