Vernal Home

Grandma Denzer's Missouri Home

Keep in mind that this was based on my own memory (and a bit of help from Faith and Hannah)...sorry if it is very much off! I would appreciate any comments to reduce the flaws if you find any. I was just remembering that while dad was building this house, he hired Ratch and I to help put the insulation in the roofing...that was the first and only time I was ever fired. I was 12! RayRay and I were laughing and crying all the way home. We were sad--because we flopped....and humored-- because we decided we were young enough to flop. We wondered if we would have to put this down in our growing resumes: I think we laughed the rest of our way home.

*Ratch and RayRay=Rachel

Our Home in Missouri

This is a rough sketch of the floor plan of our house in Missouri that Dad built. I miss it.

Oh Dear

Front Left to Right: Sarah, Joseph, Benjamin, Naomi

Back: Abraham

So...
I don't know what to say about this picture except that it is strangely fantastic. I love it! This must have been shortly after we moved to Colorado from Minnesota. I don't know where Rachel is, but I get the feeling she is a bit more classy than the rest of us...

Check out the mud on Abe's cheeks! Does anyone remember what we were doing?

Red

This picture was taken by Rachel Soderberg, Fall 2006: Berlin, Germany. I love this picture. It is a perfect image of what I love about Berlin.

August 2008

ELIZA

one year

dau. of Joseph and Tynelle

LUCY

ten months

dau. of Abraham and Andrea

THOMAS

two and a half weeks

son of Rachel and Dan

YES!

....dedicated to all the times dad makes our day. here. here.

How to be a Quality Person...

“Don’t worry about being a good wife. Concern yourself with life’s number one priority: being a quality person. If you are a quality person, you don’t have to worry about being a good wife, mother, daughter, Church member, leader, single, or community strength. If you are a quality person, you will be good in any situation in which you find yourself.”

-Elder Marvin J. Ashton

*View full article HERE

My Posse

Definition: A gang involved in crimes such as running guns and illegal narcotics trafficking.
Slang. A group of friends or associates.

Left to Right: Intimidator, The Silencer, Chubby Face, White-eyed Exceller, and Victorious Faithful.

sigh. I miss you guys...

Our Little Glow Worm

How we love little Thom...sigh....

Click the following link to view more THOMAS

Could it Get any Better than This?

Doris Day as Calamity Jane

I found this neat website called dorisday.net and find it most amusing and fun. As most of you know, this film, Calamity Jane is one of my personal favorites. I cannot prove it, but I do believe my nickname: sas--which stems from sarsaparilla/sassafras is a result of this film. A little far-fetched? Maybe, but it's the closest explanation I've got. You are welcome to give me a better one, but no one, not even Naomi and Rachel know why they started calling me sas. All I know is that they are the ones that began it! And I also know that Doris Day is my hero and I used to mimic her order of Sarsaparilla's now and then. Who wouldn't want to be a little Doris Day?

Go to this website! There are clips of some of the songs:

The Deadwood Stage, and Secret Love:

http://www.dorisday.net/calamity_jane.html.

To see a full video clip of the song, "Secret Love," go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8Ar9Q0Eru4.

Or, my all-time favorite, "I can do without you" at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlqdEca3hks.

Enjoy!

I'm Willing to Go the Distance

Vernal, Utah

(2003-present)

...

I moved from Anderson, Missouri, June 2003 to Provo, Utah. I didn't expect it to happen so quickly, but I never made it back home because mom, dad and the kids packed up their belongings in November of that same year and headed to Vernal, Utah. This time no livestock came along, but mom and dad made room for our dog, Thor. As I have not lived at home since they moved to Vernal, I have but little input for the area and welcome any of the younger children to make comments accordingly to give us all a better perspective. I do remember the first time I visited the new place. Naomi made sure I noted where the mail box was to make the distance more dramatic. I must say, it was rather...distant, but nothing shocking. The adventure is always worth a visit, besides, how many people get to turn left at the pink dinosaur to find their way home?

There is nothing more amazing than spending the night out under the stars where everything is brighter due to the distance from town. Believe it or not, we actually saw the arora borealis one night. Ask Matthew. You'll notice that around the house it is still rather brown, however, mom and dad have planted greens and next year, I think there will be a noticeably different view. Despite my distance and being away from opportunity to have very much adventure here, I've had some grand times. Some of my favorite things: flying a kite in the windy valley, and sledding down the snowy slopes--these, of course with the company of the kids. What's more grand than being able to breath fresh air? I always like to take a walk and visit the river. Last time I went down, I found a tree that bends over the water...it is a nice place to just sit and think. I haven't yet been brave enough to forge the river, but I would like to someday cross it and climb the hill on the other side...

