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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. This week the missionaries had a western slope Christmas conference. The mission president gave them:
1. 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.
2. A Christmas card from the First Presidency.
3. 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.

4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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 12^th 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 70^th 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.
8. 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 2^nd and G.J. 2^nd 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.
9. 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 4^th 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. 2^nd 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 21^st 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. 4^th 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 3^rd 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

Check my History

KELLY AND CLARISSA SUMMERS FAMILY

The Kelly and Clarisssa Summers Family was created on August 17, 1966 when Elder LeGrande Richard of the Council of Twelve Apostles, in the presence of family and friends, married Clarissa Gertrude Eames (born June 8, 1939, in Preston, Idaho) and Kenneth Kelly Summers (born August 29, 1941, in Moab, Utah) in the Salt Lake Temple for “time and all eternity.” They had met in September of 1965, at the University Ward, a student and singles ward in Berkeley, California, dated during the school year and were engaged on July 4, 1966, on the grounds of the Oakland Temple. Clarissa had graduated from BYU in 1962, with an elementary education major, moved to the Bay Area to be near her parents who resided in Pleasant Hill, California, lived in Berkeley and taught school in Pleasant Hill and Concord, California. She was ward Relief Society President at the time. Kelly graduated from BYU in the spring of 1965 and started law school in September of that year at the University of California, Boalt School of Law. Their first date was to the temple, a Jewish temple of a Jewish conservative congregation in Oakland, with Jewish friends Kelly had met at law school.

Clarissa‘s father, Henry Thomas Eames, was raised in the small southern Idaho town of Elba of pioneer stock. He met Velma Lorene Maddy at Southern Idaho College of Education (the school no longer exists) in Albion, Idaho. Her family was from central Kansas. Her father brought the family to Idaho working on construction projects during the depression. She joined the Church about a year after their marriage and was a faithful saint and church worker all her life. Three events are pivotal concerning the Eames family and the Church:

1. Henry began saving money to buy a fishing boat with his cousin. Velma realized that if he bought the boat, he could spend Sundays fishing instead of attending church with the family so without his consent, she took the saved up funds and bought a new piano, which Clarissa used to learn to play the piano. Henry did not go fishing on Sunday. Henry, also, took piano lessons with her.

2. Henry smoked. He quit when he found out his oldest child, Clarissa, was hiding his cigarettes so he could not smoke them.

3. During the first 12 years of Clarissa’s life, her parents taught school in various small towns in southern Idaho. Henry took a job near Coos Bay, Oregon and announced to the family that the church would be important and the family would be active in church. That commitment was kept and Henry served as District President for the Southern Oregon District of the Northwestern States Mission where the family met many General Authorities at District Conferences including Elder LeGrande Richards. Henry and Velma were active members the rest of their lives which included many callings and two full time missions, one to the Micronesia Mission in Guam were Henry served in the mission presidency and visited numerous islands in the mission as the supervisor of seminaries for the church in Micronesia and the second mission to the New Mexico Mission assigned to Espanola, New Mexico.

Kelly’s Dad, Kenneth Shipley Summers, was raised in Cache Valley, Utah in the small town of Paradise and herded sheep for his father. He served a mission from 1927-1929 in the California Mission where he met a fellow missionary who convinced him to move to Monticello, Utah following his mission, to run the L. H. Redd Sheep Company with 22,000 head of sheep. There he met Johanna Elizabeth Summers who was teaching school. She was raised in Iona, Idaho, went to high school in Ogden, Utah, and graduated from Weber College. Ken and Elizabeth were married in the Logan Temple and lived the rest of their lives in Monticello, Utah. Ken was involved in various livestock operations, eventually owning K. S. Summers Livestock Inc. and was very involved in civic duties having served on the draft board, town mayor, school board president and county commissioner. He was bishop of the Monticello Ward for 16 years and in the stake presidency for 9 years. Elizabeth ran the Hyland Hotel for about 40 years and was involved in church and local activities.

Kelly had moved to California with the intent to stay but it didn’t take him a year to realize that there were too many people in California and that he would be more comfortable to move nearer to Monticello were he could be closer to his family and still enjoy the wide open spaces and solitude of the four corners area. Grand Junction was a growing community, could support another attorney, was in the mission field, was relative close to Monticello and had a church organization with opportunities to serve and felt like a good fit so Kelly and Clarissa visited Grand Junction in April of 1968, interview law firms, had a job offer with Golden and Mumby within two weeks, accepted, passed the Colorado Bar Exam and started practicing in Grand Junction on October 1, 1968. They never looked back or doubted their decision to move to Grand Junction but felt that God opened doors for their move and wanted them in Grand Junction. They were needed and were given numerous opportunities to serve in the Kingdom and develop personally-opportunities they may not have received is they had lived in an area where the church was stronger.

