Traces of Time . . . May 2-8, 2022

TRACES OF TIME . . .                   {To see last week: Scroll to end and click "Older Posts" at bottom right.} 

THIS WEEK

 MAY 2-8, 2022

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2022                     

       Family is Everything...            Sunrise 6:26 a.m. 

Sunset: 8:24 p.m.

A medical miracle... unfolded in our     family yesterday, May 1.

There are many details left out, but here

is a brief summary.

Here is my granddaughter,

Ashley Fisher, with

Joshua Teiko Fuona a

few months ago.

 This young man that Ashley--Janie's youngest daughter--is almost engaged to became sick in March. He is a 22-y-o returned missionary, who exercised almost daily, ate healthy, and took care of himself. He is 6 ft 4" tall, and was in excellent health before that. He and Ashley were in a group of friends at BYU Idaho. They had begun dating in January.

He became so sick that Ashley convinced him that he needed to go home to Sacramento, California. When he got there, March 22 the doctors discovered that his heart was only at 18% functioning. They said if it had gotten down to 15% he would have been in a coma. He was taken to a hospital in Santa Clara. 

Nothing was helping. He got to a point where it was determined he needed a heart transplant.  He was life-flighted to the Stanford Medical Center. 

They determined that the Covid vaccine had attacked his heart. 

His two-week wait was up on Friday, April 29. A donor was finally found and Josh had the heart transplant on Sunday, May  1.

Joshua receives heart transplant – Sunday May 1, 2022                         Here is his father, Kalake Fuona's face book post of Monday, May 2, 2022                              This morning we dropped off my wife at the hospital to visit Joshua for the first time after his surgery. She found him laying in bed with his eyes closed, but was awake and conscious. "You have a new heart!" she said, and he faintly cracked a smile. A couple of hours later, Ana calls me to convey what the doctors have shared with her. They were all very impressed with what they observed took place yesterday and what they continue to see in him today. They reiterated the fact that once a heart is transplanted and connected, it usually takes a little while to get it beating. However, with Josh the new heart started up immediately. Thus far, there's not the slightest indication that his body is rejecting a foreign organ but rather embracing one of their own--a perfect fit.

All his vital signs are looking great and so there is minimal aid and medication needed for his recovery. He woke up sooner than expected, and the nurses had him sit up, get out of bed twice to walk around the room. All of this, according to the doctors, is quite unusual for someone who's just had a heart transplant. Even the head surgeon had to revisit him this morning to verify what seemed to him as a "miracle." My wife then told him that yesterday was a prayer and fast day for our church, and we had reached out to all of our families, friends, and members of the church to specifically fast and pray for Josh and for the doctors and nurses who would be involved in the procedure. The doctor then looked at my wife with amazement and said, "Wow! That definitely had something to do with it!"

After the end of our call, I sat back on the bench outside trying to process all of this with much gratitude and a greater acknowledgement of God's love, power, and timing. After a moment of ponder and prayer, I noticed the tiny blooms in a flower bed just a few feet away from me. I was reminded of the Savior's words: "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these" (Matthew 6:28-29). These lilies outside the hospital certainly convey and reflect what and how I felt in a simple but profound way.

Heavenly Father is in the details of our lives! This is a miracle that a perfect match has been found for Joshua. Now we continue to pray that this new heart will continue to sustain his life.

One cardiologist at Stanford has told them that she has a patient who received a heart transplant 30 years ago and it is still working well. The average is 11 years, then another heart transplant can be done that will work for another 11 years. These are stats in older patients. The times are longer for younger patients.

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

Now here are my day-to-day happenings for this week: Natalie came to cut my hair this morning.  I so appreciate her doing this with all that she has going on in her busy life.  She is a wonderful

daughter-in-law.

I had a four-month follow-up

with my dermatologist,'

Dr. Jordan Harris this

afternoon. 

He's checking

to make sure that the

squeamous cell carcinoma

taken out of my scalp

in Dec. 2020 is

still contained. 

