Fun in Funeral?




We had permission to leave mission boundaries to make the seven and half hour drive to Reno on Friday to attend the funeral, Saturday, of Mary Challis, the wife of Elder Challis’ younger brother, Dave.  Mary had been battling lung cancer, she and her family on a roller coaster of hope and despair for two years.  She was only 59.  The word “fun” is over-used, but truly does describe Mary, as was so sweetly portrayed by three of her daughters.  We were blessed to witness the love, faith, and strength in her family.  Mary was “distinct and different in happy ways” and thus her influence was magnified in an “unprecedented way”  (President Nelson, “A Plea to My Sisters).  Her children are evidence of that.
            We chose to drive back to SLC after the family dinner in Reno on Saturday, even though we knew we wouldn’t arrive until about midnight.  We wanted to attend Hank and Mary’s Primary Presentation this morning.  It was also Christopher and Melissa’s-- they are the choristers.  It was wonderful!  When the congregation joined the kids on the fourth verse of “How Great Thou Art,” I was singing through tears.   
            Wednesday, last week, was stressful at the library—many guests to help, a lesson review deadline, and more preparation for the zone merge—which took place just fine without out our presence on Friday.  We shall see on Monday morning what ends still need to be tied. Anyway, at the end of the overtime day, Wednesday, I was “done-in.”
            Thursday provided a welcome break when we went to Pleasant Grove to spend the day with Jaynie on her birthday:  swimming and hot tub; bike ride for Elder Challis and Jaynie--I got a nap with the kids; pizza and cake.  And Elder Challis mowed the lawn.
            Monday evening, I returned to the Utah Symphony with another free ticket.
  Elder Challis had cleanup duties with the branch social so couldn’t attend.)  The performance was a spirited “Celebracion Sinfonica.”  Those in the audience who didn’t speak Spanish were in the minority, I think. The director was animated and personable, encouraging dancing in the aisles.  Happy music!  Happy people! 

Snow?  No, salt!  

Walking by the Truckee River in Reno

Elder Challis and six of his siblings. The fun in funeral. 


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