Sunny California to Sunny Utah and Back

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From sunny California to sunny Utah and back...

Almost everything has been shutting down: concerts, schools, church services, workplaces, gyms, pools, gatherings of more than just a small number of people. Social and work communication is over the internet or by phone or other social media. Stores are out of hand sanitizer, wipes, paper towels, and sometimes there is hoarding of ordinary groceries. Trips and flights and entertainment are canceled for how long, no one knows. What will be the effect of this deadly Corona virus (COVID-19) that has upstaged even the U.S. primary elections that have been so controversial. The first cases appeared in Wuhan,China, thought to have originated in an animal market, but this respiratory flu-like epidemic has become a pandemic, something not seen since the Spanish flu of a century ago. It is advised that hands be washed often for 20 seconds with soap and water, coughing into elbow, or handkerchief and then disposed of. Incubation can be from 2-14 days. Symptoms are coughing, shortness of breath or fever. It tends to affect those with compromised health and the older members of the population, though anyone can be a carrier. My son Peter and family have  spent the last 2 months in Washington DC, but return next week to BYU, Provo, with the interns she has been supervising, "thanks" to the virus. I had planned to visit in April, but, alas, that trip is now cancelled.

Before stronger measures were advised, I left the California flowers and blossoming trees, activities, and friends, for a few days' visit to two daughters and their families in Utah. I wish we lived closer, but I'm not ready to move there yet. While in Utah, my youngest son Marc announced he will be working for the church in digital marketing, so as of June four of my five children will live in Utah. 

Hank Taylor is the youngest 89 year old I know! And Colette one of the best hostesses! Birthday party friends shared "most interesting jobs they'd had", though probably no one has had such a variety as Hank himself. Some were horrific (Norris Finlayson's early pathology experiences) and some scary and dangerous, others just hilarious! 

I always try for a window seat flying over my favorite lake,Tahoe

My daughter Julie and girls whisked me off from the Salt Lake City airport to the University of Utah art museum with some amazing Japanese and other artists' work...

I love these paintings by James Taylor (?) Harwood (above) and still life by his wife.

by a Swedish artist

I always love Diego Rivera's art

Utah had recently had snow but it was warm and sunny when I arrived.  The Carlston kids were in a wonderful Churchill middle school (above, where their dad attended, too....I can't remove the duplicate!) production of the Wizard of Oz. Sixth grade twins John (without his monkey costume) and Luke practiced for 2 months, 7 year old twins Elise and Stephanie and other cast siblings were invited to be munchkins with a short practice at the last minute...a fun gesture!

The next day my daughter Julie took her kindergarten camp kids to find special rocks at Pete's Rock/Mountain

Phoebe and I tagged along and talked mom into returning the next morning to a trail along the Wasatch.

Friday afternoon I took the light rail "Frontrunner" to Provo to visit daughter Emily Taylor and family. We saw a BYU production of "Little Shop of Horrors," enjoyed some Improv Comedy, attended the Provo City Temple, and watched Andrew (#7) score in overtime in the Provo High School basketball gym. 

Sunday morning I was thrilled to attend the farewell talk of Elder Mark Taylor (friends Marian and George Taylor's son, with two of his many cousins: elder on right served in Kenya). They are the other Taylor family in their Provo ward. Mark should now be in the Provo Mission Training Center before serving in Guayaquil, Ecuador West Mission, but his training will be remote, thanks to the Coronavirus

Mark's grandparents are Hank and Colette (the "dwarf") Taylor, my friends in Palo Alto Foothills ward. Tim Schmalbeck (the "giant"), their foster son, came with his family to the farewell. So nice to see Tim, his wife and 6 kids again!

I visited with my Spain missionary friends the Zimmermans who drove me back up to Salt Lake to spend the night with the Carlstons before returning to California on Monday. I hope I don't get tired of my steady diet of reading, writing, walking and cooking, limited by corona virus restrictions. At least the weather is great in this beautiful part of the world. I know all will be well.

California has recently lost a favorite star. Our world is filled with wonderful people who are great role models. May we all be such examples of service, dedication, and hope for others, especially for our young people. We are also worried about actor Tom Hanks (who played Fred Rogers, the wonderful TV friend of children) and his wife who have the virus.

Amazing Los Angeles Lakers basketball star, Kobe Bryant and his 13 year old daughter were killed along with 7 others in a helicopter crash January 26, 2020, are remembered with many murals, memorial service and many tears.

