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