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.