Listening, Learning. Loving. by Cookie Overson

We attended a funeral this morning for a good man who had lived almost 90 years. I, for one, enjoy attending funerals of those who have lived a long, good life, because I enjoy learning about them; about the people they were when they were young; about the challenges they overcame; the happy and sad moments in their lives; about the lives they influenced and those who influenced their lives. And I generally go away determined to be a better person and to live the kind of life that, when I am gone, I will be missed and remembered with love and affection and will have influenced others' lives for good.

What I discovered this morning, was that, though I had known this man for many years, I really didn't know him at all. I didn't know that he had graduated from college with a degree in engineering in two years and then from law school in the next two years. I didn't know that he enjoyed working with electronics or that he took up golf just so that he could spend time with his three sons, who all enjoyed golfing. I didn't know that he played duets on the piano with his daughter or that he took his family on wonderful vacations every year, knowing that spending time with his family was of paramount importance. I didn't know of those who were lost and trying to find their way that he had taken under his wing and nurtured simply because he cared. I knew that he lost his beloved son, in 1981, but I didn't know that he also lost his mother and his best friend in that same year, which was devastating and life-changing.

This morning, I left the funeral determined to be less judgmental, more aware, and more interested in the people around me. I want to look for the goodness and the divinity in others. I want to look past what appears to be the obvious and see into the heart. I want to see others more like God sees them and less like man sees them. 

No person is unimportant or uninteresting. Everyone has a story worth listening to and each person I meet is worthy of my time, my attention and my love. We have so many elderly people in St. Johns who have wonderful stories to tell. If given the chance, they can teach us so much and enrich our lives, while helping them remember that they are valued and worthwhile members of our community and of our families, and that they are still needed. As President Ezra Taft Benson said, the Lord "has needed the wisdom and experience of age, the inspired direction from those with long years of proven faithfulness to His gospel. . . . Older almost always means better, for your wealth of wisdom and experience can continue to expand and increase as you reach out to others." The Lord needs these individuals and so do we. Maybe the reason that people slow down as they age, is so that some of the younger folks can catch up with them and have the opportunity to listen and learn. :)  

Spoiled with Love by D'Coda Overson

Where do I start? I was born and raised here in this wonderful small town. As a teen it was never a place I felt that I needed to escape, though I did want to accomplish a few things and visit a few places before I settled down. So when my my plans didn't go as planned, I kind of  panicked. I remember like it was yesterday. My wonderful mother-in-law walking Brennen and I through the Hinkson house, as she excitedly said to us, "We could break a hole in the wall, and then the kids can just walk over." I, sad to say, was not very gracious when I replied, "We are moving to Round Valley." In my defense, I was pulled out of my house still in my robe to take this tour, but that was not what had me so crabby. The idea of living so close to both mine and Brennen's parents was terrifying! Here were my thoughts...

• What if my house isn't clean?

• What if I don't get all the wrinkles out of his clothes and they notice?

• What happens when they see dishes in my sink?

• Do I have to see them every day?

• How will I split my time?

• I CAN take care of my family on my own.

And so on and so forth...

Before you think to yourself, What a spoiled BRAT (which I definitely can be) here are my current feelings on this situation:

• My house will NEVER be clean again.

• Wrinkles are the least of my worries. I'm pretty proud of myself when we all get out of the door smelling good.

• Dana is a living, breathing dish washer. I used to be embarrassed when she came to my house and my sink was overflowing. Now, I give her an extra hug for doing them before she leaves, which she always does. I also help! Most of the time...

• Do I get to see them today?

• The more the merrier. All of them are my favorite.

• I CAN take care of my family on my own. But why oh why would anyone refuse the wonderful care and advice of parents like ours?

I have come to this conclusion. I was a silly teen who did not appreciate the helping hands being extended to me. I am so grateful for the patience of my family who stuck with me through the times when I was ungrateful. It truly is a wonderful thing to be surrounded by people who love you, which I am every day. I now say, "I won't go. You can't make me." Spoiled rotten. There is no denying it. I just feel like I couldn't ask for anything more than this small town.

Give a Little More by Kadee Avila

These three people have altered the course of my life. 

 They are selfless and blatantly sincere. 

They are the type of good that your soul gravitates towards. 

.   .   .

Randy Lussier

This man sees potential.

 As a scrawny little 11 year old, Coach Lussier saw how badly I wanted to play. He saw a skill and work ethic that I hadn't even developed yet and he encouraged me to cultivate it. 

