Storm of the year!

There was not one warning about a coming storm. I had just started giving Alice a piano lesson at her home when it sounded like there was a knock at the door. These 2 girls never answer the door but Alice opened the curtains to see who might have been there. Instead we saw this:

this was the house across the street from Alice. Immediately mom Gosia told the kids to race to the basement and she said, "Miss Susan, you are not leaving til this passes." good thing because I was not going to leave. The rain and winds were like vertically blowing and it was insane. Gosia and I kept watch all around her house. The storm lasted about 35 minutes with winds at least 60 mph in Sheffield Lake (it was reported). when I could leave, I couldn't get to our home the usual way becasue trees had fallen across Lake Road and along other of the side streets. I opted to go East to Amber Oaks and no one was there but I picked up some Italian Wedding Soup and Salads for dinner. I wasn't sure if we had power. Then I had to make my way south and found various streets that would head me west til I got home. These were only a few of the downed trees I saw..I just wanted to get safely home.

Marissa was without power and cell tower in lakewood til Sunday afternoon, Aug 11, so she and the boys came and stayed with us. There are times when I bemoan the face we live in this home, which is very large...but times like this when we need space it's great that everyone had a bed and a room to chill. Luckily we have a whole house generator but we only lost power for a minute and the generator kicked it. What a smart thing for Robert to insist we get. We took the boys to dinner at Long House Steakhouse and they ate everything.

Marissa would head home to get things and prepare to return to school days (August 13). At one point I asked her if she had done the boys' school supply shopping. It was Aug 8 and that was the last day of the Ohio free tax week. She hadn't. But her computer with all her school things died and she had to replace it. THEN..her car died on the street and that was an expense she wasn't prepared for. Who is? So i got the list from the boys' schools and took Oskar and Simon shopping. We got all their needed supplies and Henry's as well. Man! I just want to say that I am so grateful we don't have our 5 kids in school today. I could not have afforded the huge list kids have today. Wow! But life slowly returned to normal. I am grateful our home and yard was protected and we were all preserved.

to Barretts we went

Ken was called to be a member of his Stake High Council and without having a dad capable of doing it, he asked Robert to ordain him to the office of High Priest. This was done in Bishop Johnson's office with the Bishop (left) and a member of the Stake Presidency (right). Also with his friend.

We then went to Primary and I was blown away with how wonderful it was. And oh how I wish our Primary children could be as blessed. I snuck in the room just as they children were singing the hymn they will sing in Sacrament Meeting for the mom next Sunday on Mother's Day. It is a new song that I had suggested to Kendall that our primary sing but she's young and has not the experience nor the understanding of how things are done. Sad. But listening to these children I was brought to little tears as well as good bumps as I heard the altered ending that Alisha Johnson added...by making the words at the end include a phrase that these children also know their their moms KNOW...as did the moms of the stripling warriors.

The room was set up with tents made of the folding chairs and blankets from home. Each week Alisha uses the scriptures from the Come Follow Me lessons each family should have studied and presents them as a church supported home gospel. Hence the child would have learned about King Benjamin's speech from the tower with all the Nephites gathered round in tents facing the King. The children there thrive on this and were so well behaved and reverent..so NOT like our primary. Instead of having the kids act like crazed monkeys or shouting out songs Alisha has a die that she made. A child is selected to roll the die and the top side would say sing with Gratitude or Love or Reverently. She also has pool noodles cut and the children use them to help get the messages across but also gives them a chance to move around and not just sit in the chairs like little robots. The preaching didn't seem like preaching but just discussions. Alisha is the one seated on her knees at the children's level. How I wished I could sing and be the chorister and not just at the piano.

There was also is poster up front with the missionaries serving from this ward...and there were Adelle and Evan...both due home within 30 days of each other. All in all this Sabbath was very special. It was testimony meeting and interestingly enough each testimony included a scriptures..several from the CFM lesson but others were from their various readings in the scriptures. We had driven up on Saturday (well, I drove of course). And we stopped to get pizza at Jets where both Connor and Adelle had worked.

