Preparing, Planning, and Looking Back

     Dale says the rest of our history is to be written by me with him reading to approve, disapprove, or make corrections. I feel lucky to have had him be patient with this necessary project this far.  I hope to get much input from him even yet.
    At the close of 1963 (New Year's Eve) and the dawning of 1964 (the New Year), Dale and I were engaged to be married in the Salt Lake City Temple the 10th of July, 1964. I became focused on planning our wedding reception. Dale became focused more on a career and a place to live. He decided to return to the University of Utah so he transferred to a Standard Station near the University. I had another three years I needed to teach school to fulfill the contract with my student loan. I had a car payment, government school loan payment, and he had a car payment. We began to look at our assets and plan, ponder and prepare. He was not totally at peace with the University, but what else was there? We were both country at heart, of which had great weight in our planning.
     1963 and 1964 the dynamics of our families were changing. Dale's 

Kent

brother Kent J. Van Leuven graduated from Uintah High School likely in 1963. He was looking toward a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but he was first nabbed by the United States to serve in the Army. He spent a year in Vietnam in 1967-68, we do know that from two different Vernal Express paper clippings that we have kept. One clipping tells of him attending a LDS Conference in Chu Lai on December 29, 1967. Another clipping is dated April 25, 1968, also saying he is in Chu Lai, Vietnam. He was in the the service two years. His mission was accomplished from November 15, 1969 to November 21, 1971 in Portland Oregon. First place of assignment for his mission was Coos Bay, Oregon. 
     I (Shirleen) rode with him to Whiterocks, Utah to attend a meeting (social activity), as he was serving as a Stake Missionary on the Ute Indian Reservation (likely 1965). I remember he picked me up at my parents' home where I was living. He was driving his mother's car. I don't know why I remember that, but I do. I was teaching school and Dale was then attending college. Also during these years Kent attended school at Salt Lake Community College. Along with an interest in art, he kept himself busy during his years of preparing to step into a marriage and family.

     My family was and had gone through change. Our births were close so our departure into the world was just as close. Jeanne married Allen Reynolds Merkley, 18 April, 1964. Vonae married Albert Alma Young, 1 May, 1964, Raymond Leland Perry, had just left for Fort Gordan Georgia (Army Base) about the same time, and Lanette married Nels Earl Carlson, 2 November 1965. My parents' budget was meager anyway, and it had taken a major hit. Mother had a major melt down after we were all gone, and spent several days in bed quite physically and emotionally spent.

Vonae
Bridesmaid
Coral dress with coral
satin heels.

She had helped us make quilts, make bridesmaid dresses, covers for tabletops, and aprons for the servers and much more. Each one of us had chosen different colors, so of course, we didn't share a lot except for the wedding veil. More than one of us shared the same veil.  I had run out of money so I was willing to share. Oh well, I needed "something new, something used, and something blue". The serving dishes worked fine for all of us. We were all busy for many weeks.

Lanette

     Light peach, tan and white was the color I had chosen. I asked my sisters, Vonae and Lanette, to be my bridesmaids. Jeanne was my maid of honor. Dale asked his brother Ray to be his best man and Kent as an usher.
     It was clear that Dale and I would be on our own. We handled the expenses quite well except for pictures. I always wished we could have afforded a professional photographer. 
     I went to Aurbacks in Salt Lake to purchase my wedding dress. Along with the purchase of the dress, they took pictures of me in my dress, and then delivered the dress to the Salt Lake Temple the day of our wedding. Thanks to Aurbacks I do have some nice pictures of my wedding dress.

Shirleen    

     At quieter and less active moments, I could not help but ponder and be grateful for the spiritual journey I had experienced in bringing me to this time of my life. Today, I don't believe the journey was by accident. I believe the Holy Ghost was bringing seemingly small events to my remembrance. I should have forgotten them but, I hadn't. He brings things to our remembrance, ever so insignificant they might be, which is one of the many ways He communicates with us. My testimony of a higher power was growing the more I pondered and recognized that His hand had been guiding me in every step. I love these quotes by unknown authors. "His love reaches beyond our power and comprehension." "If you take one step, God will take two." He had certainly done just that for Dale and I.

Shirleen's Spiritual Goal Is Fulfilled

     It did not take long for me to see that Dale's goals were the same as mine.

Dale

We didn't have to talk about them, I could feel them. We never discussed temple marriage but I could see and feel that he planned to marry no other way. Before we arrived at a solid understanding though I had to learn to trust once again. The picture at the end of Dale's coming home chapter taken on our first date speaks volumes. It shows I was cautious and I'm sure he was. I wasn't ready to leap into another snake pit. It had felt good to be free. I continued to date DeLyle, and I was looking forward to a date with a new acquaintance, Court Anderson. In my mind I had no idea if I was headed for another let down or disappointment and I believed I had begun to wonder if my heart was telling me the truth. Did I doubt the promise that had been apparent for more than five years? Was my faith wavering? Dale didn't give up on me though, until... 
     He had told me after a date that he'd call me and we'd do something the following weekend. The week past and I didn't receive a phone call from him. The weekend past and he still hadn't called. I was disappointed. As I lay in bed one morning early the following week, I pondered my feelings, I came to realize I liked him more than I had thought. I missed him a lot! I decided to go to Standard Station to find out why he hadn't called. I was nervous fearing that rejection might be the answer. He told me that he had made a rule with himself that if a girl made three mistakes (in other words, stepped out on him) that he was through. He informed me I'd had more than three black marks! He was straight to the point! I could sense his truthfulness. His eyes were focused on a goal (the knoll in my dream indicated that). He said he'd look at his work schedule and call me. I didn't dare tell him I had a date, and this one I had been encouraging. I went straight home and called Court. I told him I'd made the decision to go steady with Dale Van Leuven. Court was really nice! He asked for a rain check if things didn't work out with Dale. I told him if they didn't I'd let him know. I told Jeanne (my sister) to tell Johnnie J. to let DeLyle know. I felt he had earned getting it second hand. The dating battlefield lay strewn with soldiers. There is a nice quote by an unknown author, "When God's warriors go down on their knees, the battle is NOT over. It has just begun." It was a task, I believe, for God to get ME temple ready! Mother told me once, "Shirleen, a lot of suicides and murders are committed by people with broken hearts." I told her I was not trying to break anyone's heart. My own heart had its share of battle scars. I was just trying to find the right one that would marry me in the temple, honor his priesthood, be a good husband and father. Isn't that what the gospel teaches us? Isn't it what my parents taught? Isn't that what went deep into my soul when I listened to Sister Bryson's advise in her talk? I knew without a doubt that what I experienced was from above. I could not deny what I had experienced.
     The Holy Ghost, angels, loved ones on the other side, the Savior, God or whom ever watches over us knew in advance and had revealed it to me before it all came about. Why? Because even though at times it seemed fruitless I continued to pray.

