William Franklin Lambert

 June 29, 1943--January 5, 2023

Bill and Elaine 1950

My brother and my dear friend died this week.  He was a north star for me.  When I struggled as a teenager and he was serving in Brazil as a missionary, he wrote me a letter.  In it he told me to stay close to the church and never sell myself short.  That letter meant everything to me.  He was seven years older than me but as we both grew older that difference in age meant very little.  All my friends thought my brothers were so cute.  I didn't get it but was always quietly proud when they would say it.  Bill was one of the hardest working people I knew.  I don't think I can remember a time when he didn't have some kind of a job.  Our family was so proud when he went to Brigham Young University.  When he came home and told my parents he wanted to serve a mission my father was not happy about it.  He wanted him to finish college and then go on a mission.  My brother promised my dad he would graduate from college when he returned.  He did just that.  From there he had a stellar career in the Air Force as a navigator on the B52 bomber.  His career didn't end in the Air Force.  When he resigned his commission he attended law school at Gonzaga University.  While he attended law school he also served as a Bishop.   He married Bev in the Oakland Temple on January 30, 1971.  They had four children--Ryan, Clayn, Eryn, and Wynn.  Bill and Bev moved their family to Lewiston, Idaho where he worked as a prosecuting attorney for the city until he retired.  From there he and Bev moved to Sierra Vista.  They served two missions.  One in Brazil and one in Slovenia.  Bill was a wonderful story teller and it never mattered how many times I heard one of his stories I loved it.  He adored Bev and was so proud of his children and grandchildren.  I will miss our long phone calls but I am grateful he no longer has to deal with the pain and his limited mobility.  It gives me such comfort to know that he is having a huge family reunion with his parents, grandparents, and of course Grandpa!  I don't doubt that he will hear the words "well done my good and faithful servant."

Snow!

You may get a different response when someone says "Let it snow!"  In Arizona it would be "let's drive to Flagstaff!"  In Utah it may be "Where's my camera or come and help me clean the snow off the drive way."  And in Fargo it might be, "AGAIN?!!!"  When living in New Hampshire I told Grandpa that I would never complain about being hot again!  In California they just smile and enjoy all of our experiences.  Here are some pictures I got from Aunt Amy, Aunt Cathy and Aunt Becky.  Thank you for the fun pictures.  

North Dakota

'

Utah

Arizona

Happy Birthday Ellis!

 22 Years Old

Happy Anniversary!

 Ben & Becky

26 Years

Never marry the one you can live with,                                                marry the one you can't live without.

Caleb & Duncan

On Sunday Caleb became a Deacon and Duncan a Teacher in the Priesthood.  Caleb will now participate in passing the sacrament to the members of the ward.  Duncan will now be one of the young men who prepares the sacrament trays.  It was so nice because Ellis and Perry were home and stood in the circle with their dad and Grandpa Dahlberg as Caleb was ordained.   Lincoln was home so he also could stand with his dad as Duncan was ordained to become a teacher.  

  

S'mores Anyone?

What do you do when the electricity goes out in Utah?  Roast marshmallows of course!

Happy New Year!

It has been an interesting year with lots of twists and turns.  So many wonderful events occurred and our family grew again.  I brag to people all the time about my 21 grandkids and now I boast a little more that I have 24!  Thank you Rachel, Ellis, and Owen.  I have driven many many miles during this past year and have met with so many diverse personalities.  I have laughed with some, cried with others, and been ignored by a few but it has been a wonderful experience in which I was able to connect with people that I would probably not have even noticed before.  I have bore a subtle testimony to many that Heavenly Father and Jesus loves them.  I have spoke of eternal marriage, the blessing we have of having children in our lives, and have been able to celebrate with some who have been drug free for a good amount of time.  I have been able to be kind and I have received kindness in return.  

I learned while taking care of Grandpa how important kindness is.  He and I received many experiences of love and patience as I took him out in public.  From that experience I made a commitment to go out of my way to acknowledge people I interact with and have seen their faces light up when I thank them for helping me.

The last day of the year I decided I would go to Jack in the Box and have a Teriyaki Rice Bowl for my last meal of 2022.  When I drove up and gave my order, the girl repeated it back to me and I said that was right, then thanked her for helping me.  I could hear in her voice that she was touched and surprised by what I said.  When I got to the window and paid for my food, I again thanked her for being so helpful. She passed my card back and gave me my drink and then a minute latter she handed two bags out the window.  I didn't know what would have been in the second bag and when I looked in, there was a slice of cheesecake.  I got her attention and said that I think I got a cheesecake that was meant for someone else.  She said no, "it's for you for being so nice."  What a wonderful way to end a year.

Can I ask each of you parents and grandchildren to add one item to your list of goals for the coming year.  Be kind to the people you come into contact with.  A smile, an encouraging word, recognition of good service or a job well done doesn't cost us anything.  But it can be priceless to those who receive recognition that you appreciate them.  Bring on 2023!