A Farewell to JT

            Three generations of missionaries,

       Germany,  Russia, Hong Kong

Today we went to Layton to attend Elder JT Eborn's "Farewell".  He spoke in sacrament meeting in his ward and will be entering the MTC on Wednesday, December 30, 2009,  just two days after his 19th birthday.  He is a spiritual young man and is well prepared to assume the duties of a missionary.  He will have a challenge with the new language and culture, but as he said in his talk today: Love is the key.  JT is a very lovable young man, and has been since the day of his birth.  He has an infectious smile and a sincere testimony of the gospel and love for others.  These things will serve him well for the next two years as he works with the Russian people in the Russia Novosibirstk Mission.  We are honored to have JT as a part of our family and I'm sure the Lord is very happy that JT will be serving His people as a misionary in Russia.  Since Jason was born, and as the other children came along, I often felt a bit overwhelmed with the responsibilities of fatherhood.  It is an awesome responsibility, and I sometimes feared I was not as good as I should have been.  After sacrament meeting today one of the Stake Presidency in Jason and Rene's stake came over to me and introduced himself.  I was proud to ackowledge JT as my grandson.  Then he told me something that has given me cause for reflection.  He said: "You never know how good of a father you have been until you see your own children raising their children."  If that is the case, maybe I wasn't so bad after all. I'm sure your Mom played the biggest role, for which I am greatful.  Thanks to all of my children who are doing such a wonderful job of raising our grandkids.  We love you every day more and more.  God bless you,  JT. and your family during all of your lives, but especially as you serve these next two years in Russia.

Sisters?? Well almost.!!

During our Bear Lake years together  (35 five of them), we made lots of very good friends and had some wonderful expereinces as we raised our family surrounded by good , honest, down-to earth people.  We have been pleased to see many of them often and even work side by side in the Temple with many of them.  Iris was away form her family for most of the time, but she had one particular friend, who became just like a sister to her.  They still talk often, exchange gifts at Christmas time, and spend time together whenever they can.  Bonnie stopped by to wish us a merry Christmas a couple of days ago.  We miss her and all the other good people of the Bear Lake Valley, who were so instrumental in our lives, and count ourselves as very blessed that they were there when we were raising our family.  We hope and pray that they are all well and that we can keep in touch.  It really is not very far away so there shouldn't be many good excuses.

Iris and her good friend Bonnie

2009 Christmas Party

We had our 2009 Christmas Party last night, December 23.  It was wonderful to have all forty of us together.  This is no easy task and we very much appreciate all of you for making the effort to be there, especially those who had to drive so far and rearrange you busy schedules so that we could all be together.  It may not happen again for a long time.  Also a special thanks to Jason and Rene, for organizing and making this occasion so special for each of us.

We would like to wish each of you a very merry Christmas, and the Lord's choicest blessing for each day of the coming year. You areour greatest joy and we love each of you more than we can express.  Just thank you all for being you and living your lives as you do.  God bless you each and everyone.

A few snapshots from the Christmas Party 2009.  Sorry I didn't get you all, but there will be a family photo forthcoming with all forty of us.

Mason and Melissa dancing at the Christmas Party

Shana and Sam showing that they feel the joy of Christmas through their smiles

Two cousins who don't see each other nearly as often as the would like.  Thanks to Stephen and Candice for making the long trip over from Peblo, Colorado.  Our prayers were answered and the forecast storm didn't really materialize.  Their jouney was long but safe.

Justin and Chalisa at the Party.  There is joy.

Alison and Avery.  Every likes to make faces at the camera.  That seems to be something of a family trait.

Now there's a happy couple.  It's so great to have them around.  I hope it's for a long, long time.  We'll see.

Rene has a kack for getting people to love her, especially me and the other little ones.

Mason can be the life of any party.  He love's to get involved and he's good at getting others to do the same.

 What a wonderful quality for a ten-year-old.

