tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53579422082261346992024-03-21T10:14:49.962-04:00Stories of Faith and CourageInspirational stories of exemplary people.
"Since it is so likely that (children) will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage. Otherwise you are making their destiny not brighter but darker.” --- C. S. LewisMelanie J. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08510427380627153963noreply@blogger.comBlogger148125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357942208226134699.post-41648586714199680762016-07-13T12:16:00.001-04:002016-07-13T12:18:06.003-04:00Guest Post: Aduei Riak Found Hope in Education Despite Civil War<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 3pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "georgia";"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Today's post was written by Geoffrey Johnson for school. I wanted to add it to the hero blog because he makes many good points in this essay.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 3pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "georgia";"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12.8px; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 3pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
-----------------------------</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12.8px; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 3pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.8; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Imagine losing your parents and going to sleep each night knowing that the next day, you may not survive. Despite this, imagine clinging to an insane and virtually impossible dream of being a lawyer to help people even though you’re in the middle of a civil war… Aduei Riak is a Sudanese woman who lived through that hellish experience. At the age of three she was separated from her parents and joined the Lost Boys, a group of children in the same predicament who were marching away from the Sudanese Civil war. She bravely accepted her situation, not her fate, and lived through it. Riak took the opportunity offered to her and earned a higher education that enabled her to change her fate. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14.6667px; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12.8px; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 3pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14.6667px; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One newspaper says,“You would never know that as a young girl she walked 1000 miles to flee a civil war in her homeland. Or that Riak, now twenty-three, came of age in a refugee camp, and until last summer had not seen her mother since she was six.” </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 8.8px; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: super; white-space: pre-wrap;">(1)</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14.6667px; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> She was thrown into life for before she was supposed to- she lost her parents, accepted the possibility of death, and she pushed through it, despite the hopelessness of the situation. Eventually, her perseverance earned her a job as a paralegal, which is job that requires a bachelor’s and associate’s degree, while the most common level of education achieved by Americans who have never seen war in their lives is a high school diploma.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 8.8px; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: super; white-space: pre-wrap;">(2) </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14.6667px; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Granted, Riak was one of the 1% of refugees who actually received a higher education, but that is all the more reason why she is a hero. No one would have looked down at her for not pursuing a higher education because of her horrible situation as a child. Instead, she refused to take any sympathy and made a way for herself in the dark world she was given. Through hard work, courage, and perseverance, she changed her fate, her fortune, into something to be admired. Students can connect to her story; it will give them hope and drive to make a bright future for themselves, despite the many, many challenges life will put out.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12.8px; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Aduei Riak would be a stellar speaker that would help the lives of the middle school kids. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.8; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Riak grew up in the middle of a civil war, with fighting and bloodshed involuntarily part of her daily life. She defied all expectations and despite her horrible circumstance, she rode the currents of change without looking back to make a new life for herself. We can all respect the amazing things she accomplished and use her story to pull us through hard times.</span></div>
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12.8px;" />
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12.8px; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "droid serif"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Citations:</span></div>
<ol style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 12.8px; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; font-size: 14.6667px; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">‘Lost’ in Sudan’s violence, she’s found hope in the USA (Charisse Jones, page 1)</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; font-size: 14.6667px; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 15px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Federal Census Bureau, 2000</span></li>
</ol>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "droid" serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Photo courtesy of USA Today</span></span></div>
Melanie J. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08510427380627153963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357942208226134699.post-37703108391312206572015-08-25T19:25:00.002-04:002015-08-25T19:29:05.925-04:00Rev. Hugh Earseman Served Parishioners for over 50 yearsBeing a Pastor or Minister of a congregation is a demanding job. There are sermons to prepare, sick people to visit, and mourners to comfort. Parishioners need counseling and support through their trials. Keeping up with these demands as well as being a husband and father would make this all the more difficult. Certainly it takes a special person to serve as a Minister. <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Often I am sure a Minister might prefer to move and begin fresh in a new congregation. Perhaps this would help with inevitable burn out. Or maybe one might want to jump into leadership and supervise other clergy instead.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Reverend Hugh Fraser Earseman served his congregation for over 50 years as their Minister. As Joel, a member of the Edenburg Presbyterian Church in Knox Pennsylvania wrote, "<span style="line-height: 16px; text-indent: 48px;">It is extremely rare for a pastor to serve one church for over fifty years, and Reverend Earseman served the Edenburg church for a total of 54 years. </span><span style="line-height: 16px; text-indent: 48px;">Local newspapers recorded that over two hundred people came on the wintry day of February 27th, 1934 to the celebration that was held to celebrate pastor Earseman’s 50th year of service. </span><span style="line-height: 16px; text-indent: 48px;">Reverend Hugh F. Earseman was called as the second formally installed pastor. He served from February 1, 1887 until October 30, 1938.</span><span style="line-height: 16px; text-indent: 48px;">" </span><span style="line-height: 16px; text-indent: 48px;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hugh Earseman was born in 1858 in Pennsylvania to Scottish immigrants. Something inspired him to pursue the ministry; Hugh was ordained to the ministry on 30 June 1885 and 'Reverend' Earseman took over the decade old congregation in 1887. He even supervised the tearing down of the Old Winebrennarian Church where they had met since formation in 1876, and the building of the currently standing church in 1897. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I know very little about this caring man of God, at least about his training and upbringing. What I do know a lot about is his love for his congregation and his family. How might I know? After all, I am an unrelated woman living in Georgia decades after his death. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZWvdiM6y8DI5CwevZUXBgS2ZQO-OELdMDkmBwjYnNQwy7hobEWBbLkesWjrwqpT2zHPA3C6Lws6_QLiX5ODV7XPeBI1bowkQJzx6nfwDrRVYpN2tTDwOZlILvboHxzk1oI15w3kMUnc/s1600/Scan_20150825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZWvdiM6y8DI5CwevZUXBgS2ZQO-OELdMDkmBwjYnNQwy7hobEWBbLkesWjrwqpT2zHPA3C6Lws6_QLiX5ODV7XPeBI1bowkQJzx6nfwDrRVYpN2tTDwOZlILvboHxzk1oI15w3kMUnc/s640/Scan_20150825.jpg" width="464" /></a></div>
<div>
I have come into possession several letters the Reverend wrote to a relative of mine, a Mrs. Carrie Bloss Lynde, who was a member of his congregation for a time. As she moved back home, Reverent Earseman wrote to her neatly typewritten letters of encouragement and love. He even spoke at her funeral when she died some years later. So in a way, I know a great deal about Reverend Earseman, more than dates and facts can tell. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In each letter, he not only asks how Carrie is, but shares how others she knew from the congregation are doing. He offers encouragement in her health problems. And he encourages her to visit and/or update him on her condition. And he shares details of his children's lives-- how they are doing, what they are doing. His love shows. Listen to how he shares his love in the following quotes:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"I do hope you are well and that you plan to come to see us some time. Maybe when the roads get good we could drive up and get you. May the new year be good to you." </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"I hope you are better soon. When you can do so send me a card or some news. I shall be anxious to hear from you. I assure you I shall hope most earnestly for your recovery and send you best wishes. Very truly yours."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In another, he encourages her with information of someone in similar circumstances. "I got your letter today and was both sad and glad over it. I was sorry you had to go to the hospital and suffer the pain and anxiety of an operation. But I was glad you are better and hope that soon you may be entirely well and strong as ever. I always dread operations for any of my friends. You never know just what you will find."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here is how he describes who must be his children or grandchildren living with him in 1929: "Marjory and Karl were here ... Lois came the day before them. Marjory read the Three Bears and other little books till they knew them by heart. Both are rather fine looking children. Bobby is a big white headed boy. He is smart and knows all the Mother Goose Rhymes and will say speeches by the hour. He learns anything very rapidly and so does Josephine. Just repeat any little verse to them a time or two and they know it and do not seem to forget it at all."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In 1930 his update included this information, "Both of the little ones were sick... Bobby was very sick one day with temperature above 104 degrees. But they are all right now and Josephine has not missed a day at school so far. She likes to go and is learning to read fast. Bobby gets lonesome for her some days. The little Clover youngsters come over and play with him."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In 1933 he wrote, "Josephine and Bobby are both in school. This is the third year for her and the first for Bobby. Both have done well. Bobby likes his teacher very much. He is rather a nice looking boy. Josephine is red-cheeked, black hair and quite chubby. She is a dear little girl and very helpful. Bobby is light haired. Both are full of life and like to play."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Of himself, he is modest and grateful. In 1933 he wrote, "I have not been any too well. At times I have severe headaches. I can get around as well as ever and for my age have much reason to be very thankful for the strength I have." </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
He described a visit he made with an ill congregant. His experience is probably typical of his ministry. "Yesterday afternoon I went over to Clarion and stayed all night with Mr. a nd Mrs. C. W. Wisler. They are both pretty well but Colonel is failing a good deal. He delights in talking over old times and is full of tales of long ago. He is past 81 years of age. We have been friends for more than forty years, and I have known his wife that long. We had a pleasant visit together. Isabel took me over and I came home this forenoon on the bus."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Many more little living snippets like this show a man of God who loved and served his people. I honor Reverend Hugh Fraser Earseman for his goodness, his service and his tenacity.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sources: "The Edenburg Presbyterian Church," Joel, Class of 2004. http://www.keyknox.com/grassroots/yesterday/places/edenburgpresbyterian.htm<br />
<br />
Obituary of Carrie V. Bloss Lynde.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Letters in possession of Melanie Johnson, written by Reverent Hugh F. Earseman to Carrie Bloss Lynde, dated Jan 4, 1929- June 7, 1933. Letters courtesy of Rita and Lee Goldthwaite.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
General information about Hugh F. Earseman was found on Ancestry.com. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
P.S. I would love to pass these letters on to his descendants. Please contact me. They belong in your hands.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Melanie J. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08510427380627153963noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357942208226134699.post-89896171149524435412015-04-13T15:15:00.001-04:002015-04-13T15:15:47.415-04:00Christian Missionaries Changed the way Polynesian's Dressed, and Housewives too.<div class="MsoNormal">
I am dreaming about making myself a new dress-- a
muumuu. Some people think they are 'moo
moo's' like big and ugly dresses for big women.
But I look at them as comfortable airy dresses. Living in the hot South, I welcome the idea! I ordered and received some beautiful
Hawaiian fabric, so I did some research into what kind of muumuu I wanted. I learned a lot-- I'd love to share what I
learned since it is so interesting.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Protestant missionaries first went to the Polynesian islands
in the early 1800's to preach Christianity.
They were appalled to see the natives wearing very little clothing, due to the hot
climate and lack of fabric. Remember
that they were pretty isolated from the world on their islands in the Pacific and
only had leaves and flowers, and some rudimentary fabric they made out of
fibers from wauke trees. Men wore simple
loincloths and women wore hula skirts.
Only native vegetation like flowers and leaves adorned the upper half of
a woman's body.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Imagine a Mormon missionary coming to teach about the Gospel
of Jesus Christ with people walking around dressed like that! The missionaries immediately made up dresses
that covered the women up as much as possible.
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t202" coordsize="21600,21600"
o:spt="202" path="m,l,21600r21600,l21600,xe">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/>
<v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/>
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t202" style='position:absolute;
margin-left:1.65pt;margin-top:289.15pt;width:309.95pt;height:41.25pt;
z-index:2;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;
mso-position-vertical-relative:text' stroked="f">
<v:textbox style='mso-fit-shape-to-text:t' inset="0,0,0,0">
<![if !mso]>
<table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 width="100%">
<tr>
<td><![endif]>
<div>
<p class=MsoCaption>
Tahitian women wearing Mother Hubbard dresses between
1880 and 1889.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>Photo courtesy of the
French National Library.<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>Note how
they now look more 'Tahitian' and less plain.<span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<![if !mso]></td>
</tr>
</table>
<![endif]></v:textbox>
<w:wrap type="square"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75"
coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe"
filled="f" stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/>
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/>
</v:formulas>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/>
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/>
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_s1031" type="#_x0000_t75"
alt="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/Tahitiennes_en_robe_mission.jpg"
style='position:absolute;margin-left:1.65pt;margin-top:31.15pt;width:309.95pt;
height:253.5pt;z-index:1;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;
mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;
mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;
mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;
mso-position-vertical-relative:text'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Melanie\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image002.jpg"
o:title="Tahitiennes_en_robe_mission"/>
<w:wrap type="square"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->They were like plain tents with just
something around the neck to hold them up.
They were called 'Mother Hubbard' dresses in America and Europe. Now the missionaries could concentrate on
teaching the natives about Jesus.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsa58Q2upQJi-K_T5S_cqK7cH3YGTTYYvI5ugc2776Q4rrI0pZzvMp7wIvvpWjC6sqLZTVmtC152pOly63kF-yP57Xz4OmvndtYWdjHd8XJXmNmUDo7LgTcuWNU1QWCMYe4evoyLlT0s/s1600/Tahitiennes_en_robe_mission.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsa58Q2upQJi-K_T5S_cqK7cH3YGTTYYvI5ugc2776Q4rrI0pZzvMp7wIvvpWjC6sqLZTVmtC152pOly63kF-yP57Xz4OmvndtYWdjHd8XJXmNmUDo7LgTcuWNU1QWCMYe4evoyLlT0s/s1600/Tahitiennes_en_robe_mission.jpg" height="261" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tahitian women wearing Mother Hubbard dresses, taken between 1880 -1889. Photo courtesy of the French National Library. Note how they look more 'Tahitian' and less plain.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over the years, the Polynesians adapted these dresses to their tastes by using
brightly colored fabrics. They loved these
dresses! They were cool and comfortable
and airy. Different names were given to
them on each of the Polynesian islands, and Hawaiians called them 'holoku.' Over time, Holoku became more ornate with
trains and fancy embellishment. They
wore them to ceremonies and special events.
A simpler dress for everyday wear became known as a 'Muumuu.' It is now the trademark dress for Hawaiians.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This just goes to show you that an idea can have far
reaching effects. Those Protestant
missionaries had no idea that they would create a fashion phenomenon when they attempted to cover up the
half-naked natives in the Polynesian Islands.
Now muumuu's are part of the culture of Hawaii, a trademark. Millions of people have worn and continue to
wear muumuu's. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuGqgnE53ISxeD6lSEx2Jf1sKxwVDHdL8fRk01v3RNJ-TUSL4FsR9PBWIey2s7hWN5aesAeEVWh3VpvxFvGFnOlIKZdkC56X2QoTqPze5LeDLH1Jq6a3GptGUTzGvX_oOU9reENc9-dA/s1600/Vivian+Dennis.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuGqgnE53ISxeD6lSEx2Jf1sKxwVDHdL8fRk01v3RNJ-TUSL4FsR9PBWIey2s7hWN5aesAeEVWh3VpvxFvGFnOlIKZdkC56X2QoTqPze5LeDLH1Jq6a3GptGUTzGvX_oOU9reENc9-dA/s1600/Vivian+Dennis.JPG" height="320" width="269" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vivian Dennis made muumuu's practical and easy for everyone to make.<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As an aside, in the 1970's and 1980's, main-landers began wearing muumuu's around the house. A woman named Vivian Dennis taught people how to make simple muumuu's out of just a single piece of fabric and a few seams. She made a lot of women happy by simplifying the process. Here's the pattern she drew for people who visited the fabric store where she sold Hawaiian print fabrics. This looks so comfortable and airy! And easy to make.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1vHuOVrwFSRH1hORwzS9L6x5Th0NWbDSJzUC0eK7AHOi1xviOX55MpzMyNmzEjJ-P3kxkhTttXBkn3LN_HRNgD4HROphlzVrHlzoi-XR12AQ2yI8kW3EcwBjX8JNsOYDdUAfgn1B7gA/s1600/How+to+make+a+muumuu+pattern+whole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1vHuOVrwFSRH1hORwzS9L6x5Th0NWbDSJzUC0eK7AHOi1xviOX55MpzMyNmzEjJ-P3kxkhTttXBkn3LN_HRNgD4HROphlzVrHlzoi-XR12AQ2yI8kW3EcwBjX8JNsOYDdUAfgn1B7gA/s1600/How+to+make+a+muumuu+pattern+whole.jpg" height="320" width="192" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600"
o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f"
stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/>
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/>
</v:formulas>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/>
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/>
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_0" o:spid="_x0000_s1027" type="#_x0000_t75"
alt="How to make a muumuu pattern 1.JPG" style='position:absolute;
margin-left:1.5pt;margin-top:3.15pt;width:389.25pt;height:362.25pt;z-index:1;
visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;
mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;
mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;
mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;
mso-position-vertical-relative:text'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Melanie\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg"
o:title="How to make a muumuu pattern 1"/>
<w:wrap type="square"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->Pattern
by Vivian Dennis</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Directions:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Use 45 inch wide fabric.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Measure length from shoulder to floor and double the length
for fabric required.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The sketch measurements are about right for a size 18, but
can be adjusted to your requirements.
