City Boy Gone Country

For most of my life, I lived in the sprawling metropolis of Phoenix. I lived close to my family, attended school with the same group of friends, graduated from a large high school, and attended college and the police academy. Never once did I think I would move to St. Johns, Arizona. Heck, I did not even know where it was, until my family decided that it was time to relocate after retirement. Before my father and stepmother could relocate, I did. I beat them up the mountain by almost two years. I remember arriving in St. Johns and immediately noticing that there were no stoplights. I drove through town. It was a quick trip. I drove through it again to make sure that I did not miss anything. My grandparents came up to help me look for a place to live after I was hired by the Sheriff’s Office. I could not find a place to live, so I found myself living in a camp trailer for almost two years in Moon Meadows. Needless to say, I will only sleep or stay in a camp trailer for a few days at most from this point forward.

Being the new person in town, I was the talk of the town. I quickly made friends. I learned about small towns, where high school sports are one of the most important events in town. I thought I was happy and content as a bachelor, but then I found a firefighter/EMT that caught my eye, Raven. She played hard to get and tried to hide in the fire station. Had it not been for a friend of Raven’s opening that door, we might not have dated. We went on a date. For whatever reason, we did not date again for a long period of time. After a death investigation, Raven asked me to lunch again. The rest is history. We eventually married. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would marry. By this time, I thought I had known all of the big families in St. Johns; however, I quickly learned that Raven was related to half of the town. I have to say that it is nice having a large extended family and living in a small town, where everyone is willing to help each other, something that is not very common in Phoenix.

After we married, I decided to start my investigation into a church that I had heard about while living in St. Johns, the Mormon church. I remember sneaking over to Paul and Suzanne’s to take the missionary lessons while Raven was at work. Finally, in a moment of truth, I asked Raven what she thought about me taking the lessons. She was excited about it and started attending with me at Paul and Suzanne’s. I reached the date of my baptism. I remember telling the missionaries to make sure that the baptismal font was warm and that the coveralls better not be see-through. Needless to say, the water was ice cold. The Relief Society room was packed with people who cared about me and Raven. Never did I think that I would join a church. However, I knew that it was right.

After my baptism, Raven and I have started to attend church on a regular basis. Time was not wasted; the first calling to serve came and then the second. Raven and I have grown so much. Now we prepare for the next chapter of our lives as we eagerly await our first child. We continue down the path. I have received the Priesthood. I have had the privilege to be a part of several blessings. The feelings are profound. I don’t even know how to describe the feelings appropriately. As we continue our journey, I know that families are eternal. I look forward to the future here in this town. There is not a minute that goes by that I am not grateful for moving from the sprawling desert valley of Phoenix to St. Johns.

Written By Lance Spivey
 

Henry Has Poop!!!!

     Homer Simpson the famous Father from the longest running cartoon TV series, "The Simpsons" portrays the accepted depiction of the American Dad.... bald, beer belly, rude and dumb!  I've always taken offence to this degrading portrayal.  I will be the first to admit that this stereotype is accurate to many Fathers and at times all of us men have our off days when we may act a little like Homer, but more often than not the Good qualities of Good Fathers shine through! I had an awesome experience this past week with a truly awesome Father.  With his permission, I will share my experience.  Friday morning i fired up my quad and drove up the hill a few blocks to Mike Sundahls house to visit with him regarding some business he was helping me with.  Mike Sundahl for those of you who haven't had the opportunity of meeting him is married to Maren Platt daughter of Jay and Trish Platt.  Mike moved to town probably 6 years ago if I had to guess, anyway over the years I've gotten to know Mike better and better.  He has a lot of good qualities but i would like to talk a little bit about his example as a father, and how important being a good dad seems to be to him.  He has demonstrated through his actions, the love he has for his three little kids, and how important spending time with them is to him. I have observed this quality in Mike in many circumstances and settings.  When I spoke with Mike the night before on the phone he was at Dollar General buying new undies for his little boy Henry. He let me know that Henry was starting to potty train.  So when i parked my quad, walked to the door and knocked i was greeted by Mike and Maren's oldest Lucy.  I poked my head inside and looked to the left and saw Henry stretched out in his new underwear watching TV.  Mike came around the corner and said, "Henry are you dry?" To which Henry shook his head yes.  Mike informed me that Maren was in the valley for a couple days and he was doing the Potty Training till his wife got back.  This in itself is impressive to me, but even more impressive... Mike is in the middle of a huge renovation project and has been going full bore and still took the time off to spend with his kids Friday while his wife was in Phoenix.  Come on guys lets all admit it now, given the same circumstances having your heart set on building a new front porch and your wife is heading to phoenix, we all would have been like, "honey you are taking the kids with you, I have work to do!"  So Mike and I ended up visiting for like ten minutes out on his soon to be front porch about all of his plans for his completed renovations.  Like the pattern of all visiting, we started meandering towards my quad while finishing up our conversation. Just before i climbed onto my four-wheeler Lucy hit the front door like a bolt of lightning and squalled, "Henry has poop in his new underwear DAD!" Mike was her instant thunder as he instantaneously reacted with a sprint to the house to solve the problem.  I know to many of you this may seem small but to me it's HUGE!  What an awesome dad, cleaning poop up!! Way to go Mike! And always making time for his kids.  There are many men of this caliber that live here in SJ.  I salute all the good fathers and husbands out there in our community. Thanks for making SJ a great place to be.      
     Many of us create to do lists to remind us of things we want to accomplish. But people rarely have to be lists. Why? To do’s are activities or events that can be checked off the list when done. To be, however, is never done. You can’t earn checkmarks with to be’s. I can take my wife out for a lovely evening this Friday, which is a to do. But being a good husband is not an event; it needs to be part of my nature—my character, or who I am. Lynn G. Robbins
This talk was delivered by Lynn G. Robbins, "What Manner of Men and Women ought ye to BE?" in a LDS conference in April 2011. It has changed my life for the better, and helped me become a better husband and father.  I would recommend reading it.  No matter what our religious preference we have chosen to worship God, this message will change your perspectives in a positive manner and create stronger desires to DO the things in our community, marriages, and families that will help us BECOME a happier society, BE more harmonious in our relationships, and most importantly BECOME immovable Father figures in our families!  We can and will become men and women and children of strong character by doing right and choosing goodness!  

