Duckwater: The Campbells: Iroquois Cayuga Indians of Gowanda New York

When we lived in the Lamanite program at BYU sponsored the Campbell family to Duckwater.  This was a family traveling performing music.  There act included five brothers playing violin, and a performance of the Hoop Dance. 

Trainings I Took While Working in Duckwater

I went to several trainings while I was working in Duckwater.  I attended a training in Salt Lake which was presented by someone who worked out of Stanford, and was on Cognitive rational Emotive Therpy.  I remember it was very good. 
However in Duckwater, I was like a Jack-of-all-trades.  I did eligibility work, social services work, and was part of the health department.  I have certificates of having completed first responder training.  We had no ambulance in Duckwater, and wanted to be prepared.  There were about eight of us, included Sheri, who took this training.  I also went to Reno for a federal training through the Bureau of Indian Affairs on child sexual abuse investigations. 

Wedding Announcements Received

Terril Morgan and Kim Marie Sears, Nov. 5, 1977.

Ray Ormond and Susan Allen  August 12, 1981, SLC Temple

Artwork of Rodney Mike and Duckwater Christmas program 1983

Rodney Mike also painted a picture I won in raffle.  He is very talented.  I left the picture for the office I was vacating as always thought it was weird I ran the raffle and won the prize.  However I did display proudly in my office.  The raffle was to raise money for the first Duckwater Festival, which has now become an annual event.

People Who Wrote Me on My Mission

To a missionary, the mail service is his lifeline.  We use to visit the post office everyday to pick up letter.  This is a growing post, as I find more old letters.

Sherry Nelson, graduation announcement, and several letters including a report on the "Hyrum Crusader" and talking about a special fast for moisture.

Carol DeBolt, reported on Weldon's baseball and basketball  coaching etc.  She included a picture of David from the paper swimming for the Sky View swim team.
Carmel corn recipe from Carol DeBolt
Carmel Pop Corn
approximately 2 gallons of popped corn
2 cups brown sugar             1/2 cup Karo Syrup
1 stick butter                        1 tablespoon water
Mix together, let come to a good hard boil, add just a pinch of soda.  Blend together, then pour over popcorn  (1 cup popcorn not when not popped.)
you could make it into balls; we just make caramel corn and leave it in pieces.

Kenneth Chase sent the wedding announcement for his son.

Raeburn Ormond, who actually wrote from home and then from his mission in Iowa, Des Moines where my son later served.  He served in fairfield, and was hoping to be able to help with the Relief Society Statues dedication while serving there.  President Kimball did the first dedication, and then he said other general authorities would read the dedication prayer after that for the other sessions.

Audrey Anderson, girl from Mendon.  She said my letter to here brought her up.

Uncle Norval

Niel Frank from his mission in Italy.

The U.S. Constitution

The Constitution was officially accepted and ratified September 17, 1787 by twelve states, Vermont being the only of the original 13 colonies not to ratify at this time.  That would be 230 years ago.  I have been pondering this document, and what it really means to me.  
It established our government in it current form, with prescribed checks and balances.  However the part that is most referred to are the Bill of Rights.  The first amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceable to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
The second: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Third amendment: No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent to the Owner, nor in time of war but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Fourth amendment: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Sixth amendment:  In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial...
Seventh: Right of trial by jury
Eighth amendment no cruel or unusual punishments.
These are our basic rights.  Then it says those thing not enumerated here are reserved to the states or the individual.  
These are the right outlined in the constitution.  It is interesting to me that the Bill of Rights starts with freedom of religion--freedom to worship.  This is the first basic right, and must be respected.  People do not need to worship the same of us, but we need to respect the right of others to worship how they please.  Joseph Smith put this very succinctly:  "We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may."  Being civil with each other is what the Bill of Rights is about, but also about putting a check on government.  Many specifically target this check, which comes from the people, from the states, and from the different branches of government.  
Joseph Smith once prophesied that the Constitution would hang by a thread.  This is not some future event.  This is a struggle today.  We must struggle to preserve our freedoms and our rights on an almost daily basis.  May we pray for our government, our leaders.  If they are lead by the constitution then we can stay on course.  However we as a people have a role as a balance for government.  We have to be involved and active to make the constitution work the way it is intended.