Our Little Town

Anderson, Missouri
(1993-2003)
...

I remember thinking we lucked out...just minutes from town and yet so secluded. We could afford being a wild bunch of children in our own world and took pleasure in it. Remember how we'd cut the vine at the base of the trees and spend hours just taking turns swinging? I'm pretty sure that was one of our favorite pass times until the vines went extinct due to our exuberance. Good thing there were other things to do. Like...picking rocks, pulling weeds, searching for baby goats, eating wild blackberries, smelling wild flowers, hanging clothes, raking leaves, mowing the lawn, running in the fields, playing in the floods, washing windows, flying kites, fist fights, playing, singing, dancing, running, walking, talking, thinking, and sleeping....

...here is a closer look of our world: grandma's house; the two ponds; the tree that dad almost cut down but was convinced not to for the sake of the goats (a wonderful sanctuary for during the heat of the day); our house with the big windows; the barn full of chickens, goats, ducks, geese, wood, barrels, boxes, rats and snakes; the railroad crossing where we had a few close calls; and Tatum's--our bus stop.

A few more items to note: the big patch of treeless green (the one with the single tree in the center of it): that is our field of rocks that we picked several times over. If you look close enough, there is a huge tree between the "home of the Denzers" and the barn. It looks bigger than the house...the well would be found under it's reaching limbs. Just a little more to the right of that tree on the other side of the very white strip, there was if not any more an outhouse. And lastly, to the left of the barn a couple yards was dad's shed. Here, I'll zoom in closer...

*Images taken from GoogleEarth, 19 August 2008

Hope Floats.

Hope Denzer. Hope Ester. When you were born, mom and dad tallied our votes. What would you be today with a name like Ester? All I know is that Hope is the best name we could have picked for you. You came just before we moved from Olathe, Colorado to Missouri (ok, ok, for the first couple of months we were in Bugscuffle, Arkansas). Just a wee mite, you were! Mom and dad were crazy, but you know, you traveled in a van loaded with fascinating individuals. I think you must have had your moments during that ride, but I don't remember anything extreme. Did you know that mom drove the van...with 10 children (including yourself)! Not only that, but she had a trailer hitched to the back of it. And do you know what was in that trailer? Well, a couple dozen goats. I keep mentioning mom. Dad drove the big white truck. He was usually just ahead of us I think. I couldn't be sure if this was always the case, however, I do remember once when mom had to pass him while going up a long hill. How funny that must have looked. I can't believe you are now fifteen! It has been so long...and so much has happened since we were on the road so long ago. I remember quite a bit, but what I like to think about most is how much you make me smile. Thanks for all the double takes and the big eyes...especially for showing me what humor is all about. I love you.

Oh, Hoppy Day!

Announcing the Birth of:

Thomas Daniel Soderberg

son of

Rachel and Daniel Soderberg

16 August 2008

4:04 a.m.

6 lbs 12 oz

*Picture not representive of the li'l one, but found at PrestoBingo.

Family History Fun for the Children....

The Family History Library strives to accommodate all patrons be they adults, youth, or even young children. The following site called,"Especially for Youth" is found on the FHL patron home page and was made by gathering different activities relating to family history for the interest of the youth. The family tree above was found in the section, "Something for the Children, ages 3-11." I thought it was charming! My favorite is a puzzle link where you can upload an image, ie family photo. Take a look and be entertained by the games and ideas presented there...(Just think of all the Family Home Evening activities)! See the following link: http://192.168.64.24/PDYouth.html.

John Christian Denzer Obituary

Monday, 20 December, 1965 Winona Daily News 19

John C. Denzer

Minnesota City, Minn.--

John Christian Denzer, 82, Minnesota City Rt. 1 died Saturday at 9:45 p.m. in an ambulance en route to a hospital after a sudden heart attack. He was a retired farmer.

Mr. Denzer was born July 13, 1883, at Casselton, N.D., to Fred and Barbara Amos Denzer and lived in this area most of his life. He married Ester Belle Whetstone, Stockton, Oct. 20, 1909. She died April 19, 1959.

Survivors are: Seven sons, George, Dale, Ray and Neil, Minnesota City; Alvin, Rollingstone, Gene, Boulder City, Nev., and Oak, Milwaukee; one daughter Mrs. Ray (Beulah) Diekman, Harvey, III; 29 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren, one brother, Fred Minnesota City, and four sisters, Mrs. Henry (Alvina) Whestone, Minnesota City, Mrs. Gertrude Lewls and Mrs. George (Selma) Gaebele, Winona, and Mrs. Paul (Barbara) Reps, Lewiston.

