Patterns in our Family Tree

In a recent LDS General Conference, Elder Neil A. Anderson said,
"Find your grandfathers and grandmothers and your distant cousins who have gone before you. As you learn about your ancestors, you will see patterns of life, of marriage, of children;  patterns of righteousness and occasionally patterns that you will want to avoid."

I have been looking for some of these patterns.  Here's what I've found.

I first found the patterns of life:
Many of my family members lived to their late 80's.  Our oldest relative was Joseph Moulton who lived to be almost 90.  He was 10 when his family came across the plains with the Willie Handcart Company.   Reva Maxine Moulton is the oldest living family member to date at age 92 (in July 2014).

I found some patterns of illness:
Diabetes and heart disease seem to run in some lines of the Owen family.  Goiters was a problem in the Heber City area with the Moultons and Cleggs.  Weiss' seem to have heart disease issues.

I found the patterns of temple marriage:
Most of my ancestors were married in Holy Temples.  Mark's Jewish ancestors were married in synagogues and under a canopy.  It is interesting to learn how the wives in plural marriage were able to work out relationships with their "sister wives" through love, kindness, and long suffering.  We have 3 polygamous families in our Mormon lines and Thomas Moulton had 6 wives!
Patterns of divorce began showing as early as 1909 in the Owen family with Walter Bruce Owen's drinking problem being the main cause.

I found the patterns of children:
I was one of nine children.  My husband was one of five.  My mother was one of eleven.  My dad was one of five.  Many of my pioneer LDS families had 10-14 children!  We have eleven children and have been richly blessed by inviting these extraordinary spirits into our family!  Large families is a pattern that seems to be changing very quickly.  The term "Demographic Winter" is becoming a reality in my own lifetime.

I found the patterns of death:
Many mothers suffered the loss of children and often their husbands left them young widows.  Death came most often from sickness but one young Chase boy died from a gun accident.  Two brothers of Margaret Ann Griffiths, ages 9 and 11, died from starvation and cold on the high plains of Wyoming and their father died the very day the Martin Handcart Company finally arrived in Utah. The hope for the day of the glorious resurrection burns brightly in this family.  One Uncle who died mysteriously up Cottonwood Canyon and the cause of death was never determined.

I found the patterns of music:
The Moulton Family had many musicians.  Lillian Moulton was playing the organ when she was age eight!  All the brothers and sisters of Maxine Moulton played band instruments.  Henry Clegg played the dulcimer and led the choir in the Springville.  He and his two wives would go about singing as a trio.  The Chase family brought an organ across the plains in 1847.  It is in the Daughters of the Utah Pioneer Museum.  Many college level choir members are among our cousins. Instrumentalists from piano to trumpet.  The annual caroling of the Weiss family each Christmas Eve is a continuation of this pattern.

I found the patterns of family prayer:
 The George Ogden Chase family had 15 children.  We have records of their gathering daily for Family prayer.  The Owen family would obediently kneel each day.  As difficult as it might be, families continue to follow this pattern of gathering to give thanks each day.

I found the patterns of regular church attendance and testimony sharing:
It is just something most of our ancestors did each Sunday.  In the Owen family we see a continuation of the pattern of sharing during a family testimony meeting each month.  That pattern continues to bless our grandchildren.

I found patterns of teaching:
Many teachers in our family lines: Sunday School, Primary, Relief Society, Priesthood, Seminary, Scouts.  James Owen was a Seminary teacher from 1948-1952 in Idaho.  Ralph Owen was a lay preacher at the Dorans, Illinois Community Congregation.

I found the patterns of serving in Church Leadership:
Many High Priests, Bishops and Stake Leaders, Mission Presidents, and temple workers.  The outstanding women leaders in our family are also numerous.

I found the patterns of Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts:
Many Eagle Scouts and all the character traits that come with earning that rank.  Camping is a family pattern that continues because of love for the outdoors experienced by these scouts.