February

Today was the long-anticipated baptism of Daytin Verdi (second from right) by his best friend Iran Montiego in Menlo Park (the same place I was baptized in 1967, and Paul Gilman (below) a few years later (giving a beautiful talk on baptism, sharing that repentance is the Lord's law of growth; real joy is powerful as we call upon God's power)

Lynne Wilson emphasized in her talk that we must have the purifying, sanctifying gift of the Holy Spirit of Promise, solidified in the saving ordinances, to protect us, to help us return to God.

These three elders sang, accompanied and signed the hymn "Be still my Soul." Daytin's mom Kristin came down from Seattle to share the happy day. She is not a member of our church but spoke, saying that not long ago she was heard the spirit tell her she would go through hard times, but that Heavenly Father would hold her up and that she would handle it with grace. Tomorrow Daytin will be confirmed in church, receiving the Holy Ghost.

Daytin received a beautiful picture of the Oakland Temple, to keep in mind that his next goal is to receive a temple recommend

Daytin and Iran's friend Obinson traveled from the Dominican Republic to attend. We enjoyed talking about mutual friends and the beautiful country where I served my first temple mission in 2010-11 (I arrived exactly 10 years ago). He lives in the same stake, Independencia, which I attended there. Small world!

Celebrating Valentine's Day and "prime timers" in our ward who have winter birthdays at the home of Carolyn Pettegrew.

February in California holds promises of spring, and, as everywhere in the U.S., it is the month we celebrate Valentine's Day, the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington and other special people. Jean Gong (who shares a birthday with me), turned 94 on February 5. Daughter Marguerite threw her a party. She doesn't get out too much now, but looked vibrant as guests came to her home to wish her Happy Birthday!

With very young-acting and longtime friends Hank (turning 88) and Colette Taylor. Jean's oldest son is our new Apostle Elder Gerrit Gong, who is the product of amazing parents!

Son Brian is helping her share stories about her colorful life growing up in Hawaii where she worked in her father's portrait studio, her coming to the US, joining our church, attending BYU, teaching elementary school in Palo Alto, and serving in so many capacities. She has shared  with us many beautiful clothes she has saved, many handmade. Her closets are filled with treasured hats and clothes. 

Over the last 30 years I have had 150+ (mostly) young adults live in my home. The current 4 young women are delightful and fun and bring a wonderful spirit into my life. Angie teaches yoga, is working on a PhD with the goal of attacking sex-trafficking, Rochelle is a personal trainer and helps us all with aches and pains and injuries, Ghanaian sisters Jessie and Elsie work in accounting and auditing and teach us a bit about their culture.

My birthday was quiet this year except for a nice lunch with a few friends... that's all I need at my age (except cards and calls of course!) I really love sharing a birthday month with our beloved Presidents Washington and Lincoln who awaken the patriotism in me. I have spent a month reading about their lives and their spouses and contemporaries (inspired by the show "Hamilton") and other related topics.  There was much contention in their days, too, but as we prepare to vote in this upcoming election, I appreciate the following words of an excerpt from an article by Emma Petty Addams, Jennifer Butler, and Jennifer Walker Thomas: " We must exercise our faith as we select candidates who will best serve our democracy, looking for those whose convictions drive them to care for the marginalized, the weak, the suffering. Our faith should push us to challenge partisanship where we see it and ultimately to serve, as our religious values dictate, by upholding human dignity and love for neighbor.

I enjoy daily walks around a neighborhood park, where once existed one of the several elementary schools, torn down due to declining population. After a few years, the school age population grew, so portable classrooms have since been added to those schools that were left.

The bulbs and especially the flowering pear trees are blooming.

The elementary school around the corner from my house where all 5 of my kids attended and where I spent many years helping with math, music and PTA, etc....so many memories. I also enjoy walking in the evening close-by. A full moon lit the sky.

I love it that in the U.S. ,we give and send valentines to friends and family and classmates as well as to sweethearts. I am touched to see immigrant families buying and making valentines for their school friends in their new country. My daughter sent me this red felt heart chain she'd made, which I hung over my dining room table. I am grateful for so many people to love in my life.

Last Sunday evening I took a Czech friend interested in our church to a filled-to-capacity Stanford Memorial Church to hear Apostle Jeffrey R. Holland address young single adults. The following is an excerpt from his message (photos on instagram):
"Accept our Savior’s invitation to receive Him. The wonderful thing about this invitation to receive Him, to come to Him, and to pursue the fullness of His stature, is that anybody can do it; everybody can do it I dearly plead for faith that is shining and bright and pure and robust, for Christ to be brought into every square inch of our culture....for the stature of Christ to be at full measure in our lives. Wherever you live, whatever your joys or sorrows, however young or old you may be, I am asking that your ongoing journey follow in the footsteps of the Master. Wherever you are going and however you work through your challenges in getting there, I ask you to come unto Him as the imperative first step in getting to your personal destination, in finding your individual happiness and strength, in achieving your ultimate destiny and success. All of that can be yours if the answer to the question 'Where goest thou?' is 'Wherever you are, Lord.'”

