Tuesday, August 20, 2013

bill and rosi mathews

Take a look at an advertising video that we made for a R.S. meeting.  It was silly but fun.

The evening of the auction 28 ladies attended and during the evening the sisters bid and spent almost 7000 "points". (points were used to purchase services from the sisters in our ward... points were transferred into canned goods. The canned food will go to the needy in our community).  I purchased genealogical hours for almost $100 in cash (money used to purchase canned goods used for my 750 points.)  Marlies attended.  She was a hoot and really contributed to the "fun" of the evening.  Her bright personality led others to get involved and raise the bids much higher.

I am busy...  did I ever have time to work at MVHS.  A bit sad as I will miss the students and the great music.

We got back from Colorado (had a great time) last week.  Wow, we saw amazing country, ate wonderful food and loved being with Adam, Becky, Elizabeth, Emma and Marliesi.  The train ride and drive through the Rocky Mountains of Colorado made me love our great country even more.  The visit to La Veta, Colorado was a high point for me.  Seeing where your great great grand parents lived and feeling the spirit in that quaint little railroad village is very satisfying and renewing.  I loved it. Deb and Nick have a beautiful new home in Johnstown, Colorado.  They are in a great neighborhood with lots of great folks and amenities  Nick worked 127 hours the week that we arrived.  I am hopeful that that pace will soon stop.  He has lost about 20 lbs and is very tired.  We only saw him for a few moments. Baby Zoey is thriving.  I leave for RI early tomorrow morning.  I am very excited to see all of the Tim Mathews' family but especially to meet little Carson.  I hope that you all got a picture of Liam and Carson taking a nap.  A priceless picture.  My knees are not so good but Jill said that it would be okay for a lame person to come.   She said "we will just relax and be with the kids."  Sounds good to me.

Marlies will be here with Dad.  She has become an important part of our family here at home. She has been here sinceJuly 5th convalescing.  Her arm is doing better.  she rarely complains but sometimes we see her wince a bit.  We have been doing some interior decorating.  That has been fun.  (Which we also spent time doing at Deb's house.  Hope you are enjoying yours, Deb)  She will go home about Aug. 29th.  She will take a portion of our heart with her.

Luke's family has been laying a new floor in their living room/kitchen/family room.  It is very beautiful wood.  They are very ambitious to do all of the work themselves.  

We have not had a chance to see the Ben Mathews family.  But they seem to be doing well.  Tyler had a great visit there.

love    Momma Rosi

Friday, June 7, 2013

bill's testimony

May 5, 2013

Sunday, Fast and Testimony Day

So today Big Bill bore his testimony.  It was a very special thing.  He rarely chooses to speak out in public but today he was motivated to do so.

After "lumbering" up to the podium.  He looked us in the eye and began.
He started by saying that on Facebook he had read an article about a young, down syndrome girl who attends Springville High School.  (Immediately the three teen- agers in front of me were caught.  This ole guy reads facebook(?) AND we know this girl.)  He went on to say that she was recently named the Homecoming Queen and that she was a cheerleader.  He was impressed with the way that the other students treated her.  But most interesting to him was when the girl's father was interviewed, he was asked if it was hard to have a girl with special needs.  The Father's reply was "No, all of my children have special needs, her's is just more obvious because it is physical."

Bill:  "All of us have special needs.  Even in our audience today all of us have special needs.  When we lived in Reno I attended a seminar for new seminary teachers.  The teacher encouraged us to share ourselves with others.  He reminded the students that even a "smile" was a way to share ourselves.  So the next day I was at the LDS Institute where students often assembled during a break in their university classes.  I had noticed a girl who sat with a book over her face all of the time.  (Bill put his hands in the shape of a book and held them up over his face.)  I decided that I would smile at her.  She brought the book down and I smiled.  She immediately covered her face.  (Bill returned his hands in front of his face.)  The next day, I repeated the action and this time, she smiled back.  As the days pasted I continued to reach out to this girl.  Finally one day I walked to where she sat and asked her if she would like to play ping pong with me.  (Now Big Bill had won the San Francisco ping pong tournament.  He was GOOD!)  She reluctanly agreed and although she was not a good player we played.  Eventually we played as a team in the Institute Ping Pong tournament and we WON."
Bill:  I don't even remember her name (of course, that is not uncommon as I can't remember a lot of things) and I don't know if she is active in the church.  But I do know that by smiling at others and reaching out we can help others who have special needs.  

By this time, Rosi Mathews was weeping...  along with others.  Many people were touched.  It felt good to rest my head against his chest when he returned to his seat.

Monday, April 22, 2013

tamme mathews...

Sounds like an exciting time for you Rosi.  It's a new adventure in life you are about to embark on.  We are rooting for you in Texas and know you'll be missed at MVHS.  But I am sure you will find fun new things to do.  