I found patterns of Young Women earning Medallions:
These daughters of God know they are loved and are true to the values they have been taught.  They have gone on to become wonderful sisters and mothers in Zion.  My mother has her young women books and her Golden Gleaner awards and I have my old green Primary Bandelo and my Young Woman Medallion. I guess memorizing the Articles of Faith and working toward goals seems to be a pattern.

I found patterns of love for freedom:
Many records show the engagement of my ancestors in spilling blood to protect their liberty.
World War 2.  World War 1.   Korean War.  Civil War.  Revolutionary War.  All heros.  Involvement in the political process is also a pattern I found in peacetime.  Mostly we have red conservative Republican blood and Jim Owen was willing to fight a long legal fight to keep "Big Brother" out of his pockets. 

I found the pattern of church missionary service:
My cousin put together the number of missionaries who have served who are descendants of Thomas Moulton.  So far the count is over 100 and "the hastening of the work" continues. 
In our immediate family all eleven children have served missions along with their parents.  Cousins who are faithful to their "call to serve" surround us.  James Owen, was a stake missionary for years and was an ordained Seventy before the new eight quorums of the Seventy were formed.  "Hurrah for Israel!"

I found patterns in Patriarchal Blessings:
Rising up on the morning of the first resurrection will be a joy as we meet up with many family members who have received this promise under the hands of revered Patriarchs.  Hyrum Smith told Father Issac Chase (Isaac was 51 years old) that he would live a long life and then "shall you go down to your grave, to sleep but for a moment, then shall ye be awaked by the Trump of God, to come forth in the Resurrection of the Just, in the Mansion of your Father."
  

I found the pattern of true discipleship:
So many family members were willing to sacrifice all for the building up of the Kingdom of God and establishing Zion. Families would move from lands far and near to join with the Saints of God.  They would give freely of their time and property.  They would serve and strengthen others.

What a blessing it is to see these patterns of righteous living in our extended families. These are patterns that will bring eternal happiness.  "And again, I will give unto you a pattern in all things, that ye may not be deceived; for Satan is abroad in the land, and he goeth forth deceiving the nations" (D&C 52:14).
 
 Elder Holland recently said:
"A long history of inspired voices point you toward the path of Christian discipleship. It is a strait path, and it is a narrow path without a great deal of latitude at some points, but it can be thrillingly and successfully traveled, “with … steadfastness in Christ, … a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.” In courageously pursuing such a course, you will forge unshakable faith, you will find safety against ill winds that blow, even shafts in the whirlwind, and you will feel the rock-like strength of our Redeemer, upon whom if you build your unflagging discipleship, you cannot fall" (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, April 2014 General Conference).

What patterns do you see?

Places We Call "Home"

 “Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.” (John 20:10)

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Janice Kapp Perry recently wrote of all the homes where she lived and shared a link to her song, “Coming Home” (Meridian Magazine, April 17, 2014).  

Within my heart there is a sweet remembered place
that I call “home”
A quiet place with memories time cannot erase though years have flown
A place where childhood days
were filled with love and faith
That gave me strength go out on my own
And though I’ve travelled far upon this earth
The things of greatest worth, I learned at home
A place so dear to me
that it will always be
The time and place where seeds of love were sown
With memories of love still burning bright
There’s really nothing quite like coming home
Where the music of my soul
was formed and fashioned
And the rhythm of my life was first begun
And though the years have passed
The memories seem to last
And that’s the joy of coming home 

About 20 Places on this earth I’ve called “Home”.   Each carries with it distinct recollections.  Listing these places becomes a kind of framework for hanging precious memories and future pictures.

Burley, Idaho-I was born in Rupert and lived in Burley where my dad taught seminary and worked with the youth (ages 10-14 years) in a summer ball program (Burley Knothole League).  They had a business, “Owen’s Headgate Company” and made head gates used in irrigation ditches to control water flow.  Then Dad got polio and life changed.  Dad was in the Twin Falls Hospital before being transferred to Salt Lake to the VA Hospital on Thanksgiving Day, 1952.  Mam left on a blustery snowy afternoon and arrived after dark at our next home.   Grandma Moulton had saved some Thanksgiving dinner for us all. 