Live Like You Were Dying

When I think about the kind of people we have in our small community of St. Johns, it reminds me of a story I once heard about an old farmer who, with shovel in hand, was standing at the edge of the road irrigating his field, when a young man with his family pulled their vehicle over to the side of his field. The farmer walked over to see if they needed any direction or if he could help them in any way. As he approached the open window of the car, the father of the family said hello and then told the farmer they were thinking of moving into this small community and then asked the farmer what the people who lived here were like. With just a moment's thought, the farmer replied, "What kind of people lived in the town you just moved from?"

I have lived here 53 years, and I have seen many good times. But as everyone knows, we are without a doubt going to go through some hard times as well.

I am going to try to explain where I am going with this.

We have Heap reunions, Crosby reunions, and family gatherings where we have our children and grandchildren come. We bless babies and watch over our families.

Then something happens. Someone close to us loses a loved one, a son in his teens or an only child. It is hard to be around your friends when their hearts are broken. You feel like no matter what you say, their spirits can't be lifted. I was in a heartbroken home and watched as friends from all over town came to their home with food and love and concern for the parents who had lost their young child.

We can gain many good experiences when our lives are going well, but on the other hand, when tragedy enters our lives, we can have the opportunity to learn and grow strong if we will rely on our Heavenly Father. We can gain the knowledge that He is with us and will be by our side through our hard times, just as our friends and family are.

All we have to do is ask for His help, and He will give it.

It has boosted my faith to watch my friends and family in hard times and good times here in this small community.

I would like to add one more experience that I will remember for the rest of my life.

I have a good friend whose name is Lee Jaramillo. Like myself, he has lived in this community all his life. He has served his country in the military. His wife's name was Delores. I didn't know Delores as well as I know Lee until I attended her funeral. Sounds interesting that I could learn something about someone at their funeral, but I did, and it was a very memorable moment for me. She was one of those unfortunate loved ones here in our town who passed away because of cancer. She fought it for some time, but she lived long enough to write her own eulogy.

Hearing it was quite an experience. She stated how much she loved this town and all the people in it and said that no matter who you were, when hard times or something terrible happens, that the town will be there to help and lift each other. She was the type of person that makes this little town what it really is.

Tim McGraw sings that he hopes that we can have the chance to live like we were dying. If we knew today might be our last, we might realize how short life really is and be a better person.

I know that when adversity comes my way, I will be able to rely on my family, my friends, and uppermost, my Heavenly Father.

Jeff Raban
September 15, 2013

Families are like fudge…. Mostly sweet, with a few nuts.