I love his sense of humor- it should be classified as 'unique and witty'. 

Us girls on the soccer team enjoy his play on words...

and how 1/3 of our practices was us girls circled on the grass for a meeting. (Haha)

He taught me about soccer and life.

He shows up for all the extracurricular activities we participate in.

I know Coach must have felt like he had literally taken on the world-because he was taking on 20+ girls who were at all different stages of their soccer careers and showed them how to love the game and play for each other.

Coach Lussier spends hours pondering the game and how each girl will help the team. He also ponders how to help each girl become better. 

How I appreciated it and still do- in my eyes his efforts do not go unnoticed.

.   .   .

Michael Cirivello

"Kadee, This is soccer! It isn't a rugby game."-Coach Mike

(One of the best lines I've ever heard coming off the field onto the sidelines) 

Coach Mike is a second father to me. 

He is tough and fun. He loves his 80's music, country music and use to have 'luscious' flowing locks. He loves to sing on the way to NAU soccer camp, and is quite good at it. He works long hours but is always there when he can be. He does the extra little things to help us girls grow in our potential. He is strong and able and I have the highest respect for him. 

He is one outstanding Goal Keeper-Coach and is patient with us girls when we act a bit silly. I have been so thankful for the way he worked with my best friend, Jamie and believed in her.  If you ever get a chance to ask Coach Cirivello about himself, you won't be disappointed. In the midst of his story you'd get a sense of his character. You'd be able to see a life that has been lived with honor. I hope to emulate this someday.

.   .   .

Lisa Trickey

Coach Trickey has inspired me to never settle.

She has inspired me to 'give a little more' because in the face of fear, she knew I could.

I can honestly say that when Coach Trickey tells you how to play the game, you dang well better do what she says and do it well... 

because it always pays off.

She is the kind of good that touches you and leaves its mark. 

Coach Trickey has the ultimate sense of style that involves both cute skirts and scarves. 

She is someone I adore. 

She is the girls translator when the guy coaches don't understand.

She is selfless and warm-hearted.

She is feisty and the best advocate to have on the sidelines.

She will expect you to do your best and nothing less.

 She has a passion for the world and the possibilities she sees in people.

.   .   .

They may each see coaching as a small thing to do...

a small impact in the lives of the girls in St. Johns. 

 Oh, but how is has impacted me.

I have learned lessons from listening and watching them. 

I hope and pray that I can show love to those around me like these three do. 

 In a small town being a coach must be a hard task to take on. There is always a political turbulence behind the 'nay-sayers' motives. I imagine it is in no way pleasant for these three to take ridicule-publicly or privately.

I played 7 years with these three.

I will never be able to express fully much how much their efforts have meant to me. 

The hours of practice, the loss of sleep, the stress that they have gone through because they love us girls and this game. It is inspirational.

.   .   .

I love this game. I love the rush of adrenaline I get from connecting with my teammates on the field. I love competition. I love the feeling of working your heart out and your legs numb. I love the strength it has brought into my life and the people I have met because of it.

Finding the Falls by Eric Pratt

"Everything will be all right in the end, and if it is not all right, it is not the end," says Deborah Moggach in her amusing novel, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Many times, I wanted to believe that life had come to an end in my life. When best friends parted ways after a childhood of adventures and memories, I wanted to believe that I would never have another friend. Then God gave me JoElla. When I left my missionary service in Portugal, I wanted to believe I would never be with a more blessed people. Then God showed me Arizona and Idaho. I was sure after years of trying and a short prognosis from a doctor that I would never have children. Then God gave us Wallace. I wanted to believe I would never call somewhere home if that place were not the Montana where I was raised. Then God gave me St. Johns.

Clearly I am not a native of this wonderful little town or even this state. As mentioned before, I grew up in Great Falls, Montana, whose name was given a short time after the Lewis and Clark Expeditions across the Western United States. Winter was setting upon the explorers and the explorers needed desperately to stay upon the way of the Missouri River. The way of the river was still unknown, but for one thing. A portion of the river upstream was covered in great waterfalls. They would know they were on the correct path if they found these falls. To say they were relieved when they saw the first set of waterfalls would probably be an understatement. We in Great Falls like to look at the falls as a landmark of hope in the navigation and discovery of a new place, even though they represented the beginnings of a new obstacle, as the expedition now had to portage their heavy dugout canoes around the waterfalls. In hearing the story so many times in elementary school and from my parents, I think there is a lesson to be learned from these explorers. When old things end, new things begin, and just because things are all right, does not mean that the work and trials are over.