     I marvel yet. I feel the tears build as I ponder it even this day. How can anyone deny there is not a Savior that answers our troubled hearts. I love Him! I love the one He led me too! I've always been so happy that I didn't give up. Dale's eyes are still focused on the knoll ahead. For that, I am grateful!

by Simon  Dewey
Lead, Kindly Light
See John 8:12

     

      I love this picture of our Savior, because His light can seem very dim, yet we can find his light in the dark. We just need to believe that he will do what He has promised if we put our trust in Him. He will lead the way in our darkest of times. He LIVES! I pray that my loved ones will come to realize and feel the great love He has for us all. 

     Life was not over, the seas did not calm. We were not perfect. We had just begun. We had a lifetime of adjustments, trials, and blind turns ahead. I had unanswered questions and I would put them aside for many years. It appeared my desire had come true, so my need was not the same but unaware the Savior was not finished, with me. He is not finished, with any of us. It is His calling, purpose, and desire that we follow Him and become perfected, purified, and sanctified. I had a lot to learn and still do. Dale and I are not finished we are still on our earthly journey this day the 29th of April, 2016. 

    Today we live in a world of sloppy people (excuse the expression) but lady teachers were expected to dress like women and men teachers were expected to wear dress pants and shirts to work. I had been asked (a long with a few other girls) by Marella's Dress Shop in Vernal to model some of their dresses for the Lady Elks at the Vernal Golf Club. I enjoyed the fashion world so I enjoyed doing it. For my birthday in August Dale purchased the dresses that I'd modeled. 
   I was expecting an engagement ring for Christmas and was surprised I didn't find it hidden in the two large packages he gave me, instead tucked inside one of the gifts was a beautiful Bulova watch. In one large gift was a electric blanket and the other a beautiful gold dress with a dinner coat that matched. When I opened the gift with the gold dress, I was taken back to the dream that Homer had. "Homer had promised it and Dale bought it", I thought to myself. Did the dress have a special meaning?

. Here a little and there a little," the gold dress did have great meaning for me. I've kept it all these years because of its special significance to me. It is not only a tangible gift from Dale, but of my walk with Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Ghost during a difficult time for me. It was another lesson the Holy Ghost wanted me to learn. Often He uses others to carry the information to us, when they are not aware they are doing so. Indeed it has taken a lifetime for me to understand a portion of its meaning and have more to learn. Christmas morning in 1963, when I opened the gift and saw it was a gold dress, I felt another soft spiritual awakening. In order to communicate with our Heavenly Father, our eyes, ears, heart, soul must be open to spiritual things, so we might receive Him and His word. What a beautiful Plan of Salvation. The Atonement is a special gift. The gold dress was a mortal (physical) gift that I was pledging to love and obey my future companion and marry him in the temple. We all must strive daily to earn the SPIRITUAL golden attire by seeking Jesus Christ and His word, being obedient and following His example. So that we can return back to Him golden. Gold is tempered at a high temperature. "When He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold"

Job 23:10. Life was not meant to be easy! The process of chastening, refining and sanctification can be found in D&C 101, D&C 122:7-9. Elder Dallin H. Oaks has said, "Our Savior is able to comfort, heal, and strengthen all men and women everywhere, but I believe He does so only for those who seek Him and ask for His help." President Thomas S. Monson teaches, "God our Father has ears with which to hear our prayers. He has eyes with which to see our actions. He has a mouth with which to speak to us. He has a heart with which to feel compassion and love. He is real. He is living. We are his children made in his image. We look like him and he looks like us." 
     Amulek testified, "This life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men (women) to perform their labors." He added: "Do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness where there can be no labor performed." See Alma 34: 32-34.

Shirleen's Going Home.

     After I graduated from the College of Southern Utah, I took a detour instead of going home. I headed to Logan to attend Utah State University. I'd decided since I wasn't going to get married, I'd begin work on my Master's degree. A Master Degree in Psychology was quite attractive to me. My thinking was that I'd teach during the winter and work on an advanced degree during the summers until I accomplished the goal. I had several reasons as to why I'd chosen Utah State University. USU was the the mother school for CSU, and it was the University that had issued my Bachelor of Science Degree, also I had been attending smaller schools (colleges) and had often wondered if I would have liked a larger school better. CSU did not have a masters program at the time so another reason for not remaining in Cedar City for the summer.
    It didn't take long for me to discover that I was grateful for my choice in the past. As for getting to class the first half of the quarter I walked to the campus and it could be pretty miserable on a windy or rainy day. It was up hill and several blocks away from where I lived with another girl that was non-LDS. In fact she was very anti! After a couple of weeks she got tired of trying to make me mad, so she just accepted me. I would calmly reply to her anti remarks with the truth and that was that. I tried to live each day as her roommate the best I could and not respond in a negative manner to her rudeness. I don't even remember her name or where she was from even though after I got my Ford Falcon we rode to Pocatello, Idaho to attend a rodeo at her request. 

Ford Falcon my first car.

    Yes! I finally got my own wheels! Dad helped me by providing a down payment on a brand new Ford Falcon. I spotted it on the showroom floor as soon as Dad and I entered the dealers. It was so beautiful! It was baby blue with bucket seats and baby blue interior. Leather seats so, so fine! I was in seventh heaven! Life was superb! 

Shirleen
Picture taken while attending
Utah State University

    I did not date while I was at USU except one guy came by the house one Sunday after church. He told me he had seen me at church and wondered if I'd go to lunch with him. I told him I was fasting and cared not to break my fast. He said he didn't know what fasting was because he was a convert. His last girlfriend had converted him to the church and after he was baptized she broke up with him. We spent quite a few minutes talking while he tried to convince me to go with him, and in return I tried to discourage him. I didn't even invite him in the house. My roommate and I lived with a widow (Mrs. Prudette Farmer a widow), and she happened to be gone. My roommate was gone for the weekend. I was home alone. Finally, after sometime I agreed to go riding with him. I made a point to let him know I was not going to be in Logan much longer, as I had a contract to teach school, and I was not at all interested in boys at the time. I let him know he was wasting time and gas! He continued to drive around the Logan area and a smaller joining community. The boring evening finished and he finally took me back to the house, as I stepped through the door into the living room the Spirit said, "That was foolish!" As I pondered the comment, I had to agree and also recognized the great danger I had put myself in. I vowed to myself I'd never do that again.
    My goal was the same, a temple marriage or no marriage!
    Not long after arriving in Logan I was on the front row next to the entrance into the chapel waiting for church to start when Jeanne Siddoway came in on the arm of Ken Anderton, a boy I knew from Union High School. I thought, "I wonder what happened to her boyfriend?" 
    One day, I met face to face with Kent Sullivan (Homer's friend that had asked me to the Senior Ball, remember?) I kept the conversation quick but cordial. Also another former high school acquaintance, Ralph L. I keep my conversation with him short and cordial too. I was developing a real art of keeping the guys at a distance and escaping the dating field. 
     I really enjoyed the Institute's Family Night and activities. One activity was held in Clarkston, Utah at the burial site of Martin Harris. It was a very spiritual evening. Not everything at Utah State was bad.
     Just a couple of weeks before I started my new career, I drove toward home. It was a calm, peaceful drive by myself and I was pondering how blessed I was. As I drove passed Strawberry Lake, the still small voice came into my mind and bosom and said, Shirleen, "You will meet your companion just under eighteen miles of your father's home." This will eventually prove to be very accurate. But at the time, I pushed it to the back of my mind, as it had been over four years since Sister Bryson's talk had awaken my soul and the dream had followed my earnest request. Now I was more than anxious to enter my first classroom even though I was apprehensive.
     The first day of school before I exited my car and entered Ashley Elementary I made one last plea to my Father in Heaven asking Him to go with me and to not leave me alone. Especially, when my Second Grade class list had disclosed 16 girls and 18 boys. A total of 34 students was a large class size. As the first day came to a close I felt as if the Lord had hand-picked everyone of them. They were the best! He had surely been with us through our first day and remained throughout the year. I'll mention just a few of my sweet memories:

