Poster my sister, Liz Barto, sent me for the Rochester, NY
annual Lilac Festival

I am using this photo for the week as I love this poster my sister sent me and I framed it to hang in my kitchen.  I love Rochester, the Festival, and lilacs but I love my sister so much more.  Thank you Liz.

June 17th  The most important thing that happened today was that my wonderful granddaughter, Jessica Winkie Coppola and her husband, Kyle, had their son, Kai Joseph.  He is beautiful, healthy and a joy to his parents and the rest of the family.  Jess doesn't realize it but Kai was born on her great grandma Winkie's (Don's mother, Mary) birthday.  Mary Winkie died on the day that would have been Don's and my 50th anniversary.

Monday's always begin with a special 7:30 AM devotional and today was no exception.  The two counselors to Mission President, Wayne Peterson, and the wives spoke to us today.  They are President Sessions and President Eckle.  What you may not understand is that President Sessions and President Eckle put in their mission applications and waited to receive letters in the mail to where they were going to serve.  Each, of course, were called to serve in this mission.  They arrived in Salt Lake City, same as I, and went through the 2 weeks in the Training Zone and then were assigned a zone to serve in.  From the ranks of the full time missionary couples, President Peterson prayerfully asked to call them to assist him in this great work.  All 6 of these great people served the Church and Family History Headquarters mission well.  We will all miss them very much and I enjoyed their last remarks to the missionaries.

My Monday special project I do for Data Quality Zone was double what it usually is so it kept me busy for the entire day and will probably last most of tomorrow to complete.

After work today I went to Winco shopping with two of my "sister" friends.  We always enjoy our trips together.  Winco is a neat huge store and they sell bulk items as well as a great variety of other things at very reasonable prices.

June 18th  I finished up my Monday project about 3 and then finished the day working my other stuff.  I felt very blessed to have the abilities needed to fulfill these responsibilities.  The Lord certainly does bless me.  After work I came home and ate some supper and then 4 of my friends came over with a movie called "The Testaments" that T. C. Christiansen did.  Unfortunately the DVD didn't play in my player so we finally found something we agreed on to substitute.  Of course, they all brought snacks, good humor and fellowship.  It was a very nice evening.

June 19th Today was a wonderful day.  My Zone leader, Elder Roberts from Iowa, arranged for our zone to have a special morning in the temple.  We all gathered, dressed in our white temple clothes, in the first floor chapel at nine for a devotional.  Elder Heaton gave a beautiful prayer and then Elder Givens spoke.  Both brothers are from my zone and both couples will be leaving soon.  Elder Givens spoke of a 40 year search for an ancestor that he recently found and was completing his temple work today.  We were blessed then to hear from Elder and Sister Edwards who are counselor and assistant to the Temple President and his wife.  President Edwards quoted scripture and said among many wonderful things that "the temple was a place of truth and light."  I testify that that is true.  I always feel enlightened when I leave the temple.  After the devotional we went to a 10:00 session and then met in the temple cafeteria for lunch.  Two of the FamilySearch staff were with us today in the temple.  This day was a very special experience and makes for a stronger bond between us all who work so closely together each day.

After work I went back to the temple with my friend, Sister Ginger McKnight, to participate in a sealing session.  How cool is that, being able to go to the temple twice in one day.  Our Branch organizes Elders and Sisters from the Branch to go to do sealings every Wednesday and I go almost every Wednesday.  We usually have enough people to utilize three sealing rooms.

20th  Yesterday afternoon Sister Roberts told me someone was trying to reach me and gave me a number to call to find out more.  When I tried the number multiple times no one answered.  Today Elder Roberts found me and gave me a sticky note to call Roger Cluff and the number.  That is who had been trying to reach me the day before.  Roger and Beth Cluff were dear friends to Don and I and our children back when we lived in Las Cruces, New Mexico.  At one time he had been our Bishop.  They are the sweetest, gentlest and kindest people I have ever met.  They moved to Utah a few years back to be near a daughter.  I have kept up with them over the years by exchanging Christmas cards.  Well, I called Roger and Beth and I made arrangements to call them back when I could figure out when I could visit them.  They live in Cedar Hills, Utah south of SLC about and hour's drive.  After I got home from work I called Sister McKnight to see if she was up to a drive to Cedar Hills.  She was and off we went into rush hour traffic.  We arrived at the Cluff's about 5:45PM.  Roger and Beth were waiting for us.  We had such a nice visit reminiscing about the old days in Las Cruces but did mostly talk about family.  Beth thought of everything and served us a dinner of New Mexico green enchiladas with chocolate brownies and ice cream for dessert.  I hated to leave as we had such a nice visit.  We didn't get home until 10.  Sister McKnight always fits right in and is a fun companion to hang around with.  I think I will be lost when she goes home in January.

21st  Today was my T&R day or full day off.  I could sleep in (which I didn't) and do whatever needed to be done.  It is also time for temple and family history research.  Since I went to the temple 2 times on Wednesday I didn't go today.  Sister McKnight got off at eleven for the day so we met up after lunch and went and did errands.  At six I went to a zone pot luck farewell for the Givens.  It was nice because nothing was planned but to sit around and talk.  We had three round tables just singing away with conversation.  We all love each other and get along so well.

