Thoughts and stories, by Pal

Today I want to honor my father, Orson Pratt Miles.  He was born in St. George, Utah on September 7, 1891, and saw this town from basically the pioneer days.  He received a pension for being disabled, after his time in World War I, and being on the front lines there.  He was such a gentle soul, and seeing people dying around him, and having to take someone else's life was just too much for him to handle, and be normal after that time. My father, a true gentleman who always wore a tie, and a hat when he went outside! A repost of blog # 37, which I first posted on December 14, 2013.      This post is a bit longer than most.  It tells of my father, Orson Pratt Miles's time in the army, and the heart touching story just before he died.  In 1987, Mavis’ son Russell was living with Ruth Miles, his grandmother, attending Dixie College.  He was in the “middle bedroom” and in cleaning out the closet he found an old box.  It contai...

This is an extra today!  I have another entry I will also do today.  The concert in the St. George Tabernacle on June 30, 2013, was truly enjoyable, and I will post other numbers in the future.

My daughter Anita's son, Ben Lieske, sang in a concert here in the St. George Tabernacle on June 30, 2013, just before he went on his LDS mission to Taiwan.  I am accompanying him.  He now is married, and both he and his wife are going to Southern Utah University to become music educators -- teaching choir in a high school, etc. Both Ben and his wife Ashlee have great voices, and Ben has had several tenor leads in operas and musicals, both in college, and in high school.

This is a short part of the video we took on my husband Wayne's 70th birthday.  It tells a well-known family story of when he and his twin brother Blaine were in the army.

I was privileged to be there last Friday night, December 9th, 2016, and enjoy this beautiful and entertaining program!  My son Wayne is still in the Tabernacle Choir.  Then Saturday we had a most delightful session taking family pictures with our son Wayne and his children and grandchildren.  The new baby was 3 days old!  Sunday I also went to a great concert with 3 of my grandchildren in it -- a full orchestra and choir.    I have tried to upload photos from my cell phone, and can't make it work.  More to learn for me! Mormon Tabernacle Choir Performs Annual Christmas Concert By The LDS Newsroom  · December 11, 2016 Sign up for Meridian’s Free Newsletter, please  CLICK HERE Thousands of people gathered in downtown Salt Lake City Thursday night for the first of three live performances of the 17th annual Christmas concert held in the Conference Center by the  Mormon Tabernacle Choir , Orchestra at Temple Square a...

I'm heading up to my son's in Bountiful, and going to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas program tonight!  Also, will see 2 great grandchildren I haven't seen yet!  One born just 2 days ago, and one born last June, both grandsons of my son Wayne. My great grandson born last June! December 8 Be an Answer to Someone's Prayer SCRIPTURE OF THE  DAY  Alma 34:27-28 "Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you.  And now behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, do not suppose that this is all; for after ye have done all these things, if ye turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, if ye have, to those who stand in need---I say unto you, if ye do not any of these things, behold, your prayer is vain, and availeth you nothing, and ye ar...

I came across this true story recently.  A nephew of mine had sent it to his daughter who was a bit discouraged on her mission.  Great story ! Only One Boy by Jack Swalwell, in The New Era, July 1999 This is our grandson Jacob Lieske, (Jake), our last grandchild to go on a mission, in Indonesia.  He returned last July. Also Jake, with a shrimp they caught, and ate!   Only One Boy Based on true incidents in Church history.Could this one ragged boy be the fulfillment of a promised blessing? “Hey, mister. What yuh doin’?” My companion and I turned to find the source of the southern drawl. A 12- or 13-year-old boy, wearing patched overalls, smiled up at us from a freckled face. He had been weeding the huge garden. “Uh, we’re looking for people to share the gospel with,” I answered, impatient to get to the door of the imposing house. “You can share it with me,” he offered, standing up. We don’t have time to spend on young boys, I thoug...