Getting together for Lunch

 As the story goes, months ago - probably in July, Debbie and Matthew were at our ward and attended the linger-longer after church. Someone said that Andrew told Debbie that a certain gentleman could help her mom with her genealogy (or was it that he knew Chinese?). Debbie introduced herself to the man, Lee Pearce, and after they got talking for a bit, she got his information to give to her mom.

Laurie Hendersen, Debbie's mom had some records that she needed translated so she could do her genealogy work. She had at least up to her great-grandfathers' names, maybe more. It was a great match. 

Some months later I was talking to Laurie and she asked if I knew Lee Pearce. I did not. Jeffrey knew who he was, but I had never met him. Laurie was looking to give him a big thank-you.

Brother Lee Pearce didn't stop with just the names Laurie gave him. He did some research, listened to podcasts and even bought into a few sites. I can't remember where or when but he found out there were thousands of names from the village Laurie's great-grandfather lived in, placed in the granite vaults in Utah years ago. He got access to those records on microfiche (I think) and has started translating them so Laurie and her family can go to the temple and do the work for them. 

I think it is fascinating that Laurie (the only member of the church from her greater family) is the one who was given this opportunity to find thousands of her relatives (back to 200 AD!) that someone else had put in Family Search.

I got acquainted with Brother Pearce when he became a teacher in Primary. I said hello knowing Laurie wanted to meet him. They posted back and forth and then invited Jeffrey and I to lunch with the both of them. Laurie came down from the Sacramento area to meet at the restaurant in Walnut Creek. 

If you like Chinese dumplings - this is the place for you! https://www.creekhousedimsum.com/

Brother Pearce had many stories to tell us - from his mission to Hong Kong and his miraculous stories of how he got work, got married, came to San Francisco and then Concord, and now is doing a great work in genealogy

I, Lee Pearce, Laurie Hendersen, Jeffrey Adams

Sometimes you get blessings just by showing up! Jeffrey and I had nothing to do with any of the miracles, effort involved, or introducing someone to someone. just the fact that we know each participant. So Nice!

Hansen's and Key Lime Pie

 We were invited over to visit with Stan and Lisa Hansen along with the other missionary couple who got back a while ago, the Perona's. Lisa had beautiful quilts lining a cabinet and draped over the back of chairs. They were very beautiful, colorful, and showed meticulous work. Jeffrey and I grilled Stan on the color of his house as we wanted the same dark blue that he had. 

We had a fun night with lots and lots of stories. Jeffrey and I were shocked to find we had spent four hours in a blink of an eye. Lisa served really good food which I had to get the recipes for. Then she served up Key Lime Pie. Oh my.... I do not believe I have ever had a homemade Key Lime Pie. Now that was an experience! Life is so good.

Linette and Cliff Perona 
Yummy salad, pasta and vegetables, and homemade bread

Stan Hansen

Lisa Hansen

After a few hours of talking, we had dessert!

Lisa put whipped cream on her pie and then served it up

Linette put tiny shreds of lime zest on each piece

The men found more things to talk about while the women were in the kitchen

We went out to the patio where Stan lit the rocks and we sat around in the cool of the night eating absolutely delicious Key Lime Pie. 

Luis Peña Painting

 A shout out to Luis Peña Painting for the great job painting the exterior or our house. Tomorrow he informs me that they will be done!!

First I come home to a great yard in the front and the back - all done and looking good. Maintenance has already begun. It all looks great!

On the 18th the painting crew came over to prep by sanding, caulking, and repairing items needed like gutters. That went on for a few days and then another day of priming. Yesterday they begin painting and it was a little interesting to have the windows covered. It looked like we were in a heavy fog. But when the plastic came down, we went out to see a really good looking paint job. Tomorrow the front and top should be done or almost done. This team is fast and very good.

If you need your house painted in California Bay Area, call Luis Peña at 209-204-1397 cell 

or 209-537-6450 phone.

Luis Peña inspecting work

Quick Trip to Redding

 On April 13th, the day after we got back from our Utah trip, we made a quick trip up to Redding. Caleb was being baptized and asked me to give a talk and Jeffrey to confirm him. His dad baptized him. It was so nice to see the families again for a short while and to share with Caleb our joy in the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is interesting the choices that very young people make can stay with them their whole life.

Matthew gave a talk about the Holy Ghost. Here are the grands except Emma who were there.

Just before friends arrived.

