This Morning's Ponderings from Lester Ann

It is 5:00 a.m. but sleep escapes me. My mind is racing and at times like this it has become my habit to go to my computer and write. Usually when this happens, what I write is for my journal and is strictly personal and private. This morning I need to share what is in my heart with family members and friends who over the past few days and weeks I have grown to love and appreciate even more.
We have experienced what most would describe as a tragedy in our family. Over the past six months we have been joyfully looking forward to welcoming our sixth grandchild into the loving circle of our family. We have assumed that welcome would include sharing her life here on earth but Heavenly Father had other plans. Little Destiny Dawn silently tiptoed into our lives and left again before we had the chance to know her. At a time like this many would rebel against such experiences, ask “Why me?” even express anger against a God who would allow something like this to happen. I must admit in the recent past, I have experienced some of these feelings but this morning I feel an overwhelming need to acknowledge my blessings.
Yes, we have experienced a tragedy but Heavenly Father has put in place circumstances and administering angels who have softened the blow.
Shortly before this happened He sent two angels in the form of Allen’s cousins who came to the rescue while Dawn was in the hospital. On Monday morning when she was admitted, these two angels sprang into action applying the skills they had obviously been taught as daughters in a home where homemaking skills and compassionate service were important. They not only took care of Jill and Peirce but they prepared food for the meals of the day even freezing several for future use. This provided a base and freed up time for the rest of us to concentrate on supporting and helping Dawn and Allen.
Several angels in the form of doctors and nurses carefully and sensitively cared for Dawn in the hospital. Allen was at her side through it all providing love and support and taking care of all the practical things that must be done but are so hard at a time like this. It must have been very difficult for him too.
Gayle, the backbone and strength in my life, took me to Calgary first thing Monday morning so we could be with Dawn, then returned to work and spent the week home alone while I did my thing. I am sure it was not a good time to be alone. I love and appreciate him for always making it possible for me to do the things I need to do. Our long private and personal hours together as we cry, plan, discuss, and carry on are precious and definitely a blessing in my life.
Gaylene has a friend who recently lost a baby late in her pregnancy. As she did what she could to comfort her friend she learned much about what an expectant mother feels and experiences when this happens. I watched and was grateful as one daughter put the compassion and more importantly the empathy she had learned into action as she stepped in and helped her sister in ways many of us never even thought about. She was and remains to be a tower of strength for Dawn, for Allen and for all the rest of us. It was gratifying and it is a huge blessing to witness our daughters develop an even greater love and appreciation for one another. What a blessing it is to realize that we have three most remarkable children.
Another Angel in the form of Kara Lee, stepped in and did her part. As a counselor in the Relief Society in Dawn and Allen’s ward, she took over the responsibility of providing the lunch after the funeral. I was overwhelmed as I stepped into the hall where she had carefully set the tables with white tablecloths and pink centerpieces topped with vases of pink roses and where the wonderful aroma of a perfectly prepared meal filled the air. I know how much work it takes to perform this miracle. I also know there were other angels who helped her. Relief Society sisters provided salads and dessert and helped with the work. One particular angel whom I know and love helped financially. We appreciate that so much. These miracles also cost money.
Michael Pierson from Pierson’s Funeral Service is a friend and was a great help to Allen and Dawn as he walked them through the process of planning a funeral. To quote Dawn: “It was wonderful to be able to share this experience with a friend.”
All my angel sisters helped. Even before we knew we would need it, Marvelle and Clifford demonstrated their love and support. I spent a week with them in Phoenix while they drove me not once but three times to a clinic three hours away for much needed dental work, prepared liquid meals for me when I couldn’t eat solid food, took care of me, and delivered me to and from the airport even during the wee small hours of the morning. Shirley took me to lunch, served as a sounding board, had a special gift for me, and was there when I needed her. Colleen opened her clean, comfortable, and welcoming home to us (that includes, me, Gayle, Gaylene, Duane, and their children and many others) while we were in Calgary. Not only did she take care of us, but also Kara’s children while she was away performing her miracles.
Dawn said: “When I was in the hospital, my heart ached. I wondered and asked Heavenly Father if I couldn’t just go to the other side of the veil for a moment to get to know Destiny more and make sure she was going to be okay all alone. It was made clear to me that she isn’t all alone. She was met by Nana Hyde and Grandma Ackroyd and all her other grandparents that have gone on before. I felt strongly that my cousin Kelly who died at age 5 would hold her hand and walk with her and tell her of her mommy and daddy’s love. I also knew my cousin, Scott who died recently would play with her and help her to have fun, because he was always the king of fun.”
What a blessing and a comfort it is to know these things.
When we got home we were met with a house full of flowers and cards, messages on our voice mail, and an inbox full of expressions of love and sympathy.
I gained a new love and appreciation for Allen’s family as I watched them rally around and give their support to Dawn and Allen. Jim Ackroyd gave one of the most comforting funeral talks I have ever heard. Among other good thoughts, he said: “The tender mercies of the Lord are at work here.” It reminded me of Elder Bednar’s talk in April Conference of 2005.
I quote: “We should not underestimate or overlook the power of the Lord’s tender mercies. The simpleness, the sweetness, and the constancy of the tender mercies of the Lord will do much to fortify and protect us in the troubled times in which we do now and will yet live. When words cannot provide the solace we need or express the joy we feel, when it is simply futile to attempt to explain that which is unexplainable, when logic and reason cannot yield adequate understanding about the injustices and inequities of life, when mortal experience and evaluation are insufficient to produce a desired outcome, and when it seems that perhaps we are so totally alone, truly we are blessed by the tender mercies of the Lord and made mighty even unto the power of deliverance (see 1 Ne. 1:20).”
Then yesterday, we went to Calgary to welcome Dustyn home from his mission. Once again I was reminded of how families rally around during sad and happy occasions. Because I rode up with Brad I was privileged to sit in on the meeting with Dusty, Brad, Jessey, Shelbi, Lani and the counselor to the Stake President as he released Dusty from his missionary duties. He asked him to tell us a about some of his experiences and to bear his testimony. As he bore a powerful testimony I felt so blessed to be able to witness that first hand. It solidified my own testimony and once again made me aware of the fact that Heavenly Father knows each and every one of us personally, he loves us, and gives us life’s experiences for a definite and wonderful purpose. I am so grateful for that knowledge and for the daily reminders that help to build and maintain that knowledge.
Precious and loved family members and friends are among the greatest blessings the Lord provides. They are what get us through times like these. To seldom we take the time to build on these relationships and to acknowledge how vital they are to our very lives.
Even though I mourn the loss of our beautiful little granddaughter for this lifetime I cannot ask “Why ME???” Instead, I declare, lucky me! I acknowledge the great love that our Father in Heaven has for each and every one of us. I am so thankful for the tender mercies he extends daily to me and to those I love. Indeed, after much pondering and prayer, I echo Elder Bednar’s statement:
“May our hearts always be filled with gratitude for His abundant and tender mercies.”

