Thanks Momma

Mom always said that she wanted to be cremated and thrown---oh, just anywhere.  She also said that she didn't want a funeral....absolutely not, thank you very much.  We (my brother and I) mentioned that maybe we could get together as her children just to remember her together.  She decided that this would be fine with her...and the suggestion came up that when the time came, Grass Valley would be a central place for all of us to meet.  You see, Mom was born and raised in Grass Valley.  Her parents are buried in the old Masonic Cemetery.  She said that it would be nice to be placed by her parents (though she found the cemetery itself stark and depressing.)

Old Elm Ridge Cemetery

 After Mom's death, I began trying to contact the Mason's in Grass Valley in order to obtain permission to place her ashes at the gravesite.  I was passed around from one Mason to another.  Finally, I received a call from the local mortuary.  They promised to go to the gravesite and see if there was a way to place her ashes there.  Unfortunately they hadn't called by the time we had to leave yesterday, so we had to go on blind faith and just take the ashes with us.

Today, while we were on the road, we received word from the mortuary that they would have to cut into the concrete covering our grandparent's gravesite in order to place Mom's ashes.  That would cost $761.  Mom specifically said "no cost."  Additionally, no one was comfortable with the idea of marring our ancestor's gravesite, so we were stuck.

My brothers discussed placing her ashes in Yuba River or Lake Tahoe.  Somehow it just  didn't feel right to me.  Not that it's wrong - it's a lovely idea.  It just didn't feel like what we should do.

So here's what we decided....pay attention, because it's amazing.

Knowing that we were all going to need lodging while in Grass Valley, my oldest brother, Steve decided to find a house to rent.  He found two.  The first one is named Kate's Place and it's a pretty little victorian house on a little skinny side street near the cemetery.  It looked great, but it sleeps 10 and we just weren't sure how many were showing up.  Steve then found a larger house that we went ahead and rented called "A Victorian Rose".

So my sister, Audrey decided that it would be fun to find Mom's house from her childhood.  We went through Grandpa's papers and found an old envelope with their address on it.  I looked it up on Google Maps and found out that it was.......Kate's Place.  Honestly.  Here is what it looks like now:

...and here's a picture of Momma with her brother David on the front porch.  This was around 1942 - during World War II:

I mean, there are hundreds and hundreds of houses, and we found it, that easy.  I thought it so amazing that I contacted the owners of Kate's Place and told them what we discovered.  They invited us to come and see the house when we got into town, even though we weren't staying there.

So I thought to myself, Mom loved this home.  This is where she was happiest.  I wondered if we could ask the owners to consider letting us put Mom's ashes in the yard (which is legal, with permission.)  My brother Ken felt that there would be no way these people would agree to it, and thought we should go with the Yuba River idea.  But somehow, it just felt right.  So I called the owners and explained the situation.  They told me that they had thought of the very same thing when I first called them, but figured we were already set and so didn't bother offering it.  They were very excited and very honored.

I do not normally look for signs, but somehow I know that this is exactly what my Mom wants to happen.  So, tomorrow, we're taking Mom home.

 
Thanks Momma.  I miss you so much.  So grateful to know that you are still near me.

Comforting words in a scary world

Still reveling in the great Ensign issue last month.  I found the following quote right after all heck and high water broke lose in Egypt last week.  I was starting to get scared and wanting to run around going "The End Is Near!  The End Is Near!"

Comforting words for scaredy cats like me...

In 1993, when President Howard W. Hunter (1907–1995) was president of the Quorum of the Twelve, he told young adults:

“I am here tonight to tell you that despair, doom, and discouragement are not an acceptable view of life for a Latter-day Saint. However high on the charts they are on the hit parade of contemporary news, we must not walk on our lower lip every time a few difficult moments happen to confront us. …

“Knowing what we know, and living as we are supposed to live, we really have no place, no excuse, for pessimism and despair.

“In my lifetime I have seen two world wars. … I have worked my way through the Depression and managed to go to law school while starting a young family at the same time. I have seen stock markets and world economics go crazy, and I have seen a few despots and tyrants go crazy, all of which causes quite a bit of trouble around the world in the process.

“So I am frank to say tonight that I hope you won’t believe all the world’s difficulties have been wedged into your decade, or that things have never been worse than they are for you personally, or that they will never get better.”

There are no better days than these days, because “these are [your] days” (Helaman 7:9). You are here on earth at this time for a reason. You have what it takes. You have skills, knowledge, and natural talents given to you from God. If you live righteously, you will have access to the inspiration and strength you will need to triumph over any challenge you face. You will have the protection of a worthy life; guidance from the Lord through the Holy Ghost and prophets, seers, and revelators; and the power of sacred promises that are yours because you keep your covenants.

Take these things that are yours and have a great life!

Best Article EVAHHHHHH!!!!

