Sad News

Just wanted to let everyone know that Jean Ann Smith, our cousin Ron's wife, died on Sunday.

We visited Ron and Jean Ann at their home in Oregon after our Smith Family Reunion, I think around 1998, and they were so kind and welcoming. They fed us dinner and then Jean Ann took us to see her horses. They had a new colt, and it was fun for everyone to see it. Jean Ann helped everyone take a ride on one of the horses and we had a great time. I am going to FIND the pictures we took that day and post them here!

Jenny and Joanna became friends with two of their daughters and they kept in touch for a few years.

I was so touched by Ron's words on his Caring Bridge web site. Just last Friday they were still hoping for a miracle. Then Ron posted these words on Sunday morning:

It appears that Jean Ann is entering her final stages. She is in much pain tonight and is ready to go to Heaven. In between spells of delirium, she and I talked about Heaven and prayed for God to take her or heal her. We realize that either one is a wonderful thing.

Then there was this post on Sunday afternoon:

Today Jean Ann passed on to be with the Lord at 1:49pm. Our prayers were answered. It was nice that she was alert enough for a fleeting time to recognise us and exchange "I love you"s. My prayer was answered that God would take her quickly if that was His will. All seven children were here and amazingly the care nurse just happened to be here when we all were surprised that she went so fast. We praise God for his loving kindness!

I have always admired Ron for his strong and valiant faith in Jesus Christ. Again I have to say that although we don't share a religion, we do share a faith, and I'm thankful that I know him and his family.

Here is his Caring Bridge web site, if you want to read the posts and leave a few words of love for them.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jeanannsmith

Karen

Historical Houses

On our way back from our camping trip to Utah, Dad (Grandpa), Jimmy and I stopped to see a few of the old houses that are significant in our family history! The only camera I had was the one on my cell phone, but they didn't turn out too bad, considering!

This one is the old Greene family home where Mom (Grandma) was born and where she lived until she married Dad. Dad says that it pretty much looks the same as it always did. Grandpa Greene lived there until he died in 1979. Ahh, the memories! Grandpa Greene with his freezer full of fish and slightly soft apples from the cellar.






This is the house right next door to Grandpa Greene's, where Mom and Dad first met. Dad's roommate had been invited to dinner and asked Dad to come along.

Actually, Mom's best friend lived in this house, and she told Mom that they had two new boarders, one with red hair and one with "oh, the bluest eyes." She asked Mom which one she wanted, and Mom said she's take the one with the red hair. And she did!


Dad's memories of that night were much more vague. He said they hardly noticed the giggling teenie-boppers who paraded through. Can't you just see it?

Prayers Needed

Your thoughts and prayers are needed for our dear cousin, Ron Smith, and most especially his wife, Jean Ann.

Ron is the son of Grandpa's brother, Uncle Frank. Ron's mother, Aunt Roxie, died last year (I used to fondly refer to them as "Uncle Rank and Aunt Foxie").

Jean Ann was rediagnosed with Melanoma last November. She had a cancerous mole removed from her foot in 2001, and they said the cancer was all gone. They found out that it had returned just after last Thanksgiving, and they have been in the battle of their lives since.

Ron has always been a very dear cousin of mine. I guess you could say that his family doesn't share my religion, but they do share my faith. We have had many religious discussions and it has always impressed me how much we have in common with others who share our great faith in Jesus Christ.

Please include Ron and Jean Ann in your prayers, and if you get a minute, visit his web site and leave a few words of love and encouragement. It means a lot to them.

Here is their web site:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jeanannsmith

Closing with one of my favorite scriptures:

All things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good, and to my name's glory, saith the Lord. -- D&C 98:3