Heaven Bound

Generous to a fault

Anxiously engaged in a good work

Tender hearted

Heaven bound come hell or high water

And she's my Mom.

kv

 

The Arlo Vance Family today

Sorry, Mom, I thought it would be fun to give you antlers, and I thought there was one without. If there is one, I can't find it. If Larry has one without antlers, perhaps he can add it.

I never thought of Donnie as the caboose before.

I think that Bonnie's wolf is looking for something to eat!

I love being with my family!

Uncle Richard's Girls

In response to a recent article on our BLOG called Vanishing Treasures, we have been given a wonderful opportunity to become acquainted with more of our family. Samantha Vance read the article and realized that she is related to us. Samantha is one of Uncle Richard's daughters. She gave me permission to post her picture on our BLOG in hopes that we would get a chance to know her better. She really didn't get to know her father very well because he died when she was a little girl. Samantha's mother remembers talking with our mother, Gatha many years ago. Her mother remembers going out to Colorado for funeral of one of her dad's brothers, she thinks it was Earl's funeral.


Samantha has two children, Kaiden Richard Vance named after his grandfather, and Natasha Jeanne who is is three years old.

Samantha's older sister is Angela. Angela is married and has three children, Daniel age eleven, Makenzie age four, and Elizabeth age three. Her little sister is married and has two step children and two of her own. Her children are Kiley age ten, Brendon age four, Salina age nine & Sasha age two.

Samantha sent two pictures one below is of Samantha's younger sister, Barbara, and her family. The picture below is of Samantha's children and all her nieces and nephews.

I have invited Samantha to join us as an author on our BLOG. I am hoping that she will tell us more about herself, her sisters, and their families.

When I wrote the article, Vanishing Treasures, I never dreamt that sharing my feelings would bring me in contact with people so closely related to us. I can look at the two pictures above and see the family resemblence. I am grateful that they have been willing to share with us and am very anxious to pull them into the family circle.

Remembering Mission

I have a history of Arlo and this is part of it: On April 2, 1981 he went to Denver for his first heart by-pass operation after accepting a call to serve a mission with Gatha. He needed to prepare himself physically to go. After 2 more operations and time to recuperate he was ready to go.

Heavenly Father called them to serve in the Holbrook, Arizona Mission. They were to report on September 29, 1982, to the Mission Training Center in Provo, Utah.
While serving their Heavenly Father for twelve months, Gatha and Arlo were able to grow spiritually, see the power of the Priesthood and the Spirit of the Lord in action. They developed a love for the Lamanites (Indians). Their love for each other grew very much during these times. They had fun times too. The Indian children loved to rub his bald head. He said at one time, “If you want your head shined go on a mission.” Another time he locked Gatha in the bathroom, turned on the hot water in the kitchen while Gatha was showering, giving her a cold shower. He had a good sense of humor.

I remember the time the kids and I went to pick up Arlo and Gatha in Zuni, New Mexico from their mission. It was a special time for us. We were able to see the trailer and the church in Zuni. We were able to go to a special meeting at the mission home where they cut Grandpa's necktie and a lock of Grandma's hair at the end of their mission. I also remember when Don and I took Arlo and Gatha to the mission home and able to attend a meeting there to say 'good-bye'. I knew after that meeting that is was a special place for them to be. The spirit was really strong. When I took Danette to the mission home I knew from this time that she was going to be in a special place.

Beaus

Gatha was young as was Arlo,
But her heart she did follow.
She was wed at seventeen.
They had times very lean.
Look now at the generations grow!

Honeymoon Hotel

This is many years after the event, but this is a picture of the cabin next to the Conjos River just below the Dunn family cabin. This structure is now gone, but this is where Arlo and Gatha spent their honeymoon.



Dad told us about the night they spent in the cabin and the noises they heard during the night. He claimed that it sounded like a woman screaming. In the morning there were cougar tracks on and around the cabin.

