"Trip in new camper"

Trip In New Camper

Today I spent a few hours during the Super Bowl scanning some pictures into the computer.  The first pictures I came upon were of our family vacation in our new motor home.  On the back of each picture, in my mom's handwriting, it says who's in the picture and then it says, "trip in new camper 1969."

I think that Cami and I were in a dance recital at the onset of the trip.  We were in a dance class together and our costumes were striped jump suits.  Our classes were on the corner of Highland Drive and 6200 South, across the street from The Store.  There was a dairy there for a while that we used to drive up to and pick up our milk and butter.  It came in glass bottles with thin cardboard tops.  We tore off the tops and fought over the "glug, glug."  That was when the milk first started pouring out of the jug.  It made the sound of "glug, glug."

Kathy, Cami and Jared Burton with Kent Perry 1969
Dance Recital

Kathy and Cami Burton as lobsters at their dance recital 1969.

In the dance recital Cami and I were both lobsters.  Mom took a lot of pictures of us and Jared was there running around with Kent Perry, his childhood friend.

Kathy and Cami as lobsters at Big River Arizona 1969

The reason I think this event started the road trip in the camper is that we're in the same jumpsuits at Big River, Arizona.  We're standing under a palm tree.

Kathy Burton at the Petrified Forest Arizona
"Which is the Jewel?"

 Kathy at the Petrified Forest.  The caption on the back reads "Which one is the jewel? trip in new camper 1969.

Jared and Kathy Burton at the Petrified Forest 1969
"trip in new camper"

We drove through Arizona and up the California coast all the way to Canada.  I remember driving through California and seeing the Golden Gate Bridge. Helen was asleep. The ocean was beautiful and it was memorable to camp near it.

We took the ferry to Vancouver Island.  I still remember how forested it was and damp with humidity.  10 people, in a relatively small motor home by today's standards, must have taken its toll on us now and then. In Portland I remember mom getting somewhat upset about making sandwiches.  My young mind didn't really grasp all that was happening.  I was just really happy to be with my family for so long and going so far from home.

I remember Julie teaching me to sing "Kumbay ya" and Craig doing card tricks.

Helen, Kathy, Jared Burton on "trip in new camper 1969"

L to R Helen, Cami, Mom  Kathy, Jared, Craig, Jan Burton up on top, I think.
"trip in new camper 1969

Pacific Ocean "trip in new camper 1969"

Mendocino California
Jared and Cami Burton 1969
(Notice the curlers in Cami's hair.  That's how I remember sleeping every night of my early years.)

Burton kids in Pacific Ocean 1969

Sausalito California
Cami, Liz, Kathy, Jared
Trip in new camper 1969

I'm so glad we went on this "trip in new camper 1969.  I'm glad there are pictures to remember it by.  It defined what I thought of my family, of the world around me and of nature.

Elizabeth Cleopatra Bellows Plumb

Merlin Plumb and Elizabeth Cleopatra Bellows Plumb

This is a personal history of my ancestor Elizabeth Cleopatra Bellows Plumb
It was originally written by Emma McDowell Jacobsen and submitted to the DUP

Elizabeth was born 8 September 1828 in Illinois.  Her folks lived in both Wayne and Jefferson counties, children being born in both counties.  She was the daughter of Judith Abigail Hopper and James Bellows.  Her folks were early converts to the church.  They knew the Prophet Joseph Smith very well, having personal interviews with him.

The family went to Nauvoo in the fall of 1843, her brother John had built a home for them in Carthage, also having planted grain, the year before.  They joined John in 1844.  This year, Elizabeth Cleopatra was baptized a member of the church in 1844. While living in Carthage, her father went back with three other men, to Morley settlement to try and rescue some of their livestock which the mob had driven away or stolen.  While there her father was poisoned and died.

While her father, James Bellows was in Morley settlement, the mob came to their home in Carthage, burned their home and all of its contents, robbed her mother of 2 cows, team, oxen and forced the family to flee to Nauvoo.  This left the family destitute, having robbed the family of more than $1200.  They were persecuted and suffered very much.

