DEAR CALVIN

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

You are at such a fun age.
You are not a child and are almost a man.
You can do anything.
Your choices are just beginning.

We think of you often.
And we pray for your happiness -
and the happiness of all your family too.

I was so pleased to get to see you this summer, and I hope you know our door is always open. We love you  very much and miss seeing you all the time and knowing you better. Here's hoping your day is truly wonderful like you are.
Love and Happy Birthday Papa and Grandma Ames

THINK ...

"I am a child of God, ..."

SERIOUSLY!

We all are his children.
He loves each of us uniquely and individually.

If I can think about and pray for each of my children every day surely an omniscient being thinks about and cares deeply about each of his children and watches over them. I often feel his love and blessings in my days. I try to watch every day for the simple things that show he cares.

"Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows." Luke 12: 6-7

Sometimes I am a sparrow in the dark, sometimes in the light ...

-
God is thinking of you today.

Have you thought about him?

I BELIEVE - I CAN

I believe I can ...

I CAN do things I want to do.

I want to be more healthy.
I want to weigh less!

Since January 2010 I have lost approximately 1/8 pound per week - not much and not fast BUT 1/8 x 101 weeks = about 13 pounds and I weigh about 15 pounds less than I did then.  A few couple of bonus pounds seem to have slipped away with those other 13.

I am pleased.

My mother has always been heavy. So were her sisters, her mother and both of her grandmothers. I have always been careful to eat decently and have never craved sweets but I have not always been careful about the quantity I ate. A few years ago she had some serious health problems that required others to physically care for her. When she came home from the hospital she began to lose weight. I asked how she was doing that, if she had a diet or medication change. She claimed she did not. I asked if she thought her health problems contributed to changed hormones or other factors of that kind. She said no.

A year later mom weighed a lot less and I worried she could actually lose too much weight too fast. I spoke to her and dad and some siblings about it and they went to the doctor. Everything was fine and it was not health problems or meds that were the cause of the weight loss. I personally think she just made up her mind to never again be subject to the indignities lifting a fat person inflicts. I asked her what she thought contributed to her weight loss -
"how did you do this, mom?"

She told me I was not going to like her answer.
I kept bugging her.

She told me she eats less food!

I saw a television program once about some obese people that had stomach surgery to lose weight. They were asked to reduce their body weight a specific percent (about 10 - 20 perhaps) by doing a liquid diet for 6 weeks. After their surgery they could not eat more than about 1/2 cup of food. They ate more often but only a small amount at a time. Perhaps that is good for some people. I don't like surgeons. I don't like hospitals. I don't even like needles. And I despise liquid diets. I don't want to do that to my body either!

I thought quite a bit about that and for a year or so I paid attention to how much I ate. I was somewhat surprised. Go ahead - try it. I invite you to conduct the same experiment. For a week measure every thing you eat and write the quantities down. Yes - every single thing. While you are at it measure out 1/2 cup or 4 ounces. And if you want to know, measure 1 cup quantities also. I did. I just wanted to be able to visualize 1/2 or 1 cup of salad, or spaghetti or whatever we were having. No I do not have a scale. Yes I did squish and pack the salad; then I dumped it out and 'fluffed' it up again - I wanted to know. You will get a good idea of how much 1/2 cup looks like. Now pay attention to how often you eat how much. For a month or two measure out the portions every time you eat something you haven't measured before.

I do not need a surgeon to mutilate my body to force me to eat less. I can make a choice to do that just because I want to. My usual portions were much more than 1/2 cup. They were often more than 1 cup. I often ate more than 1 cup of several things at every meal!

I decided if my aging mother can do it I can too.

I began to eat less.
One less scoop of mashed potatoes.
One less dollop of salad dressing.
A thinner skin of butter on the bread.
A smaller chunk of cheese.
One spoon full less of what ever I was dishing up.

I allowed myself unlimited plain green vegetables. I love vegetables both cooked and raw. If I felt hungry I ate lettuce, spinach, green beans, broccoli, peas in the pods, cabbage, cauliflower or celery. I have reward systems in place too. I 'treat' myself when I stick to my plan and if I don't - oh well - I can always start again, right?

I ate 'less' for about a year.
I did not really lose any weight.
I did not gain any either.
Surprisingly friends asked several times if I had.
My clothes seemed not quite so tight.
My stomach felt not so bloated.

I decided to get serious.
I grilled my mom again.
There was no magic solution.
She insisted that she merely ate less food.
How much less?
About 1 cup total per meal - 3 meals a day!
Sometimes 1 1/2 cups with vegetables.
And about 1/2 cup per serving per snack - 3 times a day.
I visited for a couple of weeks.
I watched.
Very little meat, some cereals, lots of veggies, some fruit.
And she mostly drank water.
She had one glass of milk with some meals.

What do you want?
Do you want more or less?
Can you make small choices to achieve it?

Can you save a few dollars at a time?
Can you eat less?
Can you exercise more?
I am working on that one now.

I believe.
I believe I can.
I can choose.

MAYBE I NEED A BIG DOG

If I walk across your flower bed and do not crush any flowers you may notice a foot print but not be too concerned. If I make a habit of it, sooner or later I will cause some damage. Soon your flowers will fail to grow as a path forms.

If I walk across your lawn you will never know, unless you see me. If I do it every day soon you WILL notice because a compacted area of shorter grass begins to show a path. If all my friends also cut through your yard the path will become a trail. Everyone going by will assume it is OK to use that trail and drive their carts and buggies along it and ride their bikes and skateboards on it.

Soon your yard is a rutted muddy mess strewn with the debris that is discarded by passersby. Even if you pick up the debris every day sooner or later bits of food, partially empty drink containers, and other undesirable things attract animals. They will defecate and urinate and mark their territory on every bit of landscape you have. This attracts more animals and I don't think the scent is ever fully eradicated ever again. Now your yard will be a neighborhood pet toilet and dumping ground.

If you put up fences trespassers will break and bend them so they can continue to travel as usual. If you post signs, report the trespassers and call animal control you will become a target for threats, vandalism, theft, and graffiti: random paints and permanent markers are not easily removed or disguised. Trespassers will knock on you windows and house in the night and throw eggs at it. You will get some of those things even if you don't make any waves, just because of the sheer number of random individuals using the path that you so kindly provide.

Good luck changing any of those problems. You can buy pet repellents  You pay for a higher stronger fence. You can till and toil but it will be a constant losing and costly battle. Maybe you will have to move. That will cost you a lot of money and inconvenience too. And where will you move to? Is there somewhere civil where rude and selfish, self centered people and their pets are banned?

Wait ... I am not talking about your yard after all.
I am talking about mine.
That is where the path is.
That is where the debris is.
It is the neighborhood pet toilet.
It is me that wants to move!

Not really. I like my little house.
I like my location.
Maybe I need a dog.