Grandpa and Grandma Bettridge traveled from Idaho to be with Caleb on his special day.

Debbie's selection of music was inspirational and moving.

Little Emma Rose Adams

Nate and Kelsi Adams family

Lilly, Nate Kelsi with Emma on her lap, Jayson, and Caleb Adams

Siblings Ranch Trip 2024

Polly Lore, my sister in law took this picture and sent it to all of us

 "The Ranch" early in the morning.

My dad had so many dreams and ideas for this bit of land. He looked it as a refuge when the last days would come and his children would need shelter. He used to walk around and tell us his dreams of what it would look like.

Several of my brothers have caught the ideas and dreams and interpreted them in different ways. Donald and my brother in law Jeffrey saved the land by buying it from others when dad knew he had to file for bankruptcy. Donald brings supplies up sometimes and helps with the work. David has come with machines (tractors, back hoe, etc.) and ideas and helped in construction. Dean has come with his creative ideas on ways to make everything look good.  Allen and his entire family has taken on the backbone of the upkeep and work to make it a viable place to actually live. They usually host.

Allen's family were the host and instigators of this particular family reunion. He had an idea to have all the siblings together - which is difficult as David lives in Guam and only has occasional leave to the states. We are headed for Accra and will be in Africa for three years. Allen called around months ago and persuaded all the family to come up for this particular week. Everyone always have issues and commitments, so getting twelve siblings together in one place at one time is pretty incredible.

I got to have a chat with each one, Laura was only a few minutes as she had her grands with her, but Donald and I chatted for about two hours on the way up. John  (seldom seen) and I had a chat for an hour or more. It was great to hear David's stories of his mission field work and the fact that he has been called to be a new Bishop in his ward. Diana is always fun and lovely to talk to. I think I talked to Peter, Donna's son more than I talked to her, but it was nice anyway. Steve and Polly always have a cheerful aura and Steve took me on a tour of the little homes that now dot the camp. Allen took me on a four wheeler tour of the nostalgic places I knew as a child. I watched Dean holding and taking care of all the little ones like Laura granddaughters and Sharon's youngest Elizabeth got his attention too. And Susie, well.....I spend most of my time with her.

Susan Eames getting another wild idea

David Lore collecting rocks from the mine for Diana's creations

Donald Lore explaining how the solar and batteries work

Polly and Steven Lore showing the late night goodies. Always cheerful.

Laura Tesch with one of her granddaughters

Allen Lore, it is hard to decide to show him as a tour guide, host, or construction worker. Here he is a tour guide to events in the past.

Allen's wife Marie Lore in her kitchen. Allen and Marie fed us very well

Dean Lore holding Elizabeth Bowman and Peter Estes in front

Donna Montgomery is full of life and deciding what is next in her summer.

Diana Godwin had just had a trip to emergency and came to be with us anyway with happiness and joy.

John Lore has had an exciting and adventurous life. It was good to be with him.

Sharon Bowman, talented and dedicated to helping her daughter live a full life.

Urn

 I have noted the urn (I thought of it as an interesting vase) on the night stand in Susie's bedroom. But yesterday when we were out looking at the partial eclipse, the neighbors were out too and we all started chatting. The brother of the man that lives next door was visiting and had made the urn for Susie. It has four different types of wood - none I have ever heard about. The neighbor wanted to see it and so I asked Susie to pose with the creator.

I thought it was very interesting that the love that exists between Susie and her neighbors extended to the brother making her something that took a lot of time and effort. She generates love and gives love daily, and it comes back to her.

How did your eclipse experience go?

 My brothers and sisters are all in different places this weekend as some drove or flew out to experience the eclipse. 

Laura, Susan, and I were in Ogden and kept going out every 20 minutes from 11:30 to 1:30 pm to see if the sun moved. Our experience was fun - though not spectacular. The moon took a bite out of one side, we assume the bottom middle - but clouds hid the sun for a half hour, and then a bite out of the other side.

Andrew (my son) said the sun was dimmed in North Carolina for a bit. Sharon in southern Texas (my sister) said the birds went nuts for the four minute episode. I would imagine they couldn't figure out why it was dark. Allen, Marie, Zach, and Adam saw the whole eclipse from the middle of Texas and were impressed.

We saw just a little bite out of the side of the sun.

Right in the middle of the eclipse from Ogden - just our luck

Enjoying the eclipse

Sharon and David Jr's grandmother

Zach, Adam, Allen, and Marie

Allen's shot of the moon and sun