And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
~Lee Greenwood
We, the People, recognize that we have responsibilities as well as rights; that our destinies are bound together; that a freedom which only asks what's in it for me, a freedom without a commitment to others, a freedom without love or charity or duty or patriotism, is unworthy of our founding ideals, and those who died in their defense. -Barack Obama
Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free. -Ronald Reagan
And one last one, for Mom....
Intellectually I know that America is no better than any other country; emotionally I know she is better than every other country. -Sinclair Lewis
Upcoming events-
27 Memorial Day. Don't just make it a day for the pool and BBQ's!
27 Carol Puckett Smith
31 Lissa
1 June Trent, the oldest PMS/VTS grandchild
27 Carol Puckett Smith
31 Lissa
1 June Trent, the oldest PMS/VTS grandchild
Missionary updates:
Liam in Madagascar is busy with investigators. He always closes his letters with a spiritual thought. This is from his most recent letter. He was reading Numbers 18:19, 2 Chr. 13:5 And 3 Nephi 12:13 (read those scriptures then his insights...)
"The Lord, anciently, made covenants with his people. He told the children of Israel that they were a peculiar people, a chosen people. He covenanted with them that according to their righteous they would be blessed above all the earth. Salt has preservative properties. It brings out the good in whatever it is put with. We, as the covenant people of the Lord, have those same properties. We are the salt of the earth. We preserve the earth from destruction and give it the light, goodness, and help it needs. Our purpose and promise is to do good. To bring out the good in others. To salt the earth. It is because we are His peculiar people, His chosen people."
"The Lord, anciently, made covenants with his people. He told the children of Israel that they were a peculiar people, a chosen people. He covenanted with them that according to their righteous they would be blessed above all the earth. Salt has preservative properties. It brings out the good in whatever it is put with. We, as the covenant people of the Lord, have those same properties. We are the salt of the earth. We preserve the earth from destruction and give it the light, goodness, and help it needs. Our purpose and promise is to do good. To bring out the good in others. To salt the earth. It is because we are His peculiar people, His chosen people."
Robbie in Colorado writes "This week's transfers came in (I knew I was being released as a Zone Leader, seeing that I have two transfers after this - and I said 2 prayers in the last three weeks for Zone Leader Conference calls- HUGE sign of getting released!) .. So Saturday our mission President calls. He said I was getting transferred, released, and then called to be a district leader again. I'm going to be a part of the new mission they're creating in Colorado!! They're taking a chunk from all three missions in Colorado, putting them together, calling the old Colorado Denver North mission the new Fort Collins Mission, and the new mission is getting the old name (Colorado Denver North Mission) .. So I am going to end my mission there. I'm pretty sad to be leaving this mission, but I'm way excited to be a part of something new like this. "
Easton in Canada writes "So.....I got transferred. I left my beloved Windsor behind and left to the Big City. Hogtown. The Big T. Toronto. Woo! I am now serving in the Don Mills South area. My area is right next to the downtown area and covers the part of the city they call "The Danforth" thusly named for the street that runs through it, changes to Bloor Street, and then into downtown Toronto. We live at Danforth and Main and it is awesome. Lots of people and lots to do. Exciting. Oh and we are whitewashing which means my companion and I are both new to the area. "
His new snail mail address is
265 Main St. 1709-C
Toronto, ON M4C 1L5
Who is moving?
Cara wrote in her blog a lot this week. Really cute entries! I will include some of the entries this week, and others next week. Sure would like to get info from more folks than Cara and Lissa! (although I love their entries!!!)
Rachel and Greg to Westford MA-- just outside of Boston. first post college job for Greg.
Natalie and Kenny to Virginia. First post college job for Kenny.
Katie and Connor to Las Vegas for Connor's medical residency.
Others? Let me know.
News from others
Monta and Rob went to the new Star Trek movie. The photo is evidence.
When my mom passed, and we were going through her stuff, there were a number of boxes of letters and special items like that. Knowing that there could be some real treasures among all the letters, Dave took them home and has spent endless hours going through the boxes. While there was a lot of routine stuff, he did find lots of amazing treasures that Mom had saved over the years. He has collected them and returned them to the writers. I don't know about what others received, but the items I received back were funny, special, touching, etc.
Dave spoke in his ward on Mother's day. I asked him to send me his talk. He didn't have it written down, but here is what he sent me... (thank you, Dave!)
Dave spoke in his ward on Mother's day. I asked him to send me his talk. He didn't have it written down, but here is what he sent me... (thank you, Dave!)
As a new bishopric we spoke on mothers yesterday as well. I titled my talk "Letters from my Mom" and told how I am going through her boxes and told of things I have learned from this experience. It was good for me to think through stuff and talk about mom.
I mentioned to the congregation how important writing thoughts and feelings down, preferably in a letter to your mother. I used a letter from Candy to my mom that talks about what a great role model mom was for Candy. I also used the letter from Grandpa T. to mom about her overcoming trials. I mentioned that we all need parents to help us even as we age. The letter from Grandpa T. to mom was when she was 39 with 9 kids.
I had to be careful about what I said in some ways because we had just had two deaths in the ward (both happening on the Monday after being sustained as a new bishopric in a brand new ward. ) Those in Utah County may have heard of one of the deaths -- a mother in child birth passes away leaving a newborn and 5 other children. That is 6 in total. The doctor at the hospital has said that he has never lost a mother in childbirth. It has put a pall on the hospital staff. Very difficult situation for many, including a brand new bishop.
As soon as those two funerals were taken care of on a Friday/Saturday we went to church for our first day as a ward and found out that morning that another member had passed in the night. Three in a week. Age 65, 53, and about 34. Poor families, poor bishop.
Cara wrote in her blog a lot this week. Really cute entries! I will include some of the entries this week, and others next week. Sure would like to get info from more folks than Cara and Lissa! (although I love their entries!!!)
The kids requested to watch General Conference from a tent this year (King Benjamin style).
Ethan has started mowing...it's a little hard for him, but he does it! Good job Ethan!
The three big kids had their piano recital recently. They all did great!
All three...this was after it was over so they are all smiles!
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Finally, last week I wrote about a memorial service that would be held, honoring those who donate their body or body parts, to science. Catie came down and she, Monta and Karen all went. They said that it was very nice. I am so glad they went, and wished I could have been there. Monta sent some pictures of the memorial service and then of the three of them at lunch.
Work hard, study hard, pray hard. Have a good week. Make your parents proud of you.
Carol
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