Utah Valley Hospital Chapel Dedication -

The dedication of the chapel at the hospital was fantastic! I really felt like assembling this dedication was an opportunity for me to use my folklorist skills as well as my skills as a chaplain (and event planner skills). I wanted a diverse representation of the faith and cultural groups in the valley. Time and time again, even stats show, that Utah County is heavily Mormon. And yet even in that group there are as many layers of Mormons that it's tough to stereotype (although we all do). And in that group there are multiple cultural and ethnic groups within the larger Mormon group. So, with that said, the program was:

Here I Go - Again: WrenHouse.co -

I continue to receive calls and questions regarding the type of counseling I do. And I do a lot of counseling - mostly to do with moving on, reclaiming one's self after a life event - loss mostly - loss of self, loss of a loved one, loss of a job (need help building a resume?), loss of health. This applies to the one losing and the ones remaining and supporting the loss.

If you have angst about tomorrow, or you worry about the past, I can help you. I can help you live in today and move forward with hope -

My website: wrenhouse.co, explains my approach and has a few testimonials and resources that may be of benefit.

Send me an email if you're interested: Ronda@wrenhouse.co. 

I have evening appointments available. 

Motivation to Do - Processing is Tuff -

I came upon this thought today -
"Doing things we don't want to do, or that scare us, creates flow in our lives and allows us to grow."

I wonder - does this mean tasks such as laundry and leg shaving; crucial conversations such as saying "no" or being assertive; self-care - exercise, planning meals ahead of time; creating business plans and presenting them to corporate, or simply moving forward or perhaps simply being?

Or is it as basic as having that one thing in our lives that never makes it to our list because it's too scary to even mention?

I'm a doer; I do not like having "to do's" hanging around me; I don't like having things undone. And yet I'm wondering if this really means, at least for me - the major "thing" I don't do is take the time to stop and reflect. That's what I put off doing; I put off processing. I've certainly felt that these past 2 months as I reached out for this job, was rejected, and then just moving on - I did what scared me, I felt discounted, and honestly, there is no flow to grow.

When I had children at home, and somehow had time to create, I'd finish a project, hang it up, put it on a shelf, and move on to the next task at hand. And one day I realized I didn't take the time to appreciate my own handiwork. I put the kids' art work on display, applauded my husband for a job well-done, but didn't glory in my own works. So I made a plan to put my piece in a spot where I would see it for several days before placing it in its designated home. This became my time to do something that really did scare me - acknowledge myself.

These days, my crafts are more emotional than physical. I read a book, put it up, open another. I finish a task, fix dinner. I exercise, hop in the shower. I'm finding I don't take the time to feel, to savor, to enjoy. If I want to really grow, it has to include processing time. It's a scary unknown place for me to go, yet I do want to grow. I hate this stuck - and somehow, this event, which really should be in the past, keeps coming forward, and I keep being reminded that I "lost." And I need to process what has happened - that's the doing what scares me, so that I can move forward.

That's what I've been avoiding - plus shaving my legs!

This is Us -

Yesterday we drove up Provo Canyon, over to Cascade Springs, then through the Alpine Loop to American Fork Canyon for a picnic in one of the most beautiful spots in all of Utah.

If you're lucky enough to live in the mountains, you're lucky enough.

 

Pioneer Heritage -

Many thanks to my sister, Maria, for these stories: 

JULIETTE FACKRELL HOWARD

Juliette Fackrell Howard was born January 19,1849 at Millville, Jo Davis Co., Illinois to Joseph Crumb and Clarissa Dempsey Fackrell.  She was the 3rd child in a family of 14. She was about 4 years old at the time they made the journey by covered wagon to Utah.

At the age of 8 years, she accompanied her family in the move south when the Johnson's Army came to drive the people out. She suffered many hardships. Food was so scarce their meal often consisted of a small baked potato or one spoonful of bran mush. Juliette and her sister had one pair of shoes, taking turns in wearing them. Her father made their shoes whenever he was able to obtain a hide to make leather. She attended school in West Bountiful. When she was 12, Juliette washed the wool, dyed the yarn and wove cloth for her own and her sister's clothing. Her children remember her braiding hats in seven strands of straw. She was an expert at needle work and knitting.

She met James Howard and married him on April 19, 1869 in the old Endowment House. They were married by Joseph F. Smith. Her sister, Betsy Jane, was married to James' brother, William, the same day. Soon after her marriage her brothers and sisters took sick with black measles. Her mother nursed them back to health and being in delicate health, contracted the disease and died July 5, 1869, leaving a large family. In addition to her own family, Juliette later took two of her mother's children and raised them to manhood and womanhood.

She was blessed with an outstanding personality, cheerful disposition, and a keen sense of humor. Her eyes were blue, she had light brown hair and was small of stature like her mother. She obeyed cheerfully and promptly because she was just. She was

queen in her own home, her authority never being questioned.  Her home was always open to neighbors and friends she was especially kind and thoughtful to children. There was always delicious cookies and candy for them. Juliette was also famed for her Christmas Pudding and stuffed fowls.

