From the San Juan Record 70 years ago. Hyland Hotel. KKS
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
REPORT 12-21-2009
REPORT 12-21-2009
I love Christmas time because my kids come home for Christmas. Everyone will be here, but not all at the same time. Kenny, Jo and children came home on Friday, December 18th. Mya woke up at four in the morning so Jo suggested, because they were already packed, that they load up the kids and get started. They were in Las Vegas by nine in the morning and arrived here in the early evening. The boys immediately were looking for deer. They are very comfortable at our home-they know where they will sleep, where the toys are and what good things their grandmother will have for them to eat.
Getting Kim here was another matter-it was just another chapter in Kim’s story of all the things that can go wrong when she flies between Washington D.C. and Denver. This time she was scheduled to leave Washington at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, fly to Atlanta and then to Denver. This flight was delayed two hours so she couldn’t take it to Atlanta because she would have missed her connection to Denver. She rebooked to fly through Milwaukee – she had to get out that night before the 1.5 to 2 feet of snow arrived the next morning and shut down the airport and the city. The plane coming to D. C. to take her to Milwaukee had mechanical problems and return to its base and another plane was sent to D. C. She finally boarded the plane to Milwaukee at 9:00 p.m. but then had to deplane to reboot the aircraft computer to fix mechanical problems. They finally reboarded at 11:00 p.m. and went to the de-icing area but had to go back to the terminal since the co-pilot had no flying hours left. The plane then had to de-ice again and she finally left at 1:30 a.m. Saturday morning on the last flight out of the airport and probably after the curfew was normally in effect. The passengers were ready to lynch the flight crew and the terminal employees. Big bonus though-she was in the first seat in business class. She arrived in Milwaukee at 3:00 a.m. and was offered a flight leaving in two hours back to Atlanta and then to Denver but she knew better than to return to the east when she wanted to go west. The airline put her up for the night in a hotel, gave her a free voucher for a round trip ticket anywhere in the country to be used within a year and she finally left Milwaukee at 1:30 in the afternoon and arrived in Denver at three where Carol and Connie (who had flown in from Austin) picked her up and brought her home to G.J. The important thing was she got out of D.C. before the airport was closed because of the snow and she arrived safely at our home. Gabi and Catherine arrived earlier in the day much to the delight of the three Summers boys.
Historical events of the week:
1. This fall we have observed three bucks in our pasture which I wrote about last week. Kenny, his boys, Gabi and I went for a walk in the trees and found the largest buck dead, lying on its side under a tree in the leaves where the snow hadn’t covered the ground. Kenny couldn’t find any marks on the body and decided it died of old age or poison. He lifted up the head and very large antlers (six points on one side and four on the other) and took a picture with his cell phone with Drew and Ian each holding an antler. He then sent his friends and family a text with the picture informing everyone that Ian and Drew had bagged their first deer. Tyler, from Oklahoma, Jo’s brother texted back that he wanted to mount the alters-he is an amateur taxidermist. Sunday morning, before church, Kenny and Gabi, using the tools available at my house, (cross-cut saw, machete, wood saw and shovel) removed the head and Kenny took it in the minivan to Russell, Kansas to deliver it to Tyler who will be there for Christmas. I will miss watching this magnificent creature in my pasture-already the four point has taken over control of the deer herd and is now the ruler.
2. Monday evening was spent at the Clevelands home. They invited us over for supper and to view the Guatemala pictures from our trip on their big screen TV. It was a very enjoyable evening. I am going to write up my experiences this winter of this trip.
3. I released Elder Crosby Rock from the Las Vegas Nevada West Mission on Tuesday. He came home after a year in the field to have his ACL repaired. After about 6 months, he returned to complete his mission. His father, Bishop Rock, told me that when I set him apart the second times and gave him a blessing, I promised him that he would know why he returned to the field after his surgery. Elder Crosby was assigned to open Truckee, California which had not had missionaries there for eight years. It was Elder Crosby’s favorite assignment and he was very successful. The bishop cried when he said goodbye to Elder Crosby and said Elder Crosby returned to the mission field so he could be assigned to Truckee and bless the members and non-member of that area
4. Wednesday I attended the funeral of our receptionist husband who died at the age of 55 of a heart attack. He was too young to die. Glenda, his wife, is a very spiritual woman that I could trust when she typed up my life history including many spiritual experiences. I called her and also gave her a hug at the funeral. She told me she knew I would be at the funeral to support her.
