Raising a Family

Hello Dear Reader,

After posting yesterday I reflected on the pleasant childhood I enjoyed. Grandpa (Wes) and Grandma (Mary) helped us feel safe and well cared for.

The street we lived on was was a dead end so there was no through traffic back then. The street ended where the woods along the Provo River began and was probably about 2/3 of its present length. The Baldwins lived in the very last house on the east side of the street. The Roberts family lived north of us and the Billings family lived on the south. Directly across the street from us was an older couple, the Van Leuvens who were the grandparents to the Killpacks who lived on the southwest corner on 5th North where the street began. There were other houses all along 10th West and we knew everybody who lived in our neighborhood.

Here's a photo of Grandpa, me with the Billings' dog Cookie, Gwen Killpack, and LeAnn with our dog Skipper. This was taken in our front yard. My dad was tall, thin, and very handsome in my opinion.

Love,

Aunt Genni

Trouble Afoot

Hello Dear Reader,
I remember several things about the construction of our new house. I thought it was wonderful that Daddy worked close by and, although we were cautioned not to, we could go see him if Mama took us over there. One time I dressed up in some of my mother's clothes including her high heels and went to show my dad how fancy I looked. When I got to the house I couldn't find him and started across a plank tripping on the long dress and clunking along in Mother's shoes.

You can guess what happened. I fell off the plank into the footings and started to bawl very loudly probably more from frustration that from pain. When Dad came to my rescue he was furious! He reached down and grabbed me by the arm. Then he marched me back to Mom and yelled at her for allowing me to go to the construction site. I knew I was in trouble but when Dad got home a little later he told me he was sorry and that he had been very worried that I could have been really hurt. I learned early that Grandpa (Wes) had a temper but a sharp reprimand was always followed by much love.
Love,
Aunt Genni

A Year of Building

Hello Dear Reader,
Before the church building was begun Grandpa (Wes) and Grandma (Mary) had been making plans to build a new home. They bought a piece of property from Claude Billings which was located at 536 North 10th West (which street name was later changed to 980 West, then 970 West). When we lived at 572 North 10th West we were just north of Evan and Elda Mae Billings; this new property was just south of their home so we were going to move just one house away. In March of 1951 the basement was dug and by the time construction on the new ward building started, Grandpa and Grandma's new house was well under way--Grandpa and his partner, Ray Taylor were already laying brick.
Love,
Aunt Genni

More Happenings in 1951

Hello Dear Reader,
It's been a long time since I posted anything but the semester is over, the BYU Family History Conference had been attended and I have the summer to catch up on things--so I'll try to catch you up on Grandpa and Grandma's history. They lived an interesting, productive life.

Men, women, and children turned out in great numbers to help build the new ward building and, on Saturdays, after a hard day's work these members participated in pot luck socials. It seemed that everyone looked forward to these socials and the unity of the ward members grew.

However, as the work on the building progressed there were jobs the local people couldn't do. It became necessary to raise money to contract out certain jobs. And, there was also a construction superintendent that needed paying monthly. Sometimes funds could be raised just by asking for contributions over the pulpit but other times the bishopric had to contact local members and ask for help. It was difficult to ask because there were few people in the ward financially able to contribute. Grandpa said, "But the Lord wlways seemed to provide the way for the building program to go forward."
Love,
Aunt Genni

Building a Church; Building a Ward

Hello Dear Reader,
At the ground breaking ceremony Bishop Le Grande Richards explained the building program as it then functioned in the church. The cost of the new building would be about $170,000--a tremendous amount in 1951 equal to $1,394,439 in 2008. The Church would pay 70% of the cost but it would be up to the local members to come up with the other 30% or the equivalent of $418,331.70 in 2008. In order to meet the local share ward members could contirbute labor for which they would be credited.

As the construction progressed ward members caught the spirit of the program and turned out in large numbers to dig trenches, pour concrete, do carpentryy work, assist the masonry contractors, and so on. Men, women, and children contributed their time and talents toward building the new church.
Love,
Aunt Genni

Overwhelming Responsibility

Hello Dear Reader,
On May 1, 1951 another important event took place. LaGrand Richards, Presiding Bishop of the Church, came to Provo representing the general authorities of the Church. His purpose was to break ground for a new building to house the Rivergrove Wards. Elder Richards charged the members with the responsibility of getting the new chapel built and paid for. There was also a new Stake House to help build along with a seminary building.

This was a difficult time. The attendance of Sacrament meeting was very low (13%) and the attitude of members was negative. Members within the boundaries of the ward had never been asked to do much. I remember Grandpa saying that he prayed that just five active families would move into the ward. It wasn't long until his prayers were answered and the existing ward members began to rally around the new bishopric. Soon Rivergrove 2nd Ward's attendance was the highest in the Stake.
Love,
Aunt Genni

Reorganization

Hello Dear Reader,
On April 21, 1951 Grandpa (Wesley C.) Carter was sustained bishop of the newly formed Rivergrove 2nd Ward. He could not have forseen that he would have a granddaughter born on that day twenty-five years later. He and Grandma (Mary) made a trip to Salt Lake where he was ordained a bishop and a high priest. Brother and Sister Olsen, Brother Houtz, and Brother and Sister Walker accompanied them. Brother Olsen and Brother Houtz were also ordained high priests. Then Grandpa was set apart as bishop of the Rivergrove 2nd Ward and his counselors and clerk were also set apart.

Following the division of the ward they continued to meet jointly with the Rivergrove 1st Ward. But then it became necessary for Rivergrove 2nd to move into the old Pioneer Ward building which was being remodeled. Grandpa said, "What a mess!"
Love,
Aunt Genni