THE BEST Thanksgiving!!

A week or so before we received our call to serve in the Family and Church History Headquarters Mission we found out that our daughter Stephanie Lund and husband, Darrell were going to have a baby!!!!!! This was a wonderful surprise--their first and long awaited by their Grandma. The day after we received our call we found out that they were having TWINS!!!!! Yes, two babies. Something I had always wanted. A couple of weeks later we found out the twins were a boy and a girl--one of each flavor!! (Sorry about all the !!!! My kids always tease me about how many I use when I write anything. Hey, this was exciting and I couldn't decide where not to put a !).

Since Stephanie was already 3 months along when she found out, the waiting time was really cut and the due date was 2 December. The doctors told Stephanie that they would induce labor at 38 weeks instead of 40 weeks which meant the new date was 20 November--the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.

We were given permission by our mission president to be in Chandler, AZ the week the babies were born. Such a wonderful Thanksgiving it was going to be.

We decided to drive, since flying standby at Thanksgiving is a pretty risky proposition. We spent the first night in St. George, UT with my Mom. We had an extra special blessing because our second daughter, Jennilyn Ball, and her family were also visiting "Nana". We were able to see our only grandchild, Malena, that night and for a few hours the next morning. That was a wonderful time. Here is a picture of the 4 generations!!!

It is hard to believe that Malena is growing up so fast! She will be eight (27 July) the day after our release. We planned it that way so that we would be able to attend her baptism, although the mission does allow missionaries to leave and attend special family events. We were not quite sure when we put in our papers to serve if that was still possible.

The babies were born 20 November right before 10 pm. The 20 November is very special because that was Len's dad's 108th birthday--Carl Frederick Gunner Ingermanson.

Drew Robert Lund came first and weighed 6 lbs. 1 oz. and was 19 inches long. Three minutes later, Harper Kayla Lund made her entrance at 5 lbs. 11 ozs. and was 18.5 inches long. They were very healthy and had all their important parts!! Mom didn't even have a c-section which was a wonderful blessing!

They came home on Thanksgiving Day which really made the day even more "thankful". Len left a couple of days later, on Saturday and I stayed until the next Thursday.

Twins are a lot more than twice as much work. They have got to be 50 times more work. I can only imagine the next few years. Good luck to Stephanie and Darrell. They are not having these kids when they are in their 20s. They are in their 40s!!!!! They are doing an incredible job. These sweet babies are really blessed to have such awesome parents.

The day before I left, our youngest daughter, Emily Hawken, flew in from Bellevue, WA to help for a week. This was a double blessing because she was a great help with 2 more hands but she is expecting her first baby in March 2013 and this was the best prenatal class she could ever take---she got to learn first hand with TWO babies. She did say that things were not as hectic as she had envisioned and that one would surely be easier than two. She is a photographer and took over 370 pictures while she was there.

Our daughter, Julie, flew in from St. Louis, MO while Emily was there to also help. That's right--FOUR adults and TWO babies. Julie was able to do a 10 day transfer with her company, so she did work during the day at the Tempe, AZ office. That was an awesome thing her company did since she had no vacation to use.

Here are some of my favorite photos of THE BABIES as they are known in the family. There are several posted on Emily's blog--NOT 370+! Take a look, you will not be disappointed. Just click on the colored link and it will take you to the pictures.

This is a pretty new Drew.

Here is new little Harper.

Here are some of Aunt Emily's pictures.

Here are the ones Stephanie sent showing how their going home outfits now fit--almost don't fit in Drew's case. He has really filled out.

I can hardly believe they will be 8 months old the next time we see them.
Yup, I think you can see why it was THE BEST Thanksgiving!

Slacker!!!

Sorry I have been such a slacker in posting things on the blog. I have kind of hit a spot I never thought I would be in--not wanting to be on the computer. No, that is not quite correct. I just don't want to write or create on the computer.

My duties on our mission have me training new Family History Center directors over the phone, one-on-one. I absolutely love that part. The hard part is writing and sending the follow-up email after the training. That is the part that is burning me out to wanting to post to the blog. My follow-up emails tend to be lengthy and in much detail so they take a lot of time to write. . . so when I get home at night, the last thing I want to do is type long posts.

I have never been really good at letter writing, as many of you can vouch, because I tend to be really long winded and write way too much and in too much detail--just like right now. When I was 15, I had a really good friend who moved back to Pittsburgh where her family was from. I vowed to keep her informed of all that was going on in Idaho Falls. I would send her 50, yes 50, page letters. I guess that is where it all began.

I have never been really good at keeping a journal because again, I get too long winded and it takes too much time to write in such great detail. On our last mission I was really faithful in keeping a journal for the first 6-7 months and then things started to falling apart the last 5 months. We also had a family blog that fell apart because I didn't keep it up like I should have!