Simply move positioning of the side seams (stitch line between points I
and II) in toward the center to suit your figure. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Neck can be made higher or lower by adjusting the cutting
line.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_s1026"
type="#_x0000_t75" alt="How to make a muumuu pattern 2.JPG" style='position:absolute;
margin-left:-399pt;margin-top:42.9pt;width:389.25pt;height:287.25pt;z-index:2;
visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;
mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;
mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;
mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;
mso-position-vertical-relative:text'>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\Melanie\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image003.jpg"
o:title="How to make a muumuu pattern 2" cropright="-1288f"/>
<w:wrap type="square"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->Facing
for neck can be secured from fabric remaining when lower corners are rounded
off. Piece if necessary.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before cutting, fold fabric lengthwise then widthwise. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stitch shoulder seams.
Normal seam allowance is 5/8".
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Face neck.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stitch side seams
between I and II on right side.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Round off lower corners as shown.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Make a shirt tail hem around all remaining raw edges.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pattern found at <u>The Evening Independent</u>, Newspaper,
St. Petersburg, Florida. 11 July 1981,
pg. 3B. Article written by Hazel
Geissler. Web page news.google.com.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sources:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wikipedia: Mother Hubbard Dress and Muumuu</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Melanie J. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08510427380627153963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357942208226134699.post-75833252318475543582015-03-03T13:08:00.001-05:002015-03-03T13:09:54.894-05:00Sarah Hurdle Created the Pants for a Whole Lot of Mormons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I apologize for my lapse in writing. I've put other things first. Sounds kind of lame but that's all I can say. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSuU2j5fa4OaE8jOZ7YlAbgCPQ98nMlxwp6cBWQ0cyHNQ13umnWUNz9NxozMsSUVQ8uCTxR-uGYD_e_ObDBaymPeUJ0Qf_x9dN0C4_-sJwegWHz2RW3dwe0Qtsl8PLi1jh1vaRlID5h-M/s1600/585041923(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSuU2j5fa4OaE8jOZ7YlAbgCPQ98nMlxwp6cBWQ0cyHNQ13umnWUNz9NxozMsSUVQ8uCTxR-uGYD_e_ObDBaymPeUJ0Qf_x9dN0C4_-sJwegWHz2RW3dwe0Qtsl8PLi1jh1vaRlID5h-M/s1600/585041923(1).jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I belong to Daughters of the Utah Pioneers here in Georgia. When I was preparing for our next meeting in
a few days, I ran across an article about that suit of clothes in the photo
here. It actually was about lots of
clothes that are on display at the DUP museum in Salt Lake City. But this one caught my attention.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The pants on the model were made in 1840 by a 12 year old
girl! You probably don't sew, but I
do. I started sewing when I was around 8
or 9 years old by watching my Mom. I
remember sewing Barbie clothes for myself and my sisters dolls. My younger sister Stacey still played with
baby dolls, and I made several outfits for her little dolls. I learned to copy my favorite clothes by
turning them inside out and tracing the seams onto newspaper. Apparently I'm not the only one who figured out
how to do this.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Twelve year old Sarah Hurdle sewed these pants in 1840 for
her big brother to wear. Years later, he
crossed the plains in those pants. The
workmanship was so remarkable and the style so good that they were copied by
the women in Utah. (Or they were the
only pair of pants to survive the trip in any shape to copy?) According to a DUP scholar, almost every pair
of pants worn in Utah after 1840 was made from the pattern taken from Sarah's
pants!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Isn't it amazing that they lasted so long, and survived through
such difficult circumstances. Was it the
homespun fabric Sarah used? Or was the
pattern such that the pants held together well?
I couldn't find any more information about Sarah or her brother to share
with you. But what I learned was so cool
it was enough!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Was Sarah a Mormon Pioneer too? Did she know that the pants she made became
the 'standard' for pants that Mormon men in Utah wore? If she wasn't a member and didn't emigrate to
Utah, she probably never knew this. Further-- Could it be that Levi Strauss took note of her
pattern and integrated some of her ideas into his jeans? And do any of her design elements survive to
today? In other words, does Sarah still
influence our pants-wear generations later?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Next time I'm in Salt Lake, I will visit Sarah's pants in
the DUP exhibit. I want to take a closer
look and see what was so special about these pants that they were so widely
copied. Maybe I can ask the DUP
historians there for more information on Sarah. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This cool story shows me that we can have a positive
influence on the world even when we have no idea we are doing anything
spectacular. In fact, making these pants
may have been downright ordinary for Sarah, just like our daily lives
today. How glad I am for journals! If you're not keeping one yourself, please reconsider. Your descendants will be so grateful.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Read about Sarah's pants here: Wadley, Carma. "Pioneer Clothing: Dressed for the West." Deseret News. 30 Jan 2004. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/590039532/Dressed-for-the-West.html?pg=all</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Photo courtesy of Scott G. Winterton, Deseret Morning News</div>
Melanie J. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08510427380627153963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357942208226134699.post-42853873678992021352014-11-11T15:44:00.000-05:002014-11-11T15:44:07.794-05:00Gail Halvorsen Gave Hope to a City with his Candy Bombing<div class="MsoNormal">
I hope you watched the movie "Meet the
Mormons." We saw it twice! It was wonderful! Since it's Veterans Day, I wanted to highlight more about the Candy
Bomber, one of the Mormons in the film.
He is such an interesting man, and has done so much for our country.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gail Halvorsen was born in Salt Lake City in 1920. He grew up on farms in
Salt Lake and in Idaho and learned how to work hard. He was always a devout Mormon and learned how
to be a Christian from his family and church teachers. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/12/Gail_Halvorsen_ca._1983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/12/Gail_Halvorsen_ca._1983.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As World War 2 was shaping up, Gail was learning how to
pilot aircraft in a small program called the Civilian Pilot Training
Program. After passing the course, he
enlisted in the Air Force. He flew
missions during the war.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When the war ended, Germany was divided into sections. Russia claimed half and the rest was divided
up among the Allies (United States, Britain and France.) Due to an agreement made before the war
ended, the city of Berlin was also divided up similarly, even though Berlin was
deep in the heart of Russia's section.
Russia ruled it's sections harshly with Communism and the others were democratically
governed due to their Allied hosts. The
Germans in the Communist sections began to leave, moving to the free
areas. This began to cause friction
between the Russians and the Allies because Stalin didn't want his people to
leave. So he started a blockade, which
became the beginning of the 'Cold war.' </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stalin blocked all railways and roads into the free part of
Berlin. Food became scarce and the
Berlin people began to suffer. Electricity
was cut off to the city except for a few short hours in the day. News reports to the people gave the idea that
these sanctions were the fault of the British, Americans and French Allies to
encourage the people to want Communist rule. Stalin offered to stop the
blockade if Allies would bow to their numerous demands. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The one thing the Communists didn't stop were the airplanes
flying into West Berlin. How can you
block the sky? If Stalin ordered attacks
on the airplanes, it would start another world war. The Allies began bringing food into the city
by cargo airplanes. They didn't use fighter
planes so that they could not be seen as an aggressor. To feed the city, they needed to bring in
5000 tons of food and supplies daily! The
Allies added planes to the fleet and tonnage to their cargoes and stayed busy
bringing food to the people of West Berlin.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gail was assigned to pilot flights loaded with these
supplies into Berlin. As you see in the
movie, he saw how grateful the children were to get the food and saw how
carefully they shared the little bit of gum he gave them through the fence at
the landing field. He wanted to help
them more.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Listening to the Spirit, he decided he'd put handkerchief
parachutes onto his candy rations and drop them to the children the next day
when he made his daily delivery. He told
the kids about his plan and that they could tell it was his airplane because
he'd 'wiggle' his wings up and down. He
talked his buddies out of their candy and the idea spread. The children loved the candy and looked
forward to the drops daily from Gail, who they dubbed 'Uncle Wiggly
Wings.' </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gail's actions could have gotten him in terrible trouble
with the Air Corps. But fortunately, his
commanding officer saw the good it did and let him alone. It was good for public relations and went
against the propaganda that was everywhere about how it was the Allies fault
that Berliners were hungry. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A reporter saw this and wrote about it in America and
Britain. Children from these countries
wrote letters to Gail and enclosed their candy to give to the children. Later candy companies donated tons of candy
to add to the effort. Soon many pilots
were dropping food and goodies to West Berlin children. 'Operation Little Vittles' became well
accepted and even supported by the Air Corps and gave families hope and helped
them feel encouraged through this food blockade.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In time over 23 tons of candy was dropped to the children of
West Berlin by Uncle Wiggly Wings and his cohorts. Almost a year later, Communists lifted the
blockade and food became more plentiful again.
Citizens of West Berlin were grateful to Gail and honored him by naming
2 schools in his honor. The government
also awarded Gail the highest award given.
In America, the new generation of large transport airplanes were named
in his honor. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I honor Gail for his service during the war, but especially
because he acted on an impression to do something above and beyond his job to
help. It was such a great idea that it
caught hold and gave hope to a whole city.
He's a great example of one who followed the Savior's example of love
and service, even when it might get him in trouble in his profession.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sources: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
"Meet the Mormons" movie, 2014. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spencer Johnson, general war information.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wikipedia, "Gail Halvorsen." 22 Oct 2014, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gail_Halvorsen</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wikipedia. "Berlin Blockade." 7 November 2014, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berlin_Blockade</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Melanie J. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08510427380627153963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357942208226134699.post-46176522605455964562014-11-04T08:12:00.000-05:002014-11-04T08:16:14.667-05:00Disadvantaged Sonya Carson Helps Sons Reach Potential<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGrSVN4xq5cMg9YL4d0GjdLuZGReFzh3SJNBU0VoabKTAWjdYSgX7ey6J79-Gb73ZXLa4s1cPue90DZ90U-1mSPFE53Rq9pizeeztBkg9OB_6WBr30oMgeSCDO3GVhIZhwlNknJZyehY/s1600/bens_mom.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGrSVN4xq5cMg9YL4d0GjdLuZGReFzh3SJNBU0VoabKTAWjdYSgX7ey6J79-Gb73ZXLa4s1cPue90DZ90U-1mSPFE53Rq9pizeeztBkg9OB_6WBr30oMgeSCDO3GVhIZhwlNknJZyehY/s1600/bens_mom.gif" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have been thinking about Ben Carson's mom Sonya lately. Elder Tad Callister spoke about her in his
General Conference talk on Saturday afternoon session a few weeks ago. (To read it, click here.<a href="https://www.lds.org/ensign/2014/11/saturday-afternoon-session/parents-the-prime-gospel-teachers-of-their-children?lang=eng">Talk</a> ) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From the talk, we learned that she made her
boys read 2 books a week and 'book report' them to her. Because of that seemingly harsh rule, Ben got
a Yale education and became a doctor.
That is remarkable because she had only a 3rd grade education herself
and was raising her kids alone in the ghettos.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had to learn more about Sonya. I found out that she had been raised in
foster homes her whole childhood and married at age 13 to a much older
man. He pulled her out of poverty and
abuse, and gave her a better life. He
treated her like a china doll, lavishing her with gifts and kindness. Sadly, after her two sons were born, his
attention to her waned and Sonya left the marriage. <!--[endif]--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That left Sonya alone to raise her boys. Sonya prayed, "I don't have any
friends. I don't have anyone else to
turn to. God, you're going to have to be
my friend, my best friend. And you're
going to have to tell me how to do things and give me wisdom, because I don't
know what to do." She moved her family
to Boston and moved in with a sister and brother in law. She
relied on God to help her. She
remembered praying, "Lord, if you can take nothing and make a world out of
it, You can take my situation and make it work-- for the boys sake. I don't care so much about myself, but the
boys need help. They deserve a chance."
Her mantra became "Do your best and let God do the rest." </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sonya worked two jobs in order to take care of her
boys. She cleaned homes and noticed that
the wealthy families had lots of books on their shelves. While she worked, Ben and Curtis (Ben's brother) watched TV after school or played with friends outside. But they weren't doing well in school. Ben had gotten a zero on a test; not one
answer was correct. Sonya prayed for
several days, then presented the rule about book reports. She said, "The Lord's told me what to
do. You aren't living up to your
potential. So I'm going to see that you
do." They were to read two books a
week, write a book report on each and turn them in to her. Only 2 TV programs were allowed per week, and
homework had to be done before they went outside to play. That was it.
No argument could budge her. None
of their friends had such strict rules, but the boys obeyed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ben had been the dummy in his 5th grade class. One day his teacher asked a question about
something he had just read about for one of his 'mom book reports.' No one in the class knew the answer. He was surprised and raised his hand. The kids snickered, thinking that Ben
wouldn't know the answer! After all, he
was the dummy! Well, Ben surprised them
all, detailing the answer so much that he stunned the teacher too. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ben described this moment, "I was the one most
astonished in the class. That day-- for
the first time-- I realized that Mother had been right. Reading <i>is</i>
the way out of ignorance, and the road to achievement. I didn't have to be the class dummy anymore." Ben set out to be the best student in
class. By the time he reached 7th grade,
he <i>was </i>the top student in his class. His love of learning grew, leading him to his
extensive education and successful medical career.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Curtis also excelled in school, becoming a manager for Honeywell Corporation. He works in the aircraft landing division.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Heavenly Father heard Sonya's pleas for help. He gave her the answers to her problems,
which blessed her family abundantly. He
will always help us as we do our part. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sources: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Callister, Tad. "Parents-- the Prime Gospel Teachers of their Children." <i>Ensign</i>. November 2014. https://www.lds.org/ensign/2014/11/saturday-afternoon-session/parents-the-prime-gospel-teachers-of-their-children?lang=eng</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Carson, Ben and Cecil Murphey. <i>Think Big-- Unleashing Your Potential for Excellence.</i> Grand Rapids, Michigan. Zondervan. 1982.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Komancheck, Wendy. "Sonya Carson, Mother of Famous Neurosurgeon Ben Carson." http://www.historyswomen.com/amazingmoms/SonyaCarson.html<br />
<br />
Photo courtesy of Wendy Comancheck.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Melanie J. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08510427380627153963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357942208226134699.post-88763300919034006302014-10-27T15:58:00.002-04:002014-10-27T15:58:45.189-04:00Saul Schanberg's Weird Results Changed the Way the World Treats Premature Babies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.nature.com/npp/journal/v35/n13/images/npp2010112i1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.nature.com/npp/journal/v35/n13/images/npp2010112i1.jpg" height="320" width="245" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week I read an article about others who gave their
best, but it didn't seem to matter. In
fact, some thought that the tax-payer funded research was a waste of time and
money. The research they did seemed
irrelevant to anyone until years later when their research started saving
lives. <v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter">
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0">
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0">
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1">
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2">
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth">
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight">
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1">
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2">
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth">
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0">
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight">
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0">
</v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:formulas>
<v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f">
<o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit">
</o:lock></v:path></v:stroke></v:shapetype><v:shape alt="http://dukephotography.photoshelter.com/img/pixel.gif" id="_x0000_i1027" style="height: .75pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: .75pt;" type="#_x0000_t75">
<v:imagedata o:title="pixel" src="file:///C:\Users\Melanie\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.gif">
</v:imagedata></v:shape><v:shape alt="http://dukephotography.photoshelter.com/img/pixel.gif" id="Picture_x0020_4" o:spid="_x0000_i1026" style="height: .75pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: .75pt;" type="#_x0000_t75">
<v:imagedata o:title="pixel" src="file:///C:\Users\Melanie\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.gif">
</v:imagedata></v:shape><v:shape alt="Saul.gif" id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" style="height: .75pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: .75pt;" type="#_x0000_t75">
<v:imagedata o:title="Saul" src="file:///C:\Users\Melanie\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.gif">
</v:imagedata></v:shape></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In 1979, a scientist named Saul Schanberg was developing
enzymes and growth hormones for babies.
