Formation of New Currant Branch at the Prison on Glen's Birthday

There have been a lot of changes in Church leadership at the prison in preparation for the move from the old Draper facility to the new facility west of the airport.

This is our group of leadership at the Olympus Branch: Mike and Teresa Bell; David and Carol Wheatley; Robert Baxter (standing behind Wheatleys) and his wife Julie who was absent that day; Shawn and Marie Wardle; and Brad and Karcie Morris. Hal and Marie Brown were absent that day as well.

This group of people will continue to be in leadership just until the move takes place and then they will be released and the men in the Olympus Branch will merge into the Currant Branch (which is our new branch).

We were part of the district council serving at Olympus every week except the third week of each month when we would go to the various other branches on a speaking rotation schedule.

We have both received new callings. Glen has been called to serve as branch president over a newly-formed Currant Branch which consists of the men in the Oquirrh 5 Branch. I am now the Relief Society President of the Currant Branch. 

This call was extended in the middle of March and we got busy figuring out who would be good for our counselors. We felt good about Dave and Sylvia Webster as first counselors. We know them because he used to be our stake president and Glen was his executive secretary for a few years. 

We felt good about Don and Barbara Kopenhefer as second counselors. They were one of our senior missionary couples and we know what hard-working, dedicated people they are. 

Glen had been provided a list of names of people who had been recommended to serve at the prison and he chose Lowry and Kim Redd as the elders quorum president and Relief Society board member.

President Smith from the District Presidency accompanied Glen to make the official call to each of those couples.

(Me; Dave and Sylvia Webster; Kim and Lowry Redd; Barbara and Don Kopenhefer; and Glen)

We had a dinner at our home for the couples to get to know each other. I pulled out the fine china for this occasion. We had a grilled chicken dinner and then moved to the living room and sat in a circle to give the couples a chance to ask questions.

Glen had asked each couple to come prepared with a list of couples they would recommend to help serve with us in various capacities. 

We were amazed as the names were shared because in almost every instance, another couple would speak up and say they know that couple and agreed with the recommendation. 

Armed with that list, and after the names were okayed by their stake presidents, Glen began figuring out which couples he wanted to serve with us.

Three other couples were chosen and then it was time to have another dinner--roast beef this time--to bring us all together for a training meeting.

I pulled Sarah's wedding flowers out of storage and decorated with those and have fond memories every time I look at them. 

Clark and Leah Burbidge are in the front; Lowry and Kim Redd are on the left and Don and Barb Kopenhefer are on the right.

Bob and Brenda Briscoe are on the left; Dave Webster was there alone as Sylvia was home sick; and President and Sister Smith from the district presidency were there to do the training.

A short time after that, the whole district presidency met with us to set each one of us apart. President Smith once again did some training with our group.

(Clark and Leah Burbidge; Lowry and Kim Redd; Bob and Brenda Briscoe; us; Dave and Sylvia Webster; Don and Barb Kopenhefer; and Mike and Linda Error)

Many months ago we received our monthly assignment of which branch we were to speak at on the 3rd Sunday of each month. 

We have known for several months about how we would soon be in charge of the Oquirrh 5 Branch when it would be changed to the Currant Branch, so we were thrilled our assignment to speak there showed up on our calendar one week before the change in leadership.

Unlike Olympus, which meets in a small multi-purpose room for their Sunday meetings, all the Oquirrh groups meet in a designated chapel--complete with stained glass windows.

I had to laugh when we were told the date of when we would be "installed" (the word Glen kept using) as leaders of the new Currant Branch. It was May 22nd--Glen's birthday. It's definitely a date we will remember. 

At the end I have included more detailed information about what happened inside the prison that day.

After the meeting, our fine group of people posed for a photo for that memorable moment in history when the new Currant Branch was formed.

Glen and I were sad we had to miss Rachel's missionary farewell talk in church that morning. We drove straight from the prison to Andy and Amanda's home so we could wish Rachel well on her mission and show her some love. 

