Remember Christmas 2015

January 14, 2016

Christmas is past and I have not taken time to post this amazing season. Comparing what I knew from last year, to this year, was overwhelming.  I thought I knew what to expect, and to a point, I did, but the numbers of people were staggering.  I know that in comparison to Salt Lake Temple Square and the lights there we are small time. But, remembering that this visitor site is very remote, and much smaller than the others, makes this year amazing.

Last year we had almost 40,000 people in cars drive by to see the lights. This year we had 60,284 people in cars drive by.  Twenty- thousand more than last year.  Last year we talked to almost 6,000 people and we served them cookies and apple cider. This year we had 9,314 people come into the Center.  Of that number we greeted and talked to 7,363 who were not members of the Church.

The lights were stunning. The South Royalton Ward Chapel (above) was beautiful. As people drove up the long lane, there was a radio channel they could tune into that was playing the Tabernacle Choir while they drove around the site.

The lights that drew attention first were the multiple trees with bright colors at the beginning of the circle drive.

There were over 150,000 lights in the whole display for this Christmas Season.

The monument was beautiful and Annie the donkey and two sheep kept watch over it.  The kids loved the animals. I'm afraid they were fed too many cookies, carrots, and bread, etc. by well meaning visitors.

Some of these trees are 60 feet tall, and senior missionaries like us did all the stringing of the lights. Elder and Sister Ence and Elder and Sister Broberg worked tirelessly using lifts that would sway in the breeze.

We had two Senior Sister missionaries (Sisters Farr and Edwards) who spent their last five weeks helping put the lights on these lower trees.  They were finished with their missions before the lights were turned on, so they missed seeing the beauty they helped create.

There were a couple of young adults waiting for mission calls and others who were going away to school who helped early in September.

It took the missionaries working every day from dawn to dusk to get these lights up.  They started early October and would do each tree as they dropped their leaves.  There was one tree in particular that was keeping its leaves until just before Thanksgiving; then they dropped and the missionaries hurried to get that tree finished.

Vermont is noted for its covered bridges.  They are always a draw. We had a covered bridge made of lights.  It is always the favorite of our visitors.  Last year a young man made arrangements to propose to his girlfriend under this covered bridge.

This year was, I'm sure, our best year ever. The lights, music, animals, cookies, and, of course, the magic glasses made this an amazing year.  People said "it is our new Christmas tradition" or "everyone is talking about these lights, and we'll be back." Most of what they felt from this beauty was more intense because there is a Spirit about this place.  It offers peace to the harrowed soul, joy to the heart and beauty to the eye.

We were exhausted, a good exhaustion. Some nights we had 800 and 900 people we greeted in just a four hour time. It was definitely a rewarding Christmas Season.

Elder Petersen, Sister Petersen, Sister Petersen, Sister Innes

January 8,2016

Last week in Relief Society our lesson was on making "Resolutions or Setting Goals," for the new year.  As we discussed making resolutions, I reflected on what I have been studying for my lesson in Relief Society this week, "Jesus Christ-Our Only Way to Hope and Joy." One of the scriptural quotes is Matthew 22:42; it states "What think ye of Christ?" My mind was drawn swiftly to a video that Roger brought home many years ago.  It was in the first rough draft stage; we loved it.  There is a beautiful rendition of "Jesus Was No Ordinary Man" and wonderful video of the Savior; then Dalin Oaks, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, takes a few minutes to ask: "What Think Ye of Christ."  I loved that video; it was later put on the "Family Home Evening Video Supplements," and we would play it over and over again in our home.  

So I turned inward and decided to explore what I truly think of Christ.  Do I do more than say my personal prayers, or read a chapter in the scriptures each day?  Have I helped anyone in need lately, have I cheered up a sad person and made them feel glad, have I given my all to this wonderful mission? I decided I need to have Jesus Christ in my thoughts and actions more often.  I need his guidance in making decisions, I need to find joy in every day and serve mankind with a joyful heart.  I am sure there are more things that I need, but I decided to start simple.

First I will still do my prayers and scripture study, but I need to have him in my thoughts more during the day. SO, I have set an alarm to go off at two odd times of the day, and when I hear it, I get up from what I am doing and find something that will bring him to my thoughts.  I have read scriptures, played hymns on the piano, watched movies over at the theater, I have even brought Roger into conversations discussing the gospel of Jesus Christ.  

I have loved this week.  What do I think of Christ?  I am learning a whole new dimension of love, patience, desire to do good, and I am finding joy in each day.  Will this last forever? I hope so!

Jesus the very thought of thee

With sweetness fills my breast;

But sweeter far thy face to see

And in they presence rest.

Nor voice can sing, nor heart can frame,

Nor can the memory find

A sweeter sound than thy blessed name,

O Savior of mankind!

