One on One cont......

Hi guys.... I totally screwed up. I had little Roo on my lap and she hit something and I couldn't get back to finish. So anywho. I left my meeting feeling pretty good, and his secretary and me bonded. Then for the 2 hour train ride home. I was so exhausted, when I boarded the train, I fell right into this guys lap, and he says" That's the first time I've saved a damsel in distress" so I sat by him and then he tells me I am wearing his favorite color....Red..... I say are you a Ute fan, he says No, just love red. Okay..folks I am still legally married, but I am not that behind the times on a pick up line. So we chat, names exchanged, jobs, etc. I was relieved when his stop came. Date asked...no can do hero.. married. But he was nice none the less. After transfer #1 I could hardly keep my eyes open, (a side effect of thyroid imbalance), so I find the cleanest looking person on the train and plop, I mean a hard old plop right next to guy #2. Luckily I was wearing my favorite perfume, it always turns heads. I snuggle up to him and said" I am so tired, can I just rest my head on your shoulder"? , he was more than accommodating and I got a snooze before we arrived at our last stop. Oh the things we do out of desperation. On the drive home, my phone didn't stop ringing. Everyone wanted to know what happened at Huntsman. Once I arrived home safe and sound, I fell in the bed, clothes and all, at least Roo was happy. I told Roo to wake me up on one hour. And guess what? she did. So at 6 pm, I told little Roo, mommy needs to go to work, and I got my temple gear ready and headed out for the last session. I felt I needed to give thanks to our Father for the safe drive, the strength in my conversation with Ray and for every thing I have. I left the temple at 9:30, Mom and Mary call, 2 hours later, I finally get to sleep. Oh.. I get a little call from Mission. SCARY. Lolo was in a little wreck, A snow mover stopped suddenly, because the snow shoveler in from of him stopped suddenly, and they braked, but hit black Ice, and spun 360 down the road until a guard rail pulled their bumper off and stopped them. Whew!! I was freaking, she was okay and said Mom, don't worry about stuff like that, our third companion is there protecting us. Laura is amazing, her faith, devotion, hard work is blessing us all. Sometimes I think she will be translated like the city of Zion. Oh how I love that girl, and Sister Winterton too, for remaining in control a spinning car and for being such a wonderful companion to my daughter. Sister Winterton is an angel and the stories of Lucy and Ethel will continue, I really think those two red-heads are like a movie. LOVE THEM!!. Have a great weekend, pray and have gratitude for our lives and every thing we have. Stay on the Right Side of the Light Side, and love from a missionary mom, Kathy

One on One with the big Boys

Okay.... its not about Lolo, but in your imagination picture this. Big, grand, glassy Huntsman Hospital office building. Me sitting on a wooden chair , Executive director Ray sitting on a wooden chair and about 2 feet of wood between us. Kinda cozy, you could say, but his eyes were boring through me like arrows. Yikes !!. In my mind I am thinking" remember what Jeff said, rub the mini spoon lolo sent, look into his pupils, do not flinch. But the real Kathy wanted to cry and drag myself all over his office being dramatic,occasionally stumbling and falling flat on my face, looking for sympathy. Nope.. Papa said" stiff upper lip, keep chin up and keep your back bone strong, and DONT'T cry" Easy for you to say Papa, I inherited my emotions from you. However, I dug deep, really deep and confronted Ray with my concerns, I spoke educated, calmly, and did not flinch. When he said, as he held out his hand as if to say good-bye, thanks for coming. My strength kicked in like a massive bull. Oh...Ray... I have a couple more things I would l like to discuss." Hah..caught him off guard, he sits back down. " please continue? and continue I did. Like a "bat our of Hell" (Meatloaft song from 25 years ago, but I love the saying) I continued on professionally ( thanks Dr. Hunsaker for making me do all the hard stuff, I actually did learn from those glory days of me taking care of the office wing nuts)I talked calmly and to the point. He pulled out a legal pad and took notes. But when all was said and I was drained, he pulls out the executive director power and says" I get back with you in a week."
He tries to use the insurance card, and I said" Oh.. Ray, I failed to mention I did billing medical insurance for 7 years and the contracts/co-pays can be waived, So I have an understanding of medical/insurance contracts. So who knows what will happen, nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnwwwwwww

