January 1986

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An unusual New Year’s party.  At Bob Hamm’s suggestion, we “surprised” Duncan and Carol by plaster boarding their upstairs.  Kirk James had come to Seattle for business and was able to join us.

Duncan has just come home from work taken a shower, and prepared for a peaceful New Year’s Eve.  He “looked” disappointed when we appeared on the scene and put him to work.  At midnite he was most pleased to see all the work done.

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Jan 4, 1986 – Picture of Bishop Kirk J Anderson, Holly, and Kirk Jared Anderson on day of baptism.  Norma and I made one of the most treacherous trips of all time from Seattle to Boise to attend.  We travelled by car and we encountered snow – ice – and fog which plagued us the entire trip.  Surely, this would indicate how important it has always been to us to attend major events (church, school athletic) in the lives of our children and grandchildren.

Jan 5, 1986.

Today I stood in the circle as Kirk Jared was confirmed by his father.  Also present was Eric Leland Anderson and the Bishopric.

I recorded the confirmation & blessing and wrote it out for Kirk Jared’s book of Remembrance.  It was Fast Sunday and it was a special meeting.  Bishop Kirk James Anderson gave a wonderful testimony & spoke of his gratitude for his heritage.  Kirk Jared’s other grandfather – Eldon Haskell gave a marvelous testimony.  I wanted to, but there just wasn’t time.

In the High Priest meeting, the time was devoted to testimony.  This time I was able to say a few things.  I pleaded with the brethren to pray for their Bishop – my son – that in todays world more than any other time our Bishops are on the firing line more than ever before.  When I finished I don’t believe that there was a dry eye in the room.  Several of the brethren said that their sons would not now be on missions were it not for their Bishop – my son.

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Jan. 7, 1986.  A visit with my sister Ruth, her daughter Laura Lee, and granddaughter.

I am trying diligently to get things worked out so that we can get Ruth to the Temple to be sealed to Dad & Mother before we go on our mission.

Jan. 9, 1986

Today Eric and I sojourned to Nyssa to see Jim, Peggy, and Warren Farmer.  They have established an onion processing plant and have done a wonderful job.  They are truly enterprising and we are very proud of them.  They have undertaken a large debt – load to do this, but I am sure they will succeed unfortunately, the onion crop did not fare well this year and the price is very low.

Jim is now in the Elder’s Quorum Pres. & recently baptized his youngest son.

Warren was just [reunited] to a high school sweetheart.  She is very fine woman, and Warren should be much happier.  He has been very lonely.

Insert: Christmas card (from Carol Biddle)

Dear Mom and Dad,

I’m sitting here with a guiet moment at Jane and Bobs what a year.  Dads retiring – you could be in Europe in the next few months.  WHAT WILL I DO?!

I hope you can use and enjoy this xmas gift.  We love you both so much.  You’re a constant support (that means more than materially).

With all our love from both Carol and Duncan and Jane and Bob

Insert: Christmas card & envelope from 

Elder Eric Jacobsen 

Monte Caucaso 1110 

Lomas De Chapultepec

Mexico D.F. 11000

Mexico

Dearest Andersons,

I just wanted to let you know I was thinking about you this Christmas even though it’s arriving a little late.

You’re such good people and such good examples to me.  May the Lord bless you for your goodness.

With Love, Elder Eric Jacobsen

Insert: article “Truth – and More” by Elder Russell M. Nelson; The Ensign / January 1986

Insert: letter (from ? – can’t read signature)

28 January 1986

Kirk J Anderson

SEATTLE

My dear friend Kirk:

Jolene and I appreciated very much your coming to our home last night.  We both value our friendship with you and Norma more than words can express.

I just want you to know that having the Power of The Priesthood brought to bear in my behalf is a privilege which we esteem very highly.  We both feel very good about going ahead to get the solution to my medical problem, and have confidence the Lord has a purpose this particular challenge in our lives.  We have always been blessed beyond our understanding with good health and membership in His Church.  With all of these blessings a person can’t really ask for any more.  In fact it makes me realize that there is much more that I can do to repay the Lord and my friends for the many kindnesses extended to me.

Thanks again for your concern, prayers, and help.  Please extend my love to the Quorum for their fasting and prayers at this time.  With that kind of concerted afforded from such a great group of men there is no doubt that all will be well.

Love,

(Signature?)