22nd   Saturday morning and I had visitors that used to live in Missouri and were in my branch.  Their brother is still in the Chillicothe branch.  He is Cheston Seamons.  Theresa and I were Cheston's wife's visiting teachers for years.  We also visited his sisters.  They are Miney Bell and Luanna Gaylord.  Well,  Miney and Luanna visited me at my apartment and then they took me out to lunch to KFC.  To all who know me well, KFC is my ultimate comfort food.  My children bought several buckets after Don's death.  We laughed a lot and had a really good time.  Miney and I are planning a temple visit soon.  Luanna has a lot of health problems so I don't know if she will go, too.  When I visited Miney in Missouri she had a huge black snake.  I can't remember the name  but it scared me.  It slithered all over the house and Miney loved it.  They invited me to go to their ward with them some time and I think I will. Hope to see them soon.
After they dropped me off at home I went and did the laundry.  What fun!  I dislike the laundromat. The rest of the day I worked on family history from home.  I found an amazing "tree" on Ancestry.com that had Don's Dutch ancesters on it.  I called son, Robb, and told him about it.  I told him it was a huge family tree and perhaps it would help him in his research on his father's side of the family.  He will check it out.

23rd  Well today was quite a busy day.  Attended Relief Society, Sunday School and Sacrament Meeting in our chapel then we raced to the stake center for a World Wide Leadership Broadcast from BYU for missionaries and mission work.  It was great!  If you have the time it would be so worth it for you to listen to this broadcast.  I am sure it will be available somewhere.  Perhaps check on LDS.Org.  So three hours at church, two for the broadcast and that wasn't enough for us.  We then walked to the Assemly Hall to hear Susan Easton Black Durrant speak on the martyrdom of the prophet Joseph Smith.  She just retired from teaching for 45 years at Brigham Young University.  She taught history and is an expert on Joseph Smith.  She has written or been apart of writing about 130 books and numerous articles.  She has spoken in all fifty states and in many places in the world.  He husband, Elder Black, died about the same time Don did and she has now remarried George Durrant.  Sister Durrant spoke of the few days leading up to the day Joseph Smith was killed by a mob with black stuff on their faces.  She started with the 22nd of June and went to the day of the martyrdom which was the 27th of June.  The anniversary is only a few days away.  Elder and Sister Durrant have recently received a mission call to serve in Nauvoo, Illinois.  Lucky for Nauvoo and all their visitors.

Susan Easton Black Durrant
In the Assembly Hall after her lecture

Yours truly outside a teepee at Soldiers Hollow

10th of June  Began day with our 7:30 AM Mission Devotional.  Everything went smoothly for the opening announcements, welcome of new Missionaries, opening hymn and opening prayer.  President Peterson announced the speakers (those asked to give their 3-minute biographies and the first speaker began.  Sister Watson is one of my close friends and I knew she was anxious over standing up in front of all those people and speaking.  She was glad she was first to get it over with.  She was about 30 seconds into her talk when a weird alarm sounded and it went on for a few seconds and then a voice said there was an emergency and we all needed to quickly evacuate the building.  Everyone is looking around and really aren't sure what is going on.  It took a bit for the brain to process but then we filed quite calmly to the stairs and started down and out.  The voice told us not to use the elevator and we were on the 6th floor.  Mind you there were over 1,000 people, most elderly and some in wheel chairs and walkers.  They asked the few young elders to carry people in wheel chairs down.  There are two sets of stairs and it was all very calm and orderly.

We had only been outside a few minutes and we were told it was ok to go back in.  So in we went and up to the chapel and to the same seats we had been in prior to the siren.  Sister Watson went to the stand and said "Now, where was I?"  She picked up where she let off and the rest of the program went on without a hitch.  Oh, by the way on the first floor is the Nauvoo Cafe and they had burned the bacon and it caused the alarm to go off.  It smelled around the building downstairs for awhile.  That was an exciting start to the day and at least we had a calm fire drill.  The rest of the work day went smoothly thereafter.  I ate lunch with Elder and Sister Watson in the cafeteria of the Church Office Building.

After work I had to rush home to make a carry in dish for a pot luck Aloha Dinner to welcome the new missionaries and to sing good bye to the ones that are leaving.  We do an Aloha Dinner every other month.  It is bitter sweet.  My zone is loosing 3 couples and one single sister.  We will miss them so much.  We also were saying good-bye to our mission presidency.

We had a special treat for the entertainment this evening.  We were delighted to welcome Janice Kapp Perry and Brother Doug Perry.  What a treat that was.  She has 10 songs in the Children's Song Book and we sang about half of them with her.  Such fun!  The Spirit was so strong to have over 500 people sing "As Sister's in Zion" with her.  Afterward she signed the song sheets for those who desired (I did) and even posed for pictures.  Sister Perry played and sang a song she wrote and recorded with her whole family.  Even grandchildren.  It was called the Perry Family Song.  It was wonderful and so entertaining.  She then sang the song she wrote for her husband for their 55th anniversary.  We all felt privileged to hear it.

While at work today I received a phone call from Diane Clawson.  She is someone from our distant past.  She came to Germany with her brand new husband and Don and I picked them up at the airport.  We met Dave when we first joined the Church in Germany.  He flew home to marry and bring his bride back with him.  Dave died a few years ago but I always kept in touch with her at Christmas.  Well, today I learn she works just across the street from where I work.  She is coming to meet me on the 6th floor and I will take her on a tour of where I work and then we will go for lunch.  I can't wait to see her.

I told President Peterson about Daniel's mission call tonight and he gave me permission to see him but he said it will be up to Daniel's mission president whether I see him after he leaves the MTC.

11 June  The morning went on as usual with 8 AM prayer meeting and work at my desk.  At 11:30 I met my home/visiting teachers for lunch in the lower level of the building.  We had a nice chat about our missions, life and our families.  The home teaching lesson was from a talking in the Ensign by President Uchtdorf called "Walking in Circles."  Because I didn't have an Ensign he gave me his copy.  Elder Schannaveldt said he could easily get another.  After finishing work for the day I had my "4 month into my mission" interview with President Eckel down in the Mission Conference Room.  The interview was very pleasant with President and Sister Eckel and with the new counselor (To formally begin on July 1st) President and Sister Dewey.  The Eckels are training the Deweys for the new calling.  All were kind and truly interested in me and my life.