Salt Lake City, UT-1964 So. 9^th East While Dad was in the VA Hospital, Grandma Moulton’s Basement apartment became our home.  Louise was born while we lived here.  I don’t remember anything, but I have pictures.  Mom would take the bus up to the hospital to be with Dad.  Finally he came home.  The story is I was just learning to walk and as Dad became stronger he learned to walk again by watching me. 

Salt Lake City, UT-3841 Birch Drive Mill Creek home was on the edges of town, high on the hill.  Future Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley was the Stake President (or Bishop?) Dad continued to get stronger and tried to sell vitamins and insurance. Mom was working at Associated Food Stores.  They eventually decided to move to Portland to attend Chiropractic College.

Portland, OR-7010 SE  Flavel  We had swings and a fireman’s pole in our yard (Louise could get up it so fast).  The sewing machine needle through my thumbnail and the ax in my head are two memories I still have.  Sandy and Steven were born in the back bedroom in this house.  I remember infant Steven being dropped somehow and getting stitches in his forehead.  Grandma Owen moved to Portland and helped with babysitting.  Mom worked at West Coast Lumbermen’s Association.  We helped clean the Third Ward chapel as one of Dad's part time jobs. I remember going under the pews with vacuums and sweeping the linoleum floors.  Dad graduated from Western States Chiropractic College in 1959.

Portland, OR  17215 SE Stark  Dad was looking for a location to build his clinic and found this property on the outskirts of Portland.  I attended school in 1959 at Rockwood Elementary.  I remember Mom making me a Pioneer skirt and bonnet to wear for the Oregon State Centennial Celebration.  The city thought the property was a great location to build a Public Library.  So we sold the “chicken coop” and moved closer to town.   Dad began his Chiropractic practice working with Dr. Hill. 

Portland, OR- 207 SE 61^st Street  Here’s where Diane was born.  We had a dog, Trixie, and it broke my heart to have to give up out puppy.  Mt. Tabor Elementary School was close by.  Our neighbors, the Spolstra’s organized a neighborhood Library and we.  At Christmas we had a cardboard chimney with crepe paper “bricks” upon which we hung our stockings.

Portland, OR-6541 East Burnside  We moved here in Feb 1961.  I remember painting all the French Door windows and all the trim white.  Here’s where the powerful Columbus Day Storm of 1962 comes to mind.  We had 13 huge fir trees in our yard.  The powerful wind took down plenty of branches, but none of the trees.  Dad’s practice was located at 7129 NE Sandy Blvd.  Two large windows were shattered by the wind.  Donald and David were born here.   Ralph cut off his three toes while mowing an inclined area in the yard.  I remember that on Mother’s Day we went to visit him in the hospital. 

 

Portland, OR-10 SE 39^th (Burnside) This was “The Mansion House” that had no yard. We used Laurelhurst Park as our playground.  We had a “Look-Out” Club and many great friends in the Portland 12^th ward. I attended Laurelhurst Elementary School (5^th-8^th Grades) and then my freshman year at Washington High School.  It was my seminary class challenge to study and receive a testimony of the book of Mormon.  Teresa was born here on my 13^th birthday.  I have many happy memories of our years attending the 33^rd and Harrison LDS Chapel (Road shows, dance festivals, service projects, and singing in choirs. ) Life was busy and summers were lazy.  We had lots of “parties” with my 8^th and 9^th grade friends who had a “real band”.  Ralph began a skateboard business in the large covered porch area off the living room.  I jumped off one skateboard (barefoot) onto glass and had to have 12 stitches mess with crutches for a while.  Louise and I would go berry picking in the early morning hours many summer days.

Baby Teresa blessed at the 33rd & Harrison Building in 1965.

