We enjoyed living in the 4^th ward and we were called to serve in the ward in various capacities. Among them was Sunday School teaching, MIA work, Genealogy work and Dave also served as one of the Seven Presidents of the Seventies. I remember giving a 2 ½ minute talk once in the 4^th Ward. I wore a bright red hat with the flashiest earrings I had and a huge bright red flower on my shoulder and as much bright jewelry as I could. Then I talked about dressing properly when giving a talk. I indicated that oft times the things we wear distract from what we are saying. I heard a lot of snickers in the audience but as I talked I started removing some of the things I was wearing. I think my point was well received.

We tried to go to the Temple once a week and to do all the research we could. We also enjoyed being within visiting distance of Marjorie and Dwain and their baby, David. On Christmas Day 1955, all the family except Grace was home for the first time in a long while. Clayton had been discharged from the Army, Douglas had a leave from the Air Force, Ralph had received an honorable release from the mission field, and Marjorie and Dwain came up from Provo. It was indeed a wonderful Christmas that year.

While he was home at Christmas, Douglas met a young lady in the ward named Vonna Ensign. He was quite taken with her but he had to go back to his base. When he was discharged from the service in about March of 1956 he again began to see Vonna and their friendship grew very strong in the coming months.

In February 1956, Grace and Don came to see me and they were prepared to go to the Temple and have their marriage vows sealed for time and eternity and have their children sealed to them. They went to the Temple on 21 February 1956 and Marjorie and Dwain came up from Provo to go with us. President David A. Broadbent sealed them, but before the sealing he drew Don up beside him and asked him if he knew how the Lord created Adam and Don said, “Sure, from the dust of the earth.” Then he asked Don how the Lord created Eve and Don replied, “The Lord took a rib from Adam’s side and created Eve.” Then President Broadbent said, “That’s right Don, and that is where she will always belong, through thick and thin, trouble and sorrow and trials. By your side, hand in hand. Talk things over and work them out together always side by side. Not just tagging along behind or going way out ahead, but side by side.” They were sealed and those lovely little children dressed in white were brought in and sealed to their parents. It was a wonderful experience for us. We are grateful that they have finally had their marriage sealed in the House of the Lord.

I enjoyed sewing and made many dresses and clothes for myself, the boys and my grandchildren. I also made many baby sweater-sets for the newer grandchildren. Marjorie gave birth to her second child, another son on 4 April 1956. This one they named Deon Eugene. My, he was a big baby, weighing 9 lbs. 6 oz. She got along just fine and now they have two lovely little boys.

In June 1956 Clayton was prepared to go on a mission and was interviewed by the bishop of the 4^th ward. He received a call to labor in the Northern California Mission field. We were quite surprised that this was his call as we had just moved from that area the year before. He accepted his calling and enjoyed his labors very much. It was a great source of comfort to me to see my sons fill missions and I will always be grateful that they were found worthy to do so.

To be continued…