O hope of every contrite heart,

O joy of all the meek,

To those who fall, how kind thou art!

How good to those who seek!

Jesus, our only joy be thou,

As thou our prize wilt be;

Jesus, be thou our glory now,

And thru eternity.

Bernard of Clairvaux

1091-1153

Happy Birthday Lis!

December 15, 2015

My life seemed full; I had six children, the youngest in school, freeing me up to do pretty much what ever I wanted.  There were some things going on in our life at the time that made me feel like I needed to spend an afternoon in the Temple seeking answers.

Little did I know that my answer would be to add another child to our family.  Our lives would never be the same.  Elisabeth came in our old age, at least old for bearing children. But what a blessing.

It has been her responsibility to keep us young. She grew up almost an only child.  By the time she was in Elementary school Diana was in Middle school, same with High School, with seven years separating them.

Elisabeth loved the kittens and she had the ability to find them, no matter where

the mother cat hid them.

She was almost four years old when she started playing the violin. I know she stayed with it to please me. But she has a natural talent and I just tried to give her the opportunity to develop it. Sometimes she hated the violin, but she would never let me know.   She kept it inside.  I'm not sure when she truly developed a love for it, but it must have been Dara Morales.  This teacher opened her eyes to some beautiful music..  It may have been the  Utah Youth Symphony and Barbara Scowcroft.  I have always been happy she stuck with it, because Elisabeth plays like an angel.

By the time High School came along she was already good on the violin, so she tried some other likes.  One of them was Tennis.  She loved playing and made some good friends doing it.  She also developed her singing voice.  That opened her up to getting the part of the Sour Kangaroo in Horton Hears a Who.  Her voice was stunning.  Then she got the lead, Lola, in Damn Yankees.  She stole the show each time.

She was amazing as Lola in Damn Yankees

Elisabeth got an opportunity to attend BYU Idaho on a music scholarship.  It was hard to have her go so far from home, but she grew in her music more than I could have guessed.  However, she had other goals.  These brought her to get her Associate Degree so she could go on a mission. 

Deciding to serve a full time mission was an event that came through the encouragement of her sister Anne.  Her call came and she was on her way to the Malaga, Spain mission.  She had spent about three to four months in the Canary Islands when the missions were realigned and she ended up getting a new mission call to Madrid, Spain.  

Finishing her mission, she knew exactly what she wanted as she came home. That was to marry her dearest friend, Shane York.

 

Shane and Elisabeth

Life was busy for them.  Shane finished school at Weber State University while Elisabeth had transferred to The University of Utah, where she finished in music.  They were blessed from Heaven before she graduated, and this brought little Conrad into our lives, the greatest blessing of all.

Cute Baby boy Conrad

Elisabeth is still very busy, and her life is filled with caring for this cute boy. The greatest joy a mother can have is to watch her children grow in righteousness. Giving love to many.

Dad and I love you Lis!!! 

Happy Birthday!!!

Missing Home!

December 12, 2015

Last night we had almost 400 people come into the Visitor Center to view Annie the Jerusalem donkey and Breezy and March the sheep.

 Each new family was greeted outside and invited into the Center for Christmas videos, or to have some refreshments (cookies and hot cider) in the residence. We finally got home about 10:00 p.m. We were just too tired to even go to bed.

The Ward Christmas party is tonight. It is potluck, and I have not even decided what to take.  We are at the Visitor Center all day today until three this afternoon, so hopefully I will think of something good and festive to take.  I miss my kitchen, I miss baking and preparing for my family to visit.  I feel like my cooking skills have been put on pause. 

Oh well, it is rewarding to have so many people come and enjoy these beautiful lights.  They are truly stunning this year.  About eighty percent of these visitors are not members of our Church, but they want to feel Christmas, and this is the best place in all New England for those feelings. I am happy to be here.

Rogers note:

The Jerusalem donkey shown here is a special breed noted for the cross on its withers and back.  We got this donkey from a Church member living in New Hampshire.  She brings it every year for the duration of the Christmas season.  During the season we get about 40,000 visits from people of New England.  Most just drive around the circle, just to see the LED light display.  

We put the donkey, with two Nubian sheep, at the center of the display so the children will come to the mangers and pet the animals.  We point out that it was a donkey like this one that carried Mary to Bethlehem.  And the sheep represent the shepherds, who were first to visit the Savior at his crib side.  Over 5,000 persons have stopped their cars and come to the manger and then into the Center to see messages on the Savior of the world. 

In all it has been a wonderful celebration this year.  The weather has been mild, and the lights very bright.  It is the best nativity display in all New England.    

Happy Birthday Amy!