They moved into their home on the Redlands in 1972 after its construction on 20 Road and have resided there ever since but the most important blessing was their six children, all born in St. Mary’s Hospital, all graduated from seminary and Fruita Monument High School, all endowed in the temple and all graduates of Brigham Young University, Kate in Business, Carol in History with a teaching credential, Connie in Speech Pathology, Ken in Animal Science, Kim in English with teaching and English as a Second Language credentials and Catherine in Geography with a teaching credential. Kate married Aaron Waters in the Salt Lake Temple, worked for Far West Bank in Provo, Utah, and Intrust Bank in Wichita, Kansas, as a construction loan supervisor, lived in Wichita while Aaron worked as an engineer for Cessna Aircraft Company and the FAA, and moved to Parker, Colorado in 2009, with the FAA. Kate and Aaron’s children are Curtis, Michael, and KariLynn. Carol lives in Aurora, Colorado and teaches History at Falcon Creek Middle School where she is the department chairman and was voted Teacher of the Year in 2008. She previously taught middle school for four years in Gardnerville, Nevada. She obtained a Masters Degree from the University of Colorado in Denver. Connie served in the Oakland California Mission, Spanish Speaking and as a guide at the Oakland Temple. She received her Masters Degree in Speech Pathology from BYU and after four years as a Speech Therapist with the Denver Public Schools, she is in her 5th and final year at the University of Texas in Austin to obtain her PHD degree. Kenny served his mission in the Birmingham Alabama Mission. Kenny graduated from Kansas State University with a Doctor of Veterinarian Science and practices as a veterinarian in Banning, California. While attending school in Kansas he met Johanna Elliott from Russell, Kansas and they were married in the Manti Temple. They now live in Beaumont, California with their four children, Andrew, Ian, Owen and Mya.. Kimberly taught school in Mesa, Arizona in both ESL and English and now is teaching school in Arlington, Virginia, only 10 minutes from the Pentagon. She served her mission in Concepsion, Chile and is now working on her Master’s Decree at George Mason University in Virginia. Catherine teaches Geography at Falcon Middle School and was married in the Denver Temple to Gabriel Olivares from Los Alamos, New Mexico in 2009. He has a B.S. and Master’s Degree from the University of Colorado in business and is now attending law school at the University of Denver. Misty De La Rosa lived with the Summers from time to time and was treated as family. She now lives in Las Vegas with husband Rich. They have 5 children between them.

Kelly practiced law with the same law firm for almost 40 years. During that time, h e served seven years as a part time judge for the City of Grand Junction, was a part time Deputy District Attorney, a Bankruptcy Court Trustee and was president of the Mesa County Bar Association and President of the Colorado Municipal Judges Association. He started out as a general practitioner but gradually specialized in real estate, commercial law and bankruptcy. He loved to help people and hated billing.

Clarissa’s time was spent raising the children and involved in church callings and activities. She put on pageants and road shows where her organization skills were used to pull everything together. She also was in charge of ward music-few people ever dared to tell her no. Whatever she was called to do, she did well. Her Beehives loved her as she took them all over in the “Beehive Mobile,” the Summers van. She also was President of the Primary in 3rd Ward.

Kelly served in numerous church callings including Bishop of the G. J. 8th Ward and in numerous stake and ward youth callings. His passions were church history and the handcart youth conference. He has walked over Rocky Ridge in Wyoming (14 miles) on the Mormon Trail five times. He felt his greatest achievements were the boys he raised in church (“I only have one son but lots of boys.”) and his efforts in obtaining and developing Ragged Mountain LDS Ranch for youth and families. In 2004, he was called by Elder Eyring, then of the Council of the Twelve, to be stake president of the Grand Junction Colorado West Stake. He previously served as a counselor in three other stake presidencies. He dedicated the LDS Institute Building and Ragged Mountain LDS Ranch. He loved home teaching and serving in the Kingdom. He served a mission in the Northern States Mission located in Chicago.
(10-20-2009)