5. I also attended the missionary “transfer meeting” this past week. Things have sure changed since I served a mission. We were never told when there would be transfers-they could come anytime. Normally, we receive a letter on a Monday or Tuesday informing us of the transfers that would take place Friday. We were informed of our new assignment and had to arrange for and pay our own transportation to the new area. We traveled alone to our new location and called up our new companion at the bus or train station to come and get us.
6. Every six weeks, (transfer week) the Denver South Mission calls on Tuesday the missionaries that will be transferred but doesn’t tell them where they are going. The metropolitan missionaries gather early in the morning in Denver on Thursday and those who are coming to the western slope pack their bikes and belonging in the mission trailer and drive in cars to G.J. arriving at noon where all the transferred missionaries are waiting at the stake center. The assistant to the president, a missionary, then reads the list of who has been assigned to a new companion and the elders load up their belongings to go to their new assignments on the western slope or to return to Denver for a new assignment. Car keys are exchanged as vehicles also are transferred to new locations. Surprising it works out very smoothly and with no discussion, just obedience. I was in awe when I watched this all done with missionaries being in charge-the president was in Denver. Only in the church could this happen with 19 and 20 year old missionaries in charge and everyone willingly accepting new assignments.
7. I finished up all bishop’s interviews this week-all ten of them. One new bishop told me he felt intimidated by me, but after our personal priesthood interviews, he really looks forward to them and wouldn’t want to miss one. I try to be supportive of the bishops and advise them to listen to the spirit—I don’t want to micromanage them or for them to be afraid to try something different when the spirit inspires them. I have very loving and supportive bishops.
8. I attended the Christmas programs at G.J. 4th and 8th wards-both excellent. One ward had three people take the parts of Joseph, Mary and a Wiseman and talk in the first person about their feelings and experiences. Each wrote their own-it was excellent-I am going to get copies for my records.
9. I finished reading the Book of Mormon for Christmas with the mission. It was a very good experience. I decided to concentrate on the last words, the final blessing, the final advice the prophets left in the Book of Mormon. I loved Nephi, Lehi, Jacob, Alma, Mormon and Moroni”s last words. I believe their last advice and counsel is the most important- where they get down to basics and tell us what is of the most worth.
I love having my family around me. I am blessed beyond measure and certainly more than I deserve. God is good to me. I love that my kids love each other and those who have married into the family fit right in.
Merry Christmas,
K. K. Summers
I love Christmas time because my kids come home for Christmas. Everyone will be here, but not all at the same time. Kenny, Jo and children came home on Friday, December 18th. Mya woke up at four in the morning so Jo suggested, because they were already packed, that they load up the kids and get started. They were in Las Vegas by nine in the morning and arrived here in the early evening. The boys immediately were looking for deer. They are very comfortable at our home-they know where they will sleep, where the toys are and what good things their grandmother will have for them to eat.
Getting Kim here was another matter-it was just another chapter in Kim’s story of all the things that can go wrong when she flies between Washington D.C. and Denver. This time she was scheduled to leave Washington at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, fly to Atlanta and then to Denver. This flight was delayed two hours so she couldn’t take it to Atlanta because she would have missed her connection to Denver. She rebooked to fly through Milwaukee – she had to get out that night before the 1.5 to 2 feet of snow arrived the next morning and shut down the airport and the city. The plane coming to D. C. to take her to Milwaukee had mechanical problems and return to its base and another plane was sent to D. C. She finally boarded the plane to Milwaukee at 9:00 p.m. but then had to deplane to reboot the aircraft computer to fix mechanical problems. They finally reboarded at 11:00 p.m. and went to the de-icing area but had to go back to the terminal since the co-pilot had no flying hours left. The plane then had to de-ice again and she finally left at 1:30 a.m. Saturday morning on the last flight out of the airport and probably after the curfew was normally in effect. The passengers were ready to lynch the flight crew and the terminal employees. Big bonus though-she was in the first seat in business class. She arrived in Milwaukee at 3:00 a.m. and was offered a flight leaving in two hours back to Atlanta and then to Denver but she knew better than to return to the east when she wanted to go west. The airline put her up for the night in a hotel, gave her a free voucher for a round trip ticket anywhere in the country to be used within a year and she finally left Milwaukee at 1:30 in the afternoon and arrived in Denver at three where Carol and Connie (who had flown in from Austin) picked her up and brought her home to G.J. The important thing was she got out of D.C. before the airport was closed because of the snow and she arrived safely at our home. Gabi and Catherine arrived earlier in the day much to the delight of the three Summers boys.
