Saying good-bye to an old friend!

We were saddened today at the news of the passing of our dear friend Hal Card Sr., shown here with his wife Blanche and their son David.

Hal was truly "the salt of the earth."  I can't think of a kinder, gentler, more considerate, faithful friend.  He had suffered a fall some weeks ago and had not been rallying well.  He visited with family this morning, and then told Blanche she should go home and rest.  And then he left the mortal frame we call earth and home.

Blanche said, "He was telling me good-bye.  Telling me it was time for him to go.  I'm glad he is no longer in pain."

What good people!  So grateful to call them friends.

Monrovia Ward 75th Reunion!

The format for this reunion was a commemorative Sacrament meeting with a "Linger/Longer" afterwards.  Nine former bishops were in attendance, along with the current bishop, of course.  Bishops Elwell, Burdette, Shorter, Adams, Miller, and Neeley were not able to come.  Bishops who have died were represented by their wives - Sister Menlove, Sister Heslop, and Sister Throckmorton.  The bishops who are not currently ward members each spoke briefly and bore their testimonies.  It worked out well, and no one went way over.  It was a very spiritually fulfilling meeting.

I always think I am catching photos of everyone and everything, but of course I don't!!  Here is Bonny with Wendy Dequer Rider.

A nice snack buffet and a commemorative cake were set up in the patio - the beautiful weather was a sought-after blessing!!  There were sack lunches for the children too - that was my idea!

Harry and Deacon with Brett Bourgeous.  Brett's family was there - lots of Neeleys, Holmes's, Millers, Heslops, Smiths, Guerreros, Harringtons, ad infinitum!!  Many were not able to come - but I'm not sure where we would have put them!

Grandma Helen came too.

Of course we all love to see Polly - who said to say hi to all the other Terrills!

Those Guerrero women are still beauties!!  (As is Bonny - she's a blonde beauty though!)

Cree Kofford with Lance and Wendy.

And I did remember to get a picture taken of myself, so you'd know I was there!!  We had slideshows going on 4 screens with about 50 photos on each.  Some were very vintage - others were from the 90's to the present.  They were a big hit.  There were old Primary scrapbooks, and old programs from previous ward and stake reunions on display.

I'm glad to get it checked off my list of things to do - and I did try, in the midst of monitoring details, to chat with folks.  Billie Hawkes came too and I was sorry she left before I could get a photo.  There was a lot of love going around - the legacy of the Monrovia Ward.

New Bishopric today for Monrovia Ward

Today we had a new bishopric sustained:  Nathan Ogilvie, Bishop; Troy Card, First Counselor; Harry F. Terrill, Second Counselor.

 

In attendance were 3 previous bishops:  Jim Stevenson, Kent Cornwall, Harry P. Terrill.

Maybe this was Harry's belated 40th birthday present??

We know he will do a great job - and we support him - and the new bishopric - 100%!

"Each life that touches ours for good"

Our good friend Davie Marshall, shown here several years ago holding his son Adam, died this morning.

He was only diagnosed a few months ago, and the cancer that took him was swift and merciless. He has shown great courage, however, and we count ourselves fortunate to have been his friend.

We pray that Karla and Cory will find peace and solace in the love and good memories they have shared - and in the gospel message of life eternal.

Once again I am reminded of the hymn, "Each Life That Touches Ours for Good." And I know that his indeed will be a "sweet and hallowed memory."

Sad News to Note

Got a message tonight from Melissa R. that Ida Smith had died around 7:30 p.m. our time. As many of you know, she was diagnosed only 2 or 3 weeks ago with cancer. It was aggressive and widespread. She opted not to go through treatment - which would have only extended her life briefly - but had her family gathered around her for a week. She wrote on her Facebook wall that it had been the best week of her life.

Since there's a young Lance and a young Jeff McGlone in this photo, you know that it's an old one, but it's the way I remember Ida - especially from the early days.

When we first moved here, Ida reached out to me in a warm, down-to-earth and friendly manner. She shared ideas, patterns, supplies, recipes, and had a wonderful listening ear.

I have had the distinct pleasure of having her daughter Amy as my counselor in the Stake Relief Society - Ida trained her well - the legend will live on - (except that Amy doesn't sew!! But you don't have to do it all anymore!!) Her cinnamon rolls can rival Ida's! I taught Amy in CTR-B - and there is nothing so fine as working 30 years later with a young girl you taught in Primary!! Having a mom like Ida has influenced Amy for so much good - Ida's spirit will live on in her wonderful family!

The family knew her time was short, so they hunkered down together for these last days. I know it has brought them peace and comfort. Lance and Amy spearheaded a drive to gather photos of Ida's famous afghans, quilts, and dolls with their recipients. The Facebook album is a lovely tribute to a woman who truly shared her gifts and talents unstintingly.

She will be missed. But she left a beautiful legacy that we can all try to emulate. That would be a gift she would approve of!

The Hanke Invasion at the Monrovia Ward Today!!

I almost always have my camera with me. And I usually have my phone with me, and it has a camera on it. But today, I left the camera at home - and the phone too!! I reasoned that I pretty much never used either one at church, so why clutter up my purse.

Ah, regrets!!

6 of the Hanke's 8 children - along with their spouses and children - were at the Monrovia Ward today. They had come for several reasons - Fred and Donna's 50th anniversary (yes, 50th!!), a baby shower for Brandi, the ordination of one of the grandsons, and a family reunion of sorts.

It was great to see them all - and I shared a row at R.S. with Stephanie, Amy, and Heidi - what a treat!! And I didn't have a camera. This is the only Hanke photo I could even find!! How could the Hankes be such a great part of our lives - and I don't have any photographs?

Actually, Heidi hasn't changed all that much!!

Don't you wish you'd been there??

Where's Waldo??

I'm never quite sure how I end up with some photographs. I have had these for 2 or 3 years and came across them again. So let's play guess who?? Certain Terrills should know who they are - actually, every one in our house knows them in some capacity! They appear to be missionary photos.

The one above has a name written on the back, and I would not have recognized this man without the name written there.

The man above seems to have changed the least in the whole group of photos.

This one took me awhile.

This is the oldest photo, and the oldest man in the group, but I recognized this photo first.

Dad is watching the Phillies beat the Yankees - so I'm entertaining myself!!