Gehrings BB

Dear Family:

 

We held a contest in the neighborhood for who could host the strangest animals and we won with raccoons living in our chimney.  It would be one thing if it had been a working chimney, but the family of 5 chose the abandoned one in the middle of the house.  Matt did a lot of internet exploring and we both did a lot of calling (Bob Anderson, Ray Broadhead, nor Mark Monsen knew what to do - actually Mark was out of town for two weeks - and none of them own a trap).  Sam thought the whole experience was fabulous and helped his dad figure out which chimney they were in by shining flashlights.  He also told everyone at Church and preschool all about our house guests. Amazingly enough a lot of people have also hosted raccoons.  Matt got equiped with a trap, odor repellent, etc to catch the mean mama with green eyes.  I made myself and the kids lock ourselves in the truck. We had the camera ready to document Matt's National Geographic adventure.  I was pretty sure I was going to have to call the ambulance as Matt's plan was to put the repellent down the chimney, hope they came out, catch them in the trap, and call wildlife services- who will only come to pick up caught animals.  Fortunately, the mother had had her fill of Matt and Sam shining flashlights down the chimney and when Matt officially went up a very anticlimatic event occurred.  She had abandoned the fireplace and left only one of the babies.  Matt put the odor repellent stuff down and the next time he got up there, that baby was not there either.   The plan is to get covers for the chimney so we will not have any more unwanted house guests.

 

Another great adventure in the Gehring house is Sam learning how to cross the monkey bars.  He has practiced so much that unfortunately he has blisters on his hands.  To make matters worse, Thursday he was crossing the bars, the blisters caused pain and he let go landing on his arm and breaking both wrist bones in his right arm.  He broke his left wrist two years ago so now he boasts that he has 3 broken bones.  He spent 6 hours in the ER at Primary Children's Thursday night and thankfully doesn't remember any of the force they had to use to put the bones back in place.  He will get a cast Wednesday afternoon.

 

The rest of us are just supporting the crazy activity at this house and getting ready for a fun summer and visitors from far off places.  Eliza said today, "When are grandpa and grandma going to come home?"  Eliza also wins the quote of the month when she was looking at the pictures in her Book of Mormon.  She was looking at Moroni putting the plates into the ground and asked, "Where are his snowclothes?"

 

Have a great month!

 

Sharon and Family

 

a note

Our internet went down last week taking out our trusty phone and e-mail.  WOW it was a sudden shock to feel I was back in BsAs and the only means of communication was snail mail or an expensive long distance call.  We missed being able to visit with Francesca on her second birthday, and probably lots of other news from all of you.  When we got home from the temple Friday night it was fixed, but too late to call all of you.  Saturday we opened the temple at 5:45 and left from there mid-day for Poza Rica.  We are returning now (Sunday evening), and hopefully the internet will still be working. 

Dad was invited to talk to a priesthood session in Poza Rica, and while he was involved with them  I spoke  to the women.  Dad talked for a half an hour, I ended up having to fill the entire two hours as there was no one else on the program for the women. After praying and doing what preparing I could (they said I could talk about anything I wanted) I had really felt I needed to just trust the Spirit.  So I only took my scriptures and a few quotes.   We met in the cultural hall and so I invited them to pull their chairs into a circle (there were about 60 sisters when we began), and it made possible a more relaxed, informal Visit, where I was able to get them sharing stories and experiences.  We sang as Sisters In Zion, which in Spanish is "Hermanas Unidas" which gave me a wonderful theme to begin on.  I told about Julia and Emily Hill, I talked about how the gospel unites sisters throughout the world and just as we continued to keep pushing our chairs back to include those who kept arriving, we need to reach out and step outside of our comfort zones to bring in others into our circle of influence.  That led to how our lives can make a difference to our husbands, children, friends and the world.  I spoke of my love for my sisters in the scriptures and we talked about Eve, read the wonderful stories of Rebecka, Ruth and Naomi.  I shared personal stories and we had a wonderful exchange for two hours.  I was truly blessed.

--
Wendy W. Bentley

CLYDE, EL CLYDO, CLYDIE, CLYDE DOG, CLIPPITY

Hey Everybody!

Our cute Clyde dog died this morning. He was sick around 2 a.m., and I could tell he was not going to make it long. After I took him out at 2, he never could make it back upstairs. He was still very sick at 6 a.m. with really labored breathing. He had enough energy to go outside, but never came back in. Thank heavens the kids were around. We brought out his bed, a bowl of water, and Cora gave him the coat off her back. He got up 3 different times, to find the perfect place to die. He found it at our gate. When he died at 7:15 this morning, he was laying in the only spot in the yard, where there was sun. It was really beautiful and super sad. There have been a lot of tears in our house and in Minnesota (Rick is there for business).