Things have not been perfect nor easy in any stage of life, but it has always been all right. At this stage, I find myself learning more about myself and my family than at any other stage before. St. Johns, as JoElla wrote, has been a place of opportunity for us. We have not always been prepared for every job, calling, and service task that has been presented to us, but each duty has provided the opportunity of learning, understanding, building friendship, and of sharing service we might not have ever given otherwise. There will always be another lesson or class to teach, a game to coach or direct, another event to volunteer with, and one more thing to share with the good neighbors here in this wonderful town. One more opportunity to build from the last, remember, and become a better person. Being in St. Johns has provided a place where we can have an end that culminates our experiences, blessings, and education for people who would treasure it and utilize us in a way that makes us feel a part of the wonderful St. Johns Life.

Blessings and Opportunities by JoElla Pratt

As I sit here and reflect on life in our wonderful small town of St. Johns, Arizona, I can’t help but be content. You may ask why? What does St. Johns offer? Well I will tell you…it offers opportunity. Again you may ask, really in St. Johns? The answer, in my opinion, is a resounding YES!!! For example, shortly after finishing his student teaching in English, my husband, Eric Pratt, was offered a position teaching Science.  How many places do you know that would hire a teacher outside his/her studies? It gets even better, though, after hiring him they asked him to study for and take the Science Certification test for Arizona, which he did and passed, and now because of that he is certified to teach English and/or Science in the state of Arizona. This is a huge blessing for our family, if ever we have to move (crossing our fingers we don’t) since he can apply for either position in any school district. 

Another example is even more recent for me specifically. I was approached by Sharon Raban to apply for an Aide job at the Coronado School with the kindergarten children. We had been praying for an opportunity for more income in our little family that would provide enough help but also allow me to be home with Wallace after school. This was the exact opportunity that we needed. I am able to work just the hours Wallace is in school and even get to work in his classroom with him. Even though I have only been working for two weeks, I love my job, and I really love coming home with Wallace. Again I don’t know many other school districts that seek out and ask for people to apply for a job, and then allow them to work in the classroom with their own children. 

One last example of a wonderful opportunity that I believe is really only available in a small town, is being able to coach Wallace’s soccer team. Just recently Rachel Winters called me and asked me to be the coach for Wallace’s soccer team (4-5 year olds). I was excited for the opportunity but also felt I needed to inform her I didn’t know very much about soccer. Rachel assured me that wasn’t a problem that I just needed to make sure the children had fun. I know in many big cities, parents want coaches that have experience (even with children of such a young age) because there are more coaches available.

So, in my eyes, there really is not a better place to live. If we lived in a big city I would not have the joy of working with and coaching my son and Eric wouldn’t have gained the Science knowledge he has been so blessed with. I know Heavenly Father placed our family in St. Johns so that we could grow and blossom together as a family. I am truly grateful to be here and love this wonderful small town.

Unforgettable Acts of Service by Larry Chlarson

I was asked to share a few words with the readers of this blog. As I wondered what I was going to share, I got to thinking to myself what is it that makes this a wonderful small town life? More and more I see young couples bringing their families back to the place they grew up in, to raise them in this wonderful town. For me the lessons I learned growing up are a big part of the reason why I came back with my own family. Hard work and serving those in need were things I saw every day growing up. We have all heard the saying, “It takes a small town to raise a child right.” Those words are so true! We have had so many experiences in the time since we have been back that have helped our family grow. My kids still talk about the service that we received when Megan was in the hospital for so long with Ryder. Being a single working dad with 4 kids during that time was not easy, but friends and family pulled together and made that stress go away. I had people on call at all hours of the day and night to take kids when I worked, make meals, clean house, do laundry, and so much more. I know this made things a lot less stressful for Megan, too. That is what makes this such a wonderful place to live. The lessons that we as a community will pass on to our children are priceless. I am so grateful for the lessons my children will learn with the help of teachers, parents, friends, bishops, and everyone else that makes up this wonderful place we call home. Megan and I will forever be grateful for the service and love of our amazing community! Thank you for helping us raise our family in such a great environment. Some of you may know that I like to write poems. Here are a couple I would like to share about two of my boys.