Suzy Kump

Dwight Hodgkinson

   Dwight and Suzy were amazing. He was the tallest student in the class and she was the smallest, yet she mothered and took care of him the whole year. She tutored him when he didn't understand, helped him find a pencil, and watched out for him throughout each day with dedicated patience. If he needed to stay in to finish an assignment she sacrificed her recess to help him finish.      
     Drew Hatch came to school one day with a small puppy in a box and gave it do me. It was a German Shepherd that we

Drew Hatch

named Ringo. My brother, Raymond took him into his
loving care. As most puppies usually do, Ringo whined and yelped for attention at night until Raymond would get up to comfort his baby. He'd tie a bread bag around his bottom and take Ringo to bed with him. Of course, the puppy would snuggle up and go right to sleep. They became fast friends. Ringo was loved by all members of the family.
     Raymond was still home as United States Intelligence had requested that he finish college at Weber State. He would eventually be assigned to work at the Pentagon, in Arlington County, Virginia near Washington D.C. The Pentagon is the headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense, including all military services - Army, Navy, and Air Force and he'd be assigned as one of General Westmoreland's right hand men. Raymond worked summers to put himself through school. One of those jobs was working as a guard at the Ute Tribal Jail House, another was on the construction of Flaming Gorge Dam. Construction had started in 1958, while he was still in High School, and was finished in 1964. John F. Kennedy dedicated the project when it was finished. Our parents taught us to work, and to be honest in our employment. They would often say, "Be sure to give an honest days work for an honest days pay." We were not given hand outs! We worked and sacrificed for our own wants and needs. We were not given an allowance as many of our friends parents would do for them. We were told that we worked together as a family because we all lived together in the same house. It was our responsibility to help lighten the load where and how we could in the family. Yet Mother and Dad were totally fair in all they did for us. They were the best parents in example and deed.

Dedra Massey wanted to be a
teacher someday. She fulfilled
her dream.

If I had to leave the classroom Shanna Harris was an excellent reader and had a teacher like personality.  She could easily replace me for a short time. Occasionally, teachers are asked to step to the hallway to see a parent, principal etc. I was always amazed at how well she was able to take over. In the picture she is reading the classic 'Swiss Family Robinson.' She had everyone's attention.

    I learned a very real vivid lesson from Robert 'Robbie' McLean.

Robbie McLean

 Outside of school his parents said he was often very mischievous and got into a lot of trouble. I'd tell them I was surprised because he seemed to like school and was progressing. He got along well with the other children and they liked him. One of those things they said he'd did was set haystacks on fire. At that time we had reading groups, high, medium, and low. He was in the low group. His parents were very worried about his progress and behavior. The first of November we started making hot pads for their mothers for Christmas. I had only six looms so they would sign up when they brought their yarn. Robbie could not wait his turn. He went home and made his own loom. It was very wobbly and rugged but it worked! The students praised him. They thought he was so SMART! I praised him and put him in charge of the project. He felt important. Not many days after he asked if he could read with the top reading group. I told him "yes he could try it and if he didn't feel comfortable he could return to where he was comfortable". He did and remained in the high group for the rest of the year. All he needed was to think he was smart. He had the skill and ability locked inside of him. Robbie knew what he could do and went for it. He was born to succeed with the gift God had given him, just like all of us have special talents and gifts. If we are not allowed to progress then we misbehave or die spiritually. I strongly believe no one earns a harsh word, put down, or abuse in action or word. My very flesh crawls and my soul feels pain when I experience it or witness it happening to anyone else. Abuse in any manner comes from Satan and his angels, plain and clear. Christ-like love is the key that heals a soul. His changed behavior extended to his home life. When his parents came to the last parent-teacher conference of the school year, they told me that Robbie was a new boy. They were thrilled with his change. They had no problems with him at home.

My Second Grade class boys
dressed as China-men.

The girls made beautiful China-women.

     The whole school worked together to put on a special Christmas Program. The title of the program was, 'Christmas Around the World." We were assigned China. The program was very educational as it involved all subjects. We had a traveling experience right at home. It was a great experience and success for the whole school.

Note that Mr. Call answered personally.
He assured the students that I would
remain in Second Grade.

     As the school year was drawing to a close. Mr. Alwyn Call, (Principal) visited our class. He had received a note. He said he wanted to answer the note personally, so he could talk to everyone. He didn't know who had written it as it had not been signed. He gave it to me to keep in my scrapbook along side another special appreciation note. On the last day of school after we had cleaned and stacked the desks we sat on the floor in a circle. A couple of the students eyes begin to fill with tears. The emotion enveloped the whole group. Finally, I couldn't resist either. We had to pass the tissue box. It was hard to say our good-byes! 
     Yes, I was HOME!! I felt at home in the classroom.

This note came as a letter, folded with a 4 cent stamp
drawn on the top right hand corner, her return address, and
  addressed to me.

      I have special memories of each child as I peruse my scrapbook. I recognized I was a student right along with those I taught. I had much to learn for many years ahead, and for the rest of my life. 