Lucy and Ethel

Hi Friends,
Today I wanted to write about the adventures of Laura and Sister Winterton. They remind me so much of me and my oldest friend Tanya from California. We were dubbed Lucy ...(Me) and Ethel..(Tanya). After every escapade Tanya would say" LUCY.....look what you got us into" or "Lucy..... you have some splanning to do" I am beginning to see my own little Lucy performing her own escapades while in Rochester. And I love it !!! Never a dull moment when the 2 red-heads are around.
News Flash !!! Lucy and Ethel stories will have to be put on hold. I just received a Christmas box from our little missionary. Can I just cry for a moment? Can I just beam for a moment? Can I just thank all of you and your encouraging letters sent to her? Can I just bask in the work she is doing for the Gospel of Jesus Christ? As I read through her daily missionary planner. I about fell to the ground. Who is this beautiful Spirit I have been in charge of for 23 years? She is beyond amazing. I will list a typical day in their life.
MISSIONARY DAILY PLANNER
Sister Laura Burns and Sister Heidi Evans
Brighton/Spencerport, Transfer with Sister Winterton Nov. 2, 2008
Dates of planner Oct. 6, to nov 17 2008
6AM Up and pray
7:00 Prepare
8 Personal study
9 companionship study
10: Ward coordination
11 Referrals
12:30 Lunch
1 Meet with Deaf group
2 Service Food Link
4 Meeting
6 Dinner (hopefully a member's house)
7:30 Institute meeting
9 Planning and coordination

Each day is different as to who they visit or service they do. But on every page at the same time are Prayer, Study, Planning and always service for someone. I soon noticed her notes about talks, lessons, ideas, scriptures, and always, always a "heart" by the name Jesus.
Oh.. how my own heart is so touched by her words, and her growth in the Gospel. Ohh and how the girl doodles. Tree hearts as branches, eyes with heart tears, pathways with brick roads with flowers and hearts along the paths. Things to do on P-day, laundry, shop, service, thank-you's to write. By George...I think she's got it !! My little bundle of love has crossed the line to full grown adulthood, full of responsibility and caring for others. For me, reading her notes is like a secret diary. I get to read what she has done each and every day since May 14, 2008 the day, when I let her go 100% into the arms of the Lord to guide and direct her in her mission. I can see how special these little planners become to them, and after their mission is complete the words written will bring back wonderful and treasured memories. This is so delightful and grand. I feel like a spoiled kid in a candy store. Each page sweeter than the last.
I go through the rest of the box. When did she have time to crochet me a blanket, enclosed are every one's letters for me to read and archive. Sunday programs where she is speaking, singing or one of their investigators was baptized. All kinds of little notes and doo dads. One thing that brought a big ole tear to my left eye,was a Marylin Monroe calender. Silly as it sounds, it has been tradition for her to give me one each Christmas. I had told her I couldn't find one this year. Well...Ta Da.. she said" no Christmas would be complete without your Marilyn calender" Laura doesn't forget a thing, her mind is like a little computer chip, read, logged in, data saved. Her compassion for people struggling, her pure love for "cat" people ( what.. what.), and all people, her generous and kindness to all. Well lets just say, I am one proud mama. And it's my blog, so I can cry if I want to. Thank-you to all of you who take the time to write Laura, I know she looks forward to the letters from friends and family. Bryn and Linda... okay you two... you not only take the cake, but the icing too. I love you all for your support for my" baby goat". A term she named us when she was young. At 2 years old Lolo put her little kid arms around me, holding me so tender as if I were the child, "Ahh.. she says as she strokes my hot red cheeks, my little baby goat, lets spoon". She is so funny and I know that the blessed people of Rochester New York are just loving her up !! One last thing.. Mother's encourage your daughters to consider a mission, if I can let go of my only child to serve , anyone can.Period Dot.com. The blessings are plentiful and I am joyful in her decision to serve. "Stay on the Right Side of the Light Side" And as Hinks would say," IT IS WUNDERFULL", love from a missionary mommy, Kathy
PS. Hopefully the adventures of Lucy and Ethel will be continued.

