Gremhog's Star Search

I had a plan (please skip down to what I have already posted) conjured in my head last night. We would be dedicating our Cleveland Ohio Temple today and I would be enjoying the service with a broadcast in our Lorain Ward Buiding, That being stated I need to make one more point here: To us the temple is a very sacred place, one requiring a recommend to enter. Today for about 2 hours our ward meeting house would in essence become a temple. And it was as I stated in the other post as it was as I sat in the basketball arena at BYU...so silent you could hear a pin drop. I planned to take pictures of as many people as I could before having to turn off my phone. I needed a photo montage for my blog which gets printed off each year from my FB. Enjoy!

This is our current bishop, Michael Schroth (aka a lawyer and he is a lawyer I truly trust ** well at least I refrain from saying Lawyer/Scribe/Pharisee after I refer to him which I usually do all most other lawyers**. His assignment this day is to meet each member and checks to see if their recommend to attend the temple was current and to welcome each of us to the dedicatory service. If we had forgotten our white hankies for the Hosannah Shout, he provided them (Hosanna comes from two Hebrew words that, as used in Psalms 118:25, are rendered in the King James Version as “Save [us] now, I beseech thee.” In the Mosaic law, a priest recited this psalm each day during the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles, when the people were commanded to “rejoice before the Lord” (Leviticus 23:40). The Feast of Tabernacles was a time of exultation for the ancient Israelites. Thus, the Hosanna, though supplicatory at first, became associated with rejoicing. This is also its meaning in the New Testament, the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants. In these texts, hosanna is a recognition of and praise for the goodness of God and the saving power of Jesus Christ. The Hosanna Shout is a way for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to give honor and praise to God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. The shout is a symbol of how the crowds reacted to Jesus during his triumphal entry into Jerusalem during the last week of His life. “Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest,” the New Testament record says.

Meet Gavin Bruderer. One of the nicest young men around. He teaches a children's class with his grandfather. Gavin was helping to hold the door for his grandparents and family members, as if often the case. He did not have a hankie and was offered one but me, being me, told the bishop I had one for Gavin. Gavin needed a special one...all his own...to remember this day.

This is the dearest family. Linda and Ken Bruderer. Linda is a convert and when she and Ken were married for eternity out west, her non member parents flew out to support her. Not all parents would have done this but hers did. And this told me so much when we first met in 1976. This is the kind of family Linda was raised in and the values she learned. Linda has had a difficult couple of months healthwise. But she was determined to leave the rehab center she's been in and come to church on the day of days. And nothing was going to stop her! Linda indexes genealogical records by the hundreds of thousands from her wheelchair. I think she's up to 1 million. Linda has stayed faithful and true all these decades. She's served in every leadership position. Husband Ken served his mission in The Ohio. He knows all about electricity and services all of us who do not. Ken plays the flute and clarinet and still sings in the choir. He is currently Linda's care given despite needing knee or back surgery himself. These are the people everyone should have in their corner. Surrounding Linda and Ken are many of their family..some who came from Idaho to be with her today

This is a picture of Curtis (Melissa's husband), David and his wife Heather Bruderer. David and my Cara were about the same age. Playmates and have great memories together of their time in Lorain Ward. I watched David as he tenderly and securely lifted his mom from her wheelchair and placed her into the car after the services. Linda trusts him and Ken, only. That's a huge trust I'll tell you.

Next up is Marian and Ron Buchanan. Marian and my mom were best of friends and now she's adopted me. After my mom died, Marian and Ron invited Robert and me to go with them to St Thomas for a brief away from the sorrow seeing my mom die. Marian can process any fruit/vegetable,cook any dinner imaginable. Marian also creates the most amazing jewelry you would want to find. And she's gifted me with a couple and I actually now have my eye on a fabulous pink opal she's just smoothed and formed..or yes, that one ought to be a ring on my finger. Marian does my hair now. Ron is a builder of intelligence as well as furniture. At one point he was sent to rebuild a US embassy that was bombed in Kenya Africa and spent many months there. He is a great student of the scriptures and loves history. He and she had a berry farm in Lodi and a bunch of the ladies went down to be taught how to create pies like Marian using Ron's berries. Oh what a night!

This is Dixie Gibson with Mary Bet Lyon. Dixie lost her loving husband a couple of years ago and it's been a joy to have her still in the area I've knowsn Dixie since she was a little bitty girl. She's as spunky as they come. and as welcoming as we all ought to be. Mary Beth you will read about a bit further down.

