WHEN YOU WISH UPON A STAR...      

 Remember our Disney Cousin Camp eight years ago?

     We put together a booklet for Grandma in which each of us wrote "Our Wish For Grandma!"  This is what we wished her...

OUR WISHES FOR GRANDMA...

SHAYLEN-"I want to make you very happy in your life.  Thanks for always being there.  Thank you for helping take care of my lamb when he was sick"

MIKE-"I wish Grandma will always be happy and remember us with love and care.  I hope you will be happy for all of eternity.  I want to thank you for letting me come to the Ranch.  You make me happy.  You are nice.  Have the best dreams ever.

JACK-"My wish for Grandma is to raise my family and her grandkids so we all can be together in heaven."

GARRET-"My wish to Grandma is to help pick up the sticks and burn them on a family night.  My other wish is to do the dishes when we start the Ranch and the tables also."

NEIL-"Better grades in school."

TED-"Without your help I could never have accomplished  my dream of having a good wife and family.  Thank you so much for your help, support, prayers, and most of all your example.  I pray that my daughters and future daughters-in-law will be the kind of woman you are."

COURTNEY-"Dear Grandma, I love you so much and hope you will see how all your dreams truly have come true.  Take a look around you.  I wish and hope you will know how much I love you!"

NOLAN-"We're going to spend as much time with Grandma sharing her wonderful spirit as we possibly can.  We love to spend time with her.  She is so much fun to spend time with.  It is like spending the afternoon with the prophet."

STEVE-"I wish that you would share your example and life with my new little family and your great-grandkids (when that time comes)."

TED-"My wish for grandma is that she will always remember all she has and will accomplish in her life.  And that she will always remember when times get hard the wonderful legacy she has started and the many many lives she has touched and even changed for the better.  May you continue to have a full and happy life."

TJ-"Thanks for coming to my sports events."

JODI-"Grandma my wish for you is to continue to bless the lives of you grandchildren.  I know you have blessed my life so much and have taught me so much.  Thank you Grandma for everything you've done.  I love you!"

NEIL-"I wish to help with work during the summer."

KATHLEEN-"One of my favorite memories of you is you jumping on the tramp with your granddaughters.  You were wearing a blue bikini.  The sun was shining on your hair and your eyes sparkled with a zest and love for life.  You grabbed the moment and infused it with joy."

KADE-"My wish for Grandma is to help her."

CATHY-"Mom, my wish to you is a promise to do my best to share with my family everything you have taught me about life.  Also, I would absolutely love it if you could make one of our little apartments in Morgan your home away from home!"

SARAH-"Thank you for letting me spend time with my cousins."

JACI-"Grandma, I love you!"

CLAYTON-"I wish for Grandma that she will find whatever her big heart desires."

KATE-"You are so grateful to me.  You make me so happy when you smile.  I love you!"

BECCA-"My wish for Grandma is that she may live the rest of her life happy.  I hope grandma lives happily ever after.  Dear Grandma, you are such an example to me.  I love you very much and am so glad to have you as my Grandma."

KATHLEEN-"You inspire me.  The acts of your life and your examples of love and service. I love you and want to be like you.  I want to thank you for being at the foundation of our family.  You have blessed us with a home to fit us and mounds of support to guide us.  You have been a bed of rock and support."

JACK Jr.-"My wish for Grandma is to keep being a sweet little boy and always tell her "Tant-yoo!"

RYAN- I wish Grandma a HOT DOG!"

MELISSA-"I don't know if you remember when you helped me with my history homework.  You wrote what it was like living during the depression.  That meant so much to me.  It was so neat to learn more about you and your life.  Thank you so much for all you do."

KIMI & TUCKER-"We wish for you to move to Morgan and share your life with us."

SARAH-"I am going to practice my piano song for you."

WADE-"My wish for Grandma is to always give her loves."