The winter, after their father was murdered, their brother supported his mother and sisters.  Their food was mostly corn bread and potatoes without even a little salt.  Some histories say the four girls left with their mother for Utah in the spring of 1846.  Nevertheless, I find John F. Bellows worked for two years before his sister is mentioned again.  Here I find John F. Bellows works to get enough money to follow the family to Utah going back from Missouri to Council Bluffs and settling on Kegs Creek where he met the Plumb family and married Marilla Plumb.

The saints were driven and redriven back and forth in these early days.  I find Elizabeth Cleoptatra Bellows married Merlin Plumb.  Merlin Plumb was the brother to Marilla Plumb who John F. Bellows met and married.  Elizabeth and Merlin's first child is born, A.I. Plumb in 1844 in Ohio.  If this is correct, Eliabeth Cleopatra would have been married when about 15 years old and staying and not coming with her mother and sisters but with the Plumb family in 1850.  Their first child isn't mentioned again but their second child, John Henry Plumb is born in Kegs Creek, 27 November 1848 shortly after her brother, John F. Bellows and Marilla Plumb are married.

They lived here until the spring of 1850.  In June of 1850 the family, Sarah (Sally) Plumb, mother-in-law to Elizabeth Cleopatra, her husband Merlin Plumb, their child John Henry, John F. Bellows and his wife, Marilla Plumb Bellows and their baby James Merlin, come to Utah in the Stephen Markham company.  They arrived in Salt Lake on 1 October 1850.

In October, this family was going south to Payson, stopping in Provo for the night and during the night the son of John F. and Marilla Bellows, James Merlin Bellows died and was buried on the banks of the Provo river.  I do not know how long they stayed in Provo but Elizabeth's third child was born here, Jeremiah Bellows Plumb.  He was born 29 November 1850.  The mother, Elizabeth Cleopatra, was pregnant when they left their home in the east and made the long trek to Utah.

In the Payson First Ward records, I find that she gives her first baptism date as 1844 by Elder Aaron York.  She was again baptized in Payson in 1851 and again in 1854.  The Bellows and Plumb families seemed to stay together in Payson until 1860 when Elizabeth Cleopatra and family moved to Pond Town, now Salem, Utah.

Eleven children were born to her.  Merlin J. Plumb on 2 May1852; Elizabeth Ellen 17 November 1855; Martha Jane 14 October 1857; Eripharate (Euphrates) 9 February 1860 and all of these children were born in Payson.  Also most of them were baptized in Payson and are on the First Ward records.  Those born in Salem, Utah are Owen S, 1860; Charles Riley, 23 March 1863; Sarah Judith, 7 July 1866 and Mary Marilla, 5 October 1869.

I have the second child of Elizabeth Cleopatra born at Keg's Creek, Pottawattamie, Iowa.  He married first, Eveline Madora Curtis who died 15 May 1930; Jeremiah Bellows Plumb married Sarah Jane Shields 24 January 1870, died December 1870; Merlin J. Plumb died August 1922; Charles Riley married Mary Wilkinson Smith, 8 March 1888.

I have not been able to find more about Elizabeth Cleopatra but Marilla Leetham tells me the family moved to the Dixie country when she was a girl living in Provo,  The Plumb children came to Provo to attend school.  They lived kitty corner across the street from her in the old home.  She said that they were her cousins and they came more than one winter.  Many of this family moved to Arizona, but I can't find any death for Merlin or Elizabeth Cleopatra.  She gives her birth place as Jacksonville, Green, Illinois.  Several have told me Merlin and his wife moved to Arizona where they lived and both died there.

Emma McDowell Jacobson

Sources of Information
Bellows Histories
Payson First Ward Records
Marilla Leetham Jacobson; Minnie Leetham Lapreaze; nieces
Elizabeth and Merlin Bellows Plumb.

George Ransom Burton Family

This is a picture of Maud Burton in 1926.  She's my father's mother.

Maud Smith is tying Eva Castleton's shoe.

Maud Smith and George Ransom Burton at their 50th wedding anniversary. They are holding their hats the same way they did when they were dating 50 years before in the inset picture.

I went to see my dad today.  He's really sick.  He has a brain tumor and a broken hip.  Being 80 will do that to some people.

When I was a little girl I always got sick.  He brought me tapioca pudding.  I didn't like it but he convinced me that it had healing powers.  So I ate it.

I listened to his worries and frustrations today and tried to have patience when he said weird things. It was obvious he was lonely and depressed.

