July 24: Primary Celebrates Pioneers

   Mokelumne River Ward Primary celebrated the Mormon pioneers traveling to the Salt Lake valley by hosting an amazing event that included lots of participation, fun, friendship, and learning about what it was like to be a pioneer.  Children and their families were greeted by a welcome sign, and a beautiful map showing the trip made by the pioneers.  Sister Liz Carlston, Primary 2nd Counselor,  greeted everyone as they arrived at the stake center pavilion.  Girls were presented with a gift bag containing a pioneer bonnet to wear.  Bonnets were sewn by Relief Society sisters, Judy Wilcox, Sherrill Adamska, Lori Shore, Tena Peters, and Liz Carlston.

Children enjoyed creative activities such as painting pictures of pioneer wagons, making dolls, and carving from soap.  (See next picture.)  Adults were at every station to help and encourage.

    As well as soap carving, children and their families enjoyed pioneer strength games, testing out freezing water, and gunny sack races , as well as other fun activities.  And of course, everyone had to try  traveling with a handcart.

    The event ended with refreshing drinks and pioneer lessons by Sister Ardell Gillingwater who told stories about her pioneer ancestors, and Sister Tami Woods who explained how some pioneers came to America on the ship Brooklyn.  Primary President Ginny Shull was instrumental in producing this event and was there the whole time overseeing the fun.  Below is a picture of the group as they posed before leaving.

Rex Barnes Served and Blessed by Ward Members

    Ward member Rex Barnes lives on a ranch in Clements.  In  the last part of April he contacted COVID-19 and became very sick.  He was in a coma and ventilator until June 10. He has a daughter Alaina Dahl who lives on the property, and another daughter Danielle Mellot who is from Montana and came to help. At this point, the doctors asked the daughters to allow them to "pull the plug" on him. Unless he had mental damage they wanted to hold out.  His lungs didn't look good but all other vitals were excellent.

   Bishop Holden asked the ward to fast and pray for Rex on May 16.  That was the first day that the doctors were able to lower the pressure and the pure oxygen.  Relief Society service leader Ardell Gillingwater said, "Truly this was a miracle because he improved the next two weeks enough to be moved out of urgent care and to a hospital in Modesto."  He was given blessings by Dave Cundari and Dave Gillingwater.  The next day the hospital was able to take the tracheotomy tube out, and four days later, the feeding tube.  "Another set of miracles!" sister Gillingwater reported.

   While all this was going on it was noticed that the house and property needed a lot of attention. The Relief Society came and helped clean out the house so it would be wheel chair and hospital bed accessible. This job took over two months. Meanwhile the Elders Quorum came and did some work on the ranch and Casey Haynes and Bishop Holden helped get a gate to secure the property.

Sister missionaries also came to help.  Left to right: Sisters Otto, Benton, Ashcraft and Flores.  The little girl in front is Rex's granddaughter Andilyn.  The missionaries also taught her a few lessons.

Robert (Bob) Tyler Passes Away

   Bob Tyler died June 29, after suffering a long bout of cancer in his spine, all bones, and blood.  In this picture taken in April 2021 Bob stands with his wife Joanne holding a picture of themselves when they were younger.

                           Sister Missionaries Come to the Rescue

    Joanne was extremely tired after all the arrangements had been taken care of, and really appreciated the Sister Missionaries offer to help her straighten up her house, and help her with cleaning that was difficult for her to do.  Here Sis. Smith (green shirt) and Sis. Otto, blue shirt  pack things away, clean up the clutter, and shampoo the living room carpet.

      Meantime Sis. Bollschweiler takes control of the kitchen and washes every dish in sight

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    Joanne expressed her thankfulness for the sisters' help.  This picture was taken at the beginning of the project or this room would be nice and clean.  We have wonderful missionaries who not only teach the gospel, but serve at every opportunity.  We are blessed to have them.