After the interview I walked home and did the mundane things of life.  You know...I cooked dinner (stuffed green pepper) did the dishes and vacuumed the apartment.  I then read for awhile until I began to doze on the sofa... so I went to bed at 9:30.  Amazingly I slept straight through the night.

12 June  My, My...did the staff in Data Quality ever surprise us missionaries today.  As it turned out it was their Missionary Appreciation Day and it went on for the entire day.  It began when we entered through our locked doors at the west end of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.  There was a huge sign telling us it was the Happiest Zone on the Earth.  We then went to our desks and everyone's area was decorated with crepe paper, balloons, and confetti.  We each had a lime green rubber bracelet with a poem attached to it with a ribbon.  There was a neat coupon for free admitance to a lunch hour movie and treat.  We all went to prayer meeting at 8 and all the staff were there.  We usually have one or two for announcements but today they were all there.  Men and women.  After the prayers they all left the room  and immediately they came back and proceeded to pile all kinds of food on the big conference table.  There were several platters of donuts, bags of all kinds of bagels, platters of fresh strawberries, watermelon, grapes etc.  Several kinds of cream cheese and jams, milk and two kinds of juice.  They thought of everything.  After we enjoyed this breakfast they had two games for us where we had to look for things around our unit and part of a unit on the 5th floor.  There was a treat for each of us as we finished.  Some time during the morning someone came through with a cellophane bag with candies.  By the way the theme throughout was Disney characters.  One of the games was that we had to find the "Golden Mickey Mouses."  At noon we went to a conference room for a movie and to eat our lunches.  The movie was an old Mickey Mouse movie and we were all given a sucker like treat made from an oreo cookie to look like Mickey on a stick.  So cute!

We were then told to go to a specific room on the mezzanine at 2:30.  All day we continued to try and get some real work done at our desks.  We all were so diligent!  About 2:25 we turned off our computers for the day and went downstairs.  When we went into the room they had round tables and chairs arranged and at the long buffet table they had artfully arranged plates and platters of all varieties of cupcakes without frosting.  There were 5 or 6 containers of different frosting and bowls and bowls of different candies and stuff to decorate the cupcakes with.  The young elders really loved this.  At the end of the tables were tall glasses with sherbet and Sprite floats.  After we played, talked and ate we played a game.  One of the staff designed a Jeopardy game with categories that pertained to our work.  The answers all had to do with Disney characters and movies.  Angela was really cleaver in how she did the game.  Very talented.  At the end our units manager, Shon, gave a little speech and told us how much they loved us and how grateful they were to have us work with them.  He then gave each of us beautiful certificates that looked professionally printed.  Some beautiful memories were made today.  We will long remember being so loved and appreciated.  We were then dismissed early to go home and were told not to help at all with the clean-up.  I went down to the front lobby and sat near the grand piano and listened to a brother about my age play a variety of pieces.  He was very nice and he and I talked when he wasn't playing.  He had served a mission many years ago in southern Germany so we talked about our love of Germany.  I then left him to meet some friends and go to the temple.  It was a wonderful day.  If you think today was great wait til after I live tomorrow and write about it.  It promises to be full and entertaining, too.  I feel so spoiled and blessed.  Good nite!

13 June 13  Well hi this evening.  I just got home from another great fireside at the Assembly Hall but before I tell you about that I want to tell you about the "Lunch and Learn" held in the auditorium at the Church Office Building.  The guest speaker was T.C. Christiansen who was the producer and director of "Ephraim's Rescue" and "17 Miracles" and many many more LDS and non LDS productions. He showed us clips from Ephraim's Rescue and then told us the rest of the story.  It was so interesting.  A couple of the clips I even cried in ... again even though I had seen the movie.  I won't spoil the movie for you just know that you need to see it.  Brother Christiansen answered questions from the audience for the last 8 minutes.  At the very end he asked the audience to stand if they were descended from any of the hand cart pioneers or the rescuers.  Fully a third of the audience stood up.  He then said that could be one of the reasons the pioneers suffered was to raise a large posterity who were firmly rooted in the gospel and the church.  Those pioneers were not alone.  They had lots of help from Legions of angels and the Spirit of the Lord.

The lecture at the Assembly Hall was called "My Mother was Always Praying: Latter-day Saint Women in East Germany during World War II."  The entire talk was vignettes about various members of the church in Germany during the war.  Real stories that were gleaned from research done over several years by professors and students at BYU.  They published a book called "In Harm's Way" as a result of their work.  These women had to hold there families together when they men were called off to war.  There was so much tragedy, deprivation and hunger and they kept praying, listening to the spirit and moving on.  They were survivors.  Between these two groups of people I was given a lot of food for thought and example and I continue to "plow" through my own life.  I am soooo grateful to have lived when I am living and so blessed to have found the church over 37 years ago.  With my understanding of Heavenly Father's plan I can accept Don's death and know that he and I and all of our children will be together in Heaven.  That is what held the pioneers together and was the force behind the German Saints.  That knowledge fortifies us all.  I consider myself a German Saint as we were baptized in Germany and I have German Ancestry.  I pray that I can leave a legacy of faith, courage and love for my posterity.