Portland, OR-7215 SE 13th  When I was a sophomore  we moved to the “Clinic” in the Sellwood/Moreland neighborhood.  Our family lived in the upstairs apartment, the back wing of the main floor, and in the full basement.  I had a former doctors office turned into a bedroom.  The operating room became the laundry.  I made money by doing chores and folded and ironed many sheets and hospital gowns. I worked in the clinic office after school until I figured that I could get “real money” (not printed Owen family money) by working at the Oral Surgeon’s office. 

I attended Cleveland High School and was Seminary class secretary. Mark Weiss was Seminary Class President and we began our 7-year courtship.  We had great friends in the Portland 2^nd Ward and these were happy days. At the High School I served in student government and was part of Clevelandaires, a vocal musical ensemble that traveled to Europe for one month in 1970.  It opened my eyes.  Especially seeing the wall in East Berlin. It was from the Sellwood/Moreland home that I went to Provo to attend BYU.  It was always great to come home at Christmas and in summers.  When I left for my mission in 1973, the family was planning on moving to St. George, UT.  They did, and I returned from my mission to Leeds, UT, feeling “homeless”.  

Provo, UT-Robison Hall  While at BYU I lived in the Heritage Halls for two years with great roommates and wonderful memories of Brigham Young University.  One summer I travelled east to the Hill Cumorah Pageant and decided that I would consider serving a mission.  I served in Relief Society Presidency and met wonderful people.  In 2014 the last of Heritage Halls was torn down to make way for updated student housing facilities.

Italy-Rome, Bari, and Florence  I had 18 glorious months in Rome, Italy South Mission.  I learned to love the Italian people and grew in my understanding of discipleship.  I corresponded through weekly letters with Mark who was serving his LDS Mission in Switzerland.  An unknown author wrote: “You never leave a place you love. A part of it you take with you, leaving a part of you behind.”  That’s how I feel about Italy.

Provo, UT-Canyon Terrace and Canyon    Two more years living in off campus BYU student housing.  Walking up to campus wasn’t too bad except for one 7:30 a.m. class on cold, snowy mornings.  Finished my degree in Elementary Education, except for the student teaching/internship.  Mark came home from his Mission and we decided to unite in Holy Matrimony in the Salt Lake Temple on a very lucky Friday the 13^th.

Provo, UT-Wymount Terrace  “Our” first apartment was only for the summer months in BYU’s  Married Student Housing.  After our honeymoon trip to the Northwest, we settled here.  I rode my bike to work each day in the Administration Building and I was so disappointed when it was stolen one day. (I had left it unlocked.) The new BYU Student Health Center is now located nearby.

Provo, UT-Pearl’s place on 425 N. on 7^th West We then rented a basement apt. in West Provo.  It was there that we brought Allison home from the Utah County Hospital.  Mark worked for his dad selling RV components to local manufacturers in Utah.  I taught school in Springville (Grant Elementary) and later did secretarial work (for cassette recording lending library) until Allison was born.  We graduated from the “Y” in April 1976 (pregnant with baby #1) and moved back to the Northwest when Allison was a couple of weeks old.

Bellevue, WA-Lantern Apts. 16215 NE 8th St. Bellevue, WA   We had a 2 story townhouse and David was born while we were living here.  I made Dad a suit as a project.  We had good friends and played tennis frequently in evenings in the nearby courts. 

Redmond, WA-16650 NE 89^th St.   When David was two weeks old, we moved to our home of 23 years  on Redmond's "Education Hill".  Here Tamarah, Christine, Jennifer, Deborah, Jonathan, Samuel, Benjamin, William, and Joseph were all born.  (William and Joseph were actually born in this home!) We made the decision to homeschool the children and "cherry picked" the music, science and language classes at the Junior High and High School.  Field trips took us to all kinds of wonderful places in the Northwest.  Our spring vacation camping trips to Fort Stevens State Parks were always memorable. Mark was Bishop for a few years, Scoutmaster, and on the High Council (mostly as Stake Mission President).  I served in the Seminary Program and Relief Society.  We decided to expand the ever-shrinking 1900 square feet home into 3800 sq. ft. and began a project that lasted 8 years.  During this time we were far away from the Owen family and loved the reunions that would bring us together every couple of years.  Finally it was decided that it was better to move closer to the corporate offices of the Weiss Company in Portland and we began looking at homes.

