Couples that pray together, stay together. (trite, yes. But also true. :)
The gospel of Jesus Christ opens the path to what we may become. -D.Todd Christofferson
Heavenly Father hears your prayers, He loves you, He knows your name. - Henry B Eyring
dates
29 Emmalee Smith
5 Sam Ouimette
6 Katie Blake (Dave and Dodie's)
6 Makenna Smith (Davis and Asialene's)
8 Would have been Mom/Verna's birthday. Serve someone today in her honor.
13 Rachel Thomas Hyatt
15 Olene Walker
15 Elijah Ricks (Sam and Janae's)
Missionary updates
Cameron in California--This week was good. Our car hit 120 degrees when we got in it one day, but mostly is at 100-105, so it could be worse. The heat seems to have driven the ants indoors because our apartment is now infested with them and we have killed hundreds of them, but we should have it dealt with soon.
We picked up a new family to teach on Monday, who show a lot of promise and things are going well with that. We are trying to find people the best we can to teach and it is moving along slowly. But it is moving. I am still trying to adjust to working with someone who is so opposite in different ways, but you grow by stretching, right?
We also got to watch every session of conference and they were pretty
amazing and inspiring. I always wish that the Ensign came out faster.
Kieren in Brazil-Claudio Augusto got baptized!!!! Álvaro was so excited to be able to do the baptism. It was really a great moment for their family. We had kind of a miracle at the baptism too. It was announced Sunday and we asked someone to put the event on fb, but apparently no one was paying attention, because at 15 minutes before 7:00 (when the baptism was to start), the only people there were us, and our Ward Mission Leader and his wife. We not only needed priesthood holders to be witnesses, but we also needed Álvaro and Claudio and everyone! So we ran to a member´s house that is super close to the church, but there were no priesthood holders home. We called a ward member who lives SUPER far away, but has a car and he said he could come but would be a bit late. We didn´t really know what else to do. Pres Grimaldi, who is acting as our Bishop for the time being, arrived and brought pop and refreshments, which was super great, but we still needed a bunch of people, especially Álvaro and Claudio.So Sister Gurrieri and I went into the restroom and knelt down and prayed. It was almost 7:00 and we had done all we could think of to do, and we asked Heavenly Father to help us because we weren´t enough alone. As we stepped outside the door, we heard a commotion at the entrance. A taxi pulled up, bringing Álvaro, Maria Helena, and Claudio Augusto, who were late because they had been buying new clothes for Claudio :) Then another car pulled up with a family of members who are coworkers of Álvaro, and thus it went until we had a bunch of people and a bunch of refreshments, which is always a good thing. It was amazing how immediate the response was to our prayer. It was like Heavenly Father was saying "Finally! I was just waiting for you to rely on me to make everything work out." It was a lovely service and everyone was very happy.
Gavin in the MTC-About an hour after being dropped off here I'm in class with my teacher Brother Humble and we are speaking solely spanish. Typing in english feels weird at this point. We are moving super fast and are already practicing teaching and talking to people in Spanish. I'm continually amused with the sentences we put together to try and say something. we will rearrange and entire sentence just to avoid a word we dont know yet but its still pretty fun. I've got five other people in my room so its crowded but we all get along really well. I guess I should mention something about my companions. I'm paired with Elder Shawn Allen who is super cool. he was converted about a year ago and is from California. His girlfriend is actually at the MTC right now and leaves for Mexico City in a week.
FAMILY UPDATES:
BIG NEWS-- THREE of the PMS/VTS grandkids got engaged last week.
Ryan Smith to Abby Springer (date TBD)
Hadley Smith to Zach Bown (Feb 21st)
Allie Baker to Steve Andrews (mid May)
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THREE!!
