Called To Serve

My sister Michelle received her mission call today. We all headed to my mother's house for the great announcement. Michelle has been called to serve in the Malagda, Spain Mission and will report in February to the MTC. Congratulations Michelle!!!

Finally Coming Home

Many of you know about our close friendship with members of the Wilberger family and have heard of the news that Brooke's remains have been found. This is a bitter-sweet moment for us and without a doubt for her family. Countless prayers have been made asking for this day to come and we are thrilled that Brooke is finally coming home. Our thoughts and prayers are with this wonderful family who has truly inspired us. As I am sure the hosts in heaven shouted before us we join in chorus, Welcome home Brooke!

All Grown Up

As you can see by the photo Charley has started to mow the lawn. Can you believe it????? Am I old enough to have a child who mows the lawn? She is growing up way to fast!

When you grow up in a house full of girls you get to learn how to do all the outside chores, so I felt it was one of those things my daughter needed to learn too. Ronny was a great teacher and Charley did a great job! Thank you Jennifer for lending us your mower for the fall!

Joseph is in line as well but first we need to figure out how to take care of that without setting him into an asthma attack. (He's allergic to grass.) The days of yard work have finally begun for us and we are soooo excited!

"The Genius" or so they say....

Yesterday my brother-in-law called with a funny story about Ronny. He, (my bro-in-law), was at a board of directors meeting on Friday with the big dogs from the investment company that has invested in both the company that he works for and the company that Ronny will be working for. There he mentioned to someone that his brother-in-law was getting ready to start work. That guy then says, "Is he that genius coming in from the Northwest?". He laughed and said it was.

Later that day we went to that particular brother-in-law's company party with the family. A guy with whom he works with walked up to the table to be introduced to all of us. He then asks Ronny, "Are you the genius I've heard about?" Apparently he was also at the board of directors meeting. Ronny of course is doing everything he can to play this down but the rest of us are having a good time with it!

Answered Prayers

The last few weeks have been somewhat trying for me. Moving into a new home, leaving long-time friends behind, running the house with our little ones without Dad, and so on. One of those trials has been wondering if we made the right decision with the house we chose to rent and the ward we are attending. I have been praying for many things, but one that I have prayed for recently was to know we are where we need to be and the peace that understanding brings. Many of you also know about the struggles we have had with Sam and attending church, and the many prayers and fasting our family and extended family have prayed in his behalf over the last 3 years. Many times I have been frustrated with the Lord's time frame and wanted more guidance on this particular issue. Once again I am amazed at the Lord's mercy and patience with us, me in-particular.

Yesterday we loaded the kids in the car and headed to my sister's house to watch the BYU-Oklahoma game. Sam quietly called from the back seat and asked if it was Sunday the next day. I immediately cringed and thought here we go again. I answered him that it was and that we had early church and needed to get going early. He immediately called out, "I love church and I love Primary!" I was completely stunned! A tear came to my eyes as I said a quiet prayer of gratitude for the two prayers the Lord had answered yesterday. I know we are where we need to be!

"I'm so glad when Daddy comes home!"

This is the song we are singing today! We are so happy Ronny is coming home today, we have missed him! Ronny has been working in OR for the last month while we have been in UT. We are counting down the hours, T-minus 10 and counting....