CINDY-"Mom, I wish for you a peace and happiness as you retire from the Ranch.  I wish for you the rest that you deserve.  I know you will take the extra time now to continue studying the scriptures and getting to know your Savior.  I know this is what you enjoy most."

TJ-"Go on a mission."

DAVID-"I wish you will someday walk with me.  I'm also going to learn to say "Grandma" so I can tell you how much I love you."

CASSIDY-My wish for you is to always remember that I love you.  You have always been there and support me in all I do.  My wish is to become just like you.  You mean the whole world to me.  Thank you for all you do and for always being there for me.  I love you!"

KATIE-"Dear Grandma, I love you!  Thank you for everything.  I will try to help make your dreams come true by sewing you something, baking you something, and playing you a piano song."

JULIE-"I hope you  know that I would do anything to make your wish come true!  I really mean anything!  It's hard to watch you struggle so much with life and what to do with the Ranch.  My wish for you is to show how much I appreciate and love you by standing beside you and supporting you!"

MELISSA-"I want to take you somewhere just the two of us.  Maybe we could go to your favorite restaurant.  I also want to follow in your footsteps as I live my life.  You are the hardest worker and the most loving person I know."

SHELBY-"I wish for you to find someone in this caring family to help keep the Ranch running so that you can be able to see all the family together.  I love you so much that I want to come stay with you as many times as I can and just hang out with you.  I love you!"

RACHEL-"My wish for Grandma is to make a party for her."

JACOB-"I love you!"

MITCH-"I wish Grandma will have a good time at Cousin Camp and she will always know I love her.  You make me happy."

KIRBY-"Grandma, as your life has progressed you have been able to see many dreams come true.  The one dream that is yet to come is the time when you will be able to tell Neil all of the dreams that were fulfilled and what wonderful grandchildren that he has and about their personalities.  I love you."

P.S.  A couple weeks ago we flew in an airplane to Disneyland.   As soon as we were above the clouds David turned to Katie and said,

"I am in the sky...can Grandma see me?"

     I am certain Grandma can see all of us and is still very involved in each of our lives.  Right before she passed away she promised that after she was gone she would continue to be involved in our lives as much as the Lord would allow her to be.

"The Future is as Bright as Your FAITH."

--Pres. Thomas S. Monson

I don't know about the rest of you, but I miss Grandma!  

I miss her a lot! 

     There are many things I miss about Grandma, but one of the things I miss most is her love of the scriptures.  I never talked to her that she didn't share with me something she had read or learned in the scriptures.

     The other day while sorting through some of her papers I came across her original typed life history.  The last page contained her testimony that I had never seen or read before.  For some reason she hadn't included it in the history she gave us kids.  In it she shared her favorite scripture...

Dear family, stay close to the Lord and the Church.  There is going to be great tribulations and sin like the world has never seen.  Your only hope will be faith in God, yourselves and the Church.  My prayer is that there will never be an empty chair or broken link in our family.  Stay strong and endure to the end.

My favorite scripture:  2 Nephi 31:20

"Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.  Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father, Ye shall have eternal life."

There is one more I would like to leave with you.  That is Mosiah 4:14

"Ye will not suffer your children that they go hungry, or naked; neither will ye suffer that they transgress the laws of God and fight and quarrel one with another, and serve the devil who is the master of sin."

Children my closing request is this:  "Get along with each other, love one another and out of respect for me and your father don't let anything interfere with the love and closeness we have as a family."

Some day if I die before the end, you will see not one bird but two and you will know your father and me are there with you on this spring day.

I love you all!!

LouCille Turner Carlisle hamnett

Dated December 23, 1987

     

     I am certain I didn't come across this by accident.  Grandma meant for us to read this and to live by it!  In an effort to help each of us "press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope" I am going to do my best to continue posting "Tidbits From Grandma" on this blog to help us remember her and her wish for us to be an eternal family!  Remember...

WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER!!! 

 

LouCille Turner Carlisle Hamnett
1933 ~ 2012

LouCille Turner Carlisle Hamnett, "The Ranch Grandma", age 78, returned to her Heavenly Father June 10, 2012. She passed away at her home surrounded by her family after a valiant battle with cancer.