Maybe I need a big dog.
A GIANT scary protective dog.
If I have to clean up it might as well be of my own choice.

DEAR MEG

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday, dear Meg,
Happy Birthday to you ....
And many more ...

From the time you were a baby we all had hopes and dreams ...

Now you have your own - AND are living them.
We are so proud of you.
Keep planning and dreaming.

And KEEP 'the face'!

Hope your day is as amazing as you are.
Love Papa and Grandma

1000

Happy Thanksgiving Canada.
I love Thanksgiving being in October.

A suggestion I read one year asked readers to list 100 things they are grateful for. That seemed like a long list to me, until I read further. It broke the list down into groups of 10.

10 living people I am grateful for.
10 dead people I am grateful for.
10 foods I am grateful for.
10 inventions I am grateful for.
10 animals I am grateful for.
10 plants I am grateful for.
10 places I am grateful for.
10 activities I am grateful for.
10 events I am grateful for.
10 ideas I am grateful for.

Hmmm I can do that and not even be started yet!

What about birds, insects, scriptures, body parts, opportunities, household items, temperatures,books, hymns, art, words, fruits, vegetables, meats, - well - you get the idea ... I can make an endless specific list.

Can I make a list of 1000 blessings?
Count them off one by one x1x1 by one?
This might be fun!

And this is just getting started!

Living or Dead people: 
Heavenly Father and mother, Jesus Christ, ancestors - and that alone numbers in the thousands that we know the names for, Dad, Mom, Wallace and  Kit, Papa, Jason and Ginger,
Tad and Kurri, Marty and Kimber, Ryan and Nena, Benjamin and Casey, Clarence,
Babies, Erin, Raanin, Avalin, Calvin, Campbell, Cody, Benson, Meg, Joseph, Jaegar, Jaidon, Quinton, Winslow, Zaymes, Mikkel, Beckham, Hendrix, Cynthia, Damian, Rex and Bet, Gene and Deb, Randy and Kathy, Tim and Karyn, Shane and Sharon, Rick and Necia, Scott and Teri, Becky and Kevin, Bonnie and Darcy, Wilfred and Charlotte, DD and Clayton, Wally and Jill, Richard and Cindy, (and my dozens and dozens of  nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles, with all your spouses and more dozens of children), angels, prophets - and that includes all ancient and modern prophets (a long list), Maurice and Necia Bennett, friends,  doctors,  Bishops, Stake Presidents, Regional Representatives, Auxilary leaders,visiting teachers, home teachers, famous inventors and peacemakers, good presidents and kings, founding fathers of America, soldiers that fight for life and liberty, C.S. Lewis, George MacDonald, Bill Peet,

Foods: olive oil, honey, jam, eggs, Cheese Whiz and raspberry jam, pepper sandwiches, macaroni and tomatoes, fried potatoes (and therefore lard!) with ketchup, salt, sugar, pancakes, cackle berries, moo juice,   fresh bread, chokecherry jelly,  baked beans in the can, porridge, casseroles, porridge, crusty white bread, muffins, baking powder biscuits, tacos, pizza, spaghetti,
Meats: beef, pork, chicken, turkey, duck, goose, venison, baloney, jerky, sausage, bacon, ham, steak, roasts, prairie chicken; hamburgers, hot dogs, Li'l Smokies,
dairy products: butter, milk, cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, Gouda, Baby Bell, German Butter cheese, Pepper Jack, Mozzarella  feta cheese, blue cheese, ice cream, yogurt, whipped cream, sour cream, buttermilk,
Fruits: apples, rhubarb, mandarins  strawberries, blueberries, service berries, peaches, apricots, pears, oranges, plums, mangos, kiwi fruit, black berries, grapes, raisins, cranberries,
Vegetables:  beans - in the garden, peas, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, squash - yes all of them but especially zucchini and butternut, cucumbers, lettuce, spinach, beets, swiss chard, corn, peppers,
Condiments: mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise  soy sauce  horseradish, salsa, sweet pickles, dill pickles, relish, BBQ sauce, ranch salad dressing, olives, syrup,
Desserts: cake- with or without icing, cookies, donuts, brownies, pie, tarts, tapioca, rice pudding, bread pudding, custard, lemon bars,
Treats: marshmallows, Roger's Golden Syrup, Revels, JuJubes, Orange bars, fudgesicles, fudge, Macintosh toffee, stretch candy, pretzels, taco chips, salt and vinegar chips,
Drinks: Orange Crush, lemonade, grape pop, homemade root beer, orange juice, Canada Dry, clear pop, white grape juice, cranberry cocktail, chocolate milk, eggnog,
Fish: trout, salmon, whitefish, tuna, crab, shrimp, lobster, pike,
Grains: wheat, corn, rice, legumes, millet, quinoa, oats, barely, popcorn, rye,
Seeds: sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, sprouts,
Nuts: pecans, pistachios, walnuts, macadamia, hazel nuts, peanuts,

Things: grace, water, shelter, rocks, hills, plains, dirt, sand, stars, sun and sky, northern lights, moon, mountains, midnight, Winter, Spring  Summer, Autumn, years, time, gold, silver, copper, prophecy, wings, stillness, sleep, gifts, praise, peace, news, thread, fabric, languages, seasons, day, night, dark, light, snow, rain, mist, cloud, dirt, land, a '54 Chevy or the 'purple people eater' truck - that used to be blue, tents and tarps, water balloons, schools and buses, pencils, books,  pictures,  pebbles, jam cans, fences,

Inventions: telephone, cameras, zippers, elastic,  pop top cans, bottles, plastic, computers and printers, electricity,  medicines, antibiotics, lasers, scissors,

Modes of transportation: bicycles, scooters, airplanes, automobiles, wagons, handcarts, buggies, quads, motorbikes, ambulance, helicopters,
Activities: skiing, knitting, sewing, crafts, embroidery, handwork, carving,

Plants:  trees- and how many varieties is that? peonies, grass, lilies, roses, bleeding hearts, hollyhocks,  buffalo beans, phlox, clematis, sweet peas, canterbury bells, lupines, columbines, sweet williams, foxglove, snapdragons, marigolds, 

Animals:  Brownie, Beethoven, Shep, Chic, Sox, Gravy, sheep,cattle, pigs, lambs, horses, dogs, cats, beavers, elephants, lions, rabbits, goats,

Birds: chickens, turkeys, ducks, sparrows, geese, swans, herons, Jenny Wren, robins, owls, hawks, meadowlarks, orioles, budgies,

Insects: ants because they make peonies bloom, crickets chirping, glow-bugs, praying mantis,

Creatures: dinosaurs, salamanders, frogs,

Places: World, heaven, Kimball, Ross Lake, Rothe's, HorseShoe Bend, St. Mary's, Waterton,  Creston, Westcastle,  Orion, Mt.View, Cardston, temple, chapels, Milky Way, Cassiopeia, Ursula Major and Minor, fields, rivers, streams, Israel, Bethlehem, nations - go ahead and list them ... how many are you grateful for?,  North, South, East, West, 2nd hand stores, shopping malls, hardware stores, libraries, universities,