14 June  Started day with 8 AM prayer meeting then worked at computer until noon.  At 12 I went out to the elevators and waited for my special visitor.  36 years ago in Germany Diane and Dave Clawson were in our ward.  They were a young couple then and had their first baby born in Germany.  We had kept in touch with each other over the years on Christmas and other times of the year.  Dave passed away about 11 years ago and Diane began working in downtown SLC.  She called me the other day and we decided to meet and go to lunch.  I toured her through my zone's end of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building and then we ate at the restaurant in the lobby level.  We then walked over to the building where she works on the 8th floor.  She has beautiful views of the mountains from the windows.  I told her I must come back someday with my camera.

After we said good-bye for now I walked over to the Family History Library and did some research for a few hours.  Went home for some supper and talked with Kris and Robb on the phone and then I went with some friends to a concert in the park.  The park was the Brigham Young Historic park and the music was provided by a Marine Corp Band made up of men and women of the Marine National Guard.  During a chat with a flute/picalo player I learn that all but two of the band members were LDS.  She was a wife and mother of two who has been in the National Guard for 17 years.  As today was Flag Day the majority of the pieces they played were Patriotic in nature.  It was fabulous!  So many feet going in time with the music was fun to do and to watch others.  They played a medley of the songs of the five branches of the service.  The band leader requested those in the audience that were in that branch or had a loved one in that branch to stand up when that branches song was played.  I could have stood with them all: Don, of course, was in the Army but I have a step-son that was in the Coast Guard; a son in Army National Guard; son in Air Force National Guard; son with 17 years of active duty Army; 3 grandsons and grand-son-in-law Army; grandson Marines; brother, two brothers-in-law, and two nephews in the Navy.  My Father also served in the Army.  I am very proud and grateful for all the years of service my loved ones have given to our country.  It was a tender Mercy when I felt my phone vibrate during the second last branch's song. I answered it because it was my son, Wade, calling.  I said to him "Just listen, Wade, I am at a concert in the park and they are honoring the military and the next song with be for the Army.  He was listening to it and I was proudly standing with my son and for my husband and other loved ones.  It was a special moment for me.  The timing couldn't have been better and incidentally, Wade was serving his two weeks of drill for the year.

My phone just rang and Sister McKnight and I have been invited to a special shindig tomorrow.  I will tell you all about it tomorrow night.  I have already set my camera out and will post pictures from it.  Saturday may prove to be very interesting.  Good night for now.

15 June  Got up early to leave for a special outing with three other sisters.  Sister Bignell  is one of my trainers in the zone and her friend, Sister Wooley, are from Austrailia.  We went to the Heber Valley near Midway and to Soldiers Hollow where there was a big Native American Pow Wow.  The various Native American tribes were competing in dance, music and singing.  It was by age categories.  The young girls were called granddaughters and the boys grandsons but all the ages were represented.  The costumes were outstanding and I took lots of pictures and ate some great food.  I had Indian frybread and hot roasted corn on the cob.  They were delicious.  We were very hot and tired when we got home but were so glad that Sister Bignell invited us.  I will post some pictures here.

16 June  This was a quiet day.  Puttered around the apartment this morning and read all my lessons.  Went to church for 1-4 and then walked home with friends.  I had four sisters come over this evening and watched a movie.  The plan was to watch "The Testaments" but the DVD wouldn't work so we quickly choose something else.  Had a nice evening and chatted some afterward.  Early to bed tonight as we have to be in the Chapel by 7:30 AM for Devotional.  This has been a very busy week.  I don't think next week will be so full.  Love you all and this work is going along great.  We all love our mission.  Only two weeks until we say good-bye to our awesome Mission President...Wayne Peterson.

This is the corner by my desk
Note the farm picture and picture of my family

I am posting this announcement right at the top although I didn't learn about Daniel's mission call until early Saturday morning.  He received his mission letter on Friday while he was at work and his dad took it to him at Chic-Fil-A.  He opened it there but he worked til closing so it was too late to call me when he got home.  Daniel Deon Winkie, son of Robb and Theresa Winkie is going to serve in the Provo, Utah Mission.  Isn't that cool.  He will not be too far from gramma.  I am so proud of him.  He will serve for two years and it will be a great adventure for him.  I guess the Lord wanted us Winkies in Utah.  Robb served his mission in the Salt Lake City North Mission.  Congratulations Daniel.

June 4th ---I am going to try something different for this blog and see how it works.  When something special or interesting occurs I will blog about it that day.  Today I walked part way to work with a Sister McKay who lives near me and works on the same floor I do in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.  As we walked I got to know a little about Sister McKay.  She said she walks slow but she gets there.  She has been out on her mission for 20 months and doesn't go home until February of 2014.  She has extended a couple of times.  Sounds dedicated doesn't it?  When that is just the tip of the ice berg.  This is her 6th mission.  She served 3 with her husband of 60 years.  He died of a terrible cancer in 2000.  One of the missions was in Singapore.  She does live about an hour from here and her children come for her and bring her back so she can spend weekends at home.  Remarkable, huh?  Lastly, I asked her how old she was.  I was shocked to hear she was 86 years old.  I should look and do so good at 86.  I am proud to know her.  What an example!  My hat is off to you, Sister McKay.

Tomorrow we are having a special noon devotional with Elders Richard G. Scott and David Bednar.  They are the apostles over Family History.  They will speak to all the missionaries in my mission in our Chapel.  They then will introduce us to our incoming mission presidency.  President Peterson and his counselors leave next month.  We are all excited to learn who they will be and how the change will affect us.

I am going to the temple tomorrow night to a sealing session.  Our mission does the 5:00 Sealing session every Wednesday.  We usually have enough for three sealing rooms.  I have been many times since I came to Salt Lake City.  So you can see that tomorrow will be a full day.  On top of that I will work about 7 hours at my computer.

