Woo Pig Sooie!

 

Almost a year ago when it was announced that the Arkansas Razorbacks would be playing Brigham Young University in Provo, we got a call from George's BYU roommate Eric asking if we would like to go to the game.  Of course we did!

Eric and George have been friends since high school (almost 60 years) and were roommates when  George and I were dating.  Eric and I became close friends too.  Eric and his wife Joanne raised their family in California so we did spend quite a bit of time with them when we lived there in 1977-78.  We've only seen each other sporadically since then but you know how it is with close friends, it's like no time has passed since the last time we saw each other. You just step right back into that friendship!

Do I look a little confused?  BYU hat and razorback shirt!  I have been a Razorback fan my whole life but I'm a BYU grad????  No confusion for Eric.  He is a BYU fan through and through.

   While it was overwhelming BYU fans, there were some Razorback fans in the mix.

My plan to cheer for both teams quickly went away as I got caught up in calling the hogs.  I know it might sound weird but it made me feel close to my parents!  They were big Razorback fans.

I loved calling the hogs with the fans that were there but it is much more impressive in the stadium in Fayetteville with close to 80,000 people chanting

Woo Pig Sooie!

Woo Pig Sooie!    Woo Pig Sooie!

Razorbacks! 

Some of my Boyle cousins were also at the game.

Cousin Scott says he cheered for whichever team had the ball!

We had a theological discussion concerning if our parents were able to watch football in heaven.  If they were, then they were calling the hogs.  Or maybe in heaven you do cheer for both teams equally!  One of the mysteries!

Scott's Grandson Will even wore one of the Razorback hats!

And got a photo with Big Red!

Final score BYU 35 - Arkansas 52

I love high scoring games!

What a fun day!

Woo Pig Sooie!

He Is Risen

On Easter Sunday, our Bishop mentioned the power in simple 3 word phrases

I love you.

Love one another

Feed my Sheep

Do unto others

But the most powerful, joyful phrase of all

He is risen!

Our absolute faith in the resurrection gave our family peace and even joy as we celebrated the life of my Aunt Dawn Boyle. 

My Aunt Dawn and Uncle Eddie and their family were the catalyst behind my conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and for that I will be eternally grateful.  Monticello, Utah is the place were the teenaged members of the church impressed me enough that I had didn't hesitate when missionaries contacted me during my freshman year of college.  Dawn and Eddie, their sons, and friends were the perfect example of what living a life in the 'Mormon' church looked like. That little town hold a special place in my heart and it was good to be there again.

Dawn's funeral was a celebration of a life well lived.  Most of her 48 direct descendants were there.  Grandchildren and great grandchildren sang.  Sons and Daughter-in-laws (who were like her daughters) spoke and prayed.  While there were tears, there were also smiles and laughter.

Words that describe Dawn

loving

positive

adventurous 

happy

encouraging

faithful

missionary

independent

influential

mother

world's greatest grandma

neighbor

friend

kind

In short, she is all I would like to be! I am so glad that my uncle from the small town of Lonoke, Arkansas improbably found a girl from equally small Monticello, Utah at a business school in Missouri all those years ago.  Definitely a match made in heaven!

These two lived the gospel and 'went about doing good'.

 Dawn Boyle will be greatly missed here on the earth but I know she was welcomed on the other side by all who loved her, including parents, a whole generation of siblings, siblings in law and of course her son and husband.

The last time I saw her was October 2019 when George and I visited Monticello.

At the cemetery with cousins Scott and Bill Boyle.  Cousin Doug passed away abut 10 years ago.

To paraphrase the words of the hymn "Each Life that Touches Ours for Good",  Dawn's gentle ways strengthened my faith and enriched my days.

One interesting note, a recent move-in to Monticello is a Jewish man from Colorado. He has become friends with my two cousins and he provided the ham for the funeral meal. That has to be one for record book - a Jewish man providing ham for a funeral at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!