Events: birth, death, life, weddings, potluck parties, birthdays, Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, April Fool's Day, garage sales,

Activities: hiking, fishing, gardening, weeding - it makes me keep active, western movies, softball, soccer, walking, biking, sleeping, movies, kissing,

Ideas: freedom, forgiveness, hope, wisdom, mercy, kindness, stories, charity,

Opportunities: education, careers, worship, reading, travel,

Body parts:heart, voice, face, eyes, ears, knees, elbows, wrists, heart, legs, ankles, liver, teeth, eyebrows, fingers, toes, shoulders, lungs, arms, hands, muscles, nerves, lymphatics, kidneys, eyelashes,

Abilities: sight, hear, speak, feel, walk, run, jump, dance, roll, bend, flex, twist, duck, hop, cycle, taste,

Instruments: pianos, organs, harps, violas, tambourines, drums, bells, flutes, guitars, oboes, clarinets, castanets  xylophone, reeds, violins, cellos, trombones, trumpets

Music: choirs, concerts, symphonies,

Songs: Hallelujah Chorus, hymns - that's about 341 just in the LDS hymn book, children's songs - well over 300 in the Children's song book, Humpbacked Mule, How Would You Like To Swing On A Star?, Sowin' Love, Hey Good Lookin', see Standing Still Dancing above for more ...

Poetry: Paradise Lost, Abou Ben Adam, Father William, Jonathan Bing, Twas the Night Before Christmans

Household Items: windows, doors, bed, blankets, quilts, sheets, pillows, floors, carpets, shingles, paint, vents, washer, dryer, dishwasher, microwave, refrigerator, freezer, stove, pots and pans, plates, bowls, cups, spoons, forks, knifes, mugs, spatulas, salt and pepper shakers, glasses, pitchers, crockpots, cutting boards, bleach, soap, paper towels, towels, facecloths, tea towels, hot mitts, frying pans, muffin tins, pie pans, eggbeaters, graters, vacuums, tables and chairs, calendars, sofas, bleach, Tide,

Vitamins and Minerals: calcium, zinc, phosphorous, oxygen, carbon dioxide, cinders, coal, magnesium,

Clothes: pants, coats, dresses, t-shirts, blouses, dresses, shoes, runners, sandals, flipflops, boots, slippers, slips, underwear, lingerie, jackets, shirts, buttons, buckles, belts, ribbons, stockings

Games: Rook, Rummicub,  piñatas, Bocce, hide and seek, pente, tag, ante-I-over, fox and geese, Go Fish, Old Maid, Mancala, 

Tools: hammers,saws, screw drivers, nails, salt blocks, post holes, wire-cutters, pliers, planes, sanders, routers, wrenches, shovels, hoes, rakes, guns, screws, scissors, nail clippers, trowels,

          

DEAR CAMPBELL

Happy 13th!!

We hope you have a great day!
I think you will because you are that kind of guy.
A person of 'good cheer'.
Your father was always like that when he was your age.
He was a boy of good cheer and humour.

 When I was your age, I used to dread choosing teams for games. I was one of the slowest, smallest, and clumsiest of kids. You can guess how soon I got picked - usually near the last.

I loved to play games though. I had fun, no matter which team I was on, whether we won or lost, as long as I got a fair chance to play. I couldn't hit the ball out of the park. I never knew where the puck was or what a 'down' meant and why would I try to stop you from getting the ball through the hoop if you could?

Such things didn't worry me too much.
It was more important to just have fun.
I wanted everybody to have fun together.

I had lots of brothers and sisters to play Checkers, Fish, Monopoly, Old Maids, Sorry, or Crazy 8's with. We loved to play Button Button, Slambangs, Ante-I-Over, hide and seek, all kinds of tag and other games.

You are blessed with many brothers.
And you have a cheerful mom and dad.
I hope you can always have fun together.
I hope you are good friends.
Family makes the best birthdays ...

And other days too!
Love Grandma and Papa

PICKING SIDES

Did you ever draw a line and dare someone to cross it?
Or warn them not to?
Or were you the one being challenged?
Did you dare? 

Did you ever get picked last for a team? 

Did you ever get to choose your team?  

George Albert Smith often quoted his grandfather, George A. Smith, who said, “There is a line of demarcation well defined between the Lord’s territory and the devil’s territory. ...

Which side of the line am I on?"  

Teachings of President's of the Church, 

George Albert Smith, Lesson 18, 

That is a soul searching question.
How can I know?

President Smith gave several suggestions.
"All safety, all righteousness, all happiness, ... all that enriches our lives and makes us happy and prepares us for eternal joy is on the Lord's side of the line."

He taught at length about the matter.
You can peruse that lesson at your leisure.
If you want to know more ...

And I already talked about sin.
(Sin or 'evil' is to deny ourselves blessings and happiness.

It may also be to try to take 'good' away from others.) 

Moroni 7:10-19 spells it out simply and specifically.
All things good are from God.
That which is evil cometh of the devil.

Moroni, (of whom it is written "if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto a Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men") explained in precise detail what each means and how to judge.  He said,

15 "The way to judge is plain ... as the daylight is from the dark night ...

16 "... the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil;

17 "... whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him.

18 "And now, my brethren, seeing that ye know the light by which ye may judge, which light is the light of Christ, see that ye do not judge wrongfully; for with that same judgment which ye judge ye shall also be judged.

19 "Wherefore, I beseech of you, brethren, that ye should search diligently in the light of Christ that ye may know good from evil; and if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ."

I love the Book of Mormon.
It is so simple even children can understand.
Even a young child knows 'good' and 'bad'.

Which side of the line am I on?

Do I 'dare' be on Christ's side of the line?

I get to choose this team! 

I get to pick. 

DEAR JAIDON

Lucky 13.

I have always loved the number 13.

Thirteen people usually ate meals at our house - Dad, Mom and 11 kids. Our table was really big but our kitchen was not. There was barely room to squeeze through during meals. The two boys that were 'lefties' had to sit on specific corners so that they didn't elbow their brothers and sisters.

A 'baker's dozen' is 13 instead of 12. That is very convenient when you have thirteen people in your family. Long, long ago there were laws that said how much bread and other baked goods needed to weigh. Breaking the law had very harsh penalties. Some people think that baker's always gave 13 instead of 12 to make sure they did not break the law.

My grandfather, Neil Snow Forsyth, was known for his honesty. In his store when he needed to measure things that were sold by weight he had a rule to never take out any of what was put in.  He would measure the flour or sugar to nearly the right amount and then put in a little more. There was always an extra piece of candy put in the bag purchased. Everyone knew they got a good deal at his store because they saw the scale tip in their favor.