I had to do something that I have never wanted to do, and that is take care of a dead dog. But, since it was Clyde, it felt more like a privilege than a burden. We had a nice memorial for him and sent him off with lots of love.

Clyde was such a part of our family that we really wanted to share our loss with all of you.

Lots of love, Marisa, Rick, Cora, Lincoln, Brigham and Lydia

HiHo

We just stopped home for lunch (we've 2 hours).  It is Wednesday and at 7:00 a.m. the temple was filled with youth.  School is out for two weeks and the tradition here is during this time the stakes hold their youth conferences and as part of those they come to the temple.  Consequently, we've had two very busy, but wonderful weeks.  There is a special feeling when these beautiful young people are in the temple.  Elijah and Israel I like to think of you two being with them when these groups come.  I know you are taking the opportunity to go with your Ward when you have temple trips. 
We've also had special stake sessions and each day has been filled with the Spirit of Elijah.  The only hard part is that along with the youth, a lot of our temple workers seem to have taken a vacation, so we;ve been doing double duty.  But, that makes the days pass quickly so it is okay.  It is only four months until we'll be together for the reunion.  Love you,  Mom & Grandma


--
Wendy W. Bentley

More Recipe Book Thoughts

Heya!!

I want everybody to know the recipes from your mom that are going into the new family cook book. Rick and Steve had a lot of fun going over the book and saying the things that they want in the new one. They had such a good time, that Rick even made Empanadas this week for dinner. Go Recipe Book!!! Anyway, I don't want anyone's favorite childhood memory to be left out, so look these over and we've forgotten anything, let me know.

There has been some confusion on what I am looking for with everyone's contributions. You can include anything you want. I want things to help us all out during dinner time so that our kids will actually eat and have some recipes that are tried and true favorites. You can include as many or as few recipes as you want. Here are a few suggestions for a few of you:

Steve's Rachel should definitely include anything mexican that she cooks, lasagna, carrot cake, berry ice cream, and pumpkin muffins.

Kathy should definitely include: your taco dinner, ham and sauce on top, spinach salad to name a few.

Mandi should include your shredded pork corn taco mango salsa thing, that chocolate pie with topping, foil dinners

Sharon should include Matt's 7/up peach cobbler wonder

Karalee should include her goblin valley pancakes

This is just an example of the kind of things we want. Anything that your families enjoy eating. Ok, here are the recipes from your mom that will be included:

Limeade slush, waffles, pancakes, syrup, basic bread, orange rolls, bassa rolls, bbq spare ribs, stroganoff, grandma's enchiladas, canalones, empanadas, hay stacks, sloppy joes, clam chowder, taco soup, split pea soup, ham and potato soup, favorite rice, raspberry jello, grandma's fruit salad dressing, peach cobbler, angel food strawberry cake, apple crisp, lime sherbert, grahma cracker crust, pie crust, pumpkin pie, strawberry pie, lemon meringue pie, meringue whip, white cake, hot lemon sauce, lazy daisy oatmeal cake, icing, carrot cake, frosting, lemon frosting, banana bars, oatmeal cookies, chocolate chip cookies, brownies and frosting, popcorn balls, lemon snowbars, gingerbread men, foolproof fudge, frozen jam, holiday cheese ball, shepherd's pie, pork chops, enchilada, grandpa's fish recipe, grandpa's blintzes, orange cranberry sauce.

There you go, let me know if we are missing really important stuff. Thanks, Marisa

New Family Recipe Book

Hey Everybody,

Since Rick and I are partly in charge of the family reunion this year, I thought it would be fun to do a new Family Recipe Book. I already have Wendy working hard at fixing some of her famous and delicious recipes so that we can have the "workable" recipes in the new book.

However, I would love to add to the recipes and have each family contribute their own recipes. In this stage of life, I always think it is helpful to have recipes from other mom's in the trenches with recipes that really work for their families ... especially kids.

Please contribute and give me your recipes. This is something that will be great to give to our kids too, when it is time for them to move out on their own.

One thing that will be different about this recipe book, is that there will be stories about the recipes - especially when they come from a grandma. It will make the recipes all the more important. Also, if their are recipes from the original book that really mean a lot to the original Bentley 8, make sure you let me or your mom know, so that those recipes will be added. (We are not going to keep every recipe from the original book).

Hopefully this won't feel like a hard thing to do. I've already started and am having a fun time. You can send me the recipes via email, or call me, and I'll write them down, type them up and send them back to you for approval. Whatever works for you. We want all recipes, breakfasts, desserts (of course), bread and entrees. We are looking too for the Goblin Valley pancakes and swedish pancakes. If you have them, please send them to me.

I will put the whole thing together and hand them out to everyone at the Family Reunion.