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of emotions for me and my family.  My parents who have lived in Ramah, New Mexico for the past 25 years have retired and moved to St. George Utah.  As we helped them pack and load the moving truck at the house where I grew up, a flood of memories came rushing back to me. This was the house that I grew up in, laughed in, cried in, and shared many wonderful memories . It was very bittersweet for me that my parents would no longer be living in this house and that it would soon be occupied by strangers.  As my two brothers and I helped my parents last week I couldn’t help but think how fortunate I am to have such a good family. Despite any differences we may have, I always know no matter what I have my family and they will always be there for me. As I reflected on all of this I couldn’t help but think of how lucky I am as an individual. I have been blessed with a wonderful husband and two beautiful daughters. Our youngest Kinlee, joined our family in July. As I hold her and look into her eyes I am reminded of how precious life is and how we should never take one moment for granted. It seems like just yesterday I was holding Paislee in my arms, now she is a rowdy two-year old who never seems to run out of energy.  This past Sunday we were able to bless Kinlee at church. We had a family gathering afterwards and although it was crazy with 30 people in my house at one time, it was great to be together as a “family”. Growing up in a big family there is never a dull moment, with 2 brothers and 2 sisters there always seems to be some kind of excitement or “drama” as my husband would like to call it. My oldest brother David and I often like to place bets on which one of the siblings the “drama” will be with when we have family gatherings. Most of the time we put our money on my oldest sister Aubrey and my youngest brother John.  When we all get together we laugh, fight, tell stories, make fun of each other, and most often someone (usually my sister Melodie) ends up crying. Despite it all each of us knows that it is all fun and games and that we all love each other and would do anything for each other. As I look at my family and Ty’s family although our families are different in many ways, at the end of the day the love and dedication that our families have to one another is the same.  Although there may be days where we drive each other nuts or don’t see eye to eye, we are still “families”. So to sum it all up I feel that this quote says it all, “Families are like fudge… mostly sweet, with a few nuts”.  I am so thankful to God for blessing me the wonderful family that I have. Take time and spend it with your family, build memories that will last a lifetime.  For me there is no place I would rather be, than with my family.

  

Candice Bond

Proud to be a Member of the Hometown Crowd

     What an exciting time of year this can be;  school starting up again…football, soccer, volleyball and softball back in action, drawing kids to local fields and gyms…the county fair just around the corner teasing us with its promise of fun and adventure.  I received my fair paper in the mail the other day, and stamped on the front was this year’s theme:  “Community Pride, County Wide”.  I have to admit a little tingle of excitement wafted through my veins as I thought of fairs past, and the delightful memories its being has created in my life.  But beyond that, this current theme resonated with me for various reasons.  Mostly because of the pride I feel living in this community.  That pride comes not from the physical location on the map of St. Johns, Arizona, but rather the spirit of this great place and the people that have lived here and continue to lay down roots in this little town.  If you haven’t looked past the cover of the fair paper, pick one up and check out the stories in it.  Featured are some of the terrific people that have invested themselves in our town, but more importantly their community of St. Johns.  People like Rick and Loree Williams, Dick Hext,  Jack Hessler and Family, and Gabie Romero, all of which have devoted time and efforts to our county fair.  Beyond the fair though, I have seen, or been influenced by each of these individuals as they have shared their talents and knowledge with me or my family, and by watching their examples in action around town.   What dedication and commitment they all have shown in helping to shape and develop community pride.   

     This started me thinking.  What is the difference between town and community? Well Webster’s defines town as: “a cluster or aggregation of houses recognized as a distinct place with a place-name”, and the word community as: “a unified body of individuals”.   So, I guess the difference between the two is the attitude or drive behind what we want our town to be?  I mean, is St. Johns  just the name of this place we live? Or does what we have here go deeper?  Couldn’t St. Johns, at its essence, be considered a conglomeration of the many individuals that are unified in a purpose of building a “place” to be proud of?  I believe it’s the latter… St. Johns is what it is because of the individuals that live here and their dedication to building it.  My roots run deep when it comes to this community.  I was born and raised here, and it is where I have chosen to raise my family.  Sure, like all towns, it has its ups and downs, and good and bad.  But the beauty of life is that we get to choose how we build our community.  Our town will always be the same location on the map, but our community will change and grow according to what we all unify ourselves toward.  I am so grateful to the many, many people that have shaped my life and attitudes in this little community.  First, on my list is my family; parents and grandparents.  They taught me to work and to love.  Next would be teachers, coaches, leaders, friends …who all helped me develop various qualities like respect, responsibility, honesty, kindness etc.  There are too many to name, but I know and remember these people every time I share a skill, or some piece of knowledge, or a laugh, or a cry.  These interactions with each other are what create our “community” because they have the power to live on in those with which we have shared.  That’s why St. Johns isn’t just the name of a place to me, but rather a loyalty I feel to the individuals who have fashioned a spot in my heart just by sharing themselves.   I wish I could write about each and every one of them, and maybe I will sometime, but mostly this blog was sparked by the words “Community Pride” and a warm feeling in my heart that swells when I think of St. Johns, and its great people.