Historical events of the week:
1. This fall we have observed three bucks in our pasture which I wrote about last week. Kenny, his boys, Gabi and I went for a walk in the trees and found the largest buck dead, lying on its side under a tree in the leaves where the snow hadn’t covered the ground. Kenny couldn’t find any marks on the body and decided it died of old age or poison. He lifted up the head and very large antlers (six points on one side and four on the other) and took a picture with his cell phone with Drew and Ian each holding an antler. He then sent his friends and family a text with the picture informing everyone that Ian and Drew had bagged their first deer. Tyler, from Oklahoma, Jo’s brother texted back that he wanted to mount the alters-he is an amateur taxidermist. Sunday morning, before church, Kenny and Gabi, using the tools available at my house, (cross-cut saw, machete, wood saw and shovel) removed the head and Kenny took it in the minivan to Russell, Kansas to deliver it to Tyler who will be there for Christmas. I will miss watching this magnificent creature in my pasture-already the four point has taken over control of the deer herd and is now the ruler.
2. Monday evening was spent at the Clevelands home. They invited us over for supper and to view the Guatemala pictures from our trip on their big screen TV. It was a very enjoyable evening. I am going to write up my experiences this winter of this trip.
3. I released Elder Crosby Rock from the Las Vegas Nevada West Mission on Tuesday. He came home after a year in the field to have his ACL repaired. After about 6 months, he returned to complete his mission. His father, Bishop Rock, told me that when I set him apart the second times and gave him a blessing, I promised him that he would know why he returned to the field after his surgery. Elder Crosby was assigned to open Truckee, California which had not had missionaries there for eight years. It was Elder Crosby’s favorite assignment and he was very successful. The bishop cried when he said goodbye to Elder Crosby and said Elder Crosby returned to the mission field so he could be assigned to Truckee and bless the members and non-member of that area
4. Wednesday I attended the funeral of our receptionist husband who died at the age of 55 of a heart attack. He was too young to die. Glenda, his wife, is a very spiritual woman that I could trust when she typed up my life history including many spiritual experiences. I called her and also gave her a hug at the funeral. She told me she knew I would be at the funeral to support her.
5. I also attended the missionary “transfer meeting” this past week. Things have sure changed since I served a mission. We were never told when there would be transfers-they could come anytime. Normally, we receive a letter on a Monday or Tuesday informing us of the transfers that would take place Friday. We were informed of our new assignment and had to arrange for and pay our own transportation to the new area. We traveled alone to our new location and called up our new companion at the bus or train station to come and get us.
6. Every six weeks, (transfer week) the Denver South Mission calls on Tuesday the missionaries that will be transferred but doesn’t tell them where they are going. The metropolitan missionaries gather early in the morning in Denver on Thursday and those who are coming to the western slope pack their bikes and belonging in the mission trailer and drive in cars to G.J. arriving at noon where all the transferred missionaries are waiting at the stake center. The assistant to the president, a missionary, then reads the list of who has been assigned to a new companion and the elders load up their belongings to go to their new assignments on the western slope or to return to Denver for a new assignment. Car keys are exchanged as vehicles also are transferred to new locations. Surprising it works out very smoothly and with no discussion, just obedience. I was in awe when I watched this all done with missionaries being in charge-the president was in Denver. Only in the church could this happen with 19 and 20 year old missionaries in charge and everyone willingly accepting new assignments.
7. I finished up all bishop’s interviews this week-all ten of them. One new bishop told me he felt intimidated by me, but after our personal priesthood interviews, he really looks forward to them and wouldn’t want to miss one. I try to be supportive of the bishops and advise them to listen to the spirit—I don’t want to micromanage them or for them to be afraid to try something different when the spirit inspires them. I have very loving and supportive bishops.
8. I attended the Christmas programs at G.J. 4th and 8th wards-both excellent. One ward had three people take the parts of Joseph, Mary and a Wiseman and talk in the first person about their feelings and experiences. Each wrote their own-it was excellent-I am going to get copies for my records.