Ryder

When mom gave me the news that you were on the way

We rejoiced together, it was a happy day.

We knew you were special from the very start

Number five in the family and close to our hearts.

At nineteen weeks you gave us a scare

The doctor said you had low fluid in there

Mom and I were both worried and stressed

Mom hungered for comfort and asked to be blessed.

A blessing I gave with my hands on her head

Please replace this fear with comfort instead.

As mom lay in her bed for the next 3 weeks

With a heavy heart and tear stained cheeks

She prayed very much to our father in heaven

That you would survive and bring our family to seven

At week 24 they gave her a room on floor five

The pre-natal unit to try and keep you alive.

Blessings and prayers were sent our way

That’s how we made through each long day.

3 more long weeks your mom held on

Till the doctors said that your fluid was gone

The doctor said it was time to go

So with trust in the lord we went with the flow

They cut mom open and they pulled you through

So little and tiny, so purple and blue.

They rushed you out, they took you away

13 weeks early, no time for delay.

I saw the doctor and the look on his face

He is not breathing, no time to waste

Uncle John and I laid our hands on your head

I gave you blessing, let him live I said. 

Your lungs started working they filled up with air

The doctors and nurses just stood there and stared

From that day on you fought and you grew

Each day progressing onto something new.

I want you to know that you are loved and blessed

Sent from heaven to pass this test.

Sent here to earth to do great things

A heart so tender and a soul that sings.

Stay close to him that gave you breath

While you lay on that bed so close to death.

Do your best to win this game

Forever upholding his holy name.

Connor

Come here my child so you can see

I want to show you your family.

I’m sending you to start a life

That’s your father and his loving wife.

You will have a brother to run and play

And help you know what’s right to say.

Send me father I want to go

So much to learn, so much to grow.

Know this my child, it will be hard

For you will be dealt a different card.

To you I give an important task

I know your soul that’s why I ask.

Teach them patience and teach them love

Remind them daily of their Father above.

Hug and kiss them with your tender heart

Let them love you and do their part.

As father and mother to a special spirit

Make sure you’re loud so they can hear it.

Those around you will hold you so dear

Longing for you to always be near.

Now go my child and soon we will be

Together throughout all eternity.

Life is a Gift by Candice Bond

 

As I sit here and reflect on the past few months I can’t help but count my many blessings. I enjoyed a wonderful summer that was full of lots of new adventures and fun. I have a wonderful family and lots of friends. As I keep up with friends and family members and hear the things that go on in their lives and some of their day to day struggles I am again reminded how blessed I am. Some may be big while others are small but we all have our own battles to fight. Last night I heard some sad news about my friend’s family members that were taken from this world all too soon. In the 24 hours since I heard this news I can’t stop thinking about how precious life really is. I am reminded of the Garth Brooks song “If Tomorrow Never Comes” it goes like this: 

Sometimes late at night,

I lie awake and watch her sleeping

She's lost in peaceful dreams 

So I turn out the lights and lay there in the dark

And the thought crosses my mind
If I never wake up in the morning

Would she ever doubt the way I feel

About her in my heart

If tomorrow never comes

Will she know how much I loved her

Did I try in every way to show her every day

That she's my only one

And if my time on earth were through

And she must face the world without me

Is the love I gave her in the past

Gonna be enough to last

If tomorrow never comes 

'Cause I've lost loved ones in my life

Who never knew how much I loved them

Now I live with the regret

That my true feelings for them never were revealed

So I made a promise to myself

To say each day how much she means to me

And avoid that circumstance

Where there's no second chance to tell her how I feel

If tomorrow never comes

Will she know how much I loved her

Did I try in every way to show her every day

That she's my only one

And if my time on earth were through

And she must face the world without me

Is the love I gave her in the past

Gonna be enough to last

If tomorrow never comes

So tell that someone that you love

Just what you're thinking of

If tomorrow never comes 

This got me thinking about my life and about the things that I would want to change if my “tomorrow” never came. Would I have told those around me how much I loved them and what they meant to me? Would I still be carrying around feelings of anger and resentment for those who had hurt me? Would I have spent enough time on the things that really mattered in life? All of these thoughts inspired me to take a look at my life and reflect on what I could do today, to make a better tomorrow. As I hold my babies a little tighter tonight I am so thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who has given me this wonderful life and I am grateful for another tomorrow and a new chance everyday to try and be better.