Now That’s What I Call a Celebration

           Beth Rankin passed away on September 14 of this year.  Her husband had made arrangements for a Memorial celebration which took place this last Saturday (Oct 25^th).  She is quite loved and respected by many.  Beth grew up in the Jewish faith and remained true to her Jewish legacy by never converting over to Christianity – at least by baptism.  Beth and Graham attended a Christian faithed church.  Her services were conducted at the Cooperative Ministries in McMinnville – where they had attended for the last twelve years from what I understand. Though she had been devout about attending services  She was quite adamant that everyone knew that she was Jewish.

          The services were beautiful full of tributes, memories and pleasure.  Beth has had a positive impact on just about everybody she meets.  I have mentioned Beth in at least ten posts – and unlike all the aliases I’ve given to most of my “characters” I have always referred to Beth and Graham by their actual names.  

Richard knows her from high school band.  I met her in August of 2013 after she and Richard reconnected through facebook.  She and Graham had been driving through Salt Lake City on their way to Oregon.  We all had lunch together at the Firehouse subs near Richard’s place of work and the hospital where my mom was a patient. We came out to Oregon for a visit and look for housing during Jaime’s spring break in 2015.  We moved to Oregon just a few months later. 

Beth lived in McMinnville and we’re in Myrtle Creek – about 180 miles apart. She had driven the three miles to help us settle in which Richard and I greatly appreciated. We didn’t often visit with one another in person but we had gone to McMinnville three times and she visited us three times. The last event we had planned was for a Passover that never took place as the year we had scheduled was 2020.  I’m sure the reader can guess how that turned out.

On three tables was a display of Beth’s handy work in the form of whatever she sewed, hand-crafted or organizations she was a part of.  There were signs that directed patrons to “take something that reminds you of Beth”.  Richard spotted a tote bag which reminded him on one she had made for Jaime when she was 11 years old – one which she picked out the fabric.  I remember Beth had posted it on facebook and gave credit to Jaime for coming up with the design.  Here is the bag she made for Jaime

 

and the bag that we retrieved from the memorial.  

 

Friends wore bright colors to celebrate.  Graham had given us the clarinet he had played when he was in high school.  At the service he played a recorder.  At the end of the service the congregation was asked to join the choir with this song.

 

It really was a fun celebration which I think honored Beth really well.  And a slide show with pictures of Beth and those she loved.  It was really beautiful.

New Beginnings: Welcoming Jenna

            I looked online to find sources and give credit to the creator of last night's activity. I found one on pinterest dated March 2011 but there's one on sugardoodle dated 2008 and I would guess even more with early dates.  Though it's gone through many tweaks (as with the young women's, new beginnings, and personal progress themselves) even plausible that it was created before internet access.  Bless those that have shared their ideas through posts and other internet sources.  I commend you, but as I am unable to find the original source, I will not be referring  other sites with this particular post.

            We had to have Jenna at her school by 5:00, though the concert wasn't scheduled to start until 5:30.  Her instructor had advised the class to dress up - girls wear dresses and boys wear ties.  I guess there was some question about why a girl couldn't wear a tie.  He was okay with that and so Jenna chose to wear a tie.  I took her picture before we left the house.

  

              It was a fun a fun concert.  

After it ended, we returned home for Jenna's basketball and went to the church.  She and Roland shot a few hoops before the "New Beginnings" program started.

            Aside from the leaders and their children, we were the first to arrive as they put on the final touches of the decorations and refreshment table.  The theme was:

A "yellow brick road" had been added to the floor that led to the temple

  

            We were each given a program that matched the poster ad

                                                             

            

            Jenna had originally chosen to sit in the back with two of her classmates from primary, but Roland and I moved her to sit with us.  She was moved again just before the meeting started - this time to the very front row where she sat with the young women.

            Our opening song was "I am a Child of God" and then the girls and leaders stood up to do the Young Women's theme  - which was included in the program for those of us who aren't familiar with it

            The young women's president then  stood up to welcome everyone - particularly Jenna, the newest member of the young women.

            We then recited this scripture (while sitting)

            Jenna was then called up by the second counselor who gave an introduction about Jenna.  I have never cried when I've dropped Jenna off at her first day preschool or kindergarten or first grade.  But there were tears in my eyes last night when the first young women took her hand and led her down the yellow brick road and stopped at "faith" to give a message on the value and also gave Jenna a plaque which said:

            Jenna took the sign and continued to walk the path.  Each young women took her by the hand, explained the values of Divine Nature, Individual Worth, Knowledge, Choice & Accountability, Good Works, Integrity, and Virtue.  Each young woman hugged Jenna before she continued on.

            There are actually more values than young women, and so two of the leaders actually took turn in explaining and hugging.  Jenna looked overwhelmed.

            The personal progress specialist explained a bit more of the program as she presented Jenna with a booklet, and a binder, and the theme, a strength of youth booklet and book for camp and apologized as there was no journal (they had run out), and Jenna's favorite part: a bracelet to build upon - collecting charms and value colors when completing goals and projects. 

bracelet inside the box

  

            Our bishop than got up and touched on the wizard of oz and what each character in the story wants and how it applies to our own life. 

            It really was an awesome meeting.  More than half of us were bawling as we sang:

This is one song that really tugs at my heart strings and I really do
have a hard time singing it (or just hearing it) without getting emotional

            After the closing prayer awards were passed out

 and we had refreshments. 

            Cute names were given to the food like: melted witches brew and Ding Dong(s) the witch is dead (no witches were actually harmed during the making of this treat)  I wish I were able to remember them all.

            Jenna and a few other young women disappeared after the program.  When Roland and I walked out to the car, we found four girls playing basketball against the two young man who had been there for another meeting.  That had  actually the "highlight" of her day.  Silly girl.