I was taught to always give just a little bit more than asked for.
Do more, give more, love more and forgive more.
At least a little bit, and sometimes even a lot more.

I think that is a good family secret. I think it gives me a bit more satisfaction, more happiness, and a little more peace of mind.

I hope you have a birthday that is more fun than any you have ever had. After all - thirteen is a little more.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY soon. Love Grandma and Papa

KNOWING and BELIEVING

I know God exists.
He is a loving, merciful being.

Scriptures tell us we are all his children.
I know scriptures are God's words.
I know prophets reveal those words to us - and record them.
I know prophets are good men that talk with God.
The words they write from God are sacred.

I know these things - and others.

I believe Joseph Smith was and is a prophet.

I knew my father's father.
He was known as a very honest man of great integrity.
He told me that he knew his grandmother, Sally Adams.
He said she was known for her honesty and noble integrity.
She knew Joseph Smith and his mother personally.

Great Great Granmother Snow (Sally married William Snow) told Grandpa that the Smith's were honest, good, kind people and that Joseph translated the Book of Mormon. His mother told her about many things that happened then. Grandpa knew that what his grandma told him was true - and told me.

I believe him.

Doctrine and Covenants 46 tells us that there are many spiritual gifts. Verse 13 tells us that "To some is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the son of God." And then verse 14 tells us "To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful."

I know some things.
I believe some things.

I believe Thomas S Monson is a prophet.
He lives now and speaks with God.
I believe apostles and prophets live on earth today.
October 6th and 7th I am invited to hear them.
They will speak to the world.
Everyone is invited to hear what they will say.
I know they will testify Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer.
That is what prophets do.
They invite us to come to Him.
They invite us to follow Him.

Come - listen.
You are invited.

CANADIAN MOSQUITOES

Biting insects are plentiful in Canada and can seem quite large.

I swear this one sounded like a helicopter in our hotel room
until  introduced to fate by Papa.

We went to a family reunion in Cardston last month. Mosquitoes don't usually bother me much - especially if you are near by - they seem to think you taste better. On this last trip I met a few that were very persistently pesky. I wondered if I was going to need  a useful tool I found once in the 'Dollar Store' there. It was an immediate must have.

I am sure this could 'skin out' biting flies, too. 

I purchased this little gem a couple of years ago. I would buy you one as a souvenir if I could find them again. 

I watched one mosquito land on my denim jacket and walk around, up and down. I wasn't worried about getting bitten. She was small and my jacket was heavy. She stopped and I saw her working at finding lunch. To my surprise it was not long before I felt her probing and introduced her to the next life. Really? - she could get through heavy denim?

This tiny, real workable pocket knife is a mere 1 1/2 " long.

We have heard quite a few mosquito jokes. Like:

Q: How do you know if you have a tough mosquito?

A: You slap him and he slaps you back.

And did you see the picture of the mosquito drinking the red bar on one end of the Canadian flag?It is not uncommon to see flags flapping in the wind with only one bar left - the furthest out end is completely gone! LOL.  If you happen to have a picture I would love to post a copy.

This 'swatter' we found while visiting family in Northern Canada one year goes nicely with our pocket knife. We use it to help 'hunt' for mosquito 'fur'.

JUST JOKES*

 If you are going to be eaten alive you might as well laugh as cry.


* When I was a kid growing up in Cardston, Alberta, Canada and someone told tall tales, a whopper of a story, or played a prank it was common to hear, "Just Jokes". 

PRINCIPLES VS DOCTRINES

In an on-line Religion class, I am taking, students are asked to read an assigned block of scripture, identify 2 doctrines or principles that stand out to them and post a comment about each one on the class discussion board.

The class is kind of fun but a challenge too.

So what is a doctrine?
And what is a principle?
What is the difference?

I did a bit of research - both religious research (it is after all a religion class) and secular research. I read a lot of definitions, information and references. Papa, who is always up for such intriguing questions, really did some digging and gave me some wonderful insights and references.

Here is what we learned:
Doctrine from a religious standpoint is revealed truth - simple, right? From a secular point of view it is any dogma, opinion, principle or tenet presented for belief. Doctrine is 'that which is taught. It is learning and teaching - Hmmm ...

Principles are much less clear cut. They are the basics of the practice of doctrines. In both instances, from both religious and secular points of view, the definitions differ very little. Principles are the fundamental truths, qualities or attributes of any given topic: math, science, language, religion, philosophy, politics etc and etc. A principle is the beginning, origin, essence, source, fountainhead, guide, commencement, or initial state. It is the root or primary element, law or force. It is rudimentary and has natural law as a basis.

Based on this research is every true principle a doctrine?

Can you name any doctrines?
What principles, when practiced, prove those doctrines?

Let me give you a couple of hints.
Hebrews 5:12
Moroni 9:20
Titus 2
1 Timothy 2:5
Doctrine and Covenants 10:67; 68:25;101:77-78
1 Nephi 1: 8-9, 19,
2 Peter 1:5-9

And please share your insights, opinions, doctrines or principles.

MORE PERFECT

Do you ever want more - of whatever?

More friends, optimum health, nicer cars, bigger houses, kinder family? More money, more hair, more education, a pretty nose, greater talents, stronger muscles? More toys, more gadgets, more knowledge, more wisdom, more children, clearer eyesight, more opportunity?

Is it coveting to wish to have something we don't?
Maybe!

Or is it longing to be more than we are?
To become something more?
To be more perfect?

Longing for ideals is not a bad thing.

We want family to be perfect. We want to look our best, have the best, eat the tastiest, know everything, share everything, do everything - enjoy everything.

I want to be perfectly happy - full of joy.
I want to enjoy all good things.
You should have such joy also.

Today I find myself praying for for us both.

As we long for ideals, and feel the pangs of being less, may God comfort and sustain us - more. He is our ultimate role model. He has everything. I know he loves me - and you - we are his children. It is his desire to give us all he has.

He has given us a perfect pattern, his son Jesus Christ.
Jesus lived among us as a human being, yet is the very son of God.
His death ransoms us from all that is not ideal.

I pray that when we long for 'more' we are remembering our celestial, ideal selves and that we may long for Christ's ways and all those things that remind us of him and of our loving Father in Heaven.

I pray we may listen to the quiet whisperings in our heart's that remind us to be kind and patient with others and ourselves.

I pray we may let go of cynicism and its accompanying pride and skepticism, purge sin from our lives and begin to choose more commendable things that exalt and ennoble sincere longings.

I pray we may sense more of the good of life and be more grateful for all we already have.

IN THE MIDDLE

-
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAEGER

AND MOM

I am a 'middle' child - like you.

Garth Forsyth family about 1965. Can you spot me?
I am, of course, in the middle - hint wearing my favorite plaid skirt.

I have 4 older siblings.
And I have 5 younger siblings.
My foster brother is like me - in the middle.
He is just a little bit younger than I am.