We just celebrated Kloey's 10th birthday.  I can't believe she is ten.  On Saturday Kole will be one.  This one blows me away, because the year has just flown by.  He is walking everywhere now and purses his lips in an "O" as he walks around.  Next week Sadee and Gali will have their birthdays and they are so excited.  Kael will be turning 8 and getting baptized soon.  He keeps asking for a dog or an ipod.  

Ben and I are truckin' along.  We just painted the cabinets in the living a bold blue color.  It's fun to try new things.  

We love and miss you all.  Hope your Spring is full of color and beauty.

Love the Texas Mathews

Rosi for Easter...


Happy Easter, Everyone!!!!   

Dad and I certainly hope that the sun is out in your part of the country...   whether that means literally or rather a "sunny (happy) day" or both.  

Petal ( BECKY'S cat) has forced her way on to my lap and is kneading my legs and rubbing her top coat under my elbows. Her "purr" is rumbling.   If I make a mistake I shall blame it on Petal.  She has been lonely these past two weeks and I will explain why.

Big Bill completed his road trip last night.   He had spent 13 happy days away and has been with friends in Reno, Marlies+ in Las Vegas and the Frus' in Albuquerque.  He is a tired Papa but came home with a big smile on his face.  He had a grand time.  Thanks to you who took such good care of him.  Our family and friends are his whole life.

Meantime, Mama Rosi has also been spending time away.  I have had monster big days at work, sometimes not getting done until 9 pm.  So some nights I spent at Dixie's, some at home and a couple at Luke's house. Developments at my work have been hard but satisfying.  I will explain.

Retirement has been looming in my face.  Two days this past week were devoted to finding a replacement for me.  My student teacher will be assuming the reins at MVHS Choir.  I had contacted BYU last spring to see if there would be a strong candidate who would need to do their student teaching this year.  Dr. Broomhead, my former colleague at the Y assured me that Brett Taylor was one of the three best choral students to go through BYU during his tenure.  I have worked with him now since January and I really think he is special.   About 20 people applied for the position, 5 were called in for an interview and 3 called back to do some teaching for us to observe.  There were about nine of us on the selection committee.  

I continue to pray that my heart strings which are attached to MVHS will sever and that Dad and I will be able to be healthy emotionally, physically and financially as I leave this era of my life.  It is no fun to think about getting old and that is the twin to my retirement.  I have appreciated your words of encouragement and hope that I won't fall into wrack and ruin and disuse as I retire.  I am getting stronger inside about it all and am hopeful that I can do as I tell my students "Buck up, Betty"..

Now I am trying to avoid feeling like a lame duck and so far I am successful.  They won't announce his appointment until after we get back from N.Y. on April 15th.  

Spring break begins tomorrow.  Dad and I are planning to drive up to Deb and Nick's house to help them pack for their move to Colorado.    I encouraged Nick to let me write a letter of recommendation to GE for him.  I can't imagine why he didn't follow through on that.  I would have made sure they stayed in Logan.  Irregardless, we wish them the best in this new adventure.  Moving IS an adventure.  I have had a few experiences and it is exciting.  

We are planning to go to the temple on Thursday morning with Luke and Amy to complete the temple sealing for the Mathews' grandparents..   Woody and Lorraine to Bill.  I completed Lorraine's endowment work in December.  We had neglected that.  Now it is up to them if they want to accept it.  Isn't  it interesting how much of life and eternity is left up to the individual involved.  At school, I tell my kids that they have to learn to manage themselves.  No one else can do it for them.  In the end, the responsibility rests on ME or YOU.   

I am still working with the University of Utah in behalf of the Institute for Young Dramatic Voices.  The challenge right now is to secure a performance hall for our concert.   The dates for the Institute this summer are June 23-July 13th.  This is our 7th year.  I have a meeting with those folks on Wednesday as we return from Logan.

School starts up again on Monday, April 8th and then we leave for New York at 11:30 pm (yep. midnight...we will fly through the night.) on April 9th.  We will be there from April 9-14.  Our date at Carnegie is all day on Saturday the 13th.  Along with other songs, we are singing "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing".  I feel this is a great choice as we will carry the spirit of our beliefs.  Our performance has the potential to really be a moving and magnificent experience..  I have had Prof. David Weiller in from Las Vegas (UNLV) this past week.  I contracted with him way last spring and he came in Sunday and worked until Friday.  He is a grand gentleman who was very helpful.  We set up experiences for him at 3 other high schools but he spent almost 2 days at MVHS.  He really helped us to tweak our songs.   There are about 145 students and 52 chaperones going on tour.   Almost 200 people.  Can you believe it?   I barely can.   We have GREAT tour parents who have managed the whole thing.  They are determined to celebrate my retirement at Carnegie Hall.  They plan to recognize me during our performance there...but I said NO.   (It would be embarrassing as folks back there have no idea who Rosi Mathews is. We are told that the Hall is almost totally sold out). But, it is clear that no one is listening to my NO.   What a deal.  It is exciting.