Hands tell us so much

I loved to study my father's hands. They were unlike any other hands I have ever seen. They were covered with freckles and they were cracked from the work he did and most of the times they were stained. The grease and oil from the garage was ground into the cracks of his skin and for many years, they were stained yellow from his tobacco usage. I feared those hands when I misbehaved as a child, but as I matured, I was fascinated by his ability to turn a wrench in the most awkward of places. He loved to work wood and in his later years, he often stood in sawdust as his hands fashioned frames and toys from the wood.

This last year, Betty and I have had a rare opportunity. We have been learning to talk to a dear friend, Mattie, who is hearing impaired. Her hands gracefully move as she forms the words and thoughts she wants to convey. She has been patient with us as she has helped us learn how to form words, and phrases and sentences. We have learned to say simple prayers and express affection.

In church, we watch as the talks and hymns are interpreted from vocal expressions to graceful poetic manual ballet. We can't understand it all, but slowly we are beginning to learn. We don't have to understand every word to appreciate sign language. We do understand enough to get the general idea.

Another pair of hands that I love to watch are my sweetheart's. They are beautiful to me. I see her use her hands as she creates beautiful cards for friends on special occasions. I watch as she does the many things around our home and am grateful for the things she does. Her hands are dainty, but are beginning to show signs of aging. Her wedding rings no longer fit comfortably over her arthritic knuckles, and they don't open jars as easily as once they did. Her hands tell me that she loves me by the things that she does.

What I do with my hands also relays a message to those I love. I make a living for our family with my hands and there are times that they ache from over use, yet I feel a need to continue to use them to express the feelings of my heart. I love my family and find that I can use my hands to tell them so. I can also use my hands help Betty with her household chores, or I can while my time away putzing around on the Internet. I need to be careful about how I use my hands and how I use my time.

I went through my pictures looking images of people's hands. I believe that the ones that said the most to me were the one of Larry and Jeanette's hands when they were married, and this one. These are the hands of my Mother and my Father. Their hands in this photo symbolize unity and love and caring. I pray that I can keep my hands busy, keep them clean, and keep them ready to serve my family for the rest of my days. I hope that my hands will tell my loved ones the things that I would want them to say.

Our Last Year in Romeo

We moved into the Paul weddington house. It was on the northeast corner of the block that Shirley Sorenson lived in. We lived there until two months after I was married. This letter was written when Dad was moving from that house that is explained in the letter. The only house that I lived in, in the town of Romeo, is the house that I just described. That is where we lived when Nona and Moine and Arlo and I dated. We were together most of the time as we courted.

One day when we lived there, someone came into my class room at school and said "Gatha, your house is on fire". I jumped over a desk and ran as fast as I could to the house and Barbara had ironed a dress to wear to school and left the iron on. It burned a hole in the ironing boar and was starting to burn the floor. We got there in time to put the fire out.

There was always something going on. Life was not easy without a mom. When I have heard people complain about their moms I would say, "I'll trade you places.

Special Day for you know who...

Here is the birthday gal before arrival of guests!



See the lovely flowers. A corsage from the Vances in Texas and an arrangement from the Vances in Colorado. They were great! The Cake from the family in Washington Fields.

It was a special time to honor a special person! Grandma Gatha had a special afternoon with many family and friends coming by sharing cake and showing love. It was a time to let her know that many love her, even those who were not there physically, but in spirit. Thanks to all, especially thanks to Grandma for her special example and love shared to others.

Why I am what I am

I love life
I love my Savior
I love my family
(My children, their mates, grandchildren
their mates, great grandchildren)
I love each of my children's mates. Gloria,
Betty, Emery, and Jeanette, are choice mates
for my children, and parents for my grandchildren.
I love my parents
I want to be with them forever
I am thankful for my temple sealings. and
the temple sealings of my children.
These things are very precious to me.
I know that God lives and that the laws and
ordinances that are given in the scriptures
are to help us to be happy.
I have never at any time felt disappointed with any
of my family, I don't disapprove of any of you.
I want all of you to be happy.
I believe that the Lord blessed me with great family,
I love everyone of those who are a part of my family.
I am thankful that the Lord gave us agency, so we
can choose what we will be. That is a great blessing.
I am thankful to be an American.
I am thankful for my home.
I have loved our family reunions.
I love my grandchildren, from Marcy to Eric
I love my great grandchildren, from Matthew to little Luke.
I hope that when I meet my parents again that they will
be as pleased with all of us as I am pleased to have each of
my family.
I would like it if I lived close enough to each of you to get
to know each child better than I do.
I loved it when Marcy, Danette, Cory, and the
older grandchildren would see me and come and hug me.
I want every person in my family to know of the love I feel
for each of you.
My family is my joy.
I am a child of God, a child of royal birth. So are each of you.