My home often sheltered 'older' relatives.
I loved hearing what their lives were like.

Granny Bohne at party for her 100th birthday 

My granny told me about arriving in Canada in the East (from England) and later traveling west. The trip with a horse and buggy took about 3 months. When she was 100 years old she flew on a jet plane back east to Toronto to visit some family. She marveled at the same trip taking approximately 3 hours.

I have many grandchildren.
I am in the middle again.

I am in the middle of my life.

I am between my grandparents and my grandkids.

And Dearest Mother - you are in the middle too.
You are in the middle of eternity.
Living in the existence of now being on earth.

What a fun place to be.
Not at the first.
Not at the last.
Not a beginning or an end.

We are all in the middle.

What are you in the middle of?

BIGGER BETTER SMARTER

Conversation overhead -
Speaker A - "I have a phone, I'm bigger than you are."
Speaker B - "You don't even know the password."

I am still shaking my head and laughing.
Speaker A lives next door and is less than 3 feet tall.
She might be 4 - perhaps.
Her and her little sister were standing on the curb taunting B.

Speaker B lives across the street.
She regularly shows up to 'help' me when I am outside.
She is small for her age - about 5 ish.
She yelled her comment, arms akimbo, from an opposing curb.
She is a tiny bit bigger, and older.
No phones were visible.
They were just talking smack.

ALREADY???

Seems kind of silly doesn't it?
Kind of childish?

Clearly, Speaker B wants to do something that needs a password she does not have. I wonder at that. Just beginning school but already so wise as to know the worth of a 'password'. There is the key to everything - just knowing what is needful to access and pass beyond the measures that keep out the unprepared or foolish.
So wise, she is already!

Speech A makes me ponder the intrinsic value children perceive in a phone. I remember when my 3 year old grandchild began to try to 'see' everyone that 'phoned'. Her parents have a smart phone and she loved to skype on it. What is it worth to be able to talk with someone? To hear what they have to say? And perhaps even see them?

What would it be worth to talk with God?
If he answered my 'call' what value might that have?
What if I knew a 'pass' word to take me into Heaven?

Each of us wants to be 'bigger' and 'better'.
We long to be prettier, richer, smarter, or nicer - than someone.
What did you do today to prove you are 'better' - etc.

How would the world change if I tried to prove you are 'bigger' and 'better'? That you are prettier, richer, smarter, or nicer? That you are at least as good as I am. That is not impossible - is it?

What if I treated you like a decent, competent human being? Even when you aren't. What if I validated your existence - gave recognition to at least some small part of you? or something I see you do? or hear you say?

"And I think to myself ... what a wonderful world!"

NEIL SNOW FORSYTH history

Born: 24 August 1879

Pine Valley, Washington, Utah, USA

-

I knew my father's father well. I visited in his homes many times and he lived in our home for many years when I was a teen. I mostly remember him busy at something or other. He seemed to have boundless energy. 
-
Father: George James Forsyth (1844-1927)

Son of  Thomas Forsyth (1813) and Isabella Donald

Mother: Sarah Sophronia Snow (1852-1927)

Daughter of William Snow and Sally Adams

An old picture shows his family.  circa 1890
My grandfather is in the middle of the picture framed all around by family.

He kept many handwritten and typed journals. They were compiled and arranged in 1996 by his daughter Ruth Forsyth Horne (Robert). We sincerely appreciate the work of all that contribute to such valuable records. As much as possible she retained his spelling and punctuation. This record may be accessed at the LDS Church History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. Aunt Ruth tells us that, 'At age 80 he bought a typewriter and taught himself to type because his handwriting was 'shaky'. The following narrative is Neil himself writing to us:
-

"I was born at Pine Valley, Washington, Utah on August 24, 1879. In 1880 my family moved to Loa, Piute, Utah, and this is where I grew up.

1880 US census for Pine Valley Utah shows Neil with his family

-

"When I was very young I loved to recite:

     'Little Tommy Tooster

      Looked like a rooster.

      He crawled under the bed

      To hear what was said –

      He jumped out the window,*

      And he broke his little finger –

      He ran down the lot

      As fast as he could trot –

      He jumped over the fence

      And they ain’t seen him since.'

"No one could understand me, but my brother George would interpret for me. My parents found that I was ‘tongue tied’ and even though I had my tongue clipped three times I did not talk plain until I was eight years old.

"[I was] Baptized in Spring Creek right in front of our house 

1 Sep 1887, by Ole Okerland and confirmed by my father at the same time and place.

"In the fall for 1888 I was hurding our cows along Spring Creek above our farm, some of the men in town were paying me 25 cents a head per week, to herd their cows along with ours, so I was making a little money. One evening I went swimming, and when I undressed for bed that night I found I had lost my purse and money. Mother told me that when I said my prayers I should ask the Lord to help me find it, so I did. In the night I dreamed that I saw my purse lying in some bean weeds along the creek, so the next morning when I got my cows feeding good, I went to the place where I had gone swimming. There I saw the bean weeds I had seen in my dream, and in them I found my purse and money.

Frank and Neil about 1890
picture printed on tin

"Father had a prosperous farm, a beautiful meadow of approximately 400 acres – with cows, horses, sheep, and pigs. We made lots of butter and cheese to sell. I learned to ride when I was 4 years old. I don’t remember when I learned to milk, but I milked 16 cows night and morning the summer I was 10 years old.

"I spent about 9 months of the next 6 years in the saddle, rounding up cattle or driving them to pasture, and 3 months of the years I went to school. I was a good student, especially in Math, Grammar, and Spelling.

"Every Fall, Father ‘peddled cheese’. Mother’s cheese had a good name for miles around. In the Fall of 1892, just after I turned 13, Father and I left with a 3 horse team, and a load of cheese, to go to the October Conference in Salt Lake. We left our outfit in Lehi with an uncle and took the train into Salt Lake. I had a new pair of size 2 cowboy boots on, and on the train I hid my feet under the seat for fear folks would see my small feet and think I was just a kid.

"When we arrived in Salt Lake, Uncle Alma Cunningham and Father took me to Cutler Bros. Store. I became separated from them and went looking for them. As I hurried down 1^st south I saw a funny wagon with a big white team on it, run around the corner on State Street and into a bldg. I went over there and saw the wagon sitting there, the harness hanging above the tongue, and the horses in their stalls. Then a bell rang, the stall door flew open, the horses ran to the wagon, the harness dropped on them, two men fastened it on.  A man slid down a pole and strapped himself on the sea, 3 or 4 men climbed on the wagon and out they went again. I watched them and learned this was a fire drill.

"Father was well acquainted with Pres. Woodruff, so I got to meet him and shake his hand after conference. I have met and talked with every president since that, right down to Pres. David O. McKay. After conference we went back to Lehi and got our outfit and started for home. On the way home thru San Pete and Sevier counties we gathered up apples etc. that we had taken in exchange for cheese.

