Updates on Beverly and Other News

Update on Beverly: Andy and Elise took Beverly into the burn clinic first thing Monday morning to see what else was necessary in her treatment and they said she needed surgery.  She was admitted to the hospital (without going home) and the doctor put her under to scrape, clean and bandage the wound.  Miraculously, the burn center there is the biggest and best in the country. 

Beverly with her school teacher who took the time to come and visit her with notes from all the class members.

Zack is now sitting up like a champ.  Next step; teach him to walk.  He'll be getting a walker soon.

Elijah

AJ went Heli-skiing last week and was able to enjoy the amazing views near Vamp in Canada.  Adrienne kept the home fires burning by taking the boys to all their games, including Finn's tournament in St. George.  His team took first place and he received a cool ring instead of a trophy.  I like that idea, it takes a lot less space.

Finn with his mom and his awesome ring.  Congrats Finn.

Roy and I were privileged to be able to attend Ruby's school play in Logan.  Ruby was an alien.  She loved being involved in the play, including all the rehearsals.  Crista said she pretty much forced Ruby to try out.  Ruby told her later that she was glad Crista had made her sign up, but that she still wanted the flowers and chocolate at the end of the performance that Crista had bribed her with.

Ruby, in the play

Matt valiently trying to film the play while holding Zack.

Zack, Matt, Greta, Crista, Ruby and Greta's friend, Zoey.  Todd and Bridget had already made a beeline for the refreshments.

Bridget with her grandparents.

Zack, Matt and Todd

Grandma, Grandpa, Ruby and Todd

Saturday I went to enjoy a DUP luncheon and meeting while Roy drove out to Hillcrest High to watch Hyeji's cheer team compete (they took first in their division).  

Elise and Andy off to a local dance thrown by a stake member.  It's fun to get dressed up once in a while.  

The Jackson's have had it tough lately with Andy getting ready to leave the first week of April to Kuwait, then Beverly getting burned.  It's good they got a night out.  It so happened that Andy's parents were in town for a couple of days, so they had a trusted sitter.  It was also their anniversary.  They also had good news when Max received accolades for all his hard work (See video).

The highlight for me this week was attending a regional meeting.  Elder Gong came and spoke to all the women in our area.  The conference center (AKA The Turtle) was packed.  As Elder Gong entered, women began standing in reverence.  As I watched him shake hands with people, I know I had a smile on my face, he was so sweet walking along talking to everyone.  I could definitely feel his spirit, he obviously loves people.  I didn't expect him to continue far enough to shake my hand, but he did; then he waved to some women behind me and put his hand on his heart to express love.  

All the talks were excellent, but I'll just share a little from Elder and Sister Gong.  Sister Gong began her talk by showing a picture of herself, drawn by a young girl on one of their assignments.  The girl said, "Sister Gong, I drew a picture of you."  Sister Gong said, "That's so beautiful."  The girl said, "I drew her skinnier than you really are."  We all laughed, then Sister Gong said, "I'm old enough that it didn't even hurt my feelings."  

Sister Gong said that our lives come in chapters and each of the many chapters teach us multiple lessons.  She talked about a recent chapter in her life when her dear friend and sister-in-law (also Susan Gong) was dying with cancer.  Because this Susan Gong lived in the east and all her children are in Utah, the Gongs invited her and her husband to live with them.  She emphasized that relationships matter most!  They're meant to last forever.  Sister Gong said that she and Susan found this quote on the Internet and it meant a lot to them.  You may have heard it before.

Choose Your Hard

Marriage is hard.  

Divorce is hard.

Choose your hard.

Obesity is hard.

Being fit is hard.

Choose your hard.

Being in debt is hard.

Being financially 

disciplined is hard.

Choose your hard.

Communication is hard.

Not communicating is hard.

Choose your hard.

Life will never be easy.  

It will always be hard.

But we can choose our hard.

Choose wisely.

Her sister in-law who was given a couple of months to live, stayed with them for a year and a half.  Sister Gong said, "Miracles really do happen.  The real miracle is the Savior and His Atonement.  She bore a powerful testimony, "The gospel is true, it is powerful, it is beautiful, and it is important."

Elder Gong began his talks with some dad jokes (but since we were all women, he said they were mom jokes).  "Why did the temple workers cross the road?  To help those on the other side."

"Why did the moms smear peanut butter all over the road?  To help with the traffic jam."  He said that someone asked him if he was the real Elder Gong or the AI version.  

Elder Gong took his mike and left the pulpit so he could talk to the audience.  He had three themes that people commented on: 1) Earth hath no sorrow that heaven cannot heal. 2) The temple is given to us as a place to feel peace, and 3) The Atonement of Jesus Christ is for me.  

I left this meeting with a love and respect for Elder Gong that I hadn't felt before.  He was so sincere, loving and sweet.

From my past: Nan sent me a letter (from me to my parents) that she found while looking through family history stuff that I thought might be fun to include here.  It's dated 2/2/1988

Dear mom and dad, 

Thank you so much for the birthday money.  I went shopping this morning and thoroughly enjoyed myself.  I bought some maternity pants and garments and some panty hose.  Also, I bought a new watch.  I appreciate it lots!

Nicholas has been wanting to send you some of his school work.  He has been doing so well!  Remember how well money worked to bribe me to do things.  Well, Nicholas is earning a small allowance each week if he does his school work every day.  He's saving up to buy a pet--We told him no dog or cat--we're trying to encourage him towards a small fish tank.  Anyway, the bribe is working, he's coming home with absolutely beautiful work.

Thanks for sending the dividend check along.  We can certainly use it--however, the business is doing great and we're not worried about our bills so much now.  

Roy and Ron [Bosinski] now have signed contracts with 25 lenders and are looking towards 30 by the end of this week.  Everything is full go now.  They are on line with all the realtors and lenders and ironing out small problems.  It's quite exciting.  Roy is really working hard.  I think all his efforts will pay off.

Daniel loves his preschool and would go everyday if he could.  We started both boys on soccer at the YMCA.  It was absolutely hilarious to watch the preschoolers play, they chased each other rather than the ball and were so proud when they made goals--into the wrong net! but by the time they were done they had started to get the idea.  Nicholas' game was much more structured and he really seemed to get the idea.

Roy finally got paid for all his extra contracting work that he did in the fall and we were able to get Elise a bed.  She is really growing up!  Her hair is so curly and cute.  She talks up a storm.  She really has the rest of us buffaloed.  She knows how to get her way most of the time.

For my birthday tonight we're all going to the circus and dinner.  The kids are really looking forward to it--me too.  Take care-- Thanks again.  Love, Catharine

[The business that Roy was working on went forward for a while, but technology was moving too fast and made his business obsolete within just a couple of years].