June 5th ---Special noon devotional in the Chapel at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.  Elder Richard G Scott was presiding and mission President Wayne Peterson was conducting.  Also present were David A Bednar (Apostle), Paul E Koelliker, Marcus B Nash, Allan F Packer (all three from the First Quorum of the Seventy) and Bradley D Foster (2nd Quorum of the Seventy). These very busy brethren were present as they hold church assignments to Church and Family History.  I had a perfect view to see all the general authorities as I sat in the 3rd row on the left side of the chapel.  We opened by singing "Because I've Been Given Much" and all the general authorities sang from memory.  Elder Allan Packer conducted the business of telling us who our new mission presidency were.  He said we are making history here today and it was filmed.  Our new Mission President is a 70 and is H. Ross Workman and his wife Kathleen.  He presided over the Hawaii Temple from 2007-2012 and also was a former mission president in Hawaii.  His new counselors are: Dale Dewey and Glenn Johns.  I know the Deweys as they are in my activity group.  We were informed that as of today we had 1157 missionaries in our mission.  President and Sister Peterson spoke to us and then President and Sister Workman each bore their testimonies.  We then were privileged to hear from Elder Bednar who stressed that everything about our Church is Heart and Ordinances. He said this at least 4 times.  "Hearts that are changed...mighty changes as it turns to the fathers."  He told us that since the October announcement that lowered the age for young people to serve missions they have processed/assigned 40,000 young missionaries.  Elder Bednar quoted the following: "When the dark is the darkest the light shines the brightest."

Elder Scott then spoke to us.  He began with the following:  "I'd like to tell you a secret."  If you want to wake up every morning with a smile on your face before you go to been put a coat hanger in your mouth."  Everyone roared.  We all love him so much.  What a sweet man.  He thanked us for our willingness for "this essential work of the Lord Jesus Christ."  "This is a particularly important part of the Lord's work.  This is fundamental to His work.  Elder Scott then invoked an Apostolic Blessing on us that as we pray, study and learn we will have what we need.  Thank you and we love you."  Then President Sessions of the old mission presidency said the closing prayer and it was over except for the warm feelings we all had.  Back to work we all went knowing that the work we all do is important to the Lord and His plan.

In the evening I attended a temple session with friends from my branch.  It was a very nice sealing session.

6th June.  I went to prayer meeting as usual and worked a full day.  It is a beautiful day and the walk home was nice.  Many, many people on Temple Square today.

7th June   Today was 1/2 day for all missionaries in my zone.  Three friends and I went to see the new movie, "Ephraim's Rescue"  by the same director/producer who did "17 Miracles."  I loved 17 Miracles but Brother Christiansen really outdid himself with "Ephraim's Rescue."  It is a tear jerker and you will need kleenex but it is so worth the tears.  It is a true story of the rescue of the Martin Handcart pioneers and the heros and heroines who were on this trek.  I will certainly buy the DVD when it comes out.  After the movie the other sisters and I went out to eat to celebrate two of them having a birthday.  We elected to sit outside in the pedestrian mall of a outdoor shopping area.  We weren't seated 10 minutes when one of the sisters spied a couple she knew from home.  She jumped up and ran to them and was so happy to see them.  eventually they came to our table and we were introduced.  The man is her Bishop from back home.  They were in Salt Lake City for only two days (came from Southern California) and she got to visit with them.  This is a wonderful example of a tender mercy.  If we had dined inside or choose another restaurant or whatever she would have not spied them.  Even is she had chosen a different chair she wouldn't have seen them.   The Lord knows are every need and He really knows how to plan ahead.  What a wonderful birthday present for Sister Binkhurst.  By the way, Brother T C Christiansen is speaking at a noon devotional next thursday.  You can be sure I will be attending.  So many amazing opportunities here in Salt Lake City!

8th June   Of course today was a Saturday so I was at the laundry room at 7:05 AM to do my  loads of laundry and there was only one free washer.  The sign says not to use facility until  7:00 but I guess others were in a hurry.  About 2.5 hours later I was finished with that chore for another week.  I did some clean up at the apartment and then two other sisters and I went to Walmart and Winco.  Winco is a great huge store that sells products at a great price.  They also have great produce and bulk items.  We did our weekly grocery shopping.  We each went home to put away things and eat supper and then reconvened at my apartment for one of the sisters to cut our hair.

9th of June  Sunday   Church was awesome today. the teachers for Relief Society really taught great lessons.  I had prepared to be spiritually fed by reading my lessons ahead of time and it was well worth the effort.  For Sacrament Meeting our outgoing Mission President and his wife spoke.  They both spoke some about their experience of being the Temple President and Matron of the Nauvoo Temple.  President Peterson told of the history of the first Nauvoo Temple and how it was  destroyed by early persecutors of the church.  He then gave a very interesting timeline and process that led to the rebuilding the Nauvoo Temple.  I was fascinated.  I learn a lot I didn't know.  I was especially interested in this temple as I worked as a volunteer two days during the open house.

I was asked to attend a Fireside/play tonight in West Jordan at the Hale Theater.  It is theater in the round.  There were four of us that went together.  The play was funny, entertaining and a learning experience.  It was called "Are there Meadowlarks Still Singing?"  It was a very enjoyable evening and now I am ending my day and week finishing up my blog.  I hope and pray you all have had a wonderful and interesting week.  Please write and tell me how your doing.  I pray for you all and miss you but I love my mission and that this is where the Lord needs me at this time.

This is my home away from home here on my Mission
photo on the easel is Alex winking at me!

The desert blooming between Conference Center and home
Reminded me of  New Mexico

Today at church we sang “Come Follow me” as the closing hymn.  President Klopfer, who was conducting, told the congregation that this hymn was President Packer’s favorite hymn.  The words are as follows: 
"Come, follow me," the Savior said.
Then let us in this footsteps tread,                  
For thus alone can we be one
With God's own loved, begotten Son.