Those of you who may be moving or may be having a baby soon ... hint, hint, should get them to me sooner rather than later (if that makes it easier). Everyone else can have till June 1. That should give me plenty of time to get the book done.

You are all amazing and wonderful. Thanks for helping with this project.

Marisa

Hoppy Easter

A lady opened her refrigerator and saw a rabbit sitting on one of the shelves.   "What are you doing in there?"   She asked.     The rabbit replied:   "This is a Westinghouse, isn't it?", To which the lady replied   "Yes."   "Well," the rabbit said,  "I'm westing."      Sorry... I couldn't stop myself.    Have a Wonderful Easter... It's coming soon... April 12

Happy April and Easter

        April is here and we remember our special Birthday girls.  Josinette who turns two on the 14th,  and Francesca who turns one on the 23rd.

         We started today with our third set of counselors!  For the first nine months we had those from the former presidency (Pres. y Hna. Esparza and Pres. y Hna. Treto).  Then we called our own (Pres. y Hna Lopez and Pres. y Hna. Garcia).  Pres. Garcia became very ill with an incurable genetic disease, and they have also really struggled financially with his having to spend so much time in the temple, so they finally asked for a release.  Today we will set apart a new counselor and his wife as assistant, Pres. y Hna. Briones.  He is already a sealor and everyone loves and respects both him and his dear wife.  My life is going to easier with her as an assistant.  With that said however, Hna. Garcia has come along way since her rocky begining, and I can truly say I have come to appreciate her.
Other than that news, wasn't conference wonderful!  I can't decide which talk I liked the best as there were so many that touched me:  Elder Hales on the difference between needs and wants,  Pres. Monsen's about the poor woman who had to dig the graves of her own children,  Elder Bednar and all those on the temple, and certainly and probably my favorite, Elder Holland's on the Savior and holy week.   It has inspired me to read again The Promised Messiah by Cleon Skousen. It is a wonderful two book series I think each of you have.  I recommend it to you.
           There seems to be an increase in interest in attending the temple lately, and with the wonderful talks during general conference I suspect there will be another upswing. 
 Have a wonderful Holy Week in anticipation of Easter this Sunday.  With love, Mom
P.S.  Grandpa and I invite all of you who are old enough to use the computer to add a message to the BBB.  We'd love to hear from you!

--
Wendy W. Bentley

AN EASTER GIFT

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©2009 Son of Man Project

A Williams Update

It's friday morning and Zach left at 6am to drive to Toronto for a conference he has once a month.  So here I am with the girls and a long day with no plans ahead of me.  Accordingly, we are all in our p.j.'s and I'm thinking we'll pack the day full of entertainment as soon as I manage to dress myself.... good luck with that, right.  So Kaitlyn's been saying the funniest stuff lately. 
2 days ago I asked Kaitlyn if she knew how old she was.   She thought about it and started counting her fingers and announced she was 3.  I said she was close but that she's still 2.  Then she said, no and started counting her fingers again and said no, six.  But was unsure of her decision.  Then counted a couple more and very decidedly said "8!"  I explained it again but she was sure she's 8.  This morning I asked her how old she was and without any question said 8.   So Grandpa, you've got a 2 year old going on 8, does that sound familiar at all?  I'm in for it. 
Kaite's also been saying her own prayers and they are killing me.  It goes like in variations of this, "Hev Fade, Thank you grammie, pappy, grandma, grandpa, toby, minkie (her blanket), puppy, dinnie time, sleepy time, milk time, wake up time.  in Je Chri, AMEN."  Melts my heart.  Sometimes she just keeps going and going through all of the cousins and aunts/uncles she can think of.  We've been quizing her on the family picture on the wall and she can name all of you.  So know that you're loved. 
It's just so nice that she has something to say.  Yea for talking!  Last night I put curlers in her hair for the first time before bed.  They looked so perfectly placed before bed.  I was loving it.  But this morning was more like what's left of a palm tree after a hurricane.  all of these firsts are so darn cute. 
In the mean time, Liza's rolling all over the place and can sit up if we put a boppy around her.  She almost does it by herself but always ends up face first on her toys after I leave her alone.  Woops.  She's starting food too but has NO idea how to move her tongue out of the way so any of it can get in.  It's a messy business, but some ones got to do it.  :)
Me?  I'm chillin'.  Hoping for warmer weather so I can go outside and get warm.  I'm reading lots of books right now and wish I was finishing the girls scrapbooks but I wish there was a better way.  I've decided to make family movies instead of a family album.  I'll do a year at a time on a slideshow style video.  That way I don't have to develop all of the pics and it's something we watch.  The girls will still have albums but I won't feel pressured to include the full details of their lives, just highlight.  That's my plan... now all I have to do is do it.  Why is that always the hardest part?  Bummer. 
Love you guys.  Talk to you soon.

temple moments

Saturday four buses were waiting for us when we arrived at the temple to open at 5:45 a.m.  It was a glorious day.  The baptistery was filled with youth.  One of the boys was Benjamin Acosta from the Chairel Stake, who will submit his mission papers in May.  Two years ago, he set a goal to do 1,000 baptisms for the dead before he entered the mission field.  He comes every week, sometimes twice to the temple and is getting close to completing his goal.  He is tall and good looking and his countenance glows.  When I see youth like him I don't worry about the future of the world, or the Church.