Vancouver, WA-18204 NE 23^rd St.  What a wonderful home we finally found on 1.25 acres in East Clark County.  We did a bridge loan and finally sold the Redmond home.  Jennifer finished her Senior-year at Redmond High School and David was courting Launna Richardson when the family moved south.  The Harmony Ward members were welcoming and the children found good friends quickly.  It was wonderful to have room for all the boys projects and Tamarah & Jeff’s wedding reception in the back yard was magical.  It was hard to watch the trees come down and all the new homes built during the 8 years we lived there.  The Weiss Company made some decisions that required us to seek other employment.  We tried to sell the Vancouver home, but in the end rented it out and made the “faith” move to Logan, Utah to attend USU.

Logan, UT – USU Student Housing- San Juan Hall 1359 E. 1000 N. Apt. #101
For five months we lived in tight quarters in the 3 bedroom apartment made for the dorm parents in San Juan Hall.  William and Joseph attended Logan High School.  Mark worked on his Master’s Degree in Instructional Technology and learning sciences and we all worked hard and started looking for a home.  Ben and Jenn also lived here.

Logan, UT-1657 E. 1080 N.  We found a “Grandma house” in the Lundstrom Park area of Logan.  It had a nice back yard and would work great for our family.  We signed papers on my birthday in Jan. 2009.  David and Launna came to stay with us for about five months.  Isaac was born while they lived with us in Logan.  While here, Mark was called to serve as the Bishop in the YSA 46th Ward for 3 years.  Cyndy worked at Sunshine Terrace Foundation.  It took two eventful trips to clean up the house in Vancouver in preparation to sell it.  We were grateful when it finally sold in July 2013.

Each place I’ve called “home” has imprinted my soul with memories both happy and sad.  Now I am 62 years old, we have lots of empty beds, and the bank doesn’t own our home.  We are blessed to have a roof over our head and we praise the Lord for His unending providence as He has provided for all our needs and most of our wants all these years on earth. 

There is great joy in returning to these places where I have lived.  In 2000 we had a sister’s reunion (near Port Townsend, WA) and we spent the day before driving to north to Kala Point in the Portland area.  Ralph was with us and I have tapes of our conversations at each home, remembering the years gone past. 

As Sister Perry sings:

Where the music of my soul
was formed and fashioned
And the rhythm of my life was first begun
And though the years have passed
The memories seem to last
And that’s the joy of coming home 
(See http://ldsmag.com/article/1/14225 to link to the song).

“Think It-Ink It-Link It”

Recently I read in a news article the statement, “Think It-Ink It-Link It”.  The author was suggesting that we think about what we might do differently in a specific situation, write down a goal, and link strategies to complete the goal. 

Horntoad Gazzette-Letters from Jim Owen to his family 1978-1979.  Colored tabs for entries about specific children.

During the same time period I finished re-reading the compilation of “Horntoad Gazette” letters written by James A. Owen, my dad, during the final two years of his earthly life (1978-79).  My mom felt they were important and in her preface to the compilation wrote:  “I hope you will all take time to read—and enjoy….Jim had a great sense of humor—even with all the struggle with his deteriorating physical condition.  They are valuable for re-reading because they reflect his beliefs and values.”  This was Dad's way of trying to keep the family close even though we were living far from him.

Owen home under construction (1979) in Leeds, Utah

Now, over 35 years later, I find myself re-reading the letters documenting my family’s challenges and I wish I could have a “do-over”.   As I “Think It-Ink It-Link It” about this time period, I sincerely wish I could have involved myself more in their lives.  I was pretty selfishly wrapped up in my own personal world 1100 miles away. 