When I was a little girl, my favorite magazine was Highlights.  It had short articles and LOTS of games.  As an adolescent, it was Readers Digest.  It had short articles and lots and lots of jokes.  As a new bride, my favorite magazine was "People".  It had short articles and lots of gossip.  Took me a while to figure out that it was a rag magazine in sheep's clothing!  Oh well.

I'm not perfect, I'm NOT. but my favorite magazine now really is "The Ensign", which is a magazine published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.....my church.  And I love it.  The articles are short (generally) and they make me happy.  Each month I think "Wow, this is the BEST issue ever!"  And it is, until the next one hits my mailbox.

Maybe old age brings on silly sentimentality, but hopefully not.  Hopefully, in being closer of the age to meet God, I've grown to understand Him.

Well, with last month's issue I really do think I have discovered the best of the best in articles. It's intelligent, enlightening and takes care of those situations where I want to explain what I know to be true far better than I've been able to find the words for. This article is excerpted from an address given to the faculty and students of Harvard Law School on February 26, 2010.  It was given to provide an accurate overview of who we, as Mormons, are - rather than what the world misperceives us to be. It is not short.  It is detailed and insightful.

Fundamental To Our Faith

Alright, I effuse too much.  I'm old.  I'm allowed to. 

Flat Stanley Visits the Jones

   I received a request from Ruth Ellen and her class to participate in a class assignment.  A piece of paper was mailed to me that had a simple outline of a man.  I was asked to decorate it anyway I saw fit and then take this 'man' and do something fun with him that showed a local 'flavor'.  His name was Flat Stanley, and the following are my stories (two of em) about our adventures.  As you will see, they are written in newspaper format.
 
  This is for my darling Ruthie.  I love you sweetie!

Gram Jones

 

Flat Stanley ‘takes the plunge’ 

in Washington State

AP -  Sequim, WA  1/14/11

Ron and Nina Jones welcomed Flat Stanley from Alpine, Utah to their country home in Sequim.  Perched upon Burnt Mountain, and overlooking the beautiful San Juan Islands and Puget Sound, the Jones’ residence “is a wonderful place to welcome friends,” said Nina Jones.  “Flat Stanley came to us a little ‘undone’”, she admitted.  “But we soon spiffed him up”.

Flat Stanley tries to bike

Flat Stanley now sports a curly top, curly beard, button up shirt and dungarees.  “He looks like he was born here,” commented Ron Jones.  “Fits right in, if you ask me.”

The Jones then looked to see what activities Flat Stanley might enjoy during his visit.   They lent him their bicycle, but unfortunately Flat Stanley’s diminutive size prevented him from being able to reach the peddles.  

Flat Stanley displays the difficulty in driving

They offered him the use of their automobile, but he simply could not reach the steering wheel.

“We were headed towards a disaster,” worried Mrs. Jones.  “How were we going to entertain Stanley?”

Flat Stanley goes diving

Luckily, Mr. Jones’ hobby raising exotic fish and coral came in handy.  “My buddy Stanley decided that deep fish tank diving would be just the ticket.”  Mrs. Jones found specialized equipment from her pantry shelves, and Stanley was set to explore the tank to his heart’s content.

All Stanley could do by the end of his adventure was flash his half crooked smile.  He was obviously moved beyond words.

Flat Stanley ‘Saves the Day’ 

For Sequim Grandma

AP -  Sequim, WA  1/17/11

Flat Stanley and Mrs. Jones

Flat Stanley thought his adventure in Sequim was over.  He had packed his bags and was ready to return to Alpine, UT via the USPS service Tuesday morning.

All of that changed quickly Monday when a wood stove fire got out of hand at the Ron and Nina Jones homestead.

“I had started a fire in my stove at 10:00 a.m.,” explained Mrs. Jones.  “Then I went to help my mother for a few minutes.  That was my first mistake.”  It didn’t take very long before the fire became so big that it caught the creosote that had built up in the chimney on fire.

Creosote is a very dangerous condition that happens with wood burning stoves.  Creosote is a dark brown or black flammable tar deposited from wood smoke onto the walls of a chimney.  Creosote is highly flammable once it builds up through the winter months.

“Soon my smoke alarms went off – not because of any smoke, but because of the heat the chimney pipe was putting off,” Mrs. Jones continued.  “I could hear the fire in the pipe, and it began to glow bright red.  Then I got scared.”
 

It was Flat Stanley who helped Mrs. Jones know what to do.  “He told me to throw water on the fire in the fireplace …and to get it under control,” she said.  “It wasn’t easy.  I had to be careful not to fill the house up with smoke.  Mr. Stanley helped me.  I poured water on the fire and I shut down the flu of the stove.  But the chimney was still on fire.  That was when Mr. Stanley and I decided to call 911.  The emergency operator told me to get my mom out of the house and wait outside for the fire trucks to come.”

Flat Stanley with one of Sequim's Finest

10 minutes later the Clallam County Fire Department arrived and inspected the house.  After looking in the walls and going up into the attic, they declared the structure safe and sound.