Wink... and say Thanks

Well... no one is more surprised than moi that I am here at bedtime writing. However, I get a call from Holiday Barbie/Bryn. Ahh .... she says... the Paris Hilton VIP party at Sundance party was fun and I saw...basically everyone. I am just wondering when the Bryn thrills will slow down. Then Bryn says"" I nannied for 3 children when their parents went to the inauguration. Was it Mitt Romney's grandchildren? or how about Gov. Huntsman... Whew !! Bryn said "you mothers have it so hard, I had no idea" To raise a great child is so hard" Well like Judy Hunsaker says" there are no coincidences, so you just wink and say Thanks" do you love that or what? Oh... the tender mercies we receive daily, we don't even know how blessed we are. On the Daily Gems I received today was on" Mother's commitment to children." by M Russell Ballard. I thought perfect to share. " We need to remember that the full commitment of motherhood and of putting children first can be difficult. Through my own four-generation experience in our family, and through discussions with mothers of young children throughout the church, I know something of a mother's emotions that company her commitment to be at home with young children. There are moments of great joy and incredible fulfillment, but there are also moments of a sense of inadequacy, monotony, and frustrations. Mothers may feel they receive little or no appreciation for the choice they have made. Sometimes even husbands seem to have no idea of the demands upon their wives. " As a Church, we have enormous respect and gratitude to you mothers of young children. We want you to be happy and successful in your families and to have the validation and support you need and deserve."
Yes... my darling Bryn, it is hard, however, we are given tender mercies throughout our lives and our children's lives hence...a "wink and say thanks" but the pay off when you see your little one marching off to Serve, it puts it all in perfect perspective. We have a job to do and we mothers are held accountable when we do not take the time and energy to teach our children how to live Christ like lives and prepare our families for their future. Our Little Laura had a vacation day this week, so I have no real new news. Other than Josh has set a baptism date. Ya Hoo. Laura is doing well, and everyone in Rochester loves my girl. Beam...Beam...
Her Birthday is Feb. 7, so send her a letter, she would love to hear about all of you and your lives. Address is 41-C Nicole Drive, Spencerport, NY 14559.. So until next year Bryn is still caring the baton at Sundance, but next year look out... Lolo will be back in town and we will paint it RED. Stay on the Right Side of the Light Side and always "a wink and say thanks" to the Master. Love to you all... a missionary mommy, Kathy