December 5, 2015

Early in December of 1967 we were waiting patiently for our first baby to come.  I was due December 17th and I wondered what it would be like. I had felt her move inside me for months, an experience that filled me with wonder. However, December 5th she decided to come.  We went to the old Dee Hospital where Doctor Johnson admitted me to Labor and Delivery. I needed a little help, so and IV was started.  Little did I know it would take all day and then some to get her here.  Amy was born at 7:17 p.m. Weighed 7 lbs. 7 oz.  She was beautiful, her little round face was perfect.  I never had felt this kind of joy before.

Amy decided to come right in the middle of Roger's finals at Weber State University, which was difficult, but he seemed to manage. During my whole pregnancy Roger insisted we were having a boy, so everything I bought in preparation was blue. My mother said "you need one thing pink," and she made me a soft pink quilt that was well used for many years.

We moved to the University of Utah when Amy was eight months old. She was so much fun to have around while Roger was at school and work for most of every day.  I started to read to Amy when she was three months old, and everyday we would read stories, sing songs and play.  I loved being a mother.

This is Amy's second birthday cake. I had taken a cake decorating 

class from Continuing Education in the Salt Lake School District 

We lived many places and Amy shared each one with us.  She was just two when we moved to Texas (San Antonio and El Paso); she was three when we moved back to Ogden, four when we went to Pima, Arizona, five when we came back to Granger, Utah; from there we moved to Provo, Utah, Sylmar, California, then back to Ogden and then to Peterson, Utah. 

Each of these places hold special memories for all of us.  In Granger, when I went to Parent Teacher Conference, the teacher said she didn't know Amy and she was sure she wasn't in her class. I said I was sure she came here everyday.  The teacher looked at her roll and there was Amy's name.  She said "Oh, she must be the little shy girl that sits at the back of the class."  The teacher was very embarrassed. That same thing happened in the sixth grade.  Mr. Goodrow said she wasn't in his class, and when he looked at the roll, there she was.  This time I wasn't so nice; we had been there three months.  He said there wasn't a score next to her name, so she would have to make up all the work that hadn't been entered. 

I told him that was not going to happen, that he would grade her on what she handed in from that point on.  He said he had some girls in the class enter the scores.  His mistake.  You do not want to upset the "Momma Bear."

Amy Senior Year at Morgan High School

Amy did well at the schools in Morgan.  She was in the drama program and in many plays.  She became the Drama Sterling Scholar and won the state scholarship, which she used when she went to BYU.  She was also a Student Body Officer at Morgan High School.  

It was during one of her many competitions that she met McKay Jensen, and her life was set on an amazing course from that day to this.

Amy and McKay's engagement picture

From the day of their marriage to today they have worked as a team.  Each building on the other's strengths and each supporting the other in every endeavor.  One of those endeavors took them to the University of Illinois, Champaign, Urbana, where Amy earned her Doctorate and Mckay his Masters; both came back with honors. 

But the most important part of that experience was the babies Amy carried home with her, Lauren and Lily.  These beautiful girls were born in Utah and became the most precious of all God's Gifts to their Mom and Dad, and a blessing for us all.

What a cute family! McKay, Amy, 

Lauren and Lily

Life at the Jensen's is busy to say the least.  The girls are in High School now, McKay is on the School Board and Amy is an Associate Dean at BYU.  

They are world travelers.  they have seen Rome and Denmark and many other places, participated in many cultural events in several countries.  The best trip for us, was when they came to see us here in Vermont.  We had a great time and will always be thankful they are in our lives.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMY!

We Love you!

Note from Dad:  Five-year-old Amy and I bonded when we took a trip across the U.S. together with my folks.  Susan had just had Mary, so she couldn't go.  On that trip we experienced a tornado, four flat tires, traffic jams and little yellow car blues.  But we came back cemented together.  As we sat at the grave of David Whitmer, we realized that the Book of Mormon would always be a true witness. David Whitmer, even though he had left the Church, said, "I testify that I saw and held the plates of gold and that Joseph was a prophet."  This was written on his grave stone. 

 

For the Strength of Youth

November 23, 2015

It is really cold today.  The sun is shining and the sky is clear. The FM missionaries are about finished putting the Christmas lights up. This Friday and Saturday we have a Live Nativity and the lighting program to kick off the Christmas season. This also starts the very, very, very busy nights.  Last year we had about 40,000 cars drive past and 5-6,000 people come into the residence for cider and cookies. We will be open for twelve hours each day and our schedules will be crazy.  BUT it is amazing to greet and visit with so many people, most not members of our Church.

The leaves are all gone now and we can see the rolling hills through the trees.  This monument is captivating in every season.

Roger has had some interesting experiences this past few weeks, so he is going to put them on this post.