    When I returned home, I had many opportunities to date. The field was white and ready to harvest or pluck fresh from the orchard. Sister Bryson said, "Girls, if your shopping for fruit for your family you would check it carefully and pick the best." There were other single adults, like me, returning to Vernal that had just finished college, returned from a mission or from military service. Theora Angus was home so we had the opportunity to double date a couple of times. Johnnie J. (just recently divorced) was back to help DeLyle get a date. I started dating DeLyle again. He was a little different than he was in High School. He was politer, quieter, and humble. His mission and education to become a Seminary teacher had made a great difference in many ways. I'm sure he thought the same of me. I didn't view him as my solider though, it was just a feeling that came within. As a matter of fact I was too busy to focus on anyone of my daters. I was free to do, go, buy what I pleased. Life could not be better. I often saw girls my age looking longingly in my direction and often voice their disappointment that they hadn't experienced more before they married, and had come to realize they should have worked toward a temple marriage, especially. 
     I fulfilled my church calling each Sunday, teaching the older teens in Sunday School and continued to faithfully attend all required meetings. I did so because I wanted too. I had a testimony of it. 

     The last part of May, 1963, my sisters (Vonae, Jeanne) and I rented a two bedroom apartment on 1st South in Vernal. Jeanne worked at First Security Bank. Vonae had just graduated from Uintah High and had just started working at First Security Bank. Lanette was to be a Senior at Union. We'd decided to attend a parade for some special event that was happening in Vernal at the time none of us do not recall what the parade was honoring. We parked on the north side of Main Street waiting for the parade to start. Soon after, a car with three boys parked on the south side straight across the street from us. I recognized one of them as Anthony (Tony) R. whom I silently loathed!  He was with the boys that had taken Homer's ring off my finger in Stake Conference. My instinct was that after the parade was over that they'd follow us or something. I told my sisters that as soon as the parade was over we'd ditch them. Their plan was better organized than ours. As soon as the last entry passed by. Tony and a soldier in uniform (Orlo Caldwell) quickly executed their plan. The soldier took his position in the middle of the street and stopped the on-coming traffic. Tony came straight across to us and told us to make a U-Turn in front of the cars that were being stopped. He then asked me for a date. My thought, "Darn!, he is the last person on earth I would ever want to go with!" The soldier appeared to be quite good looking. I expected that if I turned Tony down I wouldn't have a chance with the soldier. There was something about a uniform that always made a guy HANDSOME. They always look so pressed and clean! I didn't want to appear to stare so I didn't check out the guy behind the wheel. I quickly made the U-turn. As the stalled drivers begin to see what was happening, they begin to honk in protest or in recognition of what was taking place. We took the first right off of Main Street and headed toward our apartment with the guys on our bumper. Suddenly, they pulled over to the curb and Tony rolled out on the sidewalk. One of my sisters, laughingly, said that they must have pushed Tony out of the car. Again my thoughts shifted into gear, "knowing Tony he'd bragged about having a date as soon as he was back in the car and they'd pushed him from the car." 

Shirleen and Lanette

Lanette, Orlo and Shirleen

     We stopped in front of our apartment and quickly got out and planned to disappear inside. Again, the two remaining boys were quicker. They introduced themselves as Orlo Caldwell and Dale...something. It was a last name that I never heard before and so I couldn't remember it. We learned Orlo was home on furlough for just a few days and Dale recently had been discharged from the Air Force. My observation was Dale "Whomever" was nice looking also. After a few minutes of visiting with them, Dale asked me to go riding with them. I talked my sister Lanette into going with us. 

     After Tony came for our date he bragged and laughed about his smart act at the parade. I let him know that I thought, "he had poor social skills in the past and present. His dating skills matched!" I had had a lot of practice dating! All we did on our date was drag main and the side streets. I certainly didn't need a tour of Vernal! I also been around Vernal many times!      

Shirleen's Walk By Faith

 School Days, School Days;

Dear old golden rule days,

 Readin,' Writin' and Rithmatic,

Taught to the tune of a Hickory stick.

You were my queen in calico,

I was your bashful,

barefoot beau,

You wrote on my slate

 I love you so,

When we were a couple of kids.

Noyes Administration Building
Besides administration offices it contained a ballroom and classrooms.
  

     College also had its rules! A week of orientation proved that to be true. The hickory stick was actually called dorm hours. Doors were locked at 10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 1:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. If we came home beyond lock up time, we had to ring our dorm mother's doorbell and be let in. Then we'd receive our sentence of being 'campused' for a time, which meant we would not be allowed to leave our dorm except for classes. After class we would have to go through our dorm mother's (Mrs. Jensen's) apartment until our week of being grounded was checked off. Of course, a habit of being late could result in being asked to leave the dorms and find another place to live or even sent home. 
     There was plenty of reading and writing. Each day the stack mounted, so we were carrying a folder full of both. My slate was empty of "I LOVE YOU". As a matter of fact, I was not sure I wanted to enter the dating battlefield at all. By now, it had become a habit to ask for a temple marriage in my nightly prayers. I was actually in a box of I wanna and don't wanna. 
     Arithmetic was not my favorite subject, so why would I waste the first quarter on taking business classes? A real inexperienced Freshman could answer that, and I was that. I was still aimlessly living my days, but having fun doing it. Having eight roommates was proving to be quite a challenge in many ways as one will see as my history again unfolds farther.
     There was another hidden matter I did not understand or try to ponder, which was hidden from my mortal eyes. The Savior had promised me my request. The promise being that soldier with full pockets and was able to walk to the top of the knoll without taking his eyes off of the top. Also, the huge clock that I watched as the hour hand moved meant that it would take time. Be PATIENT. Patience that I lacked and unschooled in the character of our Redeemer. My patriarchal blessing had within it the promise also, "IN THE LORD'S DUE TIME you will enter the house of the Lord and be married for time and all eternity." D&C 1:38
     I continued to pray and He continued to give me "barefoot beaus". The very first week of orientation, the Holy Spirit began to teach me, I would assume the class I had enrolled was titled "Sister Bryson's Prize Fruits". The juicy Bartlett Pear was actually a Catholic! A member of the great and abominable church! (This was my way of thinking in those days.) A few Institute classes would clear that up for me. The teacher, Brother Ray L. Gleaves would prove to be one of my anchors, stabilizers, teachers, and mortal angels that would sit my feet more firmly on the ground. He definitely taught by the gift that was in him and took his job as an Institute teacher very seriously.
     Freshman orientation ended with a get acquainted dance. The Catholic beau asked me to dance without returning me back to my position as a flower among the other wallflowers. We remained on the floor dancing one dance after another, while he told me of his life. His mother had abandoned him when he was very young and left him with a Catholic priest, whom later became the Pope of the Catholic Church. This young man decided he wanted to experience America, so he'd looked for a small college to attend school. I was getting really tired of his gab. I don't ever remember telling him my religious belief. I finally got one of those famous headaches that girls drum up when they have become unimpressed and bored. I told him I wanted to return to the dorm and go to bed to see if my headache would leave. He offered to walk me to the dorm. I couldn't think of a good reason as why he couldn't and so I accepted. The evening ended with us in front of the dorm while he told me I'd been rude because he was Catholic, and I was one of those 'goody two shoe, stuck up, self-righteous Mormons'. He hadn't been fooled by my sudden headache! After his hard lecture, I had a terrible guilty conscious . When Pope John XXIII passed away in 1963 I remained glued to the TV. I felt that was my repentance. The lesson I learned was to respect other people's religious beliefs, and I've never forgotten it!

