She Will Be Missed

The night before the funeral we had a

viewing and slideshow tribute

at the Mortuary

(Martha & Hugh)

Coach (Dad) and Teresa (his caregiver)
waiting for the funeral
Jana, Becky, Jeremiah and Sam, Viewing before the funeral
(Jake holding Joseph, & Michael)

At the funeral, my sister's husband Hugh B. gave the invocation. There were three musical selections: first, "Danny Boy" on the piano by Barry B. a family friend. My mom always loved this song and had told Barry when he was a young boy that she wanted him to play it at her funeral. Second, "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" by a Men's Chorus consisting of my two brothers, Adam and Mark and all grandsons that were in attendance, Rick, Bill, Robert, Jake, David, Michael and Sam. Third, Mom's oldest great-grandson, Jeremiah, my niece Cassie's son, sang "Families Can Be Together Forever." My sister Martha gave a wonderful eulogy focusing on how my mom was a teacher at heart and was anxious to teach her family and all. Martha's son, Bill B. gave a talk and Bob D., from the stake presidency and long time friend of the family presided over the meeting and gave some closing thoughts about Mom. Mark's daughter Anne S. gave the benediction.

Family & Friends at the graveside, Adam sang "Abide with Me"

Jake dedicated the grave

Cemetery in Laverne, California

I love you Mom.

"You fought the good fight

finished the course

and kept the faith."

(2nd Timothy 4:7)

****************************************

Young Women in Excellence

A wonderful evening

with dinner and tribute

to all the girls in the ward

trying to be the best young women they can.

Jessica checking out her table.

Visiting Teaching Brunch

Relief Society had a Brunch

for all visiting teachers in the ward.

Yummy and Fun

Got Time?

My Mom's Obituary

R., Dorothy McMullin
has been a resident of Lancaster, CA for 55 years. She passed away peacefully in her sleep at home Nov. 29, 2009. Born in Corona, CA Apr. 22, 1929. Her family homestead in Lucerne Valley, as she grew older she attended school in San Bernardino and San Dimas. She graduated from Bonita High School and Brigham Young University. She was an outstanding athlete. She taught high school Physical Education and typing. Years later she taught preschool at Lane Park and The Children’s Corner. She also worked 20 years as a secretary for the LDS Institute of Religion. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, William R., her children, Martha B. (Houston) of Lancaster, Mark R. (JoLinda) of Clovis, CA, Beth L. (David) of Hope Mills, NC, and Adam R. of Holladay, UT, 19 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren. She loved life, learning, her family, and the piano. She will be very missed. Viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009, at Halley-Olsen-Murphy, Lancaster. Also a viewing from 9-9:45 a.m. followed by a funeral service at 10 a.m., Friday, Dec. 4, 2009, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1701 W. Lancaster Blvd., Lancaster. Interment will be at 2 p.m.LaVerne Cemetery, LaVerne, CA.

Mother Remembered

Dorothy Jean

Born: April 22, 1929

Died: November 29, 2009

(Mom's Slideshow)

"May each of us treasure this truth:

One cannot forget mother

and remember God...

Why?

Because these two sacred persons,

God and mother,

partners in creation,

in love, in sacrifice, in service,

are as one."

~Thomas S. Monson

Sunset Years

Coach & Mom

A few weeks ago, my mom went on hospice. Her health issues have gotten progressively worse, so the four kids got together to be with my parents. I think it was good for mom to see us all together again. It has been hard to see my parents age. My sister has taken on a majority of the leadership in caring for them. A few years ago, Teresa came into our lives and has been a blessing, taking care of my parents on a constant basis. As I've prayed for peace in my parents lives, I've felt impressions of teaching moments that I received through my life at the hand of my mom and I've been telling my mom about them. As sick and weak as she feels, its been a blessing to have her somewhat alert to hear, communicate and respond. I forever pray for peace and comfort of the Holy Spirit in their lives. I know Heavenly Father is aware of them and that

"His (God's) Will Be Done."

Coach, Me & Mom
Mark, Martha, Beth, Adam
Coach, Mom
The Kids Again
Jake, Martha, Kathy, Adam, Emma, Jolinda, Mark

Coach, Teresa & Mom

“At some period in our mortal mission,
there appears the faltering step,
the wan smile, the pain of sickness—
even the fading of summer,
the approach of autumn, the chill of winter. …
“I extol those who,
with loving care and compassionate concern,
feed the hungry, clothe the naked,
and house the homeless.
He who notes the sparrow’s fall
will not be unmindful of such service.”
~President Thomas S. Monson

We're Back!