#53. NOBLE NEWS - Marvelle - Reporter

Subject: See y'all at home....
From: "Dustyn Noble" View Contact Details Add Mobile Alert
To: stephaniespackman@yahoo.com, elderkromm@myldsmail.net, brad.alert@shawcable.com, gerrylaing@shaw.ca, marcliff59@yahoo.com, hkromm@gmail.com, hojpoj2@hotmail.com, elderjbizzle@myldsmail.net, laninoble@gmail.com, leeoler@myldsmail.net, evilcarebears3@hotmail.com
Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2007 16:35:11 +0000
Hey everyone,

wow it is over soo soon, what to do what to do. All i've done lately is
reflected on what the Lord has done for me that he has heard my
prayers. (Alma 29:10 read it) My joy will be so full to see everyone again.
We'll all just wait on the Lord...

1st is of the gospel principles class and all my fav people

2nd is of Elder Pilling my dawg and me standing in front of the Cowboys
facility down the street from where i live.

Keep it real and stay to true ya selves, yeah don't give in....
See y'all soon,

I'm Out for the last time ELDER NOBLE




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#53. NOBLE NEWS - Marvelle - Reporter

We should let everyone know what we are planning. That just in case you all come down to see us. We are driving home for the month of December. We plan on returning shortly after the New Year.

We found an airline in which we could fly home for about $500.00 but that includes the $20. they charge for each suitcase you are taking plus the fee they charge for you to select your seat in the airplane.

Anyhow we have lots of time and then we have a car when we get home. LA and Gayle said they would pick us up and we could use LA's car but we have lots of time and so Clifford says we are going to drive. Even if the weather is bad we can always stop for awhile.

Then we are going home again come March for Shirley's wedding. Clifford has been asked to give her away. So plan your times around those dates.

Bye for now - see you soon.

love Marvelle

Noble News #51

A lot has happened in the past few weeks. Dustyn is coming home, Lester Ann came down to see us and we had a ball. Then she went home and Dawn had her baby early. So it didn't survive. They are having a funeral in Calgary. Boy oh boy it doesn't rain but it pours.

First of all Dustyn will be flying home from Texas and arriving in Calgary on the 15th of November at 2:30pm. Be there or be square, he says. He is supposed to be talking in Calgary and Brad will let you all know when and where.