"Come, follow me," a simple phrase,
Yet truth's sublime, efullgent rays
Are in these simple words combined
To urge, inspire the human mind.

Is it enough alone to know
That we must follow him below,
While trav'ling thru this vale of tears?
No, this extends to holier spheres.

Not only shall we emulate
His course while in this earthly state,
But when we're freed from present cares,
If with our Lord we would be heirs.

We must the onward path pursue
As wider fields expand to view,
And follow him unceasingly,
Whate'er our lot or sphere may be.

For thrones, dominions, kingdoms, pow'rs,
And glory great and bliss are ours,
If we, throughout eternity,
Obey his words, "Come, follow me."

Text: John Nicholson, 1839-1909

I pray that I will forever be found “Following Him.”  I know I haven’t written in two weeks again.  I suppose that may be my habit from now on.  I really have been so busy with work and enjoying so many things going on here.

It was so nice yesterday to go to Brigham City (about an hour’s drive North of Salt Lake City).  We left here about 10 AM and didn’t get home until 10 PM.  Steve and Stacy Hansen, from Kansas City, were visiting Steve’s sister, Lori Gomez, and Lori’s family.  They had come for the high school graduation of Steve’s son.  I was invited to visit weeks ago by Lori.  They were wonderful hosts and we (Sister Mc Knight and I) had a very nice time.  Steve is my youngest son, Wade’s, best friend.  Long ago Don and I accepted Steve and Stacy as our family.  They just closed on the selling of their home and they are staying at my house until they close on their new house in Independence.  Their move into my house was very timely as Missouri has been getting a lot of rain and ground seepage has flooded the basement several times.  Seems they had to work two shop vacs overtime to suction the water up.  Wade is now digging a hole to install a sup pump system Don bought years ago but never got around to put in.

It is so sad that Francis Monson died almost two weeks ago.  Poor President Monson.  They were married for 64 happy years. I know the loneliness  he now feels.  On the morning of the funeral our zone was given  tickets for the funeral.  I was given one of them.  I attended with two other sisters.  As most of you know, it was a beautiful funeral with the Monson’s daughter, Ann Dibb, giving the eulogy.  Four of the granddaughters did a special musical number that I found very touching.  One sang and the other three played the piano, violin and harp.  They are very talented young ladies.  President Monson looked so tired and sad.  I felt so bad for him.

On this mission I don’t work in the family history library but all the senior missionaries are encouraged to work on their own personal history.  We are given three half days and one full day off a month and are expected to be involved with history research or going to the temple.  This week I resolved to work on my “Buckley” line.  This is my paternal grandmother’s line.  On Friday I typed in the husband and wife’s names with a + sign linking them and hit google.  I was amazed that a document was suggested and when I clicked on it I found a 8 page document with so much information.  I actually found 5 more female ancestors maiden names.  On one I went back two generations.  I was and am astonished.  I have a lot of work now to enter all this data in Family Tree.  This information takes me to middle 1700s and the names are all British Isles sounding names but so far all born in New York or New England.

This is the Place Monument

Sister McKnight went to "This is the Place Monument" on Memorial Day and had a KFC picnic.  You know that KFC is my ultimate comfort food.  There is a pioneer town there with many of the buildings relocated there from original locations around the state of Utah.  It is a neat place for families and they even have a petting farm animals area and a pony ride for the little ones.

These girls walked around
and sang pioneer songs

Pioneer Church
exact replica

Steve and Stacy took us to Promontory Summit where the Union Pacific and Central Pacific rails were joined with the Golden Spike.  It was very interesting.  It was a major event for the country and the church.  They railroad changed how the granite was hauled for the Salt Lake Temple.  It had taken 4 days and strong oxen to haul the granite to the temple site and soon they were able to haul the granite on railroad cars in a few hours.  Without the railroad it would have taken many more years than 40 to complete the temple.  

This video shows an exact replica of "Old 119" steam locomotive chugging along the track as they are putting it in a garage for the night.  This is a replica of the locomotive that came from the East I think.  They have a replica of the other locomotive, too and they do a reenactment several times a day.  We did not make it in time for the reenactment but timed it perfectly for the ending of the day.

We will be getting a new Mission Presidency in July.  I will be very sorry to see the Petersons, Eckels and Sessions leave.  They are very kind, sweet people.  On Wednesday we are having a special devotional and we will get to meet the new Mission President.  Things have really accelerated at work and we have been so busy.  All the zones feel the same urgency to get the work done.  I hope all of you are working on your own family history and enlisting all your family members.  Until next time I pray for you all and myself that the Lord watches over and keeps all of us safely in His capable hands.  Love, Sister Barbara Winkie

Barbara Henry 1959

Good evening my dear family and friends.  I didn't get to my blogging yesterday but here I am on Monday evening.  It has once again been a wonderful week.  It amazes me how fast the time is passing by.  It seems it is Monday and we are having our special Monday devotional and then almost immediately it is Friday and we are finishing up the week and looking forward to the weekend.  Of course the weekend passes like lightening and it is Monday again.  On June 1st I will have been out on this mission for 4 months.  What have you done with the last four months?

I feel so sad and empathetic for President Thomas Monson who lost his beloved wife this week.  They had been married for a very long time.  He will be so lonely without her.  I know!  Even with lots of people around all the time it won't fill the loneliness of loosing your eternal companion.  The funeral will be at noon on Thursday in the Tabernacle.  My thoughts and prayers have been and will continue to be with President Monson and his family.

