When the time comes to perform, the time to prepare has passed. ~Thomas Edison
Everyone excels in something in which another fails.
Important dates
February
26 Cecilia (Ceci) Smith (Trent and Lyndi's)
28 Linds and Eunjee's anniversary
March
4 Lola Timmins (otherwise known as The Fabulous Aunt Lola!)
7 Sawyer Peterson (Boston and Craig's)
11 Marissa Moody (MaryAnne's)
13 Catie and Steve anniversary
Sorry I missed a week. I have been a little preoccupied with passing kidney stones and sometimes that just takes over. I passed a stone the mid-end of January. Then a stone the 10th of February. Then another stone on the 18th of February (this stone was a centimeter long. Cant believe I could pass that one on my own. My urologist was stunned! :) The real fun news is that I have between 4-8 stones in each kidney, with one stone in the right kidney that is 9mm and one in the left that is 11 mm. This similar story has happened 2 other times, each time followed by surgery to remove an enlarged parathyroid. So now we work to see why I am doing it this time.
So between passing stones, going to doctors, and recoveries, my headaches, and more, the newsletter and my letters to missionaries just didnt happen.
MISSIONARY NEWS
Easton in Canada-Right after the [baptismal] service we got picked up by the Richmond Hill Elders to go and do a baptismal interview for their baptisms on Saturday. It was really interesting. They are a super prepared couple and all they could do was talk about how excited they were for their baptism. It was awesome. While I was interviewing the husband I talked about how I was acting as a representative of the Church as he witnessed that he had repented of his sins. I felt really old all of a sudden and realized how solemn my responsibility was in interviewing him. It was really odd when we were filling out his record and I found out that he was born only a few months after Dad. Here I am, a 20 year old, snot-nosed kid, interviewing a 50 year old man about his worthiness for baptism. I felt really, really small and insignificant for a second and then remembered my call as a missionary and that the Lord qualifies the called. I felt his support and love through both the interviews and they were great experiences.
Cameron in California-So this week was good. We picked up 4 new investigators and had someone new at church. Should pick up 2 investigators that we know about this week, so all is looking good....I have started to understand how life is complicated for everyone, but that
if we just remember the goal of life, we will be able to solve all of the
problems we have.... that took a while to figure out... I am working on
developing charity now so that I can be the best to be.
Kieren in Brasil- This week we had interviews with Presidente Castro! It was super great to talk with him and receive insights on how to be a better missionary. Os Assistentes gave a great training on how to use the atonement better in missionary work and how to understand it better in our lives. They did a little exercise that I had heard about before, but was really amazing to see personally. They had a big box of delicious chocolates and asked who wanted one. Basically everyone raised their hand. Then they told us to pick a representative who we thought was really strong. The vote fell upon Elder Gull and he was chosen. He went to the front of the room and the assistants came up to my companion, S. Hodnik. They asked her if she wanted chocolate, and she said yes, so they said in order for her to get the chocolate, Elder Gull had to do 10 pushups. He did, and she got the bombom (type of chocolate). I was next. In order to get my chocolate, Elder Gull did 10 mor pushups. He was sweating a bit but doing fine. They went along the row and Elder Gull did 10 pushups for each sister and 5 for each elder. When he was about halway along, we could see that he was having a pretty hard time. He was super red, his arms were shaking, and sweat was dripping from his face. But he kept going. Soon it became Elder Érico´s turn to receive a chocolate. When the assistants asked him if he wanted one, he said no thanks, I don´t like chocolate. They said, okay, but keep it anyway Elder Gull, please do 5 pushups to pay for Elder Érico´s chocolate that he will not eat. Almost collapsing, Elder Gull slowly, painfully paid the price for Elder Érico, knowing full well that he would never eat the chocolate. Near the end, everyone was silently watching, or quietly encouraging Elder Gull to keep going, just a few more, don´t give up.
They related this situation to the atonement. Christ payed the price for our sins. It is up to us to use what he has done for us. If we do not repent, we are not using the gift He already payed for. If we do not repent, we are allowing Him to suffer in vain. Christ truly loves each one of us and suffered for each of us individually so we do not have to feel that same excruciating pain. That is a cause for rejoicing! D&C 19:16-19 talks about how because Christ suffered, we don´t have to! It´s up to us to decide.