Sundance Tradition

Well friends, its that time of year. SUNDANCE !! my favorite time of year. When the movie stars are out in full force, freebies everywhere on Main, and best of all....Crashing Hollywood parties.
I must say, I have had my share of Hollywood Swag, why once I walked right into the Hollywood Life Lounge and got a new pair of boots/ with rhinestones and some great skin care products. (Double Dog Dare) This has been Laura's and my tradition for 10 years. We have watched Sundance Film Fest. start small and become so big, why I was escorting Kevin Sorbo to the Swag , and Lolo was running up to director Jay from Ojai to give hugs. Then hugs all around Ben and Casey Afleck. YaDa YaDaa. She's seen J-Lo UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL . My first party I crashed was the Cesar Dog food at the Cody Art Gallery. Now don't laugh, I walked away with a $400.00 Poochie Dog bag for my little Roo. One year we counted 55 or so "Stars" walking up and down Main. Well folks.... the baton has been passed this year to our Bryn. You all remember Bryn, Holiday Barbie. Well, she just got on a VIP list for a huge party, and to top that, Bryn has been invited back to the Gov's manse for a Birthday party. Oh how I wish Lolo could be part of these exciting events. Oh... to be living in Holiday Bryn's Holiday shoes right now. So we shall keep our little secret from the hard working, freezing footed little missionary. So this year... I must pass on the events and just let Bryn take over and tell us of the exciting stories at Sundance. I totally feel like my little blog for Laura has turned into my journal. Like a dear friend Lynn said" the church says's keep journals, I take that as Blog" Which is like a journal right? Come on validate me. I wouldn't have written this down, so I am taking this time as an opportunity to record some history. Ta Da.
In the mist of all this Sundance excitement, I was thrown a bit , just a wee bit of semi-bad news. During my surgery Dec. 10, when only the left thyroid and tumor were an item. Some how a part of the right was snipped off. Well... the results came back this week. When the nurse calls you 15 times in one day and stays until 8:00 pm to reach you, you can pretty much count on not-so-good- news. The right side of my thyroid is cancer. Full blown in all its glory.Yesss and Ta Da I get to go back to the 5-Star Hospital Feb . 11 for another surgery to remove the rest. This is the cool part of the story. I spent hours at Huntsman, getting pre-op tests and all. I was so tired I could hardly see. I pull into the driveway and close the door. My cell phone rings. To my surprise, ( not really) It's Laura... "Hi... I say" " What's going on?" she asks very firmly, "uh... funny you should ask, I was just trying to figure out a way to tell you I have to go back under the surgeon's sharp knife" "Do I need to come home?" she asks again even firmer. No.....no silly girl (yes, yes... please do) I will be fine, Jilly is going to take care of me" it's okay." Laura " well...fine... then and all the missionary's will be praying for you, I love you.. Bye" The conversation lasted all of 30 seconds. Is that girl in -tuned to me or what.? All those sleepless nights as a mother listening to her breathing, or rocking her for hours on end because you don't want to put their little bodies down, you want them right on your heart forever. You want to remember their smell, their heart beating right next to yours. But as you can see, the tables have turned and much sooner than I anticipated, now she is the Mother/daughter and worrier. As mother's we cannot love our children enough, we want them by us, or at least close to us forever. Ahh... there we go... the lead in for the great and wonderful Plan of Salvation. We can do just that... Yes, be with our families forever. It warms my heart and soul to even think Laura "felt" something was up. It warms me much more deeply that THIS is what she is teaching, to perfect strangers. How cool or scary is it to walk up to a house, knock on the front door and ask the homeowner if they would like to know of our Heavenly Father's plan, and the true Gospel of Jesus is here on earth today, and that they can participate in the blessings promised his children. It leaves me breathless to think of my little one, doing just that. The Master leading, protecting and guiding them "onward ever onward as we glory in his name." Back in 1992 when we first moved to Provo and I was busy unpacking, and wanted a little someone to give me some space, I sent my bundle of love out the front door to look for work. Laura went out, at age 7, in a new neighborhood and knocked on doors , introduced herself, and asked if there were any jobs she could help out with. She came home with 35 cents, and a feeling of accomplishment. Little did I even know, I was helping shape a missionary. Now we laugh about that story. What was I thinking? To send Laura out in a place I knew nothing about. While Laura was polishing up on some missionary skills, I was teaching her to go out in the world to learn and do. I was learning how to replace fear with faith. Funny to think that 15 years later, I would once again have to rely on the Father and replace fear with faith, and trust in his plan. And that Laura would once again be knocking on doors of strangers. We as Latter Day Saints are so blessed to know of the eternal plan for us and our families. I am so grateful for the opportunity Laura has to go and serve the Lord. Laura has touched so many lives, Rochester New York will be sad when she goes. Which is in 9 month by the way. Ya Hoo.!! Oh my... I have gotten off track again, so I will close and let all of you reading this you are loved and we cherish our friendships with you. So... Bryn... go to Sundance and show them how to really be a" star" and shine on baby girl. And Lolo my baby goat, you remember you are so loved and missed by so many. We are so proud of you and your decisions. Keep on rocking Rochester until we meet again. Stay on the Right Side of the Light Side. Be safe, hug your family, tell them you love them and be eternally grateful for our Lord and the love he sends us. I think it's time for me to do some " real cruising" , Love to you all. A Missionary Mommy, Kathy

