MELDRUM FAMILY NEWS

MOM'S MESSAGE

Dear Family,
This last couple of months I have been reading and thinking a lot of our pioneer ancestors. It really helps when you think your life is hard. Just having a nice bed with clean sheets and a soft pillow is a lot to be thankful for.
The Christmas season was really nice with parties with my children and grandchildren and brothers and sisters and Ross’ brother’s and sister’s. Lois and Merlin brought their foreign exchange student from Germany. He was really fun to play games with. I can’t remember his name.
Mark and Andrew and Marianne and John and their two foreign exchange students, Vegard and Nico were here for Christmas. It was really nice not to be alone. Julie was in Washington with Candace and her new baby. The New Year’s party at Marianne’s was super! I went down with Kathy and girls. We checked into a Motel along with Margaret and Dale and Amy and Brian and their kids. We then went to Marianne’s and had a three day party! Jeremy and Krystal and kids, Rick and Melinda and kids stayed at Marianne’s. Matt, Melissa, Dayna and Alison, and Keeley and Jared and Mark were there from St. George. We had a great time eating and playing games. Marianne’s friend, Connie and her husband came for a little while and played Mark’s game, the one he made that Margaret got for Christmas. He made some extras and it was a big hit, everyone loved it and he got a few orders to make more. We should have a tournament at Camp! (June 20-26 @ Duck Creek)
Saturday we went over to Matt and Melissa’s to see their apartment and play “Ticket to Ride”. Melissa was so sweet and caring as she showed us around and made sure everyone was comfortable and had something to eat and drink. I will always remember her that way.
On the way home on Sunday we stopped in Ephraim at Penny’s and picked up a car for Kathy. It’s the nicest one she has had for quite some time. It belonged to Penny’s father. He died a few months ago.
I would just like to go back and erase January from the calendar, but of course I can’t. We just have to go on from here. We can’t bring Melissa back, but we can remember her goodness, her vitality, her joy in her family, and her love of life. Goodbye, Melissa. I will always remember you.
Love,
Grandma
PS-- I haven’t forgotten about my missionaries! Adam and Spencer, I pray for you every day. I would like to hear more from you. I hear about Spencer every week, but not much about Adam. I can only assume you are having a terrific time and will have a lot to tell us when you get home.


Check out pg. 5 for information on the Fireside in March!

DID YOU KNOW?
*Spencer only has one transfer left on his mission!
*There are 113 descendants in the Meldrum line. (unless I’ve left someone out)
*There are 19 family members whose first name starts with J

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!
February
1--Allyson (2001)
4--William (1987)
5--Britainy (1992)
7--Hyrum (2002)
10--Jordyn (2005)
12--Lyndi (2008)
14--Ameri (1990)
18--Charity (1995)
John
19--Paula (1963)
Ross (1981-2005)

English Meldrum’s News letter

Hi all,

Hope everyone had a nice Christmas.

We had a busy one, it also being Kim's 40th as well. She had a large party with karaoke and loads of food. I tried to organize it for her but as this was something she has been thinking about for more than a year I found that I had to let her  do most of the planning and I just did some of the leg work. She did the invitations herself because she knew who she wanted to invite. Since she did the inviting she also made any food or help assignments at the same time. She ended up cooking loads herself and if we only had the food that we brought it would have probably been enough. Kim did a lot to prepare for the party. I did have my usefulness though, in the end. I did the setting up and the running about during the party so she could just enjoy her self and get up and sing some ABBA.

In the end she loved her party and I am glad it worked out the way she wanted.

Her actual birthday was a bit different. Just a quiet night in without the kids. It was the first time Kamyla spent the whole night away from us. This is a turning point in our lives because it was the first time that we can think of in 12 or more years that we actually spent a night completely with out children. Other get-aways we either had an infant or was pregnant so we always had someone there. Now it's just Kim and me! We sat and talked about the kids of course!

All the kids are doing good.

Britainy Just had her 18th birthday and again Kim wanted to make it special so we went out to eat with the family at her favorite Restaurant (the Rendezvous) where she used to work last year. (How many ex-Mc Donald’s workers would want to do that?) a lovely all you-can-eat Chinese. Kim wanted to give her some gifts that would last and that she can cherish so she got a Willow tree ornament for her and a little book with messages and memories written in it with space for Kim and me to add to it in the future.

Britainy then had a pamper weekend with her aunts and friends down to Bournemouth which she really enjoyed.