Roger:

I teach a small Sunday School class.  In the class are two foreign exchange students.  One is a Muslim from Tunisia; the other is a Roman Catholic from Rome.  There are four Mormon girls and one Mormon boy.  We have all sort of bonded.  We laugh and cry together and discuss the gospel, allowing everyone to say what they want.

Last week was one of those crying weeks.  Miriam believes devoutly in Allah.  Of course, last week was the Paris attack where 130 persons were killed by terrorists professing faith in Allah.  The lesson was on how we can stand up for our beliefs.  I asked, "have any of you ever had to speak up for your beliefs?"

Miriam's hand shot up.  "I have been on Twitter all night," she said. "We do not believe in killing people like this.  The Quran (Koran) does not teach this anywhere!"  It was such a stunning statement that we all started to cry.  I saw in the face of this little Muslim girl (16 years old) a hope for all the Muslim world, and a hope for the western world for peace with about one third of the earth's population.

Elder Brent Nielsen, of the Seventy, came to our ward two weeks ago.  He said of this refugee problem from Syria, "Perhaps this is the way the gospel will be introduced into the Muslim world."  As a soldier in Vietnam, I watched this very thing happen in Vietnam. While we were in that war none of us could see hope for that Buddha inspired nation.  But today thousands and thousands of Vietnamese people are members of the LDS Church.  Could it not be the same for the Muslim nations?

One other story.  Yesterday in class I wanted to play a small piece of video featuring Elder Uchtdorf.  As I put it up on the computer, the piece came up with Elder Uchtdorf speaking perfect Italian.  I don't know how it happened: I touched no such button, but there it was--perfect Italian.  Chincthia translated it for us and we went on, laughing and joying in the Spirit of Christ.      

One Year

November 10, 2015

This weekend we had a wonderful opportunity to meet with Elder and Sister Brent Nielson of the Seventies Quorum.  He was here visiting our mission, spending time with the young Sisters and Elders, and meeting with our Senior Missionaries in New Hampshire Manchester Mission.  

I loved many things about the instructions we were given, but one that caught my attention was the importance of UNITY.  This is something we need in every aspect of our lives.  He said if we would put down the sword of rebellion and take up the cause of the Lord Jesus Christ in our everyday lives, if we would quit finding fault in others and build up those we associate with, we would find that those we love, our families, the people in our work place and the world, would become our fast friends and we would do anything for their benefit.

If we would follow Jesus Christ's call to "come unto me," and then truly follow His ways we could find true joy.

I had two young women, students from Montreal, come to the visitors center.  They were full of life and excitement.  They were thrilled to be here.  They wanted to know everything I could tell them, they wanted every pamphlet and pass along card we have, they wanted the Proclamation on the Family, and The Living Christ, they wanted a Book of Mormon.  They were not members of our Church but knew someone that had made a wonderful impression on them. They are seeking truth and God's plan.  I hope what they learned here will help them reach out to Christ and come unto Him.

Several years ago we visited Denmark with Amy, McKay, Lilly and Lauren.  One of the places we visited was The Church of Our Lady, on Stroet Street, where the famous Christus stands in prominence.  There in the same church are statues of each of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ from His time on the earth.  They are beautifully done. The one of Peter holding keys is especially important.  These are the keys to the kingdom of God, and were restored to Joseph Smith in 1829.  They are held today by President Thomas S. Monson. The reason I put this in the blog today is that all we teach, the stories we tell here at the Visitors Center, are ll encompassed by those keys of authority present in our lives today.  

Roger standing by Peter the Apostle.

We had two Senior Sister missionaries who left to return home to Utah yesterday.  They had spent most of their time in Maine.  They helped teach a young mother who had sought refugee status here in the States.  She was found protesting against her government in the Congo, where she was fighting for freedom.  She was jailed, beaten, and raped.  She was released from jail and went to her home only to have a neighbor come to her and to tell her that the police were on their way to jail her again. They helped her get to a Catholic Church, to safety, and there to come through the underground to the U.S. She brought her young boys, ages six and four, but she still has no idea where her husband is, or if he is still alive.  The missionaries taught her and she knew what they told her was true.  Last Friday she was baptized; on Saturday I was able to give her a tour of the Visitor Center.  Her countenance and spirit were pure and good.  She is on her way now with Sister Farr and Sister Edwards to a place of safety where she can work towards citizenship and freedom for her family.

There is a spirit about this place that is amazing.

Thank you for the picture Marjean.

With the way the world is today it is nice to have a place of peace in my life.  I love this mission. I love this scripture too from Paul: 

Ephesians 6:11-18

11. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness.

15. And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

16. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

I love home! I love my family more than words can say.  I love the Lord Jesus Christ, and I am thankful daily for the Atonement in my life.