9. I finished reading the Book of Mormon for Christmas with the mission. It was a very good experience. I decided to concentrate on the last words, the final blessing, the final advice the prophets left in the Book of Mormon. I loved Nephi, Lehi, Jacob, Alma, Mormon and Moroni”s last words. I believe their last advice and counsel is the most important- where they get down to basics and tell us what is of the most worth.
I love having my family around me. I am blessed beyond measure and certainly more than I deserve. God is good to me. I love that my kids love each other and those who have married into the family fit right in.
Merry Christmas,
K. K. Summers
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
PRES. CHRISTISON CHRISTMAS LETTER
Christmas, 2009
Dear President and Sister Christison,
Thank you for your service in behalf of our mission, our stake and for our missionaries. I knew from the first time I met you when you stopped on your way to Denver at our stake center for Sacrament Meeting that you were very special people. After meeting you in the hall, I returned to my stake presidency meeting and told those present that I had just met you and that you were wonderful, loving people and that the mission would be in good hands.
Since that time, it has been my great privilege to serve with you in the kingdom. I have felt your support, your love, your inspiration and your concern for the missionaries. You have always been kind to let me come to your zone conferences and participate. I love meeting the missionaries and love watching them mature and develop confidence and spiritual strength. I look forward to those conferences. I find it a great blessing to be stake president when I am retired and have all the time I need to serve and be available to fulfill my calling.
I will always remember your instructions. Because you teach the missionaries basic gospel doctrine, your teachings apply to my role as stake president. Sister Christison, I don’t remember a mission president’s wife that was better than you for teaching the important principles of the gospel. Each conference I am spiritually fed which makes me a better stake president
Thanks for bringing your missionaries to Ragged Mountain and letting me participate. Your missionaries are so kind and helpful to me on the hikes-they wouldn’t let me fall if I tried. But most important I remember the spirit I felt in my private meditation time in the aspen trees, taking the sacrament, being instructed and burning my sins. My involvement with Ragged Mountain is one of the most satisfying experiences of my life and gives me great joy. Like Lehi who tasted the fruit on the tree and wanted to share it with his family, I want to share the spirit that exists at Ragged Mountain with the missionaries so they can be spiritually converted and strengthen. Thanks for these memories at Ragged Mountain which will never be forgotten.
Thanks for the elders, sisters and couples you have assigned to our stake. I have made many friends for life with these missionaries. It is a real highlight of my Sabbath to meet with the zone leaders and Pres. Atkinson each Sunday morning, review the progress of the work and then kneel and lead the group in prayer for the investigators and missionaries.
Thanks for the book. I’m looking forward to reading it. I hope you enjoy my wife’s famous homemade raspberry jam at Christmas. Make sure Mason gets some. I am also enclosing my picture in front of the Monticello Temple wearing a genuine “Elmer Fudd” hat which was my fathers and is 40 to 50 years old, manufactured by Eddie Bauer in Seattle when that firm made clothes for lumberjacks and outdoorsmen. The picture is proof why the mission staff made black stocking caps for the missionaries rather than let them wear “Elmer Fudd” hats.
Merry Christmas
Dear President and Sister Christison,
Thank you for your service in behalf of our mission, our stake and for our missionaries. I knew from the first time I met you when you stopped on your way to Denver at our stake center for Sacrament Meeting that you were very special people. After meeting you in the hall, I returned to my stake presidency meeting and told those present that I had just met you and that you were wonderful, loving people and that the mission would be in good hands.
Since that time, it has been my great privilege to serve with you in the kingdom. I have felt your support, your love, your inspiration and your concern for the missionaries. You have always been kind to let me come to your zone conferences and participate. I love meeting the missionaries and love watching them mature and develop confidence and spiritual strength. I look forward to those conferences. I find it a great blessing to be stake president when I am retired and have all the time I need to serve and be available to fulfill my calling.
I will always remember your instructions. Because you teach the missionaries basic gospel doctrine, your teachings apply to my role as stake president. Sister Christison, I don’t remember a mission president’s wife that was better than you for teaching the important principles of the gospel. Each conference I am spiritually fed which makes me a better stake president
Thanks for bringing your missionaries to Ragged Mountain and letting me participate. Your missionaries are so kind and helpful to me on the hikes-they wouldn’t let me fall if I tried. But most important I remember the spirit I felt in my private meditation time in the aspen trees, taking the sacrament, being instructed and burning my sins. My involvement with Ragged Mountain is one of the most satisfying experiences of my life and gives me great joy. Like Lehi who tasted the fruit on the tree and wanted to share it with his family, I want to share the spirit that exists at Ragged Mountain with the missionaries so they can be spiritually converted and strengthen. Thanks for these memories at Ragged Mountain which will never be forgotten.