While she was gone we cleaned out and redecorated her room from top to bottom. it took us a long time but it looks so good now. we surprised her when she got home and she was so pleased. Her room really needed it.

Kim and I are really tired now.

Last of all I just want to say that Matt and Dayna are in our prayers still. We really miss being over there.

Here’s a little from Krystal---
 
On Saturday 19th December it was Mum's Birthday Party, But we came at 5:00 to be very early to set it all up. While we were there Mum was at home getting ready her self. When we got there me and Rachelle were blowing up balloons.
 
Finally it came to 7:00 when the party started. Later when Mum came we started to dance with her. Then after that our uncle , who was doing the DJ-ing , put some karaoke on. The first people to sing was me , my Mum , and Rachelle.
 
Once the party was over we had to tidy up the church. Then go home at 10:00.
 
Bye Bye

Melissa May Kelsey Shepherd

Melissa May Kelsey Shepherd lovingly referred to as Missy, wonderful mother, wife, daughter and sister passed away on January 16, 2010, due to complications from an automobile accident.

She was born August 15, 1977 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Jenifer L. Hall Kelsey and Roger Lee Kelsey. She married Matthew Dale Shepherd October 18, 1997. In the year 2000 on August 3 they had a daughter Dayna Marie Shepherd. Melissa cherished the time spent with her daughter, Dayna. They enjoyed walking their dogs, doing puzzles, and painting together.

Missy lived all of her life in Kearns, Utah and recently moved to Saint George in October. She attended Western Hills Elementary, Thomas Jefferson Junior High, and Kearns High school, where she was involved in drama club and was in various plays. She also attended Salt Lake Community College.

Missy loved the outdoors, camping, hiking, and fishing. She would always look forward to the week of camping in the mountains with friends and family. She enjoyed scrapbooking and photography and could play a mean game of Canasta.

She loved the gospel and had many church callings which she treasured. She cherished the Young Women that she taught and cared for them deeply. Melissa had a spirit of charity and could not let a day go by without helping someone in one way or another. She has touched many lives with her loving and caring spirit and has changed many hearts.

Melissa is survived by her husband, Matthew Dale Shepherd, her daughter, Dayna Marie Shepherd. Her parents, Roger and Jenifer Kelsey. And by her three brothers, Chester (Christa) Kelsey, Roger L. (Stephanie) Kelsey and Adam (Cindy) Kelsey. And various nieces and nephews.

She will be greatly missed.

Davis Doings

Benjamin

Benjamin worked hard in his Bear den to fulfill all the requirements to receive his Bear badge. He has now moved on to Webelos and is really enjoying Cub Scouts. His best friend, Chance also earned his bear at the same time.
Benjamin also had a birthday and turned 10! He is now in the Webelos and has new scout leaders. (He has had the same scout leader through Wolf and Bear.)
Benjamin also got to help put on a fourth grade opera. The kids wrote and produced their own opera--painting scenes, making costumes and everything. Benjamin played the part of a wolf and got to scare off the Indians. It was fun to watch.




Rebekah
Rebekah is working on her Personal Progress Project and has put together a few of Grandma’s favorite recipes.
Now for the other part of the project she needs to shop for and cook some of the recipes that she collected. Last night we enjoyed homemade bread with honey butter!
She also made a dessert of Raspberry Cream cake for my DUP meeting this week. We are enjoying her project.
Rebekah is also going to be pretty busy in the next few months with choir performances and earning money for tour. They are going on a Church History tour this year. I would love to go with them!


Recipes

Bread
Measure 12 cups flour. Add. 1 2/3 cups dry milk, 9 Tbsp. sugar, 3 Tbsp. salt, 3Tbsp. dry yeast. Mix well. Add 2 quarts lukewarm water-- beat. Add 9 Tbsp. shortening and about 9 cups more flour.

Work in, then let rest 15 minutes. Knead about 15 minutes. Let rise until double. Knead again. Shape into loaves, put into greased pans (about 6). Let rise until double again. Bake at 325° for 30 minutes.
Makes 6 loaves


Raspberry Cream Cake

1/2 white or yellow cake mix
1 lg. pkg. raspberry Danish Dessert
1 1/2 cups water (you can use some of the liquid off of the raspberries if using boxed)
10 oz. pkg. raspberries
8 oz. cream cheese
2 cups powdered sugar (divided)
1/2 pint whipping cream

Mix cake according to package directions. Pour into greased and floured 9x13” cake pan. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes. Cool.
Cook Danish dessert and liquid. Cool. Add berries, set aside. Beat cream cheese until smooth. Stir in one cup powdered sugar. Set aside. Whip cream. Add 1 cup powdered sugar. Fold cream into cheese mixture. Spread over cooled cake. Cool slightly.
Pour Danish dessert mixture on top.
Chill Several hours. Serves 15-18



Scott Turned 18!