In 1889, Juliette's husband was called on a mission to England and it

was necessary for her to take charge of the milk and farm business including a large family and the hired men.

One of her greatest trials was the loss of her son, Joseph, who died at the age of 22. He was a promising young man and was ordained a seventy just two weeks before his death. He also had books purchased to attend the University of Utah that fall. She had lost two other sons in their infancy and also a daughter 32 years old.  Juliette was a resident of South Bountiful Ward for 54 years. She was a counselor in the YLM1A from 1880 to 1888 and served as a Relief Society teacher until her death.  Her chances for education were limited. She gave her children the privileges she was deprived of. With the exception of one, all of her children studied music. Four of her daughters being organists at different periods in the South Bountiful Ward.

On Saturday, April 19, 1919, James and Juliette celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary at their home where many of their friends called and wished them happiness on a half a century of married life.

She died March 2, 1924 at South Bountiful, Utah in the home which was the birthplace of her children around which clung so many happy memories.

This history was written by Matilda Ann Howard Johnson,

daughter of Juliette Fackrell Howard, March, 1942.

After Juliette's death the following sketch of her life was found: My father, Joseph C. Fackrell, Mother, Clarissa Dempsey. Father of English descent. Mother of Irish descent. They were naturally of a religious nature. My Mother, a Methodist, was born in Illinois, Jo Davis County near Springfield, in 1849. When five years old, I came with my parents to Utah in 1852. Settled in Bountiful for a short time and then moved to Farmington, Utah. I lived there five years. Again we moved to Bountiful in which place I have lived ever since. I became the wife of James Howard in 1869 in the Endowment House .in Salt Lake City and £rom that union 12 children were born to gladden our days.

I have passed through the shifting scenes of the saints. Moving out with my parents in 1859, while Johnston's Army passed through, which proved a blessing to the people as they were so destitute for clothing and as there was no money or any way to obtain clothing when they moved away, they left a great deal which was a great benefit to the people and in 1884 my husband married Betsy Jane Howard. From that union a daughter was born. We are happy and have been blessed and prospered in many ways.

My education has been limited as the opportunity of gaining an education was almost impossible in those days.

The thing that has most influenced my life was to be exemplary in all things and to raise a posterity that would be a credit to us. Which has been verified. We have been active workers in the Church of Jesus Christ all our lives and hope to continue to be the remainder of my days.

Self-Talk - Getting Back to Center -

The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself, by Michael Singer, pulls me back to center again and again. Well, that and time in the mountains. I've been fortunate to have the mountains and Singer with me these past few days. I know what I need, I know what I want, and yet sometimes it's easier to wallow in self-doubt than it is to turn toward truth.

Time in the mountains with pines and quakies with clean air and minimal traffic forces me to look and listen - the mountains pull me to the present, and there I clear my mind.

Time with Singer, nudges me to let go, untether my soul from doubts and negative self-talk, and humbly look toward my truth. Which is where my authenticity lies, and where my soul speaks clearly.

"Our thoughts are like rumors in the wind. They might be true, but then again, they might not be." 

"Instead of confronting the mind's rumor mill with logic and 'positive thinking,' it makes far more sense to step outside of the endless cycle and just watch the thoughts unfold in all their fevered beauty. But this can be difficult. If you look closely at the 'rumors' that start washing around the mind when you feel stress, you'll see how much a part of you they really appear to be. They carry quite a punch and may be central to what you believe about yourself and the situation in which you find yourself." 

Besides the bullet points, "When we feel stressed and life is frantic, thoughts like these often feel like the absolute truth about us and the world. But they are, in fact, symptoms of stress, just as a high temperature is a symptom of flu."

"Becoming aware that these thoughts are symptoms of stress and exhaustion, rather than facts that must be true, allows you to step back from them. And this grants you the space to decide whether to take them seriously or not. In time, through mindfulness practice, you can learn to notice them, acknowledge their presence and let them go." 

A Peaceful Week - and Ryan Shupe -

After a strange semi-shitty 2 months, this past week has been a great reprieve. I cannot stand still - stagnation is my worst nightmare, so standing and waiting and wondering has been a huge trial for me. And yet - it's over, and I can MOVE! Move forward, and I have - I can't change the past; I've had to process the decisions made, yet even then I will not hold the past or wish for something different, or even carry a grudge - I'd rather carry something much lighter.

So this week has been about picking up goodness wherever I've wandered and then carrying it into my days.

And it's been a good peaceful week, and I'm happy, and I feel brighter, hopeful, and present.

A cute new video - Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband were one of my family's first loves when coming to Utah, and we've had the privilege of calling each other friends over the years. He's waxed and waned, yet this tune - makes me smile, reminds me of today. Enjoy -