To Russia with Grandparent's Love and Thanks

Today we had a wonderful experience for which we are deeply greatful.  At one o'clock this afternoon Grandma Iris and I went up to the Temple with  the names of eighty-four of her ancestors, which had been cleared for temple ordinance work.  We deliberately had chosen forty-two females and forty-two males at this particullar time for a special reason.  One of the best parts of the experience was that Elder Jason Taylor Eborn was with us and that he had the opportunity to baptize his grandparents, Grandpa Bart and Grandma Iris, as proxies,  for these deceased relatives of his Grandma Iris.  He did a wonderful job and we were so happy to have him with us and to intorduce him as our missionary grandson, who will soon be off to the Russia Novosibirsk Mission to share the glorious message of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the people in that far off land.  We are honored to have a grandson who is so anxious and worthy to be involved in this great work.  The gospel of Jesus Christ is for all people, the living and what we have come, since we have been actively working in the temple, to call them, "the living dead."  That is truly what they are.  Indeed, all of us fit into the category of the living dead unless we have become as Christ would have us be.  As JT was here at our place this afternoon, he was standing beside our  December Calendar with it's picture of Mary and Joseph and the Christ child.  I couldn't help but think at that moment,, that the Savior came, as a child, and grew from grace to grace, to fulfill a mission and "bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man"  Now our first grandson is off to do his part in this great mission.  What an honor it is to have him in our family, and what a privilege it is to be able to do our part, here at home, to be supportive of him, through our prayers and through our own actions, as we try more perfectly to understand and live the real message that we celebrate during the Chritmas season and throughout the year.  JT will be a great missionary, and we will all be better for his service and our prayers and actions in his support.  Thanks for this special day, JT.  We will always love you.

 

And the Winner is

I'm not the kind that goes around entering every contest I can find, but WorldMark Resorts, which we are a part of, sponsors a photograph and essay contest each year.  I have taken about twentyfivethousand pictures since I got my first digital camera, most of which were just memory keepers and certainly nothing to take special note of, but out of the twentyfivethousand I have thought to myself, maybe a half a dozen or so were actually good enough to submit to some sort of photo contest.  I picked one I took  of Jason flyfishing in the Wind Rivers last summer and sent it in just for the heck of it.  Low and behold our WorldMark Destinations Magazine shows up in the mailbox the other day with my picture on the front cover.  I had won first prize and with it 10,000 World Mark Credits.  That's about a weeks vaction in any of their 60 plus resorts.  We'll take it.  I guess it never hurts to try.  I must be a pretty good judge of pictures or I wouldn't have been able to pick that one out of the thousands.  Maybe it was just because Jason's backside was showing.  He really is that awesome.

Following the Aggies

Many years ago when I was attending Utah Stae University, I attended every single game.  In short I became somewhat hooked on the excitement of Aggie games, football and basketball.  I've followed them ever since, always checking on the scores and hoping they did well against the Cougars and the Utes as well as all the other teams.  When I was at USU they had some exceptional teams.  I was there when Merlin Olsen was playing football along with a host of other future NFL players and even their coach ended up as the head football coach of the Denver Broncos.  I was there when the basketball team was rated number eight in the NCAA Division one polls and the seventh rated Utes came to Logan for a game in the old Nelson Field House.  I remember standing in line on a cold winter's day for hours to make sure I could even get into the Fieldhouse.  The game was won by the Utes by a single point. When I got home from my mission in Germany I picked up where I had left off.  The football team was not as fun to watch, but basketball was every bit as good.  These were the days of the great Wayne Estes.  I knew him personally and talked with him on many  occasions.  I was there that February night when he scored 48 points against the University of Denver.  I will never forget the shock of hearing that he had been elctorocuted after accidentlly running into a high power electric line after stopping to help the victums of an automobile accident at the corner of Fourth North and the USU Campus after the game.  He was scoring about 35 points per game and pulling down tons of rebounds.  He was incredible to watch and an incredible person.  My heart along with all who knew him  and follwed the Aggies was very heavy for a long time.  Many things have change since then.  The Spectrum took the place of the Nelson Field House.  The football stadium has been enlarged and modernized.  The studentbody has more than trippled in size.  One thing, however remains, once an Aggie always an Aggie.  The crowds were very much into the game back then and they still are.  USU and the Aggies make Logan a special place in the minds and hearts of thousands of people.  In no small measure, that is why we feel at home here after moving to Logan last year.  Tonight we went to the USU basketball game.  It was fun to be a part of the cheering crowd, even though the Aggies lost for the first time on their home court in more than thrity games,  It was also good to see Jared, now a sports reporter for the Deseret News, occupying one of the best seats in the house.  We love to read his articles and follow his writings no matter what he is covering.  He does very well at all he does and we are constantly getting compliments about his writing.  We are proud of him and his family and all they do.

Aggie Basketball Game.  Note the cheering fans and especially the "Distracter" , the fat guy with his shirt off, under the opposing teams basket.  Aggie fans will do anything to help their team win.

Jared, hard at work behind the scorers table reporting on the Aggie game.  Check out his articles in the Deseret News or at deseretenews.com.