Once I ran into my bedroom crying because of problems with friends or boys. I don't remember. He came and sat down and listened to me cry and tried to help me sort out my weird, hurt ideas.

I find it difficult to like him.  He did things that hurt me and those I love.

When I was a teenager my dad let me drive his car.  I was stupid and let my boyfriend drive,  He didn't see a cement post and ran the new Subaru right up onto it.  It wasn't pretty.  I didn't have to pay for the repairs.

I saw him kick my mom in the face.  Then he made her go to church and tell a lie about why she had a black eye.

Whenever I hear the poem Hiawatha I think of getting scared of thunder and climbing into my parent's bed.  My dad had that poem memorized and he recited it to me to calm my nerves.

When I was sixteen I was cold and climbed in a motel bed with my parents to get warm while I waited for one of my 7 siblings to finish in the only shower.  My dad tried to take off my swimming suit.

I haven't seen or talked to my dad for 7 or 8 years.  I didn't want my children to be around him.  I hated him.

But I went to see my dad today.  He's really sick.  He has a brain tumor and a broken hip.  Being 80 will do that to some people.

I have been asked to speak on Strengthening Home and Family through Uplifting Music.

Elder Nelson, speaking in General Conference in December, 2009 said that:

Complete conversion is the key to our experiencing God’s greatest blessings. In the Doctrine and Covenants, we read this expression from the Lord: “For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads” (D&C 25:12).

I would like to speak about how uplifting music, throughout my life, has lead to my conversion and in doing so has strengthened my home and family.

My hope is that as I share a few personal experiences about uplifting music, the Holy Ghost can bring to your mind similar experiences you've had. I hope we can all be reminded how the Lord has delighted in our songs of the heart and used uplifting music to bless us. In this way we can see how much uplifting music has strengthened and will strengthen our homes and families.

As a young girl I remember singing the song, “Give Said the Little Stream.” We must have been preparing for a primary program. I was a wiggly 4-year old but I remember that as we sang that song over and over my mind became aware of the children around me. I felt the stirrings of love for all the children in the room as we sang.

Give said the little stream

As it hurried down the hill

I'm small I know but wherever I go

The grass grows greener still

In primary we sang other songs that strengthened my testimony like “Book of Mormon Stories” and “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus”

Scenes by the wayside

Tales of the Sea,

Stories of Jesus,

Tell them to me.

After singing this song I wanted to know all the stories of Jesus. I wanted to know what these fascinating tales of the sea were. My testimony of the Savior grew when I learned about His life.

Then when I approached adulthood, I found myself alone in church. I come from a family of ten so it was unusual to be alone at church. I sat near the back and during the sacrament, we sang “There Is A Green Hill Far Away.” The light was streaming through the window and I felt a very personal experience. I felt overwhelmed by the love of God. I knew the church was true.

Oh, dearly, dearly has he loved and we must love him too.

And trust in His redeeming blood and try his works to do.

I'm sure that many of you can think of times this has happened to you and I hope you will think of them now and we can all testify of the wonderful things the Lord has done for us through uplifting music.

I am not an accomplished musician. I took violin for years and the piano. I can plunk out a tune but it doesn't come naturally to me and I have to work hard to make anything sound very good. But I was in an orchestra in school for many years and so I enjoy classical music and enjoy it's musical quality.

As a young mother I enjoyed the popular music of the day, but when my older children were young and my two year old sang a song we listened to daily at the top of her lungs during the sacrament, I knew that I needed to change and have worshipful music in my home.

At about this time, I was invited to be in a ward choir. I was reluctant and didn't want to be bothered with choir on Sunday mornings. My big sister was the chorister, though and I really had no choice. The choir members were patient with me. They helped me understand how to read choral music and how to find the notes. About this same time it became apparent that I would not be able to bear any more children of my own. I had had two children and my body couldn't bear any more. I understood through faith, fasting, prayer, temple attendance, doing family history and priesthood blessings that I would have to find my children.

In 1993 my husband and I found ourselves in a barracks turned hotel in a town in faraway Russia. We were on our way to an orphanage to meet the child that might become ours. The town had no churches and was in frozen Siberia. One afternoon, we read a verse of scripture together in Isaiah that touched us.

It's found in Isaiah 54:1

Sing, O ^bbarren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the Lord.

