Our week started with a visit from Dad's oldest Perkins cousin, Eric. He was in town for his oldest grandson's birthday.
He had come a bit early, so I finished up the tasks I had intended to do before he got there, namely clearing out the bottom of the wardrobe in the entry hall where we keep the coats. Dad said if I did he would take all his plentitude of jackets off the front of the wardrobe and put them inside. I found this adorable quilt, that I evidently bought two years ago, in August of 2024. I guess I put it away with the other holiday throws and pillows to use the next year and forgot. Well, I decided to put out both ...
of the patriotic quilt and pillow combos I found for the rest of the summer. Silly, silly me.
We got a couple of pictures of Kai, this one with Charley at the hotel for his time off the trail with his family the beginning of last week.
Here's a post Britt put out there.
And here's our Eva in the MTC doing the classic shot.
This week, Becca announced
on face book that their family has now visited all 50 states. Here's a representative sample of pictures from different states.
On Tuesday Dad and I headed to the Church History Library, for our first of three days of training. I loved this whispy heart shaped cloud with an arrow through it above the Church History Library.
Here are out teachers. On topi s James Miller the head of the Church History Acquisition Department, he was our main teacher on Tuesday. In the lower left-hand corner is Rachel Lara, who we worked with a bit on Tuesday and more on Wednesday, she taught us to use the scanner which digitizes photos and documents. Then we met Ashley on Wednesday, and all day on Thursday.
Here is a map of the Europe North Area, who we will oversee other couples doing oral histories, and those in charge RPCs (Records Preservation Centers) scattered throughout this area.
James was telling us about his time in Finland, and when I mentioned the Jakkers and the fact that they were among the first missionaries into Russia after the 'wall fell', he pulled up this picture of the whole group of couples who were called to be the first missionaries to go into Russia. The Jakkers met a family while camping in pursuit of getting to know Russians, and the father of the family became the first Branch President in Russia. They are shown on the far right. That was so very cool. We only knew 2 of the 6 couples, but they have all had their oral histories taken. The other couple was the Kamppinens, Jussi and Pini. Both couples are amazing.
Later in his power point we saw that he had used the same picture.
That first day we went to lunch at Garden Restaurant in the Joseph Smith Memorial building and then wandered over to temple square. We got in the standby line and were able to do the tour of the underground, full size temple interior.
Here we are in the faux celestial room taking a picture we thought we would never be able to take.
It was a beautiful room.
I thought this wall quote was perfect for our feelings after the tour.
Back at the CHL we saw this picture of the granite vaults. We had a tour of the library and the closed stacks. Such a great experience for us.
At lunch the second day we went to the Church Office Building cafeteria and ran into a man, Bill Armstrong, who lives in the stake we lived in on Butler Hill. He also sings barbershop, but in a different chorus than Dad.
Then he ran into Brent Nielson, who was on the book committee of missionaries who produced the Wade Missionary book that led to us getting this mission call. BTW they had one kiosk in the cafeteria that had 'Healthy Foods', so I was able to fill up on sweet potatoes, broccoli and edamame, along with wonderful berries. It's rare to run into healthy options when eating anywhere but home.
That night we drove out to Tooele to take Joyce out to dinner for her birthday. She has now hit the big 7-0
On the way home we got to enjoy this amazing sunset in Spanish Fork.
Then on Thursday they had a couple who is going to be doing what we do, but on-line from home. This is the Daughter and Mom of the Butler family.
Here are Dad and I, in our obligatory picture in front of the temple.
Here is Reed Butler, his wife Suzanne and their daughter Emily. Emily used to work for the Family History Department, and now that her kids are getting older, she thought she join her folks doing this service mission. The folk met the Humphries as they were coming home from a trip in England, when the Humphries (who we are replacing) were coming to Utah last spring so the wife could have back surgery. (You may recall that we had them come to dinner and tell us about this mission.) So, the Butlers ended up signing on to do the same work we are, but at home as a service mission on line. The irony is that they live in our stake, and Dad served with Reed on the High Counsel soon after we moved to Payson.
Now that you have met the Butlers, I thought I would share Reed Butler's likeness to Brent Nielson, who Dad ran into in the Cafeteria the day before. I have always thought that Brother Butler looked like Brent Nielson, who is an emeritus General Authority Seventy.
Also, all week my random picture sorter, that I use for my screen saver on my phone has been focusing on Van. Maybe it runs on my thoughts somehow, as we have been thinking of him now as he was to be baptized on Saturday.