Meet Jennifer and Dan Smith. Jennifer is daughter of Jan and Johnny Warren. She is my Dawn's age/friend. These two also teach the children in Primary. Jennifer has 4 amazingly handsome boys, all adults..who love her and Dan so much that they are quite content to live at home while working. Jennifer has kept solid testimony well in place and stands as a beacon to all who look. Dan knew Jen decades ago and they rekindled their friendship and then romance. Once I asked Dan what was it about Jen that drew him to her and altho we were at an Eagle Scout celebration started to tell me when suddenly he was in tears. Jen's mom, Jan, yelled at me and asked, What did you say to Dan to make him cry!?" Dan recently joined our congregation. I asked him why? and although I cannot accurately tell you his words it amounted it this: Because they had me at being sealed to Jennifer forever. Yep..that's what we do in our temples. We are sealed not just for this mortal life but for eternity. Joined as man/woman as well as families.

Here is Sean and Teresa Haynel. This couple is rather new to my friendship circle but they are wonderful. Teresa is the quiet one but she has opinions (thank goodness...I mean...how could I trust someone who didn't) whereas Sean is a talkative one. Plus he enjoys Stephen King so what's not to like? When they were taking the missionary discussions Robert and I were with them. The discussion moved to the King James Version of the Bible. Sean asked, Does this mean I need to get rid of all those books behind you Susan? I turned to the bookshelf behind me and he had as many versions of the Bible as I did and I emphatically said, NO WAY. Phew. got that one straightened out.

OK, here comes Mary Beth standind with Robert. Mary Beth is an accomplished vocalist, pianist,violinist, flutest, music teacher, jewelry creator. Mary Beth learned about the gospel when she was yet a teen but did not have her parents' permission to join the church. Off to BYU she went and when of the legal age was baptized. She came home by plane and her parents picked her up, looked at her and said, "You've joined the church, didn't you?" Mary Beth still directs our ward choir. She tries to get me to sing but I think she's finally accepted my refusal. The Tabernacle Choir on Temple Square retires their singers when they reach 60. I'm 77. My voice was never A Voice but I will accompany the choir as needed. When we first had the Columbus Temple dedication Mary Beth directed and taught the choir to sing on that day. That's when Robert played the organ and sat beside him. And well, you all know about my Robert. He's tender hearted, more as the years go on. We recently were practicing a song and he was crying. MB stopped and looked at him and said, "Oh Robert...dear Robert." Later Robert said we should be singing "You Saw Me Crying in The Chapel) yes by Elvis...and sadly, MB did not know that song. What?

Next up the aisle came Mary and Rick Stencil. Mary is a more recent convert but Ric was as well many many years ago. Despite various situations we always knew and know Rick (now with Mary) will be sitting in his pew. Attending as faithfully as we all do.

Meet Nancy Miller..fairly new to our ward. Nancy is amazing..knitter,crocheter,quilt maker, so service oriented and so ready to call out the alarm when someone needs help. She and I were talking about a certain knitting pattern which after 9 attempts I gave up on. Instead she arrives today with 8 pages of a shawl pattern than has a similar pattern and gave me suggestions on how to make it easier. Now that's friend. You can be sure her testimonies and prayers and heartfelt.

Steve and Norma Wambolt came from...well I don't know..but they are here to stay. Norma is a quiet one but she did recently aske me to hem a dress for her. Steve is a character and full of stories Recently he gave a talk in church that detailed the horrors of the past few months with all the storms and trials that have befallen them. I was surprised because they do not talk about this. They just go and do. Perfect.

830am was closing in..the time I needed to be in my pew and reverent. But here is Ron and Sally. To say they are the best of the best friends and I love them dearly. Sally and her husband Ron came from Utah to live with Rob since Ron was ending his time on earth. Rob welcomed them into his home and they took the head of the household spot. Rob works for The Mouse (or is it The Duck) so after Ron passed that left me with lots more time with Sally. And OH the fun we have. You name it...we find it, have it. Quilting, sewing, shopping, eating, sharing, gossiping,etc. Rob is ever so kind to share his knowledge and things with me...willing to arrive with his truck to help transport something. OR like today..when my Robert needed a blessing as he is suffering from kidney stones, Rob is willing to put off heading home long enough to tend to Robert. Honestly, it's been a joy getting to know this Utah lady, teasing her but hearing that she had no idea how enriched her testimony was until after she left Utah and moved to The Ohio.

