I have been doing some sewing and since my sewing stuff was out Emma wanted me to teach her how to sew. She decided she wanted to make a bag. This is her bad. She did just about everything. She did a GREAT job!!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Grandpa Rob's Conversion Story
March 27, 1971
40 year anniversary!
Forty years ago my father was baptized. My father was 22 years old. Without this pivotal moment in his life I would not have been blessed with everything that I enjoy today. I am indeed grateful for that. It is also amazing to me that a twenty-two year old guy would be willing to give up late nights and drinking for the idea of Eternal Families! But I am so happy he did!
{His Story}
In 1968 my dad and his friend, Carlton, suspected that they would soon be drafted {Vietnam War}. So they went to see about joining on the buddy system. My dad joined the army in November 1968, as planned. Carlton was drafted just two weeks before my dad joined.
January 1969 my dad was inducted into Basic Training in Fort Benning, GA. He said it was like Boy Scout camp, but they carried M-14 rifles. Carlton and dad had the same Drill Sergeant, but Carlton was one cycle ahead of my father. My dad then attended Advanced Training in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. In November 1969, my dad found himself serving in Company A 656 Engineer Battlion at Thompkins Barack outside of Schwetzingen, Germany. He served in Germany for two years. There he was introduced to the Gospel.
November 1969 in Germany, he became roommates with Sam Gellion and Larry Flucker. When my dad was off duty: Sam was his drinking buddy and Larry, a black guy, was his traveling buddy. Allen Stentzel joined their group in the Fall of 1970, about a year after my dad arrived in Germany. Allen {Al} was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was also a Returned Missionary {Oklahoma/Kansas/Missouri Area}.
On Friday & Saturday nights my dad and Sam would go drinking and dancing with German girls. On Sundays he would "drag his butt out of bed" to go to church with Al, for the sole purpose of seeing/meeting American girls. This became a normal routine.
Just weeks later, they attended Stake Conference. Harman Recker, a general authority {seventy}, spoke and shared his conversion story in the Navy. This peaked my dad's interest. While carpooling to/from the meeting the Missionaries bugged him about taking the discussions. The barracks had just stopped showing movies on Wednesday nights, and now that my dad had free time he agreed to meet with them...with the stipulation that Al could attend with him. They easily agreed.
They began the discussions in February and six weeks later they finished, at some time in March. Herald, a member of the ward, also attended the discussions and was supportive of my dad. During the discussions, if you know my dad you have to know that he really enjoyed playing devils advocate and just giving the missionaries a hard time. During his last discussion they asked him if he would commit to baptism. He said "Yes." My dad said that Herald was so shocked he thought he was going to have a heart attack. By this point, my dad had already told his Branch President and Al that he wanted to be baptized.
{Important Dates}
March 27, 1971 my dad was baptized by Herald and confirmed by Allen. Just days later he became a Deacon, four months later he became a Teacher, and four months later he became a Priest. All this took place in Germany.
August 2, 1972, the Oakland Temple, he received his Endowments.
November 8, 1974, the Salt Lake Temple, he was Sealed to his sweetheart {My Mother}.
{What was His Religious Background?}
My Grandma Margret was an Episcopalian. My Grandpa Robert was a Lutheran. As a family they attended the Lutheran Church until he was about 10 years old. After his parents divorce he attended the Episcopalian church with his mother. He didn't have deep ties to ether church.
{Why did He Join?}
Family. He said it was refreshing to see functioning families, when he felt as though his was so dysfunctional. The members were great examples, supportive, and had strong families. He also liked the concept and belief of Eternal Families. It all came down to family.
{How did his Parents React?}
His mom didn't care, she was happy he was going to church.
His dad thought it was okay to study other religions, but he didn't want him to join any.
His sister, and only sibling, didn't really have an opinion on the subject.
{What about the Word of Wisdom?}
My dad like to drink with his buddies. During the second or third discussion, the missionaries brought up the Word of Wisdom. After that meeting he never drank again. He stopped cold turkey. He was never interested in Coffer or Tea. He had tried smoking and pipe, but didn't really like it...so he didn't have any issues with following this guidance.
{Did he serve a mission?}
No. My dad was baptized at the age of 22. He returned to the United States just before he turned 23, at that time his Bishop in Atlanta counseled that he focus on getting married. I think this was mostly due to his age.
40 year anniversary!
Forty years ago my father was baptized. My father was 22 years old. Without this pivotal moment in his life I would not have been blessed with everything that I enjoy today. I am indeed grateful for that. It is also amazing to me that a twenty-two year old guy would be willing to give up late nights and drinking for the idea of Eternal Families! But I am so happy he did!
{His Story}
In 1968 my dad and his friend, Carlton, suspected that they would soon be drafted {Vietnam War}. So they went to see about joining on the buddy system. My dad joined the army in November 1968, as planned. Carlton was drafted just two weeks before my dad joined.
January 1969 my dad was inducted into Basic Training in Fort Benning, GA. He said it was like Boy Scout camp, but they carried M-14 rifles. Carlton and dad had the same Drill Sergeant, but Carlton was one cycle ahead of my father. My dad then attended Advanced Training in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. In November 1969, my dad found himself serving in Company A 656 Engineer Battlion at Thompkins Barack outside of Schwetzingen, Germany. He served in Germany for two years. There he was introduced to the Gospel.