Funeral services will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Fawcett Funeral Home, the Rev. Russell Dacken, First Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Minnesota City Cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral home Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m.

Notes: John Christian Denzer was the son of Fredrick and Barbara Amos Denzer and grandson of Christian and Margaret Figert Denzer.

*Newspaper Image taken from www.Ancestry.com

THE RELIEF SOCIETY OF
THE CHURCH OF
JESUS CHRIST
OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

--:--

--:--

We

are beloved spirit daughters of God,

and our lives have meaning, purpose,

and direction. As a worldwide

sisterhood, we are united in our

devotion to Jesus Christ, our Savior

and Exemplar. We are women of

faith, virtue, vision, and charity who:

--:--

Increase our testimonies of

Jesus Christ through prayer and

scripture study.

--:--

Seek spiritual strength by following

the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

--:--

Dedicate ourselves to strengthening

marriages, families and homes.

--:--

Find nobility in motherhood

and joy in womanhood.

--:--

Delight in service and good works.

Love life and learning.

--:--

Stand for truth and righteousness.

--:--

Sustain the priesthood

as the authority of God on earth.

--:--

Rejoice in the blessings of the temple,

understand our divine destiny,

and strive for exaltation.

What If

What if

Next time I borrow anothers heart ... I could give it back along with the pain and not worry more about it when things require my letting go.

Charity: Pure Love of Christ

Charity: the Pure love of Christ. It is the love that Christ has for His children and that the children of men should have for one another. It is the highest, noblest and strongest kind of love and the most joyous to the soul. 1 Nephi 1:23

Have you ever paused a moment--in the search for peace and comfort and been overwhelmed by warmth and tingles through acknowledging that the Savior was there beside you? Have you ever felt complete, whole and safe for accepting the Love from the Lord? This is what gives us a glimpse into eternity. So often we are caught up in the rush of the world and swept along. Step out a moment and reflect. Do not grow comfortable while you are of the world--grow and become strengthened by the hand of the Lord through your relationship with Him. He is there. Why not take a moment every day--omitting all needs for the asking--and instead offer up a prayer of gratitude more specifically for His love. Rehearse to Him the many ways He showed that love to you today.



Charity is the work of the heart. When we love the Lord with all our heart, soul and mind: we love others and charity abounds.

*Image from Corbis.org

Our Inspiration: Naomi

16 July 2008:

To all who cared and prayed for me, thank you! I am officially an RN - board certified through the great state of Utah!

As you know, I took my boards this past Monday. It was a stressful experience and all I can say about it really (as I am bound with essentially a "no disclosure about any questions presented during the test" gag-order...) is that I NEVER have to do that again! I had to wait two days for the results to be posted and this morning before I left for work I checked on line and discovered I had passed! Needless to say, tonight will be the first decent night's sleep I've had for a while. :)

Hooray!!!

So, now I can really relax, read for the luxury of it without guilt, sleep in on Sat mornings rather than studying... wonderful isn't it?! :)

I love you all and am so thankful for the support and understanding you've gave me during school. It was wonderful and greatly appreciated!

Love you - I really, really do.

Naomi

Paul the Fierce:*

Sarah: Can you tell me about your father?
Dolores Barnick Denzer: Well, he was domineering and was the head of the family. What he said goes and that was about it. I know I in particular was a little afraid. He never harmed me, but I think it was just his 'domineerance' that freighted me.
Sarah: What were his physical characteristics?
Dolores Barnick Denzer: I don’t know—himself. [Laughter]

*Guilty as charged. Still waiting for a smile...

Heh heh!

Well, at least we know where Hannah gets it from....

Link One Generation to the Next...

Dad is no Paul the Fierce, but he certainly looks like a Barnick.

Family Campout

Mill Hollow: 11-12 July 2008

True test of talent was granted as we set the game up in the uneven meadow. We have three sets now. Nice. The game of Kubb took place during the last hours of our special Denzer family gathering in the sticks. "Sticks" may not be the best term. It was beautiful. We camped at the edge of a stream and viewed meadows of many colors. Roasted mallows and melted Starbursts were a hit. "Tally your eatage and I'll tally mine. Measure your consequence before it strikes nine." It was nice to forget the outside world awhile and just sit and not worry about anything more than how your fingernails were ever going to come clean. Don't ask where all the no-bake cookies went, I wouldn't know...

Well, I think it went well. Very well, actually. Hope to see you all there next year!