Williamette View Chiropractic Clinic (Owen Home 1968-1973)

The years 1973-1979 were challenging times in the history of the James A. and Maxine Owen family.  They sold their Chiropractic practice in SE Portland in 1973 and moved to Leeds, UT hoping to build a “Dream Home” that would become a nice place for their large family to come and visit them.  The dream didn’t quite go as planned.  They ended up living two years in small trailers, then moved into a framed but unfinished home, survived a winter insulated by cardboard, and just kept working on finishing the house over a period of about four difficult years.

For the last couple years, Dad was on dialysis three times per week and with Mom as driver they were making many five hour trips from So. Utah to the Veteran’s Administration in Salt Lake City for treatment, check ups, and later receiving training on how to use dialysis equipment in their Leeds, UT home.  Dad had time to write in both his journal and in these letters to the family as he sat in the chair for treatments.  

Trailer that was "home" in 1974.

I find that during this difficult time, I was not very helpful.  We lived far away in Redmond, WA in these days before Skype and Facetime.  Long distance phone calls were expensive.  It was hard for me to be of much help and I was basically clueless at how tough life in Leeds really was for my family.  I was busy with two and then three small children (Allison, David, and Tamarah).  Looking back, I am especially grateful to my sisters (Louise and Sandy) and Aunts and Uncles and their families (Rex Moulton, Evelyn McDougal, Delcie O’Grady, Velma Rohman) who all provided much needed support for Mom and Dad during this period of trials.

Owen Siblings:  Delcie, James, Velma.  The sisters visited their brother in Leeds, UT.

There was also the support and concern from the Leeds, UT LDS Ward family:  High Priest Quorum members, Home Teachers, Visiting Teachers, Young Men and Women Leaders.  They came and finished taping and mudding the dialysis treatment room, they helped do weed control, they laid the floor tile, and supported however they could.  I'm sure it was difficult for my Dad not to be able to put in the long hours he wanted to because of his declining energy.

“Our ability to endure to the end in righteousness will be in direct proportion to the strength of our testimony and depth of our conversion… The challenges we face, if successfully endured, will be for our own ultimate good”  (Elder Richard J. Maynes, Strength to Endure, LDS Conference Oct. 2013). I think that looking back on Dad’s history, we can see that he was able to endure his challenges because of his great faith.

To the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Lord said: “My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high”  (D&C 121:7-8).  Dad seemed to have a larger perspective of the “small moment” in time represented by earth life.  He saw his life’s end coming to a close and hoped that he would perhaps gain 5 or more years with the help of the dialysis machine.

My perspective is not the same as the perspective of my youngest sister who lived through these last four trying years.  For her, it was a time of growing up too quickly.  Age 10-14 during these tough years, she was often left “alone” in the big unfinished home, as Mom and Dad left for Salt Lake for treatment and her older brothers were gone during the school year.  Neighbors would watch out for her, but it was still a time of great loneliness. 

Family gathered for Donald's High School Graduation in Roy, UT

Three of my brothers were living in Roy, UT during two years with the Scott Taysom family who provided room and board and helped them through high school years in exchange for labor in their family brick laying business.  The boys would come south to Leeds, UT to help work on the house when they could.  From their perspective they too felt somewhat abandoned.  Mom and Dad were just doing the best they could to survive.

Owen Family in 1978.  Mom, Donald, Teresa, David, Dad.

The home was big.   Something like 22 rooms to frame, do electrical, plumbing, wallboard, paint, flooring, etc. On October 12, 1978 Dad wrote:  “We not only dream of this mansion we are to build but of others of greater magnitude during the Millenium and eternally, so all of us can continue to exist as a family together.  But the next one I’m going to switch places with Maxine and she can be the supervisor and I’ll do most of that work-that will truly be heaven for me.”

On November 29, 1978 he wrote: “What joy it brings to my soul to see you kids being better parents than Mom and Dad were (or at least Dad).  I want you all to know that it will only be ‘the day after tomorrow’ that 25 years will have passed by and many of you will be Grandparents and say ‘Where have the years gone?’ but one thing I humbly pray, that none of you will be guilty and have to say that ‘If I had it to do over again, I would spend more time with my kids.’” 