Fern Young Dormitory across
the street from Noyes Administration
Building. My apartment was on the
top left side and cannot be seen
in the photo. 

     "I HAVE BEEN DRIVEN MANY TIMES TO MY KNEES BY THE OVERWHELMING CONVICTION THAT I HAD NOWHERE ELSE TO GO." 
                                                -Abe Lincoln

Dream depicts my prayers
reaching heaven and the
light coming back in return.
light = revelation

     I had more to learn, and more waiting upon the Lord trusting that He would bring my desired request and His promise forth. I continued to pray, He continued to pacify and succor me.
     My next huge lessons started, on the heels of the one just related.
     It helps to understand that we can learn from searching the scriptures that AFFLICTIONS-come from others. TROUBLE-is brought on by ones own mistakes. TRIALS-come from the Lord. If I had this in my knowledge base at this time my lesson would have been easier, more enjoyable, and not so painful. 
     It began as soon as a couple of my roommates and I entered the west door of the Noyes Administration Building. I carried in a folder some loose papers from orientation, and as we opened the door a breeze caught my papers and sent them flying. A group of Sophomore boys were standing next to the left of us. One of them politely picked up my papers, and handed them to me, and as he did, he asked me for a date. I replied, "No, I don't know you." At the end of the orientation, we left through the front door going toward the dorm across the street. He was waiting on the sidewalk. He stopped me saying he wanted to know me and introduced himself. We visited and I had a date.

Kay Jensen

     Kay H. Jensen was a Sophomore. He lived at home south of Manti and helped his father on their cattle ranch and turkey farm. He drove to school in his own 'classy' car which was parked at the curb. It was a great plus that he had his own car! He was handsome! He had tight curly hair. I thought judgingly, "maybe he has Negro in his family line", even though I was quite impressed after we visited and it didn't take many dates until he was wearing my class ring on his little finger and held my heart in his palms. One draw back! He was leaving for a mission in January. It was interesting that he was a member of the National Guard. Huh! A soldier! Maybe, he is the one Heavenly Father has placed before me!

A Mercury like Kay's. His was all green.

   I tried out for the Badgarettes. With my experience as a Cougarette it was easily achieved.

Snow College Marching Group
From left, Dorothy Jorgenson, Cherilyn Tucker, Kay Molgard, Roxanne Mortensen, Lola Young (roommate), Kerry Allred, Sharen Staker, Karen Cherry, VaLear Black, Linda Allen (from Vernal) Gail Thornton roommate, Carol Willardson, LaDonna Noyes, Lanette Larson, June Thompson, Bernell Anderson, Shirleen Perry, and Mona Christensen.

     I was really starting to feel good about my new world. Most of my roommates were active Latter-day Saints, we got along really well, and most were taking LDS Institute. Our living was organized with the nine of us taking turns preparing meals, and our housekeeping was inspected weekly by our dorm mother. Mrs. Jensen was fussy, but we passed our inspection each week. I'd really lucked out even though I'd enrolled late. Fern Young Dorm was fairly new and the most convenient dormitory on campus being the center of all other buildings and campus activity, except for the swimming pool across town, which was about six or eight blocks one way.
     Life teaches us that there has to be some bumps along the way to help us learn that there is another unseen being that does not want us to progress. Jeffery R. Holland says of him, "Satan or Lucifer, or the father of lies---call him what you will--- is real, the very personification of evil. His motives are in every case malicious, and he convulses at the appearance of redeeming light, at the very thought of truth, he is opposed to the love of God, the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and the work of peace and salvation. He will fight against these whenever and wherever he can. He knows he will be defeated and be cast out in the end, but he is determined to take down with him as many others as he possibly can." ("To My Friends", pg. 85) He relates some of the tactics he uses such as binding the tongue of the faithful. Moroni also teaches what he learned from his father, Mormon, which is very clearly found in Moroni 7:12-19. 
     I was about to learn some of his tactics first hand. Before leaving Union High I was aware of some of the girls telling about playing with Satan's power. One of those was Brenda M., a fellow acquaintance from Union, she would come to my apartment to visit quite often. In casual conversation she begin to tell us of some experiences she and friends had with the Orgy Board (Weejee Board). She then constructed one using a plate and poster board. It didn't take her very long! She had it doing what she said it would do. I felt the negative energy so strongly that I had to leave the apartment. She and my roommates laughed at me when I left. I did not care, as I was becoming more familiar with the peace that I had experienced. This ugly feeling was totally opposite. The Saturday afternoon fun (Orgy game) hit the ears of Brother Gleaves. The following Monday morning he changed his lesson plans for the day, and taught ALL of his students about Satan and his destructive tactics. The adversary's ways are limitless! HE IS REAL! Brother Gleaves taught us that Satan had the power to bind tongues and bodies, but to remember all we had to do if that ever happened was to command him to leave in the name of Jesus Christ. Satan has no control over us unless we give our agency to his promptings. What a powerful lesson! My roommates and I gained a new awareness. The Orgy Board was trashed.
     Prishilla T., from Nebraska, a non-member roommate, was the next to bring our eyes to wide-eyed, speechless shock. She came in late for dorm hours in raging anger, language to match the anger, and crying between her profanity. She had been with some of the football players during the evening and they had raped her. As a result, she got pregnant and dropped out of school. A girl that was attending BYU moved in. She had been addressed as Robert at the Y since she had begin her attendance there, when her name was actually Roberta. She decided she wanted to go to a school where her instructors would know her personally. 
      By mid-November, just about six weeks into Fall Quarter, the adversary was ready to give me a second round of what I'd experienced with Homer in High School. I had not learned what the Lord had intended that I learn. The school newspaper, Snowdrift, headlined the annual Preference Ball.

     The article informed the student body that the A.W.S. Officers (Associated Women Students) would be in charge of the activities for the annual Preference Ball. 
     One of my roommates, Joan Phillips, was an officer, a well seasoned Sophomore and was doing a suburb job of keeping us (especially us 'fresh' ones) in line and informed of the committee's rules and deadlines

Joan Phillips 

     ELSIE PERRETT, Vice President was in charge of the invitations for the individual preferred men. Also I was unaware that she had a hidden crush for Kay Jensen. 

Left to right - Helen Price, Joan Phillips, Elsie Perrett,
 Janita Torgenson, A.W.S. officers, and Mrs. Clark, adviser.