To test them, he got funding to give them to laboratory rats-- baby rats. In order to administer the drugs, they had to
separate the baby rats from their mothers.
Inexplicably, all of the baby rats did not do well. The 'control' group AND the groups given the
drugs showed signs of 'failing to thrive.'
This was unexpected and Saul tried to figure out what was going
wrong. Saul realized that the problem
was that they had taken the baby rats away from their mothers. They struggled for a while trying to figure
out how to keep the baby rats alive long enough to test the drugs on them. Finally they noticed that rat moms lick their
newborn babies a lot to groom them. In
order to simulate that licking, Saul rigged up wet paintbrushes to stroke the
rat babies. That was the missing link--
the babies all improved and their tests on the hormone and enzyme could
resume. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Because of this unexpected result, Saul learned more about
the need for baby rats to be touched and massaged than he learned about the
drugs he was testing. Saul was intrigued
enough by this result that he shifted his focus away from enzymes and growth
hormones and toward the effects of touch in infant development. Maybe he didn't need a drug to improve the
growth and development of premature babies-- human touch may be the
answer. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After more research, they found that chemicals were released
by the brain when baby rats were taken from their mothers that put them into an
artificial hibernation. That explained
the lack of absorption of nutrients when fed.
It was necessary for their survival to not need food when their mother,
the one who fed them, was absent. Once
the mother returned, the body went back to normal and they thrived again. And researchers learned how to mimic the
mother's return with touch that simulated licking, producing each effect. If baby rats were in hibernation too long, it
stunted their development or led to their death. <span style="background: white; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Saul
theorized that the brain effects they found in rats would also hold for humans,
because the basic neural and touch systems are the same. Subsequent research proved that to be true.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In those days, premature babies and really sick babies were
put in incubators and left alone. Touch
seemed to irritate them enough to cause breathing problems, so hospital workers
didn't touch them. They were warmed by
lights, fed through tubes and only touched when nurses changed diapers. In the late 1980's, doctors heard about Saul's
research and began to hold and gently massage premature babies instead of
leaving them alone in their incubators.
They found that carefully, gently massaged babies absorbed almost 50% more
nutrition from the same amount of food, and that they developed faster mentally
and in motor ability. Massaged babies left
the hospital 6 days earlier than the others.
Since then, hospitals all over the world have changed the way that they
handle these at-risk babies. Saul and
others expanded their research into other groups of people with problems. This led to better outcomes for depressed
individuals, cancer patients and mentally ill teenagers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today Saul is known all over the world for his research. The unintended problems he had with the baby
mice became his research focus, leading to a change in the way the whole world
treats at-risk newborn babies. This
helped save many lives in the process.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Often we set out to do something and have to deal with
unforeseen problems. Sometimes what we
do doesn't seem to matter. But we don't
know if the problems might lead to a better solution to a bigger problem, as
with Saul's research. The key is using
our problems for good and learning from them. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sources:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Goleman, Daniel. "The Experience of Touch: Research Points to a Critical Role." The New York Times, Feb 2, 1988. http://www.nytimes.com/1988/02/02/science/the-experience-of-touch-research-points-to-a-critical-role.html</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kuhn, Cynthia M. "Obituary of Saul M. Schanberg." <i>Neuropsychopharomacology</i> (2010) 35, 2650. http://www.nature.com/npp/journal/v35/n13/full/npp2010112a.html</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
O'Brien, Theresa. "Researcher Posthumously Wins Golden Goose for Preemie Massage Research." Examiner.com. September 5, 2014. http://www.examiner.com/article/researcher-posthumously-wins-golden-goose-for-preemie-massage-research</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ritter, Steve. "Newscripts." <i>Chemical and Engineering News</i>. October 13, 2014, p. 40. Print.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Photo courtesy of Nature.com</div>
Melanie J. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08510427380627153963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357942208226134699.post-46785211764763408472014-10-08T10:30:00.001-04:002014-10-08T10:30:31.877-04:00Rose Marie Reid Makes Swimming Modestly Fashionable<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://moviestarmakeover.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/rose-marie-reid1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://moviestarmakeover.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/rose-marie-reid1.jpg" height="320" width="237" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last weekend our family flew to Utah for BYU's Parent's weekend. We have three children and one daughter in law attending Brigham Young University so we can truly claim to be uber parents! One of the things we did while there was tour a special
collection at the BYU library. Among old
books, I was surprised to see a women's swimsuit in the collection. I learned that it was a relic of the 1950's
and was made by a very interesting Mormon woman named Rose Marie Reid.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rose Marie learned to sew expertly at a really young age as
she grew up in Utah. She worked at the
family grocery store which helped her learn entrepreneurial skills. With her marriage in 1922 she moved to
Canada. Her husband coached swimmers and
complained to her that his swimsuit was heavy and bothered him. Like most swimsuits, his was made of
wool! Thick, absorbent and heavy when
wet, like a sweater! Men and women wore
one piece sleeveless tank tops sewn to boxers for swimming-- and they were
shapeless, ugly and heavy when wet. With
a different idea, Rose Marie took an old twill jacket and cut it up, making
shorts for him that laced up on the sides for a good fit. He loved them!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He asked her to make another men's suit and two women's
suits for his competitive swimmers. They
modeled them for a local department store, which ordered several dozen of each
to sell. Rose Marie was
flabbergasted. She didn't want to start
a business, just make a few suits. She
asked local women to sew them and filled the orders, and she was in business as
'Reid Holiday Togs.' She refined her
swimsuits to fit all body types and flattered all women. This was such a difference from the shapeless
tank shorts that women loved them.
Demand continued to outstrip what she could supply and Rose Marie kept
expanding. When she made more money than
her husband, who was still coaching swimmers, the marriage faltered. After the divorce, she moved to California with
her three kids. The demand for her
swimsuits was the greatest in Los Angeles.
She renamed the business 'Rose Marie Reid' and got more creative in her
designs. Her biggest boosts to business
came when Hollywood movie stars wore her swimsuits and spoke of them
glowingly. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The 1950's were Rose Marie's biggest years in business. In 1951 Life Magazine praised her designs and
the most revolutionary suit. She was
named Woman of the Year in 1955 by the Los Angeles times and Designer of the
Year by Sports Illustrated and the American Sportswear Designer award. Even though she was a single mom, she churned
out design after design and seamstresses sewed like mad to keep up with
orders. At one point, they were making
10,000 swimsuits a day! Other companies,
seeing the new trends Rose Marie was starting, copied her designs. One company owner bragged that they all
copied her designs because if they didn't, they would be out of business. Brazenly, one even named one of their
swimsuits 'Rose Marie.' This just
prompted Rose Marie to be more creative with her next design.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rose Marie wanted to help when the Los Angeles temple was
being built. In those days, members paid
money into building funds to build churches and temples. Rose Marie designed a specific swimsuit for
the purpose of fundraising for the temple.
It was white with sequins sewn in patterns all over it. She made the suits up and had the sequins
sewn on by Relief Society sisters, then sold with all profits going toward the
temple fund. She raised $100,000 for the
fund this way (which would be about a million dollars today.) THIS is the swimsuit I saw at the BYU
library. Awesome!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the 1960's, bikinis became popular. Rose Marie built her company on the
principles of the Gospel and refused to design immodest designs. Her company had non-members on the board and
they insisted that she follow the trends.
Rose Marie refused and left the company that she founded so many years
before. With her departure, the company
became just like any other and slowly failed.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rose Marie held onto her values although she could have
compromised in other ways as well. Once
she was offered $250,000 to appear on the back cover of Life Magazine. The catch-- she would have to say she smoked
Camel cigarettes and appear with a lit cigarette in her hand. She refused, although she could have used the
money at the time. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She also shared the gospel with all of her associates,
serving as a set-apart missionary for over 20 years. She helped write pamphlets for the church
that targeted the Jewish community, as she was good friends with several Jews
and knew how to relate the gospel to them.
And she donated lots of money over the years to BYU. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I admire Rose Marie because she stood firm to her values
regardless of the pressure she felt in her business and social life. In spite of her hardships, she valued her
family and did her best with her situations.
And I love her designs, which help women be modest and yet
fashionable. Her designs are making a
comeback today as modest values return. She set a great example for me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For more information, see:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ainsworth, April and Michelle Brisendine; "Rose Marie Reid: Vingate Designer Bios," www.vintagevixen.blogspot.com, August 27, 2011.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Peterson, Roger K and Carole Reid Burr. "A Genius for Beauty: Rose Marie Reid." <u>Mormons and Popular Culture</u>. ed. James Michael Hunter. pp. 213-228. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Smith, Julie M. "Rose Marie Reid." <u>Times and Seasons</u>, 12 September 2006. www.timesandseasons.org.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Walford, Jonathan. "Canadian Fashion Connections-- Rose Marie Reid." Jonathan Walford's Blog. December 3, 2010. http://kickshawproductions.com/blog/</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wikipedia.com, "Rose Marie Reid."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Photo courtesy of moviestarmakover.com</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Melanie J. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08510427380627153963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357942208226134699.post-57952116163378128192014-08-25T22:16:00.001-04:002014-08-25T22:16:42.477-04:00Constantine Influenced Christianity For Good<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSE_f3OFCRiMytFriYsdPJXtEL95dIYFARPDpLj2qFql_aomNroDQfFJoSVjKIJJuAkudp9AgWt9EeNuRcQk0M2nVZUOZI45R1mRhQl2uDRg5BTKKqtB28d9cP5Lc1baA1jRiNPKRKjo/s1600/Constantine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLSE_f3OFCRiMytFriYsdPJXtEL95dIYFARPDpLj2qFql_aomNroDQfFJoSVjKIJJuAkudp9AgWt9EeNuRcQk0M2nVZUOZI45R1mRhQl2uDRg5BTKKqtB28d9cP5Lc1baA1jRiNPKRKjo/s1600/Constantine.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I read an interesting article (see below) this morning that taught me
things I didn't know about the Roman Emperor Constantine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After reading it, I appreciate what
Constantine did to help establish Christianity all over the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had no idea that one man had this impact on
the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pretty amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the timing was critical-- I'll explain.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Constantine lived a few hundred years after Christ's birth
and ministry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mom Helena was a Christian,
but living among nobles in Rome, Constantine grew up with Pagan idols.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His dad, Constantius Chlorus had divorced his
mom to marry a woman who would help him become more prominent in government,
which left his upbringing mainly to his mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yet he wasn't a Christian
like his mom.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christians had been persecuted for hundreds of years at this
point in time in Rome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were blamed
for the burning of Rome, and the government turned a blind eye to crimes
against them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were robbed, burned
out of homes, killed, and the like while the government did nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We read the beginnings of this persecution among
the Christians in the Bible after Christ's death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Constantine served in the military, hoping to become a
leader in the military and be able to govern territories as he proved himself
capable of defending and protecting the people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His father had risen to become Caesar or Emperor this way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over time, Constantine rose to assume the
title his father had after his father died, ruling the lands of Britain, Gaul
and Spain.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Although Constantine was recognized as Caesar, a rival named
Maxentius felt like he deserved the throne.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He led a rebellion against Constantine and a great battle began.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The night before, Constantine saw a sign in
the heavens that read 'Through this, conquer' and the letters which spelled out
'Christ' in Greek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next day
Constantine beat Maxentius at the great battle at Milvian bridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He attributed his victory to Christ and became
a Christian (although he wasn't baptized until years later so that his many sins
as an emperor could be forgiven.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One of the first things he did after this victory was that
he made Christ the 'patron deity of the Roman Empire.'<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Declaring a deity for the whole empire wasn't
new, but it was the first time an Emperor actually picked the right god.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another first, Constantine encouraged
Christian worship but didn't persecute any other religion, although he stopped
funding the others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He formed a
state-sponsored 'Imperial Church' which worshipped Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Similarly important, he declared that it was
not a crime to be a Christian anymore, and declared that it was a crime to
persecute them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That ended hundreds of
years of terrible persecution!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This moved Christianity from a small misunderstood, even
hated religion into a world religion, accepted and practiced by millions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Constantine built shrines on holy places and
paid for artwork depicting events in Christ's life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This started the vast creation and collection
of Christian art we see today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
declared holidays based on Christ's teachings that remain to today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He built three cities, two of which remain
the centers of Christian thought (Rome and Jerusalem.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And as discord came into church leadership,
he ordered a convention for them to work out their differences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That resulted in the flawed but cooperative
effort called the 'Nicean Creed' which attempted to describe God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That ensured that all the leaders in their
various places taught the same thing, helping it be similar throughout the
kingdom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Although Constantine wasn't perfect, he did a lot of
good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stopped persecution of the
early Christians, probably saving the faith from total extinction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He established Christianity as the religion
of the Roman Empire, which allowed it to take hold and spread over the
world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scholars say that Constantine was
easily one of the most influential people in Christian History.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I really like this story because it shows me that we can
trust God and his timing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heavenly Father
waited until Constantine was Emperor before helping him convert to
Christianity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being a Christian any
earlier would have made Constantine's rise in the military and country
leadership impossible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He may have
instead been persecuted along with the rest of the religious Christians; he
certainly would not have been elevated to the leader of the empire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can trust that Heavenly Father knows when
to intervene in our lives and that He will help us wait for His timing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will bear us up and dry our tears and
succor us through the waiting.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Take courage in knowing that Heavenly Father knows you so
well, He has all the hairs on your head numbered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knows what is best for you and how to help
you with your problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">(The article I read: <a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865607543/Constantines-influence-can-scarcely-be-measured.html">Constantine's Influence Can Scarcely Be Measured</a> by William J. Hamblin and Daniel Peterson. Deseret News, August 10, 2014 p. 6.)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">References: Wikipedia</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Photo courtesy of National Geographic.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span> </div>
Melanie J. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08510427380627153963noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357942208226134699.post-59272951708883631412014-08-01T13:53:00.002-04:002014-08-01T14:01:21.473-04:00Alice Herz-Sommer Made a Concentration Camp Beautiful to Save Her Son<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWE1bXLc1kB12XXpBVQ6qvasuK3bTM4KoTC95T7_Y6J1PVPIbkANl9twtd0LcBYuZdtFqSCPHrmSyiUo5WJ1CCFuDqkrR_U36fXpcjsBe2-cpQcWoDBu9DWFmoYymLqLgBcVvIjY_Nw4/s1600/Alice+Herz-Sommer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWE1bXLc1kB12XXpBVQ6qvasuK3bTM4KoTC95T7_Y6J1PVPIbkANl9twtd0LcBYuZdtFqSCPHrmSyiUo5WJ1CCFuDqkrR_U36fXpcjsBe2-cpQcWoDBu9DWFmoYymLqLgBcVvIjY_Nw4/s1600/Alice+Herz-Sommer.jpg" height="215" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Alice and Stephan/Raphael a few years after the war. Photo courtesy of 123people.uk.co</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I heard about a really amazing woman named Alice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She survived the Holocaust and lived to be
110 years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the most remarkable
part of her story is how she was so happy throughout her life, although she had
much to be sad about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She chose to see
the beauty in an often ugly world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Alice was living in Prague, Czeckoslovakia when Nazi Germany
took over the city in 1939.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had
recently married her sweetheart Leopold and delivered her first child, a boy
they named Stephan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And she was a renowned
pianist-- performing beautiful music to adoring audiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her happy life changed as Hitler began to
persecute the Jewish people because, although Alice didn't practice her
religion, she was Jewish.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hitler made it clear that he disliked the Jewish people
immediately upon entering Prague.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he
had done in other cities he had invaded, Hitler began to destroy the Jewish