Celebration Time, Come On

The Holiday Season

I love the holiday season, the sounds of music and laughter,  the the smell of turkey stuffing and pine, the sight of smiling faces and loving people, the feeling of gratitude for all of our material and spiritual blessings and the chance to be together and to reach out to others less fortunate.  I suppose, if we are in the proper frame of mind, everyday should be cause for celebration.  These are just a few of the moments captured on film (what's that?) that bring joy to our lives.  Believe me there are many, many more, but there is such a thing as too much,  Maybe I've already crossed that line.

Grandma Iris and our sweet little Tristan celebrating his very first Thanksgiving with the family. We are greatful for him and all the rest of our wonderful grandchildren and their families.

At Thanksgiving we were espcially thankful to Ammon and Alison for their gracious hosting of the whole clan. You'd have all been welcome at Grandma and Granpa's house, but it certainly would have been a lot more cozy/congested.

Alison and Ammon's home is laid out just right to accomodate a large crowd, and that we have become.  Thanks again to Ammon and Alison!!!!

It was good to see Kinsey Amanda too.  It's been a while since we have been around her much.  She is so involved in school and life in general.  One thing's for sure, she's getting more beautiful by the minute.

I am greatful for the bounties of life that are so plentiuly provided for us.  Not one of us has to ever go hungry as evidenced by the array of wondeful pies that were available to us on Thanksgiving, and to think that it is just a part of what was left after we had already gorged ourselves on Turkey and all the traditional delacacies of the season.

And then there is the simple joy of being together and knowing that we belong to an eternal family, we are not perfect by a long shot, but we are better people because we have each other.  It was also our last Thanksgiving with JT for a while, as he will be in Russia for the next two years.  We missed Stephen and his family, but are looking forward to their being here with us during the Christmas season.  It is difficult to get everyone together as we are all so busy and involved in things, not to mention scattered around a bit, though not bad.  As Rene'once commented:  "We may not have it all together, but together we've got it all."

My last post was of Ryan anfd me up Emigration Canyon following the age-old tradition of getting our own Christmas Tree from the mountains I love so much.  I love to be out in the mountains, when the air is crisp and clear and the snow has covered the pines and forests.  It is a bit of a task to select the perfect tree, but it never fails that the effort is rewarding in and of itself, and now just two days later, the fresh tree stands in our living room as a symbol of the Christmas season.  I always try to find underlying smbolic meanings in everything.  They are especially plentiful, as we get into the true Spirit of Christmas.

We hope all of  you are happy and healthy and that this Christmas season is filled with joy and gratitude for all that we are and have.

It's That Time of Year

On Wednsesday Ryan came over and we went up in the mountains to search out that perfect Christmas tree.  It is a tradition that I have enjoyed since I was a child and would sometimes go with my own father to get a tree for the holiday season.  This year the snow was not as deep as usual, so it was a little easier.  I remember going once with my Dad when the snow was about three feet deep.  We went on the farm tractor and ended up getting stuck and spending the whole day before we finally found the tree we were looking for.   Now we will decorate it and try to keep it fresh.  When we lived in Bear Lake we had a wood stove(which we really miss) and kept the family room quite warm.  It was not an uncommon thing to see a couple of inches of new growth on the branches of the tree after about a month when we decided to take it out.  The tree brought a festive spirit into our home and many smiles to the faces of our children as they wrapped the presents and anticipated what was in them.  Somehow, I just prefer the real tree.  I guess it is just the traditions of my own childhood, but it's also the fresh air and the snow when we get it and then the fresh smell pine while it is in place after being decoarted and strung with hundreds of lights.  We've made things a little simpler since moving to Logan.  We always enjoy this season, especially the beautiful Christmas songs and carols, which remind us of Jesus and his birth.

We hope that all of you find joy in this special season as we reflect upon the real reason for the celebration.

Happy Holidays,

Love you all and always,

Grandpa Bart

What Goes Around Comes Around

The past two Saturdays it almost seems like we have gone back in time,  a time that we enjoyed immensely when we we were raising our own family.  We couldn't begin to count the hours we spent traveling to ballgames,  basketball, football, baseball etc.  We not only enjoyed the games, but for the most part, even the long trips on wintry nights, and sitting in the sweltering August heat watching a Legion baseball doublheader,  or dodging the deer and making deer counting a contest, as we travelled through Emigration Canyon two or three times a week after baseball games in Cache Valley.  And then there was the moodiness after a poor performance or a loss, which was much less fun to deal with at the time.  Now it's almost humorous, as we watch our own children dealing with these same issues.  We enjoy being around some of the grandkids, and wish we could be closer to all of them, and being able to watch them in their activities.  I never counted any of these times, when we were raising our own children, as wasted moments, and now I can see the same caring attitudes and bonding moments taking place between our kids, now parents themselves, and  our grandchildren.  Enjoy them while you have them.  They grow up way to fast and in our modern world, not everyone is so lucky as to live close enough to the grandkids to become involved and enjoy all the things they do.

