Alfie Boe, Tom Brokaw and the Mormon Tabernacle choir!

Last night I got to go to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir concert with special guests: Alfie Boe and Tom Brokaw. It was by far my favorite one that I have been to. Alfie has the most amazing voice.
He sang Bring Him Home from Les Meserable. It was incredible. I think that should of been the last song cause then they jumped right into an upbeat song.

 

this is not from the concert from last night but I found him singing this song so you could hear it.

They told this story of Gail Halverson last night.

Operation Little Vittles

Gail Halvorsen in Berlin 1983

Shortly before landing at the Tempelhof airport in the American sector of Berlin, Halvorsen would drop candy attached to parachutes to children below. This action, which was dubbed Operation Little Vittles and sparked similar efforts by other crews, was the source of the popular name for the pilots: the candy bombers. Halvorsen had wanted to help raise the morale of the children during the time of uncertainty and privation.
Halvorsen started by giving a few treats to children watching the planes from outside the Tempelhof base. Wanting to give more, he promised to drop more candy from his plane the next day. Because the planes would arrive nearly every three minutes, the children naturally couldn't distinguish his aircraft from the others. However, Halvorsen promised to wiggle the wings to identify himself, which led to his nickname "Onkel Wackelflügel" ("Uncle Wiggly Wings"). The other American candy bombers became known as the Rosinenbombers (Raisin Bombers). Halvorsen's initiative drew the attention of the operation's commanding officer, Lieutenant General William H. Tunner, who approved of it and ordered it expanded into Operation Little Vittles.
The operation was soon noticed by the press and gained widespread attention. A wave of public support led to donations which enabled Halvorsen and his crew to drop 850 pounds of candy. By the end of the airlift, around 25 plane crews had dropped 23 tons of chocolate, chewing gum, and other candies over various places in Berlin. The Confectioners Association of America donated large amounts to the effort, and American school children cooperated in attaching the candies to parachutes. (taken from Wikipedia)

After telling his story and introducing him they dropped parachutes with candy from the ceiling. It was so cool to watch them come floating down. Tom Brokaw interviewed him up on stage. He is now 92 and still moving around without a problem. He was such a cute little old man. 

I went to the concert with My Aunt Leanna, Uncle Clark, Grandma Kay, cousin's: Melissa, Trevor, Tom and his wife Brooke. we were about ten rows back from the front. I have never sat down on the floor before. Elder Nelson was two rows in front of me and Elder Hales was two behind me.  Elder Oaks was in the same row as me. I have never been so near to so many apostles.

We got to go through the tunnels under the Conference center on carts. After we got back to where we had parked we were standing around talking to Elder Ballard and His wife. (Elder Ballard is my uncle Clark's dad). Elder Oaks and his wife were there also. Elder L. Tom Perry is the funniest man. We were all standing there and he tells the security guard at the desk that He should charge us rent if we stayed any longer. To which I replied I  was leaving cause I couldn't afford my own rent. When he walked past me he also playful hit me in the shoulder with his fist.  I am so glad my aunt had an extra ticket so that I could go.

Reed Gunnar Spjut

So on December 5th it has been twelve years since my grandpa Reed Gunnar Spjut died. I only knew him for six years as he and my grandma were married in 1994. Even though we were step grandkids he never made me feel as if I wasn't important to him. He loved just as he did his other grandkids. 

I remember one time we were down in Cowpuncher. Grandma and Grandpa were forest rangers down there every summer. We would go stay in this cabin there. I remember one year we were down there around my birthday. I had gotten the Nancy doll that would talk. I remember one morning while down there Grandpa had to go check the gates to make sure none of the cows would get out. It was just he and I (I of course was carrying my Nancy doll in a carrier I had gotten.) going down to check on the cows. I also remember that they always had Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream in their freezer as that was Grandpa's favorite ice cream. That is also my favorite ice cream and was very happy to have something in common with Grandpa. 

I remember at Christmas time he would always setup his train and we would just sit there and play with it. I remember it would start on one wall by the fire place and turn on to another wall and go around the Christmas Tree. 

I loved my Grandpa Reed. He was the Grandpa that I always wanted and needed. They lived in Salt Lake and so we would often be at their house. We were sealed to my Grandpa Reed after he had passed. I guess they always planned to do it but never got to it before he died. I am so thankful for the sealing power and that I get to have my Grandpa Reed be a part of my life forever. 

I know that now it has been twelve years and I am starting to forget what he looked like. But I will always remember that day in cowpuncher, how much he loved me and how much he loved my Grandma.

Below is his obituary. I was hoping there would be a picture with it also but no such luck. But it will be nice to have this so that I can always remember the man that he was. 

Reed Gunnar Spjut

 Our beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, Reed Gunnar Spjut, 72, passed away in his home December 5, 2000.

Born on Aug. 23, 1928 in Salt Lake City, Reed grad-uated from Granite High School. He served in the U.S. Army and Air Force, after which he obtained his B. S. degree in Geology from the U. of U. In March of 1954, Reed married his sweet-heart, Gloria Marie Lloyd in the Salt Lake Temple. He was employed by Skyline and Texas Eastern Oil Companies, retiring in 1986. A devout member of the LDS Church, Reed served as Scout Master for 11 years, Finance Clerk, Executive Secretary and second counselor in the bishopric. He was a volunteer at the VAMC Hospital Branch for eight years, where he was in the branch presidency. After Gloria's untimely death, Reed married Kay Bateman Ensign in October of 1994 in the Salt Lake Temple. During the six years of their marriage, they enjoyed working with the Forest Service on Boulder Mountain. At the time of his death, Reed was a Service Missionary in the Natural Resources Real Estate Division of the LDS Church.