The most wonderful feeling

As we drove to Manassa this morning, my head was flooded with memories. I was feeling anxious about the funeral. There were members of my family that I hadn't seen for over three decades. I took my camera today thinking that I would have some pictures to post to the blog when we got home. If the success of the trip were measured by the number and quality of pictures taken, it would have to be considered a failure.

As we arrived at the Church house in Manassa, the parking lot was almost empty. I felt encouraged when I recognized Don and Gloria's PT cruiser. We parked by them and went into the building. It was empty except for the organist who was taking advantage of a few minutes to practice before everyone came. We were asked by a kind gentle man if we were going to the mortuary for the final viewing. We decided to follow him and his wife to the Mortuary that was just a block away.

The crowd on the porch of the building was promising. I could see my sister in law, Gloria, my brother, Don, my sister, Bonnie, and Mom. They greeted us warmly and we all went in to meet Aunt Mike's family. Each of them was so kind and warm. They were grieving, but they were gracious and thinking of others.

The funeral was uplifting and inspiring. Tears were shed as family members shared poetry, memories and testimonies. Those participating in the program shared their love for a wonderful woman who had taught them by the life she lived. Her grandson reminded us that just as there would be a reunion of family after the funeral, there would be a reunion on the other side with family that had been separated for years. I have never had a more effective lesson on Heavenly Father's plan of happiness.

When we returned to the chapel after the grave side service, I had another lesson on what is important. My camera sat on the table as I visited with my cousins, their children and their other cousins who had also come to bid farewell to a common loved one. The people in that room, were all one family linked by our love of Aunt Mike. To me, there is no feeling more wonderful than feeling I belong to a family. That feeling cannot be photographed, but today it's keeping me warm. Tomorrow it will be engraved in my heart.

It Was Fun Camping

Here is Becky with the calves and Becky and Jason playing in the Assay Creek by where we went camping with Grandma Gatha. It was a nice

place to camp if you don't mind the traffic which we could hear going up and down the highway, but not near us, as well as the leftovers from the cows! We did have fun. Jason enjoyed fishing, even with no bait, and fishing with his Grandpa Don. There were no other campers around us when we set up camp but one when we left.

Camp out

A week ago I went with Don, Gloria, Jason and Becky, camping. We went to a place near Hatch. A river ran by our camp. I hadn't camped for many years. I really enjoyed the experience. Don and Gloria have good camp equipment. They have an eight man tent with good cots and sleeping bags. It was fun to be there with Jason and Becky.

Becky entertained a herd of young cows. They were interested in her and followed her to camp. She and Jason fed the chipmunks and a baby bird that just fell out of the nest was hopping on the ground. Becky was thrilled about it and followed it. It was nearly dark and we had to go back to camp, but the next morning, the bird was gone.

Jason went fishing with Don. Each of them caught 2 fish. They really tasted good. That was enjoyable.

When I was a kid

Sundays were structured differently years ago. When we went to church, it was an all day affair. Priesthood and Sunday School were in the morning, then we went home for lunch. Sacrament Meeting was later in the afternoon. Meetings like Primary, Mutual, and Relief Society were held on a different day of the week. I remember one Sunday, Grandpa Dunn passed out in sacrament meeting. All of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren got up and left with him. It was quite a crowd.

Occasionally on Sunday, we would go and visit relatives. One of those visits was to my Aunt Betty's house. Dad and Uncle Harold would hunt and fish together. Harold always had new equipment but their home was very modest. It had concrete floors with no covering. You entered the house through the kitchen and there were two bedrooms. The master bedroom and the kid's' bedroom. The living room was a long narrow room that doubled as a bedroom. I think it was there that I was exposed to our first television programming. We would watch the Loretta Young Show, The Grey Ghost, The invisible man, and when the test pattern came up, it was time for us to go home.

