Grandparents' Day

Some days are more interesting than others. Wednesday was like that. I had returned home from a RS meeting and a stop in at the office to see if I needed to make a deposit. Glen had returned home from an appointment in north Phoenix and due to a somewhat sleepless night, had just awakened from a short nap. The door bell rang and two young women stood at the door. They were somewhat expected as mission transfers had just occurred.

Glen, the ward mission leader, welcomed them inside and seated them in the living room with ice cold glasses of water. I joined them for the introductions, Sister Holliday from Idaho then Sister Stephens from Maryland.

"Glen, don't you have family in Maryland with the last name of Stephens?" I asked.

"Yeah, my cousin, Kaylene," he replied.

"That's my MOM!" exclaimed Sister Stephens.

And so the reminiscing began. Sister Stephens is pretty young, but she vaguely remembered Grandma B and her home in Draper, especially since her grandparents (daughter of Grandma B) lived right next door to the south. I told her about the missionary board on Grandma B's dining room wall with a map of the world surrounded by pictures of her descendants with a ribbon leading to the location of where each had served as missionaries. That map was bordered shoulder to shoulder with shining faces and it was covered from top to bottom and side to side with colored ball tipped pins. I'm sure that Gina is included on her map in heaven.


Talking of Draper and Grandma B took me right back to her front porch with its view of the mountains. Family barbeques in her yard were a constant experience for our young family. My sons had just participated in the annual Easter egg hunt in this picture.

While on FB today I was reminded that it would be Grandparents Day on Sunday. The poster had also shared a story about her grandmother and challenged her FB friends to share a memory of their grandparents. I've thought about that all day and once again felt saddened that many of our grandparents had left us at a young age. I wanted to share a picture or two with my children of the grandparents that they knew personally.

Grandma B always welcomed visitors. Here are those same three great grandsons, who once sat on the porch, stopping by to say hello.

Sister Stephens remembered the toy closet in the corner of Grandma B's living room and also remembered her sitting in her favorite chair. Her husband, Raymond, passed away from cancer in August 1975 just after Glen and I were married.

Grandma B (June) had a daughter whom she named Elma. Elma married Jordon and had a son named Glen. My children were in heaven when the pickup truck with personalized plates would arrive in Arizona from California for a visit.


They also loved it when they would go to California to visit Elma. She loved to share the "happiest place on earth" with her grandchildren. When she had cancer one of her final wishes was to have ALL of her grandchildren join her on a last Disneyland visit. Unfortunately, she was unable to go with them but they returned to her home to tell her all about it.

June and Elma loved to have a good time. Whenever a new ride would open up at a Southern California amusement park, Elma would secure an airline ticket for her mother, June, so that they could be among the first in line. Unfortunately shortly after June's 80th birthday, Elma died of cancer.

Jordan didn't stay much longer. He died in his sleep a couple of years later in the home on the north side of Grandma B's in Draper where they had planned to retire together. He was a quiet, gentle, and loving man.

My mother, Velva, was a pillar of strength to all who knew her. Her husband, Gary, passed away after a long and lingering illness just short of his 50th birthday. Her life was one of service to him as well as her six children.

Velva's life ended after an 8 year battle with Alzheimer's disease. We lost her piece by piece so my youngest son, Nathan, never really knew his grandmother as she really was.

My grandfather, George Ostler, lived into his nineties. This picture was taken on his 80th birthday in Idaho Falls. His second wife, Alice, sits by his side. His daughter-in-law, Velva, as well as myself and my children, David and Janae ,were in attendance at this special party. During my childhood, I spent more time with George and my grandmother, Georgianna, than with my other grandparents. They had three sons, the oldest of whom was my father, Gary. When I, their first grandchild, was born they were thrilled to have a girl and I was often invited to spend several days and nights at a time in their home. Georgianna passed away when I was almost 12.

Glen's father Jordan's parents both passed away when Glen was quite young. My mother Velva's father passed away when I was 7 and her mother when I was a very young mother myself.

