An Email from Autumn

The students at East Tipp and the high schools get Chrome books and their own email addresses, so occasionally I get an email from a former student. Autumn M., a sixth grader who sent me flowers for my mother's funeral, dropped me a note yesterday.

Hi Mrs. I. It's Autumn, if you haven't already noticed by looking at who emailed you. How are you doing? East Tipp is awesome, how's Hershey? I miss your class, it's so different at East Tipp, with all of the classes and the homework. I saw your sister on the news for the Feast of the Hunters Moon. I remember you talking about her last year and how she had worked their. I'm learning how to play the clarinet this year. you played the flute, right? Well, I was just wondering how you were doing and if everything's doing well. Ethan and everybody else in my family wanted me to tell you that they said hi.

No big news or anything, just a sweet, staying-in-touch message.

And I love it.

"She's Mormon!"

I have been trying to be a better missionary and take opportunities to share what I believe when they arise. But sometimes others who know you step in and share before you yourself can!

Friday as we were winding up our time at Camp Tecumseh, a parent from another class came up to thank me for the field trip. "I am bringing all you teachers Starbucks on Monday - you deserve it. What would you like me to get you?" she asked.

"Oh, how nice!" I responded. "But I don't drink coffee; I'm a Mormon. Maybe some hot chocolate?"

Cindy Evans, a Hershey parent also on the trip who is a friend and used to be my classroom aide did not hear my response, but she sure heard the Starbucks question. I didn't even know she was standing behind me until she piped up.

"Oh, she's Mormon! She doesn't drink coffee. She doesn't drink alcohol, either!"

"Nor do I smoke," I interjected, thinking that, as long as the opportunity was open, I might as well seize it! But Cindy wasn't done, and she parroted something I had said to her in jest a few days ago.

"Yeah, this New Year's Eve she's going to drink a Coke straight. No Diet Coke for her; she's going for the sugar since it's been such a tough year for her family and they will be glad 2016 is over."

That poor parent looked a little bemused, murmured something like, "I didn't know that!" and moved off. Cindy turned and looked at me a bit sheepishly.

"I hope you don't mind that I told her about your religion, but you know I've got your back," she said sincerely.

Yes, Cindy, I know you have my back and I appreciate it. And I think you may have done a better job than I would have at getting out the fact that I am LDS, although in a bit of an unusual way!

General Women's Conference 2016

This is my favorite meeting of the year! I think of my daughters, granddaughters, and friends all together at the same time watching with me, united in faith. I feel the strength from that gathering across the world.

Sr. Linda K. Burton, General Relief Society President is conducting.

Joy D. Jones, First Counselor in the Primary Presidency
Charity. We may look at others with an inaccurate understanding. (Peacock mistaken for a chicken example.) Each one is doing their best.


Carole Stephens, First Counselor in General Relief Society
Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ. Feast upon the word of Christ. Our faith in Jesus Christ enables us to meet any challenge. Allow the healing power of the Savior into your life. You do not have to go through anything alone.


Bonnie Oscarson, YW General President
Have a strong testimony. Acknowledge how God and Christ are central to our faith. Recognize the divine nature of the restoration. Study and understand temple ordinances and covenants. Be bold in teaching our children true doctrine.


Elder Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in First Presidency
The women in his family have been refining influences for him. Help him to be a more sensitive Church leader. Activate the power of faith in our lives. Faith is a strong conviction that moves us to do things we might not otherwise do. There are more ways to see than our eyes, more ways to feel than with our hands, more ways to hear than with our ears. Just because we can't hear it doesn't mean someone else can't. There are different ways to see, hear, or feel something. "Listen harder" may not be the most helpful way.

Faith cannot violate another person's agency. God will not force anyone to follow the path of righteousness. Faith cannot force our will upon God - we can't force Him to comply with our desires. The purpose of faith is to empower us to act on God's will. Faith means we trust not only in God's wisdom, but also in His love. All things will work together for them that love God.