She was born July 22, 1933 in American Fork, Utah to T.J. and Arvilla Turner.
She married her sweetheart Robert Neil Carlisle on June 29, 1953 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Neil passed away October 20, 1985. She married Vaughn Jackson Hamnett on July 1, 1986.

LouCille graduated from American Fork High School in 1951 and attended Salt Lake Business College. She worked beside Neil in their family business in American Fork for 30 years. They raised their 6 children in Alpine. She found much enjoyment in gardening, oil painting, temple service, scripture classes, summers at the ranch and family.

She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where she had numerous callings in Primary, Young Women's and most recently the Relief Society. She took many opportunities to bear testimony of the gospel and her Savior through word and example. She loved the Lord and always served diligently and with love. She felt her service at the ranch was her mission call as she hosted many family and church groups for over 30 years. Now, reunited with her eternal companion, she begins a new mission.

She is survived by her husband Vaughn Hamnett, Alpine, four sons and two daughters; Scott L. (Cherie) Carlisle, Star Valley, WY, Robert J. Carlisle, American Fork, UT, Cindy (Kirby) Jensen, Morgan, UT, Ted Neil (Kathleen) Carlisle, Star Valley, WY, Cathy (Nolan) Johnson , Morgan, UT, Jack (Julie) Carlisle, Lewiston, UT also 32 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, 4 sisters and 2 brothers, Donna (Don) Pittman, Ronald (Vivian) Turner, VaLeta (Richard) Loveless, Kathleen (Lynn) Halliday, all of American Fork, Sandra Robinson of Pleasant Grove and Everett Turner of Delta. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Robert Neil Carlisle, a granddaughter Amy, and 2 infant sisters, Veona and Sharon.

Our gratitude and love goes out to the Hamnett Family; Vaughn, his children; Anita (Lee) Brown, Luann (Ron) Harris, Phil (Kristen) Hamnett, and 13 grandchildren.
Special thanks to our special angels; Candy, Brenda, Vanessa and Jen. Their loving care will forever be a blessing to our family.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 14, 2012 at 11:00 am, in the Mountainville LDS Ward Chapel, 165 North 100 East, Alpine, Utah Family and friends may call Wednesday evening from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Mountainville Ward Chapel and also Thursday morning from 9:30-10:30 am prior to services at the church. Interment, Alpine City Cemetery. Funeral Directors - Warenski Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.warenski.com

WHEN FAITH ENDURES

I will not doubt, I will not fear; God's love and strength are always near.

His promised gift helps me to find an inner strength and peace of mind.

I give the Father willingly my trust, my prayers, humility.

His Spirit guides; his love assures that fear departs when faith endures.

(LDS Hymns p. 128)

Sunday, June 10

     Grandma passed away peacefully early Sunday morning.  Here final words before she departed were filled with love and gratitude for her family.  Over her lifetime she cultivated many Christ-like qualities by continuously stretching herself and diligently doing those things which would bless her family and bring rewards that would endure! She was dignified, noble, needed and valued!

     She let kindness, charity and love crown her works as she watched over each of us with tenderness and long-suffering towards our faults and weaknesses and instead focused on our potentials.   She found delight in doing what was right and good and dealt it out to others by being kind and full of love.  I am certain her service will follow her through all eternity! 

     

     Her love of God magnified everything she did!  She developed many talents and skills  over her lifetime which blessed many lives.  She was firm in her faith in Jesus Christ, and she cleaved unto the covenants she made in the temple that bound her to her family.  

     She understood the deep need to study the scriptures and diligently sought gospel knowledge.  She lived up to the privilege of having the constant companion of the Holy Ghost in her life and was sweet as an angel when she taught and it was her gentle spirit that went with her words that were carried into the hearts of her listeners. 

Grandma continually looked forward with faith and submitted her will to God.

