July 21, 2011

Did you know your grandparents or great-grandparents? What do you remember about them and their lives?

I knew all four of my grand parents but none of my great-grandparents. However that being said I only have one very vague memory of sitting on Granpa Poulson’s lap when I was three just prior to his death as a result of prostate cancer.

My Grandma Poulson was a very special person and we always called her Nana. I knew her the best since I stayed with her after kindergarten until mom or dad would come to pick me up. She was also with us every Christmas even the day prior to her passing.

Grandma and Grandpa Hansen lived in centerfield a long way away from Duchesne. We would see them about once or twice a year. We loved them very much and their home was a lot of fun to be at especially since there were usually a lot of cousins that would come at the same time. After Grandpa died in 1964 Grandma moved to Orem where we got to see her a little more regularly. I remember grandpa in his coveralls on the farm the best and grandma in the kitchen with her apron on while she was cooking. I also remember her dark black hair that she had her entire life. Grandpa Hansen was also very active in the church and seeing him is a suit was also very much a part of my memories.

July 20, 2011

What do you remember about the death of your parents and your thoughts and feelings at the time?

Dad had his first stroke while Marie and I were watching a movie called Windwalker. I remember thinking how hard it was to be with him and see him in his deteriorating state the nest three month. I was relieved when he was finally able to pass away and couldn’t cry because I knew he was in a far better place. I have cried plentyof times since then however as I have missed having him at events in my childrens life.

Mom passed away sometime during the night. I was called out of a woodbadge staff meeting in Ephraim and given the news. I was so glad that Marie and I had been able to spend several weeks with her over the last few years as we would go to Duchesne for a week to photograph in Al’s Foodtown. We enjoyed being there in the evenings with her and I have many times wished I had taken the time to go visit them when the children were younger. We seemed get out there only about once a year and now that I have grandchildren I realize how much my parents would have loved to see them more often.

July 19, 2011

Middle Adult Years 45 to 60

Loss of loved ones

When and where did your parents die?

My father passed away while in the Roosevelt hospital after a series of several strokes in a 3 month period between Oct of 1977 and Jan 1978. He was 68 years old.

Mother then lived for 23 more years and peacefully passed away sitting on her couch at home in 2001. She was 83 years old.

July 18, 2011

What spiritual lessons have you learned from your service to others?
These lessons have all been so tightly tied to church service that all of the lessons on faith and service to God can be grouped into this answer. I have had many special spiritual experiences as I have hiked through the mountains or been on other camps in the beautiful and great outdoors.

July 17, 2011

What volunteer work have you done?

Scouting was mostly a church calling when it was a position in the ward but it became a Community service when I worked on District committees. I have spent over 25 years in some sort of a district, council or region office for the Utah National Parks Council and the Western Region of Scouting. While I was a Varsity coach I was also a Varsity District Chairman and on the council Varsity training staff in Palmyra and Hobble Creek districts. Then when I was a Scoutmaster I also served as Campimg Committee Chairman, Hobble Creek District Scout committee staff and chairman, Timberline staffs, training staffs. Later when not assigned ward postitions I continued to serve in those callings and I was asked to serve on the Council Timberline staff and Western Region Junior Leader Training staff. I was also asked to serve on 3 woodbadge staffs as a coach counselor, Senior patrol leader and Scribe. During Woodbadge in 1998 I was assigned to photograph Silver Beaver recipients for the council which I am still currently doing. I am also an Eagle Scout counselor. Because of such heavy involvement in scouting I have limited my other community service possibilities.

July 16, 2011

Community Service

What community projects have you worked on?

Several Eagle Scout projects and lots of other service directed by scouting for the community including the planting of hundreds of trees on the face of Maple Mountain after the first fire in 1988.

July 15, 2011

What callings have you held in the church? With whom did you serve?

Youth with Bishops Jensen and Peterson

Deacons Quorum sec, counselor, President.

Teachers quorum counselor and President.

Region Youth Conference Committee Member

Region Youth Conference Chairman

Priest Quorum Secretary and 1st assistant

Priesthood Music Chorister

Blazer Leader

Gospel Doctrine Sunday School Teacher

Missionary with Presidents Carlos E Asay, and George Lovell.

Missionary

Trainer in Mission in Garland

District Leader in Stephenville

Co Zone Leader in Midland

District Leader in Pampa

Trainer in Grand Prairie

Mapleton 4^th Ward Elders Quorum with Lester Long

Elders Quorum Second Counselor

Mapleton 4^th ward with Bishop Roylance

8 Year old Primary Teacher

Cubmaster 4th ward

Mapleton 4^th ward with Bishop Jan Wynn

Bishopric Executive Secretary 4th Ward

Bishopric Second Counselor 4th Ward

Varsity Coach 4th Ward

Mapleton 1^st ward with Bishop Anderson

Scoutmaster 1st Ward

Mapleton 1^st ward with Bishop Rod Peterson

Bishopric Second Counselor 1st Ward

Bishopric First Counselor 1st Ward

Mapleton Utah Stake with President Harper

Mapleton Stake High Council

Mapleton 14^th ward with Bishop Paul Creer

Troop Committee Chairman

High Priest Group Instructor

Mapleton 16^th ward with Bishop Jensen

Primary Valiant 10 Teacher

New Scout Patrol Scoutmaster

BYU 166^th Ward with Bishop Jim Lundberg

BYU 166th Bishopric 1st Counselor

BYU 3^rd Stake with Presidents Rowley and Clark Monson

BYU 3rd Stake High Council

Mapleton 14^th Ward with Bishop Blake Peterson

July 24 Ward Coordinator for 14th Ward

July 13, 2011

What are some of your favorite scriptures, quotes, or sayings?

Ether 12:27

“ 27And if men come unto me I will show unto them their ^aweakness. I ^bgive unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my ^cgrace is sufficient for all men that ^dhumble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make ^eweak things become strong unto them.

Use it up, Wear it out , Make it do, or Do without.

When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.

July 14, 2011

What is your creed for living a good life?

Live the gospel as best as you can and pray to your Heavenly Father every day.

July 12, 2011

Why do you have faith in God?

Because of the teachings of the church in my life and the many spiritual experiences and tender mercies of the Lord during my life. I know that my Heavenly Father lives and loves me and that my Savior Jesus Christ also lives and loves me and that the Holy Ghost has confirmed that they love me many times as well.

How have you built your faith in God?

By learning from all of those experiences and through prayer, scripture study and working to have the Spirit of the Lord with me each day.