June 29, 1974 - Call to the Bishopric

Kirk James has brought his girlfriend, Holly Haskell, home for the summer. Their intent is to live with the family and see if they are suited for one another in marriage. They are both 27 years of age. Kirk is going to summer school at the U. of Washington. This means that he has exposed himself to Professors he doesn’t know. Holly is working to finish her Master’s degree in Spanish literature. She really should be close to her Prof at BYU.

            Kirk has told me that Holly can’t believe the relationship that we have. We are very open with one another and communicate our feelings openly. Perhaps we have found certain treasures of family life that others have not but I am so grateful for the trust I feel in our children and the manner in which it is reciprocated.

            I perceive by the Spirit, that after experiencing much tribulation, the blessings have come – D&C 58:3; 112:13 – perhaps we have even undergone an Abrahamic trial to some degree. It is evident that we are enjoying a relationship of love, respect, and joy that truly is a reflection of what eternal life will be like.

            As Alma’s prayers were answered regarding the conversion of his errant son, Alma (Mosiah 27:14), I know that God has answered our prayer for each individual in the family. May it continue to be so!! I long for us to be pure in heart and a true Zion people that as a family we will be recognized as the Lord’s people. How grateful I am for the charity and love and respect I feel for each member of this family. How grateful I am to my Father in Heaven for his guidance, His chastisement, His concern, His love for me personally that has brought all this about.

Call to the Bishopric – On Thursday evening, June 27th, Norma and I were called to the Stake President’s office concerning our call to the Bishopric. This is the first time in our church experience that we have been called together. An indication of things to come??

            What I write now I want to be a testimony that this call came from my Father in heaven and not from man. Bishop Fillery (sp?) was the intermediary but he waited for a long time to receive spiritual confirmation. I have always felt that Bishop Fillery is the epitome of Church leadership because he directs with humility and spirituality that is true and brings peace and confidence to those who work in his presence.

            I could feel the sincerity of the Stake Presidency and their concern in enlisting the Lord’s help for the 8th ward. How fortunate we are to have such men to care for us and direct the affairs of the Lord’s church in these last days. How reassuring to know that this train of authority goes all the way to the Lord Jesus Christ, Who’s church this is.

            Truly the Lord has sent me to school!! – as an Elder’s Quorom Pres, that I could learn to care about others and expand my life out of my self-centered medical life, as a Seventies President that I could come to understand and develop the missionary Spirit which in turn was enhanced by being called to a Stake Mission, as a Seminary teacher, that I could learn to care about the choice youth that are in our midst, that I could come to care for them as I care for my own children, a High Priest Group Leader, that I could become converted to geneaology work, but above all the privilege of coming to know the blessings of being a patriarch in my choice family. Because of some success in these areas I now wax strong in confidence in the presence of my Father in Heaven because He is concerned about my growth – may it ever be so. I pray humbly in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

May 9, 1974

Kirk James has completed his studies and now has time to spend before his final exams. Eric and I therefore flew to Salt Lake on Friday evening to bring him to Seattle. It was a joyful and fun time for all of us. We thoroughly enjoyed each other and the weather was great.

            Kirk talked to his mother and me about bringing Holly (his girlfriend) to Seattle for the summer. He felt that it would be good for Holly and himself to spend the summer in the environment of our family life. I am thrilled and grateful that he would contemplate this. I think they are contemplating marriage and Kirk wants Holly to experience and see the type of family life we are now enjoying. How can I ever thank my Father in heaven enough for allowing me to capture the essence of true family life as He has intended it to be for His children here on earth.

            It now appears that Leland and Shirli desire to stay here in Seattle. I know that this will be a disappointment to both of their parents but on the other hand I feel that it will expand the Spirit of family unity to a greater number of people in our family. Oh! – How I long to have us maintain this wonderful blessing and build upon it. I truly believe that if we continue this way we will be capable of living the law of consecration without difficulty. My heart yearns for us to be involved in a family business of some type. I wonder if the Lord is directing me by the Spirit to constantly contemplate such an endeavor. It will come to pass if this is the Lord’s will for us and if we obey his commandments.

[Multiple letters enclosed from Evelyn Schwiermann, Tim Walker, Bob Backstein, and Ted Ferrenburg (sp?). Kirk notes, about these letters that they are “meaningful and pertinent to my life”. ]