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?)

Oct 26, 1973

We (Norma and I) are now in Provo. We have just been in San Diego attending the Western Orthopaedic Assoc WOA ( Meeting. This is the 9th time this year I have come to Salt Lake or Provo. The Lord has truly been good to us in allowing us to travel as we do. We have been able to see the children frequently – last Spring there were 6 of them in University study – Kirk (Univ of Utah law school), Kathy (graduated Magna cum laude – Univ of Utah), her husband Davis, Jim (graduated cum laude – Univ of Utah), his wife Peggy, and Jane. And now Tom – No. 7 is at BYU.

I feel a sense of urgency to see each of them whenever possible, to let them know of our love for them; to let them know how proud we are of them and their growth; and to develop a feeling of strong family Unity. How I rejoice that Eric and Chris and Eric II are close to us in Seattle and that Leland (my nephew) and his wife Shirli are attending school in Seattle. I know that God has answered our prayers and after much trial and tribulation has molded us and we are now in a period of harvest where we are truly enjoying His Spirit and guidance. I also know that He can and will use us as a family to accomplish the work in these last days.

When I attend a medical meeting I realize that the frontiers of knowledge are advancing rapidly. However, so much of it is irrelevant to the treatment and understanding of human disease and the human condition. Although many facts and trusts are presented, they are of dubious importance. And so – as I am now serving as one of the 2 Board of Directors of the WOA – the position is of little value because as medical men we are so steeped in tradition that we do not readily identify the “weightier truths”. We collect and stockpile data to become “learned” by the definition of the scriptures, but we fail to gain “wisdom” through properly distilling the acquired data. We understand to some degree the physical person as a medical man, but fail to understand the soul. The highlight of the meeting occurred when I met Ron Dykes (Representative for Richards Instrument Co) and learned that his wife had died 2 months ago from a brain stem injury riding a bicycle. She leaves 5 children who are strong in the Gospel. Ron is a non-committed Mormon – I was able to testify to him and offer my help in any way he desired me to help him in this hour of despair, decision, and compassionate understanding. Ron understood that he would have to embrace the Gospel “all the way” to please his children. It is evident to me that no matter what the circumstances may be that one can’t commit himself to the Gospel for someone else – it won’t work. It’s a completely personal thing – the commitment must be between Ron and his Father in Heaven. I had a strong feeling that his wife was taken from earth to do just that – to put Ron in a position where he would now, once and for all, have to make a decision whether he will make such a commitment. If he does than the true “issues of life” begin to reveal themselves, because he can then be sealed to his wife and children. Otherwise they are in limbo as it pertains to their relationship to their “physical” parents here on this earth.

And so, being able to confront one of the weightier issues of life, the meeting took an added enjoyment and value. I was also able to genuinely offer my sympathy to Harry Nash (an old associate in the Seattle Orthopaedic and Fracture Clinic), whose oldest son had just become paralyzed when racing a motorcycle and whose youngest son had recently committed suicide because of an unhappy marriage.