Cruising the Temple Halls

Howdy friends, I only have 15 minutes before Young Women's and if I don't jot something down now, it will never happen. Today whilst cruising the temple halls, who else do you know who likes to cruise the Temple halls? O.K. I know I am different, but I like it. Any who... There were 4 ladies, or sisters cruising ahead of me, well they weren't actually cruising, but they were ahead of me. I overheard with my Superman super sonic ears that they all had young daughters on missions. So of course I had to listen. " Well... my Meagan just baptized 2 on Sat.," " Well.... you should hear my Susie Anna tell the plan of Salvation, " "Well my Mary Poppins said she was the best Sister Missionary they ever had." Well this continued to the chapel. And I was lucky enough to sit right beside them ( did you notice the sarcastic in my writing)? They were not using their Chapel voices, their bragging went on for 20 minutes. As I sat quietly listening. I thought to myself.....Well...I have a special daughter on a mission too....she is wonderful too.....With no fear... she shakes her fists high in the air at Armenian men and with shouts of truth of the Gospel on Earth......She had in depth conversations with Agnostic Jewish man and then is asked to bear her testimony of the Savior to them..... Hmmmm... well lookie ...here ladies, top that cookie cutter Temple cruisers. When their bragging simmered down and we went to a new room, I sat very still and took in the great Spirit that can only be found in the Temple of the Lord. Then I looked around and saw, I had no one to brag to. I put my head down, cuz I can breath better, and we don't want to start any tears flowing or else, a panic attack will soon follow. As I sat there trying to hold back tears mixed with shouts of joy about how wonderful MY daughter is as a missionary. I wanted to climb on top of the Temple with Captain Moroni and shout at the top of my Cragun lungs " NO.. Laura is the best Sister Missionary out serving. Her Elders told me and I have their voice on recording to prove it. I have received letters from her investigators thanking me for the love in Laura's heart and kindness in her eyes, and hard working hands. Then I kinda felt sad again for I was alone, then it happened. "HINKS"????, Is that you? I felt the most glorious peaceful warm feeling ever. Ahhhhh...... the Comforter was with me and I twas not alone. I basked in the warmth of the Comforter and glowed knowing Laura is an amazing daughter of God. I have been the blessed Mother who got to raise her, teach her and nurture her. I am the Mother who knows her heart and soul. I am the Mother of a Missionary who always took a stand against right and wrong, or the "Principle of it". I am the Mother of a very hard working Sister Missionary who is freezing in below single digit temperatures and still trying to get our and spread the Gospel. I again looked at the cookie cutters ladies comparing their 3 carat diamonds and bleach blond hair cuts from La Shae La Mont ( ok I do love the bleach ) and thought how lucky I was to be alone in the Temple and ponder our Heavenly Fathers Plan and think of Laura far, far, away. How blessed I was to be able to feel the peaceful Spirit of the Comforter in the Temple this day. I was reassured, encouraged and calm. I was so happy, I didn't have to sit and brag and compare with the cookie cutter copy cat Temple cruisers. For I know my girl is the Best.!!! I am out of time and must go. I learned today never to compare my life with cookie cutter's lives, and I need to keep cruising the Temple halls. All in my own sweet time. "Stay on the Right Side of the Light Side"
Sundance Film Festival is a coming next week , I must might have to crash a party or two. And I heard sweet Allison is coming up to ski with some girlfriends so maybe I will have a chance to see her and take her thru the Draper Temple before it's dedication. Love to you all, and Lolo is doing great. She got to ski New York snow with some investigators Tori and Hannah, so now Tori and Hannah need to come out to Utah and see what real powder is like. Love you a Missionary Mom, Kathy