     Let us each strive to live by the counsel spoken by Lucy Mack Smith when she said...

"We must cherish one another, watch over one another, comfort one another and gain instruction, that we may all sit down in heaven together."

     Remember...NO EMPTY CHAIRS!!!!!!!!!

"PEACEABLE FOLLOWER OF CHRIST"

MORONI 7:3

Mon, June 4th

     This morning a young man in Grandma's ward, Spencer Curtis, and several other young men and ward members met at CARLISLE PARK to set a monument in honor of Grandma and Grandpa Carlisle as part of his Eagle Project.

     The park is nestled in a beautiful neighborhood just down the hill from Grandma's house.  On it sits the well that Grandpa dug many years ago that is now used by all of Alpine City.  

The monument reads:

CARLISLE PARK

In loving memory of Robert Neil & LouCille Carlisle

"Peaceable followers of Christ"  Moroni 7:3

Scott and Bob showed up early to help set the monument.  

And miraculously, Grandma was able to make it down to the park just in time to see them set it.

Her and Grandpa watched them work from the car.  

It was an incredible morning!

 Scott ordered everyone around...

 Bob made sure everything was perfect...

And Cindy and I just watched over Grandma like 2 mother hens! 

Everyone else just busily worked together and had an enjoyable time...

THANK YOU Spencer!!!!  

And everyone else who made this special day possible!  You will never know how much this has meant to our family.  I am certain this beautiful, peaceful park you have helped to create will serve as a special place for our family and many others to gather and enjoy.

We love you Maj Britt!  What you and your family have accomplished is nothing less than a miracle!  And what a pleasure it was to meet your sweet parents!

P.S.  We also enjoyed visiting with Grandma's neighbor Kerry Walker!  It is such a comfort to know that Grandma is under the watchful care of so many good people.  

LEARNING AND GROWING IN FAITH...LINE UPON LINE!

(Janice Hillcrest, Carol Ackerman, June Pack, Nancy Seastrand, Betty Brady, Naoma Williams, Carma Newman, Shirley Houston, Marjean Marsh, and Juanita Singleton.)

Thur, May 31
     Grandma and 10 of her school classmates (Class of 1951) got together for lunch and celebrated Grandma's 79th Birthday early.  Not only was it remarkable that so many of them were able to come, it was truly a miracle that Grandma felt well enough to venture out after a very difficult week.  Her strength held out just barely long enough to get her home.

THANK YOU ladies for an enjoyable afternoon 

and birthday celebration!!

     Grandma is requiring more rest these days.  (It is hard work battling cancer.)   So we have tried to limit visitors because as her hospice nurse says,  "She is quite a beloved celebrity."   She especially enjoys visits from her sisters and of course children and grandchildren.   On Memorial Day Aunt Lorraine, Uncle Denny and Aunt Lynn stopped in briefly.  Grandma was so uplifted by their visit.


   It has been difficult and yet also inspiring to watch Grandma as she meets each new challenge that comes her way with faith and determination.  Each day brings several new challenges and "Line Upon Line" we are all learning and growing in faith.     


   While the journey ahead of her at times seems a little daunting, Grandma is still determined to boldly take those few steps into the darkness.  Her faith is contagious and encourages us to meekly follow in her footsteps.  While Grandma can barely manage to shuffle down the hall each day with her walker, she does so with FAITH IN EVERY FOOTSTEP.   Her joyful attitude makes you believe there is no ugly disease invading her body.  While this cancer has weakened her body, it has only served to strengthen her spirit!

COMPENSATING BLESSINGS!

Amy Fielding stopped by with a smile that lit up our dreary rainy day with pure "Sunshine"!

Friday, Mar 25

     This week has been full of ups and downs.  Grandma has always said that, "Everything good comes with sacrifice."  Each new hurdle that this cancer brings into Grandma's life has been compensated with even greater blessings.  As it becomes more difficult for Grandma to manage on her own, Cindy and I have had the opportunity to spend more time with her.  Can I just say that it has been AMAZING!!! 

