Mission Call

Virginia Judkins (Warren,Maureen) wanted to let you all know that her son Andrew received his mission call to the St Louis, Missouri mission and will enter the MTC on March 18th. The mission president is Milton Stuart Turley.

Congratulations Andrew! We wish you well.

Christmas Memory

The Gomez family spent Christmas in Payson at Kohl's Ranch Lodge where we own a time-share cabin. We had a great time playing in the snow. Linda (Gilbert,Marie)

A Memorable Trip

The Ray & Jerry(Oliver) Turley family recently took a trip to Utah. We wanted to share some of the highlights of that trip. We started off by seeing the lights at Temple Square in Salt Lake City. It was absolutely beautiful. Here is Kellie below enjoying the scenery.

The kids got to play in the snow. An exciting thing when you don't see it very often.

Ray & Jerry, Marcy & Richard with their 3 boys and Kellie.

We took a tour of the Conference Center and it was impressive to say the least.

Here we are on the front row.

We got to see & stay with Jim's(Zelda) family.

We sure had lots of fun with them.

The highlight of the whole trip was that we were able to attend the Temple Sealing of Amber (Butch, Oliver) & Jeremy Gintz. It was a special experience and we were so glad that we were there. Aren't they just a beautiful couple.

They were able to have their sweet little family sealed together for time & all eternity. Their daughter Ryleigh is 8 and Braydon is 6.

Later that night we had a get together to celebrate this occasion. Amber's brother Brian (Butch, Oliver) & his cute little family came to the celebration. It was great to see them & their new little baby boy.

The party was held at Amber's moms house (Becky) who is on the far left of this picture. Thanks Aunt Becky. It was a great party.

Binghampton Cemetery

It has been over 17 years since Dottie Stephens left her earthly sojourn. Her son Rick hadn't been back to the Binghampton Cemetery since she had been laid to rest there. With family going different directions, this past Thanksgiving seemed to be a perfect opportunity to visit. As the days approached prior to the trip, Rick's mind began to be flooded with memories of his mom. Fond memories, especially those of Christmas, which Dottie loved. He shared a few of those memories with me like how much she enjoyed decorating the Christmas tree. He had this great idea of placing a little Christmas Tree at her grave. He wanted to decorate the tree with ornaments which would reflect who he is now and also his mom's love for the Christmas Season. It was family that made the Season sparkle for Dottie so Rick encouraged his siblings to share this experience with him and with her. He asked them to chose an ornament of meaning for each of them which he then hung on the tree in memory of their mom.

We arrived in Tucson early evening Thanksgiving Day. We planned to place the tree Friday morning but Rick was anxious to find his mom so we set out to locate Binghampton. We arrived, as if we being lead there, Rick jumped out of the pickup, holding his hand up to me gesturing he'd be right back. In the twilight with rain falling, I watched him take off running like he heard his mom calling him home.

The journey was spiritually and emotionally inspiring.
Binghamption is a hallowed place.

Submitted by Julie Frehner/Stephens

"There are no graves here. These mountains and plains are a cradle and a stepping-stone. Whenever you pass by the field where you have laid your ancestors look well there-upon, and you shall see yourselves and your children dancing hand in hand. Verily you often make merry without knowing." Kahlil Gibran

Thank you Rick & Julie for sending in this touching experience. I thoroughly enjoyed it and know that others will as well.

Happy Birthday Gilbert

Hey, Marcy, just wanted to get a post on the website about a first cousin's birthday, my dad, Gilbert (Marie) Messinger. His birthday is January 20, 1928. I'll let you all do the math. You can send him a birthday e-mail to my mom's e-mail account AZJUDY@aol.com I'm sure he'd appreciate hearing from you all. Here is a picture of my folks taken at Christmas. Thanks a bunch, Linda (Gilbert, Marie) Gomez

Thanks for making us aware Linda. I was talking with Jerry Lee this morning and she thinks that he is now the oldest living first cousin. Happy Birthday Gilbert!!!

UPDATE FROM WASHINGTON STATE WITH PICS.

Hello Family Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all. The New Year up here has started out crazy. We are having rainy snow and it is making a very slushy mess. Black ice will be on all the roads in the morning. It's crazy I say - just crazy. All this snow is doing nothing but causing mayhem with major winds. All I am doing is praying that everyone can make it to work this week safely. Donny (Margie, Gilbert, Art, Marie) had 18 inches in his back yard. They are projecting 3 more feet thru Tuesday.

I have added a picture of me and Donny for you all.

I told Donny that he looks like the caveman

on those Geico commercials.

Well, it's very late here and I need to be up early so that I may get to work safely so good night to all and I am planning to be at the Reunion this year. Weather permitting. I never know what the weather will be like anymore.

Love to all and take care.

Margie