OHOH..watch out for the 85 year old woman, Kitty. One day Marian said of Kitty, "She walks on water." Not being sacrilegous at all...just a statement that Kitty has patterned her life after the Savior in every single posssible. Kitty would arrive with dinner, unasked for, or dessert. With just a "here...I felt you needed this today." And always shes correct. She also was a friend to my mom and became my friend as well. Her son, John, is equally as loving and is spending hours helping Robert and me by getting rid of the poison oak that invaded our back vegetable garden (which Robert claimed wasn't there). It's going to take more days and less rain to get it all but John insists I am not allowed to go beyond a certain point. I think he has learned some things from his mom and puts into practice the good things of the earth

This is our bishop's beautiful wife, Catherine, and oldest of their 3 sons, Zane. Catherine always says he's my favorite..I'm trying to deny but there's probably some truth to her statement. But Zane is the one who will look at me and smile...as he did a week ago as he was passing the Sacrament to me...part of his Aaronic Priesthood responsibity. I think he saw me looking at him and suddennly he justlooked at me and smiled..MADE MY DAY! Catherine sells Mary Kaye and always helps us ladies find the best way to look. She also is talented musically..voice and piano and of course her cello. She has started a 2nd business..something called Young Strings Studio..or something close that..teaching young children to play string instruments. Her is always immaculate and fun.

After me taking her picture, Catherine saw a moment that needed to be captured...Me and Sally with Linda...and Rob came right up for a photobomb.

This is the amazing Millie (Carmen) Torres standing beside Julian Traveras (who is an amazing artist...look him up). Millie used to do my hair. She joined the church decades ago and is still active. Well as active as she can be. I think she's had about 26 surgeries over the years. And there's at least another one as soon as she gets rid of the recent infection. Millie has learned, by needing to, how to do everything and anything. On her own. She's amazing. She has 2 sons but one has gone on before her. Bill the best man around and he's found happiness with Treena. I love to tell this story: Once decades ago, Roger (our bonpapa) called Millie to be the chorister in Sacrament Meeting. Millie knew nothing about leading music but if we followed her hips, not her hands we could be in sync with the hymns.

Here's Patty ValValey who used to live in Avon Lake. She moved away but on this special day she had to return for the dedication of our temple. It was such a joy to see her sitting in church, I meanour 2-hour-temple this morning. When here she taught seminary and Sunday School and who knows what else.

Try as she did to avoid having her picture taken, Tamara Britvec failed. I even told her I was dying and needed a picture of her. She had to agree that we all are dying but still struggled to get out of frame. Luckily I snagged with one without her tongue sticking out at me. Even if that's all I got I would have still posted it. Tamara has such a way with words and a bit snarky at times..which you all know I love! She's found her family ties in Europe and plans to retire there one day. Not too soon,Please.

This is Stephanie Offhaus, our current Relief Society President. This is a weighty job and what she does usually goes unseen. She's opinionated and doesn't seem to mind when the rest of us are,too. Stephanie ministers to all in needs, making hospital and home visits. Keeping track of all those who need help. She also travels back to Grand Rapids, MI , quite often to help her dad who cares for her mom who has gone down the alzheimer path. That takes a lot of strength and determination...I know...Been there. Done that.

Oh my goodness..Nearly missed these two as the meeting had ended. She grabbed my hand, I grabbed hers and would not let loose til we located her husband. These are Terry and Joan Buchkovich. Joan and I have been Friends for a long, long time. She's always lived in Avon but Avon did not use to be in our ward boundaries. thankfully it became so. I served with Joan in the Stake Primary and she's amazing with all chilren. She also taught seminary in our ward building and often I'd call and talk with her at 530am as she drove there or about an hour later when she was on her way home. Those were wonderful chats. Terry used to work away from home and Joan and I decided we could have our own scripture study time together. Luckily Terry stopped that work away but then so did those chats. His talks and testimonies and prayers are very tender and sweet.

Want to meet a literal angel on earth? Meet Kate Bruderer Herzoff. She often returns to visit her family here but recently she's been here for months. As soon as she learned of her mom's health issues she bought a one way ticket and has been her taking care of her dad, Ken, and beside her mom every step of Linda's recovery. We are talking months here! And she is as kind as she is angelic.

And here is a part of the Hughes family...Charlie, Mom Becky, and Harper...the kids with their white hankies. Terry is the grand husband/father and as a counselor to our bishop is always busy finishing up. Today, more than likely he was going around closing all the fire doors, turning off lights, securing our building for whatever meeting is next. We had a message today from Elder David R Bednar where he talked about growing up in Oakland/SF California. After church, while posing for my picture, Becky talked about how accurate what we heard was. And she should know. She and I believe her dad before her lived there too. Just imagine what you might have learned about the 1960s in that era. And yet she and her family as well as Elder Bednar made it out without becoming a degenerate.