     With sheer determination, Grandma made it to Senior Citizens today for lunch and B-I-N-G-O!  She won a Ding-dong and a roll of toilet paper.   Its amazing how much joy can be found in the simplest things.  

      Grandma's sweet teenage neighbor, Shelby Walker, dropped off a bag of ice chips from Macey's.  Talk about Heaven Sent!!!   Grandma was so appreciative because it has been difficult to drink water or juice.   The ice chips are perfect!  She calls Shelby and her mom her "Earth Angels" because they are always looking out for her and Grandpa.

    


      Grandma's appetite has also decreased.  Nothing seems to taste very good lately.  I did show her the picture Becca and Garett posted on Facebook today of the lunch they had made and she wanted some pretty badly. 

"Amigo, Amigo, where did you get your hamburger?"

    
     You two just might have to make a road trip to Grandma's house to cook her up a burger, sautéed vegetables and homemade fries.








      Tonight Grandma finally got caught up on her journal.  She hadn't written in it since Monday.  It has really been bothering her.  She said, "I have such a hard time having an empty page.  I can't imagine not writing my day down."  What a blessing Grandma's journals have been and will continue to be to our family. 


     Anyways, Grandma sends you all her love and wants you to know that whatever the challenges or trials you might be facing to remember that there are always compensating blessing to be found!!  

GO FORWARD WITH FAITH!

Tues, May 22

     This past week has brought many more challenges into Grandma's life as her cancer has progressed. It has been awe inspiring to watch her gather even greater faith and courage to meet these challenges.

     "By small and simple things are great things brought to pass."  Alma 37:6

     

     I believe that much of her determination comes from the small and simple acts of kindness she receives in daily doses from her many friends and family members.   I spent the afternoon with Grandma yesterday, and in just the short time that I was there I was amazed at the outpouring of kindness she received.

     

    Rod Heaton stopped by to tell her what an inspiration she has been to him over the course of his life.   She was so pleased when he told her how pretty she looked.  Which of course she always looks beautiful!!

Grandma's sweet massage therapist stopped in to give her a quick "feel good" massage.  

     A neighbor, Ann Sweeney, dropped off some homemade Teddy Bear Bread.   She received phone calls from Uncle Evert, Aunt Vivian, and Burke Heaton that cheered her up immensely.  Vaughn's daughter LuAnn brings in a lovely meal almost every single time I am there.   The thoughtful cards, flowers, phone calls and visits never seem to let up. 

What an outpouring of love!!

And then, just when she needs them most...

in rides her Two Knights in Shining Armor!!

       Armed with power tools and a big truck, Kirby and Nolan arrived with a new reclining chair that will make it easier for Grandma to maneuver.  They also adjusted her bed so that she can sleep better and installed a new shower head in her shower.  

     While these may seem small and inconsequential...

together these acts of kindness create a  

MIRACLE of great significance!

Thank You Everyone!

 ANGELS AMONG US!

Candy Kinser

Brenda Blackwell

Wed, May 16

     Every Wednesday morning we have the privilege of being graced with the tender mercy and compassion of Grandma's Hospice Nurses Candy and Brenda.

     Each week they come to Grandma's house bringing a ray of hope and sunshine.  We look forward to their visits.  I wish each of you could witness the love they feel for our Grandma and the gentle way they care for her.

     Actually, I think they enjoy visiting with Grandma as much as we enjoy their friendship.  I have jotted a few remarks made during our visits.  (I have a feeling that Grandma is not their typical patient.)

BRENDA:  "How are you feeling."

GRANDMA:  "I can't complain.  This diagnosis of cancer has taken the worry out of life.                      

                        I don't have to be afraid anymore of doing something that might cause cancer."

CANDY:  "I come here to serve and leave feeling edified." 

CANDY:  "Everything surrounding you is beautiful...your home, your daughters." 

GRANDMA:  "I know where I am headed.  I just want to get there the best way I can." 

