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Message Archive
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04/27/2005
(Composed: 5 April 2005)
Dear Missionaries, friends all,
With a successful reunion behind us, it is time to provide a brief report to all who attended and to all who were with us in spirit.
There was a bit of sadness in the fact that Elder and Sister Haight were not there. It was the first time since their presiding over the Glasgow Mission that they had not been able to attend the reunion. However, in their place were Elder and Sister Ben Banks. Elder Banks spoke and told the story behind the construction of the pulpit in the Conference Center, which was made from the walnut tree which Pres. Hinckley had planted in his yard. It was a fascinating story. Elder Bank?s sons were the ones who cut the tree down and took it to the mill where it was sawn into planking, which was used for the construction of the pulpit. The wood trim for the rest of the Center is Cherry, but the pulpit was made from the walnut tree. It was the Bank?s sons who made the pulpit and a number of music and jewelry boxes to give to various dignitaries and family members of the prophet. It was nice to hear him speak about such an intimate event.
Of course, we had pipers to start the reunion off. Naturally, they played ?Scotland the Brave? and other tunes. It is always stirring to hear the pipes. And we also sang some songs of Scotland. Of course, we appreciated the fact that they new always sing, The River Clyde.? By far the most important and best part of the music, however, was Michael Turnblom playing and singing his composition, ?Bless This Land.? Many of you have heard him perform this before. Since returning home from his mission, Michael has studied voice extensively at home and abroad. His voice is mature and marvelous. It was a great pleasure to hear him sing. Pres. Pingree, who conducts the general session, had him come to the microphone and sing it again without accompaniment so that everyone could hear.
When we separated into groups, the Clydera group went to the Relief Society Room, which proved to be much better that last year. There were about 85 attendees during the evening. Quin Gardner and Camber were there early to help us set up and he also took charge and started things off. Sister Clyde and I had a few words of greeting and admonition, but then we got to the meat of the event. Thanks to Chris Jensen, who was able to get the computer to talk to the screen, we were able to show the many pictures that I had assembled of missionaries and families. There were something in the neighborhood of 100 pictures and it was delightful to view and talk about some of them.
Many of you will remember Douglas Shonk. He is now in Camp Liberty, Iraq, He is still a missionary, telling other soldiers about the truths of the gospel. Melinda and their daughter, Eternity, ask that we remember Doug and all other patriots in our prayers. I do believe that request is valid.
About two weeks ago, we had Andrew Smithson?s parents in our home. It was nice to meet them again ( they had come to the mission home and picked up Andrew from his mission). He married fairly recently. So I was able to email him and get a picture of Andrew and Louisa at their wedding.
Since last October, there have been several members of the Clydera who have married. The two most recent were David Jensen and Debbie, in the Jordan River Temple, and Melanie Weeks and Christopher Kirkland in the Salt Lake Temple.
So now we are trying to make decisions about October. Do you want to have a reunion? Where would you like to meet? What would you like to do? Sister Clyde and I need ideas and input and assistance. Currently, we are exploring the possibility of meeting with the European members of Clydera in late summer in England or Scotland. We have had many respond positively. But what about October Conference. Please let us hear from you. Would any of you be interested in going overseas?
Now, it is time to get on with things. God bless you all. I cannot emphasize enough the impact that all of you have had on our lives. Each day we remember experiences from the S. E. M. and our lives continue to be enriched. Thanks to all of you.
We love you and do miss seeing you often.
Appreciatively,
Pres. and Sister Clyde
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