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took all of their
possessions, including their businesses, he moved them into Ghettos, split up
their families, and ultimately moved them to concentration camps where he could
finish them off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only a small percentage
of the Jewish people in Prague survived Hitler's treatment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a dark time in world history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the adversity created many heroes like
Alice.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Alice watched as her family members fled to America or were rounded
up and sent to a camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Alice,
Leopold and Stephan were ordered to move to a camp in 1943, Alice decided to do
all she could to help her 6 year old son Stephan survive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because Alice was a performing artist, she
was placed in a camp called 'Theresienstadt.'<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was where they put people with performing abilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rumors had been going around that Hitler was
killing the Jews and he wanted the rumors to stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hitler wanted to keep the world thinking that
his regime was treating the Jews well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
Hitler could film Jewish musicians performing classical music and show it to
the world, he could keep fooling everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Leopold was an accomplished violinist, but because he worked
as an accountant to support the family, he went to a regular work camp nearby
and visited Alice and Stephan (who was allowed to stay with his mother.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alice, Leopold and Stephan were cold and
hungry in their camps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they tried
not to worry about what would happen to them and their loved ones.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">For Stephan's sake, Alice looked for the good in everyone
and everything in the camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wanted
to find it and to point it out to Stephan so he wouldn't be afraid or scarred
by this awful experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wanted him
to survive and when he was freed, to still see the good in life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She tucked him within her arms at night and
gave him any extra food she could spare during the day.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Alice was assigned jobs like breaking rocks or washing
clothes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But for a half hour a day she
was allowed to practice piano.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She and
the other musicians were to perform concerts regularly, although they were
given no sheet music to use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alice had
to remember the difficult music she had learned before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately, she was a devoted pianist,
having practiced 4 hours a day before her internment in the camp. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her memory served her well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She put on complicated concerts weekly for
the guards, prisoners and German dignitaries, receiving great praise for her
technique and expression.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Being able to play her music brought great joy to Alice and
Stephan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The music she played was so
beautiful that it transported them away from the dark, ugly, and heartless camp
back to the happier places in their past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The guards and the other prisoners had the same experience of feeling
happier when she played.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her music
became an oasis in an awful place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alice
told people, "It is music that takes us to paradise."</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Alice's combination of looking for the good in their awful
world, and bringing beautiful music into it worked!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alice and Stephan survived and were freed
when the camp was liberated in 1945.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Leopold didn't survive, so Alice devoted herself to raising Stephan to
adulthood by herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They first
returned to Prague, but moved to Jerusalem shortly thereafter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stephan grew up to be a famous musician like
his mother, performing the Cello worldwide under his new name Raphael
Sommer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Alice practiced the piano
for 3-4 hours every day until she died at the age of 110.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The music she played brought her joy and made
her world beautiful, no matter where she was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She forgave all those who hurt her and looked forward to each day
optimistically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said, <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Every day in life is beautiful...every
day!” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit;">No matter what trials we are enduring, we can look forward to each day as a
beautiful gift and enjoy it fully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Heavenly Father loves each of us and will bless us through our
experiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit; mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: inherit; mso-spacerun: yes;">Sources: Muller, Melissa and Reinhard Piechocki, <u>Alice's Piano The life of Alice Herz-Sommer</u>. St. Martin's Press. New York. 2006.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Watch documentaries about her: "The Lady in Number 6" and "Everything is a Present."</span> </div>
Melanie J. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08510427380627153963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357942208226134699.post-73590562124829340862014-08-01T13:43:00.003-04:002014-08-01T13:55:08.724-04:00Terry Fox Runs for Other Cancer Fighters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrslrojk4_XX8bT6qghA8E5tMN9j4UQRh2YChGt5S7dW98zqD1vOi0dola_PbTXLbRI9mlBY7KeYsKcADY7HJjfQYdcl8T5_WyYwURUuf75DRiFiTUPmdk8vQSTRBfoTC003Spfdgwy-o/s1600/Terry+Fox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrslrojk4_XX8bT6qghA8E5tMN9j4UQRh2YChGt5S7dW98zqD1vOi0dola_PbTXLbRI9mlBY7KeYsKcADY7HJjfQYdcl8T5_WyYwURUuf75DRiFiTUPmdk8vQSTRBfoTC003Spfdgwy-o/s1600/Terry+Fox.jpg" height="320" width="276" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Photo courtesy of cbc.ca</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My husband Scott and I went to Canada recently and enjoyed
the area very much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While driving
around, I saw a building named the 'Terry Fox Sports Facility.'<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked Scott who Terry Fox was and he
told me his story briefly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So cool!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> He's a real hero!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Terry Fox was a Canadian boy who loved to play sports.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because he was short, his middle school
coaches discouraged him from playing basketball, telling him he'd be a better
runner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So Terry started running, but
kept coming back to basketball as his favorite sport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He practiced so much that he made the high
school basketball team in spite of his shorter height.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, in his Senior year he was named
Athlete of the Year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was offered a
spot on the college basketball team the next fall, not because of his height or
skill, but more because of his determination.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Shortly after graduation, Terry was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma,
a cancer of the bone in his knee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
1976, the treatment for the disease was leg amputation in addition to
chemotherapy and radiation treatment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Terry underwent all of these procedures and started physical therapy
with his new prosthetic leg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He started
running again, although it was very painful on his stiff artificial leg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had to hop on his good leg twice for each
step on his artificial leg, since the spring in his artificial leg took so long
to reset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It made for a painful run,
causing shin splints and bruises on his good leg, and sores, blisters and
bruises on his stump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">He had heard of a runner (Dick Traum) who completed a marathon
with a prosthetic leg and chose a marathon several months away in which to
run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This gave him a goal to work
toward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Terry finished the marathon 10
minutes after the last runner did, to the cheers of the adoring crowds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emboldened, Terry announced that he would run
across Canada to raise money for cancer research.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mom was alarmed and unsupportive at
first, but seeing his determination, she joined the rest of the family in
supporting him.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Having successfully beat his cancer, he wanted to offer other
cancer patients courage and hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
felt it was his new purpose in life and set about to make it happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said, "My quest would not be a
selfish one. I could not leave (treatment) knowing these faces and feelings
would still exist, even though I would be set free from mine. Somewhere the
hurting must stop....and I was determined to take myself to the limit for this
cause."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">He set out a course across Canada starting at the Atlantic
ocean and ending at the Pacific.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
called it 'Marathon of Hope' because he would run a Marathon each day until he
crossed the continent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He filled two
bottles up with sea water in Newfoundland. He intended to pour one into
the Pacific ocean when he finished, and keep the other as a souvenir.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He asked for monetary contributions, securing
enough funding to start his journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then he asked Canadians to contribute, hoping to raise $1 for each of
the 24 million citizens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Terry's best
friend would drive a van behind him and cook his meals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Starting running on April 12, 1980, he was faced with a
snowstorm, heavy rain and intense winds the first few days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nevertheless, Terry ran a marathon each day,
persisting in his quest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Slowly, his
efforts were noticed by the media and he began to get more support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A hotel owner offered him a room every night
in his hotel chain as he crossed the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That was probably a nice help!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People
began running with him or cheering him on as he ran.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Local governments asked him to speak when he
visited their towns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And people began to
contribute money to the cause, making him happy in spite of the pain he was in
with each step.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Running a marathon every day (remember that's 26 miles!!!)
would exhaust any healthy athlete.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(He
even ran on his 22nd birthday.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imagine
how extra hard it would be for an amputee running on a prosthetic leg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember that he had just endured surgery,
chemotherapy and radiation treatments a few years prior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Terry was exhausted by the time he reached
Thunder Bay, Ontario (on Lake Superior) in September and doctors made him stop
the run. Terry was devastated and said,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">"Everybody seems to have given
up hope of trying. I haven't. It isn't easy and it isn't supposed to be, but
I'm accomplishing something. How many people give up a lot to do something
good? I'm sure we would have found a cure for cancer 20 years ago if we had
really tried."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Even though the run was stopped, Terry had raised $1.7
million dollars to that date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the
next February, $24 million had been collected!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Terry had met his goal, and the people kept giving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To date, Terry has raised $400 million, all
dedicated to cancer research.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of
Canada's leaders said, "It occurs very rarely in the life of a nation that
the courageous spirit of one person unites all people in the celebration of his
life...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>[we think of Terry] as one who
inspired us with the example of the triumph of the human spirit over
adversity".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Bridges, roads, schools, running trails and facilities are
named in Terry's honor, as well as a yearly run to raise money for Cancer
research.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A song was even written about
him (Rod Stewart's 'Never Give Up on a Dream.")<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a 1999 public opinion poll, he was named
Canada's greatest hero.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pretty
amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's a wonderful thing to see
the difference one person can make.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Terry took his struggle against Cancer and turned it into a
way to help others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He showed amazing
courage, strength and determination as he thought of others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a hero!</span></div>
Melanie J. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08510427380627153963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357942208226134699.post-21197272092808707202014-06-20T09:33:00.002-04:002014-06-20T09:34:18.845-04:00My Experience with 'Pay it Forward' and Mother's Day<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:DoNotShowRevisions/>
<w:DoNotPrintRevisions/>
<w:DoNotShowMarkup/>
<w:DoNotShowComments/>
<w:DoNotShowInsertionsAndDeletions/>
<w:DoNotShowPropertyChanges/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMIpwbIZfl8DwBkxmE1poEzMQaP2qN0AGpXpSWdHDCo7iOiA6gOvV2cqcw_TccKyVJKyqXHJ1mMyOVaPbXvJSX3Eso0hafRMqXRgh73NwCO42dld4rfqtZW_0sTOy_wvEmcYVuppz8EU/s1600/Pay+it+Forward.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMIpwbIZfl8DwBkxmE1poEzMQaP2qN0AGpXpSWdHDCo7iOiA6gOvV2cqcw_TccKyVJKyqXHJ1mMyOVaPbXvJSX3Eso0hafRMqXRgh73NwCO42dld4rfqtZW_0sTOy_wvEmcYVuppz8EU/s1600/Pay+it+Forward.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our family has had a lot of company lately because one of my
kids graduated from High School, then we went on a family reunion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After that, my parents wanted to visit some
nearby sites, so we did some travelling, then after they left, I was behind on
bills and stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I was happy to have
some time to write today.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the things I wanted to share was something that
happened around Mother’s day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My daughter
Stephanie called me and told me that she had made a card for me and somehow she
lost it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had used scrapbooking supplies
and made this lovely Mother’s Day card, had her brothers sign it too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when she went to mail it, it was
gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She felt bad and hoped that
somehow it would make it to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But she
assumed it wouldn’t, and wanted to tell me about it anyway, since she had
worked so hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And she knew that now I
wouldn’t receive it, so calling me was the next best thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I appreciated hearing about the card and I
still had a nice Mother’s day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, imagine my surprise when a week later, the card showed
up in my mail box!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there was a note
on the back that read, “Dear Melanie, I found this letter on BYU campus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looked important so I decided to mail it
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got to mailing it rather
late.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sorry for the delay!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Otherwise you would have gotten it on Mother’s
Day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pay it forward!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Happy Mother’s Day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cheers, K.E.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
K. E. must have known it was a mother’s day card because the
return address read, “Your favorite children,” and it was the size of a card.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it must have helped that it was right
before Mother’s day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Such a small thing—mailing a dropped Mother’s day card—made me
really happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who knows if the 50 cents
K. E. spent to mail it could have gone to more important things like food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Students are generally poor!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he/she did it anyway. And I must add that it was a lovely card with kind things written inside, a real gift to me, definitely worth mailing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s a good reminder that we can make others happy with
little things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that doing those
little things makes us happy too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
like a ray of sunshine, bringing joy to everyone-- the giver, the recipient, and even onlookers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’m sharing this little ray of sunshine
with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’m on the lookout for
other ways to ‘pay it forward.’</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I also wanted to tell you that we found two more bird nests!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my backyard, we have a deck that overlooks
the yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Under the deck, right up
against the house we found a nest full of chirping baby birds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And at my daughter’s house, she has ceiling
fans on her back porch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Birds built a
nest on the top of the center of one of the fans, housing several baby
birds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What an amazing year for birds!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s another little gift from Heavenly Father
to make us happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">I know that every day we can find little acts of kindness to bring us joy, whether we give, recieve or just witness them. Even bad days can become better when we are full of gratitude. And even if we don't see any acts of kindness, this beautiful world gives us plenty of lovely gifts to appreciate.</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></div>
Melanie J. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08510427380627153963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357942208226134699.post-27440689763556655522014-04-29T12:37:00.000-04:002014-04-29T12:37:58.333-04:00The Amazing Foundation Beneath the Provo City Center Temple<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDXvR282rFCCSUGKABxXHFjxIGBX_od1Da-3s54-qVNArN_xa68Qo67ol_-Qz2ONkDaiZq4PM8fRvoezAroXv1ITkugY11Yk58ee_43DyT5SuU50EeKOiPollDPJcnayH_ms26ABiO5s/s1600/Provo-CC-Temple1_ART_with-credit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDXvR282rFCCSUGKABxXHFjxIGBX_od1Da-3s54-qVNArN_xa68Qo67ol_-Qz2ONkDaiZq4PM8fRvoezAroXv1ITkugY11Yk58ee_43DyT5SuU50EeKOiPollDPJcnayH_ms26ABiO5s/s1600/Provo-CC-Temple1_ART_with-credit.jpg" height="241" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Provo Tabernacle on stilts, Photo courtesy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When the Provo Tabernacle burned down in 2010, my husband and I joined the many members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints saddened by the loss. Although fire claimed all the wood in the structure, the brick facade remained, but was damaged and weakened. The Church supported it with beams while decisions were made about what would be done with the building.<br />