He had to freeze more

pre-cancerous spots

from my face and scalp

than he had thought

there would be.

It hurts, but what a

blessing to have 

physicians who are willing

to train for so many years

to be able to diagnose

this and the medicine

to stop it from causing

fatal damage.

As I came out to the waiting

room, there was a good 

friend from our Lunch Bunch

group. It was so nice to

see LeAnn.

LeAnn, we hope you can

be with us again soon!

This is Dr. Harris' new

office in one of those

new medical buildings 

on the east side of Redwood

Road and north side 

of Pioneer Crossing

here in Saratoga Springs.

The furniture is so 

bright and modern 

in the central

waiting area.

There's always someone

coming or going who will

take a minute to take

a photo for my blog.

I got my car washed. It

gets dusty just sitting

most of the time.

And I got a Rx at Smith's

plus a few other things. 

Then I worked on my

blog and e-mails, caught

up on face book, and

was going to watch the

news.

However, it was less

depressing to watch

'some old 1930's musicals

on Turner Classic Movies...

like:

"42nd Street with

Dick Powell and

Ruby Keeler

...great, old movies!

Busby Berkley

choreographed

phenomanal

dance numbers~!

TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2021                          Family is Everything…

                            

Institute was cancelled.

I found out a close

friend has had a stroke

on Sunday.

Karen Taylor.

A blood clot was

seen on the left side

of her brain.

Her right hand is affected.

She cannot hold anything

in it.

We pray for her complete recovery.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2022

Family is Everything…

  

May the 4th Be With You...

     Ladies' Lunch was at 

Zupa's today. We had five

who were able to come.

Judy, Carol

Eileen, Sue

 Linda H

Eileen, Sue,

Judy, Carol.

Eileen, Sue, Linda H,

Judy, Carol.

Judy, Linda H, Carol, Eileen, Sue.

We always miss those 

who can't come.

See you next week...

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

Instead of our Wednesday

night movie, Gary took 

me to his son, Isaacc's

play at Pleasant Grove

High School. 

"Laughing Stock"
Isaac was Craig. 

While we were at the play,

Steve texted the family

the first photos of him

and Natalie with their 

new grandson.

Jax Taylor, son

of Josh and Kelsey Taylor

born Sunday, May 1

THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2022                         Family is Everything…

                        

                                                        

 I had an appointment 

at the Costco Hearing Aid

Center to have my

hearing aids checked. Nick discovered a wire was broken. Took about 5 minutes to fix it. Now I can hear a lot better.

***  *** *** *** ***

Then Julie and I went to lunch...

and since it was Cinco de Mayo,

we had lunch at Los Hermanos...

it is owned by Clyde Witham's brother.

We talked with him in the

parking lot. He said he

should come to one of

his brother's Gospel

Doctrine lessons.

I didn't know that Los Hermanos,

is her favorite place.

So for her family she

made tacos for supper.

Short History of Cinco de Mayo

In Sacramento, The Mexican Cultural Center of Northern California (MCCNC) is on a mission to enrich the Sacramento and Northern California communities through education, entertainment and outreach activities that preserve Mexican heritage by fostering the cultural, artistic and historical legacy of Mexico. MCCNC is encouraging the public to learn the origins of Cinco de Mayo as well as the history and culture of Mexico.

"Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico's Independence Day," ..."September 16, is Mexico Independence Day. I encourage the community at large, not just the Mexican, Hispanic or Latino community, but the community at large to learn about the food, music, history and art."

Cinco de Mayo, or the fifth of May, is a holiday that celebrates the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862 during the Franco-Mexican War. ... Mexico declared a temporary moratorium on the repayment of foreign debts to European governments in 1861, leading to an immediate demand in payment from English, Spanish and French troops.