And here's my best friend...always waiting for me to stop talking,or in this case to stop taking pictures. Always waiting to open the car door for me ashe always has done since before we were married and living at Deseret Towers at BYU. And he didn't just hold the doors/chairs for me. He held them for all the females. I am been blessed with an amazing husband, an amazing life, and look at my amazing huge family from church. Phew..that was a blogpost, wouldn't you agree.

Obviously some people were not interested in getting a ticket for the temple dedication itself or had a change of plans so our Stake President offered us 2 tickets for the 10am session. If we didn't have the tickets we would have had our recommends checked at the door of the chapel and could have viewed the service from Lorain. Jocelyn was generous and invited us to come early with Jinx so it worked our perfectly. We drove down on Saturday, slept well, were first in line at the temple, came back to her home afterwards to be with the kid. Jocelyn's kids, Scarlett and Autumn and Honor and Val, worked before the 10am session by putting on the shoe coverings for the guests. They thought they would be taken to the stake center after their 'shift' but instead were ushered into the temple! What a glorious treat. Jocelyn and Steve worked the lines for the 1:30pm session and then returned inside the temple for that session of the dedication. Jocelyn of course was able to shake elder Uchtdorf's hand. They returned to the house and we had dinner and they convinced us to spend an extra night which I gratefully agreed to. I didn't want to drive home as the light dimmed and besides it was along day and we are old. Jocelyn had been asked by The Church News to take pictures of the event. She got up early for the magical BLUE HOUR, right before sunrise, to get the best lighting but felt the crowd pictures weren't very good. However, the Church News added all she submitted to the online site. It's lovely that her skills have been noticed and requested. She has spent so many hours at the temple, taking hundreds of people on the tours, cleaning off the chairs that were rented for the event. She is so blessed to have felt the spirit guide her to this area by the prompting she received that a temple would be here. She will be a temple worker again.

The session for us became with the recorded message from President Russell M Nelson: he talked about how the temple here would strengthen the members and the increased numbers of temples throughout the world would lesson the power of Satan in the world. Temples would be a sacred space from the contentions of the world. We are tolay our burdens at the door of the temple and be taught through the Holy Spirit. Attending the temple will increase our ability to repent and forgiven. THE TEMPLE IS A SYMBOL OF OUR FAITH INLIFE AFTER DEATH. The temple President: there is no end to the deceptions Satan will use. Listen only to the believers. There is a healing powere when we make and keep covenants. The temple Matron: 1) Learn to provide loving service ad Jesus Christ did in order to become more like God. Marian G Romney said that Servive leads to exhaltation 2) Hold fast to sacred things through CARE, DEFERENCE and Stake President Hoak: Nephi was asked a question but responded that he did not know the meaning of all things. The Pittsburg saints prepared all things Spiritually and altho there wasnt a temple for so long they didn't feel badly. Elder Uchtdork: Saints have lived in this area since the 1840s. 1919 James Talmage came to talk to the community and explain the gospel in defense to the community of Jesus Christ and then had to escape for his life. Various family names were mentioned as having lived in the area. HATCHes since 1920. First branch was organized in 1929. 2024 has 10 stakes in this temple district. The desire to share the gosel has always flourished. The blessings of the Gospel are universal. CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pennsylvania — Because Pittsburgh is known as the “City of Bridges,” a granite bridge was incorporated into the landscaping design of the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Temple grounds. The bridge connects the new house of the Lord to a nearby meetinghouse and provides a picturesque location for photographs. Standing at the crest of the bridge under blue skies with the new temple in the background, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said the structure holds deeper meaning. “We are standing on a bridge here, right next to the temple, which is a wonderful symbol. This is a place where earth is connected to heaven and the other way around. It is a flow of information and of wonderful inspiration and revelation,” Elder Uchtdorf said. “The house of the Lord is here to make covenants which connect us to heaven. These bridges, from one side to the other, from earth to heaven, are real.”

“This temple will be a blessing to you,” Elder Uchtdorf said. “It will enrich your lives, inspire you to create in your homes and families a spirit of hope and peace, and endow you with blessings from on high.” Daryl and Karen May from our Lorain Ward. Daryl is heavily involved with the Cleveland Temple and gives us Drone videos of the update