I sent this picture to Connor, Adelle, and Evan with the comment that Michigan awaited their return.

Poor Robert

Robert is in a bad way but we do not know what the problem is. He has always said he's the master of producing phlegm but this has gone beyond that. I heard him coughing, voilently coughing for 30 minutes around 1am. So I told him we would be heading to our doctor's Convenient Care. This trip I went in with him ready to demand they do something, test something, try something. Fortunately the PA on call was AMAZING. And we can away with more meds and more tests scheduled. Here's what I wrote to the kids: Phew. What a morning. Doctors still not sure what going on but there's a plan. He's just had a blood draw for so many things. At 6pm we go back to hospital for CT scan of chest with and without contrast. Then 30 minutes later CT scan of sinus with and without contrast. Also picked up a cough med with codeine. Steriod inhaler and back on the doxycycline antibiotics. We will see the ENT next week and then on June 17 he will get a couple of pulmonary tests. Oh and a probiotic and Flonase. It is really scary and I don't know what to think or what to fear. But he is NOT contagious so that's one good thing. He has no appetite so he doesn't eat much at all which leads him to being dizzy and lightheaded. Poor Man...and Robert is the best on earth! I think we need to pull up the carpet in our bedroom and down the hall. The carpet is old but carpets do retain dust and whatever else and I think it's one thing we can eliminate.

Sherry Burton

Somewhere in the past in the blog I mentioned running into Sherry at Pins and Needles. She had been in our Lorain Ward when we moved here in 1976. She and Larry were divorced and Larry accused her of untrue things and reported her and she was excommunicated. But as she told me, she walked out of the bishop's office with her head held high and knew she had not done what Larry had accused her of. But she continued obeying the gospel in most respects. When I ran into her it was like Old Home Week. Soon after I asked her if she ever thought about returning to the fold...and she agreed to take the lessons altho she could have taught those lessons. Sherry was rebaptized and had her blessing restored to her. So today I took her to the Columbus Temple..for the first time in close to 50 yeas. I was a joyous day.

After I dropped her off and drove home, this was the rainbow I saw in the distance..promise of promises kept.

Passover

Sylvia Rimm invited us to attend this year's 2nd Passover Seder with her at her Rabbi Enid Lader's home with her husband and their daughter's family.

Here are the lyrics for this graphic for the song Chad Gadya One little goat, one little goat that my father bought for two zuzim. A cat came and ate the goat that my father bought for two zuzim. One little goat, one little goat. A dog came and bit the cat that ate the goat that my father bought for two zuzim. One little goat, one little goat. A stick came and hit the dog that bit the cat that ate the goat that my father bought for two zuzim. One little goat, one little goat. A fire came and burned the stick that bit the dog that bit the cat that ate the goat that my father bought for two zuzim. One little goat, one little goat. Water​ came and put out the fire that burned the stick that bit the dog that bit the cat that ate the goat that my father bought for two zuzim. One little goat, one little goat. An ox came and drank the water that put out the fire that burned the stick that bit the dog that bit the cat that ate the goat that my father bought for two zuzim. One little goat, one little goat. A butcher came and slaughtered the ox that drank the water that put out the fire that burned the stick that bit the dog that bit the cat that ate the goat that my father bought for two zuzim. One little goat, one little goat. The angel of death came and slaughtered the butcher who slaughtered the ox that drank the water that put out the fire that burned the stick that bit the dog that bit the cat that ate the goat that my father bought for two zuzim. One little goat, one little goat. Then the Holy One, Blessed be He, came and slaughtered the angel of death who slaughtered the butcher who slaughtered the ox that drank the water that put out the fire that burned the stick that bit the dog that bit the cat that ate the goat that my father bought for two zuzim. One little goat, one little goat. The Seder was lovely..the only difference is that Rabbi Enid's husband is Vegan so instead of a roasted Lamb they had a roasted YAM. Truly the best part was when Elijah appeared (aka rabbi Enid. This rabbi is not orthodox, nor conservative, but some sort of modern. I cannot remember what they called it. But it was very interesting. Being as this was the 2nd Seder of the Passover, this one was a full Seder but meant for the children to be included and have major parts ot play. I saw the things the Jews look forward to knowing that as part of the restored gospel we have already received the blessings of some of those things they look forward to experiencing. but it was such a lovely evening.