We returned from our trip to California last week. It ended up being a "working vacation" of sorts, trying to help care for my folks. My mom was in a Care Facility when we arrived and going back to the hospital for the third time in five weeks. To make a long story short. . . she's back home and hopefully she'll be able to stay there. I thought we would get to go see friends and family in Utah but it just didn't work out. I'm glad we were able to spend so much time with my parents but I feel somewhat powerless to be able to help them, living so far away. I've actually been a little depressed about the whole thing. Hopefully I'll be able to gain some inspiration and understanding about the situation as time goes on. Anyway, as for the trip, we were able to see Angie in Missouri and go to Historic Nauvoo which was a real treat. On the trip, my laptop got a bad virus which I still haven't gotten fixed so I'm left to try and blog on our antique computer. We'll see how long that lasts. Its great to be home. I've now lived in North Carolina longer than anywhere else in my life so I feel like I can now officially say it's "where I come from. . ."

"Mid pleasures and palaces

though we may roam,

Be it ever so humble,

there's no place like home."

~John Howard Payne

My Pioneer Parents

Here's a picture of my parents a little over ten years ago serving as missionaries in Nauvoo, Illinois. We went to Nauvoo the year they served and have sweet memories of seeing my parents perform in a play and also listening to my mom tell the stories of the Mormons of Historic Nauvoo. My mother has always been a natural storyteller and it was a wonderful experience to hear her retell history of the Nauvoo community especially at the temple site. In the coming week we plan to meet Angie in Missouri and go to Nauvoo again for the first time after ten years. It won't be the same without my parents who are a great example in our family of going on a mission in their senior years.

"You don't have to push a handcart,

Leave your fam'ly dear,

Or walk a thousand miles or more,

To be a pioneer

You do need to have great courage,

Faith to conquer fear,

And work with might

for a cause that's right

to be a pioneer!"

~Ruth Muir Gardner

Some Favorite Pioneer Quotes:

Truly the Lord encourages us

to walk in faith

to the edge of the light

and beyond—into the unknown.

After the trial of our faith,

He once again shines the light

ahead of us, and our journey of faith

in every footstep continues."

~M. Russell Ballard

That first trek of 1847,

organized and led by Brigham Young,

is described by historians

as one of the great epics

of United States history. . .

Can we somehow find the courage

and that steadfastness of purpose

which characterized the pioneers

of a former generation?. . .

Oh, how the world needs pioneers today!"

~Thomas S. Monson

Mom & me

I don't have many pictures of my mom when I was young but someone in the family found this photo and sent it to me which I cherish now. I called my mom yesterday for Mother's Day and I think she's doing as well as can be expected for an 80 year old. She still has her sarcastic wit but is a little melancholy because she can't do all that she would like. She's been debilitated somewhat from diabetes and she goes to the doctor today to see what is going to happen to one of her feet that isn't getting much circulation. Its times like this that makes me wish I lived closer to family and I'm grateful for the family and friends that live close to my folks and do what they can to make their life comfortable in these twilight years. I pray that all will be well with them and I have faith that the Lord does knows their situation and that His will, will be done.

Some favorite mother quotes:

"God could not be everywhere, so he created mothers."

~Jewish Proverb

"A man works from sun to sun but a mother's work is never done."

~Author Unknown

"There is nothing like a mama-hug"

~Adabella Radici

"One good mother is worth a hundred schoolmasters."

~George Hurber

“[Mothers] cherish that role that is so uniquely yours and for which heaven itself sends angels to watch over you and your little ones"

~Jeffrey R. Holland

"There is no role in life more essential and more eternal than that of motherhood."

~M. Russell Ballard

"LIFT UP YOUR VOICE AND SING"

San Bernardino California Ward Primary 1938

(photo of my mom and her twin brother, Dorothy & Doyle)

A couple of weeks ago, we had our annual Primary Presentation. It's always a special moment for me because many of the most memorable times of my childhood are of singing in primary. My favorite Music Leader was Sister Keate. I can still picture her leading me to sing: "Popcorn Popping", "Lift up your Voice and Sing" and "Called to Serve" just to name a few.

Now I teach in Primary. So, I was able to relive some of those classic primary songs I learned when I was young plus some new ones ("If The Savior Stood Beside Me". . . Carson's favorite) As we sang in the presentation, the Spirit touched my heart, just as it first did when I was so very young. Ya know, a song truly is "a wonderful kind of thing."

"We shall make music to brighten the day,

Music will help us to lighten the way,

Lift up your voice! Lift up your voice!

Lift up your voice and sing!"

Richard C. Berg

FEEL HAPPY, SING!