Today's Monday devotional has been one I have long dreaded.  All missionaries are required to give a three minute biography of their life.  Today was my day! I was the fourth speaker.  I am going to publish my talk here on my blog.  It is a very succinct few paragraphs of 72 years of life.  I hope it won't bore my readers but this blog is a part of my mission journal and I think it should be included here.

 

Winkie Family following temple sealing 1981

Barbara Winkie – 3 minute profile for May 20, 2013

Good morning, I am Barbara Winkie.  I was born in Rochester New York and was raised by a great, single parent, mom.  I have 3 siblings that I am close to but who are not members.  After graduating high school I worked as a long distance telephone operator.  The day before my 20^th birthday I was on the 2^nd day of a 48 hour Grayhound bus trip from Florida.  There was a layover and bus change in Scranton, PA.  My seat mate on this bus was a nice looking young soldier.  We married 3 months later.  He loved to tell people how we met and delighted in adding “and Barbara was a pick-up.”

Don served for 26 years in the United States Army and we moved a lot.  Two sons were born a year apart during my first tour in Germany.  Another son was born in Virginia and a 4^th son was born in New York just before Don went on his 2^nd tour to Vietnam.  While on a two year assignment to Korea our family was enlarged when we adopted 3 little girls.  How blessed we were.   Don always liked to get a rise out of people when he would say that our children were 2 Krauts, a Yank, a Reb and 3 Gooks.  We were a military family and were proud of it. 

Don and I were married in a Lutheran Church and on our 10^th anniversary we renewed our vows in a Methodist Church.   Four years before we adopted our daughters we were stationed in Germany for our last tour.  We had been married for 15 years and life was good but it was about to get better.  I borrowed a book from our library called “The Restored Church” donated by the LDS Chaplain that served the needs of the 96 families in our little housing area.  That book converted our family.  Soon we were baptized and exactly a year later all 6 of us were sealed for time and eternity in the House of the Lord in Bern, Switzerland.  Now we were REALLY married.  The girls were sealed to us in the Washington, DC temple.  When Don retired from the Army we moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico. We were there for 9 years and it is where I went to college.   We moved to Missouri in 1993,

Our family fulfilled a long held dream when we purchased our 80 acre farm in Caldwell County Missouri.  When people asked Don what he was going to raise on our farm he would say “grandchildren.”  We made many memories with our 32 grandchildren and 14 greats.  We also raised meat goats and at one time we had about 500 breeding does.  Our eldest son has named his new restaurant in Pennsylvania “Eighty Acres” in honor of his dad. 

Through the years  my husband sustained and supported me in the many leadership and teaching callings I have had.  Most of that time he was a ward or branch clerk and did it all.  When he died two years ago, just 7 weeks before our 50^th anniversary, our children and friends all said that the Lord must have needed a dependable clerk.  Don embraced computer technology way back to the Commodore 64 from Radio Shack.  We always had a PC in our home.  When I graduated in 1988 Don gave me my first laptop.  It really came in handy when I returned to the university 2 years later for my Masters in Social Work.  Countless times I called Don at work and he would walk me through my newest computer glitch.  A good friend, who is now the mission president in Greece, told me that Don would serve this mission with me.  Every day when I turn on my computer Don is with me.    I think he continues to give me prompts in my work in Data Quality. 

I love this church and I know that the work we do is so vital to Heavenly Father’s and Jesus’ plan.  I love my mission and am so grateful to be able to serve in the “Happiest Zone” in the mission.  In Jesus’name, Amen.

That's it for this week.  I have been very busy with my work in the Data Quality Zone.  I do wish I could explain in detail what a special week it was.  It truly was!  Just know that I am doing the Lord's work like all missionaries but I just can't talk about it.  Too sacred.  Not secret but confidential.  

Oh, I must mention that I had two grandchildren, Miranda and Jonny, who graduated high school this week. Jonny is planning on serving a mission and Miranda has already enrolled in Avilla College.  I am so proud of them.  Both of them are brilliant students and the sky is the limit for what they can do.  My granddaughter, Reanna's husband, Zach, graduated from college since last I wrote.  He managed to support a wife and 4 daughters while he worked hard for his degree.  I am very proud of him.  He has already been accepted into graduate school.  My granddaughter, Jessica, will soon have her first baby.  His name is Kai and is due in June.  She will be a super mom.  Grandson, Michael Ivan, a Marine in California was married on May 11th.  I welcome Vicky in the family and pray they will always be as happy as they are now.  I love all my grandchildren so much.  Hugs and kisses to you all.  Have a wonderful week everyone.  "Upward and Onward now!  Sister Winkie

The Arthur Henry family

It has been two weeks since I have written and I don't know where to start.  On May 3rd I went to the Draper, Utah temple for the marriage of my nephew, Tyler.  His bride is Megan and it was a wonderful affair.  Tyler is the stepson of my brother, Arthur Henry.  Yes, my maiden name was Henry.  There was a lovely luncheon after the picture session outside the temple..  It was a truly beautiful day.  Enjoyed being with family.  On Saturday Art, Maurine and two of the out-of-town wedding visitors came to Salt Lake City to tour Temple Square.  I joined them for lunch at the Lion House and a walking tour of Temple Square.  I took them to my office and showed them around.  It was nice to have family visit me here in SLC.

Emily Henry

The beautiful young lady is Art's daughter, Emily.  She  sang a surprise song for the bride and groom.  She has a lovely trained voice.  She is only 15 and does a professional job.  The groom is in the grey suit.  The kid on the left is 17 and is about 6'6" and is Art's son.

On Sunday I attended Music and the Spoken Word with my monthly activity group.  It was a beautiful program (of course) and afterward we went to the North Visitor's Center to hear a presentation about the Christus statue given by Elder Jay Schvaneveldt who served a mission in Denmark.  I asked Elder Schvaneveldt for a copy of his talk and I will include it here.  I think it is very interesting.