As family members have gathered to celebrate special occasions over the years, I have often wished that these special people could still be in attendance. We've missed them at mission farewells, weddings, and grandbaby blessings. Perhaps they have been closer than I knew.

Oscar's a swimmer

Oscar had his first swim in grandpa's and grandma's pool on Labor Day.


His parents are happy that he likes the water.

The pool was full of cousins and crazy uncles. Grandpa grilled hamburgers and hot dogs and Grandma made homemade ice cream. Then the girls played in the "fairy house" while Boise State beat Virginia Tech.


I think that everyone left happy!

Images of Christ at the MOA

While at BYU Education Week, one of my favorite afternoons was spent in the Museum of Art. Currently on exhibit in the museum's basement is "The Life of Christ" by James Tissot. In the late 1800's Tissot journeyed to the Holy Land where he sketched and then painted in water color over 365 paintings from the life of Christ. These were printed in a bible called the "Tissot Bible." BYU was donated a copy of this bible by Joseph Fielding Smith. It belonged to his father, Joseph F. Smith. 124 of the original paintings, now owned by the Brooklyn Museum, are on display. They are small in size but amazing in detail. This one took my breath away. It is Christ's view from the cross. These paintings are on display until January 2011.

Learn more here and here and here.

Interestingly, I found on another blog the Tissot paintings which were included each month in the 1908 issues of the Children’s Friend:

Saint Joseph Seeks a Lodging at Bethlehem.

St. Luke ii. 4. “And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea,
unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem.”

The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple.

St. Luke ii. 28. “Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God.”

Jesus Sitting in the Midst of the Doctors.

St. Luke ii. 46. “They found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors.”

Jesus Found in the Temple.

St. Luke ii. 49. “And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me?
wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?”

First Miraculous Draught of Fishes.

St. Luke v. 6. “And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes; and their net brake.”

Christ Sendeth Out Seventy Two-by-Two

St. Luke x. 1. “After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two.”

The Blind Man Washes in the Pool of Siloam.

St. John ix. 7. “He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.”

The Rich Young Man Went Away Sorrowful.

St. Matthew xix, 22. “But when the young man heard that saying,
he went away sorrowful for he had great possessions.

Christ Driving Out Those that Sold in the Temple.

St. Matthew xxi, 12. “And Jesus went into the temple of God,
and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple.”

The Palsied Man Let Down through the Roof.

St. Mark ii. 4. “They uncovered the roof where he was; and when they had broken it up they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.”

Jesus Healing the Blind and Lame.

St. Matthew xv, 30. “And great multitudes came unto him,
having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed.”

Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes.

St. John vi, II. “And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks,
He distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were sat down.”

I purchased "James Tissot The Life of Christ" published by the Brooklyn Museum in conjunction with its 2009 exhibit. It includes the complete set of the 350 watercolors owned by The Brooklyn Museum. Because of the small size of the originals, the images in the book are close to full size. I hope to share them with my grandchildren.

The Carl Heinrich Bloch exhibit is to open mid-November at MOA. Altar piece art works are being borrowed from churches in Denmark. These pictures of Christ's life and work are familiar to church members but this will provide an opportunity to see the very large originals in person. They were first brought out of obscurity by the Church when prints of Bloch's work were used in the "Improvement Era" in the 1950's. Timed tickets for this exhibit will be available online beginning the end of September. The exhibit runs until May 2011. See more here.


"A Miracle at the Pool of Bethesda" by Bloch (1884) is one of the MOA's signature pieces. It takes an entire wall. It arrived on September 10, 2001 from a port in New York City. This was a bit of a miracle of timing. Any later and it would have been delayed with the events of 9/11. The Bloch exhibit is a special opportunity which has been several years in the making. It has taken much time and effort to secure the agreements which will allow these paintings to make their way to Utah from Denmark.