     Their rules began with every girl on campus having to list three date preferences in the order they preferred. If their first choice was taken by another girl then their second choice was considered. If anyone did not have a date by the set deadline then the football rejects were turned loose to choose a date from the left-over girls. Since the Badgerettes were an example of school spirit, they were required to attend the ball with a date. Not a problem! I had a steady boyfriend! I just needed to fill out their stupid paper. 1st choice Kay Jensen. 2nd choice Johnnie J. (it will never come to him, he is just a good friend and I planned to keep it that way), and 3rd choice Homer Cook (he still held a tender spot in my heart, but he was no more). 
     Was I surprised! Not many days after Joan presented me with an invitation for Johnnie J. letting me know that they could not find him on campus. Elsie Perrett had preferred Kay Jensen and she had first choice because alphabetically Perrett comes before Perry. She had beat me from e to y! She handed me a invitation for me to deliver to Johnnie myself (which I did not deliver and still have in my Treasures of Truth.

Invite for Johnnie J. which I did not deliver.

     A peaceful calm fell over me. "Be faithful while being kind, strong, positive, and encouraging of others. Defend what you know is true". 
     Jeneal had spilled a secret that Kay had just shared with her days before while asking her how to get to my home in LaPoint. He had just bought an engagement ring and planned to give it to me for Christmas. Why should I fret about him going with another girl to the dance? It would be for just one date!
     Another roommate, Bonnie Bigler was in the same pickle as I, only her boyfriend worked at Kennecott and she was doubtful he'd be able to attend. So we were both putting off getting dates. We decided to just hang in and maybe they'd forget about us. The deadline came and Joan warned us. Sure enough, as we came from swimming class we suddenly had four or five boys running behind us a block and half away gaining on us quite rapidly. Luckily, we were nearing an elderly lady's home that we stopped to chat with occasionally, so we knocked on her door. After no reply, Bonnie tried the doorknob. I said, "Bonnie no, we can't!" She said, "Shirleen, do you want to go to Preference with one of those football guys?" She opened the door and hollered help. No reply! We ran through the lady's living room, kitchen, out her back door, into her backyard, and hid behind a wood fence. We could hear the boys in front of the house discussing how we disappeared so quickly. When all seemed safe, we very carefully came out of hiding and made our way to the Institute Building. Then we escaped to the Art Building, the Gym, Science Building, Noyes Building, passing through each building, and across the street to Fern Young.

Campus map showing our path of escape.

As we ran up the stairs the Spirit told me to call Homer NOW! I then went straight to the telephone and called Brigham Young University Information and asked for Homer Cook. I had a connection that only God could have made. Homer answered before it could ring a second time. He told me he did not know how he'd get there but he'd come. He didn't have a car. It still makes my eyes water because he was so sweet, and it took a ton of stress off of my shoulders. My whole being was shaking, because I was afraid he'd tell me he couldn't, or maybe a flat no. We then let Joan know they could call off their posse. I was so relieved and happy. 
     The officers held a meeting to organize the parade. Kay was asked if he'd drive his car and was asked to attend the meeting to get his assignment. The cars were to have two girls from the Badgerettes or A.W.S. Officers ride on the front fender of their car. Kay was assigned Elsie and Joan, of which he refused. He told them he'd only have Shirleen and someone else or he was going to pull his car out of the parade. That was the first hint that I had that Kay was having a problem with the Preference thing. So another girl and I rode on Kay's car for the parade. My experiences in the past begin to alert a silent warning, but it was out of my control and too late to change anything.
       Homer arrived on time for the dance that evening. I was excited to see him. He came on the Greyhound bus and would return to BYU just short of the dance ending. We had a pleasant evening. I didn't tell Homer about Kay, and that Kay was there with another girl. I didn't want to hurt him. I just managed to keep Homer on the other side of the dance floor. Finally, when it was time to leave so he could catch his bus, he walked me to the dorm. We said our good-bye. As he left, I heard a voice say, "You will not see him for a long time." I opened my mouth to call out his name to bring him back. The voice spoke again, "If you bring him back he'll miss his bus." I thought, if he missed his bus he would have no where to spend the night, except with Kay. That would not work! So I let him go. When I couldn't see him any longer or hear his footsteps I went up to prepare for bed. I cried myself to sleep.
     Things only got worse and they seemed to develop fast! I still did not expect that there should be any problems of jealousy between Kay and I. We were all innocent, just caught up in a college preference event, but I begin to see another side of Kay very quickly. The next evening, the Institute was having a Pre-Thanksgiving street dance and had benches set up to block an area off from traffic in front of my dorm. Kay with some of his friends drove through the blocked off area breaking a bench. He was clearly having a 'self-pity party'. A couple of days later as I was walking toward the Institute Building to hand in an assignment that was due, Kay and three friends drove up next to the curb and asked where I was going. I could see and smell that they were all drunk. Kay invited me to get in the car. I replied that I didn't care to ride with them while they were drinking, and when he was his normal self I'd see him again. He drove off and I went on. I turned in my paper and walked back to the dorm going through campus. They drove around the block and then ended back at the Institute, entering the building looking for me. Brother Gleaves' nose and eyes were as good as mine. 
     I don't remember if it was before the Thanksgiving break or just after but Nolan Giles the Student Body President asked me to go with him and another couple to a dance in Fountain Green. I accepted thinking that Kay and I would probably be history any way, and Nolan was Joan's heart throb. She had a well earned pay back! We had a great time at the dance and I would have dated him again, but something changed Kay's 'self-pity party.' Kay was back to the Kay I had come to know. I wondered if his change in attitude was because of Brother Gleaves. I'm sure Brother Gleaves would not have missed the chance to council.
     Stake Conference was the next event. Kay and his three buddies had been asked to sit on the front row, (on the deacon bench), as they would be sustained as Elders prior to receiving a mission call.  Some of my roommates and I were sitting on a bench two or three rows behind them. The moment came and the boys were asked to stand, as their names were read. We all know the sustaining process, but the opposing we usually don't give it much thought. Brother Gleaves appeared to have arrived a little late with his family, and was standing in front of the double doors clear to the back of the congregation. Oppose he did! He didn't just raise his arm to the square, but waved it back and forth. He certainly wanted to be seen. He and the boys were then asked to meet with the brethren in the Stake President's Office after conference. One can only guess what our lesson was on in Institute the next day; "the importance and responsibility we take upon ourselves in sustaining one to a sacred position in the church of Jesus Christ". He said, "I knew, they knew, and Jesus Christ knew the boys had not represented themselves as exemplary members nor elders in His church. Also Jesus Christ knew I KNEW! I had no choice but to uphold the knowledge I have." The students loved him for who, and what he stood for. I consider him as one of the greatest men I have ever known. My parents had taught me well to never ride in a car when others were drinking. I was holding firm.
     Kay along with his friends were on church probation for the next six months. I figured this was an opportunity for us to get to know one another better, and a mission would get him temple ready. I was willing to wait two years while he served a mission. Kay did not settle completely, he begin to pressure me to elope. One evening, after returning from being with Kay I felt as if the goal of a temple marriage was way to hard, because of the opposition that seemed to surround my deepest desire. I called my parents and cried out my pain, and then as usual knelt and plead to the Lord. I then climbed up to my top bunk bed that was level with the window. With a heavy burden still weighing on my soul.  