Number 25, Third Grader Ethan

Ethan in action

Coach Eborn and Son

Third Grader, Avery, getting instructions

Cousins, Avery and Ethan, on different teams, but enjoying one another anyway.  We'll see how it turns out when they play against each other.

Working at the Logan Temple

On November 4th, 2008, exactly one year ago today, my Sweetheart and I began a marvelous adventure, one that has brought us closer together, given us greater understanding of the things of eternity and our Father in Heaven's Plan for us and all of His children. We have learned much and have been truly inspired as we serve the patrons who come each day, and associate with the selfless people who work there as officiators.  One of the greatest blessing has been to see the young married couples, some still in school and others who are raising small families, come to the later sessions in the day.   We sense their devotion to their Heavenly Father and can see in their faces the reward of peace, oneness, and understanding and spiritual balance they have recieved by coming to the temple.  I wish that all could have this  opportunity and take advantage of it frequently.  The world would be a better, gentler place, and our families would also be the beneficiaries.

As of a couple of weeks ago, I have a double blessing, my brother Reed and his wife, Lorraine, were called to work in the Logan Temple too.  They chose to work on the same shift with us and it is wonderful to see them often and know that they are making the most of their retirement years as well.  It has been a great blessing for us and I'm sure it will for them as well, as we seek to bless the lives of others, both living and dead.

Halloween 2009

Halloween 2009

We did have a strange array of vistors last night, each of whom brought a smile to our face and joy to our hearts.  We always liked to see our own children having a good time.  Now with the grandkids, that joy is only amplified.

Grandma Iris got into the act this year too.  As you can see she painted her nose green, or?  Here she is with Annika and Micah.

The A-Girls, Ada and Annika.  Aren't they cute?

What on earth were Justin and Ryan thinking of?  Whatever it was we love them both, Witch  and Wonder Woman.

Avery, ready for battle.  He doesn't scare me though.

I didn't realize Justin was quite that childish.  He left his bottle, binky and diaper home though, so maybe it was just an act.

A cute bunch of spooks,  Ethan, Kylee, Hayden, Jackson, and Kate.

We were glad to see them all having a good time.

I  wouldn't want to come across as having favorites, but little Tristan, on his very first Halloween, may have been the cutest one of all.

Even Addison and Ammon got into the act.  Don't you think Ammon's mask is a little too scary though?

We love you all and are so glad you enjoy doing fun things as family.  Oh, and Grandma Iris took her green nose off this morning just in time for Church.

Love you all very much.

Colorado Rocky Mountain High

We just returned from a few days visit with the Colorado Eborns.  We had a wonderful time and it was so good to see them.  We miss them and do not get to see them in person as often as we would like, but we discovered that they are all doing well and have their priorities pretty well set.  Though they are far from the rest of the family, they have adapted well and are thriving in their new environment.  They have made new friends and are enjoying life.  While we were there we got to see them in action, and I do mean action.  They are all so active and busy doing things, helping others, and making memories. On Friday night they were hosting a Halloween Party.  They had four other young couples from their ward in Pueblo and also their children in their home.  Everyone dressed in costumes and it was obvious to us, that all were having a good time.  However, it did take Sophie a little time to get over her transformed Father and the Joker.  Candice is such a good mother and always goes out of her way to make the children feel included and special and it's easy to recognize the great love the kids have for the dad as well.   I think Rene's statement a while ago applies to the Colorado Eborns as well, actually it does to all of us.  She said: "We may not have it all together, but together we've got it all."  That is really true.  I am greatful for our family togetherness and pray always that it might continue and increase.  We are indeed blessed.  I've taken the liberty to include a few pictures of our time in Pueblo with Stephen and Candice and their precious little family.  As we were driving home, we were listening to the radio and one of the songs we heard was John Denver singing Colorado Rocky Mountain High.  I couldn't help but feel a 'High' myself as I thought of Stephen and Candice and what they have been doing since they moved to Pueblo.  They remember the important things in life and teach their children to do the same.  The pictures below will show, that they are enjoying life and making the most of their opportunities.

Halle gobbling down a huge slice of pizza.

Pueblo Party Animals!

Stephen, Candice and crew all dressed for the party.  Fun, Fun!

Gabrielle is not Spiderman, or Spiderwoman.  She is pure and simple Spider!

Sophie had a little trouble adjusting to her Daddy looking like this.