It is hard to believe, but Scott really is 18. He will be graduating from High School in May and next year he will go back as a Super Senior. He can stay in school until he is 23. They help the young adults learn jobs skills and help them find jobs, too.
For his birthday we decided to redecorate his room (sounds like a theme). I think he is ready to move on from Peter Rabbit. We have some really nice posters that we have bought for him at the National Parks that I had framed for him for his birthday. We haven’t done the work of painting yet because I want to find just the right fabric for his bedding that will go with the Nat’l Park theme. I am hoping to have it done in the next month or so.

Missionary Moments

On the way back from an appointment we decided to do some doors ;)


Tuesday, Elder Hanks and I spent our study time planning for Distrikt meeting and making Potato Salad! haha. (I sent him the recipe and Miricle Whip and mustard--Paula) It was a lot of work, and I didn’t kut the recipe in half, but somehow we still managed to eat all of it between the 4 of us. Even if I did eat at least a 3rd of it myself. ;)
Oh yeah! I also got in a little accident from sliding on the ice. Well, I guess I deserved it. I was doing something stupid. I was sliding down a ditch on the side of a stairkase which is normally for bikes. I kaught my foot and spun around getting attacked by a rosebush and hitting my knee against the railing. My knee got pretty swollen. Luckily, Elder Hanks kaught it on video! haha.
Sunday, we aktually got through a whole lesson in our Sunday Skool klass! It was great! Even though, the kids were just as loud and not attentive as usual. After church we ate at the Kahrs then we went out and talked to a lot of people. Later, we got some more weekly planning in since it kept getting pushed out of the way. We had a stake representative at church and he is responsible for the missionary work in the stake. Well, he really liked us, and later we got a kall from President who said that he had gotten a kall from him and told us that he said we were really good missionaries and he wishes the Branch would do more to support us. So it was really kool to hear that. (The good missionary part.)

Yeah, today, we had our transfer kalls and both Elder Hanks and I are staying here in Stade for my last transfer! I'm happy. It's weird that it's my last transfer kalls... hmm.. oh well. Well, that's all from me, I love you all!
Spencer loves You!


Fast Sunday Family Fireside

For the next couple of months the family firesides are set.
In March we will be going to a special family fireside put on by the Utah Valley Children’s Choir. Rebekah will be singing with the choir. These firesides are very spiritually uplifting and carry the message of the gospel. Please meet at the Spanish Fork East Stake Center by 6:30 pm (870 E. Canyon Rd.--across from where Mom used to live). The fireside starts at 7. If you can come earlier that would be good, too. If you let us know that you are coming then we will reserve that many seats. Everyone bring dessert and we will go to Grandma’s afterwards for refreshments!

April will be general conference and Easter. More details to follow. Paul, Bill and Christian will be in Germany to pick up Spencer!
In May Chelsea will be in charge, so come prepared to have a fun time!

"Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.”
--The Family: A Proclamation to the World

It has come to my attention that not everyone feels the need to contribute to the newsletter each month. I don’t think that you need to write each month if that is too hard for you. BUT...I know that everyone has something going on that they could tell us all about.
I am willing to take the time each month to put together the newsletter, but I want you all to remember that I am only the editor and Mom is the publisher. We have nothing without the reporters----YOU!
Please send in information to have in the newsletter! We also love to have pictures.

Please Let Us Know What You Want

Please let Mom or me know ASAP how you would like to receive your edition of the Meldrum Family News.

1) I love getting it in the mail and I would love to continue getting it this way!
2) I don’t need a printed copy. I read it online at meldrumfamily.blogspot.com.
3) I would like to have it emailed to me.

If you don’t let us know differently, we will assume that you are getting it online.
If none of these options works for you let us know. We realize that several of you are on Facebook &/or have your own family blog--that’s great--let us connect with you on the family blog. Many of us do not get on facebook, (can you just imagine Grandma going online to find out how her family is doing--I don’t think so!) and love having the connection of the newsletter.
Putting the newsletter online will save us money and time.