Verified
I recently had the chance to speak at a devotional for young adults in Palo Alto, California. I know that many of you who follow me on social media are also young adults. My primary message to them—and to you—is this: Accept our Savior’s invitation to receive Him. The wonderful thing about this invitation to receive Him, to come to Him, and to pursue the fulness of His stature, is that anybody can do it; everybody can do it.
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Consider this comment by the remarkable Dietrich Bonhoeffer, he who died in a prison camp while opposing the Nazi regime in his beloved Germany. Said he, we must “[follow] Christ with every ounce of [our] being in every moment, in every part of [our lives]. … Christ must be brought into every square inch of the world and [our] culture. … [Our] faith must be shining and bright and pure and robust” (Eric Metaxas, “Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy,” 264–65). I dearly plead for faith that is “shining and bright and pure and robust,” for Christ to “be brought into every square inch of our culture.” For the stature of Christ to be at full measure in our lives.
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Wherever you live, whatever your joys or sorrows, however young or old you may be, I am asking that your ongoing journey follow in the footsteps of the Master. Wherever you are going and however you work through your challenges in getting there, I ask you to come unto Him as the imperative first step in getting to your personal destination, in finding your individual happiness and strength, in achieving your ultimate destiny and success. All of that can be yours if the answer to the question “Where goest thou?” is “Wherever you are, Lord.”

12h

An inspiring week!

Next to the Orpheus Theater in San Francisco is a wonderful sculpture garden with works of Lawrence Argent (2017). The beautiful huge centerpiece is inspired (as are the small sculptures) by Greek Venus de Milo, depicting the goddess of love and beauty. We need to see both in each other right now, and to recognize that there is much more that should unite than divide us as God's children wherever we may be, whatever our circumstances. We have enjoyed some poignant and moving events in the past few days and weeks.

Hamilton is a fabulous show. The prices have dropped so Sara, Sue and I finally got to see the story of one of America's greatest founding fathers. I'm now listening to Chernow's (long) book on which this rap/hip-hop show is based, to get all the background about Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804) and his tremendous role in American history, that is amazingly and succinctly summarized in the Broadway show. In light of Martin Luther King's birthday this month, I have been especially struck by his brilliance and energy, by his federalist and abolitionist views that we needed a government for, by, and of all our people. 
We were surprised to meet Peter and Leanne Giles there, too!

I don't spend ALL my time watching and promoting shows, but there are some great ones that can inspire us to do good, to be grateful, to enjoy life, come what may. The Pianist of Willesden Lane, a one woman show. 
"Holding fast to the dreams of concert success, a young Jewish pianist escapes Vienna via Kindertransport, arriving in England at the outset of WWII. In a stunning performance, concert pianist Mona Golabek recounts her mother's poignant saga of hope and resilience (also told in her book, which I'm reading), underscored with extraordinary music from Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy and more. It celebrates the power of music to transcend even the darkest times."

 Not all WWII stories end as well as that of Lisa Jura and other children saved by Kindertransport. It is painful and sobering to remember all those not saved when concentration camps were liberated.

The Liberation of Auschwitz: January 27, 1945

On January 27, 1945, 75-years ago this month, the Soviet Army pried open the gates of Auschwitz concentration camp in German-occupied Poland and liberated some 7,000 emaciated prisoners. About 58,000 others had been hurriedly marched westward before the Soviet Army approached. Auschwitz, the German word for the Polish town of Oswiecim, was the site of the largest Nazi concentration camp during WWII. It consisted of a concentration camp, a labor camp, and large gas chambers and crematoria. More than 1.3 million people were sent to Auschwitz between 1940-1945. Some 1.1 million of them were killed. Nine in 10 were Jews.
I watched a local production of "Oslo," another powerful play.
JT Rogers’s play, is the story of a peace process; it is almost wall to wall men in suits. But the events it elucidates are riveting. Improbably, the secret talks that led to the 1993 Oslo accords, the first agreement ever struck between the Palestine Liberation Organisation and the state of Israel, were organised not through official channels but by a Norwegian academic and his diplomat wife. The negotiators were served waffles. The US was not told of the encounters. Yet later that year Yasser Arafat and Yitzhak Rabin were shaking hands on the lawn of the White House. There were sobs of joyful surprise from witnesses as agreement was reached. The sobs provoked by watching this now are bitter: by the end of the decade the accord was in tatters.