Thanks for the elders, sisters and couples you have assigned to our stake. I have made many friends for life with these missionaries. It is a real highlight of my Sabbath to meet with the zone leaders and Pres. Atkinson each Sunday morning, review the progress of the work and then kneel and lead the group in prayer for the investigators and missionaries.
Thanks for the book. I’m looking forward to reading it. I hope you enjoy my wife’s famous homemade raspberry jam at Christmas. Make sure Mason gets some. I am also enclosing my picture in front of the Monticello Temple wearing a genuine “Elmer Fudd” hat which was my fathers and is 40 to 50 years old, manufactured by Eddie Bauer in Seattle when that firm made clothes for lumberjacks and outdoorsmen. The picture is proof why the mission staff made black stocking caps for the missionaries rather than let them wear “Elmer Fudd” hats.
Merry Christmas
REPORT 12-14-09
REPORT 12-14-09
This week had one common theme—cold, cold, more cold and snow. On Tuesday, we were blessed with nine inches of snow. That is a really big snow storm for us. It really hurt my back to shovel the snow off the walks and the drive way but I had no choice-if I don’t remove the snow it will freeze, turn to ice and then be a problem all winter. I did get enough snow removed so we could get out of the house and out of the garage and down to E 7/8 Road which was finally graded a day to two later by the county road department. The other problem was the cold that lasted all week. We had day after day where the temperature was 10 degrees below zero at night and would only get up to 10 or so during the day. The advantage was the snow couldn’t turn to ice because the snow didn’t melt. Today it will get above 32 degrees and the sun is shining so things will start to melt and the roads will clear.
Here is my weekly report of activities:
- The cold stopped my walking-I just will not walk unless it gets in the 20s. Last week I only walked one day and that was only for a mile because of the cold. Today I walked 2.5 miles and it sure felt good. I get stiff when I don’t walk. I have to earn good days by walking. It really helps my Parkinsons.
- Kenny’s birthday was this week. He is a good son. I remember when Clarissa was in labor with him that I prayed he wouldn’t be born on Pearl Harbor Day-my pray was answered and he was born about 10 minutes after midnight. We are excited to have the Summers family come for a visit this weekend. I hope the deer, particularly the three bucks are around when they come. One two point buck only has antlers on the left side, the four point buck is large but the five point buck really rules-everyone obeys him-he is magnificent.
- This week the missionaries had a western slope Christmas conference. The mission president gave them:
- A hand knitted black stocking cap to keep their head and ears warm-these were knitted by the mission staff including the mission president and his wife.
- A Christmas card from the First Presidency.
- A consecrated small bottle of olive oil from olive oil the Christisons had purchased in Israel.
The Christisons gave Clarissa and I a beautiful book titled “How Americans view Mormonism-Seven Steps to Improve Our Image.” It is written by Gary Lawrence, a member of the church with a PHD from Stanford. I’m excited to read it. I have had a very special relationship with both mission presidents since I have been stake president. Pres. Wright was an attorney from Idaho Falls and his son and family live in our ward so we had a lot in common. When I became stake president, I started a practice of praying for our mission president and his wife in our stake meetings. He credited our prayers in saving he and his wife’s life when they were hit by a drunk driver from behind going 70 miles per hour on the interstate in G. J. He is now serving another mission as an attorney for the church is Australia so we keep in touch through his son. I met Pres. Christison in the stake center as he came to church the first day of his mission as he was travelling to Denver to take over and we have been close ever since. I get invited to all the zone conferences and the mission conferences at Ragged Mt. and I am always invited to speak. I have become close to Mason Christison, their son, who is waiting for his mission call. He comes to almost all the conferences. The Christisons are great teachers and they bless my life. I expect him to be made an Area Seventy.
- I was very proud this week to read the report of Bro. Brent Jones, our high counselor over missionary work who was raised in Blanding. He reported that one of our Ward Mission Leaders observed that a newer missionary with some special problems was struggling when he taught a lesson. Rather than ask that the missionary be transferred out of the ward and be a problem for some other congregation, the ward mission leader developed a training program for the missionary to teach him how to give a lesson, practicing first on his own family. I requested that this missionary not be transferred this week so he could continue his training in this ward and with this ward mission leader and Pres. Christison agreed. I’m so proud of this ward mission leader.