Secret Garden

Shhhh... its a secret, don't tell. Doesn't everyone want a secret garden? Like in the movie, or possibly in a dream. A place where a child can play hide and seek, find unopened doors behind hedges, find secret treasures, dig for gold coins. We have such a small amount of child time, the innocent child time, the pure child time, when our imaginations can run as fast as our two little feet. Well.... this past week, Laura and Sister Winterton found a Secret Garden. They had driven past this vast, beautifully kept garden a few times, then they found themselves driving past a bit more frequently. Curiosity was starting to weigh heavily on these two adventurous red-heads. If they can open the double locked library door with a "fork", they surely can find away to get into the "gardens". Oh how I wish I were with them, I would come up with a cockamamie story to get in. Here's the difference between Sister Missionary' s and a scrapper. They just simply asked the owner if they could go in and look around. How could he say no to... two beautiful red-haired girls with big brown eyes. He couldn't... The very sweet and cautious gentleman, said "Why ... Yes... but please be careful and don't slip on the ice" Wow, that was easy. Maybe with the same wide eyed innocence the Queen would let the snoop around Buckingham Palace.
Oh my ....oh my.....my.. oh my, I got to see the pictures today..... what exquisite beauty, what playfulness, fun, what pioneer adventure. It was better than a movie, because my girl was the "star". There were pictures of Laura and Sister Winterton on old fashioned swings, really old antique swings, big and high, charming and captivating the kind only seen in castles or movies. They looked like children, big smiles and rosy cheeks and long red hair flowing behind them. I asked her...who were the two on the swings? She said '" me and sister Winterton. I could have sworn they were not a day over 5 years old. That is the magic of discovery. The white untouched snow was waist deep. The gates delicately elaborate, and the twinkle in their eyes was pure, childlike magic. Peeking thru the fairy-like gates, spellbound by the intertwined ivy vines creeping up the brick wall, the two Sisters watched squirrels chase each other and run up their familiar trees. Popping in and out of secret holes that only the squirrels know . These pictures I looked at today were magical and in the magic their light so shinned bright. The happiness that comes from with in and glows purely is the light of Christ. While having fun, exploring and observing their light shone brightly. It reminds me of our Brother Jesus in his own garden. Only he was not playing and exploring, but pleading with the Father for all of us so we can return " home" once again . Laura has to give a talk on the atonement tomorrow at Zone Conferance. She expressed her anxiety at not knowing what to say. I reminded her that when Grandpa Cragun went into UCLA Hospital for major cancer surgery , just in case ... his funeral services had been planned. Music, talks, program down to the smallest detail. I asked my Mother what his choice of music was. Mama Sue replied it was all about the atonement. For my Papa to want to center his funeral all around the atonement and what the Savior painfully did for all of us spoke volumes. He wanted everyone to know the importance of the atonement in his life, and what it meant to him. My father, a wonderful man, a "fine figure of a man", full of service to all, wanted to thank the Savior for giving us the opportunity to repent and return unto the fold. Papa knows that it is only through the Savior that we can return to our Father. What a gift we are given. How can we not pray on bended knee, our hearts full of gratitude? The deep gratitude sincerely felt for Christ's suffering on our behalf. In Gethsemae the Savior 'descended below all things' ( D & C 88:16) as He bore the burden of sin for every human being. " as we make the sacrifice to Him of all that we have and all that we are, the Lord will fill our hearts with peace. ( Bruce D. Porter) I am thrilled beyond anything imaginable that Laura is frolicking in secret gardens because of Our Savior in his Garden. As you continue your day, think of Laura and her adventures and discoveries, Secret Gardens and magic. Then thank our Lord for his endless love and pain he endured for ALL of us. Wow...what a thought, we are truly blessed. I looked up endure in the dictionary for my own benefit. Just listen to the definitions of endure: To resist, remain, last, continue , exist, prevail, sustain, service, outlast, carry on, live on, go on, hold on, outlive , bear up, permit, support with stand bear up, be patient, brave face, grin and bear it. These are just a few mentioned. Look it up and see if you could endure what our Savior endured for us. I hope to be taught to scan pictures in this darn computer and let you all see Lolo in the Secret Garden, but you can go to any religious book and see Jesus in his garden. My heart is once again full for the opportunity Laura has to serve. To help repay the debt of gratitude to our Atoning Savior. As always " Stay on the Right Side of the Light Side" and know you are loved. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL , I need to go shovel snow, so much for my secret garden :) Love a Missionary Mom, Kathy
P.S. Papa Cragun is going great, just undergoing shoulder surgery in hopes to improve his wicked tennis serve. What a man.