Natchitoches, LA

We traveled to Natchitoches, LA which was about 90 miles from Bossier City where Derek and Kelly live.  The trip was so interesting with all the green trees lining the roadway and swamp land everywhere.  We seen tons farm land where hunters put out deer stands and feeders.  That is something I had not seen in Utah, but down in the South they are every where.

I was so taken with Natchitoches and the southern buildings.  One of our favorite stores was the old fashioned hardware store on main street.  They had everything anyone could ever want.  The street (main street) was paved in cobble stone pavers and runs along the Red River.  Houses are built right on the water front with boat houses on the water.  I enjoyed this trip very much and hope to return and see more of Louisiana before Derek gets transferred.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Baptism of Evan Makell Madsen

 

Evan chose November 30, 2013 for her baptism date.  She could hardly wait for November 9th to come for her eighth birthday.  This was a very special birthday for her as that is the age for her to be baptized as Jesus was.

We made a special trip from Utah to be with Evan on this memorable day in her life.  What a joy it was to be part of her day.  She was so beautiful in her white dress.  With her blue, blue eyes and long blonde hair she looked just like a princess.

We all gathered at the church then her Dad, Derek Madsen, took her by the hand and led her down into the font and baptized her.  Afterwards he confirmed her a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

 

I am so thankful that Evan chose to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  She has a strong testimony of the teachings she has learned from her parents and through her lessons in primary classes. 

We love you sweet Evan and will walk the path of live holding your hand and trying our best to teach you lessons that will be good stepping stones for you to follow.

Louisiana Bound…

Evan called me in August and wanted to know if I was going to come to her baptism in November.  Of course this grandma told her YES!!!!  I started to make preparations for this huge day in my granddaughter’s life.  I always give my grandchildren the pocket hymnal for their baptismal gift and asked Kelly to pick it up for me and have her name engraved on it (thank heavens Kelly knows just what I need).

Finally the awaited day came for us to leave.  We left La Sal on Thursday, November 22nd and had anticipated to arrive in Bossier City, LA in the late evening of the 23rd. 

Our first adventure of the trip began in Cortez, CO when Dick went to use our card to get gas and it was rejected.  I had to call the card company and let them know that we would be traveling for the next month and not to put a hold on the card.  We got that taken care of and then had to go to Wal-Mart to get new windshield wipers. 

Excitedly off we went and the next stop was in Gallup, NM.  Just before getting there we got into a rain storm (thank heavens for new wiper blades) that lasted for the next three hours.  We could see that we were not going to make our stop for the night in Texas and only made it to Santa Rosa, NM.  It was so cold when we got out of the car to get a room.  I thought our trip was suppose to be warmer than Utah, but that was not the case.

The next morning we took off and was in an ice storm for the rest of the trip.  As we got to Dallas, I got on the wrong road and we ended right in the middle of Dallas/Ft Worth airport.  We drove around and around and finally got out.  By now it is raining cats and dogs and dark.  We found a room and got some much needed rest.

We left bright and early the next morning in more rain but made it safely to Louisiana and were welcomed with open arms by our beloved family.  It was so good to finally land after a rough time on the roads and in storms.

A Little Catch Up……

These past six months have been hard to say the least.  I flew to Ogden, Utah on September 16, 2013 to be with my mother and father following his surgery.  My cousin, Kyle Brown, met me at the airport and drove me to University Hospital in Salt Lake City.  There I met my mom and sister before going in to see my dad. 

Laile took me into the room and my heart was broken, but I was able to keep composed.  Dad recognized me and his eyes opened wide and he would squeeze my hand.  I kept praying for that moment my entire flight that he would know who I was when I got there and he did.  Answers to my prayers were given to me.

Dad was not in good shape but would look at me and squeeze my hand.   I knew that he loved me very much and was relieved that I had finally arrived to take care of Mom and her needs.  It just seems like he was telling me it was okay for him to go now and progress with his eternal life.  It is hard to explain, but I knew in that moment he was transitioning into his next stage of leaving us. 

On September 17th, Dad was pretty much the same but on September 18th there was a drastic change in him and in my heart I knew he had another stroke.  He stopped using the left hand and was so extremely agitated.  The nurses and doctors never said a word, but I could tell they were concerned and that my father was not coming home.

Mom and I stayed with him during the days and spent the evenings at our trailer.  Days were very long as we watched Dad go downhill.  On September 29th they transferred him to the Utah Specialty Hospital in Provo.  We moved our things to Russel’s home in Goshen and drove back and forth to be with Dad each day.  It was so hard to see him go downhill so fast, but he had more wrong with him than we knew. 

Lewis came up to see us at Russel’s on October 1st and we had a good visit.  We had a meeting with the doctor at 11:00 on the morning of October 2nd.  Mom and I were planning on leaving for La Sal for the weekend to harvest the garden then return back to Pr0vo on Monday or Tuesday.

The doctor came in shortly after 11:00 to talk with Russel, Mom and I.  He told us that Dad had had three strokes so far and “what we saw is what we got” .  It broke our hearts knowing that Dad would never get any better than what he was.  Mom decided that we would go on to La Sal then let him go when we got back.  A voice so strong came to her and said “why are you going to let him suffer four more days?’  She called the nurse back and said that she was ready to let him go now.  They let us wait for Lewis to get there before they started preparing his body for departure of this mortal life.

Russel and Lewis gave him a blessing at 2:00 and immediately he settled down.  The blessing that Lewis gave was so tender and peaceful as he told Dad that it was time for him to be released from his mortal body.  He told Dad that he was a good father and husband and we were honored to be his children.  By 6:09 that evening our precious father left this mortal life to begin his eternal progression.  We each got to say goodbye to our dear father, grandfather and husband.  I was so honored to be standing at the head of his bed, rubbing his snow white hair as he took his last mortal breath. 

There is not a day that goes by that my heart does not ache to see my father.  I miss him so much and on the 1st and 2nd of each month it is hard for me to function sensibly.  I do not wish this loneliness upon anyone.

Our earthly time is so short when you think of the eternal aspect of life.  I am so thankful for my father and the man that he was.  I look forward to seeing him again when my turn comes to go to heaven.  I am trying so hard to live a life of righteousness so I am worthy to live in the presence of those that have gone before me.

Dad, I love you dearly.

Lewis Dale Fuller Feb 28, 1932–Oct 2, 2013

My handsome white haired Daddy passed away on October 2, 2013 at 6:09 pm surrounded by his loving family.  I was privileged to have been with with him for the last two and a half weeks of his life.  As he took his last breath,  I was standing at the head of the bed rubbing his white silky hair. 

His funeral was held on October 11th at the Monticello Utah Stake Center and then burial was held at the Monticello (Blue Mountain) Cemetery.  The funeral was very large and many came to pay their last respects to a man that was their friend, brother, grandpa, father and husband.

Dad was a much loved man amongst his family, friends and community.  His name was well known throughout his beloved San Juan County.

We miss him terribly but know that he is in a much better place and he is preparing the path for us to join him.  Our love for Dad is strong and his influences can be seen daily in the actions of his family.

Here are pictures from the funeral:

  

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

I have stalled on making this blog and now that it is posted----it makes it official----my Daddy is in heaven.