- We had tithing settlement Sunday. The bishop, as is his practice, gave Clarissa and me each a Bishop’s blessing to help us individually and with our church callings. He is very concerned with his members.
- I home taught the Whites and the Waughs last night and gave them each a jar of Clarissa’s homemade Boysenberry jam. I have home taught these families so long I can’t remember when I started. I love to home teach.
- Saturday I traveled by myself to Monticello to attend the temple. Originally I planned on going Friday, visiting at the courthouse on business, driving down Montezuma Creek and then staying the night with 12th Ward at the Hyland Hotel-BUT, Jean and Dean were not home because Dean had fainted and had been to the doctor in St. George (he is okay), my car alternator went out and dumped me Thursday night so Clarissa and I had to share a car this weekend (It is now fixed) and it wasn’t wise to go down Montezuma Creek when Monticello had two feet of snow. I left Saturday morning before sunrise and got back in time for the famous Larry De Goyler Christmas party Saturday night-it was also his 70th birthday. I love driving thru Dry Valley and seeing the red and white rocks. I love the temple and the Horsehead on the mountain looking over the community. We had lots of G.J. temple workers there and I saw Cooper Jones, Doyle and Marilyn Rowley and others. Elder Brimhall, our Area Seventy said all stake presidents are to become veil workers so I picked up an application for that assignment. It was a very satisfying day and in spite of a new snow storm, the roads were great.
- This week we had a very successful mission meeting for all four Fruita Wards and I did four bishop PPIs. My bishops are such loving men. Yesterday I attended Fruita 2nd and G.J. 2nd Wards besides temple interviews and a special meeting with a lady who withdrew from the church about 30 years ago which feels the need to come home. She reminds me of our cattle and sheep, when they couldn’t be found and were left in Dry Valley in the spring. They would start up the highway on their own striving to get to the Colorado mountains, sometimes 100 miles away. They knew where they were supposed to be and were acting on that knowledge and would start on their own. I also have started reading about 150 patriarchical blessing given by Bro. White. It is my responsibilities to review his blessing before they are submitted to Salt Lake.
- We had a first this week-after 37 years living at 585 20 Road, our water pipes froze when it was 14 below zero. I called Ute Water and they examined the situation and informed me that my pipes were frozen in the furnace room because there was too much frigid air circulating near the floor from the big vent we installed a long time ago to provide only cold outside air to the furnace and hot water heater. The workers covered up the outside vent and told me the pipes would thaw in an hour and just like they said, the water started flowing in one hour. There were no breaks in any water line. I now let a faucet drip at night if it gets that cold.
K. K. Summers
report 12-7-09
REPORT 12-7-09
Today is my “take it easy day” or my “hangover” day to rest after a busy Sunday. I first experienced how tired I was on Monday when I was bishop but then I had to go to work anyway on Monday. Now I am retired, I can just relax a bit after a busy Sunday. Today I got up, read four chapters in the Book of Mormon, fixed breakfast, read my emails and then the Salt Lake Tribune, the Deseret News, the Daily Sentinel, Cougarfan.com and took out the garbage. I then came home and slept for a couple of hours before lunch and then in the afternoon took a two mile plus walk. Tomorrow it starts again in church work with a missionary conference in the morning and Stake Presidency in the evening Tuesday, a four ward missionary meeting Wednesday night, High Council on Thursday, a trip to Monticello on business Friday and to drive Montezuma Canyon and go to the temple of Saturday.
Here is a report of my activities:
1. Yesterday, Fast Day, was busy as usual. I started at the 7:00 a.m. Church Education Meeting followed by our weekly meeting with the missionaries and then attended Fast Meeting at the Fruita 4th Ward on the Redlands, traveled to Fruita to set apart a new elder quorum presidency, back to the Stake Center to attend Fast Meeting at the G.J. 2nd Ward and then interviews at the stake center starting about 2:20 p.m. I interview a couple wanting to be sealed in the temple which will require First Presidency approval, ( gave them a blessing that they would be able to pay tithing) and then interviewed a recently returned missionary followed by two first time temple interviews, one sister who is a convert who will get married to Scott Hart next month and the other a convert of two years that grew up in Moab. That was followed by my own temple preparation instruction. I got home about 7:00 p.m., particularly tired because of the fast.