<br />
My husband and I lived in Provo for a few years while attending Brigham Young University, where we met and married. We attended church a few times in the Provo Tabernacle, when there was Stake conference held on the site. It was a lovely building, rich in the history that we share as Mormon Pioneers. With that in mind, we were happy to hear that the Church would rebuild the tabernacle and redesign it into a Temple.<br />
<br />
Since then, each time we visit Provo to see our children attending Brigham Young University, we drove past the site to see how construction was coming along. Last weekend, we did the same and found it covered in scaffolding, but looking as if it was nearing completion.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We were in Provo to participate in the graduation ceremonies of our son, who was graduating from the School of Engineering. Convocation gave us a real treat, as the main speaker was<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Doug Welling, the Chief Executive Officer of Jacobsen
Construction, the firm responsible for the renovation. Welling spoke about how important it was for them to build a
solid foundation under the tabernacle before they could make it into a
temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> It was fascinating to me!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since the tabernacle was
completed in 1898, regulations have been put into place to protect buildings
against earthquakes and other problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To build the temple there, the building needed to be brought up to those
standards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they wanted to do it
without injuring the old building in the process.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since the building is all brick with thick walls, it weighs
a lot—some estimate it weighs 6.8 million pounds!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So you can’t just pick it up and move it,
pour cement under it, then move it back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They had to support it first, then dig all the dirt out underneath it, then
pour the cement under it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Additionally,
plans were to expand the building downward to include two basement floors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jacobsen construction worked with several Engineering firms
to figure out how to do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First they
stabilized the outer brick walls and tied them all to each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then they drove about 150 thick metal rods
into the ground 90 feet down around and under the temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They could do that from inside the walls,
since the floor and roof were destroyed in the fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Welding all of these rods to horizontal
rods, they created a platform that would hold the temple up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then they welded the supports holding the
walls up to the platform, basically transferring the weight of the temple onto
the 150 rods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now that it was supported,
they could start digging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They dug 20
feet down, exposing the rods, and welding cross beams to give more support and
stability to the building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They put up a
wall around the outside to hold back the dirt from around the temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then they dug another 25 feet down and welded
those rods to more support beams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
tabernacle was now up on stilts!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now they could put a strong foundation
underneath.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the bottom, they placed 400 smaller rods into the ground,
laid a grid on top of it and welded it all together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Into that grid they poured 18 inches of
cement, a nice firm foundation for a temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two-foot thick walls were poured upward until
they reached the bottom of the brick walls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When the temple was resting firmly on those walls, the ‘stilts’ were
removed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although it was a lot of work, the
tabernacle can now be made into a temple because of the firm foundation
underneath it!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you want to watch it all happen, go to the live camera by
visiting this website:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints.workzonecam.com/">http://churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints.workzonecam.com/</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Click on the link at the top left ‘watch movie.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s amazing to watch the time-lapse photos
make a movie of the temple being built!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now that you understand what went into laying the groundwork
for this temple, you can appreciate what Welling said about
foundations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(This isn’t word for word,
just what I’m piecing together from my notes, but you get the idea.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If you have a strong foundation, you can be
ready to do anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The best is yet to
come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prepare yourself for it by
building a solid foundation based on a testimony of the gospel, a good
education and a habit of service.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
is good advice to a graduating class of engineers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is also great advice for all of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> A strong foundation based on faith in the Savior will prepare us for all of the great opportunities awaiting us. We add strength when we take time each day to read the holy scriptures and commune with Heavenly Father. Pondering is like boring deeply into the earth, reinforcing our base and anchoring ourselves to the bedrock of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">As Jesus taught in his parable of the wise man and the foolish man, </span>we must bore deeply into the rock so as to withstand the trials and problems that will happen to us. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Matthew 17: <span class="verse">24 </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: </div>
<br />
<div class="highlight">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="25"> </a><span class="verse">25 </span>And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and <sup class="studyNoteMarker"></sup>beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.</div>
<div class="highlight">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="26"> </a><span class="verse">26 </span>And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:</div>
<div class="highlight">
<a class="bookmark-anchor dontHighlight" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="27"> </a><span class="verse">27 </span>And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it <sup class="studyNoteMarker"></sup>fell: and great was the fall of it.<br />
</div>
<div class="highlight">
</div>
<div class="highlight">
For more information on how the Provo City Center Temple foundation was built beneath the old Tabernacle, see:</div>
<div class="highlight">
<br /></div>
<div class="highlight">
Cardno, Catharine A. "In Utah, Historic Facade Saved with Stilts." Civil Engineering. June 18, 2013. n. pag. web. www.asce.org/cemagazine.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Melanie J. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08510427380627153963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357942208226134699.post-88220556223422396642014-04-29T11:58:00.004-04:002014-04-29T12:04:55.137-04:00Our Friends the Swallows Nest on our Door WreathWe had an interesting experience over the last month this Spring. Near the end of March I put a wreath on my door-- an ordinary grapevine wreath, in which I had jabbed some flowers and greenery. A long muslin ribbon made it moderately fancy. After just a few days, I noticed extra twigs resting in the center. Soon it was evident that a bird was making a nest in the wreath.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiywgT5XRGfoXNnBp3Kr7OG5G8JvnGsUaZntANtRWnZLMnvhwiubpe3nlRy_orMstp1nXYDK_qzXJbtwV7nWRQTqo-Zp3bICqY962iPmt6oq_oshu1XgIJNLq6LjnBoe2ALjZWy133zi4g/s1600/2014-04-03+10.35.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiywgT5XRGfoXNnBp3Kr7OG5G8JvnGsUaZntANtRWnZLMnvhwiubpe3nlRy_orMstp1nXYDK_qzXJbtwV7nWRQTqo-Zp3bICqY962iPmt6oq_oshu1XgIJNLq6LjnBoe2ALjZWy133zi4g/s1600/2014-04-03+10.35.35.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Having a nest on the door presented some problems-- how to continue to use the front door and not disturb the little bird and her nest. Reading up on this occurrence, we learned of a law protecting nesting wild birds, requiring us to allow this without interference or we'd be subject to serious fines and penalties. We had no intent to interfere, but worried about the safety of any eggs in a door that the kids slammed to close completely. </div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39rh80-SIOi9ozq2QML427zaC2NQGQNO9BYO3qaVmbUwOBaO0C9pGOe1Ix6Ehm21JJLnIRdBjF9uXaAGWT0uXki5YRmItxDj47tXafitf2FoGJq1qakbhRe6kLQWnUPkvwPQFWUiFSk8/s1600/2014-04-03+10.34.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39rh80-SIOi9ozq2QML427zaC2NQGQNO9BYO3qaVmbUwOBaO0C9pGOe1Ix6Ehm21JJLnIRdBjF9uXaAGWT0uXki5YRmItxDj47tXafitf2FoGJq1qakbhRe6kLQWnUPkvwPQFWUiFSk8/s1600/2014-04-03+10.34.12.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo shows the 5 eggs, although blurry April 3rd.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0guwM7Qx3B3S6t16gpfWM8bvtkNH-cDhv1D-fMU62wtFMJs2GsY51mI027Ma2aFvkEOFdM2vrocFO0bcVlna-rM7OYaytxusrVLhtnI0vVu0U-IkveSdmYdA78uv6vsBT4pbAuaqY78/s1600/2014-04-03+10.33.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0guwM7Qx3B3S6t16gpfWM8bvtkNH-cDhv1D-fMU62wtFMJs2GsY51mI027Ma2aFvkEOFdM2vrocFO0bcVlna-rM7OYaytxusrVLhtnI0vVu0U-IkveSdmYdA78uv6vsBT4pbAuaqY78/s1600/2014-04-03+10.33.59.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clear photo of three of the 5 eggs April 3rd.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
On April 3rd we saw the eggs that had been laid in the nest. Five small aqua spotted eggs had been laid and looked intact, in spite of the wild door swings and slams. The kids were urged to use extra caution in using the door. The older kids changed their routine, using the back door out instead of the front, to get to the car each morning. <br />
<br />
Looking up the egg online, we saw that these were probably Swallow eggs. Apparently House Swallows often make nests in man-made structures, as these had. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbLzL540qcZO08Z04rOyS8qb1KevPAk1l0Y8SoF-DEGqLlf-vsxUtbkFOmvlO1gXhoVG8etGn2KK8SGClZIyBz0hulJk6O4wj5cRYeOXjnsjX86hPxrGdg2h7OxsCRPhAHW9QTq9LACE/s1600/wreath+door+bird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbLzL540qcZO08Z04rOyS8qb1KevPAk1l0Y8SoF-DEGqLlf-vsxUtbkFOmvlO1gXhoVG8etGn2KK8SGClZIyBz0hulJk6O4wj5cRYeOXjnsjX86hPxrGdg2h7OxsCRPhAHW9QTq9LACE/s1600/wreath+door+bird.jpg" height="320" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blurry zoom of Mama Swallow atop the nest April 3rd.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0w_INHZQqAnyJ_bfdJ-4FKUrUYsjxe1mLtqpjJgjLrmZT-ZAg2gU2RRZNMhw0eIMQtKX69km99dwCsTbQ5iFcflb5P0siwxciKf4x5SODfJ2E5sPUPEGLbis-KIBvghrILV74CA5WJdM/s1600/2014-04-03+10.36.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
On April 3rd, we took these photos showing the mother bird attending
to the nest. It's blurry because I had to take the photo from some
distance or the bird would fly away. She is facing left as she stands on top of the right rim of the nest. Most of the time we saw Mama Swallow in the nest with her little head
just peeking above the nest, looking around.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMgdFZpXhVA1TMHht4uAxpdn2DmAhSn5ZoAsxgF56uvmKtBp2G93tSzprK3lz5Z5wSK8ixLY7nXSKFLuQY5snY4IlLkFkmjzSLJMzuCvro6Z2Q3t84azr3ZlT9L7GIbTkPztVMhBXIqQ/s1600/2014-04-10+17.17.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMgdFZpXhVA1TMHht4uAxpdn2DmAhSn5ZoAsxgF56uvmKtBp2G93tSzprK3lz5Z5wSK8ixLY7nXSKFLuQY5snY4IlLkFkmjzSLJMzuCvro6Z2Q3t84azr3ZlT9L7GIbTkPztVMhBXIqQ/s1600/2014-04-10+17.17.28.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fluff shows the baby birds April 10th</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
On April 10th, we saw three little fluffy baby birds in the nest. We could hear Mama Swallow come and go, feeding the little birds.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WiAs5CEkod6qjJAmzZEbYma3A86NldDC3VRarTp28BNm5C3TtHV0LuWZ4Nlfiac3eo43ghqlF4erfvW8vnVoTdQ6dfCtD37S6CpoK9aWQzRXlUWd1EC7UzlxLO8opOxG5LD1EbLuFfU/s1600/2014-04-23+07.37.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WiAs5CEkod6qjJAmzZEbYma3A86NldDC3VRarTp28BNm5C3TtHV0LuWZ4Nlfiac3eo43ghqlF4erfvW8vnVoTdQ6dfCtD37S6CpoK9aWQzRXlUWd1EC7UzlxLO8opOxG5LD1EbLuFfU/s1600/2014-04-23+07.37.14.jpg" height="240" width="320" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two birds rest on each other in this photo of the nest April 23rd.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In abandoning the use of the door, time elapsed before we noticed
progress in the nest. By April 23rd, the birds were much larger now,
crowding the nest. Nasty bird droppings were accumulating around the
rim of the nest. Although one bird startled at the opening of the door,
the other remained. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6hVhKaWZuy4QoXXi2QBHIHqWiZgpLWgDHQgeM2irCzqMYNUAx8BiwKD0yqSAamIzLcnGj5qN4rAfHvtFmlCAZjDhMTjU_WiubN-hgf2udTszX-I3LbjMaktMcBsWVvg74y8Qf7nUF9U/s1600/2014-04-23+07.37.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6hVhKaWZuy4QoXXi2QBHIHqWiZgpLWgDHQgeM2irCzqMYNUAx8BiwKD0yqSAamIzLcnGj5qN4rAfHvtFmlCAZjDhMTjU_WiubN-hgf2udTszX-I3LbjMaktMcBsWVvg74y8Qf7nUF9U/s1600/2014-04-23+07.37.42.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One bird has flown away leaving the bird underneath. April 23rd.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQWCh7rfmeYVnPwTneJKm6Jd68fSis8ykUL7hCNuOCuHiE6-GyhE0QBIEs1UuLqi05pAktzMg-KaqYcdJfVfh-6VUIV3phPHVO3PGRE9kEFlboRKv49mCpRMKr98yVI5dfJIjJwQli0SI/s1600/2014-04-28+13.31.53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQWCh7rfmeYVnPwTneJKm6Jd68fSis8ykUL7hCNuOCuHiE6-GyhE0QBIEs1UuLqi05pAktzMg-KaqYcdJfVfh-6VUIV3phPHVO3PGRE9kEFlboRKv49mCpRMKr98yVI5dfJIjJwQli0SI/s1600/2014-04-28+13.31.53.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The empty nest, April 27th. All the birds are gone, leaving just the nest and the guano mess. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9fcp3DE2hnlShotoR9sgLAW81xQUOGO7OMf4KDFuRKOAIPSTN_YEm5ZO1jGygvzR7EenjhxHZySJL_gDc1imSobjdxzKWMYhDUQxHcbbIAH2MWw6I3a1-yKmCe3PXmr2X8Iv16_WSks/s1600/2014-04-28+15.35.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib9fcp3DE2hnlShotoR9sgLAW81xQUOGO7OMf4KDFuRKOAIPSTN_YEm5ZO1jGygvzR7EenjhxHZySJL_gDc1imSobjdxzKWMYhDUQxHcbbIAH2MWw6I3a1-yKmCe3PXmr2X8Iv16_WSks/s1600/2014-04-28+15.35.43.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One small unhatched egg remains in the nest. Maybe this photo is too nasty to post...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was amazing to see three birds move from egg to independent in just a few weeks time. I am reminded of how quickly our children grow up and move out. People often told me it would go fast, but in the chaos of raising 7 children, I often didn't believe them. Now I only have 3 left, and one leaves in just a few months for college. And ironically, the kids have generally left a good-sized mess when they left! Ha!<br />
<br />
I believe those people now. Raising my kids has been the most wonderful, challenging and tiring experience of my life. Attending one of my children's college graduation last weekend filled me with a rare pride. I'm happy to see the lovely people my grown children have become. Parenthood seems to be a fleeting time after all. I have a few years left before my youngest is old enough to leave. I will enjoy those years. Melanie J. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08510427380627153963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357942208226134699.post-36840056705949804232014-04-21T15:25:00.000-04:002014-04-21T18:10:35.451-04:00Blind Teen Musical Prodigy Kuha'o Case Sees No Limits<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:DoNotShowRevisions/>
<w:DoNotPrintRevisions/>
<w:DoNotShowMarkup/>
<w:DoNotShowComments/>
<w:DoNotShowInsertionsAndDeletions/>
<w:DoNotShowPropertyChanges/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]--><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnxbdNudSaPEzSwmZpOYCDKrKiF9MaJi9QFZMuzdimnGtX_OO6icZ07cXgEa2y-BNmvmmq0ijkuGQC6h2aXR4KVpK70ozOte-m0QTZlnrl3puqSo9YsHxn9x4LG_CjBlwfLMGapHIrko/s1600/kuha'o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnxbdNudSaPEzSwmZpOYCDKrKiF9MaJi9QFZMuzdimnGtX_OO6icZ07cXgEa2y-BNmvmmq0ijkuGQC6h2aXR4KVpK70ozOte-m0QTZlnrl3puqSo9YsHxn9x4LG_CjBlwfLMGapHIrko/s1600/kuha'o.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kuha'o Case can play songs after hearing them just
once or twice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’ve studied piano,
you know that for most people, it’s a lot harder than that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For Kuha’o, who is blind, it’s a gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He discovered this gift when he
was 12 years old in Middle school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his music
class they brought out keyboards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kuha’o
was able to play songs almost immediately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said, "The first time, my fingers touched the keyboard, I felt overjoyed. It completely changed my world and my entire life.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Soon after this, Kuha’o joined the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had begun spending
weekends with his grandparents and attending church with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One Sunday after church, he sat down at a piano
and played the songs he heard in Sacrament meetings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His grandparents were stunned!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since he didn’t own a piano, he started
practicing piano at the church building while his grandpa cleaned it on
Saturday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a while, he wanted to learn
to play the organ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Using his grandpa’s cleaning
time to practice, Kuha’o taught himself how to play the organ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To help him learn, Kuha’o got up at 5 am on
Sunday mornings to listen to the broadcast of ‘Music and the Spoken Word’ each
Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely he understood that the
more he heard organ playing, the better he could reproduce it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kuha’o’s grandparents bought a piano for him to practice on
over the weekends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now he uses his time
at the building to practice on the organ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Every other Sunday Kuha’o plays for his ward’s Sacrament meetings, as
well as singing in the ward choir and playing the piano as needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kuha’o said, “I do like to practice on the
organ while others are doing their jobs, because we need music—music will help
them get the focus to try to do the responsibility the right way,” Kuha’o said.
“I get on the organ and play. Every Saturday I do organ practice, and every
Sunday I prepare for sacrament. ... That is what [music] is for—you get to
bring people closer to the Lord, to come unto Him.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A couple of years ago, Kuha’o met a man named Andy Thunell,
probably at church in Hawaii.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Andy was
amazed at Kuha’o’s abilities and wanted to help him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Andy recorded Kuha’o playing the piano and
posted it on Utube.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Using Utube and a
fundraising website, Andy helped Kuha’o raise the money to buy himself a piano.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They burned a CD to sell and raised money for
Kuha’o to come to Utah to promote it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kuha’o
now flies to Utah each summer to take intensive organ lessons from one of the Tabernacle
organists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What makes playing the keyboard easier for Kuha’o is that he
has perfect pitch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(That means if you
hum a note or press a piano key, he can tell you what note it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This ability makes it possible to dissect chords
and reconstruct them to replicate a song.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The other thing that helps Kuha’o play music so easily is
that he is blind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That sounds kind of
odd—that his disability makes playing the piano easier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Kuha’o insists that being blind enabled
him to not see barriers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since he doesn’t
rely on sight, he doesn’t need to see something done before he’ll attempt
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He explained, “In my life, I see no limits. You might want
to laugh at that statement, because, in reality, I see nothing at all. So, of
course, I see no limits. But let me further explain. I am not trying to say
that one day, I decided to raise above the challenges that had been set for me.