Natalie (sitting behind her--so sad I didn't notice it was her and didn't wait until she turned toward me to get her in the photo...) had spent the night with Rachel and had been able to attend church to hear her speak. 

We brought Natalie back home with us when we were finished eating the delicious brunch that had been prepared.

It was fun to see the newest addition to the family--Savannah. She is the daughter of Preston and Danielle and she is such a perfectly beautiful baby.

Going to the prison was not the only way we celebrated Glen's birthday. The day before we went to see a play with my parents and Nani and had a Red Lobster meal afterward.

The day before that we went to dinner with Glen's sisters Maurine and Ray and Barbara and Rich.

The day before that we went to lunch with Glen's sister Bonnie and Dave. We also took Natalie with us to enjoy the El Matador food that Dave and Bonnie can't seem to get enough of.

Abe's family sent Glen a very cute video wishing him a happy birthday. It was done in a prison theme and was so very cute. Magnus is missing because he was with Klarissa's sister.

Here's another very cute Abe Thomas family thing--located right inside the front cover of the May Friend magazine in the lower right corner.

Glen's sister Barbara saw it and sent the photo to us. I sent Natalie to the bookstore to buy a magazine so we could have our very own copy. What a cute photo and write-up. 

PRISON CHRONICLES: This is a journal of experiences that I am recording of things that happen to us while we are serving at the prison. 

CREATION OF THE NEW CURRANT BRANCH -- May 22, 2022 (Glen’s Birthday)

       Glen and Kim Thomas — Branch President/Relief Society President

       Dave and Sylvia Webster — 1st Counselor/Relief Society 1st Counselor

       Don and Barb Kopenhefer — 2nd Counselor/Relief Society 2nd Counselor

       Lowry and Kim Redd — Elders Quorum President/ Relief Society Board Member

       Mike and Linda Error — Executive Secretary/Relief Society Secretary

       Bob and Brenda Briscoe — Branch Clerk/Relief Society Board Member

       Clark and Leah Burbidge — Addiction Recovery Specialists/Relief Society Board Member 

The week before the creation of the new Currant Branch, Glen and I had been assigned to speak in the Oquirrh Branch as part of our district council responsibilities. We thought it very wonderful that we could speak to Oquirrh 5 in the morning as that is the group that we will now be responsible for. 

When we arrived at the prison at 7:45 a.m., the gate officer told us that we would not be able to go in for a while as there had been an incident in the adjacent Wasatch building and the officers from Oquirrh had been called out to help with that incident. No one knew how long it would be until we were let in. 

We stood out in the parking lot for an hour and a half waiting, waiting, waiting…

President Andrizzi paired his new people and our new people off with each of our respective counterparts and we held a parking lot meeting that way. It was good to have that time to talk with President Andrizzi to try and figure out exactly what we are supposed to be doing. As we are finding out, there are a lot of little details we need to know (both from the Church side of things and also from the prison side of things).

Once we got inside, we had a short council/sacrament meeting, which was nice so we could see how they do that in that building. Then we went into the chapel and awaited the inmates’ arrival for their worship service (which had been postponed an hour). Although we were unable to meet for two hours with the men and see how they do their classes during the second hour, it was beneficial to at least get that one hour with them and get a feel for the group.

At the end of the meeting, President Andrizzi announced to the Oquirrh 5 men there would be a change in Church leadership for their group. He told them the change would happen the following week. Let me just say how it broke my heart to see the look in the faces of the men to learn they would be losing all the leaders they had grown to know and love. A few of the men were sobbing. So sad!! 

We came home for a two-hour break to have breakfast and then went back for a three-hour session in the afternoon where we spoke two more times to two different groups which they call the lower Oquirrhs. I was a little nervous about that as we were told they are the gang members—which have to be separated or they will kill each other. 

My nervousness was unfounded as they were very well behaved, with the exception of two older men sitting right in the middle of the chapel who talked through the entire meeting until one of them got up during Glen’s talk and left. At that point another man slid down the bench and took over talking in his place.

