I would describe my life as “UNFOLDING.” I could not have planned it, or consciously prepared for it. Rather, it’s like it came to me, one interesting experience after the next. When I look back, I see things I began without realizing I was in a beginning. I wonder if I will end the same way, not knowing I’m at an ending.
“As you journey back in memory, you’ll see your life whole. What may have felt at the time like a series of disconnected and chance events will take on a flow and coherence that only the passage of time could reveal. You’re able now to see how the consequences of a choice, perhaps made casually, rippled through the years that followed. You can see how a chance event led to other events that shaped your entire life. Memory, in short, can reveal the links, the connections–the story–of your life.
It’s hard to exaggerate the satisfaction this kind of insight can produce. It’s the satisfaction of feeling that your life, whatever happened in it, made sense.”
This quote is from the book called The Legacy Guide, Capturing the Facts, Memories, and Meaning of Your Life, by Carol Franco and Kent Line back (p. 3).
In 2006, I attended a BYU Devotional where Pres. Hinckley told about 10 events or experiences that had had a deep impact on his life. They were interesting and meaningful to him. At the end he counseled us to write down our significant experiences and so they would not be lost. As I drove home, I thought about what things I would put on my list. Here are a few (added to over the years):
I was raised on a farm, where I had to work hard every day. Life was taken seriously. We learned the Law of the Harvest. We learned not to waste.
I was taught to read on my mother’s lap. I’ve been an avid and fast reader ever since.
I was raised next door to grandparents I loved. I had instilled in me at a young age a love for my German ancestors and their language.
1965 on
From an early age, I learned to be physically fit, swimming every day, often year-round. I was a top competitor, successful in my athletic endeavors, swimming for teams and clubs and playing waterpolo in high school (on the men’s varsity team). I was a High School All-American swimmer.
1975
I was called to be the Reedley Ward pianist, then organist. I learned the words and music of the hymns. I seldom need to use a hymn book anymore. They’re all in my head. I sing Alto and can easily pick out my part.
1974-77
At Reedley High I had many opportunities to serve and be a student body officer in school and leader at church.
1976
I was a foreign exchange student in Germany at age 17. I read and then re-read the Book of Mormon cover to cover, often reading in a Jagerstand in a German forest. I knew it was the word of God.
1979
I sat alone in the fields overlooking Bethlehem on the eve of April 6th 1979 with my cassette player and Christmas music. I learned to know the places our Savior walked and taught. Study Abroad Israel Jan-June 1979.
1981
On a dusty orchard avenue one summer evening in 1981, I felt the Spirit bear witness of the truth of the account of The First Vision as I recited aloud from memory the Restoration discussion in preparation for my mission.
1981-1983
I served a mission in South Africa. I learned to speak Afrikaans. I learned about welfare services work. Most importantly, I learned to give freely, without inhibition, loving strangers and wanting to share all I had.
1984-1987
When El Nino struck, creating weather havoc all over the world, I spent an entire night on my knees in prayer. I offered my life to help those in need, Days later I was invited to go to Nigeria where I found my life 1984-1987 serving and teaching others.
1987-1990
I worked as an Editor for the International Magazines at the Church Office Building. One of my jobs was to remove the “Americanisms” from articles, making them internationally appropriate. I had learned to see the world through international eyes.
1989
I backpacked through China in 1989, experiencing the desire others had for democracy. I left Beijing a few days before students were killed on Tiananmen Square.
1990
I met John on a blind date in July 1990. Didn’t sleep that night. Saw him dressed in white, smiling. We knew the first night we would marry. We talked about it 3 weeks later and became engaged.
1991-1995
Birthed 3 Children, 9 pregnancies. Broken hearted times.
1998
I was the President of the Utah Valley Quilt Guild–fully immersed myself in the world of quilting. I served on the UVQG board for many years.
2001
Took a Family History class from Lindsay Powell (repeated 3 times). Learned to love Family History work.
2002-2007
Taught Institute classes in our Stake to young adults. I learned to love the scriptures even more.
2004
Went back to BYU when John’s job allowed me free tuition. Studied there for about 10 more years, taking more than 80 classes.
2004
Met Roger Minert, German professor at BYU who taught me to do German research and read the old documents. I extracted 500 years of family names from Grossgartach, ancestral village, organizing everyone into families in my Legacy database.
2007
Met Steve Harper, Church History professor at BYU who opened the world of my LDS ancestors to me.
2008
Met Rick Turley and started doing research for him which led to co-authoring The Theodore Turley Papers. Learned from a master researcher.
2010
First trip to Ouelessebougou, Mali. Yearly trips to do humanitarian work after this.
2012
Started teaching semester-long Family History Classes. Had more than 3000 students.
2013
Started Days for Girls in Utah, involved 10,000+ women, raised $100,00+. Worked full time teaching and training women all over Utah, CA, AZ, ID.
2015-18
We were Mission Leaders in the Washington Yakima Mission. Learned to love young adults in the church. Taught, fed and loved 455 missionaries.
2016
Became a GRANDMA!
2019-21
We served in the Abidjan East and Bamako Mali Mission, Member Leader Support Missionary. Returned to my beloved African friends.2023-2024 Frankfurt Communication Mission
2023-2024
We served a mission in the Central European Area Office in Frankfurt as a Communication Specialists. Prepared materials that were translated into 22 languages and shared throughout the 37 countries in central Europe.
2024
Visited the Leingarten Archives and photographed more than 17,000 pages of birth, marriage and death records from my ancestral hometown. Started extracting the names from the records to add to FamilySearch.
2026
Sold our home of 33 years to our son, Adam and his growing family. Sorted, thinned and gave away carloads of things we no longer need, simplifying our lives. We built a new home across town to begin our down-sized lives.