Katie in Portugal-We also had a really great day at church yesterday! We had 16 of our investigators show up! It was a huge miracle. I also feel like I understand the sacrament a little better each week. It is a huge blessing that we have the opportunity to take the sacrament each week. I´ve been seeing that the more I understand and the more I prepare to take the sacrament, the stronger I feel the spirit at church. I´m so grateful for the knowledge that Christ is my Savior and that this is his Church re-established on the earth today.
FAMILY UPDATES
I got some updates recently that made me so happy!! Thank you!
from Dave Blake -Our youngest daughter Katie went to BYU-I as a freshman in September. On her 3rd day there, she met Austin - to whom she is now engaged! We like Austin a ton but wish Katie would have waited. Their wedding will be in June. June 28. Same day I was baptized! Our first wedding. (Carol's comment--that is entirely too young to be getting married! :) Of course, I got married earlier than that and have been happily married for 34 years now. Only the best to Katie and Austin!)
Dave also added a note to me that I am including because it talks about Mom. I miss your mom so much. She was always so good and kind to me. Always. I'm glad she claimed me as her own. At her death, I felt such a loss. I knew I would miss your mom so much but I also felt that she was my connection to all of you Smith brothers and sisters.
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Lots of news from Bryan Timmins--Exciting news for Rebecca and me -- we are now officially grandparents. Lauren and Nathan Quinn had a little boy on January 31 (8# 5oz, 21 in). Mom, baby and dad are all doing well in San Francisco.
Carmen (our fourth daughter) has received her mission call to Romania/Moldova and departs on April 3. Her mission farewell talk in March 23 at noon (Creek Road Chapel, ~2400 East and Creek Road). She is anxious learning Romanian and realizes her days are numbered.
David, our baby is now taller than his dad (6'1'') and is doing well in school. We continue to find excuses to head south for golf and sunshine. David's game gathered very little rust over the winter and he is playing the best golf of his life right now. He shot a 67 at Sun River last weekend and was ecstatic to perform well in front of his team mates and swing coach.
Rebecca just returned from spending a week in SF and is already missing the grand-baby.
I have started to serve my two year term as Medical Staff President at Riverton Hospital and I'm find the work both challenging and rewarding.
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Cara- Barry and I were able to attend the Omaha chapter of the BYU Alumni Association's marriage retreat in Nebraska City. Super fun!It was a quick little get-away...over night, but less than 24 hours. But so fun! We enjoyed several speakers, yummy meals, and even a Merengue lesson! And we had a beautiful view from our window. The only regret we have (I have) is that we didn't have time to enjoy the beautiful lap pool!
We have a song by Raffi called Old McDonald Had a Band. It predictably goes through all the instruments in his band...a guitar with a "strum-strum here and a strum-strum there", a banjo with a "twang-twang here and a twang-twang there", etc. Well, one verse has a jug with the sound of someone blowing across a big jug. Apparently my kids had a hard time understanding the lyrics at that point. They were convinced for years that it was "...and in this band he had a drunk, E-I-E-I-O. With a [low wailing moan coming from that poor drunk] here and a [low wailing moan] there..." I mean, what good band doesn't have a drunk, right?
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Boston- I have been working on certifying to be a doula (a birthing coach), and I had the opportunity to be at 2 births last week. I don't do anything medical, I just support the mom physically and emotionally, and help family members know what they can do (if they need a push in the right direction!) Even though it is exhausting, I find it to be very fulfilling. Both of these births were in the middle of the night, which worked out nice for my kids. I was with one mom for only 5 1/2 hours, but I was with the other mom for over 12 hours! Being part of their birth experiences has been really wonderful for me.
We have the Gilbert, AZ temple being dedicated next month (March 2), so I have been able to be involved with that. I was able to take my family through the open house, and I was also able to be an usher at the temple for 4 hours one day. And I have stayed super busy being involved with the youth for the temple cultural celebration prior to the dedication. My assignment is music for my ward (72 youth). I have taught them 6 songs, including sign language for one of the songs, and the chords on a ukulele for those interested in learning it for another song. So much fun! Now they have started stake rehearsals, and I am just there to help keep the youth where they need to be. With having so many youth, I have also been busy sewing costumes for the celebration. It has definitely been a ward effort to make all of this happen. It will be so amazing!