November 1969 in Germany, he became roommates with Sam Gellion and Larry Flucker. When my dad was off duty: Sam was his drinking buddy and Larry, a black guy, was his traveling buddy. Allen Stentzel joined their group in the Fall of 1970, about a year after my dad arrived in Germany. Allen {Al} was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was also a Returned Missionary {Oklahoma/Kansas/Missouri Area}.
On Friday & Saturday nights my dad and Sam would go drinking and dancing with German girls. On Sundays he would "drag his butt out of bed" to go to church with Al, for the sole purpose of seeing/meeting American girls. This became a normal routine.
Just weeks later, they attended Stake Conference. Harman Recker, a general authority {seventy}, spoke and shared his conversion story in the Navy. This peaked my dad's interest. While carpooling to/from the meeting the Missionaries bugged him about taking the discussions. The barracks had just stopped showing movies on Wednesday nights, and now that my dad had free time he agreed to meet with them...with the stipulation that Al could attend with him. They easily agreed.
They began the discussions in February and six weeks later they finished, at some time in March. Herald, a member of the ward, also attended the discussions and was supportive of my dad. During the discussions, if you know my dad you have to know that he really enjoyed playing devils advocate and just giving the missionaries a hard time. During his last discussion they asked him if he would commit to baptism. He said "Yes." My dad said that Herald was so shocked he thought he was going to have a heart attack. By this point, my dad had already told his Branch President and Al that he wanted to be baptized.
{Important Dates}
March 27, 1971 my dad was baptized by Herald and confirmed by Allen. Just days later he became a Deacon, four months later he became a Teacher, and four months later he became a Priest. All this took place in Germany.
August 2, 1972, the Oakland Temple, he received his Endowments.
November 8, 1974, the Salt Lake Temple, he was Sealed to his sweetheart {My Mother}.
{What was His Religious Background?}
My Grandma Margret was an Episcopalian. My Grandpa Robert was a Lutheran. As a family they attended the Lutheran Church until he was about 10 years old. After his parents divorce he attended the Episcopalian church with his mother. He didn't have deep ties to ether church.
{Why did He Join?}
Family. He said it was refreshing to see functioning families, when he felt as though his was so dysfunctional. The members were great examples, supportive, and had strong families. He also liked the concept and belief of Eternal Families. It all came down to family.
{How did his Parents React?}
His mom didn't care, she was happy he was going to church.
His dad thought it was okay to study other religions, but he didn't want him to join any.
His sister, and only sibling, didn't really have an opinion on the subject.
{What about the Word of Wisdom?}
My dad like to drink with his buddies. During the second or third discussion, the missionaries brought up the Word of Wisdom. After that meeting he never drank again. He stopped cold turkey. He was never interested in Coffer or Tea. He had tried smoking and pipe, but didn't really like it...so he didn't have any issues with following this guidance.
{Did he serve a mission?}
No. My dad was baptized at the age of 22. He returned to the United States just before he turned 23, at that time his Bishop in Atlanta counseled that he focus on getting married. I think this was mostly due to his age.
Monday, March 14, 2011
E & A
When I had Allie, Emma wanted to "Help" with her. She wan't quite big enough. Now that she is 8 she is such a big help. She can watch him, hold him, carry him, etc. without me having to constantly watch her. I'm not a nervous wreck, I trust her! She is a great big sister!!
Friday, March 11, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
My 4 Kids
This is what happens when you have a baby, the other kids get neglected and look like they live on the streets.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Finally Getting to Meet Aaron
After waiting patiently to see Aaron they finally got to when we came home from the hospital Saturday night.
Aaron and his Bili Bed
Since Aaron was early he had jaundice. Most babies do, but he needed extra help from a bili bed to help it go away. Before they checked us out of the hospital they sent home the home tanning suitcase (the bili bed) for babies with us. They told us that he needed to be in the bed unless he was eating. They also gave us the goggles as they call them to protect his eyes from the lights. When we got home I fed him and then put him in. He hated it! We put him in our closet because it was so bright and I made a bed next to him on the floor. He cried and was so sad. He was freezing cold so I put socks on him and turned up the heat. His temperature had dropped and that wasn't enough so I called the hospital and they told me to put a blanket over the opening of his bili bed to keep the heat in. That did it! Finally about 2 am when I think he was warm enough fell asleep.
One of the cool things about it was that even though he was so sad I was patient and never once got frustrated or upset with him or the situation. Having 4 kids has helped to give me patience.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Birthday Party at the Hospital
Emma, Nathan, Kamerie, and Allie
When a baby is born at our hospital the hospital gives brownies and ice cream to the older siblings to celebrate the baby's birthday. Since Aaron was born during RSV season my kids weren't allowed to come back to the maternity wing to see him. When they went to bed Thursday night they had no idea I was in labor and before they woke up Friday morning they had a new brother. I didn't say good bye to them. I wanted to see them and they wanted to see me so Grandma Janice brought them to the lobby of the hospital and we had a party with brownies and ice cream to celebrate Aaron's birthday.
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