I cannot justly describe the night vision of a
temple among the clouds. It was most beautiful!
My bedroom's view was facing West and the Manti
Temple was South of the dorm.
The delicate shell like exterior lite
the surrounding clouds.

     I rolled over on my side so I could view the night sky. I didn't see the darkness I saw the most beautiful temple lighting the clouds and sky around it. I can't justly describe the beauty of the view. Then came the voice, "Keep your eyes on the temple." Peace replaced the turmoil, and I continued to view the beautiful scene as I went peaceably to sleep. I was back to my strong desire and conviction. It was what Kay and I both needed. I just needed to take a stand and remind him of the right eternal choice. We finished the school year with our eyes toward the future. A letter came from my dad. He told me that if Kay couldn't get things straightened out, just get rid of him, by then I was sure we were on the right track!

President David O. McKay

  President David O. McKay had asked the young girls of the church to encourage their boyfriends to fulfill a mission. He said a mission would make them better husbands and fathers. I believed!
    Somewhere about this same time, I don't remember exactly, I've always wished often I'd written it down and dated the experience, but one pleasant evening after Kay brought me back to the dorm. I was preparing for bed, my roommates were not home yet. I was alone as I prepared for bed, and had not yet knelt for my regular night prayer. I guess Heavenly Father was tired of hearing the regular request every night or a variation of it; I prayed for a temple marriage. I was like a cracked record that kept repeating the same thing over and over again. He spoke to me saying, "Homer was married today." I replied, "That is okay. Please just keep him far, far away. Please." My thinking, out of sight out of mind! He then covered me with his peace. God knows each and everyone of us. He knows our thoughts and pain. He loves each and everyone of His children. Remember Homer Cook was still standing in my first vision or dream. 
     The day came with heavy, heavy hearts. The statistics were that most girls would send a 'Dear John' to their missionary before they returned. Not me! I'd be faithful to the very end! Kay and I drove to Salt Lake City to the LDS Church Office Building for him to be set apart for his mission to the Central States. In those days, missionaries were set apart by an apostle. We rode back to Ephraim in silence most of the way. Kay came back in the evening and we walked about the campus helplessly, but at peace. My parents were coming the following day to take me home for the summer. Kay was headed for the mission home in Salt Lake City. 
     In the Fall of 1959, I returned to Snow College as a Sophomore enrolling in Home Economics, another aimless choice. At the end of the quarter for our final we were required to prepare a meal for a professor. It was a success in more ways than one, as we visited with our guest he talked to my lab partner and I about us going into Elementary Education and that the College of Southern Utah was the best choice for students going into education. It clicked! Oh yes! My patriarchal blessing mentioned that I would be a teacher. I then remembered Aunt Mamie, Carol, and Mother's comments the day we received our blessings and I just had not pondered the meaning. 
     Raymond and Carol graduated from Union and enrolled at Weber State in Ogden. Irene got married. My brother and friends were moving on with their future also. 
     I soon discovered through correspondence with Kay that he had a spy, that was keeping watch of my activities which was next to nothing outside of school. I'd believed his spy was his brother Merrill, and it did help me to be careful about the company I kept.

50 Chevy Coupe
Dad bought from Johnnie J.

I'd asked Dad if I could use the little red car that he'd bought from Johnnie J. for a hundred dollars.  He told me no that it didn't run that well, I didn't need a car, and I wouldn't have the money for gas. But I continued to pray for a car. The Lord taught me a good lesson. Janeal Harrison asked if I'd go with a friend and her date to Mount Pleasant to a movie. I was itching for something to do, so I accepted. After the movie they drove to a bar. The boys entered the bar to buy some alcohol. When they returned they commenced to drink, passing the bottle around to everyone. Janeal took her turn, but I passed up the bottle each time. It became a challenge to get me to drink along with them. They decided they'd remain right where we were until I had a sip. I continued to refuse. Dorm hours were quickly approaching but I continued to refuse. Finally after some time, one of them said, "oh, she is not going to do it, lets go!" 

The Lord answered my request
and provided a 1955 Ford but I wasn't wise
enough to ask for the gas to drive it.

The owner of the car elected me to drive as I was the only one sober enough to drive. When we got back to Ephraim he directed me to his home instructing me to take his car on to the dorm and just keep it until he came for it. He said his licence had been suspended anyway for DUI. He didn't come for it for several weeks. I had a car, no money, and no gas. It remained parked in front of the dorm most of the time, except once when a roommate and I pooled enough money together to take a seven mile trip to Manti and back. The Lord with his sense of humor was trying to say, "My counsel would be the same as your earthly father's. You don't need a car and you don't have the money for fuel."
     Besides Institute I had some fun classes that lead me to know more about myself and what my real interests were. I enjoyed Psychology, Art, Pottery, Sociology, Biology, (except for the Lab class that involved dissecting) and of course I liked dance.

Dance Review - Shirleen is in the front row, third from the left.
Ione a roommate is behind Shirleen's shoulder to the right, Linda Allen from Vernal is in 2nd row left of the girl in front, Ginger Anderson a roommate is to the right of the girl in front. Ginger passed away of Leukemia the following Summer. Her mother told us she didn't want anyone to know she was ill. She wanted to be a normal girl like the rest of us.

Mary Jean (Jeanne) Union High Graduation
Shirleen Snow College Graduation
Picture taken behind Fern Young Dormitory.

     I graduated from Snow College in the Spring of 1960. During that Summer while home from school I was asked to attend Region 4-H Camp as a camp leader for the LaPoint 4-H girls. Jeanne Siddoway was the camp leader for a Vernal group of girls. As we were chatting with one another at one of the group activities, she asked me if I had a boyfriend. I replied yes and that he was on a mission. I remember a strange void feeling as I answered her question. I cast it off as I didn't even want to ponder it at all! I asked her in return if she had a boyfriend. Her answer was a yes also. Then she asked if I had a picture of my boyfriend. I told her that I didn't have one with me. 

I had not met her guy!