Walk by whatever faith we have, seeking to increase our faith. Faith comes to the humble, the diligent, the enduring; to those who pay the price. "Live in faith and the Lord our God will increase you a thousand times and bless you as He has promised."

Friday Night Lights

It's football season! Time for Friday nights with Craig and Lisa under the lights with the West Lafayette football team.

 Craig and Lisa during last night's game against the Rensselaer Bombers.

They are avid football fans; I am more  fan of the atmosphere. I like sitting outside on a beautiful fall evening, enjoying the sights, sounds, and people watching.

Together we watch, listen, laugh, and talk throughout the game, and I do pick up a tip or two. (How Craig remembers all those details about team members is beyond me!)

2017 Winter Forecast

The Farmers Almanac 2017 Winter Forecast is out.

Yeesh!!

Urbana Tornado '96

Bairds' Home Hit by a Tornado

Rod and Brenda Baird, long-time friends of ours from Illinois, lost their home last night to a tornado. It was a beautiful home, and had been in Rod's family for 116 years. I was Brenda's visiting teacher for a few years, and loved to drive out to see her and sit in that beautiful old home.

This is a picture of the tornado that hit them. Brenda's home is in the grove of trees on the left hand side of the picture.

Here is a clipping from The News Gazette:

— Champaign County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Allen Jones confirmed serious structural damage to a house at 2560 County Road 800 N, about 2 miles west of Illinois 49 and 2 miles south of Homer.

"It totaled the house. It's all shoved into the basement and into the field," said Homer Fire Chief Don Happ. "There was quite a debris field."

Residents Rodney and Brenda Baird were out to dinner, Happ said. There were no injuries but the family is missing a dog and two cats. Friends, neighbors and total strangers remained on-site at 8:30, looking for the animals.

The house this morning.

In a sad connection, Brenda's mom, Mary Danner, lost her home in the 1996 Urbana tornado when it moved on and hit Ogden. And if I remember right, that was actually the second time Mary's home in Ogden had been hit - she lived in it when the 1974 tornado practically leveled the town.

I am glad Rod and Brenda were not home when it hit, and I sure hope they find their dog and two cats. I know the Church will provide them with a lot of support as they begin cleaning up the debris and the arduous task of picking up the threads of their lives and moving forward.

Later in the day:
The dog has been found!

 Brenda hugs Syria after she is pulled from the rubble of the home.

The family does not know who these men are, but they went into the remains of the house and found the dog. I hope the cats are found soon, too.

Another Zipper

"I have a zipper!" Ian announced when I arrived at his home this evening.

"What??" I replied in confusion.

"A zipper!" he repeated.

And then it hit me - he was referring to the incision I had had on my back after my surgery this summer. 

He had caught sight of it and been unsettled. I explained that it was just a "zipper" in my back, that it didn't hurt, and reassured him that I was okay.

Last Saturday at my mother's funeral, Ian got a scratch on his belly from Curt's sunglasses. 

 It does bear a resemblance to my incision; hence, a zipper!

Our First Temple Service Anniversary

The Indianapolis Temple opened on Tuesday, August 25, 2015.  We were there that night, beginning our three year calling as ordinance workers. It was closed for cleaning on that date a year later, and reopened yesterday.

To celebrate, Brother Weiss took our photo as we ended the evening's service.

Mom's Funeral

Mom's funeral was held on Saturday, September 3, at Soller-Baker Funeral Home West Lafayette. Because there was a Purdue home football game at noon, we chose to hold the funeral at 1:00 to dodge the traffic. (The funeral home is on the main route from West Lafayette to the stadium.)

A rough draft of the funeral plans. Sarah gave the opening prayer.

Our kids met early at the funeral home to practice with the pianist.

 Mila crawled around at their feet while they did so.

 Having our children sing at family funerals is fast becoming a tradition. They are really good!

After rehearsing, the family waited for the funeral to begin. Sissy's husband, Ned, had collapsed upon arrival in Indiana the night before. He was admitted to the hospital (IU Arnett) and was being treated for pneumonia.

 We assured Sissy we would wait for her. (Ned was not able to make it.)