After reading this verse I knew that Heavenly Father would hear our prayers. This scripture was a reassurance that he was aware of us and had a plan for us. He loved me so much he sent Daria to be in our family. Her life makes me want to break forth into singing. She has been so blessed and has blessed us so much. Recently, as my mother passed away, Daria held her hand and sang songs of the Savior to soothe her passing.

“I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me.

Confused at the grace that so fully he profers me.

I tremble to know that for me he was crucified.

That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died.”

Soon after Daria's adoption, we brought our son home from Mexico. At this time, I was still singing in the same ward choir. It was Christmastime and we sang about the baby Jesus. Many mothers know that the feelings of having a new child are at times tuned to the love Mary had for her baby Jesus. Our son had had no home and nowhere to lay his head. He also had to be brought to another country to be safe and cared for much like Jesus' family escaped Israel. Through these events I know that the stories of Jesus are true. My testimony grew and it strengthened my home and family to know that Jesus was born on this earth and lived and died here. He is our great creator and He gave his life for us.

So, because of all of these experiences I have a strong testimony of the importance of singing in the ward choir. Just like with everything else the Lord does for us. If we put forth a little effort, we are blessed beyond measure and the song of the righteous is answered with blessings on our heads.

Through miraculous events I was able to bear another child. While I was pregnant with her I took voice lessons and sang love songs and lullabies. The words to one of the songs I sang are

As I have loved you, love one another.

This new commandment. Love one another.

While I sang I understood the love Heavenly Father has for families. He loves all people everywhere. He provides a way for us to be together in families, even though it may seem impossible.

Now I participate in our ward choir. Just last month we sang “Come, Come, Ye Saints” Sister Ballard bore her testimony that that is the song that brings her along in times of discouragement or sorrow. We sang the song over and over. It was a complicated arrangement and needed lots of repetition. My daughters are in choir and they sang the hymn in ward choir. Last week, one daughter said that during the week, she was feeling lost and lonely. She felt that things she had done were too bad to be forgiven. She didn't feel love from her family or from Heavenly Father. She felt that she was losing her testimony. As she cried, the words to the hymn “Come, Come, Ye Saints” came to her mind.

Though hard to you this journey may appear,

Grace shall be, as your day...

All is well. All is well.

She said she felt an overwhelming love from Heavenly Father as these words came to her mind. She knew that her family loved her and that the church was true. I am grateful for sister Ballard and for ward choir. It lifts and strengthens home and family.

Like I said, I have to work really hard musically. It doesn't come easily to me but because of my faithful attendance at ward choir I have been blessed with a few experiences that have brought me to a to what I believe is a change of heart.

When the Mount Timpanogas temple was being built I was in the choir at the dedication. The prophet and a few people were in the celestial room when we sang but as we sang I know there were more people there than just the few people in that room.

My testimony grew while I sang in the temple I know that angels in heaven rejoice with gladness over temples.

A few years ago I had an experience that will change the way I sing forever. I was asked to sing in a Relief Society choir with a few other wonderful sisters from this ward. We sang for the general Relief Society meeting. As I entered the room where all of the women in the choir were seated, I was astounded by the number of women and the sound of their voices. Our director was full of life and a testimony of Christ. We began to sing. She was not happy. She videotaped us and showed us what we looked like. Our faces were stoic and unexpressive. She pointed out that we were not happy. It was true. I found it difficult to sing with feeling. It took several weeks but my face began to show emotion. The songs I sang began to be a prayer to the Lord.

Savior, may I learn to love thee,

walk the path that thou hast shown.

Pause to help and lift another,

finding strength beyond my own.

Savior, may I learn to love thee.

Lord, I would follow thee.

With practice my heart began to soften. As we sang, I learned to love those who had wronged me. I didn't only learn to forgive them for their wrongdoings but I understood that I had wrongdoings that had hurt others. I wanted to repent. I began to repent faithfully and sincerely. As I did so, my weaknesses were made known to me and I continued to repent and ask Heavenly Father to make my weaknesses strengths. I also began to have a desire to serve those who had offended me. I wanted to point out their good qualities and give them words of encouragement along the way. While participating in uplifting music, I felt what I think is called a change of heart. The words to Amazing Grace say it best.

I once was lost but now am found.

Was blind, but now I see.

