In spite of the bad back and aches from what we will call "Leonard's Most Excellent Hubritical Day," we decided to go for a walk. It turned out to be an almost 9 mile walk. We went from Peter and Sheri's home to the Red Cliffs Mall and wandered and looked and played the old L and K Romney family game of "I buy!" We actually bought a map of St George. Then we wandered around to the Outlet Mall on the other side of the mesa, shopped, looked, walked, snacked there. We eventually wound up at the Apple Store and acquired speakers and car chargers for our iThings. Then it was up over the mesa on Foremaster Road. All in all, we were gone about about 3 1/2 hours, in spite of the nagging back issue.
Did I mention that I was continuing to have back problems? Maybe I don't have to mention them anymore. We showered, shaved, shampooed and generally got ready for the presentation. Our talks were on our iThing so we decided to try to use that instead of paper notes to guide our words. Before going to the Stake Center, we had a nice little dinner at the Pizza Factory, mostly salad and one small piece of Pizza, the rest saved for the road home later that night.
What happened at the presentation? There were about 150 folks there. We were the key noters. We stood together at the pulpit, glancing frequently at our personal iThing teleprompter for about 20 minutes or so. The outline followed these topics: Our Story, Our Response, and Our Problems (Individual, Church and Nation). This was followed by a quasi-panel discussion where the moderator asked 6 or 7 of us questions related to the needs of Alzheimer's patients and help/advice for local church leaders. Although neither of us can remember what she said, Kathryn's closing comments about her gratitude for the gospel and it's strengthening influence in all of our lives were the perfect final remarks for the plenary session.
Clearly, the whole evening hit the spot. Everyone made truly wonderful, insightful, interesting comments. We're hoping that this can become the initial meeting in a growing movement, within the LDS Church and between the Church and all others faiths to attack the problem. I have included a couple of notes we received from participants in the meeting. They were nice to us, but more importantly, these comments strongly hint at the enthusiasm and commitment for doing something.
The formal meeting was followed by a question and answer period in the cultural hall where"refreshments", Mormon style, were offered. The corn lobby would have been happy. The amount of High Fructose Corn Syrup displayed and contained in that vast array of comestibles spread over 3 or 4 tables was amazing. Diabetes onset got a shot in the arm that night. We left at about 9:15pm for the drive home and raised the garage door in Holladay at 1:30 am. Only 1 stop. Not bad. The aspartame and caffeine lobby would have been thrilled at what we accomplished without a hitch and without noticeable shakes!!
We're so glad we went. The whole trip was a great adventure, in spite of continuing pain. Hubris has been banished for the time being, fortified by the pain in my backside and the warm glow of a wonderful, spiritually invigorating event. (I'll not mention the achies again, at least those associated with this trip.) Below is a picture of LuAnn Lundquist who put this together. a great lady in our opinion.
Dear Kathryn and Leonard,
I regret not being able to give you both a hug at the So. Utah meeting last Thursday. It got really busy there at the end with people having many questions. It was an incredibly inspirational meeting and your involvement open up eyes and hearts and hopefully empowered leaders to gain the knowledge they so desperately need. LuAnn said you had to drive North that night. I also planned to leave after that meeting and drive North. I pooped out and got up at 6 and left the next morning. I'll bet that was a long trip for you both. Thank you for your support, for sharing your story and for me personally showing how important the love between a couple should be. You touched many people in many ways that night. So next time I see you both, you will get two and a half hugs from me.
P/S My computer has made my job and life much easier! The world now turns with ease!
I wish you both Happy Holidays.
Kindly,
Mitzi
Dear Leonard and Kathryn,
I had no idea you were traveling home after the event - and you were willing to stay to help the attendees. I am glad that you arrived safely.
Thank you for those kind words, not just to me, but to my boss as well. When I consider the source of those words it means ever so much. I also believe the meeting was historic and just the beginning of great things to come. We have felt the Lord's inspiration every step of the way and it has been a very humbling experience for me. Katherine Parry has provided the energy and organization to really make this cooperation between the church and the chapter successful.
Interesting that you mention taking what we learn here and making it a plan that will work in other areas in Utah and then other congregational groups. I felt that strongly just the day before the conference and mentioned it to Katherine. Maybe we can start a tsunami of trained volunteers to meet the tsunami this disease is bringing.
Your remarks were insightful, inspired and powerful. Thank you so much for really "making" this Training Meeting what it was. We are all very grateful.
LuAnn
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