Some Sundays, we loaded up the car and headed for the mountains. Sometimes we went fishing. Sometimes we went for a pic nic, sometimes, we just went riding. We would sing songs and play games. Found a Peanut was a regular and so was Old McDougal's Ford.

Dad loved pulling pranks on us as children. He told us to watch for the Indian, Falling Rocks, and would point out the signs that warn to watch for falling rocks. He also told us that there was a rock in the Conejos River that had ice on it all year long. Actually the rock had an advertisement for block ice painted on it. Environmentalists have since pushed to have the paint removed from the rock.

Sunday Dinners were also an important tradition. When Mom cut up a chicken, we each had our "assigned" pieces. We each had assigned seats. Dad was at the head and Mom at the other end of the table. We always began with a blessing on the food. Once in a while, Dad would ask the blessing, "Over the teeth and through the gums. Look out stomach here it comes!". All of us but Mom found it amusing. We laughed and talked and enjoyed each other's company.

Those times we spent together made us strong as a family. We bonded, and we learned about each other.

I still enjoy Sundays. They are a time for worship and prepare for the coming week. I really miss the family activities. We are so far from each other.

My Prize

We spent a couple weeks in Utah last month. We had the opportunity to spend some time with my mother. She bought a new computer and I was compelled to use it while there to keep up on my blogging habit. In the craft/sewing/laundry/storage room that contained the computer was a collection of frames and pictures that were being prepared for the family reunion that was the coming week. There was one needlepoint that was to be mounted and framed. My mother asked me if I would help her with mounting it. I was not very helpful. The time there managed to expire before it was mounted. Mom wanted to mount the needlepoint using tape. I told her that it would not work well and that something mechanical would be much better. She sewed an extension on the needlepoint and stretched it around the back of the mounting board.

Before the work of art was mounted, I noted to Jeanette the nice appearance of both sides of the needlepoint.

We stuffed bags, ate out, looked at historical sites, and many other things.



The family congregated at the cabin that mom arranged to get for our use in Pine Valley. Those that attended the reunion were given the opportunity to earn storebucks for the family store. I earned enough to buy the needlepoint.

Now I need to find a nice place to hang my prize. I think it is beautiful.

Family Photos (ca. 1956)

Thanks to Bonnie Lynn Olsen for sharing this image.

Reunion starts with a temple visit

For a long time, Mom (Gatha) has wanted all of her family to go to the temple together. We did that on Thursday, June 12. Mom was pleased to have us all together.

In the photo to the right are Larry and Jeanette Vance, Emery and Bonnie Olsen, Betty and Kent Vance, Donnie and Gloria Vance and seated is Gatha Wilson

The Reunion

We were fortunate to have some time to spend together in Pine Valley, Utah. Momma Gatha has a friend that owns this fine place we stayed for a couple days. We gathered and conversed.



We worked in the projects for the reunion that have been proceeding for the past few months.



We then began to have some fun. We played games -- like this redneck horseshoe game. Balls on a rope were hurled at a stand with three rungs. The lower rung scores three, the middle two, and the top but one. Here Emery shows off his style.



And here is Bonnie holding her cache of blue balls waiting her turn.



We had a jumping good time.



Sometimes I even surprise myself.



Shandi says, "What are you thinking?"



Monica just is happy to be here.



And then there is the good looking brother, Kent.



We enjoyed watching some skits.



Some are less inclined to be photographed.



With some coercion I was able to see most of her face.



Now she thinks it is funny.



And then we see. It was our beautiful Danette. Why be camera shy?



Someone scores a ringer.



YUP, it was me.



Story time.



We had a birthday party. Here Katee is toting her bag on her shoulder.



The store was kept for last. There was a merit system, where each participant was allowed to earn redneck bucks to spend at the store. Here are the hoards descending on the booty.



Aubrey followed her mothers queue of being a bit reluctant to put on her best for a photograph.



But her grandpa, Don, was there at his best.



Then we packed and ...



Said goodbye.