Udorn District Relief Society Birthday Celebration

The Udorn District Relief Society Presidency went all out to celebrate the Relief Society birthday on March 15 . There were talks (Ray and I both had to speak), games, displays, food, and a program featuring each branch of sisters performing a dance from a different country in Asia. It was well attended and everyone seemed to have a good time. The district relief society president (far left) asked me if I would dress up as a pioneer. She wanted the people to see what the sisters in the beginning of relief society looked like. (Thanks, Kae for your help.) I was quite a hit, and as you can see, stood out from the crowd. They were all dressed in silk and jewels, and then there was me! Women kept saying, "You look so beautiful!" Uh, Huh!

The Udorn District Relief Society Presidency:

Elder Brown was a standout in his suit, as well.

One of the young single adult girls told me that they all wanted to have dresses like mine for next year's celebration. We will see!

The  cultural hall was full of people from branches as far away as four hours! They had fun talking to each other. They don't get together very often as a district. The girl in the front center is one of my piano students, Muk Mik. She is 19. She and her sister, Mo (age 23), joined together 7 months ago.  They have powerful testimonies and want to be missionaries as soon as they can. They already accompany the sister missionaries when they teach. Behind her and to the right is the YW president in one of our Udorn branches. She has already had me speak in YW's about temple marriage.

You will notice in the pictures that it wasn't attended by the women only; husbands and children also participated.

 

This was our lunch--so delicious!! 

 

Young Women and Young Single Adults from the Udorn branches. (our girls!)

Vietnamese hat dance. There were many other lovely dances.

 

Playing games (the girl in front is another of my piano students--May). These sisters are from Kumpawabi--aren't they beautiful!

In another game they had to work together to create a protective covering for an egg to prevent it from breaking when dropped. The sisters were quite determined and creative.  The lesson to be learned is that we all need to work together to protect and help each other remain strong in the gospel and active in the Church.

It took many hands, hearts, and minds to succeed just as it does in fellowshipping and loving each other. 

At the end of the activity, they had a singer and musician perform while everyone danced. I wish you could hear it--It isn't like anything you've ever heard before. (Can't seem to get video to upload properly. We will keep trying!)

They even got me out there against my protests. Elder Brown was pulled out to dance for about 2 seconds--not long enough for a picture.

 

These are just two of the many displays around the room. Home crafted items:

 

And yes, the language may be different, but the plea is the same--FOOD STORAGE! 

It was a wonderful activity. The gospel is true and loved and lived all around the world!

Yes, we are still here and we haven't melted!

I didn't realize it had been so long since we had posted. We get so busy; I have a hard time keeping up!

The weather has been very warm this week--Monday it was 106° and yesterday the temperature plummeted to 104°. Humidity is high! It kind of feels like walking into an oven when we go outside our house. We are so thankful for air conditioning in nearly every room!

Our Emma June

On Monday morning (our time) March 3, 2014, we made our daily call to Matthew to check on Emma. We were shocked  when he told us that she had developed a very serious infection and that it was a real threat to her life. The doctors weren't sure she was going to make it. Because of the form of pneumonia she was fighting, her medications, strangely enough, had to suppress her immune system. One of the obvious side effects of a weakened immune system was the possibility of infection.

Of course we were overwhelmed with worry for Emma, Matthew and Meghan and prayed with all our hearts for Emma to be spared. We felt so helpless being half a world away from our son and our daughter-in-law at this critical time. We love them so much.

Later in the day, at 2:30 PM our time, the phone rang. Knowing that the call was from home, and that it was after midnight there, we were afraid of the news that the call might be bringing. When we answered, Matthew said simply, "She's gone." There is no way for us to describe our feelings at that time. We were devastated. We knew all along that this was a possible outcome, but had never expected it to become  reality. Our hearts ached for our heart broken kids, who for over two months had dedicated every waking moment to their beautiful little girl and her recovery.

We knew that their faith in God's plan of happiness is secure, as is ours, but it was the greatest trial of their lives to say, "Not our will, but thine be done." We talked at the time about Thomas Payne's essay, "The Crisis", which begins with the words, "These are the times that try men's souls." We knew that our kids would cling to each other and find the strength to endure through this terrible adversity, but we knew from experience that it would not be easy. We asked Matthew if he needed us to come home for a week or so and he said no, that we were doing the Lord's work here and that they would pull through.

We are so proud of our children who rallied around their older brother, expressing love, and doing whatever could be done to help. So many others were incredibly kind as well. They will never know how deeply we appreciate their service to Matthew and Meghan, but we hope they understand the promise of the Lord Jesus Christ, "When ye have done it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me."  Thank you to all who have expressed condolences and love to us and Matthew and Meghan.

We've included Emma's obituary and funeral program below.

EMMA JUNE BROWN

2013 - 2014

Our sweet baby girl, Emma June Brown, passed away on Sunday, March 2, 2014.

Emma was born October 4, 2013 to Matthew and Meghan Brown of Herriman, Utah. She was an answer to prayers and brought great happiness to her parents and family. Emma was a beautiful baby. She was always happy and her favorite thing to do was smile. She loved to play with her mommy and to fall asleep on her daddy’s chest. Emma spent two months at Primary Children’s Hospital and had to endure many medical procedures. She was remarkably strong and showed tremendous courage through all she had to withstand during her short life. She was adored by many and will be incredibly missed.

Emma is survived by her parents Matthew and Meghan Brown; her grandparents Ray and Jeanene Brown and Roger and Debbie Mickelsen; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Emma’s family would like the thank the staff at Riverton Hospital and at Primary Children’s Hospital for the tender care she received, especially from her sweet nurses.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 8, 2014 at 11:00 am at the LDS Chapel at 6869 W. Vista Springs Dr. Herriman, Utah 84096. There will be a viewing preceding the services at 9:30 am. Interment will take place at Herriman City Cemetery.

A few days later, via Facetime, we were able to watch the funeral live. It began at 1:00 AM for us. We were so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the beautiful service, which was an out pouring of love and a witness of the atonement of Jesus Christ.