Father Joseph

Hidden away about forty minutes out of Ogden, through the Wasatch Mountains, around many windy and curvy roads, past grand log cabins decorated like gingerbread houses, inside a large iron gate there sits quietly almost forgotten amongst the trees, the Huntsville Monastery.
The monastery has existed since before the Great Depression. In its thriving years the dedicated monks had large fields where they harvested many crops. They had a good sized herd of dairy cattle, and one of their prized possessions was their honey. It was treasured among all their friends, and members of their catholic congregations. It came in all flavors from original to rum, each packaged and boxed with love.
Among the monks there was a Father Joseph. Father Joseph was 30 years old when he joined the service. Originally from Kentucky, he decided to dedicate his life to the Love of God. He was sent to Utah among the first of the monks in Huntsville.
In the community at the Monastery every man played a very important role. Some were bread makers, others were honey harvesters, others manned the telephones, but Father Joseph was in charge of the dairy. Father Joseph was put in charge of starting up the dairy, in the first years there, and then keeping it running, and that´s where he stayed, quietly watching each year come and go.
The decision to become a monk isn´t just a one time thing, it´s a decision to leave all you know and love behind, and to dedicate your whole life to serving God. When father Joseph left Kentucky he rarely saw his family again. The brothers at the monastery became his family and friends.
About forty years after Father Joseph arrived at the monastery he was introduced to a young, outgoing, full of life young man. Ross had just graduated from high school and was out doing his first job, selling products to dairies when he ran across the dairy at the monastery. He was introduced to Father Joseph and they became really great friends.
Ross from that time on went out of his way to make sure to always stop in to see Father Joseph, when he met the love of his life Father Joseph was one of the first to know. And when Ross´s first son was born they named him Quinton Joseph.
As Ross´s family started to grow up, and life started to get a little hectic the visits to the monastery became fewer and far in between, however around Christmas time every year the family would pile into the car, they´d embrace the windy curvy roads, the blizzards, and the slippery trek and they´d drive up to visit their Christmas friend Father Joseph.
It became such a tradition that on the rare occasions that they´d stop in to see him any other time of the year he would think something was desperately wrong. Every year Ross would go in to find him, leaving his family in the car, and every year the family would wait in anticipation. They never called before they went up, they just went up hoping to find him still in good health and cheer. Sometimes they´d wait in the chapel, where the other monks would greet them with the same enthusiasm, usually remembering each of their names, and asking them questions about their lives.
Father Joseph was always found in different places, sometimes in the boiler room staying warm, sometimes in his room taking a nap, sometimes in the cafeteria eating…but he was always found. Ross would walk out with him, and Father Joseph would be all smiles as he´d greet the children, and Lori. He´d always say….” I was just thinking about you guys.” They´d talk for about an hour, catching up on things that were going on each other’s lives, and then the family would leave with promises of next year, and wishes of a very Merry Christmas.
One snowy December night the family set off for their annual trip to Huntsville. Something seemed wrong but they decided they´d go anyway and find out what was up. As they pulled in to the monastery and Ross went in, the family waited and waited and waited, when Ross finally came out they knew something was wrong. He explained that Father Joseph had been moved to a nursing home in Salt Lake about an hour away.
After a family council, they decided that they just couldn´t not go see Father Joseph. So they set off to find the nursing home, not knowing at all where it was only knowing the name. A few hours later, they pulled in to a Catholic Nursing home. They were directed to Father Joseph´s room, and they all walked in creating the best Christmas surprise ever.
Father Joseph looked up, and with tears in his eyes said “I didn´t think you would find me.”
There´s something about the love of a Monk, and the love a dear friend and his family at Christmas. It goes un broken, and it creates a bond, that lasts through the year and into the next Christmas season.
As father Joseph would say, “May God Bless you, and your family at this Christmas season, and i´ll see you next year!” …

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Once again my family found Father Joseph this Christmas. It was wonderful to see him again and catch up. I missed him last year, and wonderful to carry on our Christmas Traditions!

Emmy

Teach the Children

~Just a little Reminder of what this season is all about~

Merry Christmas!
Feliz Navidad!

Just a week before Christmas this is how it happened. I had just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door of the front room, and to my surprise, Santa Claus himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree. He placed his fingers over his mouth so I would not cry out.

“what are you doing…” I started to ask, but the words choked up in my throat as I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone—gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know.

He then answered me with a single statement of “Teach the children.” I was puzzled. What did he mean? He anticipated my question and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood there bewildered, Santa said again, “Teach the Children.” “Teach them the old meaning of Christmas—the meanings that Christmas nowadays have forgotten.”

I started to say “how can i….” when Santa reached into the toy bag and pulled out the brilliant shiny star.

“Teach the children the star was the heavenly sign of the promise long ages ago.” “God promised a savior for the world and the star was a sign of the fulfillment of that promise. The countless shining stars at night—one for each man—now show the burning hope of all mankind.” Santa gently laid the star upon the fireplace mantle and drew forth from the bag a glittering red Christmas tree ornament.

“Teach the children red is the first color of Christmas. It was first used by the faithful people to remind them of the blood which was shed for all the people by the savior. Christ gave his life and shed his blood that every man might have God’s gift of eternal life. Red is deep, intense, vivid—it is the greatest color of all. It was the symbol of the Gift of God.”