Then, as it happens, I ran into this service missionary outside the rest room during a break. We introduced ourselves and she said, "Oh, I know some Perkins, do you know a Van Perkins?" Thinking she was talking about an adult, I said, "Yes, I know a Van, but he is a child, in fact he's getting baptized this week." to which she replied, "Is his mother the one who was released as the Relief Society President to go to Harvard?, and is she at Harvard right now?" As it turns out she only knew Van's first name because she taught him in Nursery for a year and a half, and Spencer is "Van's" Dad, and Brittney is Sister Perkins, as the Relief Society President. That all threw me off, as I have never had anyone ask me if I knew a child before. She said that Van is very smart, and she just loved having him in the nursery. Her name is Sister Strasser.
One day we when we were walking down the hall with our instructors, Dad noticed Brian Warburton's name on a door and stopped to say hi. Brian is married to one of Janell's besties, so we've seen them on and off over the years.
On Friday Dad braved the high 90's and mowed the lawn. I put somethings together and headed to Treasures to put out some product, as I now need to get everything in the pipeline into the store since the 18 large bins are full and ready to go. (thanks Becca)
I got home from the mall just intime to meet up with the Perrys to enjoy the Salmon Supper together. I used to minister to her, before the last ward realignment, and she knew my brother Ross in Highschool, as they went to Woodscross Highschool together the first year.
Then first thing on Saturday we headed to Sugar house to see Van get baptized by his Dad.
Guests were invited to sign the matt on his portrait, and to share a favorite scripture in the Book of Mormon they provided.
The Summers took up a couple of rows, and Cam was happily seated by her cousin Reagan.
Trevor and Nell's family sat in front of Dad and I, and the Okada family.
Here are Peter and Kathy with their grandson, Parks. (also, our grandson, of course)
The service was wonderful, Van had chosen his Uncle Trevor to speak about baptism. Trever did a great job of including a Pokemon analogy, about choosing his Master to be Jesus Christ. And he referred to how the Pokemon have different levels of development, that are more and more powerful. He said that as we follow our Master, (Jesus Christ) he makes more of us, than we can by ourselves. He said that being baptized is the beginning of our journey with Christ.
He also chose his Uncle Spencer (Brittney's older brother) to speak on the gift of the Holy Ghost. He had a flashlight with him and talked about how before we receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost, we would have it with us sometimes, but it wasn't always 'on'. Then when we have the gift of the Holy Ghost it is always 'on', as long as we keep doing the things that charge the battery, like praying, choosing the right, reading our scriptures and serving others. If we stopped doing those things, the light of the Holy Ghost will leave our lives.
Two excellent and relevant talks, from men in his life who are good examples to him. I loved that.
Here's Cam afterwards carrying the flowers.
Van with his Aunt Angela
And with his family.
Back at the house his friend lets him try on the mask he made.
His friend's family gave him a Pokemon tie and a SLC Temple tie tac, just like his own.
Parks attempts to eat a bagel that his Uncle Spencer said was as big as his head. It was so cute. We had a lovely time visiting.
Then, surprisingly we went to see Joyce at the U of U hospital. She'd rather I don't mention why, so I won't, but she should be home on Monday.
Then we drove up in the Uinta's to the tree with the eye. I thought this was amazing. Its right in front of Becca and Brady's latest project. They bought a fixer up cabin several months ago and are trying to get it ready to really use this year.
Here are Dad and Becca in the recliners in front of the new fireplace that will provide a good deal of heat.
Madi and Mac are entertaining themselves in the bunk room. There are three double beds in this loft, all with a single pullout bed. Becca and Brady are planning for the days of their grandchildren. Which is just crazy to this old lady.
It was fun to see all they have done, and to hear their plans.
At Primary today, one of my co teachers, had the lesson and brought these big chocolate covered marshmallows with faces. Nancy is from Mexico and these are a treat she grew up with. The kids thought they were amazing.
Dad dropped my off at the Peery's house, to see if I wanted to buy some painting done by Rebecca. Here she is with the three I chose.
This one was done up Payson Canyon
This is Hal's grandson fly fishing in Yellowstone National Park.
This one was painted from a photo Rebecca took at Thanksgiving Point.
I walked home with a painting, so I entered through the front door, walking past the flower bed outside our kitchen window. We have loved it because it attracts hummingbirds, and Dad and I have both seen them out there.
When Dad got home from the Stake Center, we put together items for the Senior Couple Fireside we were to attend and to do display tables about our missions.
The Wilsons are here with their Addiction Recovery Mission that they have served in for 15 years. They are sharing with the Ekins.
Here is Dad with our Finland table.
And this is our Mosida Handcart Trek Site Mission.
So, we had a great week, that seemed to be a lot about missions and missionaries. Eva will leave for her mission this coming Tuesday. We now have a farewell date for our upcoming mission. It will be on September 13th. We found out at the fireside tonight that right now there is one senior sister serving, and when we go we will be the only senior couple in our Stake. We do have about a half a dozen senior service missionaries in the stake.