Brookside begins to celebrate 100 years of schooling

Dawn came down to start the celebration. She had a great time visiting with teachers and friends. Of course Robert and I accompanied her. We wore the sweatshirts that I had made with all 5 kids names and year of graduation. Dawn converted her letter jacket to a sweater.

It was a lovely sunny day with a perfect blue sky. We now sport this sign with all 4 of our kids' names and year of graduation. Dawn has one for herself in her own yard.

Robert and the temple

Robert drove to meet up with Steve Christensen and his 3 girls to do baptims for the dead in the Columbus Temple. Here he is with Honor.

Dr Sylvia Rimm turns 89

We went with Sylvia to celebrate her 89th birthday. She invited us because she didn't want to be alone, especially since her sweet husband Buck had died just a year ago.

We really are blessed to have Sylvia as our friend. She's amazing! And so smart. at 89 she still works at 8 schools, teaches at various symposiums for gifted students and their educators. She walks 20,000 steps every single day. So kind and you never hear her say any unkind thing about any one.

With Simon and Oskar

It's always a joy when Marissa's boys come but even more so when they ask to come. Today we had Oskar wanting to come (I think he's had enough of being with Hank

) and he brought along Simon. We had dinner together and then Simon helped me make ice cream in the machine that Elder Day. naturally Elder Day has this recipe down pat; whereas this was our first time and the measurements might have been be a bit high for Simon. So our ice cream was more like soft serve. I'll figure it out. We also played a game of Uzzle and then we took the boys back to Hank.

Visiting with the Newswanders and the Days

It was a lovely time visiting quilt shops with Debi, being with her and Kent and their girls, and especially getting one more chance to visit with Elder and Sister Day.

I am so grateful we had another time with Fred and Joyce Day. He's 90 years old and has had a stroke this past year. And he is mortal and altho I'd like to think he'd live forever I know that's not going to happen.

It was a joy to look at his mission scrapbook and have him repeat the story of how he and his companion Elder Thayn met Grandma and Poppy Holman and teaching the gospel to them. Elder Orrin Hatch (who became a US senator from Utah) was in this mission as well

When the Days heard we would be coming to visit for sure made the best peach ice cream to give us...served on lovely china dessert bowls. Naturally I needed to find out what type of ice cream maker he had and then I came home and found one on FB Marketplace. Now I have his recipes and I just need to hone the skill. Here is an article that was posted in The Brooklyn-Parma News about Elders Day and Thayne.

Ella's Wedding to Daniel Klebingat

Phew...what a weekend. But we got through it and made it to the airport in plenty of time, despite the end of eclipse. It took us an hour in line to get to the checkin..which means another line. Flights went well and we landed in SLC, picked up by Kent and Debi about 1:30am. Tuesday after a quick sleep and breakfast we talked a bit and then we met up with Susan Inouye Matsumura and her husband, Les. We met at the Village Baker for sandwiches and the bread was aamzing. SO glad we went there. I had hoped to get in a quick visit with her mom Helen, my mom's best friend, but at about 99 she just didn't want to get up and get dressed. I understand.

We visited a quilt shop and it was amazing.

Cara had said that we would join her, and Liz and Ella for dinner. We went to a nasty place, in my opinion, Zulu. African food. But it was nasty. I ordered a chicken with NO SPICE. You'd think no one could ruin rice but they did. It was more like a McDonalds. Then her brothers showed up which is fine..just not what I expected.