I got very nervous when I saw Antonio walk in. He’s the one who was so very disruptive in the Olympus Branch. He had been moved to another area after only having been in Olympus for a short time. I thought he had moved to Bear and was shocked when he walked into the Oquirrh worship service. He sat next to Sister Clark and didn’t raise his hand or shout out a comment through the entire meeting. I was pleasantly shocked!!! Perhaps she was a calming influence on him, or perhaps the other inmates called him out on it and now he’s gotten himself under control. Who knows?? All I know is I was grateful for a calm atmosphere for giving our talks.

The afternoon session has a Sunday School hour between the two worship services, We chose to attend the emotional resilience group where there were eight inmates attending. In that small environment, it was so easy to see the goodness in those men as they were sharing their feelings and recognizing what they need to improve in their lives. 

At the end of the class, we heard the most beautiful testimony of one of the men who said he was challenged by his bishop to read the whole Book of Mormon and he did it in a week—writing two things he learned on each page. He testified of the truthfulness of that book. 

The last group of inmates only attend a one hour worship service. 

It had been a long Sunday for us spending the majority of the day at the prison and speaking three times. I felt good about my talk. I decided I wanted to share with all of them my “Unfulfilled Expectations” talk that I had already given in the Olympus Branch. 

Glen gave a different talk to each of the three groups. With the last group he shared his shrimp story, which illustrates how Todd Brimley listened to the Spirit and blessed Glen’s life when he brought Glen a little platter of shrimp right after he had had his neck fusion surgery. 

Glen was feeling horrible, hadn’t been able to eat much, and the only thing he had been craving was shrimp. I had failed to get him some shrimp when I went to the store thinking he was on pain medication when he asked for it and wasn't in his right mind, because who in the world wants to eat shrimp after surgery??

And then there were the Brimleys knocking on the door with their get-well gift of shrimp with a card that read, “Here is some shrimp from the shrimps (they are all very tiny, short people). Get well soon.” 

******************************************************************************

Fast forward a week to May 22nd when we, along with the six couples who will be serving with us, were announced to the men of Oquirrh 5 that they would be splitting off from the lower Oquirrhs to form the new Currant Branch. 

When the prison moves out west of the airport, the men in the Olympus Branch will join with them to become part of the Currant Branch. So, we will get to be with all our original group of inmates once again at that point. 

At the beginning of the meeting, President Smith announced the change in leadership. I was touched by the young man who gave us a huge smile and a little salute when our names were read and we stood up to face the congregation. He did that with each of the other six couples. What a welcoming gesture!

President and Sister Andrizzi were given a few minutes to share their thoughts. Two of the inmates sang “Come Thou Fount.” Then Glen and I were given the last few minutes to speak. We didn’t have much time, but I was thankful we got to speak even though we spoke the previous week.

President Andrizzi had reminded the men of the talk he gave about tender mercies and encouraged the men to look for tender mercies in their lives. 

When I got up to speak, I said I was thankful for the tender mercy of having the assignment of speaking to Oquirrh 5 the previous week. That assignment had been made at the beginning of the year and turned out to be a huge blessing for us to be able to see and speak to all of them the week before the change was made. 

I told them that I had noticed how very sad they had been to learn of the change. I could see how much they love President and Sister Andrizzi and all the men and women who had been serving with them. I shared the following quote: 

Elder Marvin J. Ashton (Progress Through Change, Oct. 1979)

“For many Church members it is often difficult to accept change in leadership. Stake, ward [and branch] leadership changes are necessary and, oftentimes, too frequent for our convenience and comfort.

“Some of us are inclined to resent and resist changes, “Why can’t they leave him in?” Or “Why do we have to have her?” Or “Why do they have to divide our ward [or our branch]?

“Our vision may be limited. Seldom are changes made that do not bring needed progress to a person or a situation.