"In 1861, then-president Benito Juárez declared Mexico would suspend its payments temporarily to Spain, England and France,"..."The three so-called Triple Alliance European powers did not take it well. They decided to send their troops to Mexico. However, Mexico was able to negotiate with England and Spain. They withdrew the troops. However, France did not. Napoleon III, who was the ruler of France at the time, decided to invade Mexico. On their way to Mexico City, they encountered Mexican resistance at Puebla. The Mexican army was relatively smaller, less resourced, poorer and not trained. Nonetheless, they were able to conquer or to stop French invasion at the time.

                  Mexico won the battle on May 5th of 1862."

Although the French were not driven out of Mexico for another five years, the victory at Puebla became a symbol of Mexican resistance to foreign domination. In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is not vastly recognized outside of Puebla. In the United States, however, the holiday is celebrated nationwide on a large scale.

Now I know what Cinco de Mayo is

 celebrated for.

 

FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2022

     

Family is Everything…

  

Today, since Julie will be

gone most of tomorrow

for the BYU Youth 

Ballroom auditions,

she planted her flower

boxes. All the flowers for them

are her Mother's Day gift

from her husband and kids.

Rigdon helped her with

the last plant.

Then he helped water.

Jackson and Maddie

 helped take the empty

'pots to the trash.

Then Riggy helped 

water the lawn.

Today these beautiful

roses and other lavender

flowers came from

our grandchildren.

I love them--

both the flowers and

the grandchildren.

Can't get this rotated

back right side up.

Here's our weather

forecast for the week.

SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2022

  

                    Family is Everything…

  

Today this was just delivered...

from the Brewer Bunch for

Mother's Day.

Looks delicious.

Jackson does a great job

of mowing the lawn.

I watched some of the

Kentucky Derby.

Mostly it's fun seeing

all the crazy hats.

The race did have an

exciting, surprising ending,

with the 81-1 odds

Rich Strike winning.

SUNDAY, May 8, 2022 

                     

Family is Everything…

Daily Scripture: Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them. - Alma 57:21

Daily Quote: Motherhood is more than bearing children, though it is certainly that. It is the essence of who we are as women. It defines our very identity, our divine stature and nature, and the unique traits our Father gave us. - Sheri Dew

We cannot thank our Mothers enough 

for all they have done for us.

My  Angel Mom...

Verna Beth Huffaker Albertson                     At age 30...

At age 87...at her home in Gooding, Idaho.

At age 92...my sister and I taking Mom to lunch the Saturday before Mother's Day 2012

Walt's  Angel Mother...

Jane Maria Prescott Petersen Hashman

Jane in August 1954 when they took Walt to the mission home (it was just in a hotel then) for him to receive his endowment and be set apart for his mission to Uruguay/Paraguay.

He was just there 4 days before taking a train to Chicago, then on to New York. Where it took two days to get their passport, then 18 days on a ship to Montevideo, Uruguay.

Jane with Ray by their home--that he built-- in Wendell, Idaho - August 1955.

Our Moms at our wedding reception...

Wedding was June 14, 1961 Salt Lake Temple.

Reception was Saturday, June 17 in Gooding, Idaho.

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

Walt always gave

me a beautiful

orchid for

Mother's Day.

I've not seen this poem before.

 

FROM MOTHER TO MOTHER

A spirit child is ready to go

So it says goodbye to its Mother.

With Father’s blessing it is passed

Into the arms of another;

Another mother reaches out

To hold her child, brand new.

She looks down into its little face

Feeling love so deep and true.

She’s waited such a long time

For her baby to be here.

She studies every precious feature:

Already a face so dear.

She knows she’d give her life

To protect this child from harm.

She thanks her God for sending her

This miracle in her arms.

She wonders what her child is thinking,

Looking into baby eyes.

It almost takes her breath away

How a newborn could look so wise.

How much does a child remember

Coming down from heaven to earth?

How many memories of its former life

Does a baby retain at birth?

Perhaps only a loving mother

Can begin to comprehend

How Heavenly Mother must feel.