Martin Luther King

Sunday afternoon, community and religious leaders gathered for the annual commemoration of Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King's birthday, held  at the First Methodist Church in Palo Alto. The guest speaker was Rev. Amos Brown, President of San Francisco Branch of NAACP, whose congregation has sponsored more African refugees than any organization and 80 children from Tanzania to receive heart transplants. He has met with Nelson Mandela and about every black leader. He admonished the world to lift each other's spirits, not demand a tooth for a tooth, an eye for an eye (or the whole world will be eyeless and toothless). We must know history, that the older wounded generation may heal, that the younger generation can learn. Only love can drive out hate, which is like a forest fire, quickly out of control. Only love and compassion will bring all peoples together. The black youth speakers and young and older singers were powerful. There is great hope for the young generation. We concluded with the very moving civil rights theme song, which I sang at a national YM/YWCA convention in Illinois in 1962"We shall overcome" as all joined hands around the church.

The following (from CNN)

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was barreling toward the climax of his greatest speech (at the 1963 March on Washington) when he made a split-second decision that would seal his place in history. Most people recall what the cameras caught: King declaring "I have a dream!" before 250,000 jubilant supporters at the March on Washington during a muggy, sun-splashed summer day. But there was one crucial exchange that the cameras didn't catch. King had planned to cap his speech by exhorting people "to go back to our communities as members of the international association for the advancement of creative dissatisfaction." Yet he hesitated when he got to that line in the speech because it just didn't feel right. And then he heard a voice from behind him. It was the great gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, who was sitting nearby."Tell them about the dream, Martin! Tell them about the dream," she shouted.

The Rev. Martin Luther KIng Jr. waves to supporters during the 1963 March on Washington.We know what happened next. King launched into his classic, "I have a Dream" closing. 

That ad-libbed moment is often cited by historians as an example of King's improvisatory genius as an orator. But it also reveals something else about King's genius: His ability to listen.

I love these powerful quotes at the National Museum of African American History. My grand-daughter and her family have the opportunity to visit some wonderful places in their few months in Washington DC. I hope to visit them while they are there. Her mom is supervising BYU interns in DC this semester.



Elder Gary E. Stevenson joined the Salt Lake City branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Monday to celebrate the work of civil rights hero Martin Luther King Jr.
In his keynote luncheon address at the Little America Hotel, Apostle Stevenson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints asked “that we fulfill the invitation of the Savior to love one another, for love is of God. ... May we all strive to be our brother’s keeper, to foster civility and to emulate Christlike love.”

“We are all part of the same divine family,” Elder Stevenson said. “Our well-being is tied to our neighbor’s well-being.”

May we all strive to be our brother’s keeper, to foster civility and to emulate Christlike love. —Elder Stevenson

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Elder Stevenson concluded his remarks by reading a Book of Mormon verse that fixes on the fundamental equality of all men and women in the eyes of God: “He inviteth … all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; … and all are alike unto God” (2 Nephi 26:33).

Our Saturday and Sunday semi-annual stake (several LDS congregations) conference emphasized service. Liz Brimhall, who directed the above community choir, as director of community service for the stake, counseled us to reach out, press forward with love, build long-term and meaningful relationships with a couple organizations; we don't need to add extra activities, just incorporate more service into them. Russ Hancock said accepting and doing hard things for the Lord and for others will often be the source of our greatest blessings. Our wonderful Stake President Dow Wilson (who with his 2 counselors are nearing the conclusion of their 9-year term of service), said that our daily opportunities to interact with others has sacred potential. Sometimes the vertical relationship with God precedes the horizontal relationship with others. Sometimes the horizontal comes first. Our horizontal relationships are better if our life is in order with God. He will save us, bring us comfort and good cheer if we hang in there! Elders Cook and Richards have been serving in our ward/ local congregation, as well as Sister Cariazo and Folkman. We love them and take turns feeding them dinner. These super intelligent elders are also good musicians! How nice to bring talent as well as faith, dedication and hard work to the missionary effort.

Palo Alto friends Ken and Sue Allen are about to embark on a 2-year mission in the mission office of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Durban, South Africa. The new Durban Temple will be dedicated just after they arrive, on February 16, 2020. 

How grateful I am for our forefathers who established at great cost, an amazing country  based on wise principles, with a system of government, with checks and balances, with the possibility of changes as we adapt to new circumstances,. It is now our responsibility to put these principles into practice, as the world continues to change so rapidly. I'm grateful for the Hamiltons and Washingtons, the Lincolns, the Martin Luther Kings, the writers, artists, sculptors, the leaders today, the ordinary citizens like us. May we listen to the spirit of God, who created us all, who loves us all and is no respecter of persons.