Who's There?!

 Well the missionaries of course!  Our thoughts are often of the missionaries of our church who are spending two years of their lives serving others and sharing their testimonies, teaching and convictions of their Savior, Jesus Christ.  

Our thoughts have turned often to our own two sons doing this same thing especially at this time of year as we celebrate more than one holiday and we miss even more the opportunity of being together as a family.

Elder Riley Smith has been gone for over a year now.  He is serving in Albania.  He hit his one year on October 21, 2010.   He has had many new experiences - new language, different food, cold showers, no electricity - but many learning experiences as well.  He has learned to do audits, be in charge of buying a new car in a foreign country for his mission president, negotiate leases and work with the German Embassy for visas for members to attend the temple in Germany.

Elder Austin Smith is serving in the Seattle Washington area.  He will have been serving for 6 months on December 2, 2010.  He is the one that sent us the first picture.  His humor is still intact and his smile as well.  It has always been infectious.  He is serving in somewhat familiar territory.  John's family (his dad's) family all live in Washington State.  John's sister and niece both live within Austin's mission boundaries.  He is currently serving in part of the area where we lived 14 years ago.  Some people we knew then are still there now.  What a small world. 

We have faith that the Lord has his hand in the many workings in each of our individual lives.  He knows us and loves us.  There is purpose in the places he sends us, the places we end up and the experiences we have in this life. 

Thankful #3

I am thankful for 1...2...3...4 wonderful children.  They are each lovable and unique in their own way.


 Elder Riley Smith is serving a church mission in Albania.  He is our oldest son.  He is articulate and a go getter.  He is an amazing son.

 
Elder Austin Smith is serving a church mission in the Seattle, Washington area.  He is such a hard worker and has a heart of gold.  He has the best smile and gives the best bear hugs a mom could ask for.




















Parker is the middle middle child or so he tells us.  He has a great heart and is a wise old soul.

Macey is our only girl.  She is our no frills girl most of the time.  She loves climbing trees, being outside, the color green and most of all alligators.  Sounds like a Florida girl at heart.  But then she surprises us by wanting her her nails done or something just so.  She has a tender heart and tries hard to be friends with everyone she meets.

Thankful #2

Then . . .

I am thankful for my husband.  We have been married for 24 years now.  There are so many things I love about him.  We are different in many ways but the same in the ones that matter most.  What are the things I love about him, you ask . . . let me count the ways!  (I'll just name a few).

1.  He balances me out in so many ways.
**I tend to be too loud and he is more reserved.  This has taught me to think before I speak.
**I have a hard time falling asleep and he has a hard time staying awake.  I am a nightowl (or used to be) and  he is the one that lets me know when it's time for bed. 

2.  I try to do too much and he reigns me back in.  He lets me know it's ok, that I don't have to fix everything for everybody.  Yet he supports me in my endeavors.

3.  He doesn't complain that I'm not a good cook.

4.  He still says I look awesome!  He doesn't notice the wrinkles, veins, cellulose and all.

5.  He has a hairy chest that I've always loved.

6.  He is a hard worker, humble, honest and caring.

7.  He is a great speaker.  I love listening to him tell me stories, discuss the gospel or catch up on the news.

8.  He remembers everything - things he reads, people, places and moments in life.

9.  He takes good care of us, loves us and loves spending time together as a family.

10.  He is mine - now and always!  Forever!

We enjoy most of all the fall and the few cooler days we get here in Florida.  It gives us time to spend watching BYU Football together and taking longer walks in the evenings.  The cooler days allows me to snuggle a little closer and a little longer. I love it when he nuzzles my neck just as much now as 24 years ago.

Thankful #1

So with today being Sunday . . .

I am thankful . . . for my Savior, Jesus Christ.

For his Birth.

For his Life.

For his Teachings.

For his Ministry.

For his Sacrifice.

For the knowledge that he will Come Again.

  




















Since "a picture paints a thousand words" and "actions speak louder than words". . .  these pictures should give me and everyone else much time to reflect today.

A Time Of Thanksgiving

There are many others who have had the idea to choose one thing a day (or more) to jot down during this time of Thanksgiving.  I am behind but I thought I would try to do the same.  It isn't that I don't have that many things to be thankful for - because oh, I do.  It is more a feeling of inadequacy in articulating these feelings that swell up in you and not being able to do them the justice they deserve as one tries to translate them into words on paper.