My fifth grade, seventh, eighth, freshman, sophmore school picture in a flash of yester-years.

This last one is our old house my parents built when they were expecting me. San Antonio, the house that Carlos and Elena built with bricks made by him. What an accomplishment for a couple in their mid-twenties!!
A few pictures for TBT (throw back Thursday)

Today is a special day I celebrate with my family, and when we are all together we have an amazing, great feast of Heritage food, TAMALES1

We all love that tradition and it brings us closer on both sides of heaven. Enough said. I love you ALL and am so pleased to have my dear husband in my life to share that love. Hugs and kisses, everyone!!

Flashback in Time--Early Childhood Recollections, Thoughts

I think my age here is about two years old; we lived in San Antonio, Texas. Some of my earliest recollections are during the latter part of that year. My father had gone into the Army and was gone almost a year as I was told. He used to send us Hershey's chocolate almond candy bars. I remember we received a box of them from him while he was in the service. I loved eating the almonds and chocolate candy! I later discovered that because of the War (II)--sugar was rationed and not everyone could buy those Hershey's chocolate candy bars. My father bought us the treats at the Post Exchange aka the PX. The service men had the privilege of buying it unrestricted due to they were being rationed for civilians.

My mother did not drive very much at that time. So I recall going on the public transportation on the bus. She would take us into town since we lived in a rural area not far from the cement plant where my grandfather worked. My grandmother and grandfather were separated since my father was about twelve or thirteen years old. My grandmother lived farther down near town. They finalized their divorce about the time I was born. We would go see Buelito, as we called him which came from the Spanish word for grandfather, "abuelo," or "abuelito." When I was almost four my Uncle Richard built my grandmother's home on Center Street. I believe my grandfather, Richard may have provided the building of that home for her and my Aunts Celia and Helen who lived with Nane, (Nah-nee) as we called her.

Sometimes we would take the bus into town and stop at the drug store and get an ice cream come for each of us. Bea(trice) Canchola was a young cousin who worked at the drug store and made our ice cream cones for us. Mama always got me a strawberry ice cream cone``I think that was her favorite flavor. It was always a treat to go there on our way to town.

I think I was about 16 months here. I was just learning to walk at 15 months.

My mother had this photo taken for my Dad and sent it to him while he was gone in the Army. [He carried this photo in his wallet for many years with a wallet size photo of my beautiful mother]. He was a driver stationed near Portland, Oregon driving the medical corp vehicle aka an ambulance and picked up POW's from Germany and drove them to Camp Adair during the War.

P. S. I once saw a documentary about the "encampments" that housed prisoners of war who were sent to San Antonio from Japan, I believe or even Germany too. They were in makeshift tents along the sides of the road for some reason. It was something I had never imagined when I was growing up and just only discovered that this year. It is something I could research a little more to find out about that particular event.

Old School

Imagine the surprise I received on a whim to "Google" my old elementary school in Chicago. Talk about reminiscing my childhood school days. There are several memories I have of walking to William Penn Elementary School at 1616 Avers Avenue, in Chicago. I started kindergarten there and went until the beginning of the first half of fourth grade.

I have a recollection of my first day of school and waiting for one of my brothers to pick me up after my afternoon kindergarten class. No one came so I began to walk home by myself. So I thought when I realized I was lost! I took the wrong street, but they looked alike on the corner where I kept walking. I eventually found a kind lady to walk me back to where I lived. IT was ever after that I was taught and memorized my address and phone number. I remember them both to this day. .. 1544 S Harding, phone number LA 1-2869.

The kindergarten teacher, Mrs Evans gave us a small glass bottle of milk and saltine crackers each day. We colored with crayons, listened to stories, sang songs and played on the outdoor playgro. We colored, listened to stories and played on the outdoor playground. The grades 1-4 were varied teachers since had a new one for each half grade since I would be in the lower have at the second half and the upper grade half at the beginning. So it seemed like I had two teachers in one school year. My birthday was in October, so I started school in January. It was kind of interesting. Being in the lower half of the fourth grade when we left Illinois I finished the fourth grade in a matter of months from April to June. I graduated from High school at seventeen, in California.

Fond Memories of the elementary achool was Nettie L Waite in Norwalk,California.

Is His Image in Our Countenance?

Alma 5:4


And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?

15 Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who created you? Do you look forward with an eye of faith, and view this mortal body raised in immortality, and this corruption raised in incorruption, to stand before God to be judged according to the deeds which have been done in the mortal body?

16 I say unto you, can you imagine to yourselves that ye hear the voice of the Lord, saying unto you, in that day: Come unto me ye blessed, for behold, your works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth?--

I re-read this chapter today. We attended our new ward yesterday and heard a reference of this scripture. We recently decided to attend the Spanish branch, the Virgin Valley Branch in Mesquite. We both felt a calmness in attending there. Our Area Seventy, Elder Wade spoke in Spanish. His comments were so sweet and both of us felt a sweet spirit of confirmation that we are where we are supposed to be and doing what we are supposed to be doing. The messages touch our hearts and burned upon us that no doubt existed in our decision to change wards. Our stake president was present and shook our hands as we left to go to Sunday school. He was elated to see us there as new members of the branch.