My Poetry: Ode to Sheri

Ode to Sheri

I have felt the fire of you inner flame,

Burning me, as I snuggle close to you in bed.

And I have heard the rumbling of you inner core, 

The cavernous echoing of each snore.

I have touched the satin of your skin

It's texture a playground for my fingers.

My hand has brushed your sating hair,

Played with it, curled it, twirled in upon my fingers.

I have looked into your eyes,

And there, seen a spark of heaven.

I am yours.

Poetry I Like: Family

Family

By Tim Tarrant

No matter how great the distance, we return, 

bearing the bruises of the paths we’ve chosen.

We come to join in laughter, 

in comfort, 

and in grief.

In this house spirits soar, souls dance, 

and magically we make up for the lost time.

We gather in a whirling celebration of life 

and like the rivers that run into the sea, 

we are once again whole.

We take comfort in knowing that through moments of great joy 

and times of sobering reality, 

we are surrounded by all that we will

 ever need … each other. 

The Modern Day Witch Hunt

Just finished reading "The Crucible."  Man that was a time when you were damned if you do and damned if you don't.  Your choice was to commit a sin, lie and say you were influenced by the Devil; or deny any such association and be hung because you were unrepentant.  As to whether or not you were under the influence of the Devil was not doubted.  Authorities had already made up their mind.
I see this same attitude in several movements today.  One is the media, which is determined Trump is bad, and he is damned no matter what he says.  They have gone so far as to manipulate lighting in pictures, make up stories, and dwell on things which make no sense.  If you talked to anyone form Russia, then you are guilty of collusion, done deal.
The other place I see this is with the Black Lives Matters group.  If you say all lives matter, then you  are racist.  Things are just weird.

Soccer Coach

I first coached soccer for AYSO.  I coached the team from Hyrum, 11 and 12 year olds.  I did not grow up with soccer, so this was all learning for me.  I coached kids from the community.
However after I was a father, I coached my kids.  This was in the Cupertino, West San Jose league.  I would usually coach them until about 12, and then hand them over to others who had been coaching longer.  I figured they would have more to teach them.
Major League Soccer would send people to give trainings every year.  These trainings would include material to help with organizing practice.  They would give books with suggested games.  I also purchased a book, Soccer Practice games: 120 games for technique, Training and Tactics by Joe Loxbacher.  I found parts of this book very helpful.  Others too advanced for the age I was teaching.  Crab soccer was always a favorite, and taught both positioning and endurance and strength.  I also liked some of the throw-in games, ass well as the go games.  Some of the warm=up activities would include dribbling and then squash the ball, or side-to-side, or "I've got an injury."  This would help with stretching.
I must admit, I ways always offensive minded in soccer.  I had difficulty teaching defensive skills.  However over the years I got better at this.  I think I coached most of my kids, Mark and Jeremy and Caleb for sure.  Also Charity played for me one year, and Sheri coached Miranda one year.  My kids wee always some of the better on the team.  We played in the district tournament several years, meaning we took first or second.
I always enjoyed this.  When the kids were older, I converted to officiating.  I use to particularly enjoy lines, but I did officiate in the middle as well.

Poetry I Like: I Am a Child of God for the Parents of a Child that has Died

This was shared by Shawna Webb Tripp on Yahoo and I liked it so much I wanted to save it.  

I am a Child of God for the parents of child that has died

I am a child of God and He has called me home.
My earthly journey's through but still, I do not walk alone.
He leads me, guides me, walks beside me, helps me find the way,
He welcomed me with open arms. I live with Him today.

I am a child of God and I have gone ahead.
My earthly life was brief but oh, such peace and love you gave.
You loved me, held me, stood beside me and though I cannot stay.
You gave me much to help me and I live with Him today.

I am a child of God and I will wait for you.
Celestial glory shall be ours, if you can but endure.
I'll lead you, guide you, walk beside you.
Help you find the way.
I'll welcome you with open arms
One bright Celestial day.

~Donna Kulliard

Our first boy was stillborn.  We called him simply Billy Boy.  Often I think of him in this light.