Amy Dampt

I first met my mother-in-law ("belle mere" in French which translates literally to "beautiful mother") when I was a missionary serving in Grenoble, France. There were six missionaries in the ward and we all knew the Dampt family. Hubert (my husband now) was our ward mission leader and his family was known throughout the mission for welcoming, helping and loving the Elders and sisters. Paulette his mother was, in my opinion, on of the main reasons they were all so wonderful!

I couldn't count the number of times she had all six missionaries over for a meal. We took for granted all the work that went into feeding and cleaning up for all of us and her own family. She was the mother of six and five children were still living at home. She went out of her way to make sure the Elders and Sisters felt comfortable and liked food. She was a wonderful French cook but she still often came across picky missionaries. One new Elder embarrassed us by not eating. She asked him why and what kind of food he did like. I can still see her cheerfully running back to her tiny kitchen to make him cinnamon toast. ("...when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." Mosiah 2:17) She never judged people. Another time the elders came to make dinner in her kitchen. She had a new frying pan that had a non-stick coating. She watched while the elders used metal utensils as they stirred the dinner. When she told about it afterward, she said she thought it was important that they were learning and didn't feel embarrassed. ("...in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves" Philippians 2:3)

The chapel in Grenoble is in the middle of the city and we would often have beggars outside the doors when church meetings let out. Hubert tells me that he can remember many times when his mother would invite the beggars over for a meal. They almost always accepted. She would go home and cook for them and Hubert would drive the food back to the chapel where they would be waiting and grateful for the meal. ("...and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish. Mosiah 4:16.)

Many times while Hubert was growing up, his family welcomed people into their home to live with them for a time. A few of these were cousins who were students in Grenoble or who just enjoyed being with their Aunt. Some of them stayed for years at a time. Countless missionaries who had served in Grenoble brought their families back later to visit and she fed and housed many of them. Her home was always open to people who needed a place to stay for days, weeks or more. I always marveled at her willingness to do this, especially because of the extra work it created for her. But I'm convinced she did it out of pure charity.

Paulette had a real gift with children. She babysat a lot and treated the children like royalty. Their needs were always most important. She cooked meals for them, cleaned up after them (disinfecting was important because she didn't want them to pick up and germs) and got down on the floor and played with them. I can still see her setting up animals to make a farm with the kids and making all the sounds of each animal. She had so many toys for a mom whose youngest child was a teenager. She is still to the day watching children and babies of people who need her, in spite of her age and poor health. (...Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God." Mark 10:14

Of course she is a wonderful grandmother. My first three children were born in France and it was so fun to enjoy them with her. My children weren't her first grandbabies, but when she saw my babies for the first time her reaction was of absolute delight. She thought they were so beautiful. I can still see her leaning over little Samuel and saying "Oh le doux doux" over and over again. (The best way I can think of to translate this is "The little sweetie") She helped us so much with our children and she never stepped on toes. She made me feel like a wonderful Mom when I was inexperienced and awkward. She always emphasized the importance of the family, starting with mom and dad. She taught this to my children through games, drawings and songs. "We Are A Happy Family" was on e of her favorites. Recently she sent a drawing to my little daughter for her birthday. It was cutout flowers and each petal was on e of our family members. She has also created stories about our family that she puts in little hand written books for the children. One old the story of Hubert and me (we're always portrayed as valiant heroes!) and how we met. Our children are princes and princesses that came down from Heaven to bless and help their family with love...so sweet and such a testimony builder for our children. She is always teaching them.