We felt welcome and ready to serve any way we are asked to do. The sister missionaries were asked to bear their testimonies. Both are native Spanish speaking; from Puerto Rico and Mexico,

(LDS) Church History Tour Excursion

This magnificent site was a must see on our tour. We were told that this is where the Second Coming of Jesus Christ will be before he appears to the WORLD. Also that that entire green valley would be filled with people waiting to hear what he has to tell us.

View of Adam-Ondi-Ahman* This is such a remarkable place to see and witness for oneself. This is a huge valley located in Missouri which is noted in the Bible Dictionary to be the place of the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve lived. . It has verdant hills and countless trees. Much of the land is owned now some 3500 acres by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

This incredible site is one that has to be experienced to appreciate the feeling there of the impact of serenity filled with hope and promise. It is also the place where the Savior, Jesus Christ will come first before his Second Coming.

It is also known there as Spring Hill today. It is mentioned in the Doctrine & Covenants, Section 116:1--"Spring Hill is named by the Lord Adam-Ondi-Ahman, because, said he, it is the place where Adam shall come to visit his people, or the Ancient of Days as spoken of by Daniel the Prophet."


We were just there to this beautiful place. We had lunch in the lovely park as it appears in the second photo with all the trees. I don't know why they (pictures) come out so small, but not like I intended them to share here.

The Windows of Heaven Opened

this is just a glimpse of the home we stayed while in Cleveland going back and forth to the hospital to visit, son,Michael. It really lifted a burden to not have to worry about housing during that time. We are eternally grateful for the gracious hostess that opened her home to someone she didn't know beforehand. It was a truly Christ-like gesture to do such a kind thing for our family. Joanna, Matt, Aaron and I stayed there during our visits. We weren't all there at the same time, but nevertheless we were blessed. We more or less just slept there and came in late, and left the next morning to go to the hospital again each day.

It made a difference, and we, Joanna, Aaron and I attended Sunday morning Sacrament meeting and meet some of the "angels" who came to literally bless Michael and Joanna at the hospital. The local ward boundary includes the Cleveland Clinic and they take it seriously to attend to and take care of anyone who needed their assistance. They even offered and had the sacrament taken to Michael in his ICU room. We saw so many miracles and tender mercies, Their prayers in our behalf reached heaven, were heard and answered.

Sister Hoopes is the Relief Society president and allowed us all to stay there even while she was out of town while some of us were there. She ahd a six bedroom home there. Another sister in the ward brought Matt and Joanna Sunday dinner on Father's day. It wasn't "just dinner," either. It was a spread of a Hawaiian Luau. No joke. Joanna described it and it was out of this world. We met the sister who made that meal for them and was a delight. She even offered her home if and when Michael and Joanna need to go back to visit for any future checkups with the doctor. Her husband is there in Cleveland to finish his dentaly degree in pediatric dentistry.

All the doctors and staff were top-notch. We can't say enough good for all they did. They all worked as a team and not one person took the credit. We know our prayers were heard and answered from the start. How grateful I am for Michael's recovery and is progressing very well too. I am thankful too for all the faith and prayers extended in our family's and Michael's behalf. we are truly blessed.

Memorial Day 2014 Tribute to Four Brave Men

Once again Music & The Spoken Word has a way of presenting just the right words at the right time. I love to watch and listen to the messages given by Lloyd Newell in the weekly broadcast on Sunday mornings. It sets the tone and mood for me. i was particularly touched by this story of the four chaplains. [See 'fourchaplains.org/story.html]

"Honoring Our Heroes"

On February 3, 1943, the U.S. Army troopship Dorchester, part of a naval convoy, steamed steadily across the icy waters of the North Atlantic Ocean en route to World War II's European front. On board were 900 soldiers trained at military facilities like this one, Camp Williams, in Utah. The seas were rough, and the stretch was treacherous; German submarines were known to lurk below in what was called "torpedo alley."

At 12:55 a.m. a German submarine fired three torpedoes at the Dorchester. One ripped into the middle of the ship, and it swiftly began to sink. Chaos erupted on board. Several soldiers were killed; several more were injured. Some men jumped overboard. Four army chaplains-Protestant ministers George Fox and Clark Poling, Catholic priest John Washington, and Jewish rabbi Alexander Goode-were among the first to reach the top deck. Doing what chaplains do, they immediately began providing comfort, guidance, and hope. Calmly and systematically they distributed life jackets and, when the supply ran out, took off their own life jackets, handed them to the panicked soldiers, and pointed them to waiting lifeboats.

As the ship slid beneath the surface, soldiers in lifeboats caught one last look at the chaplains standing on the hull of the ship, arm-in-arm, praying. Rescue ships pulled 230 to safety that night, but almost 700 died.

The four chaplains were not among the survivors.

John Ladd, one of the survivors who witnessed the chaplains' selfless acts, later said, "It was the finest thing I have seen or hope to see this side of heaven."1

As we honor those who gave their lives in service to our country, we remember that faith and selflessness are fundamental to honorable living. Their examples teach us where faith and selflessness lead and what courage, compassion, and sacrifice really mean. May we recognize and value these qualities in others and strive to develop them in ourselves.

1. See "The Saga of the Four Chaplains," fourchaplains.org/story.html.

Note: You can YouTube this broadcast in a oouple of weeks when posted to view.