     She then showed me a picture of her boyfriend, continuing to tell me that he was in the Air Force and they planned to marry when he got home. She showed me his picture and asked if I knew him or had ever seen him. I told her no. I handed back her picture commenting that he was really nice looking. She said his name was Dale something, it sounded foreign. I didn't ask her to repeat his last name. I really wasn't interested. She described the car he drove. It was plum and white and had pipes.  That seemed familiar, but I didn't tell her so. I wished her the best. 
     Carol Rasmussen, while attending Weber State, was introduced to a swell guy, Glen Bridges, from the Ogden area and got married. This fulfilled Aunt Mamie, Carol, and Mother's observation when we got our Patriarchal Blessings.

left to right - Glen's parents, Aunt Mamie, Uncle Rulon, Glen's bestman, Glen, Carol,
Vella Rasmussen Glines (Carol's sister), Betty Christensen Rasmussen (Carol's sister-in-law),
Shirleen Perry, ? Brodrick (a friend), Fern Hullinger (a friend), a niece.

   
     I started my Junior year at the College of Southern Utah in Cedar City with a major in Education. At the orientation assembly, the new students were invited to come to the stage to be introduced. After my introduction, as I exited the stage, there was Brother Ray L. Gleaves! He gave me a big hug and told me that he had been transferred to CSU. What a miracle for me! The Lord knew that I still needed the spiritual instruction that Brother Gleaves could give. He continued to strengthen my testimony another two years. What a fabulous teacher!
     As I started my classes at CSU, I finally could taste a degree and it was delicious! I totally loved what I was doing and began to take more credits to make up for the goof off months. Kay was doing well. He had nine months left of his mission. I was too busy to date nor did I want too. Though I did have a couple of strange ones. A return missionary ask me to go with him along with another two or three couples for a well planned evening of fun. They had planned dinner at their apartment, a movie, and dancing. They had cleaned, set a beautiful table, and served us our meal in covered plates. The blessing was said and we uncovered our plate. One of the girls screamed, stood up displaying much anger, and ran from the apartment. I then noticed on her plate what looked like a parsnip. It was a pig's tail. Their intended joke broke up the whole evening. None of us ate their well prepared meal! They must have expected her to be a good sport!
     I was asked out by an interior decorator that had just graduated from BYU and was working for a furniture store in Cedar City. He took me to dinner and ordered Caviar. Caviar is a delicacy of salt cured raw fish-eggs that are eaten raw, and are usually very expensive.

Caviar

I could not make myself eat the little black pile on my plate. He didn't ask me out again! 
    My sister, Jeanne was a Freshman. We were living together with three other girls. Mary Alice Farnsworth was one of those girls. She worked in Administrations. She came home one day and said that some secret service military men had been in her office. They had asked to see the school records for Jeanne and myself. We called home and learned that they had also been in LaPoint and at Union also. They were checking Raymond's whole family to see if we were all citizens in good standing. Raymond had enlisted to fly helicopters and had aced the tests, so they were assigning him to United States Intelligence. They had discovered he had a photographic mind. I learned a lesson in the importance of keeping ones standards high as it can affect others that you love also. 
     While home for Christmas break, away from the commotion of campus life, dorm life, study, etc., I had a strong impression that there had been a change with Kay. His letters were getting farther in between but I deemed that was due to a greater dedication to his mission. He had six months left. Likewise, my life was full. I was studying hard. 
     Raymond sacrificed his car for our return back to school. We were taught to share our whole lives. Raymond was a true saint. Our wise father thought he was giving us enough gas money to get us to Cedar City, but not enough for dragging main. About 30 to 45 minutes from Parowan we could see we were getting dangerously low on gas. We got to Parowan on gas fumes. We dug in our purses for all the change we could find and spent it on as much gas as we could afford. We almost got to our apartment when the car begin to cough. We coasted with the aid of the last bet of fumes. In fact, we always felt that due to our prayers that faith was the fuel that got us back safely. The Lord never seemed to cross Dad's authority as our steward, but blessed us with a miracle when we needed one.

Raymond and his first car, a 1953 Ford.
He let Jeanne and I take it to Cedar City. He
continued to walk to his classes at Weber State.

     Jeanne and I went home for Spring break. We returned Raymond's car that had been parked all quarter. Like usual we didn't have the money for gas. Dad sent enough to get us home. Mother, Vonae, and Lanette drove us back to Cedar at the end of the break.
     The school year came to an end and Kay was just home from his mission. Mother and the girls came to Cedar to take us home. We had gotten a motel in Ephraim so I could see Kay. The feeling I had was painfully true. Kay had a girlfriend coming from his mission. Rejection is so painful! I hated missionaries, their pigtail jokes, caviar, girlfriends. I was done with guys! 

Larry 'Buddy' Sprouse

     Larry Sprouse was home for the summer and so was I. He had been overseas and was going back overseas. He helped to take some of the edge off of my rejection. He'd had one of his own. He was newly divorced. He had married a foreign girl, and when he brought her to the States she could not adjust. She took their child and went back to her homeland. I was headed back to school and he had re-enlisted and was going back overseas. I did not date him for the intent of developing a serious relationship, but apparently he was. After I left to go back to school, he asked Mother and Dad if they would approve if he went to Cedar City to propose marriage. They told him it was up to me, but they would like to see me finish school. He had just a few days left before he needed to report for service. He proceed to travel to Southern Utah. Mother was concerned about me living overseas and knelt and prayed that I'd not accept his proposal. His car broke down outside of Beaver and he never made it. He had to catch a bus to return to the Basin. Mother need not have worried. I was not in love with him, at all. I had used his friendship to be able to dance the summer away. He was a really good dancer! Besides I didn't figure that he was temple ready. Also I was afraid of the sea and air! I would have had a hard time being a foreign traveler and resident.
     Student teaching encompassed one full quarter divided into two blocks. I was assigned to North Elementary in Cedar City and Kanarraville Elementary, in Kanarraville, Utah. Kanarraville is about thirteen miles south of Cedar, so Dad purchased a new family car so I'd have a safe drive. What great parents! I was so blessed to have them as my parents. I'd qualified for a government student loan to put me through school and had a contract fixed to it. Once I started teaching I needed to teach five years plus pay the loan back in payments. Also like a scholarship I had to maintain high grades. 

College of Southern Utah Graduation
That was not a prison sentence written on my front.
Just a photo proof for the year book. As far as I know I didn't
have another taken or purchase any of these.

      My bad attitude toward the opposite sex remained the same as I finished my last year of school and received my degree in Elementary Education with minors in Language Arts, Fine Arts, and Psychology, only two minors were required. Also I had graduated from Institute. I decided I wouldn't date anymore nor get married! I would just teach school for the rest of my life! Just be an OLD MAID! My student teaching proved to me I had a special gift in the classroom. I loved it! At the close of the year, superintendents visited the campus to interview prospective teachers. I considered Las Vegas, and Dad's sister, Sybil, tried to get me to go over by her and her family in Reno, Nevada. But Superintendent Haws from Uintah School District offered me a teaching contract that was more attractive in more ways than one, I signed it. I was ready to go home!