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Kelli- after the move, she found her hard drive. This means she has started updating her blog again, for everyone who follows it. (It is pretty entertaining, folks!) She adds, We're still adjusting to Vegas, though Cassidy doesn't seem to have an issue enjoying the spring type temperatures and nonstop sun. It is quite nice, at least for another month or so. Not much really to report. For those not on facebook, our last little Campbell is a boy, so we are working on figuring out a name that we both like. Which is turning out to be quite difficult. And the few we have as possibles don't sound good with any of the family names we'd want to use as middle names. Allen just got called to be 2nd counselor in Sunday school and I have lucked out with the easiest calling yet: assistant librarian. Sometimes there are perks to be pregnant. That's it for now. Just wanted to let the cousins know that my blog will be getting new posts finally.
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Lissa wrote a long post a while ago and I couldnt put it all in one newsletter. Here is part of that post that I loved and wanted to include. Christmas. :)
On Christmas Eve, my family did our annual tradition of acting out the nativity story. Hamilton wanted to be the angel. The costume was a little big, but he sure was cute.
Christmas morning was super fun. Powell is still too young to really get it or care, of course, but Hamilton loved it. He got some great presents and has really loved them all, but has especially had fun with the apron and chef hat he got from Santa and with the food toys he got from Grandma and Grandpa. He just loves to pretend to cook (and to try to help me cook too). [Severin: I'm hoping he becomes a chef. Lissa's pushing for engineer. Anything but a "liar," which is how he pronounces "lawyer."]
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Katie-We kept busy this month with lots of just day-to-day activities. We did library storytime, the storytime I do at the community center, two birthday parties for Emmeline’s friends, a children’s museum, a playground playdate with friends, and the monthly kids’ book club at the community center. We also just enjoyed playing outside in this great Las Vegas weather. I took Emmeline to another Lowe’s Build and Grow, and this time we build a little “Claw Game.” It turned out super cute, and Emmeline really likes it.
Emmeline started another class at the rec center nearby. (This is the place with the great deal on classes—$24 for 6 weeks.) She wanted to do dance instead of gymnastics, so I signed her up for a ballet/tap class for 3-5-year-olds. (We found tap shoes at the thrift store for super cheap.) She had her first class and really liked it. It was so super cute to watch. It was a pretty long class (1 hour), so by the last 15 minutes or so, she was kind of zoning out. But she’s probably one of the youngest ones in the class, so I think she did pretty well. I’m really glad she liked it.
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My family update beyond kidney stones.... Molly is doing well at BYU, enjoying her classes and job. The after effects of the car accident are becoming more prominent. We now know that brain injuries have lasting effects including cloudy thinking, memory issues, being tired all the time and more. Those dont work well for college students. But she is a trooper and is moving forward. Jenna is doing great! She is in her 2nd (3rd?) week without a wheelchair, walker, crutches, etc. She is living a more normal life and is expecting to head to Alaska in 2 weeks to start the internship she was supposed to start in January. She is excited and nervous at the same time. She started a new blog, talking about some of the challenges in her life. Her post on Alopecia was picked up and posted on both the Utah chapter and the National Alopecia Foundation websites. Check out her blog. (Her mom can say it is pretty inspiring, right?) Musings and Mental Meanderings of a Head Case
Bryce is finishing his 6th year as bishop. He is so good! He really loves the folks in the ward and they love him back. I am enjoying my part time work at a quilt store an hour south of here. I love it and try really hard not to spend more than I make. :) The mission is going well too. The full time mission couple that has been with me setting up the cohort is finishing their mission in 2 weeks so I will be on my own with the group. It will intensify at that point, but I think I can still manage it. I will add here that if there is anyone reading this that didn't finish their college degree, or even start it, Pathway is an amazing amazing program. It is a lot of work, like all college work, but every week, I can feel the spirit in the weekly gatherings, and can see the changes it is already making in these folks lives!
I hope I didn't miss anything sent to me! Work hard, study hard, pray hard!
Carol
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