      Even though I was raised in town and think I know everyone, I am continually amazed at the great people living here that I don’t know!  Just this past week, I went out to eat with my husband at TLC, where we visited and were served by the Sykes family.  How incredibly friendly, and nice they were, not to mention how great their awesome TLC burger is!  During this same evening, I had the opportunity to meet Father Tim, as he strolled in to pick up his take-out.  He recognized my husband, and took time to come over and meet our family.   What a genuine person and polite man he is. I was glad to put a face with the name. I have heard so many positive things about his service and friendship since his arrival to St. Johns.  These are just two recent encounters that illustrate the beauty of living in this place… people that are new to town and get involved, become unified with our purpose= to unify our community  and help make it vibrant.  To those of you I may not have met yet and are new to town or not, I hope make your acquaintances.   It is also my hope that as a whole our community can put aside any past feelings of hurt, or ill will and join together to make St. Johns a place in which we can all love to live, and continue to keep it a great place to “raise” our futures and feel pride in.  I am grateful to God to have been blessed to live in the place on the map called St. Johns.  And even more grateful to have the chance to live in the “community”  of St. Johns.

P.S.  There is a great group on facebook  that I often read and learn about the people that also grew up in, or passed through our small town.  There are conversations of great memories of yesteryear. The pictures are fun and the comments range from heart-touching, to knee-slapping.  Here’s the link: You Know You're from St. Johns When...  One of my favorite subjects on this site is “Mr. Leo Madrid”  and the nicknames he’s given us over the years!  It’s become almost a rite of passage at the middle school.  But here again is another awesome individual that has given so much fun, help with math, sports etc. to the youth of our community.  So again, my thanks and appreciations to my “COMMUNITY” for all you’ve given and continue to give.

A Tale of Kindergarten and a Helicopter Mom

My son started school last Monday. I'm not going to lie- there were tears. There was screaming. There may have even been a moment when arms were latched around a leg so tightly that circulation may have been cut off.

Okay, okay... I am exaggerating a little.

I did cry, but not until I got home. I did scream in my head, something like, No, don't go! Stay home with me PLEASE forever and ever and stay my little boy and let me take care of your every need always! The holding-on-to-the-leg thing was purely figurative... If I could have held him and never let him go, I would have.

My son was ready. He excitedly galloped into his classroom and told me goodbye, oblivious to my inherent need to sit next to him and make sure everything went smoothly. No tears. No kicking and screaming. No holding on to his mom.

I know I am now amongst a group of women, and of parents, who have experienced this same bittersweet time in a child's life. You know it is time to send them off into the world to learn and grow and become what they have the potential to become. You hope you have prepared them enough academically, socially, and emotionally to adjust to this momentous change in their lives. You want to wrap their little hearts in bubble wrap to protect them from the hurt that will surely come.

Beyond being a kindred spirit to millions of parents who have bravely walked this road before me and with me, I better understand how the Father of us all felt and continues to feel as we, His children, attend this school of life.

I think that God wanted us all to stay with Him forever and ever, holding on to us and never letting us go, but He knew that we needed to leave Him in order to learn and grow and become who we have the potential to become. He wants to protect us. He wants us to be prepared for whatever obstacles appear in our paths. His heart ached when we left His presence, just as mine did on that first day of leaving my son in the hands of Coronado Elementary School. 

On Friday of that first week, when I finally agreed to let my son try riding the bus, he sprinted onto that thing before I could tell him goodbye. I did what any rational mother would do. I got into my vehicle and drove down to the school in order to beat the bus there. I made sure he got off the bus and into the school. You would think that I left then, right? Nope. I sat there across from the school, debating within myself: Should I go in just to check that he got to his classroom okay? My husband, who, bless his heart, was my teammate in this whole scenario, told me to go in. "You know it will make you feel better," he said. I went in. I opened the door to his classroom, hoping he wouldn't see me, but he did. "Hi, Mom," he cheerfully spoke to my now-comforted heart. Thank goodness he doesn't know that it may have been a tad bit crazy for me to be doing that. Now when he is 15...

Two weeks have passed, and it is getting easier. Easier to put him on the bus in the morning and send him away. Easier to trust that he is well taken care of. 

Easier to know that God watches over us both.