"In school I often took part in plays, gave speeches or recited. Our games at school were marbles, jacks, double duck, fox and geese, and ball games. At night in the wintertime we would go ice skating or play run sheepey run. Our indoor games were, button button, drop the handkerchief, and charades. We boys all liked to make horses and cattle with spools. We would carve out legs, ears and horns etc. on the spools, then from old shoes we would make saddles and have heavy cord strings for ropes. We gathered spools from the neighbors, so that we all had many horses and cattle.

"The Fall after I was 15 we moved back to the farm. Here I ‘broke’ horses to ride and to drive and became quite proficient, but I was know through the area for runaway teams. I had several injuries from my years of breaking horses, none serious thank goodness – but I enjoyed working with the animals.

Neil with a Gardner cousin about 1898; age 19

"In 1895 the Robbers Roost Gang was very active in that section, as their roost was not far from Loa. I got to know some of them quite well, ... During those days I always carried a 45 revolver while riding the range.

"In 1896 my oldest brother George went to 7 Mile Flat to cut a load of poles. He took his wife Lizy and baby with him and they were staying with her folks at the dairy. He became very ill with a cold and sore throat, so they sent for father to come and get him. They brought him home with his wife and baby, and on July 15th he passed away. Just a week later his wife’s 8 year old brother died, in about the same way. My sister Lucy was sick by then, as well as many others. On the 2nd of August Lucy died, by that time we knew it was something serious, so we got a doctor and found it was dyptheria. They restricted all public gatherings – all our family but Mary had it, and on the 9th of Aug. Donald our 16th month old boy passed away. That was 4 deaths in less than a month. Mary escaped the dyptheria but the next year had typhoid fever. Her hair all came out so that she was completely bald, but it soon came in again.

Belle (Sarah Isabella Forsyth an older sister ) and Neil Snow Forsyth

"I spent most of the winter of 1896-97 breaking broncos and riding the range between Rabbit Valley and Fish Lake.  In the spring of 1897 I worked for Albert Stephens for $1.00 a day and board.  I earned $10 enough to buy my first suit with a hat and suspenders.  When I dressed for the dance that night and walked into the dimly lit living room - my family didn't recognize me all dressed up.

"My church record to date is as follows:

     Ordained a deacon by Thos. Blackburn 12 Dec 1891

     Pres. Deacons Quorum Jan. 1893 til Nov 1896.

     Ordained a teacher by Michael Hansen 14 Nov 1896.

"Father and I went every month to gather fast offerings of grain, potatoes, eggs, cheese, butter, flour, or anything they wanted to give, then take it to the bishops storehouse.  In the spring the deacons would go to the tithing cellar and sprout the potatoes for market.

"In Oct 1897 my Uncle Robert Forsyth was going to Pine Valley by team and wagon and took me with him.  I stayed with my Grandmother Snow and worked for my board and room, while I attended school.  My Uncle William Snow was the teacher.  I passed eighth grade, and that got me into normal school at Cedar City four years later, without passing an (entrance) examination.

-

"In the fall of 1898 I worked for Uncle Joseph Burgess in Pine Valley.  He owned two saw mills.  One of his mills was in Water Canyon which came out of the Pine Valley Mt. into Grass Valley.  It was very steep and rocky, too rough to get in there with a wagon, so they only went there after the snow got deep enough for a bob sleigh.  They used a single bob sleigh and let one end of the lumber drag in the snow to hold the sleigh from crowding the horses.  I thought it a lot of fun sliding down that canyon with a thousand feet of lumber on a bob sleigh.  In the spring I hauled wood to Gunlock for the coke ovens.  Uncle Jode gave me half of what I sold.  Later in the summer R. M. Rogers and I built a store for Uncle Jode.  Rogers did the brick work and I did the carpenter work.  I worked the sawmill in Water Canyon again the winter of 1899 – 1900.

1900 US census shows Neil living with mother's sister's family
Joseph and Emma Burgess in Pine Valley

-

"In Feb 1901 was the Wayne stake qrtly conference.  Jed Grover was taking the conference visitors in his Democrat to Salina to catch the train to Salt Lake.  I decided I would go to Salt Lake and then on to the Big Horn.  I bid my folks farewell and left.  When we arrived in Salt Lake Jesse and I went to Farmington where his folks lived, who were going to the Big Horn, but they had decided not to go til spring.  Finding myself short of cash, I went to work for a Mr. McMullin a man I knew in Murray from Grass Valley.  I tended cattle for him for two months, then went home to help father in the spring.

"In 1901 I had five Gardner cousins attending normal school in Cedar City and they encouraged me to attend with them.  I did well in school with grades from 85 to 98 except English, it was 75.

The summer of 1902 I drove team for Len Conger from Garfield to Lemington, hauling water.  That Fall father took 42 head of cattle on the train to Canada.

"In the Fall I didn't have enough money to go back to normal school, but when I didn't show up, the principal wrote me because I had done so well the year before.  When I told him about my money problem, he said they would give me a scholarship if I would come.  The day after I got his letter Neil McMullin came to our place to buy cattle.  I told him about the letter and how bad I wanted to go.  He loaned me the $75 I needed and said I could pay him when I earned it after I finished school.  I found a ride to Cedar City and entered normal school Oct 8, 1902.  I took classes in Carpentry, Mechanical Drawing,  2nd year English and Algebra.  I was also in the debate club.  I did very well in school.

"In Sept 1903 I went back to Cedar City to school, but the state had appropriated $40,000. For a new school building and I got a job as a carpenter and took only one night class. 

 "Then I enrolled for a Draftsman course in the International Correspondence School in Scranton, Penn.

"I finished work in Cedar City April 15, 1904.  In Aug father told me he had bought a home in Canada and was taking his family to Canada.  Mary was attending BYU in Provo, Tom had a mail contract.  Tom and I made a deal with father to buy the farm and stock.  I started teaching school as principal of the Lyman School.  It was 3 miles to Lyman, and I rode a bronco to school all winter.  I had him well broke by spring!

"The next year the Loa school board came to me to be principal of the Loa school.  The teacher for 1, 2 and 3 from the previous year was staying on.   My sister Mary had her Certificate from BYU and would teach 4, 5, and 6 grades.  As principal I taught 7 and 8 grades.

"While going to school in Cedar City I had trouble with my stomach.  One time when I had a severe attach I went to Dr George Middleton.  He told me I had ulcers and should have them cut out, but I didn't have the money so I just carried on.  They were having a teachers convention in SLC, between Christmas and New Years.  The County Supt. wanted me and my assistants to go with him to the convention, so we went by sleigh and a four horse team and drove out to Sigard, and went by train to Salt Lake.  I stayed with Uncle Jed Wooley that night and was so bad all night that he took me to his Dr the next morning.  He said I had a very bad case of ulcers and gave me some medicine and ordered me to bed.  The next day I went to see him and he said he should treat me for six months to two years and insisted I come back the next day, which I did.  That was the last day of the convention, and I had not been to one meeting.