Marlies, I asked David Weiller if he might be interested in having his choir perform at your big fundraising event for Boys Town.  I told him that I would speak with you.  He says that his students are encouraged to do service and that it might work out if you are interested.  Please advise.

Jill, you and your new little boy, are in our thoughts and prayers.  What an exciting prospect...   to meet another beautiful little spirit.  Zoey is a real sweetheart.  Ask her Daddy, Nick O; he is smitten.   I can see Tim in the same state.

Wish that I could romp in the blue bonnets in Texas with the grandchildren down there.  However, Tamme says they have rain this Easter day. So, I will pass.

Our spring concert is May 15th.  I would love to have you come if you can...   drop on by.  It will be my last hurrah!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY THIS APRIL TO:   Kole, 4/6; Woody, 4/2; Rosi, 4/7; Sadee, 4/11; Galilee, 4/12; Adam, 4/13; Lorraine, 4/19; Kael, 4/22; Tim, 4/30.
Wow, did I leave anyone out?

Love you

Grandma Rosi Mathews  

sent by rosi mathews

Hi Everyone,

After a year and a half of planning
and years of dreaming, our Carnegie Hall Experience
Went better than we could ever have ever thought possible.

Carnegie Hall is very beautiful, and the acoustics were incredible.

There were 3 sets of choirs, of about 300 students each.
MV was in the final choir set to sing.

There were 7 tier risers, they were filled so the only room
for mountain view as standing in front of the risers up front. Which
at the end for the finale song put MV right in the middle center stage
of over 1000 student singers.

When we get the archival video of it, you will see what we mean.

There were individual songs from the choirs then their were songs
sung with the combined choirs.

MVHS ended up being the Last Choir to sing on their own before the 
final 2 combined numbers.  Our Con Brio Stood and sang a beautiful
song "Lift Thine Eyes".  They made us very proud.
Then the whole choir stood and sang "Come 
Thou Fount of Every Blessing" - The women sang heavenly and the 
men came in with power - topping it off with the most phenomenal
ending,  Rosemary pulled every ounce of singing power out of every
student, then she pulled out even more to sing the strongest ending 
that we have ever heard out of our choir.  
It was masterful, powerful and spiritually stirring.

Of course the Chaperones could not help ourselves but to give the  
first standing ovation to any choir.  There were some who joined us
as well.

Then Principle Edmans, who has been on tour with us and has 
been a wonderful support and very active with this tour, came out
on stage.  He began to tell the Crowd some wonderful things 
about working with Rosemary and about the lives she has touched,
Trying to hold back the emotions, he told the Nearly sold out 
Carnegie Hall Audience that Rosemary is Retiring next month
and we wanted to thank her.  There was an audible "Ohhh" from
the Crowd.  Rosemary was then presented with a 14 inch tall
beautiful Pure Cristal Trophy, Thanking her for the years of 
service and lives she has touched over the years.

Once presented, Everyone in the house at Carnegie hall gave 
Rosi a Loud and Enthusiastic Standing Ovation.

Like we said it was better than we could have dreamed.
The Choir was perfect, they looked perfect, they sang perfect
and Rosemary was honored with a standing ovation in the 
world's most well know auditorium for the arts.

As we looked onto the stage through our tear filled eyes
Rosi and Principle Edmans walked off the stage.

The plaque is beautiful, and here is what it says:

 "In Honor of Rosemary Mathews for her dedicated
Service to Mountain View High School, May her love
of Music live long in the hearts of her students.

Presented at Carnegie Hall, New York City
April 13, 2013

'Never get Tired, of being something Special' "


We'd like to thank you parents for helping this become 
a Reality.  We'd like to say we love all our Chaperones
and the wonderful help they have given us, And we'd like 
to say thanks to the reason that motivates us so much,
Our Choir students.  Hearing them sing in these great 
places is the fuel for our passion.  We love it.  We would
also like to thank Rosi, for the personal friend she is to all
 of us.  

We will see you soon.

Here is the Flight Information:
Delta Flight #6 Arrives at 7:22pm
Jet Blue Flight #87 Arrives at 10:30
*Sky miles people - Many are coming on Delta Flight #6 Arrives at 10:35

Thanks, 


DJ & Sherri Judkins
Tour Maw & Paw

Thursday, February 21, 2013

becky frus

We woke up this morning to the seasons first (and possibly only) snow fall.  It was very light, but just enough to get a small snow family made before the sun melted the snow.

love ya
bec

Monday, January 14, 2013

rosi

Hello Everybodee!!!