This is my activity group - Elder Schvaneveldt is in the light grey suit

I am having trouble with the cutting, copying and pasting.  I am sorry for the spacing but I don't know how to fix it.  I apologize for the cropping of the head of the Christus but the photographer did it to get all the group in the shot.  It is a truly beautiful statue.

On April 30th we attended a program put on by the young sisters on Temple Square.  It was called "Sounds of Music from Around the World.  There are 191 young Sister Missionaries, representing over 40 different languages.  They are amazingly talented young women and the whole production was mesmerizing.  I especially loved the two grand pianos arranged facing each other with two pianist on each keyboard.  They played The Stars and Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa.  It was like dueling pianos and each trying to out perform the other.  I just loved it and so did the audience.  They came to their feet clapping, whistling and cheering.  Wow, I can see and hear it now in my memory.  The young women sang, danced, played violins and the piano.  They began the program by marching in carrying flags of their respective countries and singing "Called to Serve."  It brought tears to every-ones eyes.  Of course all this fun also included 35-40 hours a week at my desk in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.  I am so busy learning my new project and doing my special Monday project.  They are very intense using all the computer skills I have and constantly learning new ones.  I will be a whiz when I come back home

I will have a couple occupying my home in Missouri for a few months.  They sold their home in Kansas City and are looking for a new one.  They probably will only be there for the summer.  It is great timing because they are Steve and Stacy Hansen and Steve has been the principal lawn mower at my place for several years.  He is son, Wade's best friend and I call him one of my sons.  Stacy and Steve will take good care of my place.  I have decided I really miss the beautiful sunrises and sunsets at my farm.  I don't think I have seen either one since I moved to Utah.  Well that is all for now.  I will try to not skip anymore weeks but sometimes it just can't be helped.  I keep in great health and continue to absolutely love my mission, my work and all my new friends.  Life is so good.  I hope all of my readers this week are happy and healthy, too.

I

Draper Temple

I just can't believe how fast the time is flying by.  I know it must be for you, too.  It has been three months since I left Kansas City for my mission.  Accepting a call to serve a full time mission is one of the best decisions I have ever made.  It is amazing to me that senior members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can be called and set apart to serve missions where they ARE REALLY NEEDED and fulfill assignments that are IMPORTANT.

I have begun my training for a new assignment in Data Quality.  It is very challenging and complicated with many things to remember.  I would like to ask for your prayers in my behalf as I strive to master what I will be doing.  It is important work and must be done accurately.  My trainer is Sister Freeman who is a retired neo-natal nurse.  She worked for 32 years in neo-natal intensive care.  She has a lot of patience and is an excellent teacher/coach.

I had a very nice discussion with the Unit Manager (paid Church staff) on Friday.  He went to RIT and lived/worked in Rochester, New York for many years.  He loves Rochester (where I was born and raised) and is taking his family there the end of May as part of a two week vacation.  It was fun talking about my hometown and reminiscing about so many things that I know and love.  He told me about a menu option in several restaurants in Rochester called "a garbage plate."  Does anyone reading this know of the "garbage plate?"  I have never eaten it.  Shon can't wait to introduce his family to this "culinary delight???".

On Wednesday evening I went to the Church History Museum to "Museum Alive."  There were docents dressed in pioneer costumes at the various displays and you could ask questions and watch them work.  You could pull a handcart or experience log cabin living.  Brigham Young was walking around shaking hands with everyone and a typesetter  of the Book of Mormon explained what he was doing.  There was a woman who make pioneer bonnets and even had one that could sell for $500 in the 1800s.  It was very enjoyable and after we explored the gift shop.  So many neat items for sale.

 Pam Cox and Sister Winkie

Went to a fireside about how the Nauvoo Temple came about.  I am talking about the new one.  The fireside happened to be on the day of Charles Allyn's funeral.  He made all the windows for the Nauvoo Temple.  He was a very talented man and had been a for Bishop or Branch President in Cameron, Missiouri.  This was just prior to our moving there.

On Saturday Sister McKnight and I drove to the Draper and Mt. Timpanogos Temples.  What a wonderful day.  We attended both temples and met some wonderful people.  My old friend, Pam Donaldson Cox is an ordinance worker at the Mt. Timpanogos Temple.  She and I met up for a short time before her shift began.  She and I served in a Primary Presidency in Las Cruces, NM over 20 years ago.  What a joy it was to visit with her and get a great big hug.  We plan to meet again real soon

Mt Timpanogos Temple

We really enjoyed visiting these temples.  As you can see it was a beautiful spring day with blue sky and sunshine.  The spring flowers and blooming trees were everywhere.  I have decided that I miss my beautiful sun rises and sunsets at my farm.  I don't see them living in the city.  As you can tell I continue to do very well.  I am happy and healthy.  I did get a call from son, Wade, on the way home from the special stake conferences held in Kansas City area.  He updated me on the events and later Kathy typed up her notes and emailed them to me.  I was especially impressed when I read what she wrote about what Elder Halstrom of the 70 said.  He was speaking of reverence and said "that it means more than being quiet.  It also means to have profound love and respect for Deity.  Don't confuse reverence with being quiet.  That's part of it.  Whatever we do in our lives needs to be reflective of the love we have for Heavenly Father and Jesus.  What we say, think and do should be reflective of what we believe."  I don't know if I am quoting Elder Halstrom or Kathy's paraphrasing him but the words are very important nevertheless.  Until next week may the Lord bless you and keep in His loving care.  Love, Sister Winkie (mom/gramma)