Illinois, Mentors Gala, Bible Reading, Thanksgiving Visitors

Dear Family,

November was truly a month to give thanks. We started the month with a quick trip to Illinois to check on Bruce’s dad and set up hospice care. I must admit it is a little disheartening to watch the physical and mental decline of someone you love, but we’re grateful that he has ‘round-the-clock care that keeps him as comfortable as possible. When you’re “young” (less than 60) you somehow think it will never happen to you, but now the inevitability of aging is front and center. Every stiff joint after sitting for a while, every bruise or cut on easily-breached thin skin, every ache in the neck seems to portend the downward slide. Sigh….And yet—we are grateful for being able to come and do and see and think and breathe without much thought.


The next weekend we enjoyed the company of family members who accompanied us to the Mentors International gala. As we chatted during the event, I was reminded anew what great people we are blessed to have as family! Gene and Tanya, Patti, Carole, Susan and Curt as well as David and Megumi gave us their time and attention, and even though it wasn’t long enough to satisfy all of my desires for a good catch-up session with everyone, it was enough to take the edge off of my longing. We’re sure looking forward to the get-together in Summer 2015!

The Monday before Thanksgiving, Bruce was invited to participate in a Bible Reading at the state capital. Salt Lake City had been named as the National Bible City of 2013 by the National Bible Association (a little different “NBA” group!), and their yearly gathering was here. They invited the governor and a dozen business, sports, community, ecclesiastical and rabbinical leaders to choose and read aloud 15-20 verses from the Bible. Bruce chose Isaiah 2:2-5 about the mountain of the Lord’s house being established in the tops of the mountains, and Luke 8:41-56 detailing demonstrations of Jesus’ compassion and power as he raised the daughter of Jairus from her deathbed and the story-within-a-story of the healing of the woman with an issue of blood when she touched the hem of his garment. The rotunda echoed magnificently as each person read, but the pièce de résistance was the Jewish cantor with an amazing range who sang the “Aaronic Blessing” at the end of the program. The most interesting person to me was a black fellow who shared his scriptures as a member of the board of trustees for the organization, because I found out after the readings that he is a stake president in Cherry Hill, NJ and has been an area director for Church public affairs for some years, handling all the connections with the UN in NY!

Thanksgiving was truly a time to give thanks. We were delighted to have Olesia, Chris and their two little girls (Sara, 5 and Jenna, 1) with us for the long weekend. David and Megumi and family came up for the day as well, and it was truly a feast of food and family and fun. Thank you each for coming and sharing your good spirit with us.

We are also grateful for each of you and how you are faithful spouses, loving parents and dedicated servants of the Lord wherever you live. I know Grandpa Barrus would be so pleased with all the good you are doing, and he would say, “The only way to be truly happy is to live the gospel of Jesus Christ with full purpose of heart.” We echo his testimony and send our love to each and all of you!

(Aunt) Jean & (Uncle) Bruce