No. What I am saying is that, because I am not able to visually see the world
around me, I do not understand boundaries and limitations in the same way as
the rest of you, through sight, do. It seems to me, that, in very significant ways,
having your sight, might be more limiting than being blind.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Isn’t that a wonderful way to ‘see’ the world?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With that attitude, he taught himself to play
the piano and the organ without owning a piano or taking any lessons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Further, he set personal goals to play the
Tabernacle organ, drive a car, serve as a Mormon Missionary and become a movie
producer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of those, he has played the
Tabernacle organ and driven a car on his grandpa’s property.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
think he’ll be a great missionary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will
he become a movie producer?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be
the first time a blind person had done so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But does that make it impossible?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kuha’o doesn’t think so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He said, “Heavenly Father gave me this gift first because He loves me
and He wants to bless me more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And He
would someday want me to be like Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
can follow and accomplish our dreams in life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Anything is possible.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One observer noted, “While it would be so easy for someone
in his situation to wallow in self-pity, Kuha'o never succumbs to pessimism.
Rather, his positive attitude is constant. He knows that being blind will never
keep him from realizing his dreams. Like his music, being blind is a necessary
part of him. His message is that no matter how difficult our circumstances, and
no matter how hard things might be, we are all capable of greatness. As he has
demonstrated in his own life, if we believe in ourselves, anything is possible.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Photo courtesy of Utube</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
References:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anderson, Mike. "Blind Piano Prodigy Kuha'o Case Tours Utah." KSL.com. July 16, 2012. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Besliu, Raluca. "Kaha'o Case: the blind piano prodigy who chooses to see no limits." Taking on the Giant. Web. December 26, 2013.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dahm, Lisa Marie. "Kuha'o Case." North Hawaii News. Web. August 23, 2013.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Holman, Marianne. "Blind Ward Organist Uses Musical Abilities to Inspire Others." Church News. Web. 23 July 2012.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
LDS.org. "Extraordinary Gift." video.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spanish Fork.org. "9th Annual Harvest Moon Hurrah." Announcement. Web. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thunell, Andy. "Kuha'o Case, Blind Piano Prodigy to Produce his First CD." Kickstarter.com. Web. June 21, 2012.</div>
Melanie J. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08510427380627153963noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357942208226134699.post-68729483978865888202014-04-03T15:20:00.002-04:002014-04-03T15:24:32.247-04:00Clayton Sherrod Saw Himself as a Chef and Made Himself One<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:DoNotShowRevisions/>
<w:DoNotPrintRevisions/>
<w:DoNotShowMarkup/>
<w:DoNotShowComments/>
<w:DoNotShowInsertionsAndDeletions/>
<w:DoNotShowPropertyChanges/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1027"/>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1"/>
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2014/01/16/sherrod_extra_custom-c08780cb683f1e7d1eb31f5b1cb22d33483e62cb-s3-c85.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2014/01/16/sherrod_extra_custom-c08780cb683f1e7d1eb31f5b1cb22d33483e62cb-s3-c85.jpg" height="320" width="175" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Clayton Sherrod was just 13 when his dad died of a heart
attack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clayton was one of 10 children
living poverty in Alabama before the Civil Rights era gave blacks equal
rights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a young black teenager, he
must have already felt like his opportunities for success were slim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After his father died, his mother told him he
needed to quit school to go to work to help support his family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That limited his opportunities even further.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Clayton’s older brother had a job as a golf caddy at an
all-white country club near their home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When an opening came up for another caddy, Clayton applied and got
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only a few weeks later, a job as a
dishwasher opened up in the kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Although it was a pay cut with harder work, less prestige and longer
hours, Clayton learned that they offered free meals to the staff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides, it was a steady paycheck, unlike the
caddy job, which was more sporadic.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Clayton was soon eating gourmet foods in a fancy country
club; foods he had never seen or tasted before with expensive cuts of meat and
exotic ingredients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was fascinated
with how the chef created these masterpieces and started watching him
cook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looked like magic to him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said, “I just wanted to learn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would have paid them to learn.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After a while, Clayton decided that he wanted to be the head
(executive) chef there someday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People
thought he was crazy, because there had never ever been a black head chef at
that country club before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clayton said,
“but I saw something that everyone else didn’t see, that is me walking around
with that big tall hat on.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He counted
how many promotions it would take for him to become the executive chef and set
a goal to be promoted every 6 months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Doing that would ensure that he became the head chef in 10 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clayton worked hard, stayed late and polished
the dishes to a shine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he kept
watching closely as the chef cooked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His hard work paid off; Clayton was promoted repeatedly over
the next few years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he checked off
each promotion on a poster on his wall, he would dance in happiness, knowing
that his goal was getting closer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When he reached the rank of ‘Sous chef,’ or the assistant to
the head chef, the head chef came to him and said, “I know what you’re
doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t even think about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be the Executive Chef here for life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can either keep working for me or go
somewhere else.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That didn’t deter
Clayton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He came up with a plan to allow
him to become head chef.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t a
mean plan, but it was sneaky.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Clayton wrote up a resume describing the perfect chef, put
the head chef’s name on the top and started applying for jobs all over the
country—for the head chef!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon the head
chef was receiving job offers from everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That made him a bit proud—he was famous!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He started asking his boss for raises in pay, which his boss regularly
refused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a time, the boss got
tired of the discussion and told him he could be replaced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The boss said turned to Clayton and said,
“Will you take over until we can find another chef?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clayton was only too happy to fill in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Clayton never looked back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And he attained Executive Chef in just 6 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> He was only 19 years old! </span>He ran that kitchen for many 13 years, taking
time off to attend formal culinary school in New York.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He finally quit to start his own catering
business, which he has run successfully ever since.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Although Clayton’s situation seemed hopeless, he saw himself
as a future success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He worked hard and
studied with such determination that he reached his goal quickly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Each of us can do the same if we keep our goal in mind while we work on the smaller goals that will bring us there.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To hear Clayton tell his story, <a href="http://storycorps.org/listen/clayton-sherrod/">http://storycorps.org/listen/clayton-sherrod/</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I got the details from:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/stories/2007/08/20/focus8.html?page=all">http://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/stories/2007/08/20/focus8.html?page=all</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.answers.com/topic/clayton-sherrod">http://www.answers.com/topic/clayton-sherrod</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.npr.org/2014/01/17/263113839/a-black-chef-at-an-all-white-club-who-never-looked-back">http://www.npr.org/2014/01/17/263113839/a-black-chef-at-an-all-white-club-who-never-looked-back</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Photo courtesy of Clayton Sherrod and NPR. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Melanie J. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08510427380627153963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357942208226134699.post-63296975893781207482014-01-14T14:07:00.000-05:002014-04-03T15:27:23.867-04:00My 'Everyday' Heroes of Yesterday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDUZvXOhECqlzM_O5aAxv6VIw-yuEwcK_i_ZkBjxgH2eBuGY2RUaA9GSg-5yFIXRDAgbN9AzWV5BuqRdfaiHzmiIvoV51r6PILWgzYu4Aza6LmlJVlXSkAlHDXCyU7j4ouQ0tgLTFeto/s1600/2014-03-18+16.08.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDUZvXOhECqlzM_O5aAxv6VIw-yuEwcK_i_ZkBjxgH2eBuGY2RUaA9GSg-5yFIXRDAgbN9AzWV5BuqRdfaiHzmiIvoV51r6PILWgzYu4Aza6LmlJVlXSkAlHDXCyU7j4ouQ0tgLTFeto/s1600/2014-03-18+16.08.14.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Sometimes doing something simple and easy qualifies someone
as a hero. Yesterday I made conversation
with a gentleman in line at Office Depot as we waited to check out. He was a well-dressed man who looked like a mature
but not old James Earl Jones. He
declined to take my spot in line when I offered it to him, as I thought he
might have gotten there first. That
opened up a genial discussion that ranged from family size to school teaching
to settling estates. When I reached my
car and found that it wouldn’t start, I was glad that I had a friend in the
store. Just the few minutes of speaking
to this kind man, I felt pretty confident that he would help me get the car
started once he came outside. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had guessed right.
He pulled his car over and got his gear out. As he did so, another man pulled in next to
me and offered to help as well. He
looked a lot like Will Smith. The men
seemed to know each other, but only just met, yet friends because their auto
tags showed each were members of the same college Fraternity. They were brothers in that sense and behaved
so as they gave my car the jump it needed to start it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once the car was started, I gushed my thanks to these
men. They brushed it aside and urged me
to idle for 10 minutes then head straight to an Auto Zone to have the battery
checked. Their concern for me made me
feel as if I was in good hands.
Following their advice, I ended up with a new battery and no worries
driving to my next several errands around town.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Their heroism lasted just 5 or 10 minutes, but it helped me
greatly. After many years of driving
unreliable cars, I had grown accustomed to having a good one. This failure of my car battery had made me
worry again about making it home without further problems. These men eased my fears and helped me get
the long term help I needed. I was back
in business without a lot of stress and drama, but with a lot of
gratitude. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hope these men felt good inside for the ‘good turn’ they
did for me. It wasn’t grand, nothing to
make the papers, but for me it was a big help.
I thought of the great line in the movie, “While You Were Sleeping.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 10.9pt; margin-bottom: .05in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000113/?ref_=tt_trv_qu"><span class="character"><span style="color: #70579d; text-decoration: none;">Lucy</span></span></a>: You give up your seat every day in the train.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 10.9pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.05in;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001251/?ref_=tt_trv_qu"><span class="character"><span style="color: #70579d; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Peter</span></span></a>: Well... But that's not heroic.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 10.9pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.05in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #333333;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000113/?ref_=tt_trv_qu"><span class="character"><span style="color: #70579d; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Lucy</span></span></a>: It is to the person who sits in it.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 8pt;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span>(From IMDB)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A house burned to the ground a few days ago in our
neighborhood. The family escaped with
just the clothes they were wearing. Nothing
remains except part of the brick foundation,a charred basket ball goal in
their driveway and their charred cars.
Within hours of the tragedy, the neighbors donated boxes and more boxes
of clothes and supplies for the displaced family. The neighborhood clubhouse became the
collection point. When I dropped by,
they were turning away boxes of clothes, as they had determined that the family
had enough at that point. People
continued to stream in, bringing gift cards and cash to help. Most of these generous neighbors won’t miss
the money or box of clothes they gave away, but it must have been a real
blessing to this family. Just knowing
that the neighbors would rally behind them must have given them a big
boost. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
All it takes to find these heroes is to watch for the
goodness in others. These little things
qualify, just as well as the big things that generally define a hero. As Jesus taught, “Whether you have done it
unto the least of these, my brethren or to me, it is the same.” (Matthew 25:40 roughly) Being kind and helpful to others is being a
hero to those who need that kindness or help.
And Jesus counts it as if it had been done to Him, blessing us for it
abundantly.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Melanie J. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08510427380627153963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357942208226134699.post-40839504091854176952013-11-19T14:31:00.001-05:002013-11-19T14:31:17.038-05:00Annie Follows a Prompting to Gather Extra Music for Funeral<div class="MsoNormal">
A week ago today, I heard the stunning news that an
acquaintance of mine had been killed.<span> </span>More,
her daughter had also been hurt in the tragedy.<span>
</span>Although I didn’t know the victims very well, I knew of the family.<span> </span>They are a sweet family, just good people.<span> </span>Friends of the family came forward with hugs,
food and many offers of help, so much help that a coordinator was assigned to
keep it all straight.<span> </span>It was wonderful
to watch. Among those offering to help was my friend Annie, who offered to play the organ at the funeral. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Saturday afternoon, the funeral was held at our local
church.<span> </span>The
night before, Annie couldn’t sleep.<span> </span>It wasn’t jitters.<span>
</span>For some reason she thought she might need more prelude music than
usual.<span> </span>She had played for many funerals
before, and normally she played prelude for about 30 minutes prior to the service
starting.<span> </span>Sleepless, Annie arose from bed at about 11
pm and searched through several hymnals she had in her collection.<span> </span>Using her printer as a copy machine, she
copied the ones that would fit a funeral service.<span> </span>For over 2 hours, she copied comforting and
loving hymns.<span> </span>She arranged them in an
order that would allow them to flow from one song to another, interspersing
them with the half hour’s worth of music she already had collected.<span> </span>After a quick run through on the organ, she felt satisfied at 1:30 am, she retired to
bed.<span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next day, Annie arrived more than an hour prior to the
service, in case she was needed.<span> </span>She
was!<span> </span>The chapel was already filled with people,
and the funeral director asked her to begin prelude earlier than usual.<span> </span>She was grateful she had prepared so many
pieces to play.<span> </span>Annie took her spot at
the organ and began playing.<span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span>In the end, Annie had to provide over an hour and a half of prelude music. During that time, her left leg had gone numb and her forearms began to spasm from the continued reaches to the second keyboard. However, with the addition of the extra music from the night before she was able to accomplish this without panic. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Annie expressed gratitude to God for prompting her to arise the
night before and prepare more music.<span> </span>God
knew that there would be an unusual need at the funeral, and He made sure Annie
was prepared for it.<span> </span>And then He ‘bore
her up’ as she began to feel the effects of such long term playing.<span> </span>Annie told me, “It was a really neat
experience, to be a tool in the hand of God for the afternoon.”<span> </span>Annie went on to accompany the hymns that
were sung as part of the service, and postlude as well.<span> </span>Thankfully, once the service began, she got a
few minutes of a break to stretch out her leg and massage her hands and
arms.<span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://news.byu.edu/releases/archive10/Feb/organtutorial/1002-65%20158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://news.byu.edu/releases/archive10/Feb/organtutorial/1002-65%20158.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Because Annie listened to the promptings of the spirit, she was prepared. She was able to provide a sweet,
peaceful setting for mourners to come and feel God’s love and reassuring peace as
they waited for the services to begin.<span>
</span>Had she been fumbling through her music, or playing the same half hour of
music repeatedly, it wouldn’t have been as nice.<span> </span>Hearing experiences like this reminds me that
our Heavenly Father loves us each individually.<span>
</span>He knows us and wants to help us be our best.<span> </span>He wanted the service to be as great as
possible to nourish His suffering children.<span>
</span>If I could talk to the speakers, the soloist who performed, and the
other people who were involved in the service, I’m sure they’d tell me similar
stories.<span> </span><span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span>Photo courtesy of BYU.edu </span></div>
<div class="yj6qo ajU">
<div class="ajR" data-tooltip="Show trimmed content" id=":39a" role="button" tabindex="0">
<img class="ajT" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/images/cleardot.gif" /></div>
</div>
Melanie J. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08510427380627153963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357942208226134699.post-31200377686514760122013-10-22T15:57:00.003-04:002013-10-22T15:57:49.996-04:00Rebecca Pederson Conquered Partial Deafness to Win the MET Opera CompetitionRecently I attended a concert featuring a lovely new opera singer named Rebecca Pederson. She is only 21 with only 3 or 4 years of singing experience, and a hearing problem, yet she recently won the MET competition in New York City! It's not a fluke; it's a result of applying hard work and determination to her talent.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://news.byu.edu/releases/archive13/Mar/operastudent/1303-21%20145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://news.byu.edu/releases/archive13/Mar/operastudent/1303-21%20145.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Courtesy of BYU</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Rebecca is one of the older children in a large family-- 11 kids total. That meant hard work helping her mom. Rebecca loved to sing although she suffered the loss of hearing in one ear. In High School she took a voice lesson, but it didn't really inspire her. In her senior year, she tried singing again, joining the choir. Rebecca said, <span class="storyBody">"I couldn't sing parts for the life of me. I'm deaf in one ear so I couldn't sing alto. So my choir