Just after Thanksgiving I was out for an early morning walk and I tripped on a raised piece of sidewalk.  I fell hard on my left knee but managed five weeks of walking on it, not wanting to go to the doctor.  Today I finally went and after x-rays found that I have a broken knee cap.  Yep, poor ole Mom wracked up her knee.  They put me in a walking cast and I am off to the races.  Just thought that you might like an update.  Tim and Jill got to suffer with me a bit in Rhode Island.  Sorry, guys.

Dad and I have been playing a bit of Scrabble the last two days.  We get stuck pretty easily but it works our minds.  

Ben, Gali and Sadee are coming to Utah!!!! Yep, they will be here the end of January and will stay for my last big concerts.  I will be an absentee Grandma but at nights I will get to come home and give them all a body slam.  I am excited.

My student teacher, Mr. Taylor, is working out very nicely.  I had called last spring to BYU and asked them if they had a promising student teacher that they would like to send to me with the possibility of taking over my job.  They were excited.  The teacher at BYU told me that this fellow is one of three of the best potential teachers that he has mentored.  I hope it will work out.  I am giving him a lot to do and he is very excited and responsive.

Deb's baby is due in just a few weeks.  We are so excited for you, Deb and Nick!!  Another little girl.  That is wonderful.  We will be waiting with open arms.

Hope you are having a fine winter.   Utah County is up for another big storm tomorrow...   It has been very cold.  Close to zero at nights.  We need our red long johns to keep warm.

Dad's turtles are well, Petal is a bit crazy, Rosi, too.  Oh well.  

Becky's birthday is just a few days with Luke's to follow.  Happy Birthday guys!!

Sure love you all.

Rosi, Mom, Mathews

marlies mathews

Hello my dear family
I just got to this email today
My life has been pretty crazy and so I am catching up.  Even tho I am late I couldn't go without responding to this email.

Mom I love you so much.  I too had to watch this a number of times and cried through them all.  I couldn't agree more with your student. You have not just taught us all how to sing but have given us a love of music. It is a part of us.  You are a part of us. I am so proud of you and so grateful to be your daughter.  I don't know why I have been given so much but I am grateful.
I love you

amy mathews

Haha! Too much facebook!! I was looking for the like button!! :) It's just as well I didn't because I LOVE it! Rosie, we all love you so much and it is great to see the appreciation shown by the others "we HAVE to share you with."  We would love to keep you all to ourselves, but that wouldn't do all of your wonderful talents justice. So, we share. :)  Love you! Amy

kathleen feuston


Top of the morning to ye!  I just watched the video and I too was crying watching the joy and the pure love that you have given to your students.  YOU ARE SO LOVED and not only by your students, but by all who get the opportunity to know you Rose.  I love you Dear Auntie!

Kath

twila

BRAVO!!  And Amen to the love and sentiments expressed.  You've touched SO MANY lives for good, Rose, mine included.  I love you.

rosi


Hey Family,

Thirty minutes ago I went on line to mvhschoir.com/videos.html website to listen to some recordings that our tour father had placed there for our students.  Instead I found a video of yours truly.  Dad and I have both been weeping ever since. 

I feel undeserving of the tribute that these parents send my way.  My work at MVHS has just simply been a joy...hard sometimes, but always rewarding and satisfying.  If I have done some good along the way, it has been my honor.

I work with the finest parents and students in the whole world.  I tell them that but not frequently enough. 

It is going to be very hard for me to leave this experience.  I could use your prayers to strengthen me.

Mom, Rosi Mathews 

kathleen feuston


Top of the morning to ye me dear Family and Friends,

Many of you may know that I have had the opportunity to go to Ireland as part of my graduate studies to witness the peace process in Northern Ireland and the UK.  It has been a whirlwind experience so far and something that I have already gained so much from that is applicable to all aspects of my life.  The people are genuine, kind, friendly, hospitable and this country is so very lovely.  Since my time is so limited due to the schedule we are keeping, I thought I would send you the link to our group’s blog so you can get all of the perspectives from the members of our group. 


Enjoy the journey! (I am!)

Kathleen.gif
Some famous Irish sayings
“You've got to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather was.”

“Everyone is nice till the cow gets into the garden”

"A cabin with plenty of food is better than a hungry castle"

"It is often that a person's mouth broke his nose"

"Here's to eyes in your heads and none in your spuds"

Friday, January 4, 2013

bill and rosi mathews


Hey Family,

Thirty minutes ago I went on line to mvhschoir.com/videos.html website to listen to some recordings that our tour father had placed there for our students.  Instead I found a video of yours truly.  Dad and I have both been weeping ever since. 

I feel undeserving of the tribute that these parents send my way.  My work at MVHS has just simply been a joy...hard sometimes, but always rewarding and satisfying.  If I have done some good along the way, it has been my honor.

I work with the finest parents and students in the whole world.  I tell them that but not frequently enough. 

It is going to be very hard for me to leave this experience.  I could use your prayers to strengthen me.

Mom, Rosi Mathews