"We were starting for home the day after that, and I was under his care all the time.  I went back the next day and asked him how much I owed him as we were leaving the following day.  He said I was in no condition to make the trip, I told him I had to do it, as I had to start school the following Monday.  He shook his finger in my face and said “Young man, if you make that trip over those mountains and go into the school room Monday, you’ll be a dead man in less than six weeks.”  I paid him and walked out.

"When we got to Sigard that night, we ate supper, then they fixed a bed in the back of the sleigh and we started for home.  We traveled all night and got home just as Tom was ready to go to S. S. I told him to bring patriarch Blackburn with him after S. S. to administer to me, and then I went to bed.  Tom brought the patriarch and he asked me a few questions, one was if I could take olive oil and if we had any consecrated, and we did so Tom got it.  The patriarch asked him to bring a big spoon. And the patriarch gave me a spoonful of olive oil, then administered to me.  He told me to take a tablespoon of olive oil every morning til my ulcers were gone.  Monday I went to school and never missed a day the rest of the year.

"In the fall of 1904, when I was principal of the Lyman School I also served as YMMIA Pres. In Lyman.

"I was never ordained a priest and on the 4th Dec 1904 I was ordained an Elder by Joseph Eckersley.  I was sustained as 1st couns. in the Loa S. S.  In the spring of 1905.  I was also pres. of the Home Dramatic Co.  For the year and a half I was there.  I was ordained a Seventy 11 Feb 1906 by Moroni Lazenby.

"In Jan 1906 father wrote that a man in Can. Wanted to trade his place there for our place here.  I wasn't interested in any place in Canada but Tom was, so he paid me for my share, then worked out a deal that suited him for the place in Can.

"In April 1906 I came to Salt Lake on the train.  I did carpentry work on the Union Depot.  Helped build a house on Canyon Rd, then worked on the smelter in Garfield.  One day I was in Salt Lake and went past an employment office, a sign in the window said “Carpenter wanted in Ely Nev.”  I inquired about it and was told they paid $7.00 a day 7 days a week.  Wages in S.L. were 45 cents an hour.  I asked them how to get there, and they said if I paid them $3 they would give me a ticket to go there on Monday.  When I got there I found there were no rooms to rent in Ely, nearly everyone was living in tents, I found a large tent that had 60 single cots n it for 50 cents a night for one of them.  I started work the next morning and worked til the hotel was finished.

"Every Sat. night I drew $49 in gold, 2 $20 and a $10 and I would give them a silver dollar in change.  I never saw any greenbacks all the time I was in Ely.  You could go into any of those saloons and see thousands of dollars in gold stacked upon the gambling tables.  I knew of one old prospector there who sold a claim for $200,000 and two weeks later a bar tender gave him a book for one weeks meal tickets he was broke.

 -

"When I finished on the hotel I went to Lund about 30 miles south to where my sister Belle Gardner lived. When I got there Bishop O.H. Snow was just starting a house. He offered me a job, so I stayed there til it was finished.

"Jan 1907 I decided to go visit my folks in Magrath. I traveled by train, there was a great deal of snow after we left Shelby, the snow was so bad they followed the snow plow into Milk River, then made it to Sterling. I stayed at the hotel in Sterling that night. The next morning the stationmaster told us there would be no train going west, but there would be a sleigh coming from Raymond for the mail so I could get to Raymond on their return. I phoned my folks in Magrath to see if they could meet me in Raymond. It was 20 below so the sleigh ride to Raymond was very cold. When I arrived there I went to the hotel for dinner. There was a pot bellied stove in the hotel, you could only warm one side then turn and warm the other. We went on to Magrath that afternoon. It had been an especially hard winter, the snow and cold started in November, and there had never been a break til after I got there in Feb. It had been as low as 56 below. One night in March, Frank bundled up good to go to his band practice. I was still up when he came home about 11 pm and he had his fur coat etc on his arm, and he said there was a Chinook. The next morning the snow and ice were gone and it was 60 above, where it had been 30 below that night.

"I soon had a carpenter job building a new school in Spring Coulee for a Mr. Wm. Thompson. When I finished around June 10, the school asked me to go to High River, a day’s ride by train, and build a set of buildings on his ranch there. His brother met me, we finalized the contract and with help from local men, Mark and Tommy Hall to haul gravel, a plasterer and a brick layer to lay the chimney, I finished the building by July 3rd. While there I met John Burgess, Tom Hatch, Mary Hatch and Celia Parker.

"I returned to Spring Coulee July 5th and Thompson had plans for me to build a store in Spring Coulee.

"While I was busy doing carpentry in the area, a letter came from the church headquarters in Salt Lake. It was a mission call to Great Britain. I wrote back, that if they would give me three months to finish the work I had on hand I would go. The answer came back that I should leave for my mission Nov 16, 1907. I worked up til the day before I had to leave for Salt Lake. George and Esther Coleman were in the horse buying business in Magrath and Esther gave me $300 for my driving team the week before I left for my mission.

"I reached Salt Lake Nov 17, 1907. Went thru the SL Temple Nov 22. Was set apart for my mission Nov 26. About 75 of us left Salt Lake for the British and European mission Nov 27th 1907. Fathers only instructions to me when I left Magrath, was “Be sure to be obedient to those in authority over you and you will get along all right.” … [Dec 7] We ate dinner on board the ship, Dominion, but didn’t leave the harbor til 3:30 pm. The sea is calm and the ship glides along much smoother than any train I was ever on. …

"There were 800 passengers on the 7000 ton vessel. … Tues Dec 17 we landed at Liverpool, then went to Pres. Penrose office and got out appointments. My brother Tom had been there on a mission a few years before and labored in the Birmingham Conference, and he suggested I ask to go there. When Pres. Penrose asked me if I had a preference I said, “No, send me any place you want to.” He said, “We will send you to Birmingham. … From there I was sent to Dudley to labor with Arthur L. Howard.  … I did my first tracting in the suburb of Nenthorn. … Aug 18th 1908 – Elder Russon and I were sent to Rugby …

Nov 10, 1908 – I was assigned to Coventry with a new companion, Elder Brown, to preside over the Branch which comprised, Nuneaton, Harts, Hill and Stoke.  …

"Dec 23, 1909  – I received notice of my release today. They held a farewell service for me at Nuneaton Dec 27th. I visited Worwick, Lemington and Coventry last week, and I have made out my last report. Dec 29, 1909 – I went to Birmingham and from there to Sheffield where I visited with the Forsyths and others Dec 30th. Dec 31, 1909 I went to Glasgow and looked up the missionaries there …

Jan 3, 1910 – I went to Edinburgh and visited the castle and several other places of interest, then visited with James Forsyths mother and her two daughters, and they gave me a nice lunch, but didn't want to talk about religion. I returned to Sheffield that night. …

"Jan 13, 1910 – 18 Elders and 34 Saints left the Lord Nelson Hotel at 12 noon to board the ship for America, we set sail at 3pm on a very rough sea. Most everyone was seasick most of the way home. [He traveled by train to Salt Lake] arriving 10:20 am Jan 29th. I visited with friends and relatives in Bountiful and Woods Cross. [February 3 – Mar 3 was spent visiting many friends and relatives in many areas including Marysville, Panquitch, Hatch, Alton, Parowan, Cedar City, Harmony, Pinto, Grass Valley, and Pine Valley. He was asked to speak and bless the sick, and in Alton met Clara Macallister, a school teacher.]  … I helped Uncle Jeter Snow ** load a load of wheat, and we started to St. George with it. We camped at the Chadburn Ranch that night and slept on the ground, my first time sleeping on the ground in 5 years!