teacher's like, 'Well, we'll put her on soprano.' Then it was like,
'Shh, Becca, be quiet.' Because I would stick out like a sore thumb." </span> <br />
<br />
Later, Rebecca's mom took her to an Opera featuring Fredrika Von Stade. "My mother dragged me," Rebecca said. "I fell in love with the art
form. I realized it wasn't just for old people. It was alive and
beautiful. It was obvious to me that it took your whole body and soul to
sing opera. It takes everything you have in you to get up there and
sing with that passion and force."<br />
<br />
Rebecca began listening to opera recordings and at age 18 she started taking lessons again. Her teacher told her she had the kind of voice to perform in the Metropolitan Opera House (MET) in New York. That gave her hope.<br />
<br />
After High School graduation, she was unsure of what education she should pursue. As she prayed about it, she felt like God wanted her to build on her singing talent. She applied to Brigham Young University to study under Darrell and Jennifer Babidge, a husband and wife team of opera teachers on the faculty. Working two jobs to pay her bills, Rebecca wore herself out training in her spare time. Rebecca kept practicing with her mentors and teachers, putting hours into training her voice to sing and her ears to hear the music. <br />
<br />
After a couple of years of training, the Babidge team decided Rebecca could use some experience in competitions. They encouraged her to enter the Met competition. Rebecca was young and had nothing to lose, but lots of good experience to gain. Over the next two months of competitions preceding the MET, Rebecca kept advancing- winning district, regional and semi-final competitions. She was elated when she realized her dream of competing in the final MET competition in New York City, one of 10 singers out of 1800 entrants. <br />
<br />
Rebecca didn't expect to win her first competition. It was just for experience. But Rebecca did win! Suddenly professional offers came her way. She turned them all down, preferring to apply the $15,000 cash prize to her BYU tuition and continue toward her degree. <br />
<br />
Rebecca is quick to tell people, "Talent isn't enough to get you to the MET. It takes that,
and hours and hours of study, practice and research. It takes lots of
prayers, tears and sweat." Professor Babidge agreed, adding, "Rebecca has a gift, <span class="storyBody">as well as the discipline to work hard and the maturity to handle an opera career." </span><br />
<br />
<span class="storyBody">The recipe for success never changes-- a measure of talent, hard work and determination, and help from God. Rebecca has shown that this recipe works, even with a hearing loss and working two jobs. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="storyBody">Sources:</span><br />
<br />
<span class="storyBody">McBride, Jon. "BYU Sophomore Wins Prestigious MET Opera Competition." 18 Mar 2013. BYU Press Release. News.byu.edu. 22 Oct 2013. http://news.byu.edu/archive13-mar-operastudent.aspx</span><br />
<br />
<span class="storyBody">Mikita, Carole. "Partially deaf BYU student wins Metropolitan Opera Competition." 21 Mar 2013. KSL.com. 22 Oct 2013. http://www.ksl.com/?sid=24494905</span><br />
<br />
<span class="storyBody">Reichel, Edward. "Utah Soprano Makes it to Semi-Final Round in Met Auditions." 26 Feb 2013. Reichelrecommends.com. 22 Oct. 2013 http://www.reichelrecommends.com/utah-soprano-makes-it-to-semifinal-round-in-met-opera-auditions/</span><br />
<br />
<span class="storyBody">Van Walkenburg, Nancy. "Bountiful Soprano Wins Prize at the Met." 11 Mar 2013. Standard Examiner. 22 Oct. 2013. http://www.standard.net/stories/2013/03/11/bountiful-soprano-wins-prize-met</span><br />
<br />
<span class="storyBody">Zajick, Delora. "Congratulations to Rebecca Pederson on her 2013 Met Opera National Council Audition Win!" 12 Mar 2013. 22 Oct. 2013. http://www.dolorazajick.com/2013/03/12/congratulations-to-rebecca-pedersen-on-her-2013-met-opera-national-council-audition-win/</span><br />
<br />
<span class="storyBody"> </span>Melanie J. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08510427380627153963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357942208226134699.post-51720466925570542632013-10-15T10:47:00.001-04:002013-10-15T10:48:35.955-04:00Ghanian Ziggy Ansah Discovers Football and Becomes First Draft NFL Pick<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:DoNotShowRevisions/>
<w:DoNotPrintRevisions/>
<w:DoNotShowMarkup/>
<w:DoNotShowComments/>
<w:DoNotShowInsertionsAndDeletions/>
<w:DoNotShowPropertyChanges/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPaosQAIv4WV-tb_NTCAPDrzBTt6sT0kFBCyn1qijir18QYHYcGyMbcXTAF8vTdy-eirRuWa75k-pr6jIW0VlTxlvAhReIGP4OVBIuvsJVFhydrRIluBUAFkjWC6bjtpW4HKBRJ_6odRY/s1600/Ziggy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPaosQAIv4WV-tb_NTCAPDrzBTt6sT0kFBCyn1qijir18QYHYcGyMbcXTAF8vTdy-eirRuWa75k-pr6jIW0VlTxlvAhReIGP4OVBIuvsJVFhydrRIluBUAFkjWC6bjtpW4HKBRJ_6odRY/s320/Ziggy.JPG" width="279" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Courtesy of BYU Frontiers Magazine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
My husband and I were able to fly to Utah to see the Georgia
Tech vs. Brigham Young University game last weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While in town, we learned of a remarkable BYU
alumni football player with a great story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Although Ezekial (Ziggy) Ansah was born and raised in Ghana, he became a
first round number 5 draft pick in the NFL last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ziggy was always athletic growing up in Accra, Ghana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He loved to play soccer and basketball, and
helped his school basketball team win many games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because of his hard work on the court, he was
voted most valuable player.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Plus he was a bright kid. His friends say he was the smartest kind in the school, getting a perfect score on their SAT equivalent test. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints frequented the basketball court at his local high school, playing pick-up
basketball when they had some free time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After meeting on the court, the missionaries began to teach Ziggy the
gospel of Jesus Christ and Ziggy believed it was true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He joined the Church when he was 18.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although the missionaries are transient, Ziggy
stayed in contact with Elder Ken Frei, one of the missionaries who baptized
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After Ziggy graduated from high
school in 2007, Ken suggested that he attend BYU and join the basketball team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ziggy applied to BYU and was accepted for the 2008 academic
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His grades qualified him for an
academic scholarship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To pay the rest of
his expenses, Ziggy took a job as a janitor on campus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ziggy was probably thrilled to have such a
great opportunity to obtain an education.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For Ghanians, education is the key out of 'economic prison.' And he could join the basketball team.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But Ziggy was cut from the basketball team in 2008 and 2009.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tried the track team and did well, but his
build wasn’t ideal for track, and the coaches didn’t think it was the best fit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 6’6” tall and 270+ pounds muscle, he
really looked like a football player.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ziggy understood Soccer, but had never really played or even watched
American Football.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With some persuasion
from his new friends, Ziggy tried football.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He walked on the team in 2010 and gave it his best.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His coaches said that Ziggy didn’t even know how to put on
the gear they gave him at first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had
to learn the basics of the game to even practice with the team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Ziggy learned quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his first game of play mid-season, he made
a great tackle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After that, Ziggy got a few minutes of play time in each game and kept improving both that year
and his Junior year at BYU.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ziggy got his big break in 2012 as a Senior when a
player hurt his knee and Ziggy was given his spot as ‘noseguard’ on the
defensive squad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now playing each game
consistently, Ziggy gave BYU everything he had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As the season finished, Ziggy was third in number of tackles, second in
number of sacks, and first in number of tackles with a loss!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His hard work and study paid off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A football scholarship that year allowed
Ziggy to quit his janitor job, probably helping him succeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
NFL scouts didn’t even have Ziggy on their mock drafts
earlier in the season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But by the final draft,
Ziggy was listed as the number 5 first round draft pick in the NFL.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Detroit Lions offered him a 5 year
contract the same day he graduated from BYU with a Bachelors degree in Actuary Science and a minor in Math. Ziggy is playing marvelously for this team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ziggy’s decision to join the LDS church opened doors for him
he may not have understood in 2007.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through
his church membership and good grades, he was exposed to BYU and football,
where he applied hard work and determination to gain success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If there is a ‘rags to riches’ story in
football, this is it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter what our
background, with a little opportunity and a lot of hard work, amazing things
can happen.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sources:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wikipedia, "Ezekial Ansah" updated 15 October 2013. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ezekiel_Ansah</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Profile from BYU Homecoming Spectacular 11 October 2013.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Call, Jeff. Deseret News. 25 April 2013. "Ziggy Ansah dons cap and gown prior to heading off to NFL draft." 14 Oct 2013 http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865578964/Ziggy-Ansah-dons-cap-and-gown-prior-to-heading-off-to-NFL-draft.html?pg=all</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Frontiers, BYU College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Fall 2013, p. 2. http://cpms.byu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/FINAL-for-Web-Spreads.pdf</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
Melanie J. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08510427380627153963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357942208226134699.post-8136440647839443212013-10-07T19:04:00.001-04:002013-10-22T10:10:12.092-04:00Alvin Moroni Jensen Trained Horses to Win Races<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:DoNotShowRevisions/>
<w:DoNotPrintRevisions/>
<w:DoNotShowMarkup/>
<w:DoNotShowComments/>
<w:DoNotShowInsertionsAndDeletions/>
<w:DoNotShowPropertyChanges/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12pG9JuXKe0wF_PAz8PRPkhjMRGnBvYtF-Lu-Cr2xVmUYbgMLJdzJAEDmZMVfI7n-Mld2CdstZwiLSs6Xs1iC4GS4URywnfhNkLXWhK4DvdnYlfWbhzdN-GiHAbhTaDMVhCT5e_P_1-I/s1600/Alvin+M+Jensen+age+20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12pG9JuXKe0wF_PAz8PRPkhjMRGnBvYtF-Lu-Cr2xVmUYbgMLJdzJAEDmZMVfI7n-Mld2CdstZwiLSs6Xs1iC4GS4URywnfhNkLXWhK4DvdnYlfWbhzdN-GiHAbhTaDMVhCT5e_P_1-I/s320/Alvin+M+Jensen+age+20.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alvin was barely 11 years old when his family moved onto a
ranch in Circleville, Utah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The family
moved there from Parowan to allow Alvin’s father Jorgen Peder Jensen to assume
the role of Bishop to a congregation of members of the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leasing some land
from Mr. Ambrose Thompson, Jorgen took on 500 acres of farmland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alvin resumed his duties on a farm caring for
animals and milking the cows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alvin’s
older brother John had been hired by Mr. Ambrose to work with his horses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Alvin got older and stronger, he began to
work with his brother John.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alvin showed
such prowess with horses that Mr. Thompson hired him to also work with his
horses.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ambrose, or ‘Brose’ Thompson knew horses well and wanted to have
the fastest horses in the valley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had
John and Alvin train a set of ‘Sulky<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5357942208226134699#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a>’
horses differently than the norm:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Instead of training the horses to stop when pulling back on the reins,
they were to increase their speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
stop them, one should let up on the reins, which normally caused horses to
accelerate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These differences, among
others, allowed these horses to only respond properly to Alvin and John, and
somehow made a difference in their racing techniques.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Although John and Alvin were only teenagers, using these
techniques and spending hours working with this particular team of horses,
these young men won several races in the first Iron County Fair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The horses won Mr. Thompson first prize and
top money in the white-top buggy team races, top money in the buckboard races,
and they also won all the Sulky races, both for the trotters and the pacers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alvin remembered, “John and I were the
drivers, and needless to say, this brought us a slight increase in wages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You should have seen the monkey suits we
wore—bright shirts, tight britches, purple neckerchiefs and goggles!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were really dudified!!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hard work, determination and different training techniques
had made winners out of these horses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But the story doesn’t end here; it also caused problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once when Alvin’s father needed to pick up a
gentleman, he mistakenly took one of the Sulky horses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somehow he managed to get where he needed to
go, but when he tried to stop by pulling back on the reins, the horse took off
in a gallop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He rode around in circles
in the Kingston town square several times unable to get the horse to stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally in exasperation, he let up on the
reins and the horse stopped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another time John and Alvin had hitched up the Sulky’s to a
wagon and were working in a field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
their dad came to call them into dinner, the boys asked him to take the wagon
and horses into the barn for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
Jorgen climbed up into the wagon, he tried to warm himself in the chill by
jumping up and down and beating his arms about him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a signal to the horses to run, which
they did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alvin laughed, “Poor father
was somersaulted to the back of the wagon and John and I had to walk all the
way back to the barn.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More than once,
Jorgan said to his sons, “You crazy kids—how can you train them like this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one else knows how to handle them.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Their unusual training and speed came in handy when church
leader and Prophet Lorenzo Snow died in October 1901.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Church leaders and dignitaries were called
back to Salt Lake City to participate in his funeral.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needing a fast ride to Marysville, three
gentlemen (Apostle Frances M. Lyman, Professor Howard Driggs and Professor
Ward) were brought to the Jensen home looking for conveyance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Church leader Mahonri Steele had brought them
to the Jensen home knowing that Alvin, although young, could bring them to
Marysville in time to catch their train.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alvin was at a dance when he got word of the situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stopping at the Thompson farm to retrieve the
Sulky horses delayed young Alvin in getting home, making the gentlemen worry even more about missing their train.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alvin
hitched up a good buggy and settled in his passengers, who all seemed a bit
skeptical about this young man’s ability to get them there on time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alvin vowed to get them there EARLY.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, this was the team that took all
honors at the county fair!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alvin rode
the horses hard, delivering the passengers a full 50 minutes early to the train
station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Driving that fast caused one
seat spring to break and the passengers to have to hold on tightly to their
seats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Professor Driggs, who sat in the
front with Alvin, said it was the best ride he ever had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Training these horses using different techniques gave Alvin
and John the edge to win many races in the county fair, but also gave them
unintended challenges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately, with
good humor and hindsight, one can laugh about the challenges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Source:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jensen, Alvin
Moroni.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“My Life Story.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1974 pp. 4-7. Found at http://johnsonfamilyhistorystories.blogspot.com/2013/08/alvin-moroni-jensen.html<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5357942208226134699#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a> A
Sulky is a two wheeled cart pulled by horses like a chariot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alvin called these specially trained horses ‘Sulky’s.’</div>
</div>
</div>
Melanie J. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08510427380627153963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357942208226134699.post-88429869322353407282013-10-07T12:27:00.000-04:002014-06-21T12:29:44.999-04:00Emily Steele Showed She Was Made of Steel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5GENbCQSKeP3tuLJtY4azKitR2H-Pq9ytZYsB-XTv8Dy4JTFNZrlzuwYEm1Y5aIUcl5SE3mAWUTZxUFpXrfOtuZ0a1Q2zHDKOF9Iw3fFuU-kZ0A8BbE79le8zCArDw8aB8EmvPuFs5s/s1600/Emily+Steele+teenager.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu5GENbCQSKeP3tuLJtY4azKitR2H-Pq9ytZYsB-XTv8Dy4JTFNZrlzuwYEm1Y5aIUcl5SE3mAWUTZxUFpXrfOtuZ0a1Q2zHDKOF9Iw3fFuU-kZ0A8BbE79le8zCArDw8aB8EmvPuFs5s/s320/Emily+Steele+teenager.jpg" height="320" width="247" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the Wild West era, young women often had to do some
heroic things to survive under harsh conditions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To thrive and remain pure and virtuous took
extra pluck and courage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two stories in
Emily’s young life showed that she was willing to do amazing things to both
survive and survive intact.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once she and her father Mahonri Steele were visiting her
cousin’s family, the Bringhursts in La Verkin, Utah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emily and her cousin Linda Bringhurst wanted
to visit some hot springs nearby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mahonri
asked Linda’s dad to take them, which he agreed to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mahonri left his team of ‘spirited’ horses
and a buggy for them to use to visit the springs while he attended to some business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One had to cross the rough Virgin river in
order to reach the springs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mr.