Survived by his wife, Kay; children: Leanna Spjut Ballard (Clark) of Sandy; R. Erik Spjut (Karen) of Alta Loma, CA; Scott R. Spjut (Gina) of W. Bountiful; Stephanie Spjut Evans of West Valley City and 14 grandchildren; step-sons: Philip W. Ensign (Lisa) of Denver, CO; Craig A. Ensign (Belinda) of Highland; Michael D. Ensign (Christena) of Salt Lake City and six step-grandchildren who called Reed grandpa. Also survived by brothers: Raymond and Roy Spjut and sister, Norma Peterson. Preceded in death by parents, Gunnar E. and Esther Strand Spjut; wife, Gloria M. Spjut and granddaughter, Sara Ballard.

Funeral services will be Saturday, Dec. 9, 2000 at 11 a.m. at the Bonneville LDS Stake House, 1535 Bonneview Dr. Friends may call on Friday 6-8 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 So. Highland Dr. and on Sat. at the church 9:45-10:45 a.m., prior to services. Interment, Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.

His hand in all things!

so I have decided to recap everything that I have done this year. I thought it would be fitting to look back at everything I have done and see how the Savior was a part of each of them.

February- I was in my first car accident. I know that Heavenly Father was watching over me that day and helped keep me from being injuried seriously. I was also offered a full time position at my work.

March- I received my endowments. Just being able to go to the temple and complete the work for my family. Not only to I get to feel my Savior and Heavenly Fathers love but I get to complete the work my ancestors that I have found and it has more meaning to me.

May- I dislocated my knee while hiking. I was lucky to have priesthood holders with me who could give me a blessing of comfort. I also know that Heavenly Father and my Savior were aware of me and that it would be a stressful and anxious experience for me. Because of the blessing of comfort I was able to stay calm. I am also very lucky that i didn't break anything or have to have my knee reset.

June- There was an opening in the apartment that I live in now. Moving to Salt Lake (even though I never dreamed I would live up here) is where I have felt the most at home and not like I have to go home every weekend. I am happy and content. Heavenly Father knows everything that I need in my life before it happens. He loves and cares about every little part of my life.

If we take the time out of our busy lives to step back and look at everything that has happened in our lives then we can notice God's hand in every part of it. I am so thankful to be able to have His guidance in my life.

The Reason for the Season!

 The Reason for the Season

By: Lonestar

The shepherds are lit
A star in the sky
On the outskirts of town
A new baby cries
No room at the end
No crib to be found
Oh but look at him now

He is the reason for the season
He is the light that shines on our lives
The baby Jesus born in God's grace
So we all might rejoice on this day
He is the reason for the season

It is a time for presents and toys
Tales of Saint Nick
Tidings of joy
As we celebrate the miracle birth
Oh right here on this earth

He is the reason for the season
He is the light that shines on our lives
The baby Jesus born in God's grace
So we all might rejoice on this day
He is the reason for the season

He's the reason for the giving
The joy thats never ending
That comes on Christmas morning in the eyes of a child
It's what it means to me and you
That's the true meaning of this time
Oh this time

He is the
He is the reason for the season
He is the light that shines on our lives
The baby Jesus born in God's grace
So we all might rejoice on this day

He is the reason for the season
He is the light that shines on our lives
The baby Jesus born in God's grace
So we all might rejoice on this day
He is the reason for the season

The Savior truly is what Christmas is about. If you think about it "Christ" mas. It is the time to celebrate the Savior's birth. This Christmas season we really need to think about the true meaning of Christmas and not worry about what we are getting as gifts. This year I have asked my mom for two different pictures. One of Christ and one of the Mount Timpanogas Temple. The Savior really is the reason for this season. We need to center our lives on Christ.

 

Christmas!

I just love the holiday traditions that we have at our house. I love some of the old traditions and the new ones that we have picked up over time.
some of our many traditions are and how they came about:

1. Every year on Christmas eve we get to open our present from my Grandma Kay. We know what it is every time as it is what we have gotten every year. She always gives us a new pair of pajamas. We also usually get some sort of fuzzy warm socks. She has been doing this for as long as I can remember. I love it because by time Christmas comes around I could use a new pair.

2. Every year my mom gets us a new ornament. They usually have to do with something that we have done that year or a vacation that we went on. I remember one of the ornaments I got one year was a John Deere riding lawn mower. I had asked my parents to  get a riding lawn mower cause we had such a large yard and I hated to mow it. So that was the riding mower that I got. (They have since gotten a really size riding lawn mower, of course after I had left.)

3. A train around the Christmas tree. This tradition didn't start until my Grandma married my grandpa Reed. He always had a train around his tree every year. I would start on one side of the fire place, pass in front of it and then go around the tree. We loved that train. Once he passed away my grandma Kay bought a train.

I believe traditions are what connects families and makes the memories. I have been thinking about my Grandma Fran (5 years in November of this year) and my Grandpa Reed (12 years this December). They have both since passed on. But they  are part of many memories and traditions. I am so thankful that they were a part of my life. They truly have had an impacted on my life and made me a better person.

Frances Elaine Urbanik Potter