One thing that has always impressed me is Paulette's selfless personality. Maybe this comes from being raised as the only girl in the family with eight brothers. Her parents were hard working Catholics who taught their children many good things. I have watcher her go through trials and conflicts with others. She handles them so humbly. She is a true peacemaker, taking the blame quietly even when she's blameless and it's painful to do so. ("And blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." 3 Nephi 12:5)

Later when we all lived in the North of France we attended the Charleville Branch of the church. It was a very small branch with only about 40 members. We didn't live very close to the chapel in Charleville, so when Papa and Maman Dampt invited people over for dinner (which was often) it was usually for the day. I remember her inviting Thierry, a sweet man in our branch who had lots of health problems, emotional and physical. He was happy to come and after the meal asked if he could ust lie down for a nap in Paulette's bed. She said, "Of course, Thierry" and was so sweet about it, even though none of us liked the way he smelled because of all the medications he was taking. (Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Matthew 25:40)

All six of her children are returned missionaries. She taught them so well! They had no seminary program in France, so she taught early morning seminary to her teenagers before school every morning. They would read the scriptures assignment and work through the manual together everyday. This is even more impressive to me because the school day in France is longer than here in the United States.

When you try to compliment her about all that she does, she will probably try to brush it off and say "c'set normal", meaning, "it's nothing". She doesn't think very highly of herself and I've never been able to convince her of how wonderful she is or that she has been a huge example and influence in my life. This is why I wanted to write this memoir. I had to add in the scriptures because they just come to my mind when I think about her. I can't put to paper all that she's done or all of the ways that she is such a good example of someone who lives a Christlike life. But I know I'm not the only one who has been truly touched and changed by her goodness.

Hubert and I get nostalgic about France sometimes and all of our friends there. The other night I asked him if he could have any of them here with us right now, who would it be? He said, "my parents". What a compliment to them, and I had to agree!

Amy Dampt

Jane (Roberts) Millet

Around 1946, Fraser Field was still a farmers field belonging to Mr. Jack Fraser. I think I remember being told that he used to use the field to land his plane also. Pretty exciting stuff to a kid in those days! University Dr. was a dirt road called 4th Street and everything north of 4th Street was farmers fields. By 1948 Fraser Field was a new housing development. 1

In 1950, at 3 years old, I'm sure I had little appreciation for the lovely home my father had build for us in this neighborhood. That new red brick home is the same home I live in today.

My parents moved us in from 'the country' a few miles east, from a home with dirt floors, an out-house, lean-to kitchen and sleeping porch. All of which my brothers remember well, but had been improved by the time I was born. Dad was made of sturdy pioneer stock, and worked hard all his life to make a better life for his children and he succeeded well.

I have so many fond memories of growing up in this neighborhood. We never locked our doors, the children roamed free for blocks in every direction.

I'll just mention one memory that has to do with the vacant lots that were scattered through the neighborhood at that time. Vacant lots were wonderful places for imaginations! We made forts and houses in the dirt, races and ball games, pet funerals and bon fires! Every new year people threw their dead Christmas trees in the alleys. For days we dragged as many as we could find to a vacant lot to build a fort with several rooms and walls as high as us. After the fun of playing in the for wore off, the trees were stacked in a big for a very early (still dark) Saturday morning bon fire! Such a great memory with friends!

Jane (Roberts) Millet

1- In 1948 the Mesa Jaycees convinced Passey Investment Co. (owners of the new subdivision) to donate one of the lots in Fraser Field on which they built a $12,000 fully furnished home that was raffled off as the publicity stunt to bring attention to the subdivision. Tickets were sold for $5.00 each for an entire year. The winner was Mrs. Irene Van Kirk, a widow and mother of two children. The home she won is now the home of Ben and LeAnn Adams.

Jennifer Grundberg Ashley

One of the most special experiences I can remember is during a time in my life when I was experiencing quite a bit of emotional stress. I was in the process of making some extremely huge and life changing decisions and was watching my mother suffer as she battled cancer in the last years of her life. One night in my room I was sobbing and pouring my heart out to my Heavenly Father and I PHYSICALLY felt Him put his arms around me and hold me. I'm still not sure to this day if it was Heavenly Father or my Savior that made a special visit to me that night, but it changed my testimony FOREVER. I have since felt the power and companionship of the Holy Ghost in his role as the comforter, but this experience was much different. From that day on I knew that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ LIVE. I also know that if we stay in tune with the spirit we can TRULY feel his presence in our lives.
Jennifer Grundberg Ashley