12 days Conclusion

Tuesday, January 20, 2015 So here I am writing the conclusion a month later.  Talk about fun!!

Saturday, 1/17/15, I drove over to the FHC and found the parking lot empty. Oh, this is the January 17,18,19,20 they were going to be closed for MLKing Day. As you can tell dates don’t mean very much to me anymore.

“Not knowing beforehand the things I would do” came into play again! Off to WalMart to see if they had pickled peppers. Time to follow through on thanking Mark and Shannon Jensen for the 12 days of Christmas. I couldn’t find the #2 cans of jalapenos and I was worried they might not be able to use them anyway. I decided to ad-match the 16oz bottles like those at Albertsons. I had the ad with me. They had 5 bottles of super hot yellows and I got 5 other fun types to choose from. 10for $10 is the deal.

I couldn’t get into the Southside of BH because of a marathon. I couldn’t get into the Eastside of BH’s because of the marathon so I parked on the golf course road and waited. All the while texting my 4 daughters with new babies about Lincolns hospital visit the night before. RSV and Pneumonia! Dang.

The line of cars started moving so I hopped in line and got home. I called Jensen’s to see if I could come by with the choices. Yep, Shannon was home. She did miss church the next day with her ear swollen shut. I rode down on my bike with 3 items: old hymnbook, empty #2 Jalapeno can, 6 types of pickled peppers.

WE sat at the kitchen table and I explained what the old hymnbook was for. I had put it in the paper cutter and sliced out the first 20 pages so Mark can take a hymn to work in his pocket if he wants, as he is memorizing them! I have sent him 6 months of scheduled hymns twice at his request!

Next I showed the #2 can and we laughed about Mark’s “91 Christmas lights silk tie she gave him and he can wear once or twice a year.

Next I brought out the 6 bottles of pickled peppers and she was quick to say she would never touch the HOT bottle. I told her that she knew all the story. I had blogged them and kept them informed all along the way. Plus, I had emailed Mark one of the later blogs called TV d e t e c t I v e AGENCY, which he had responded to. Of course, not admitting anything. In fact he wished me luck last Sunday in my search and I replied, I am satisfied that I have found my source/ conclusion. (As I think about this and the impact it would have on the family keeping a secret year after year and delivering and not getting caught 12 days in a row! I can’t help but suspect it is like a bond of secrecy in good, in righteousness. Those guys read the scriptures, every one of the kids has to practice the piano each day. And on and on. Who would have thought such an awesome family would ever move into our ward!? I have teased them and loved them from the start. We had the same names!)

So I said to Shannon, I am not going to ask anything. And she replied, That’s good because I’m not going to tell anything. : )

I noticed though that her eyes were watering, and she pulled her legs up in front of her on the kitchen stool-chair. I had not been looking for additional clues but once I noticed I kept watching.

I pulled out each of the 6 types of peppers and they seemed to glow in her spotless kitchen and brown granite counter top and table. I pointed out which ones were mild and then asked her to choose the ones she thought they could use. She picked 2 of the bright yellow ones. Sliced and whole. I then persuaded her that each of the other 3 were mild and unusual and fun to try as well and that I would take the HOT one home with the 4 others I had left at home. 5 for me, 5 for you.

You are such a kind man she said as we walked to the front door. Well, I am just reflecting you, my kind neighbors. Yep, her eyes were moist again.

Now is that how you would respond if you had not done the good deed 12 times? Nope!!

V-Would you like to keep this empty #2 Jalapeno can.  S-Yes.

Would you be interested in an empty can if you and your family had not invested themselves in that service, and you wanted to share it and celebrate with them? Nope!!!

My sister Camille uses the phrase, “that was the last nail in the coffin.”

When was your last nail? When were you convinced?

Did you notice how the Mosses had no problem saying, “Nope, it wasn’t us this time.” We’re too old. We can’t run away from the door.

Did you notice how the Jensen’s just couldn’t lie, and say, Nope, It wasn’t us.

The righteous get caught in their own traps! : )  Like me! and hopefully like you!

  

Chapter 4

Sunday 10:39pm

Hey Tami Kalmon, I found a home for that bottle of soda. @my paragraph sign @ Garretts are teaching the 17 year olds. They took Stauffers place. Kim was visiting with me as I subbed in the library today.(Week 5!) He says this new group is awesome: Seth N, Brock J etc.. @ He is tough to crack. Kim doesn't talk or share much of anything in all the years I have known him. So I have never been sure of his steadiness. But today he admitted missing being a librarian! He spent 4 years int there he said. And he admitted that it was a good thing he was there because the other two were "flakes". (My word!) And I have been in there for the last 5 weeks because they have not shown up!@ I have a saying, "Once a librarian, always a librarian." Because when a sub is needed it can't just be anyone! @ Anyway, I was so pleased to find a fellow spirit that I had to emphasis my admiration with that gold-bowed soda and 2 pages to color out of the current Friend magazine. @ It lifted my heart more than theirs I am sure. @ So lastly, if you haven't fallen asleep through all this drivel. THE MAIN POINT IN WRITING Were the labels of green and red similar to the ones you saved? @ btw thanks for telling me about the swai caught in Darrin's retainer. I had pleasant, humorous thoughts as he came up to be sustained in front with the bishop today. : )

Monday 9:48am

You are hilarious! Yes, the green and red tags were very similar, but I never did know for sure if it was the Jensens - it was just my guess. I think you cracked them though! They are a great family - just as you are a great guy! Must be something about that name! Have a good day.