I also bought "Jesus The Son of Man: The Life of Jesus in the Words of the Gospels and the Paintings of Carl Bloch" for the perusal of my grandchildren.

For two months it will be possible to experience both exhibits at the same time; the small water colors of Tissot and the very large oils of Bloch come together as "Images of Christ."

What's a mother to do?

NOTHING! I have no control over this week of weather assaults on my daughter and her family.


There they are like sitting ducks in the middle of the ocean just waiting their turn to be blown and pummeled.

First Earl came knocking followed by Fiona whose personality wasn't all that strong, thank goodness! Now they await Gaston (I only wish this was an animated movie.) Danielle at least had the decency to follow her own northerly path.

I guess I'll put this little on site cutie in charge! It looks like he is ready to fight back!

Go get them little hurricane storm trooper!

A little wedding story

Eric and Susan were married 13 years ago. I just couldn't resist sharing one of the family stories including pictures.

Nathan not only greeted the happy couple as they exited the Portland Temple but he also hid under balloons in the back seat of the honeymoon car. Several minutes later the new couple returned him to his parents.

Now on to the story.


Susan grew up in the Columbia River Gorge on the Washington side of the river. Glen reserved accommodations for our immediate family in Hood River on the Oregon side for the wedding weekend. It turned out to be more spacious than we had expected with an extra bedroom. Glen explained to Susan that since we had the extra room, she and Eric could just use it instead of going somewhere else for their honeymoon. That way they could save some money. Susan, being the good sport that she always is, went along with it without stamping her feet or any other such behavior.

While having their pictures taken outside the temple, Eric decided it was a good time to make her day even better.

He pulled a paper from his wallet

. . .and showed her the receipt for accommodations at the Lodge in Stevenson, Washington, one of her favorite places.

This made her very happy.


Congratulations on 13 great years, four wonderful children, and for putting up with Glen & Nate and their jokes.

Eric's wedding was the first of all the Ostler grandchildren. All of the "Ostler Women" were in attendance for this great occasion.


Of course that meant that Susan and Eric were presented with a going away outfit at their wedding luncheon!

You know what they say; you don't just marry your spouse but also their family!

Quotes and informational nuggets from Education Week

BYU Education Week is always my favorite place to be in August. Here is a quick list of things that I learned or loved this year. Ask me if your interested in hearing more. I've got lots of notes!

Teaching Adults by Kevin R. Miller:
- Adult learners need to be actively engaged in the first 2-3 minutes.
- Adult learners have life experiences to share.
- "We hope that in your educational pursuits you will learn wisdom . . .Wisdom is not just learning, but intelligent application of learning." President Ezra Taft Benson
(Our Sunday school lesson today from Proverbs discussed the meaning of wisdom as well.)

From series about Abraham Lincoln by Ron L. Andersen:
- "Some legal rights are moral wrongs." Abraham Lincoln
- November 1861, Lincoln checks out several books from the Library of Congress, one being the Book of Mormon. Returned it 8 months later.
- Of eleven proclamations given as president, nine called for a day of fasting and prayer.

From Devotional with Elder Snow:
- "Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world." Nelson Mendela
- Seekers of truth never stop learning.

From education director of the MOA, Rita Wright:
- Regarding symbolism; it is important to teach children the value of symbols, both literary and visual. The teaching we receive in the temple is symbolic.
- Part of the brain atrophies if not feed by higher things such as art, music, and literature.
- 1 Nephi 11:21 "And the angel said unto me: Behold the ^aLamb of God, yea, even the ^bSon of the Eternal ^cFather!" Beholding involves considering, contemplating, and understanding.
- "Ponder them in your heart. . ." Luke 2:19
- "rest upon our minds" D&C 43:34
- "The pure soul of the child must be considered sacred."

Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible by David LeFevre:
- Joseph Smith called it the "New Translation." NT didn't work when they were footnoting the new cross referenced quad in the 1970's (New Testament - NT) so Robert Matthews suggested JST.
- To learn about Robert Matthews and the relationship he formed with the RLDS or Community of Christ, see BYU Studies, Vol. 49, Number 2, 2010 (I have a copy.) It was through this relationship that the church was able to get permission to include the JST verses in our current scriptures.
-Worked on the translation from June 1830 - February 1833
- In 1830, "Mormon Doctrine" could have been a pamphlet. By the end of the translation, all the doctrine was in place. The JST is directly tied into the D&C as Joseph studied, pondered and asked.
- Joseph Smith had a daily revelatory experience during the translation while reading the Bible. As we read our scriptures, so can we!

-LaFevre also explained that when Martin Harris lost the 116 pages of the Book of Mormon, Joseph and Oliver started again at what was Mosiah 3. It is now Mosiah 1 and you will notice that there are no introductory notes for the book of Mosiah. They continued until Moroni and then went back and translated the small plates (1 & 2 Nephi, etc. to Mosiah.)
- Now that there is once again access to the original manuscripts of Joseph Smith through the Community of Christ (Emma kept these in her possession when the Saints left Nauvoo) it is known that the chapter markings were part of the translation from the plates.

A Book of Commandments and Revelations, BCR, by Grant Underwood:
- Background information can be found in BYU Studies, Volume 48, Number 3, 2009 (I have a copy.) The BCR has been published as part of the Joseph Smith Papers with very high resolution pictures of each page. BCR is in very fragile condition, now can be studied without handling the original.
- Commandments = Revelations. Today we might title the D&C, "Book of Revelations."
- When Joseph Smith started his journal in 1832, there were already over 70 sections or revelations.
- Lends great insight into the early history of the church.

There are always so many classes from which to pick. I also attended classes by Brent L. Top and David Ridges and spent time in the Museum of Art enjoying the exhibit "James Tissot: The Life of Christ." More about Rita Wright's class and the MOA exhibits of paintings of Christ in another post.

Every day as I came up out of the basement of the Joseph Fielding Smith Building looking east, the view of the mountains just took my breath away! What a blessing it is to spend time on this beautiful campus every year.

Good and bad this week

First of all the bad; the two bougainvillea trees that Glen has been nurturing and trimming to tree form for almost five years were blown over by the big storm we experienced on Tuesday evening. He's in mourning. He ordered tiny plants from a company in Louisiana with this particular shade of pink and white so that he might have the bougainvillea trees he envisioned. (It's not unusual for the door bell to ring and as I watch the delivery truck drive away, I find a cardboard container marked "live plant material".) He has trimmed the trees back to trunks and is hoping for a rebirth.

Now for the good; this little sweetheart was born in July. I was gone for much of August, so made a special visit to spend some time with Mabel Ann yesterday afternoon. While her mother and sisters went on a play date, we spent some time bonding. She even gave me a smile. I look forward to watching her grow and seeing how her personality emerges. I love her blue eyes. I'm glad that the blessing dress I am working on has blue floss in its smocking design.

More good; my nephew, Matthew, received his Eagle Award at an Eagle Court of Honor last night. He is the son of my sister, Janis, and her husband, Monty.

It was delight to see him so honored for his hard work and tenacity.

His parents were very proud of him and Matthew later expressed his appreciation for the support of his parents as he worked toward this goal.

Members of the Mormon Battalion Association were in attendance to give their own special award for additional efforts in hiking the Mormon Battalion trail.

They challenged the new Eagle Scouts to also be as faithful and courageous.


They presented them with special scarf ties in memory of the Battalion of which some orginal members were Matthew's ancestors.

My son, Eric, sitting top center watches from the Eagles Nest where all Eagle Scouts in attendance were invited to sit. I had the privilege of sitting with my grandsons, TJ and Toby.

Matthew showed great poise as he delivered his closing thoughts. He was both humorous and poignant as he shared his feelings and honored his parents.

Congratulations Matthew!