Our sweet Hna. Natalia Gonzalez,  was at our "greeting  station" Saturday morning.  A woman arrived who seemed to be "hanging back" from entering.  Hna. Gonzalez began to talk to her and learned that this sister purposely tries to go into the temple last so that she could sit in the back of the endowment session because she is embarrassed about the brown birthmarks on her hands.  Hna. Gonzalez assured her that the temple is a place of love and acceptance.  Then she showed the sister her own hands.  Perhaps you will remember that this is our dear sister who was burned by her mother as a child, and her one of her hands is very deformed.  It was the perfect answer, and she was the perfect person to give it.  It is another testimony that the Lord is in charge of his temple.

--
Wendy W. Bentley

the story that goes with the photos

We took the Burnetts up to the border today.  Bro. Burnett suffered a small stroke last Tuesday.  After twenty-four hours in the hospital and with many phone conversations with the Burnett's children the decision was made for their parents to return home.  They had agreed to come for six months and this cuts that short for two months, but during their four months here they have made a difference, left a legacy, and will be very missed.

Sister Burnett is amazing.  Within six weeks she had all the ordinances memorized and was able to be used anywhere we needed her.  Brother Burnett, bless him, struggled with the language the whole time, and yet, he was finally able to go through the veil without help.  Both were wonderful examples of humility, and served as participants, cleaners, or doing whatever was needed.  They were at the temple four days a week a week and we knew we could count on them.  What dear friends at 79 years of age to even consider coming to serve another mission with us (they were with us in Argentina too).

They had brought their guitar and violin and entertained at church parties, and at two orphanages. They made the trip to Poza Rica to sing and teach the members how to polka.  Everyone loved them, they were so down to earth. We feel that they completed their mission, even though it was shorter than they had planned.

We were concerned about the fact that they had not come down as official Church missionaries and so they were not covered by Church insurance.  However, it turned out that their bill only came to about $700 and that included five or six tests.  One doctor didn't charge for his services at all, another translated the notes and studios into English for them. The Bene Hospital itself was clean and modern, and we were very impressed with the care they received.

When we got to Reynosa we found some shade under a tree and ate the lunch I had packed.  It took us close to an hour to cross the border because of so many cars going our direction.  We decided to stop at the post office to see if we have any mail, and were surprised to find that it isn't an official US Post Office, just a mailing center.  It also includes a travel agency, passport photos and who knows what else.  I could see into the back room and there were boxes piled up everywhere.  No wonder we have had some problem getting packages.  At least the location was easy to find.  Perhaps that is why it was chosen.  We also stopped at a grocery store and stocked up on a few canned and boxed items that we can't get in Tampico.  We passed a lovely little LDS chapel and some pretty, American, clean streets.  Oh we love the good old USA!

There was no line to return back into Mexico.  It was only mid-afternoon and so we decided to detour over to the coast and see the Gulf at Bagdad Beach.  Being a double highway we were expecting a tourist destination and thought we might stay there overnight.  Unfortunately, it was not developed to the point that we would dare eat or sleep in any of the places we saw.  The beach was dirty and the wind was cold.  After walking a short way and stopping to take a picture of Toney in front of a great statue of Columbus we backtracked to Matamoros.

We went to our favorite Chinese restaurant hoping to find Gilberto (the waiter I sent the missionaries to visit).  Unfortunately, he wasn't working, but we left some Church literature for him and also some with another waiter, Francisco.  We ate too much, but it was good food.

Dad agreed to find an American chain hotel with a bathtub.  I soaked for an hour in a hot bath!  It was fabulous!  That is the one thing our little condo doesn't have, and oh I do miss a tubby. We slept in, had a leisurely breakfast, and headed home via a detour or two over to the Gulf.  We were disappointed each time in what we found, but there are barrier reefs that run along the coast, and the big sea shells must not make it to where we were. We stopped in Soto del Marino where there is a small branch of the Church and while I found a rest room in the library, Dad got a wonderful "golden contact" for the missionaries.

--
Wendy W. Bentley

Taking the Burnetts to the border

Our picnic on the side of the road, the famous post office box,
Columbus and Dad, our favorite Chinese resturant. Details to follow

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