This time I was going to be better. Blogs are so popular and I read lots of them, so surely I could keep up like all those other bloggers. I thought that this blog could serve two purposes: 1. Keep everyone informed about what was going on with us, thus eliminating writing letters and 2. It could serve as a journal of sorts. I just forgot one thing--blogging is just another name for writing letters that reach lots of people at one time AND journaling. So. . .my long windedness has not gone away and I have fallen again into the trap of getting behind.

Since it is 30 Dec and there are just 1.5 days left in this year 2012, I am again reflecting on the past and projecting for the New Year. I will try better to post more often because I really do have a lot to share with you. This is an amazing experience and I do want everyone to know what is going on. I will be posting about things that have happened over the last several months and they may be late and a little out of date but I hope you still enjoy them!

May your New Year--2013--be the best ever!!!! May you enjoy good health, happiness and joy in life around you.

Poem: A Genealogist's Christmas Eve

I have read this poem several times on different websites. It is very appropriate for this Christmas Eve. Oops, I forgot to post this on Christmas Eve! At the end I posted a couple of websites where I have seen the poem. I do not want to infringe on anyone's blog copyrights.

Genealogist's Christmas Eve

'Twas the night before Christmas
When all through the house
Not a creature was stirring,
Not even my spouse.

   The dining room table with clutter was spread
With pedigree charts and with letters which said...
"Too bad about the data for which you wrote;
Sank in a storm on an ill-fated boat."

   Stacks of old copies of wills and such
Were proof that my work had become too much.
Our children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.

   And I at my table was ready to drop
From work on my album with photos to crop.
Christmas was here, and such was my lot
That presents and goodies and toys I'd forgot.

   Had I not been busy with grandparents' wills,
I'd not have forgotten to shop for such thrills,
While others bought gifts to bring Christmas cheers,
I'd spent time researching those birth dates and years.

   While I was thus musing about my sad plight,
A strange noise on the lawn gave me such a great fright.
Away to the window I flew in a flash,
Tore open the drapes and yanked up the sash.

   When what with my wondering eyes should appear,
But an overstuffed sleigh and eight small reindeer.
Up to the house top the reindeer they flew,
With a sleigh full of toys and 'ole Santa Claus, too.

   And then in a twinkle, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of thirty-two hoofs.
As I drew in my head, and bumped it on the sash,
Down the cold chimney fell Santa--KER-RASH!

   "Dear" Santa had come from the roof in a wreck,
And tracked soot on the carpet, (I could wring his short neck!)
Spotting my face, good 'ole Santa could see
I had no Christmas spirit you'd have to agree.

   He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work
And filled all the stockings, (I felt like a jerk).
Here was Santa, who'd brought us such gladness and joy:
When I'd been too busy for even one toy.

   He spied my research on the table all spread
"A genealogist!" He cried!  (My face was all red!)
"Tonight I've met many like you," Santa grinned,
As he pulled from his sack a large book he had penned.

   I gazed with amusement--the cover it read
Genealogy Lines for Which You Have Plead.
"I know what it's like as a genealogy bug."
He said as he gave me a great Santa hug.

   "While the elves make the sleighful of toys I now carry,
I do some research in the North Pole Library!
A special treat I am thus able to bring,
To genealogy folk who can't find a thing."

   "Now off you go to your bed for a rest,
I'll clean up the house from this genealogy mess."
As I climbed up the stairs full of gladness and glee,
I looked back at Santa who'd brought much to me.

   While settling in bed, I heard Santa's clear whistle,
To his team, which then rose like the down of a thistle.
And I heard him exclaim as he flew out of sight,
"Family history is Fun!  Merry Christmas!  Goodnight!"

                                                                       --Author Unknown

Here are a few of the places I have seen the poem:

http://genealogy.about.com/library/blchristmaseve.htm

http://news.legacyfamilytree.com/legacy_news/2012/12/genealogists-christmas-eve.html

http://newsletter.k-f-g-online.info/V3/n1/a_genealogists_christmas.htm

Concerts in the Park

When you are slow like me, sometimes the posts are REALLY outdated and almost too old to post but never fear. I am posting it anyway!

During the summer months of June-Aug. there are two concerts every week as part of the Temple Square Concert Series. They are held in the Brigham Young Historic Park. They are free and last a little over an hour. Workers set up several hundred white plastic lawns chairs the morning of and take them down immediately after, with the help of the audience. There is always plenty of room for blankets and lawn chairs brought from home.

They usually have a great mix of genres, some pretty well known and others who are trying to more widely introduce themselves to the area. This year we went to two and I went to another one without Len.

We saw Mercy River. They are a trio of beautiful women with gorgeous voices. I have heard and read a lot about them because they are frequent participants in the Time Out For Women tours by Deseret Book. I have always wanted to see them. I enjoyed them a lot and was not disappointed. In fact, I could have listened a lot longer.