From Aunt Karen, and update on Aunt Olene--Olene continues to be at Aspen Ridge Rehabilitation Center in Murray. I am not sure how long she will be there but she is making progress. She passed the swallow test and so she is now on regular food. Her left arm/hand is improving. She can raise her arm, her hand is still swollen and weak. She is walking quite well but still needs assist for balance. Her memory is great, but, her everyday thinking is not quite there. She is focused on getting a Porsche so she can go fast and wave tootle-do to the cops. Oh, and by the way it needs to be BYU blue. She continues to say "hello" at every open door we pass and every one she sees. Myron is doing okay but you can tell he is wearing down. Olene told me today that Myron needed the wheel chair worse than her. As you can see her humor is there and active. Hopefully we will see continued improvement but in my opinion it will be slow but you know how she can surprise us.
Stuart--Went in today to get "mapped"
Jenna Baker--is graduating in December from BYU. It's been a long haul with all the medical concerns, including the brain tumor/surgeries/chemo, and last year's car accident. But we are thrilled it is happening.
She writes, Hello family!
Dan and Val wrote--Can you in the next letter send out a call for digital pics? We were trying to do the my family books for our missionaries and we have no digital photos we can use. We want to load them to family search but have nothing. And there are NO photos of mom or dad on family search. We are pathetic as a family. We should load that with pics and memories so it can be there for generations to come.
Rob Smith wrote-- Alex and I flew into cancun and were picked up by 3 of her graduate dental class from 25 years ago and spent the night at one of the dentist who lives in Cancun. Then they drove us to Yukatan where we met the rest of the gang of dentists that traveled with us.
Kieren in Brazil-Claudio Augusto got baptized!!!! Álvaro was so excited to be able to do the baptism. It was really a great moment for their family. We had kind of a miracle at the baptism too. It was announced Sunday and we asked someone to put the event on fb, but apparently no one was paying attention, because at 15 minutes before 7:00 (when the baptism was to start), the only people there were us, and our Ward Mission Leader and his wife. We not only needed priesthood holders to be witnesses, but we also needed Álvaro and Claudio and everyone! So we ran to a member´s house that is super close to the church, but there were no priesthood holders home. We called a ward member who lives SUPER far away, but has a car and he said he could come but would be a bit late. We didn´t really know what else to do. Pres Grimaldi, who is acting as our Bishop for the time being, arrived and brought pop and refreshments, which was super great, but we still needed a bunch of people, especially Álvaro and Claudio.So Sister Gurrieri and I went into the restroom and knelt down and prayed. It was almost 7:00 and we had done all we could think of to do, and we asked Heavenly Father to help us because we weren´t enough alone. As we stepped outside the door, we heard a commotion at the entrance. A taxi pulled up, bringing Álvaro, Maria Helena, and Claudio Augusto, who were late because they had been buying new clothes for Claudio :) Then another car pulled up with a family of members who are coworkers of Álvaro, and thus it went until we had a bunch of people and a bunch of refreshments, which is always a good thing. It was amazing how immediate the response was to our prayer. It was like Heavenly Father was saying "Finally! I was just waiting for you to rely on me to make everything work out." It was a lovely service and everyone was very happy.
Gavin in the MTC-About an hour after being dropped off here I'm in class with my teacher Brother Humble and we are speaking solely spanish. Typing in english feels weird at this point. We are moving super fast and are already practicing teaching and talking to people in Spanish. I'm continually amused with the sentences we put together to try and say something. we will rearrange and entire sentence just to avoid a word we dont know yet but its still pretty fun. I've got five other people in my room so its crowded but we all get along really well. I guess I should mention something about my companions. I'm paired with Elder Shawn Allen who is super cool. he was converted about a year ago and is from California. His girlfriend is actually at the MTC right now and leaves for Mexico City in a week.
(Gavin is the tall one in the center back)
FAMILY UPDATES:
BIG NEWS-- THREE of the PMS/VTS grandkids got engaged last week.
Ryan Smith to Abby Springer (date TBD)
Hadley Smith to Zach Bown (Feb 21st)
Allie Baker to Steve Andrews (mid May)
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THREE!!
