Since Easter fell over General Conference Weekend, we busted out our Easter outfits a week early and took pictures in the driveway. It was mid-day, so I was practicing photographing in less than ideal conditions.
The next weekend, we headed up to Idaho. We had planned on spending our spring break helping my folks get some things taken care of around their house to prepare for the remodel/adding on project. We were going to head up there after Easter, but then I received news that my dear friend, Thelma McMurterey passed away, and her funeral was on Good Friday, so we headed up a little earlier so I could go to her funeral.
Brian was giving me a hug, and I found this funeral program on my mom's piano, and I wondered who it was for. Brian thought it was funny that I was reading something while he was hugging me.
She had a museum at her house, and she collected so many knick knacks and things; her house was full of them. Looking at her things brought back a wave of memories of sitting and chatting with her in her home.
On the day of her funeral, I posted this on Facebook:
Last Saturday, my Mom called to let me know that one of my dear friends had passed away. I knew this day was coming (she was 98, after all), but I still felt the loss. She is the reason my Grandpa nicknamed me Neighbor Girl. As a girl, I would ride my bike to her house (a mile away) to visit with her and her husband. They'd tell me stories and feed me candy. Eventually, I upgraded to a car and it became more about her than the candy, especially after her husband died. I always loved visiting with her. She came to my plays and always made me feel like a big star. She was always smiling. She always made me feel so important and loved. There just aren't enough words to describe how I feel about her; she meant so much to me! I was so sad to realize that I don't have a single picture with her, so I had my mom take this one of me with her portrait after her funeral today. Now I'll be able to recognize her when I see her again. My dear Thelma, thank you for inspiring me and blessing my life! I'll miss you until I see you again.
When I walked into the viewing area to say goodbye to my friend, I tried so hard to keep the tears back. I hugged her daughters, on of which said, "Oh how she loved her Devri!"
As I sat through her funeral, listening to her grandchildren share stories of her, I couldn't help but laugh at how much fun she was. Once, when she and her husband were heading into Idaho Falls (a good 30 minute drive now with our modern vehicles...not sure how fast they went back then), she realized that she didn't have lipstick on and made her husband turn around and go back to get some. When they finally made it to Idaho Falls, he bought tubes and tubes of lipstick and put them all over in the car so that would never happen again.
According to her Grandchildren, she just knew how to make everyone feel special and made holidays memorable. There was room for everyone at her table. She was a historian for our small town and helped write our school song and choose our school colors. She lived an incredible life, and the world seems a little darker without her. When I grow up, I hope I'm at least half the lady she was.
After the funeral, I went back to my parents' home to get to work.
The best part about Idaho visits is that everyone has free reign of a very large yard. The kids play so carefree all day, and we all love it! Here's Gabe ready to head outside!
We dyed eggs with the kids, making trash bag smocks to keep them clean. There were some shenanigans before we got the eggs all ready.
On Saturday, we listened to General Conference and moved my parents' wood pile from the woodshed, which was slated for demolition, to the back shed. In the middle of all that, we got a picture text from Jenny of Ben on a stretcher. It freaked us out, and we spent the rest of the day worrying about Ben, who had fallen from a really high climbing wall at his gym. Brian was a total wreck waiting to hear that his brother was okay. At one point, he broke down and just cried. My parents were also invested in this scary event, and the whole household prayed that Ben would be alright. Miraculously, Ben is okay and is healing. We're so grateful that heaven was watching over our brother that day.
On Saturday, new Apostles were called, one of which was Gerritt W. Gong. He was my stake president when I was a junior at BYU, and he interviewed me for my mission. They also announced that Elder's Quorum and High Priest Quorums would be combined at the ward level to make one Elders' Quorum, and they dissolved the home and visiting teaching programs and replaced them with ministering. We also had the opportunity to sustain Russell M. Nelson as our new prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a Solemn Assembly. When they had the members of the Relief Society stand to sustain him, I felt the spirit testify to me that he was the Lord's chosen prophet, and I choked back tears as I raised my hand as a witness before the Lord that I sustain him with my whole heart.
In between hauling logs and tearing down sheds, we wanted to enjoy our spring break, so we went to the Museum of Idaho for Family Home Evening on Monday. On the way, we were able to see the great tumbleweed migration.
The museum had a big dinosaur exhibit, and we had a lot of fun checking out all their hands on things. We really love this museum.
Over the next few days, we tore down the woodshed and hauled the wood to a pile to be burned.
After dinner, we headed back home to enjoy the rest of our Spring break and rest from all the hard work!
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