Framing begins in 1975.

He goes on to counsel us to teach children to work and be a good example, never miss FHE, keep the Sabbath Day holy, not to use TV as a babysitter and pay the Lord first his 10%.  He suggests “starting a Family Testimony Meeting, once a month” promising that it “will bring the family together spiritually like few other experiences.”

He wrote of his rich heritage on Jan 22, 1979 and then added:  “Maxine and I have done more than our parents, because we had greater opportunities and the fullness of the Gospel to help us.  Now you have all had greater blessings and opportunities than your parents, so the Lord expects so much more from you.  And nothing gives me (us) greater joy than to see all of you doing so well with your families.  …Make your home a heaven.”

Ralph loaned Mom and Dad a camera in 1979 to use during their trip to Nebraska to attend Dad’s 40^th High School Reunion.  They took over 150 photos documenting Dad's earlier life and Teresa helped label all of them.  (This was in the days before digital photos and they could only afford to get prints made of a couple of rolls of film at a time.)  Dad first tried the camera out in May of 1979: “We already have one (historic photo for our history)—where it first started-Salt Lake City County Courthouse, where we got our (marriage) license.  That was when all of you kids were hollering “whoopee” in the spirit world awaiting your turn to receive the blessings of mortality.  Don’t you remember?  What’s the matter with your memories?”

Salt Lake City/County Building where James and Maxine got their marriage license in 1948.

The trip to be with classmates of his Lincoln, Nebraska “Class of 1939” was a highlight of his last year.  His summary was written in an extra long letter on June 17, 1979:  “I saw no one there that could come within touching distance of being as blessed as we have been in our family unit and to have it expand with our fine sons-in-law and beautiful daughter-in-law—truly we are the most wealthy of anyone that I know.”

One 24^th of July, Dad watched as Mom was dancing at the community Pioneer Day celebration.  He wrote:  “Your mother is a beautiful dancer, she enjoys it so much.  As I watched her dancing, tears came to my eyes, and when she came back I told her (that) at the first available opportunity after the resurrection I would learn to dance and take her to all the dance she wanted to go to.”

On September 4, 1979 Dad wrote about the “dinner parties” they were hosting:  “We are getting to be real socialites—having so many dinner parties!  It feels so good to have a nice place.  It has been four years since we moved onto the property into a trailer, and at times it has been most frustrating, but always looking forward to the completed house has given me something to think about, which has helped tremendously.”

It was ten days later, September 14, 1979 that Dad died.  He was only 58 years old.  Mom wrote up a detailed summary of the cause of his death and the family gathering at the time of Dad's funeral (See her entry written on September 23, 1979).  In Dad's life he overcame the loss of his father (age 7), polio just as he was beginning his teaching career (age 22), family opposition to his religion, the challenge of becoming a Chiropractor before it was generally accepted, a battle over big government control in his life, and on going poor health (diabetes/kidney failure).  As hard as his life was, I believe it was all part of God's plan for James Owen and his family to grow and develop during this life.

Dr. Owen working on legal brief for fight with US Government over Social Security Taxation

President George Q. Cannon reminds us that God has prepared each of us for the tests we face in mortality. “There is not one of us but what God’s love has been expended upon. There is not one of us that He has not cared for and caressed. There is not one of us that He has not desired to save, and that He has not devised means to save. There is not one of us that He has not given His angels charge concerning. We may be insignificant and contemptible in our own eyes, and in the eyes of others, but the truth remains that we are the children of God, and that He has actually given His angels—invisible beings of power and might—charge concerning us, and they watch over us and have us in their keeping.” (See quote in context by President Eyring, “To My Grandchildren”, LDS Conference, October 2013).

As I “Think It-Ink It-Link It” I hope to learn from my dad’s example of faith and endurance.  Jim Owen, like the Apostle Paul, was able to say:  
 
 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day”  (2 Timothy 4:6-8).