Then, minus the boys, we went to find Ella a wedding veil. Who decides 12 hours before she gets married to decide she wants a veil. So funny. The first place before the horrible dinner was closed already. But afterwards we found one with enough minutes left open to find one she liked. But Robert and I got in a sweet picture. How I love him. He's amazing.

We took Ella home to get ready for her wedding in the morning. April 10 arrived and wow...what a day. Cody and Liz picked us up from Debi's and drove us to the Mt Timpanogas Temple. On the way there, I leaned forward and told him how wonderful Robert was and how he always valued all my opinions, of which i have many. And reminded him he has a wonderful wife who also is worried about him and he needs to listen to what she had to say. And above all I wanted him safe and sane. He agreed he would. I hope so. Just before arrving, Cara texted me and said to have Robert drop me off near the door and come to the Brides Room. I told Liz but she didn't think she was to be included. I told her, "Yes you are! You are Ella's only sister. You are coming." We were taken up a long stairway made of marble. I took off my shoes becasue with what this neuropathy that's going on in my feet it was better for me to walk up the cool marble and feel the stairs. The temple brother leaned over and apologized for not bring us up in the elevator (ya..me too) but I assured him i'd be ok. I walked into the bride room, saw Ella dressed in her beautiful temple dress, partially preprared. Cara had Liz put on the robe and I tied a lovely bow as I always do. Ella asked if I always made it looked this good. "Always". But suddenly my eyes started getting teary. Not with crying tears because I'm not a cryer but for some odd reason that took me a couple minutes to realize why. In that instance I felt so sad that Jacob was so stupid to have started this second/hidden life. He gave up the chance to be here, with sweet, innocent Ella, to see her married. To be able to have given her one last Father's Blessing before her wedding. How does a man do this? But I dried my eyes and got on with being happy. Next we were taken to the chapel to await the time we would go to the sealing room. Most people came and sat in the back of the room and the pews filled up forward. Robert and I sat in the 3rd from the front pew. Jacob's brother and family were there and many others. I waved to Mike. And suddenly Mike had come up to the pew in front of me, took my hand for a minute and with tears in his eyes and a shaking voice started thusly: Oh Susan, I am so sorry for what my brother has done to you (not to me, Mike) Oh yes to you! To you and your family. I am horrified, disgusted, sad, none of us understand this. He is my brother and I will not desert him but I promise you I will not follow his path! Never! And I promise we will all help Cara and the kids with whatever they need. I took his arm and said I appreciated the words and hope he does take care of their needs or lets me know if they do. But above all I want you take take care of Cody and NOW. He's taken on the weight of Atlas on his shoulders to try and be a buffer to Jacob's hatred. This is doing Cody irreparable harm and he doesn't even know it yet. I tried talking to him on the way here because even Liz is concerned. So please...watch out for Cody. It was time to head to the sealing room. I walked in with Robert and sat on the front row. On either side of the loveseat where the bride and groom would be sitting sat Cara on one side and Daniel's mom, Julie, on the other. I thought to myself. How kind of them to set it up this way so Cara would not look all alone. The rest of the family and friends invited filed in. Then the Bride and Groom. And then Daniel's dad Jorg. I furrowed by brow and thought...wait! What happening here? SUDDENLY I realized Jorg Klebingat was not just an Area 70 living and serving in Africa. He's a GA70. Yikes! Jorg went to the front of the room/altar and started the moment. He said, "I am here to marry my son Daniel to his sweetheart, Ella. Not because I am any better than any of you are but because of my calling." (Afterward Robert asked him if he had to get special permission to do this and the answer was No, He could go into any temple, any time and seal a couple. That cinched it). So he started by reminding us all of the covenants we made to get us to this point. And altho we live 85-90+ years on earth, we are really in mortality for the next 3 minutes when the sealing takes place. Our time at the altar is not TRANSACTIONAL. We aren't doing this because IF we do this THEN the Lord will do that. Our time is TRANSITIONAL. When we listen and review and remember our covenants then we become like Christ. That is the whole purpose of life. To become like Christ. Now listen to the next 3 minutes and remmeber. Afterwards we filed out, congratulating the moms, kissing and hugging Ella and Daniel. but there was this moment in the sealing room as I looked at Cara to be sure she was OK that something dawned on me. Silly me..late to the moment. The 2 moms weren't sitting there to make it look better for Cara since she didn't have a spouse next to her but because these 2 moms were the witnesses to this sealing/marriage. Wow As I walked out there was a temple worker there and I stopped by him and asked if I could ask him something. So..the two moms were sitting by their kids. i am old but this is the first time I've seen a sealing in a long time. So did the mome act as witnesses? And he said, Yes, and isn't it wonderful that now women can be witnesses! Well I should say so. A few minutes later Jorg came out and stood right in front of me and said, "Susan. I want you to know this. It is written in Jacob's book of life that he willingly and dilberately gave up his covenants and blessings. And it cannot be denied. I promise you that this is what is recorded in his book of life." I could not have been any more stunned. But in that moment the Lord gave me the greatest gift. I had prayed that I could see Jacob the way Cara had wanted me to. But after Hank it was too hard. I would evenutally let it go as I did with Hank but I knew I needed to repent of the feelings I had. Not hatred. I didn't hate either of these men and why I don't know because I was really horrified and couldn't get a grip on their thoughts. When Cara or Brandy DeLeon, whose husband also deserted her and the kids, would say, 'he's lost his mind" I'd always reply NO HE DID NOT. He didn't not have an anuerism, did not have concussion, did not lose his mind/memory, did not have amnesia. He did this willingly and obviously joyfully. HE allowed Satan to have power of him. He gave Satan that power. Satan had nothing to do with this til he took control. But Satan was given that control. And after talking to Jorg I felt the sweet cleansing of my mind and heart. I'm writing this over a month after the event but the cleansing is still there. I longer feel anything toward Jacob. I cannot help him. He's not at rock bottom yet. He's got a long way yet to fall before he can figure this out and then the road back will be so hard, so filled with sorrow. But for today, the sun shinned brighter for me. I know Jacob had flown to Utah and was to have spent the time with Mike but even tho I still looked for him I no longer worried about what I would say or do. It didn't matter anymore. Next came all the picture taking outside the temple