Another group we saw was Octapella. They are a group of 7 great guys who do wonders with their voices only. I could have listened to them for many more hours. I have found that the Salt Lake area has many a  cappella groups, both male and female and many are darned wonderful!!!!! I love good a cappella music.

I then went to see Cherie Call. She is another singer that participates in the Time Out for Women tours. I have seen her CDs advertised many times in Deseret Book catalogs and on emails from them. She was very good but my least favorite of the 3 I saw.

When I saw the list of those who performed before we got here I was really disappointed because I missed them! I loved the concerts the last time we were here and I loved them this year. I am excited to attend them again next summer.

If you are in the SLC area during the summer months on a Tuesday or Friday night, catch the FREE Concert in the Park. You won't be sorry.

Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square

There are many people who know nothing about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or the Mormon Church but they have heard of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. It is wonderful to live so close to them and their performances while we are serving a mission here in Salt Lake.

One month after the Mormon pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley the choir was founded in August 1847. Since July 15, 1929, the choir has performed a weekly radio broadcast called Music and the Spoken Word, which is the longest continuing radio network broadcast in the world. The show has been televised since the early 1960s and is now broadcast worldwide through some 2,000 radio, television stations and cable systems.

Ronald Reagan once called them "America's Choir". 

There are 360 men and women in the choir. They can be as young as 25 and they can serve for 20 years or until age 60, whichever comes first. They must live within 100 miles of the Tabernacle on Temple Square. They have a Thursday evening rehearsal that is open to the public and the broadcast is every Sunday morning at 9:30 am (MST).

 

I have been disappointed that Tucson has never carried the weekly broadcast of the program on any radio or TV station. I am including a list of all the ways that you can get a LIVE broadcast every Sunday morning at 9:30 am (MST). 

Sirius XM Radio—Channel  143

Satellite TV  Dish Network—Channel  9403

Satellite TV  DirecTV—Channel  374

It is also live stream on KSL.com  (radio station here in SLC) and on BYUTV.

Each cable company is different for BYUTV so you will have to check was listings guide.
BYUTV's website is here and you can also go to to their DVR tab(I little way down on the page) and watch earlier programs.

Today, 11 Nov 2012 there was a very special Veteran's Day program and it is available by going here. Just click on the word "here" (in the previous sentence and it will take you right to the program!!!
 

During the summer months (June-Aug.) and during the month of Dec., when there are more visitors to SLC and Temple Square, the weekly Sunday broadcast is held in the Conference Center so there is room for a larger audience. The rest of the time they are in the Tabernacle on Temple Square. 

Every week the host, Lloyd D. Newell gives an inspirational message that ties in with the musical selections that are performed that day. I love the short but uplifting thoughts he gives! I found that the messages can be read and even printed from this website.

The Orchestra at Temple Square accompanies the choir most every week. It was created in 1999 and has developed into a nationally recognized symphony orchestra. The Orchestra undertakes its own concert season performing many times a year.

Like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the 110-member Orchestra is purely a volunteer organization. Many of the Orchestra’s members are professional musicians who give their time and talents in support of the Church without any financial compensation.

The choir did announce on 31 Oct. that they have launched their own YouTube channel and it is HD quality. The address is YouTube.com/MormonTabChoir.They also have a website. The YouTube Channel will be a place to go to view previous Sunday morning broadcasts. I just checked it out and it is a pretty awesome place to listen to the choir.

Twice a year they hold tremendously popular special programs--the 24th of July and the Christmas Concert. Both are so popular that the tickets are obtain through a lottery. There are performances on Thurs., Fri., and Sat., evenings and a shortened performance on Sunday for the weekly broadcast. The performances are in the Conference Center which is across from Temple Square and our apartment!! The performance is free but tickets are required. 

The Christmas program is not carried on BYUTV like many other programs. The Sunday morning shortened  concert will be broadcast at the choir's usual 9:30 am slot. The entire Christmas concert is recorded and shown the next Christmas season, usually on PBS stations and is sold on DVD.

This year's Christmas Concert is 13-16 Dec. The two guest performers are Alfie Boe who played Jean Valjean at the Les Miserables 25th Anniversary concerts in London and TV journalist, Tom Brokaw. The ticket sign up started 13-22 Oct. Only one ticket request per household. We emailed our kids and asked them to sign up so that we would have a better chance for getting tickets. We received our rejection email this week that we did not get tickets. The email said that there were over a million requests!!! The good news is that 2 of our kids did get tickets. We will be able to share with other missionaries.

There is nothing quite like hearing the choir in person. They are wonderful on CDs and watching on TV but there is nothing to compare to hearing and seeing them in person.  It is a wonderful way to begin each Sabbath day.