Singing in this choir helped me have a little better understanding of the stories of Jesus, of his Atoning sacrifice. That has blessed my home and family as I have taught repentance and forgiveness to my children and acquaintances.

I know that what Elder Nelson said in conference in 2009 is true. Again I quote:

Complete conversion is the key to our experiencing God’s greatest blessings. In the Doctrine and Covenants, we read this expression from the Lord: “For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads” (D&C 25:12).

I testify that the Savior loves us. He can heal every broken heart. Through the song of the righteous He will mend wounds. I know that through music our homes and families can and will be strengthened. I hope that the Holy Ghost has whispered to your heart that you have had similar experiences with uplifting music. I'm sure it has healed and blessed your lives and that you will share these feelings with your classes and with your families. I know that the song of the righteous is a prayer to the Lord and I thank him for answering mine and blessing me and my family through uplifting music.

In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

March 1 2010

My Change of Heart or Is This What the Fruit Tastes Like?

For many years I have had a desire to heal from the effects of abuse and neglect that plagued my family during my early years. I heard talks on forgiveness and repentance and didn't understand how those concepts could heal me.  As shattered lives and difficult relationships become worsened because of the selfish acts of others, I yearned for healing.

Because of difficult years in my early youth I had become hard and angry.  I could see that my attitude was not helping me become who I wanted to be. I wanted to be a peacemaker and find joy in life. I wanted to enjoy the blessings of being a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and I felt something was missing.

My relationships with others continued to worsen as I found fault in others. In my mind, no one was ever good enough. I knew people who were trying to live the gospel standards and would fall short. I could see mistakes people made and their mistakes frustrated me. I was miserable.

Late at night as I stayed up praying to God for some relief of my frustrations, I read and pondered the scriptures. I felt the Lord was telling me to repent.  I read 2 Nephi 30:2.  This and many other references to repentance seemed to be instructing me.  But I wasn't the one with the problems, I thought. Night after night I read the Book of Mormon and felt the words of the scriptures telling me to repent.

Finally, I gave in. I began to repent. I began asking Heavenly Father to forgive me for finding so much fault in others. I wanted to feel peace. The atonement of Jesus Christ became active in my life and I felt a change of heart. I felt my wounds of the past mistakes of others heal. I began to feel peace. The realization that if I couldn't forgive others I would become what I hated so much became obvious. Understanding enlightened my mind.  The concepts of turning the other cheek and showing patience and love instead of anger and revenge was a whole new process I had not understood. This repentance process continued for several nights as the Lord revealed my faults to me and I plead for the healing balm only He can give.

My eyes began to open to the sweet fruit of the gospel. I understood that no one is perfect. Everyone has some good traits and qualities. I had been forgiven and could finally forgive others. The more time I spend looking for the good in others, the more peace I feel. It's fun to share these ideas with others and feel hope.  As the scriptures say through the atonement of Christ our faults are washed away. Jesus heals us by magnifying our good qualities if we look to Him for forgiveness.

Because of Jesus Christ I don't feel so much anger or resentment. My old habits are being changed. Now I can lift other's burdens by helping them see the good in themselves. I am finding the peace the gospel brings. I enjoy it so much it tastes good. 

Things I Learned From Dasha

Things I Learned From Dasha

I need to go to the temple regularly.

Fasting brings the spirit. I need the spirit.

Infertility sucks.

Great doctors give words of encouragement. Dr. Lamoreaux is a great doctor.

Heavenly Father will answer my prayers.

This is a probationary state and not a perfect sphere.

My friends help answer prayers.

Russia is a dangerous place.

The mafia is real. They are mean.

Russians are smart.

There are people all over the world who want to help others and give good lives to children.

We live in a world of bribes and deceipt. We have to live in it but not be of it.

We can't save every child. Some will be left behind. They are in God's tender care.

When a child hasn't had experience and has vision problems they walk off the edge of the bed and don't know there is an edge. You have to watch them closely and protect them from all harm.

When a child is abused they have a mixed up sense of what is reality.

We have to share their reality with ours. Find a middle ground.

Everyone has disabilities.

God heals us by magnifying the good in us.

He gave us the good in us.

When we see the good in others we forget our own weaknesses.

I have to let her walk off the bed. I can't protect her from all harm.

I have to let her go.