“How often in retrospect have we thought, “I didn’t understand why that change was made in the program or why that person was given such a calling, but now I can see that it was just what was needed for the time.”

(Then I emphasized this advice Elder Ashton gave) “During transitional times … patience, love, and long-suffering are needed. A permanent part of our philosophy should be, ‘Never allow yourself to be offended by someone who is learning his job.’”

As we were singing the opening hymn “I’ll Go Where You Want Me To Go,” I noticed Leah and Brenda were both very emotional. I know none of us volunteered for a prison ministry (even though everyone at the prison calls us volunteers…), and it feels very overwhelming at first.  

I shared with the men that I can testify that the couples serving with us were chosen with care through prayer and divine inspiration. A lot of them were serving in callings they absolutely loved and were very sad to have to give that up. But, I have felt of their dedication and commitment to serve in this capacity and give it their all to serve these men. 

In closing I shared with them a scripture from this week’s “Come Follow Me” lesson that we were listening to on our way to the prison. One particular verse stood out to me that I felt worth sharing with them. 

Joshua 1:9 “…Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

Glen shared with the men 3 Nephi 9:14 "Verily, verily I say unto you, if you come to me, behold my arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me. Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the son of God."

With that scripture as a foundation, he talked about his vision of inviting all to come unto Christ. 

Quotes of the Week

 As you continue to let God prevail in your life, I know that He is just as optimistic about your future as He has ever been.

--Russell M. Nelson

Kindness is a fundamental, healing gospel principle--one that can heal hearts emotionally, spiritually, and, as demonstrated here, even physically.

--Gary E. Stevenson

Whatever Jesus lays His hands upon lives. If He lays his hands upon a marriage, it lives. If He is allowed to lay His hands on the family, it lives.

--Howard W. Hunter

Open your hearts to our Savior and Redeemer, no matter your circumstances, trials, sufferings, or mistakes; you can know that He lives, that He loves you, and that because of Him, you will never be alone. God is among us.

--Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Quotes of the Week

 Jesus Christ... was no stranger to affliction and as part of His infinite Atonement descended below all things. He understands our grief, pain, and desperation. He is our Savior, our Redeemer, our hope, our consolation, and our Deliverer.

--Gary E. Stevenson

I bless you to be filled with the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ. His peace is beyond all mortal understanding. I bless you with an increased desire and ability to obey the laws of God. I promise that as you do, you will be showered with blessings, including greater courage, increased personal revelation, sweeter harmony  in your homes, and joy even amid uncertainty.

--Russell M. Nelson

My beloved brothers and sisters, Christianity is comforting, but it is often not comfortable.

--Jeffrey R. Holland

Friends; Family; Weddings

Three of my friends have birthdays in April, so we had to celebrate by going to lunch at Plates and Palates.

Jane Crandall (birthday girl), LaVona Lewis, Jan Evans, Diane Stewart (birthday girl) and Colleen Kossin (birthday girl). 

That evening we had dinner at Maddox with Glen's sisters and their husbands: Barbara, Rich, Ray and Maurine.

Cheryl and Jason's daughter Haisley was turning one and they threw a big birthday celebration.

We had the party at Mike and Lorene's. Loved the cute bumblebee cake and cupcakes Lorene made.

We went to the temple and to dinner with two of our missionaries who married each other: Jared and Sabrina Hickman.

We decided to rock out with my parents and Nani at Hale Centre Theatre while we waited for the play to begin.

It's always fun to see how the stage is set up and see how it transforms as the play unfolds.

Our missionary Miah and her family were moving out of state soon, so we got together with them at Olive Garden a few days before they left.

When we noticed Cinco de Mayo was coming up, we asked the Goldens if they wanted to go Madison's favorite Mexican restaurant to celebrate. 

Rebecca said Madison's response was, "If they actually get my order right." It sounds like she is still harboring bitter feelings about how they messed up on her birthday dinner order.

Wonderful of wonderful--they got all our orders right this time! It was fun having a little grandchildren dinner date.  