2. When I went to the temple the first time, no one gave me instructions of what to expect. I had a great experience because I had spiritually prepared but realize that the temple experience would be more meaningful if those who go to the temple for the first time are better prepared because they have been instructed in what will take place. This mini seminar is one of the most satisfying things I do as stake president. I invite parents, spouses, future spouses and escorts to accompany the first time temple attender. Pres. Dean, after he saw what I did, put together a three ring binder that contains the material and pictures to look at while the presentation is given. The presentation is accompanied by the Spirit and a common response I receive from those who have already been to the temple is “I wish I had this instruction before I first went to the temple.” I give those who have already been to the temple a chance to add their feelings and testimony. I find there is a real bonding between those who have been to the temple and those who are going for the first time. I also have the escorts agree to show the first timer their temple clothes before going to the temple. Since we are in the Monticello temple district, everyone has to have their own clothes before they go to the temple. Yesterday, a Sister Watkins, originally from Moab, received the instruction as well as Scott Hart’s fiancé. I will write a separate report for my “Spiritual Book of Remembrance “ about Sister Watkins.
3. At stake conference, I addressed two topics. First, I talked about not offending people in church and keeping politics out of the church. I explained that members of the church do not to be formed and shaped by the same cookie cutter but the church is a large fish net that can hold all kinds of different people who share their testimony in common. I also talked about the history project for the next year:
a. Write your testimony by Christmas and keep it for your own records.
b. Write no more than a three page family history by March 21st which will be turned into you r ward history representative.
c. Participate in your ward or the stake history if requested.
d. Write your “Spiritual Book of Remembrance” this coming year by recording for your own records your spiritual experience.
4 The response has been satisfying. Bishop Stagg’s 7 year old daughter already has written her testimony. I have commitments from Steve Hoffman and Crystal Hart that they will write special experience they had where I was involved and I promised Bishop McCall that I would write up the Craig Shelley experience for his review. My response to experiences I am told about will now always be, “Is it written down?”
5. I received a call this week from the Waughs who I home teach that I give Jody Waugh a health blessing. I took Bro. White with me. Sister Waugh gave me a very special thank you letter when I home taught last month.
6. I visited member s of the church in their homes with Bishop Trainor in G. J. 4th Ward and also gave Sister Park a blessing about her present pregnancy. She has been pregnant 15 times and has four children. I also visited members with Bishop Standifird of Fruita 3rd Ward. I sure have good bishops.
7. I received a call from Mike Perry informing me that he and his wife were on their way to Montrose to see the newly born baby boy that Justin and Suzy Perry has just received for adoption. It is a miracle baby. A non-member social worker in Montrose that knows Justin through his detective work was working on a day she wasn’t originally scheduled to work and was informed of a baby being born in the local hospital that would be available for adoption. She immediately when to the hospital and when she saw the baby, she saw Justin’s face in the baby and knew that Justin and Suzy were to get the baby. They were already approved as adoptive parents through LDS Family Services and the appropriate contacts were made so that now Justin and Suzy can adopt this child.
8. I worked all week on Summers Minerals. I organized Kelly Minerals LLC so I can transfer my interest in Summers Minerals to my children. Jean has her LLC organized and Kathleen is working on hers. It was good to talk to my sisters, Kristi and Bobbie this week. It was good to hear Ann’s positive voice.
9. I had bishop’s meeting this week We are going to have the exhibit, “Reflections of Christ” in our stake this coming year plus a choir from Utah Valley University. I also set apart three new high counselors, Aaron Hart, Larry Benson and Bud Hawley.
10. The last week I have been involved with a lady missionary who is in the MTC in Guatemala who received a “dear Jane” letter from her fiancé. He fiancé was providing part of the support for the missionary. Fortunately, I had met the director of the Guatemala MTC when I was there this August so there has been a high level of trust. I think everything will work out okay and that the missionary will stay and be a great missionary.
11. I have gained five pounds that last couple weeks. I walked two, then three, then four and on Saturday five miles and I have lost the five pounds. My hope is to walk 6.2 miles before Christmas to match the Bolder Boulder distance just to prove to myself that I can do it. We have had a great Indian summer this fall but it has gotten cold his week-one degree on Friday, a new record for the date. I wait until it is in the 20s before I start to walk. I have also used one walking stick which really helps.
K. K. Summers
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