“They told Flat Stanley that we did everything correct.  I was so grateful,” Mrs. Jones explained.  “They also said that the chimney and house had been built up to code and because the chimney had been very well insulated, it protected my house from catching on fire.”

Mrs. Jones summarized her experience “The Clallam County Fire Department is excellently staffed.  They helped me to secure my home and comforted me during an especially stressful situation.  Thank you Clallam County Fire Department.  And thank you Flat Stanley, for your excellent advice.”

Oh, well....make that 34 years!

My children have pointed out to me that Ron and I celebrated our 34th anniversary last Saturday, not 33rd. WOW, I really am sooooooooooooo bad with numbers.

Anyway, be that as it may - we took a wonderful mini vacation right in our own backyard and spent Christmas Eve / Christmas Day in Seattle.  Just Ron and I.  It was SO much fun!

Argosy Christmas Cruise

Tron 3D

A Christmas Carol at the ACT Theater

Dragon Restaruant

Seattle Aquarium

and our beautiful room with a beautiful view

my name is Nina, and I am a Mormon...

I've submitted information to be published on our Church's website - so has a lot of other people.  The idea is to help people know who we, as Mormons, really are and not as people have assumed we are.  Basically, the goal is to show that we are neighbors, friends and followers of Christ.  I'm thrilled (even if there ARE two typos), because this really is who I am and I think that it's important that people who know me, knows these things about me:

Hi, I'm Nina Suzanne

About Me

I am the mother of 3 plus stepmother to 1. I LOVE my kids.

I am the grandmother to 12. I could not possibly love them more.

I have been married to my husband for 32 (33 as of last Saturday) years. He is the center of my universe.

I have been a member of the Church for 31 years. It is where I have found my joy.

I have worked in the medical field and public health most of my adult life.

I love, love, LOVE to travel, which is good because I travel for work and travel to see grandchildren and travel to other countries for medical clinics.

Why I am a Mormon

My parents encouraged me to find my own faith. I went to many, many churches looking for the answer to a question that really bothered me when I was young...... I had asked my minister who the Holy Ghost was. His answer was that "we don't know really, but that's okay because it doesn't really matter."

Somehow I knew that this was not right. I knew that the Holy Ghost had to be a real person with a real purpose. Each church that I visited could not seem to answer that question for me.

Then I met my husband, who was a member of the LDS Church. He asked if I would like to meet the missionaries and I said yes. Our first lesson taught ma (me) about the Holy Ghost. I knew immediately that I had found him. It felt so right and so true. I never had a doubt. It was a joyous day when I was baptized and joined the true Church.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Church's position on abortion?

 The Church recognizes that every one is a child of God. They are all precious. They are all important. We live in a world that devalues the importance of a child....how they need to be loved and nurtured and cared for in the way Heavenly Father has taught us to.....exactly how He loves us. When we live a life that does not recognize the power and sacred responsibility of childbearing....and makes that responsibility 'disposable', it does not lift us up, it does not improve our world, and it completely devalues the worth of a soul.

What is the Relief Society?

Relief Society is a wonderful woman's organization. We are headed by women and are for women. Our motto is "Charity Never Faileth". We strive to provide compassion, love and service to the world and concentrate of (in) providing support to the women within our local churches (referred to as Wards). Every woman in our church has two women whose responsibility is to visit and watch over them to make sure that they are safe, sound and cared for. The Visiting Teaching program, provides an avenue to make sure that everyone understands that they are important.

Personal Stories

What are you doing to help strengthen your family and make it successful?

My family has many challenges. Sometimes it hurts so much knowing that they are ill, or lonely, or frightened. We love our family, and to see them in pain is one of the hardest situations we could possibly face. My husband and I pray, sincerely. We serve others, with the hope that there are others in our children's lives who are helping them. We keep in close contact with our children (who are all grown) to make sure that they know that we love and support them. We have faith, and strive everyday to use that faith. Most of all, we lean on the Lord - asking for guidance, comfort, strength and mercy. It is so exciting to see His hand in our lives....how he answers prayers and allows us to witness miracles. We are very blessed.

How I live my faith

I am in the leadership of our local women's group in church. I also coordinate having our ward members go out with our sister missionaries during the week. I've belonged to Soroptimist, Red Cross, and various civil and supportive community organizations because service is how I serve Heavenly Father the best. I currently work with my brother in the area of disability rights and support. I wear a ring that says "Integrity" and I strive to live that verb every day.

You can find more stories of others - or find this post at:  http://mormon.org/people/

Not so sunny Rexburg

It's snowing and it's cold. 

Audra did well with her surgery.  I'm not going to post any pics of her here - she'd probably never speak to me again.  Sufficient to say....

 

But she's doing remarkably well and I can leave tomorrow morning to Utah with no worries.  My lil' girl is alright.  It's been a great trip though.  Sure wish she lived closer!