CANDY:  "You have the most healthy attitude I have ever seen." 

BRENDA:  "Sorry I brought you bad news." (After reading Grandma's blood pressure.) 

GRANDMA:  "What's bad news?" 

CANDY:  "You are our athlete!  Your body fights this cancer like an athlete."  

CANDY:  "You are my hero!  One day it is going to be my turn and you are teaching me."  

CANDY:  "Is the swelling in your legs bothering you?"

GRANDMA:  "Nope, I just wear longer skirts."  

Lisa Melton sent Grandma a card that said this:  

"God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.  

If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it!"

     I am truly grateful to a loving Heavenly Father for sending Grandma these two beautiful angels to help us through this journey...

                                 When it comes to death and dying                                 

There's a special gift you share

One that Angels all admire

One that goes beyond just care

It's a gift of deep commitment

One that eases pain and fear

And alleviates the sorrow

When the hour of death is near

Yet this gift is more than comfort

More than nursing at its best

For it cradles every patient

Right up till their last request

In this gift you give compassion

Wrapped in dignity and love

And in honor of your calling

There's a tribute found above

As a tribute to your Nursing

All the care that you bestow

High above this earthly planet

Hangs a Hospice Nurse Rainbow

And this rainbow graces Heaven

A reminder of your goals

"End-of-life-care" you excel at

It's your gift to human souls

To the soul of every patient

Every brother, Mom and Dad

Every household member present

Every heart that's feeling sad

To alleviate this sadness

That engulfs a grieving heart

Counseling and intervention

Set your Nursing skills apart

So within the skies of Heaven

Bows of silver dangle high

On a rainbow made of glory

That makes every Angel sigh

And upon each bow of silver

There appears a nurse's name

As an everlasting tribute

For the Heavens to proclaim.

P.S.  We finally found a place to use Grandma's handicap parking permit.  Either the parking spots are a mile away from where we want to go or they are all taken.  Turns out the movie theater in the middle of the day is a great place to park!!!

The movie was enjoyable too, by the way.

MOTHERS OF FAITH!

Two of the most remarkable Mothers I know!

Sun, May 13

     What a special Mother's Day!  We enjoyed a yummy lunch and pleasant afternoon with Grandma in her front yard.  She looked absolutely beautiful!  Every time I see my Mom I am struck by how beautiful she is.  The Lord described it best when He described Emma as an "Elect Lady."  That is how all of us feel about our Mom and Grandma.

     As I thought about all the things that make our Grandma an "Elect Lady" I realized that it is her faith, grace and joyful attitude in welcoming every task and challenge in her life that has molded her into the MOTHER OF GREAT FAITH that she is!  

     As we visited throughout the afternoon, I watched and admired all of the Mothers and one-day-to-be Mothers in our family and was touched deeply by the beauty and reverence I feel for motherhood.  I thought of our Heavenly Father's Plan of Happiness and the role mothers play in His great plan.  What a joy and an honor it is to be a Mom!!!

DAUGHTERS-IN-LAW who are MOTHERS OF FAITH...

GRANDDAUGHTERS who are MOTHERS OF FAITH...

GRANDDAUGHTERS who will one day be MOTHERS OF FAITH...

...EVEN KATIE JANE!!!  

This is the first time Katie Jane ever held a baby!  

And guess what?  It looked liked they both enjoyed it!

Soon to be married GRANDDAUGHTERS who will one day be MOTHERS OF FAITH...

Soon to have her Missionary home and hopefully to be married GRANDDAUGHTER who will one day be a MOTHER OF FAITH...

And YOUNG GRANDDAUGHTERS who are preparing to be MOTHERS OF FAITH...

     And that is just a small part of the remarkable vision of Motherhood we experienced yesterday as a family gathered around our beautiful Mother and Grandmother!  We are so blessed to have such a beautiful example and guiding light! 

WE LOVE YOU GRANDMA!!!

What an honor and privilege it is to be your daughters!!