Come unto Him

Welcome

THE CHURCH OF

JESUS CHRIST

OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

http://www.lds.org/

Question/Answer about the LDS...

http://www.mormon.org/

Increase your testimony in Jesus Christ...

http://jesuschrist.lds.org/

Download church publications in

compressed audio format....

http://www.lds.org/mp3/newarchive/0,18615,5249-1,00.html

NewsRoom: The official Resource for News

Media, Opinion Leaders, and the Public...

http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/

*Pictures from http:www.lds.org

Family History Library Internship

Image found at the Burlington Public Library Website.

For those of you who do not know, I have started my internship at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. It is not a paid internship, however, the experience as a whole will prove worthy despite loss of work hours. In all, it only requires 120 hours--80 of which are directed toward a specific project. My project consists of cataloging German Family History focused periodicals for the online catalog. There is a great deal of useful information in these periodicals, however, because they have not been put in the database, people don't really use them--there are over 500. It would be much too time consuming to go through them each individually for a specific find. I am working with an English version currently, however, I think I would like to request working with the German language ones so I might refresh my skills. Basically, I go through each issue and write a short summary (1-2 sentences) explaining what the article consists of. I also notate key names, themes, places, etc. discussed in an article that would be useful for an online catalog search. Well, if that was all I was going to be doing--it would get boring rather quickly. However, there are many other requirements to fulfill. Also allotted in this 80 hours is time at the International Reference Desk. Here, I will assist patrons on the floor who have questions specifically with German research. (There are over 30 different languages represented at this one reference). It'll be interesting to see how much I don't know. Outside of the 80 hours, there is plenty to do to get to know the rest of the library and its services. Last week I spent about two hours at the Library Public Affairs learning about all that they do (all of which makes me stressed just hearing about however fascinating and neat it was). I'll work with several different areas in the library, but the one I look forward to the most is the Conservation Lab. The FHL is the largest of its kind and used by everyone serious in the field and more. I count it a blessing to be able to intern there--even if it is in the Wasatch. After all, Germany and the Alps of Austria can wait a few years... In the meantime, I am going to make some good friends with the Senior Missionaries. For information regarding the library itself and its services click on the following link: http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/FHL/frameset_library.asp?PAGE=library_main.asp

Our Newest Generation

Left to right: Lucia Denzer (daughter of Abraham and Andrea Lorenzon Denzer) 1 November 2007, and Eliza Denzer (daughter of Joseph and Tynelle Smith Denzer) 23 June 2007.

Oral Interview with Grandma Dolores Barnick Denzer: Feb 2006

(Arnold and Dolores Barnick as Children)

:---~---:

S: Do you have any favorite family memories?

G: For birthday’s everybody got a special cake. Gifts were never given because there wasn’t money, I suppose. So, for birthdays there was just a special cake. Everybody said happy birthday. That was it. Mother used to make the most wonderful cakes. Not packaged either, believe me. But oh, three layered cakes that were just as light as a feather. She was a marvelous cook in everything, for everything.

S: What was your favorite kind of cake?

G: Oh, I don’t know. They were all good. All delicious-- I don’t think I had a favorite.

S: What were your religious practices of the home?

G: Religion? Oh dear, seems to me there was a little brief prayer. Either Arnold or I being the youngest said: “Come Lord Jesus, be our guest that this thy food to us be blessed.” Don’t suppose I’ll ever forget it…*

*Click on the following link to learn more: http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dczrvs8c_594nz3md6

_____

Do Not Dwell on How You Fell: Focus Instead on How You Plan on Picking Yourself Up

Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedaechtniskirche: damaged during bombing raids on Berlin: Monument in rememberence of WWII. Contrast with today's improvements tells their ability to overcome. Photo by Rachel Denzer; Berlin, Fall 2006.

- -- --- ~ --- -- -

If we make a conscious effort to listen to the heart of each trial, we will grasp those things most important that will eventually sustain us when we stand before our Maker. Patience with our mistakes and determination to keep going...and going--that is how we hear "well done." He is not expecting us to be perfect, but to keep striving for perfection. The Lord knows exactly what needs to be placed in front of each of us to show us how to overcome our weaknesses. I believe it starts out quite obviously, but in order for us to be refined, the Lord begins to be a bit more creative in order to teach us the deeper concepts. If you are wise you understand the necessity of pleading with the Lord to show you how to bear a burden in a manner that best shows you what the Lord fully intends. This is often discouraging because we realize things aren't going to get easier. On the other hand we realize that the more we understand--- the more patient and able we are to keep striving.