40 years ago...

40 years ago today Don and I were found kneeling across the altar in the Mesa Arizona temple being sealed for all time and eternity. It was a special day for the Don Vance Family! That is where it all started. There has been 40 years of growth, trials, joy and happiness for this couple. We pray we continue to follow the spirit and continue to grow, support, care and love each other more each year.

Elderberry Facts

Elderberry Fact

Elderberry is native to North America and Northern Europe but it is only the blue/black berried variety which is used for medicinal purposes, both the fruit and flower of the blue/black berried variety are used. The red berried variety is not used for medicinal purposes. It is the flavonoids in Elderberry which gives the plant it’s medicinal properties.

The berries are a very valuable food resource for many birds. Elders are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Brown-tail, Buff Ermine, Dot Moth, Emperor Moth, The Engrailed, Swallow-tailed Moth and The V-pug. The crushed foliage and immature fruit have a strong fetid smell.

I was curious on this Elderberry you wrote about, so I had to check it out! Very interesting, I too have never heard of such a berry! Thanks for sharing!

Elderberries anyone?

Don and I just finished eating an elderberry pie! It was as delicious as the last one I made. If you had not had one you are really missing out! We got the elderberries out in the woods. I had never heard of elderberries until I moved to Utah. The berries do not grow very well unless there is enough water in the winter. Just thought I would share that....

My Little Princess is getting older!

Here is a picture of our oldest granddaughter when to her first Homecoming Dance. She is 14 years old and is looking very grown up!

The picture with her Dad is at midnight after she got home from the party/dance. She went with 8 other kids whom she hangs out with.

TO POST OR NOT TO POST, to comment, or not...

This is set up for the family to post and comment. We would encourage you to do so. If you have a problem email me. Thanks!

MEMORIES - ahh yes!

when I saw this car at the car show in Alamosa it reminded me of my Senior year in high school. You see I had one just like it which I drove to school. I paid for it from the money I earned thru the summer. It seems like I paid $600 for it if I remember correctly. We got it from the neighbors who lived behind us.
Then when I graduated I gave it to my brother, Warren to drive to school and purchased a 1961 yellow ford. Of course I was not old enough to have the title in my name, it was in Dad's name. the car I drove before this one was a Nash. One kid at school said it looked like a "red bathtub".

One day I was driving in my '57 Chevy to high school after early morning seminary down Dustin Street with my friend Diana in the car and noticed the back door was opened. So I pulled over to the side of the road while Diana got out to shut the door. there just so happen to be an elderly lady walking down the sidewalk where I stopped. As Diana opened to the door (to shut it properly) this lady got in the car! I looked at Diana and she looked at me, then I asked the lady where she was going. she told me just down the road a little! So we gave her a ride down Dustin stopping in a few blocks and let her out. Boy were we surprised at out unexpected guest!

Some times I think it would be nice to have that '57 Chevy again. Maybe that is why I'm so attached to my PT Cruiser. Then I saw another car at the car show. It reminded me of the stories I heard from Dad owning a Model A with a seat in back. I'm sure it wasn't red... but it gives you an idea of what it might look like. I was told they would drive it out on the river in the ice and have to push it to get it started. Remember Dad saying, whenever he drove it would say, "A gallon a gas, A gallon of gas", instead of put -put! It seemed lots of kids enjoyed riding with him. They would all pitch in to pay for the fuel to go places.

Do you remember any stories?

just sharing a thought, poem

I was looking for the poem online which was read at Aunt Winnie's funeral (A Mother's Path) and found it on a site which also had this poem (which is copyrighted) and wanted to share it with you. I really liked it....

Letter From Heaven

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through, God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving yearsbecause you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears. But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before. There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile. So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind. And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me~
Author~ Ruth Ann Mahaffey ©Copyright 1998-2001

check out this blog

Danette has put together a cute story about a little girl and posted it on the Arlo Vance Family blog. I encourage you to read it. You can reach it through the link on this blog. There is a true story about this one related to our Becky. When we went camping this last summer we (Becky, myself and Gatha) found a little bird trying to fly on the ground where we were. Becky wanted very much to pick it up and take it back to camp to take care of it. I told her not to touch it so the mother could find it and take care of it. I had a napkin in my pocket so I gave it to her after she tried to shoo it into the bushes so nothing would harm it. She used the napkin to gingerly wrap around the bird and put it into a nest which she had made. Then as we were saying our family prayers that night Becky reminded me to mention the bird (since I was the voice for the prayer). Then next morning we went to see if the bird was still there. It was gone. I told her Heavenly Father had answered our prayer and took care of the bird.

update on Uncle Frank's

Here is a picture with the whole family the day of Aunt Pearl's funeral. Peggy sent it to me.

Cory Vance Family

we were able to visit with the Vances and Zinns on our recent trips to Colorado. See how the children have grown! Austin is almost as tall as his Dad at 13.
(please excuse the red eyes)