“Teach the children” he said as he dislodged a small Christmas tree from the depths of the toy bag. He placed it before the mantle and gently hung the red ornament on it. The deep green of the tree was a perfect background for the ornament on it. Here was the second color of Christmas.

The pure green color of stately fir tree remains green all year round,” he said. “this depicts the everlasting hope of mankind. Green is the youthful, hopeful, abundant color of nature. All the needles point heavenward—symbols of man’s returning thoughts towards heaven. The great green tree has been man’s best friend. It has sheltered him, warmed him, made beauty for him.” Suddenly I heard a soft tinkling sound.

“Teach the children that as the lost sheep by the sound of the bell, it should ring for man to return to the fold—it means guidance and return. It further signifies that all are precious in the eyes of the Lord.” As the soft sound of the bell faded in to the night, Santa drew forth a candle. He placed it on the mantle and the soft glow form it’s tiny flame cast a glow against the darkened room. Odd shapes and shadows slowly danced and weaved upon the walls.

“Teach the children,” whispered Santa. “the candle shows man’s thanks for the star long ago. It’s small light is the mirror of starlight, at first candles were placed on the trees—they were like many glowing stars shingling against the dark green. The colored lights have now taken over in remembrance.

Santa turned the small Christmas tree lights on and picked up a gift from under the tree. He pointed to the large bow and said, “a bow is placed on a present to remind us of the spirit of the brotherhood of man. We should remember that the bow is tied as men should be tied, all of us together, with the bonds of good will towards each other. Good will forever is the message of the bow.”

Santa slung his bag over his shoulder and began to reach for the candy cane placed high on the tree. He unfastened it and reached out toward me with it.

“Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherds crook. The crook on the staff helps bring back the strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane represents the helping hand we should show at Christmas time. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother’s keepers.”

As Santa looked about the room a feeling of satisfaction shown in his face. He read wonderment in my eyes, and I am sure he sensed admiration for this night.
He reached into the bag and brought forth a large holly wreath. He placed it on the door and said, “please teach the children the wreath symbolizes the eternal nature of love; it never ceases, stops, or ends. It is one continuous round of affection. The wreath does double duty, it is made of many things and in many colors. It should remind us of all the things of Christmas. Please teach the children.”

And with that Santa was gone. I know I shall always remember and hold dear to my heart the true meaning of the symbols of Christmas.

*Best Christmas Ever!*

As i've mentioned before in september i adopted a family from Burhma. They've become such a big part of my life. I go over every tuesday and play games with them, or take them shopping to Winco, or just practice english. Usually shane goes with me. we have SO much fun, and when for some reason i can't go i feel like part of me is missing.
well through much observation i realized they didn't have much. and i wanted to give them a christmas this year. well i recruited all those that i know and love and there were so many people who wanted to help out. My grandparents my family and people from twin donated SO much to this family that they don't even know.
on saturday morning, (12th)we (my apartment) decided we wanted to have a Christmas before finals and before we all left.
before we opened gifts, and had a big breakfast we loaded up and took over a surprise christmas to this family. they had no idea that we were coming, and i think they were really really really surprised when we kept walking in with more things. after a few loads we had filled up their tiny living room. we started organizing gifts under a little 4 foot tree, and decorating with christmasy things. the little three year old boy Ko was bouncing off the walls with excitment, and the others couldn't stop saying Thank you, thankyou. When the father walked in he looked around and saw us all there, he covered his face with his hands and started to cry. Then said over and over again, Thank you.. Thankyou...
it was beautiful, and wonderful and a Christmas surprise i will never forget.


May we all remember the reason for the season!

Emily

Sister Zilles

Stephy left on her mission to Melborne Australia! i am so proud of her, and the decision she made to serve, she will be a WONDERFUL missionary!

Christmas in Twin!

It finally snowed in Twin!!! and we were SOOOO excited! one beautiful snowy night we found our selves watching the Forgotten Carols and then playing in the snow! we made snow angles, sang carols and went over to the grassy areas on campus to play in the wonderful white magic that had fallen.

we decided that we needed to decorate our little apartment. no way could we spend half the christmas season in a boring un decorated apartment! so with the little tree i found and random decorations from everyone we decorated a cute little tree, with a tiarra on top!

we even made a stocking for each of us.
my room mates have really become my family. it's hard being away from my girls for a long period of time. We're like sisters, we know eachother's strengths, weaknesses, and can tell when one of us needs a hug. there are many nights when i'll walk in, close the door behind me and say, "Girls....we need to talk..." then we'll all cuddle up on the couch together and laugh, cry, freak out, or just talk. my girls are so important to me and i love them so much.

*Winter*

This is me taking a deep breath... I have no idea where the past two months have gone. Time continues to just fly by. There really is so much to catch up on, and i have no idea where to begin! So in looking through pictures I'll just start where i remember the most...



November came and went with the fabulous holiday of Thanksgiving. It was wonderful to be home, with my family, and counting my many blessings. As much as i loved where i was last november, it was wonderful to eat thanksgiving dinner surrounded by all the many people that i love. we started Thanksgiving morning with a wonderful game of cousin football out at grandma lou's. it was so much fun! Thanksgiving dinner was out at Grandma Barringers this year.



It was nice to have everyone there except Sammy and Great grandma. As usual the day after Thanksgiving we went Christmas tree hunting! we trudged through snow to find the perfect christmas tree. i even found one for my apartment. the perfect little charlie brown tree.



Family traditions are so fun, and it's always nice to finally be all together again!