The MAN is home!

Returned with Honor - Elder Steven Kassidy Dale Esplin. Great Great grandson of Rex and Gwen Schoenfeld. 18 months in KS and 6 months in MO. Now off to Iraq. This boy loves his church and his Country. When he turned 17 and was legal to join, I asked why he wanted to be in the Military and he thought and thought for days. Then one day he said he had two good legs, two good arms, a good head on his shoulders and and so many went before him that he didn't feel right not taking his turn. Who can argue with that. College money was never mentioned. Just the right to honor those before him. Gotta say........................ I love that boy.

Stories

There is a thread on facebook where people are trying to out do each other in who knew who better. A little old lady is in the hospital and those posting are telling stories in a way that it sounds like they are trying to one up eachother. I was hoping this blog didn't get that way. There has been no chance since it seems that I am the only one who posts. I was hoping it would be a place where we could share stories that we all weren't there for. Not "I knew them better". I was 14 when grandma Schoenfeld died. There are a lot of cousins who have great stories. One of my talents is that I am a great letter writer, facebooker, blogger, and such. I like things down on "paper". Classmates say I remember so much that they had forgotten. I have a great long term memory. Due to medications, my short term isn't so great lately.

Grandma and Grandpa Schoenfeld's great great grandson is coming home from his LDS Mission in a week. Last night I was thinking how it all started for me. Grandma Schoenfeld is why I am in the position I am in. It was back in the day of Sacrament meeting in the evening on Sunday. I would almost always go to church with them. I must have had a dress packed. And I'm positive that if I didn't, she would have whipped out a homemade skirt or something for me to wear. I was a very little girl and have such clear memories. I remember sitting in the back seat of the car and grandpa Schoenfeld driving. I don't know if it was that I was thinking that when I went to bed or what. But,,,,,,,,,,, grandma came to see me this morning. I have only seen her a couple of times since I got married. Not for lack of trying. Steve had gotten up, showered and dressed. I usually lay there for a bit more before I actually get up. I could have dozed. I'm sure it was a dream, but how do you see people and not just feel their spirit? We talked. I laid there with tears streaming for a while before I got up. I still feel her with me. I love this feeling!!! The next missionary on my side of the family is Ammon.

New member of the Schoenfeld line

Addison Mikele Swensen, daughter of Brie Nichele Esplin Swensen, daughther of Tulsi Johns Esplin, daughter of Judy Schoenfeld- Gautier, daughter of Virgie and Kenneth Schoenfeld. A bounus is our family - Mackelprang's and Schoenfeld's - have Danish heritage and so does Shane. Addi was born July 4, 2009 at 3:36 pm. She weighed 7 lbs 7 oz and was 19 1/2 inches long. She was born in Cedar City, Utah.

Elder Esplin

Kass' first day as a Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Another Endowed member in the Schoenfeld Posterity

Steven (Kass)idy Dale Esplin was Endowed in the St. George LDS Temple on January 15, 2009. Son of Tulsi Fae Johns and Steven Ken Esplin. Grandson of Judith Ann Schoenfeld Gautier' and Joe Lee Robert Johns. Great grandson of Virginia Julander and Julian Kenneth Schoenfeld. Great great grandson of Gwendoline Mackelprang and Reinhardt Ralph Schoenfeld.

I just can't help it. Even when I received my Endowments and was Sealed to Steve, I thought of Grandma and Grandpa Schoenfeld. Grandpa Schoenfeld was there for mine. Grandma was there in spirit. Then I think of the Schoenfeld's and Mackelprang's. I think of all of those before us who starved, walked with bleeding feet in the cold, fought, and prayed hard for us to be where we are. They were fighting for themselves but they were fighting to live and be true and faithful for US. For us to make choices. For us to be strong in the Generation that we are born into. How spoiled and lucky we are. I'm not to privy to Steve's side of the family stories. But I knew Grandma Schoenfeld well. She personally asked me to make sure I was sealed to my family. How can I not think of her each time someone in our family enters the Temple? Kass was a happy boy. He said it was what he expected. He wants to go to a couple of more Temples, in addition to attending St. George again, before he leaves on his mission. We plan to go to the Las Vegas Temple. It is beautiful inside and out. And close to home. And we are doing the Draper Temple Open House. I just can't see those who have passed on doing to many high fives, but I do know there are smiles, hugs and tears of joy. That is just how I felt having two of my children with my husband and I in the Temple Thursday. And to know that Mikele is a worthy member, able to also enter the Temple to do her share is such a blessing. More than I can hold. It's not as easy as it looks sometimes to make worthy choices. But it does seem to be when you remember it isn't just you you're making choices for.

Christmas tradition

I have been away from granny's house for holiday's that I don't know if we did have traditions. I remember we opened a gift on Christmas Eve. We got to choose, but we usually chose the best and had the others for the next day. My family now does Pajama's and family gift. I do remember when granny and grandpa lived in the house with the rock floors we did a lot of candied popcorn, peanut brittle which I hated, caramel and taffy. The popcorn balls were fun, but the taffy was great. We got to put butter on our hands and stretch and pull. By our selves or with a buddy. One year, or maybe more, we did candy canes and marshmallows. I think those are the things I remember the most. I don't remember the food, but I remember Tawnya, Cody , Raymond and I had a table of our own. They called it a special table just for us lucky few. We weren't dumb. We knew we were cast off's. I'm sure someone would jog my memory to other traditions. Everyone needs traditions. I can't think of any with Grandma and Grandpa Schoenfeld, but then they would be blended with granny and grandpa's.

A Sea Horse

Brie went to the doctor yesterday and it is for certain , at this exact time,that she is having a Sea Horse. She is 10 weeks along with the baby. It should look more like a baby later. Although
I love sea horses . She is due around July 10.