Aunt Dawn

My Aunt Dawn Boyle passed away today, the last of my parent's generation. All afternoon I have been thinking about her and as I did, I remembered this photo. It was taken during the short time that Dawn and my Uncle Edward, my mother's brother, lived in Lonoke, Arkansas . The baby is my cousin Doug Boyle. The interesting thing is that in my mind the photo showed both of them smiling and clearly they were not. These slightly grumpy expression were not the norm for them. I can't picture them with anything but big smiles. I can still hear Dawn's sweet laugh. These two truly lived the words of former President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Gordon B. HInckley, "The gospel is a thing of joy. It provides us with a reason for gladness. Of course there are times of sorrow. Of course there are hours of concern and anxiety. We all worry. But the Lord has told us to lift our hearts and rejoice. I see so many people...who seem never to see the sunshine, but who constantly walk with storms under cloudy skies. Cultivate an attitude of happiness. Cultivate a spirit of optimism. Walk with faith, rejoicing in the beauties of nature, in the goodness of those you love, in the testimony which you carry in your heart concerning things divine." I am eternally grateful for the example my Aunt Dawn and Uncle Eddie set for me.

Light the World - Christlike Love

 One day the prompt was "Who represents Christlike love to you?  Highlight them on social Media".  

It was hard to pick just one Christ-like person to highlight today as my life has been blessed by so many! Finally decided that I needed to highlight my Aunt Dawn Jensen Boyle, the wife of my mother's brother Eddie Boyle. She radiates an inner joy and love that blesses all who know her. Dawn has a way of making people feel important. I recently read the letter she wrote to me after I had called to tell them that I was going to be baptized. She wrote, ‘Talking to you last night was one of the biggest thrills of my life’. Every time I see Dawn she makes me feel like seeing me again is a thrill. Don’t you think that is the way it will be with the Savior? He will be thrilled to see us!

Dawn with two daughter-in-laws, grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

Normal

The last month since my birthday has just been NORMAL - not particularly exciting but not bad either.  My friend Linda says that sometimes in her prayers she is just thankful for NORMAL!  I agree.  Life is good even when it is just normal!

So here are a few of the normal things that have kept me busy during the month of August:

I've been going through boxes of photos and memorabilia from my mother's house.  My goal is to label and organize all these treasures so that when we are gone, the kids won't wonder who all these people are!

Here I am with my cousins June and Joy.  I couldn't say "Js" so they were Lune and Loy to me!

I also found some handwritten recipes from my Grandma Boyle.  I love her very artistic handwriting and the fact that the recipes were written on scraps of paper and even envelopes.  I kept one for myself that happened to have my two favorites of her recipes written on the same page.  Chicken Salad and Pineapple Ice Box Cake.  You know the recipe is old when it is has the phrase "Ice Box"! Someday I'll frame it.  The rest I sent to my Boyle cousins.

                                

I also found this telegram that my Grandma sent to my parents after my cousin Martha Jane Depriest was born.    I was happy to send this to Janie.  It's a great early 70th birthday for her!

                                  

My mother was a Lonoke High School Basketball player! This must have been in 1938. Moma is on left end of the middle row.  Her sister Clarice is holding the ball.  Clarice is the mother of little Martha Jane, whose birth was announced in the telegram.

                                  

Our friends from Portland, Nancy and Chuck Harrington, spent the night with us on their way from their cabin in Minnesota back home.  It was fun to visit with them and anticipate our next trip together.  We've been to 28 countries together on 6 continents and will add to that count in March 2020.

George and Matt started high school soccer.  Matt coaches at Centennial High School and George is a referee at games all over the valley.

George and I went to a very interesting life sized replica of the Tabernacle of Moses.  Even though it was a very hot day, we learned a lot and thoroughly enjoyed our walk through ancient history.

                                                  

                                        

To be honest, I can not look at the Ark of the Covenant without thinking of Indiana Jones and the Nazis! 

I am amazed at how quickly traditions develop on our Sunday night dinners with Monica, John and Isabella.  We all sit in the same chairs.  Isabella and I go and get the ice cream out of the freezer and she makes sure we have all the condiments we are supposed to have - whipped cream, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce and sprinkles.  And we have to squirt some cream directly into her mouth!  

After dessert we always go for a walk and she loves to run with me.  I have to smile at her weekly announcement that "two little girls are running".  Don't know what makes me happiest - that she calls me a girl or calls me little or that I can run! 

We always stop at this rock so that she can pose for pictures. 

And we end our evening at the Seven Oaks school playground where we play hide and seek and also enjoy the playground equipment.  

