We had a big snow day here in Utah this past week. It was the biggest snow day we've experience since we moved here from California 6 years ago.
You can see looking out of our bedroom window that Scott is standing in thigh high snow as he is removing the snow from our window.
We live in a HOA where we are blessed to have snow plow service provided to clear out the snow from our community roads and driveways. There is only one problem. The snow plows come when the snow plows can come. The demand is huge when the whole valley is dumped with snow.
We had committed to bring my brother to the airport the day after the big snow dump. We had to leave before snow plows could come, so we had the pleasure of clearing the snow out of our driveway.
Isn't the sky beautiful?
Isn't the snow plower handsome?
Success! 💪🏼
The highlight of our snow experience happened at the end of the day as we watched the Granger High School principal share his snow day experience on Youtube. Mr. Magnusson was happy to say that he never experienced a snow day at Gladstone High School.
You can also watch the video on YouTube by clicking here
Scott's mother, Marian Magnusson, was laid to rest today. Funerals are for families. We were blessed to be with all of our children for this special occasion, along with some of their spouses.
A slide show panorama of the life of Marian Magnusson, 1926-2022.
Click onto the arrow to watch and then bottom left hand corner to enlarge the video
Marian Andrew Magnusson, 96, of Orem, UT, passed away peacefully on December 25, 2022 of causes incident to age. Born on May 2, 1926 in Portland, OR, to Walter and Florence James Andrew, she had an older brother and a younger brother and sister. As a youth, she navigated the public transportation of Portland day and night to get herself to school, jobs, and church located distances away. She later said this helped her confidence and self-reliance.
An expert typist and stenographer, Marian worked for Bethlehem Steel Co. in Portland following high school as a secretary for four years during World War II and during the post-war years. Her experiences at work built her resolve to continue living correct principles. She planned to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but when the missionary age for sisters was raised to 23, she enrolled in BYU instead. Marian worked continuously as a secretary on campus and in industry to support herself at BYU. She loved learning as well as the entire experience in Provo, and valued her relationships with her roommates that became lifelong. During her fourth year, she was introduced by a mutual friend to George Magnusson from South Gate, CA, with whom she shared a class. They were married in the Logan Temple on June 1, 1951. The closeness and quality of their relationship was unique.
George’s career in high school education took the couple to southern California, where they lived in Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, and later in Torrance. Marian was a devoted support and home manager for her very busy husband.
Firm in her faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ, she served in the Relief Society as a counselor and secretary, ward Primary president, counselor, secretary, and teacher, Cub Scout leader, and clerical assistant in the Los Angeles Temple office. She assisted in the open houses of both the Los Angeles and Mount Timpanogos Temples, later serving in the baptistry in the Mount Timpanogos Temple.
In January 1989, George and Marian were called as the first mission president and companion of the new Utah Provo Mission. Following their mission, they moved to Orem where Marian served as treasurer in their home owners association, and transcriber to the stake patriarch—George.
Marian loved reading biographies, American and Church history and gospel subjects, textiles, sewing, home decorating, wood furniture finishing and re-finishing, and visiting historical sites. A favorite family vacation was camping in Yosemite National Park. Since childhood she had a love for the Oregon coast and enjoyed getting away there with George.
Facing multiple episodes with cancer and injuries, as well as supporting her husband as he ended mortality in 2014, Marian cites 1 Nephi 3:7 as helping her “pull through a lot of tight places and challenging assignments.” She always maintained her positive attitude about life. She was a genuine friend, perceptive, and an interested listener to all she met.
She is survived by their four children: David (Aliece), Scott (Kathleen), Karen (Stan Albrecht), and Eric (Caralee). Grandmother to 25 grandchildren and 42 great-grandchildren, Marian always had a warm heart, welcome home, and something tasty for her posterity.
The family extends their sincerest gratitude to Covington Senior Living in Orem for all the wonderful care and friendship provided.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, January 10, at Sharon Park 2nd Ward, 225 E 200 N, Orem, UT 84057, at 11:00 a.m. Friends visited with the family from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service. The service was live streamed at www.walkersanderson.com. Interment was at the Orem City Cemetery.
In preparation for our Thanksgiving gathering I was looking for crafts for the younger grandchildren to do. I was happy to find this cute Thanksgiving hat activity.
Click here or on the link below to get the official pattern and instructions:
As I listened to Music and the Spoken Word this past Sunday, I loved the tribute Lloyd Newell gave to Queen Elizabeth II. She is a great example of a follower of Christ.
Recently, the longest-reigning monarch in Britain’s history, Queen Elizabeth II peacefully passed into eternity. For more than 70 years, she was the only sovereign many Britons had ever known. And while the world changed dramatically over the decades, the Queen remained steadfast and strong, an emblem of “grace and goodness” to her people—and to the world.
Like a river that moves with purpose and direction, the queen was driven more by principle than popularity. Devotion to duty, service to God and country, gave her life meaning and purpose.
Before her coronation, the Queen expressed the humility and dedication that made her such a great leader for so many years. “I want to ask you all,” she said, “whatever your religion may be, to pray for me … that God may give me wisdom and strength to carry out the solemn promises I shall be making, and that I may faithfully serve Him and you, all the days of my life.” Clearly, God answered those prayers.
“Faithful” is a good word to describe Queen Elizabeth’s service. Her faith in a Heavenly King guided her life and her work. She often spoke of that faith—of the Christian ideals that inspired her. And yet Queen Elizabeth’s faith was evident not only in her words but also her actions. She endeavored to serve, not just to be served. She visited the downtrodden. She lifted those who suffered and gave hope to those in despair. She explained: “For me the teachings of Christ and my own personal accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to lead my life. I, like so many of you, have drawn great comfort in difficult times from Christ’s words and example.”
I loved that after Lloyd's tribute to the Queen, the song that followed was, "It is Well, With My Soul". (Click onto the highlighted link to see it also preformed in sign language.) You can see the whole 30 minute program by clicking here.