Once back at their home, Caroline gave us a little piano concert.

She showed us one of her monthly science experiments.

Madison was eager to show us her artwork.

Spencer showed us his trampoline jumping and flipping skills.

It looked pretty cool to see how they maneuvered between the two trampolines in their backyard.

It definitely is the season for weddings. Our missionary Christian Garner asked Glen if he would be the one conducting at the ring ceremony. 

After the ring ceremony, we ate a delicious dinner with their family and close friends.

Christian and Kenadi were so happy and excited as they anticipated the next event on their special day.

They were sealed in the Provo City Center Temple. 

I was admiring the beautiful pink-blossomed tree on the temple grounds with the colorful tulips under it. 

Natalie decided to take a break from school for a few weeks, and since we did not like the idea of her all alone in her apartment all that time with nothing to do, we invited her to stay with us. 

We picked her up after our full wedding day spent with the Garners. Golden Corral was our restaurant of choice that evening.

The next day we had another missionary wedding for Daniel Meyers and his wife Saysha. 

There were several other missionaries who attended that wedding and it was fun to visit with all of them. Ethan and Madeline Murdoch (two of our missionaries who married each other), Austin Randall, Brendon Anderson, Daniel Meyers, Joshua and Lilly Bourgeous (two of our missionaries who married each other).

Daniel and Saysha left for their honeymoon right after the family luncheon. It was kind of silly to light sparklers to see them off in broad daylight, but whatever makes them happy.

Our missionary Nate Wilson knocked on the door and was standing there with a bouquet of Mother's Day flowers for me. He has gifted me with flowers all three years since we had been home from our mission. He declared he will continue to do so until he moves away from the area. What a sweet guy!

Glen had asked me that very day in Costco if I wanted him to buy some flowers for me and I said no because I would rather spend the money on other things.

Looks like that was a great answer as neither one of us knew Nate would be taking care of the flowers for us.

MOTHER'S DAY!! Rebecca's and Ben's families joined us for Sunday dinner.

Then it was game time!!

Glen and I went to the temple to do initiatory at different times during the day. He chose early morning and I chose middle of the afternoon. Because I was alone, I took my time admiring all the beautiful pink and white tulips which were in the planter boxes.

Natalie's project one day was making Nani's brownie bites. 

She was excited to learn Nani was coming over the next day and could sample what she had made. We all sampled and approved of the brownies.

Nani asked Glen if he would look over her finances and give her some sound financial advice. 

After the money business had concluded, we went to lunch at Cubby's.

We had yet another wedding reception--this time for our missionary Holly Palmer who married Pavel Bermudez.

Natalie was happy to go with us to Orem so she could get the computer cord from her apartment that she had forgotten to bring with her. 

I told Natalie that Holly LOVES, LOVES, LOVES the color yellow and I was predicting she would have yellow as her color at her wedding. She did not disappoint!!

I love lemon desserts much better than chocolate desserts, so I was happy to have various lemon choices to choose from.

Natalie went along with us to another wedding that I didn't take photos of. It was Gordon and Carol Pope's son Alex, The Popes left within days of the wedding to serve their mission in Poland. It has been a busy month for them.

When Natalie heard the invitation from President Nelson for all the Young Adults to attend the worldwide Single Adult devotional Sunday evening at the conference center, she made plans for Rachel and Santi to pick her up so they could go together. They brought their friend Eden with them.

It was all a great plan...until...they found out all the seats were taken and they were turned away. UGH!! It just wasn't quite the same for her to watch the devotional with her grandparents instead of with others her age.

The bonus for being back at home was she was able to eat popcorn while she watched.

Nani came to our house again today so she and Glen could work on making changes in Nani's financial portfolio. Once they finished with their work, we headed off to Zupa's for a delicious lunch.

I am definitely liking it when Nani comes to visit!! It's so nice to go to lunch with her so we can have some non-money-related chit-chat time. The yummy food was a bonus.