I recently read an article about making memories with grandchildren that said in part, " "I'm struck by how deeply he knows me and how he's developed a set of things he does with me that he remembers. If I'm willing to follow his lead it demonstrates to him that I'm there for him and that our relationship is something he can count on.  It's a way to build a secure attachment."  I surely hope that is true!

Johnny and Monica went to an Saturday evening church meeting and Bella stayed with us.  So fun!  A trip to Chick-fil-a and then the park before going home to read lots of stories.  I love that she loves for me to read to her.  

 She also recently learned to ride a trike!  

 Monica tried her hand at making homemade jam!  It was a big success and we get to enjoy the results!  Goodbye low carb diet! 

 I've been doing a lot of walking in the foothills to build up my endurance for a long hike at Zion next month.  The Boise foothills are dry and brown and about as different from my walks in Portland as anything could be.  Still beautiful in its own way.  Today I had this little buddy cross my path.  Good thing I'm not scared of snakes!

So let's hear it for NORMAL!  September is going to be anything but normal.  With a trip to Philadelphia, getting ready to lead a team of volunteers on a trip to Kenya, a trip to Portland for my doctor appointment and then finally flying off to Kenya with loaded suitcases, it is going to be hectic but oh so fun!

Monticello

I love Monticello, Utah!   Here was where the seeds were planted that culminated in my baptism into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  My Aunt Dawn Boyle and my two cousins, Scott and Bill still live here.  When we decided to do our little trek across Utah, I knew that Monticello had to be on our itinerary! We were welcomed by Scott and his wonderful wife, Cassie.  These are the two Mary and I visited in Madagascar and they are simply the best in every way.  Cassie's homemade bread alone would be worth the drive! Yum! 

Monticello has the first of the small temples the church has recently built. With smaller temples, more can be built so that many more members have easy access. 

We had planned a day of hiking but the weather didn't cooperate too well.  It was very cold and rained so we took a short little jaunt to the top of "Salvation Knoll."  Many members of our church will know the story of the so called "Hole in the Rock" pioneers.   Here is a very brief explanation.  The route they took is similar to the route George and I had just driven in our warm, comfortable car. 

At the call of Mormon church leaders in 1878, a company of pioneers was sent to colonize the San Juan Valley in South Eastern Utah.  Throughout the winter of 1879-1880, these Mormon pioneers built a wagon road, through the terribly rugged terrain between Escalante and the Four Corners area.  As the main body of pioneers labored to widen the treacherous descent through the 'Hole' or cleft in rock above the Colorado River Gorge, four advance scouts traveled through this area, searching for the most feasible route between the Colorado River and Montezuma Creek.  By the time the scouts reached this area, they were lost and out of food. 

On Christmas morning 1879,George Hobbs climbed to the top of this knoll searching for a recognizable landmark.  Hobbs recorded, "This was surely salvation knoll.  For looking to the northeast...I discovered the Blue Mountains about 10 miles away.  This was the landmark we had been looking for the last several days."  Although hindered by severe winter storms, the scouts, George Hobbs, George Moreel, Lemuel Redd and George Sevy succeeded in plotting a wagon route through some of the most difficult terrain in North America. 

That knoll that George Hobbs climbed is the very one we climbed. 

And we also could see Blue Mountain from the top.  And yes just like for the scouts, it was cold and windy.  So glad we could go back to our warm car! 

Blue Mountain is right by Monticello.  One of its claims to fame is the horse's head that is easily visible.  Can you see it?  I remember as a little girl trying so hard to find it.  Once you see it, it is totally clear.  It is right in the middle of the photo.  A horse head with a white blaze.... 

Of course the main reason we had come to Monticello was not hiking or mountains but the Boyle family that I love so much.  My Aunt Dawn is one of the kindest, sweetest, most pleasant people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing.  She married my mother's brother, Eddie Boyle, lived in Lonoke for a short time and then moved to Monticello where they raised their family.  Our summer visits to them are what led me to the Church.  

I have 3 Boyle cousins, Doug who passed away a few years ago, Scott, and Bill.  All wonderful men who married well!  Bill's wife Linda wasn't home the evening we visited them.  

Here we are....cousins, in-laws and even a dog cousin!
 I am so glad that Families are Forever!  And that they are my family!