Our precious little two-year old was dressed as an aspiring USU cheer leader.  So cute!

Mason as some sort of outerspace alien and Halle as the princess she really is.

This was a quick picture taken right after reading the scriptures and before heading out the door for school for the three oldest kids and a long ride across windy Wyoiming for Grandma and Grandpa.  We left a day earlier than we had planned because the weather forecast for Tuesday included snow and high winds across the Wyoming plains.  As we cruised down the Freeway at 75 miles an hour our thoughts went back to those early handcart pioneers, traveling across this same route in 1856, who sacrificed so much for their faith and desire to be together with the Saints in Utah.  May we always be mindful and greatful for our great heritage and many blessings.

We love you all and hope all are doing well.

Grandpa Bart and Grandma Iris

One of My Best Friends Has Gone

Nearly thirteen years ago Ryan brought home a puppy, he had recieved as a gift from a friend.  Iris and I were not very happy with the thoughts of having another pet.  We had been through that experience a few times before and knew full well Ryan would never take care of him.  But he was so adorable we couldn't resist and so River became a member of the family.  At least that's how it seemed to us.  Ryan left and went off to college and a mission and by the time he got home from his mission Iris and I were not about to let River go back to his "Owner".  He had won us over and I especially never realized how close I could grow to a dog.  He became my best friend and for the past thirteen years has gone nearly everywhere with me.  Some said he was on a short leash. It was so short one couldn't even see it.  River never got far from me, at least  if  he had his way. I grew to love him and his companionship and to cherish him for his good, human-like qualities.  He has been my teacher and I have learned much from him.  I think when it comes to the things that really matter some dogs are better than most humans.  We could all learn a few lessons from a good dog.

River left us on Saturday last, and I'm sure has gone to Doggie Heaven.

Here are a few things he taught me, and which I think all of us would be better off if we would learn these lessons for ourselves.

1.  When loved ones come home run to greet them.  Show them you are glad  they are home.  Never fail.

2.  Never pass up a chance to go for a joy ride in an old truck.

3.  Allow the wind and the fresh air in your face to be pure ecstacy.

4.  If what you want lies buried, keep digging until you find it.

5.  Never pretend you are something you are not.

6.  No matter how often you are scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout. Run right  back and make friends.

7.  Let others know when they've invaded your territory.

8.  Run, romp and play daily.

9.  Thrive on attention and let people touch you, and pay attention to others.

10.  Avoid biting when a growl will do.

11.  On warm days, stop and lie on your back in the grass.

12.  On hot days, drink lots of water and lie in the shade of  a tree.

13.  Be loyal.

14.  When you're happy, show it, even though you don't have a tail to wag.

15.  When it's in your best interest practice obedience.

16.  Delight in the simple joy of a long walk with your Master.

17.  Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.  Then stop when you've had enough.

18.  When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close and nuzzle them gently.

19.  And many, many more lessons.

I'm going to miss my friend, River.

OH, and by the way, Ryan eventually did take care of River during this past year after we moved to Logan.

Thanks to Ryan and Sam and their sweet kids for taking good care of him,  when I couldn't have him as near as I would have liked.

In the Half Light of the Canyon

"But when I am alone in the half light of the canyon all existence seems to fade into a being with my soul and memory and the sounds of the Big Blackfoot River and a four-count rythym and the hopes that a fish will rise.  Eventually all things merge into one and a river runs through it.  The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time.  On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops.  Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs. I am haunted by waters." Norman McClain from A River Runs Through It

The words I have quoted are some of my favorites from all of literature.  Over the years these words have come to have  a profound meaning in my life. I have come to see much deeper meanings than a mere fishing expedition on the river in the evening. 

I am greatful for these quiet moments on various rivers and lakes with a fishing rod in my hand  or my hiking stick and time to contemplate the real meanings of life and to commune with my Creator and those who have gone before.  I am awed by the wonders of nature and the beauties of the Earth and His eternal plan for us and all of His creation.

I would like each of you to read and reread these words and see if you can feel and understand some of the words, which lie under the rocks.  It may take time and it will definitely require being in the right frame of mind, but the reward will add a necessary dimension to your being.  I spent Friday along the banks of the Bear River at the Oneida Narrows contemplating these very words.  It has been a very revealing and emotional time for me, as it was my last full day with my own River Runs Through It. He has now gone to Doggie Heaven and I hope someday to see him again and spend time watching the clear waters run of over the pebbles and rocks and the clouds, and the trees, and mountains reflecting, in the calmer stretches of a river, as we contemplate our blessings and try to understand the words under the rocks again on some future day.

I Love you all!!!!