I love these pix but the last one above is very dear. I've seen Cara look at Jacob with the exact same expression on her face as Ella has but it pains me to remember. But I have high hopes that Daniel's past will be keep him on the better path than Jacob's past did.

Next we went to the luncheon and the food was amazing and so delicious. Especially the tomato bisque soup. And so lovely

. We went back to the air b&B that Cara had rented and rested a bit and then changed our clothes for the reception. Connor was able to join us and he looked so good. Debi and Kent came and I asked Kent to take a few pix of Connor. Connor even asked for some headshot for his updated resume. He was happy and talkative and I hope he finds peace in his life and a good wife.

The reception was at the same place as the wedding luncheon. Such a pretty place. It was only about 2 hours and we would eat and dance and socialize.

First surprise guest of the night was Sister Susan H Porter, General RS president. Robert recognized her as being someone he had just listened to during General Conference. But even more surprising was Elder and Sister D. Todd Christofferson...obviously friends of the Klembingats. As soon as Elder Christofferson arrived Jorg went right to him and stayed by his side the whole time. Turns out the body guards had already OK'd the place but then it was Jorg responsibility to protect an Apostle of the Lord while he was there.

I wasn't going to make a move to meet him. I can only imagine how they are often mobbed, rather like the Savior and apostles in the meridian of time, and I didn't want to be one of 'those' folks. The fact they honored this family was enough! But sweet Ella, being Ella, grabbed me and said you must come meet him.

Soon it was time for the new couple to depart. We were lined up and handed long sparklers and wished them well.

And then we left...by the light of a moon that looked a bit like the opposite of the Solar Eclipse that started this week. All the joy and faithfulness to this lovely young couple