Child after child, she sends,

Sends them down to their second estate

To come take their mortal test.

She sends them with her love,

Hoping they will do their best.

— by Bonnie Lake Bloomfield, 5/7/22

Art - Celestial Exchange by Greg Sargent

 Saratoga Springs 3rd Ward 

A new Young Women Presidency

was sustained:

Jen Miller, President

Madeleine Summer, 1C

Melanie Willamson, 2C

Mary Lu Funk, Secretary

A thank you was given to

the outgoing presidency:

Missy Ballantyne, President 

Jen Miller, 1C

Madeleine Summers, 2C

Speaking in Sacrament Meeting

were:

Missy Ballantyne shared her

testimony.

Gwynn Cheney

Hayden Ballantyne

Primary children sang

Mother's Day songs.

 In Relief Society we had a short

message from a talk Elder Russell M. Nelson

gave at the General Relief Society Session

in 1987 called "Lessons from Eve."

Then it was a

getting-to-know you

time with fruit 'n

cheese and crackers.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day

Mother's Day

Thank you to John,

for a delicious

Mother's Day

Sunday dinner...

Pineapple and strawberries

from the Brewer Bunch.

My kids surprised me

 with a perfect 

Mother's Day gift...

called a "frameo"

wi-fi photo frame.

This is the first photo

that came up.

The kids serving me

breakfast in bed 

for Mother's Day

1980 or 1981.

 There are about

 

200 photos

on it.

Overwhelming!!!

Here is a fun photo that

Steve had not seen of

his blessing day in

January 1967.

A perfect Mother's Day

is nearing it's end.

Family is everything!

I am sad for those who

are not able to have 

children. I know they

can nurture in other ways.

Many nurture pets.

'

I believe we get our pets

in heaven. I believe that

Walt is with all the many

pets now that he had

in his life time. 

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

Our Posterity

Walt & Eileen Petersen

7 children,

39 grandchildren

4 great-grandchildren

in our family. 

1 due in June,

1 due in July.

*I sent an e-mail out yesterday asking for a current photo of each child, couple, family, g-child and g-grandchild.  Katie was the first one to reply. 

 Thanks, Katie.'

Katie and Parker - married Nov. 1, 2014

   Walt sealed them in the Rexburg Temple

    the day after we were released as

    Temple President and Matron of the

     San Salvador El Salvador Temple

         July 2011 to Oct 31, 2014.

Parker and Katie Fisher Anderson family

Taitum 

Diesel

Family is Everything!

Sunset at 8:30 and it's raining.

As I've been working on my blog after the kids left, it's been amazing to look over at this wi-fi frame and see my life unfolding in photos.

Technology keeps going forward!
  

* *I am so thankful for The Plan of Salvation and the Atonement of  Jesus Christ that makes this Great Plan operational.

At the end of this May 8th,

I pray you have had a

restful , peaceful, and spiritual

Sabbath Day...

I share these truths as my testimony to you...

Heavenly Father lives and knows us each by name. He loves us and wants us to return to Him and Heavenly Mother when we leave this mortal existence.  He loves us just as we are at this very moment.

*** *** ***

Jesus Christ came to earth as The Only Begotten of the Father and fulfilled the Atonement. He is the Redeemer of all. 

Revelation can come from the Savior like a sunburst!

*** *** ***

Joseph Smith was foreordained to be the Prophet of the Restoration.  He is the Restorer of all things.

*** *** ***

President Russell M. Nelson is the Living Prophet today for all the world. 

*** *** ***

The Bible is "the Word of God as far as it is translated correctly" and is a Testament of the Divinity of Jesus Christ.

*** *** ***

The Book of Mormon is the Word of God and is Another Testament of Jesus Christ. It is the most correct book of any book on earth.

*** *** ***

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the True Church on the earth today.  

*** *** ***

Of these truths I testify in the Name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Eileen Petersen

May 8, 2022...