LA came down on Thursday the 25 of Oct 2007. We went to Mexico the next day and had her teeth filed. Then on Saturday we went to Mexico again. This time to have a metal test. She got her permanent teeth on Tuesday. We really went at it and it was all over in just a few days. She got 27 teeth capped. Then she just stayed around our place for the rest of the time, as her mouth was abit sore. Her and I went shopping on Friday and she flew out on Saturday AM. We had to have her at the airport at 6:00am. She was there before then. We drove home and went back to bed. She went home on Saturday and found that Dawn wasn't doing too well. We went to the Bernina Shop (of course) and then to the Mesa Swap Meet. She got home on Saturday night. She flew straight to Lethbridge.

On Sunday Dawn was in the bedroom lying down as she didn't feel so well. She had not felt movement of the baby for a couple of days and then Jill said that she felt that her mother was going to be sad. Dawn decided to go to the Foothills Emergency and found after many tests that she would have to be induced and have her baby as it was not alive anymore. She had the baby early on Tuesday morning. They named the baby Destiny Dawn. It just gives you goose bumps to hear these sad times that our children have to go through. You keep thinking that all is going so well and then you get a double whammy. Our thoughts and prayers go out to this little family and we hope all will go well with them in their hour of need.

Brad had some news to tell you all. Helen's Mom had a lump in her lower bowel and was operated on Friday last week. She is doing well and will be okay - we think. We hope anyway. Good luck Brad and Helen on this turn in your life.

Clifford and I are well. We are in Arizona and hope that all is well with you. We go to our exercises everyday and hope we will keep enjoying good health. I am doing alot better. I think it is from the pills I've been taking. They are called StemEnhance pills. They make your stem cells (that everyone has in your body) go to the place that will do you the most good. I am a dealer as that is the only way I can affordto take the pills. They are expensive. $60.00 a bottle for 60 pills. If any of you think you need them let me know.

We can't forget that Cam was made Bishop of his ward a couple of Sundays ago. He will be very busy for the next few years. We would have loved to go as his Mom and Dad are in CAmbodia on a mission but thought that it might be too obvious if we all showed up in his ward that day.

Well I will go for now.

love the Reporter for Noble News.
Granny Belle, Auntie Bell and Marvelle

Ackroyd Family Adventure

I've finally updated our blog with pictures and info on our trip to California. I hope you enjoy it!

http://ackroydhouse.blogspot.com/

Dawn

#53. NOBLE NEWS - Marvelle - Reporter

Hi - hope you are all well. I am fine and ready to go south. We have been packing packing but I have a little time just now. I see that I hit the wrong key and so there will be two #52s, Jessey no longer sells vaccum cleaners. I guess he decided to work regular hours and so now works for Telus selling cell phones. We have two! We have been very lucky I guess. Don Smith phoned last nite and said his oldest son had a heart attack. He is just older that Scott. It happened at work and he was able to get to hospital right away. He has to have a defibrilator and a pace maker inserted. Boy of boy, you hear more and more every day. I keep feeling better and better. I wonder when the next shoe will drop.

We are now selling "StemEnchance" pills. Everyone has stem cells. Evidently they die up to about age 30. After that you need something to prod them into use. I think they make me feel alot better. They have wonderful stories about people near death and then coming back after taking these pills. I'll take them for awhile and tell you how they affect me.

My question today is: "Talk about an Easter tradition you have in your family or about any holiday tradition you have."

Well we always made boiled eggs and coloured them at Easter and we always went to church as usual. It was never anything special but I can remember going on an Easter Egg hunt one time in Rosemary, Alberta. It must have been a church activity.

As Thanksgiving (Canadaian) is coming up I'll talk about it. We always had a turkey and family over for Thanksgiving. We would all take a turn and tell what we were thankful about. Then I had two kids in the States. They have Thanksgiving the las thursday in November. Ours (Canadian) is usually around the second Monday in October. After the kids moved down south we always had two. One in Canada and then one in the States.

Our last big Thanksgiving was at Scott's place. It was really nice. Scott cooked a turkey and then we all said what we were thankful for. It was great. The following day is a Friday and it is known as the biggest shopping day of the States. The stores all have sales and everyone shops till they drop.

We can hardly wait for Dusty to come home. He will be a man. He comes home Nov 15th. That's the latest anyway. I'll let you know more as the time draws near.

love Marvelle Noble, Auntie Belle, or Granny Belle

Noble News Reporter - Marvelle #52

Hi everyone - Dustyn has moved. He is training again for the last little part of his mission. His address is:

My new address is
528 Santa Fe Tr #142
Irving, TX
75063


He will be home on the l5th of November. Be at the airport when he comes in. I'll let you know more as the days go by.

We are leaving for the States of October 4th - Colleen's birthday. We have our missionary reunion on the 5th in West Jordan. We will go to conference, then go to Vegas and then to Arizona. Happy birthday Colleen.

love Marvelle