"Mar 4, 1910 – We drove into St. George and I went right down where Mother and Father were living near the temple, as they were doing temple work. The next day was the St. George Stake Conference and I attended. In the evening I took my cousin Ethel Jarvis to a show. On March 6th at the Sunday evening service of the conference, I was sitting in the back of the tabernacle, thinking I was not even known, when Stake Pres. Snow got up and said, “If Neil S Forsyth is in the audience will he please come to the stand,” so I had t go up and I bore my testimony and told a little bit of my mission experience. I visited in St. George all that week. … Sat Mar 12th I rode one of Andrew Princes horses and took a band of horses up to Pine Valley for Bennett Bracken, I worked there for Uncle Jode til Father and Mother came. On Mar 31, we left to go to Salt Lake for General Conference. …

"April 7th – We left for Canada … April 8th – We went on to Magrath. Sun. April 10th I was asked to speak in Sunday School and was the main speaker in Sacrament Meeting that afternoon.

[In Canada Grandpa began to do carpenter work again. May 13th he traveled to Calgary and then on to High River by train May 20th, about some business dealings, staying in Brant at Mark Halls. The next day, Sunday, he borrowed Mark's horse and rode out and had dinner with his cousins Willard and Joe Snow. They lived just 6 miles from Brant. When he returned to Halls they were still at Sabbath meetings. While he awaited their return he began to write a letter to Clara.]

"… I heard them come in. Mark called for me to come go for a buggy ride with him, I said, “I’m busy”.  He said, “Come on, I want to take you and introduce you to your future wife.” I said, “I will be right out.” We drove down to his neighbors Tom Hatch. Bro. Hatch and some of the family came out, but the oldest girl was tending the baby and didn't come. Mark asked me to unhook the team and take them down to the well and water them, when I brought them back the other daughter, Chloe, was out and Mark introduced us. We visited a short while then returned to the Halls for the night. …"

Chloe Roseltha Hatch

[ Neil visited Magrath for Thanksgiving (mid October) and was with his parents for their 40th wedding anniversary October 31. He continued to work at various business dealings and carpentry until the weather was too cold to continue, about the end of November. In December he returned to Magrath and decided to go to Utah for the holidays. In Utah he visited many people again and dated a few times. Dec 23 Clara comes to Salt Lake from Toole. They ‘visited together’ until the 27th when she went to Ogden to spend New Years with her relatives there. Neil took Winnie Brewerton (an English convert) to a show that night and was telling her goodbye at the RR station when his mother and father came from Canada.  He also dated another English convert Eva Walker before going to Provo to spend New Years with His Uncle William Snow and family. He returned to Canada and - 42 degree weather in Sterling January 10th. By January 20th he was again carpentering in the Calgary area, and beginning a barn in High River, despite the cold.

January 22, 1911 (after attending church in Frankburg) Neil and a friend, Sanford, went to Brant and spent the evening at the Hatch home. It is the first time he has seen Chloe since they were introduced May 21, 2010 (8 months before). Sanford, Neil and others spent a lot of time at Hatches that January and February and Neil bet Steve Dudley, a friend and coworker, he could ‘take’ Chloe from others interested in her.  Neil continued to do some work as weather permitted. During a very cold spell the end of February they visited Magrath but returned to work at the barn in High River before month’s end.

The young people of the area congregated at the Hatch home regularly. Heber Frank told Neil that if he were out of the way that he, Heber, could win Chloe. Neil told him she wasn’t interested and arranged for Heber to meet another girl, Alice Phillips. March 19th Neil and Chloe prank some friends by taking their buggy. Neil asked her to a dance the next week and tells us, "We went steady from then on." May 19th Neil took Chloe to a Frankburg Ward picnic at Little Bow and they spent the day there. They dated through the summer and September 16 he mentioned that ‘after they became engaged’ he asked her about where to live and she chose Magrath over Calgary because there was not a branch of the church in Calgary at that time. They planned a December wedding that year. Neil traveled to Magrath the middle of September and arranged with his father to rent his place, farm and all, for a year. His parents had decided to go to St. George and work in the temple for the winter.

September 19th Neil returned north to work until mid October. At that time he began to help his father in Magrath with harvest and also did carpentry in the area for people he knew until he got a job building a hotel through the first part of December. He returned to Brant Dec 13. The Frankburg Ward held a shower for Chloe and Alice Phillips. Alice and Heber Frank went to Utah with Neil and Chloe to be married the same day, in the Salt Lake Temple. Dec 14th they all boarded the train and traveled to Magrath where they attended a Ward supper. The next day they left Magrath by train and arrived in Salt Lake December 17th at 12 noon. Two other couples from Canada traveled to Salt Lake on the same train for the same reason.

December19 they all cashed ‘drafts’ and got their licenses, rings and etc. and were married December 20, 1911 in the morning session at the temple. Neil tells us that '276 people went through that session and 47 couples were married.' 

Spouse: Chloe Roseltha Hatch

Married: 20 December 1911

Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah, USA

Died: 17 April 1977 Cardston, Alberta, Canada

Buried:20 April 1977 Cardston, Alberta, Canada

Additional information about the Forsyth's as they start their family is posted under the title 'Neil Snow and Chloe Roseltha Forsyth Magrath Years'. Other information may be found using the links within each post or using the 'search' option at the top left. Enter any name or term and click enter to be shown all posts containing the name or term. 

* It is believed that this poem may have spoken 'window' as 'winder', a common half joking way of speaking.

** This Uncle Jeter Snow is the son of Ann Rogers. His wife, Mary Alice Gardner is the daughter of Robert Gardner 1819 and Leonora Cannon. Their son, Mary's brother, married Neil's sister Sarah Isabella Forsyth.  Jeter and Mary's daughter, Leonora Snow 1888-1979, married Herbert Roy Bentley. Herbert and Leonora Bentley are the grandparent's of Jeffrey Roy Holland. Elder Holland's mother is their daughter Alice Bentley Holland.