Bringhurst ended up being too busy to go, and after enduring hours of coaxing, he
allowed Emily and Linda to use those rambunctious horses to reach the
springs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mahonri would never have let
Emily and Linda take those horses alone to cross that rough river.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Arriving at the crossing point, the girls saw a fast moving
treacherous river flowing under cables outlining where an old swinging bridge
had once hung.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bridge was long gone,
but the cables remained, hanging about 20 feet above the turbulent water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The girls urged the horses forward into the
rough water until mid stream a wheel caught and the horses were unable to budge
the wagon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stuck in the middle of the raging
river with no one in sight, Emily knew she must do something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leaving Linda to calm the agitated horses,
Emily climbed up on top of the wagon and grasped the dangling cables.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She climbed up into the cables and managed to
cross the 150 foot span to the other side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Rips in her clothing and scratches on her skin showed the difficulty she
endured to reach shore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She lost nearly
all the skin on her hands in the effort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can’t imagine how she hung, perhaps upside down in her long dress and
petticoats, hanging from cables and climbing across the underside of a bridge
as she listened to the rushing water dozens of feet below her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Reaching shore, she ran for help.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Emily retold this story, she always emphasized that she
had been more afraid of her father’s wrath than hurting herself crossing the river.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she later showed her adventurous husband
Alvin the cables now hanging below a newly-built modern bridge, he shook his
head and said, “You had more nerve than I would have had.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Emily was a pretty girl and attractive to young men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having been raised in the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints, she was committed to remain chaste until she
married.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She also sang with a travelling
performing group, which meant she also gained the admiration of young men in
many areas of the state of Utah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
determined to always date in groups, knowing that doing so would give her a
measure of protection.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One evening, she went with a group to a party 7 miles away from
her hometown of Panguitch, Utah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
young man in the group bribed the rest of them to leave him alone with Emily once
the party ended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They left his horse
behind for him and Emily, expecting them to catch up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Emily realized she was now alone with
this young man whom she barely knew, she was angry and afraid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She mounted his horse and caught up with her
group, leaving him to walk the seven miles back to town in the dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Emily showed courage and pluck in these circumstances,
showing that she would do whatever was necessary to survive and keep her honor and
virtue intact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Sources: Jensen, Alvin Moroni. "My Life Story." 1974. p. 13. Found at http://johnsonfamilyhistorystories.blogspot.com/2013/08/alvin-moroni-jensen.html</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Washington County Historical Society: Hurricane/LaVerkin Bridge http://www.wchsutah.org/roads/hurricane-laverkin-bridge.php</span></div>
Melanie J. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08510427380627153963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357942208226134699.post-73033824273712531952013-10-01T22:00:00.000-04:002013-10-01T22:11:54.900-04:00Mary White, Ray of Sunshine in a Nursing Home for 15 Years<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:RelyOnVML/>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:DoNotShowRevisions/>
<w:DoNotPrintRevisions/>
<w:DoNotShowMarkup/>
<w:DoNotShowComments/>
<w:DoNotShowInsertionsAndDeletions/>
<w:DoNotShowPropertyChanges/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhis7UNOkzKLNmtrgVULOzKKvaOGN54s3d9P-sGp2JombRW69vGhU_3yn2ZHTwuDsyDwnDU05mKxxVvINstbYwv3pV8UWupVbYsand2IfGUQ7O4ModxZVg9NTbEuUa5Y_5evlW4CGsJ6c4/s1600/Mary+White+2012+birthday+hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhis7UNOkzKLNmtrgVULOzKKvaOGN54s3d9P-sGp2JombRW69vGhU_3yn2ZHTwuDsyDwnDU05mKxxVvINstbYwv3pV8UWupVbYsand2IfGUQ7O4ModxZVg9NTbEuUa5Y_5evlW4CGsJ6c4/s320/Mary+White+2012+birthday+hat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In a small room in Snellville, Mary White picks at
her food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The television is on, although
neither Mary nor her two roommates are watching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although unappetizingly pureed in small
bowls, Mary has already bowed her head to offer a prayer of thanks to God for
that food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mary has blessed her food at
each meal like this in her nursing home bed for the last 15 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When many people would be angry with God for
being stuck in a nursing home bed for that amazing length of time, Mary
continues to be grateful for her life and faithful to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s a ray of sunshine in a depressing
place.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mary White was 68 in 1998 when she suffered a stroke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quick response from paramedics saved her
life, but left Mary unable to use half of her body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the paramedics stood her up to help her into
the ambulance, she correctly predicted it would be the last time she would
stand and walk on her feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has been
lying in bed ever since.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Although her facial muscles were not affected, Mary is
unable to use her left arm or leg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her
mental capacity is unchanged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It must
have been a shock to Mary to suddenly be trapped in a non-functioning
body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was so much Mary wanted to
do in her retirement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was
traveling, working at the temple and doing genealogy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And she had many close friends she spent time
with in her hometown of Savannah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now
her life would be completely different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mary
chose to live in a full care facility and not be a burden on her family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moving to a Snellville nursing home would
allow her four children to visit her. They visit faithfully. Their visits bring Mary great joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mary’s church family has visited her regularly too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints (Mormons) Mary became a member of the Snellville congregation
when she moved into the nursing home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although
she can’t attend church, members visit her and leave inspired by her good
attitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Missionaries got into the
routine of visiting Mary on Friday afternoons to play Dominoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(She beats them every game.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Young priests come each Sunday to administer
the emblems of the Sacrament.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Everyone from church who visits Mary immediately loves her
because of her sunny disposition and the twinkle in her eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She does not complain about being stuck in
bed, even though she is often in pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
congregant gathered donated yarn so Mary could crochet again, although without
her left hand, she was unable to master crochet again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another congregant visited her nearly daily
with his wife, bringing her lunch from their favorite restaurants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And another rounded up donations to purchase
Mary a motorized wheelchair so Mary could get outside more often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like me, I'm sure that these church friends
feel like they benefit more than Mary does from their visits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Phantom pain from Mary’s affected side is almost
constant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She developed bedsores almost immediately
from lying constantly. They have not healed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her glasses were stolen, leaving her unable
to read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mary fills her time doing what
crafts she can master, like coloring in black velvet paintings with
markers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And she looks forward to
visitors, especially children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mary is
cheerful and engaged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At our visits, she
usually shares her letters from friends we know, asking us to reread them to
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She fills us in with news of her
children and grandchildren, clearly proud of the great family she raised.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Nurses caring for Mary enjoy visiting with her too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mary has shared her faith in Jesus Christ
with each of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we visit her, she often asks us to pray
with her before we leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And she blesses
her food before eating it, always expressing gratitude for her life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is remarkable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I told her recently that our family
prays for her every day, she was glad to hear that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I believe in prayer,” she stated
simply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clearly she relies on prayer to
cope with each day’s challenges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And by
her positive attitude, it’s clear that she believes in a better world.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mary has said many times that she doesn’t own anything of
value anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had to part with her
car and other possessions after her stroke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But she has told me more than once that she
is rich because her family is her treasure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"I don't have any riches; my children are my riches. They are my
treasure. The best is knowing that they love me with a real love.
Not the fake stuff, but real love." </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I honor Mary because she shows us all how to live with
extremely difficult circumstances with joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She cheerfully endures a major setback and life change and makes the
best of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What an
example!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Melanie J. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08510427380627153963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357942208226134699.post-50061493370853454452013-09-12T16:39:00.001-04:002013-09-30T13:04:59.394-04:00Dancer Brian Youngblut Sews Modest Dresses for his Dance partners<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4uj5hhnlxZUX2tE6AUvky5AOnNru6F4K6BAsJVXb2vAXRz43mXSMFDstPKNbXXTx5MnGvlY4opCOmHehAfTYnp_x5EA6YSF-BYwp5_VMrSM1uVNUEAd8uvlNB0x2-rPQpOMWl64UIc5g/s1600/Brian+Youngblut.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4uj5hhnlxZUX2tE6AUvky5AOnNru6F4K6BAsJVXb2vAXRz43mXSMFDstPKNbXXTx5MnGvlY4opCOmHehAfTYnp_x5EA6YSF-BYwp5_VMrSM1uVNUEAd8uvlNB0x2-rPQpOMWl64UIc5g/s320/Brian+Youngblut.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I recently completed another Prom-style dress for my daughter to wear to my son's wedding. It takes a lot of time and skill to make a formal dress. Formals are usually made with expensive, slippery fabric that usually frays all over the place. Sometimes there are layers of fabrics-- sheers over base fabrics. And these dresses are always lined with another slippery fabric. Adding any embellishments usually requires hours with magnifying glasses in good light. It takes skill and patience to tackle such a project.<br />
<br />
Imagine my surprise to learn that a young man of 25 years has over 40 such formal dresses in his portfolio! And he's not even attending a fashion design or art college! He saw a need for these formal dresses and he filled it.<br />
<br />
After Brian Youngblut took a ballroom dance class at Brigham Young University he was hooked. As he progressed to competitions, he saw the need for flashy dresses for his partner. To win, a couple needs to stand out from the pack of other dancers, as well as dance well. Brian explained, "Dance is an aesthetic sport. Judges will look at things like how your feet are turned and how you're moving your core, so you want a costume that accentuates that." <br />
<br />
Additionally, Brian understood the need for modest dresses. Ballroom dance competition is known for it's revealing dresses, but Brian is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormons. One of the teachings of the church is to dress modestly. Many of the dresses on the market would be inappropriate for Brian's dance partners. And having a designer come up with a modest design and make it would be terribly expensive! These are students after all!<br />
<br />
Brian's solution: he would make his partner's dresses! He inherited an old sewing machine from sister-in-law and took some leotards and fashioned up his first outfit. He learned the basics of sewing from his mom as he was growing up, so he'd call her when he hit a snag. Soon he was designing dresses and making them up with his own patterns (another amazing advanced sewing skill. Believe me.) When he found a dress form on Craigslist, he excitedly snapped it up. His excitement shows in his blog post: <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
So my treasured find of the week is this singer adjustable dress form
brand new on Craigslist for DIRTY CHEAP! With said dress form, and
fabric from LA's Fashion District, I was able to whip up a sweet design for Cait's new dress in
no time! So with this gem I have full confidence
that I can start making most of our costumes, which I've been wanting to
venture into for a while. Now I don't have to just draw up designs I can
actually make them right in front of me...I've found that newspaper is
great for making patterns, and any questions that you may have can be
easily answered between Google and YouTube...gotta love modern
technology. (Make it Count, May 5, 2011)</blockquote>
<br />
Normally you don't hear of Business majors getting excited about buying used dress forms. But Brian isn't your average student. He's gone on to sew formalwear for clients in Beverly Hills, California, selling one dress for $3500. That's a great start in a career in business or clothing design by any standards. <br />
<br />
Brian didn't worry what others would think of him when he decided to sew dresses. He just dusted off his machine and his sewing skills, researched what he didn't know, called his mom for help and learned from his experiences. Each dress probably got better as his skills improved. His dress form probably did make the process easier, especially to get the fitting perfect. He probably had a few disasters, but he didn't let them discourage him. He kept designing and sewing. He had big ideas and didn't flinch. Even his mom wondered how he'd make some of his designs a reality. She said, "When I saw some of his designs, I thought, 'how did you get that out of your head and onto a dress?'"<br />
<br />
Brian is a great example of fearlessness and determination, qualities that will make Brian a success in any field. <br />
<br />
Sources: <br />
<br />
Make it count-- Brian's blog found at http://brianyoungblut.blogspot.com/<br />
<br />
Smith, Sara D. <i>Sewing with the Stars</i>. BYU Today magazine, Summer 2013, pg. 16.<br />
<br />
Watch a cool video interview with Brian at http://magazine.byu.edu/?act=view&a=3199<br />
<br />
Photo courtesy of BYU Today Melanie J. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08510427380627153963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5357942208226134699.post-38014620960202260272013-09-12T15:32:00.000-04:002016-07-13T12:33:33.600-04:00Teen Jack Andraka Develops Inexpensive Test for Pancreatic Cancer for Science Fair Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Recently two of my kids announced that they were preparing for another Science Fair. My high-schooler was looking for a good project idea while my middle-schooler had already figured that out, and was pairing up with partners. They know how hard it is to come up with an original idea for Science Fair-- unless you are obsessed with one or another tangent of Science. After all, judges have seen countless volcanic explosions with baking powder and vinegar, styrofoam solar systems, and the like. It seems like the kid with passion about a subject, passion with enough force to propel the student on a true journey to understand a process; that kid is the one to really make a great Science Fair project. More- that is the kid who might make a real discovery as well.<br />
<br />
Jack Andraka had just seen some cool carbon nanotubes his Civil Engineer dad brought home. They intrigued Jack so much that he read up extensively on them. Jack said, "They have these amazing properties. They are
stronger than steel. They conduct electricity better than copper.” Teachers thought he was daydreaming when he was half-listening in class when he was really chewing on what he was learning. His Biology teacher confiscated a magazine Jack was reading because she could tell he wasn't paying attention. She was surprised to see the magazine he was reading was <u>Science</u>, and he was reading about the uses of Nanotubes.<br />
<br />
A few weeks earlier, a close family friend died of Pancreatic cancer. This must have been in his mind as he learned more about those cool nanotubes. Jack realized that the nanotubes could be used to detect an early marker of Pancreatic cancer, an overabundance of the protein Mesothelin in the blood. Early detection of Pancreatic cancer changes the odds considerably in the treatment and cure of this deadly cancer. <br />
<br />
Jack wrote up his idea and sent it off to over 200 researchers. Only one responded-- a researcher named Dr. Anirban Miatra who was working at John Hopkins University nearby. Dr. Miatra liked the idea and gave Jack a chance to pursue this research. Meeting in his lab after school for several months, Jack perfected the system and it worked!<br />
<br />
Jack tweaked this system to use paper as the testing strip, not nanotubes. This makes his test inexpensive (3 cents per test). Initial evidence shows that his test is 90% accurate and only takes 5 minutes and a fraction of a drop of blood to administer. It is also accurate at testing for Ovarian and Lung cancers as well, since they also throw off the same Mesothelin protein as an early marker.<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Andraka#cite_note-10"></a><br />
<br />
Along with over $100,000 in grant and prize money, this must have been a great Science Fair project! Jack earned the distinction of inventing a revolutionary life-saving test, all while he was still barely a teenager. Now when he submits research ideas to researchers, I'm convinced they will listen.<br />
<br />
Dr. Miatra thinks Jack is destined for greatness. He said, "You're going to read about him a lot in the years to come... What I
tell my lab is, 'Think of Thomas Edison and the light bulb.' This kid is
the Edison of our times. There are going to be a lot of light bulbs
coming from him."<br />
<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Andraka#cite_note-Burris-2"></a><br />
<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<br />
What makes Jack special? He does have the advantage of having a passion for Science and a family that fosters that. Jack's mom is a Anesthesiologist, and the family admits to being science
nerds. Jack's mom said, "... we're not a super-athletic family. We don't
go to much football or
baseball. Instead we have a million [science] magazines [and] sit
around the table and talk about how people came up with their ideas and
what we would do differently."</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
Jack's brother Luke won nearly $100,000 a few years ago for another Science Fair project involving acid mine drainage as pollution. That shows that the family supports and encourages deeper thinking about these school assignments. </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
Passion and willingness to work hard to pursue these new ideas may be the key to Jacks' future successes. And truly these qualities are key for all successes. Don't give up, even when you get 199 rejection notices. You only need one person to believe in you.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
Sources: </div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
</div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:DoNotShowRevisions/>
<w:DoNotPrintRevisions/>
<w:DoNotShowMarkup/>
<w:DoNotShowComments/>
<w:DoNotShowInsertionsAndDeletions/>
<w:DoNotShowPropertyChanges/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoBibliography" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">Dansby, Donisha. "Teen Genius Develops Cancer
Test." <i>National Geographic</i> 10 April 2013. Web:
http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2013/04/10/teen-genius-develops-cancer-test/.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBibliography" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">Tucker, Abigail. "Jack Andraka, the Teen Prodigy
of Pancreatic Cancer ." <i>Smithsonian</i> December 2012. Web:
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/Jack-Andraka-the-Teen-Prodigy-of-Pancreatic-Cancer-179996151.html?c=y&page=3.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBibliography" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<i><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">Wikipedia</span></i><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">.
7 Sept 2013. Web: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Andraka. 12 Sept 2013.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Photo courtesy of Benjamin Quinto, found at Wikipedia. </div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->Melanie J. Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08510427380627153963noreply@blogger.com3