 She arrived about twenty minutes late, but we were so glad to have her.

Eric Seymour played a Mozart prelude and postlude mingled with hymns and children's hymns. (Mom knew Eric and really liked him. And his ability to play is second to none!)

After arriving, greeting us, and taking some private time with my mother, Sissy sat down with me, snagging baby Kate along the way.

 Sissy is a favorite relative for all of us! (And she doesn't look like she's in her 70s!)

Craig conducted the service at Mom's request. He did a wonderful job; you feel safe and secure when he leads.

 The first song our kids sang was Each Life that Touches Ours for Good.

 1. Each life that touches ours for good

Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;

Thou sendest blessings from above

Thru words and deeds of those who love.

2. What greater gift dost thou bestow,

What greater goodness can we know

Than Christlike friends, whose gentle ways

Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.

3. When such a friend from us departs,

We hold forever in our hearts

A sweet and hallowed memory,

Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.

4. For worthy friends whose lives proclaim

Devotion to the Savior's name,

Who bless our days with peace and love,

We praise thy goodness, Lord, above.

Text: Karen Lynn Davidson, b. 1943. (c) 1985 IRI

Music: A. Laurence Lyon, 1934-2006. (c) 1985 IRI

Leslie and I gave the eulogy and the opened the mic for anyone who wanted to say something.

Sissy spoke and offered a beautiful perspective on my mother's life. She even multitasked, holding Kate until she became fussy partway through the service.

All our kids, Vanessa, and Andrew spoke. It was quite touching.

 Then, we had another song, Abide with Me.

Julie came up to observe her parents, aunts, and uncles sing, and did some joyful hopping around, too.

1. Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
   The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide;
   When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
   Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.
2. Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
   Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away;
   Change and decay in all around I see—
   O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
3. I need Thy presence every passing hour;
   What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s pow’r?
   Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
   Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.
4. Text: Henry F. Lyte, 1793-1847
   Music: William H. Monk, 1823-1889
5. 
   After Andrew said the closing prayer, my sisters and I gathered around for one last goodbye to our mother.

We called Steve to join us.

I love this photo of Ian watching us.

We asked the processional to drive down North River Road so that Mom could go past her home one last time. Then we headed up Robinson to Salisbury Street and Grandview Cemetery. (I love that it overlooks Happy Hallow Park.)

 The vault has a very familiar name on it!

 Along with Mom's, too, of course!

 Pallbearers waiting to take her to her final resting place.

 Cole, Kyle, and Curt facing the camera.

 Heading up the hill.

 Eric, Rick, and Steve in back; Curt, Kyle, and Cole in front.

 Mom requested that the family eat at MCL Cafeteria after her funeral (and on her dime.)

 We went at 4:00 to beat the post-football game rush.

 And we filled a whole quarter of the dining hall!

Mom's Visitation

Mom's visitation was held Friday, September 2, from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at Soller-Baker Funeral Home in West Lafayette.

Her casket is made of solid sycamore - we chose that because of the sycamore trees in the woods around her home and along the river.

We had a beautiful casket spray with our name for her on it...

... her grandchildren's name for her...

... and, the great-grandchildren's.

The flowers were beautiful!

Sissy and Ned sent this beautiful wreath.

From my cousins, Elizabeth, Robert, Shannon, and Jenny came this arrangment.

Craig's sister, Carla, and her kids sent this beautiful bouquet.

 I puzzled over the card on this one. Who were Mr. and Mrs. Ethan and Autumn Miller?

Then it hit me - former students who are now 9th and 7th graders! How sweet!

I can't find my picture of the orchids, but my sister-in-love, Cindie, made sure we all had an orchid to take home. She also made up a gorgeous vase of flowers, but I can't find the picture I took of it. (I'll post it later when I do.)

It may have been a somber occasion, but there were moments of levity.

 Such as when Julie hid under her Aunt Sarah's skirt.

Oh, dear!!

Or Mila and Julie playing on the floor.

Mila scooted across the floor and checked out a visitor's shoes!

Children liven things up, and for me, are a welcome sight, even at a sad occasion!