Ryan and Abby Zach and Hadley Allie and Steve
From Aunt Karen, and update on Aunt Olene--Olene continues to be at Aspen Ridge Rehabilitation Center in Murray. I am not sure how long she will be there but she is making progress. She passed the swallow test and so she is now on regular food. Her left arm/hand is improving. She can raise her arm, her hand is still swollen and weak. She is walking quite well but still needs assist for balance. Her memory is great, but, her everyday thinking is not quite there. She is focused on getting a Porsche so she can go fast and wave tootle-do to the cops. Oh, and by the way it needs to be BYU blue. She continues to say "hello" at every open door we pass and every one she sees. Myron is doing okay but you can tell he is wearing down. Olene told me today that Myron needed the wheel chair worse than her. As you can see her humor is there and active. Hopefully we will see continued improvement but in my opinion it will be slow but you know how she can surprise us.
Stuart--Went in today to get "mapped"
2 weeks ago I had 3 "markers" placed in my prostate. Today they met with me, went over what the procedure is and the side effects (potentially) and what to do if I get the side effects. Lots of dietary restrictions for the next 3 months.
OH NO absolutely no alcohol !!!!!
Then they laid me on a CT machine and mapped the 3 markers and made a mold for me to lay in when the treatments begin.
AND !!! I got my first 3 tattoos ! Used to triangulate the radiation.
So things are moving forward. Oct 31st I go in for a "dry run" and my 9 weeks of daily radiation begins Nov 3rd.
Jenna Baker--is graduating in December from BYU. It's been a long haul with all the medical concerns, including the brain tumor/surgeries/chemo, and last year's car accident. But we are thrilled it is happening.
She writes, Hello family!
I am sure many of you have seen my fundraiser for the Bald Girls Do Lunch nonprofit on Facebook or Instagram (https://www.crowdrise.com/fighttofund/fundraiser/jennabaker). If you have the time, please consider donating to the cause.
Below is more information on the fundraiser: (Note the last day for this is this Saturday)
Fall is Alopecia Awareness season, and my goal is to raise $3,000 through Nov. 1 for Bald Girls Do Lunch. Bald Girls Do Lunch is the only non-profit specifically created for women with alopecia areata – the autoimmune skin disease which stops the normal growth of hair on the scalp, brows, lashes and body.
This fundraiser is to raise awareness for women with Alopecia, and to raise funds to help support the lunches put on around Utah for women with Alopecia.
This is my first fundraiser for an Alopecia cause, and I would love your support. Please consider donating to help this nonprofit become self-sustaining, and to help me in my fight to fund Bald Girls Do Lunch.
This is my first fundraiser for an Alopecia cause, and I would love your support. Please consider donating to help this nonprofit become self-sustaining, and to help me in my fight to fund Bald Girls Do Lunch.
Dan and Val wrote--Can you in the next letter send out a call for digital pics? We were trying to do the my family books for our missionaries and we have no digital photos we can use. We want to load them to family search but have nothing. And there are NO photos of mom or dad on family search. We are pathetic as a family. We should load that with pics and memories so it can be there for generations to come.
Plus we have such amazing promises if we will do our family history work. And sharing pics and memories is something we certainly can do. (You can send pictures you may have to bakerzoo@verizon.net and I will forward them. OR you can put them directly on family search.)
Gavin is now out on his mission (as you saw above in the missionary updates). He is serving in the Mexico Hermosillo mission. Here is contact info for him if you would like to write him.
email--gavinsmith1222@myldsmail.net
MTC address till 24 Nov-
Elder Daniel Gavin Smith
NOV24 MEX-HER
2009 N 900 E unit 101
Provo Utah 84602
Mission Home Address
Avenida Garcia Conde #301
Col. Pitic
Codigo Postal 83150
Hermosillo, Sonora
Mexico
Pouch mailing address - only one paper tri folded taped at the top is allowed.
Leave sides open. Nothing but words may be on the paper.
Pouch or Mailing Address
POB 30150
Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0150
USA
Mont wrote quite a while ago. But I forgot to move the email to my family newsletter box, so I forgot to include it in the last letter. I'm sorry, Mont! Here is it, with the news a bit late. I appreciate the email and again, apologize.
Terri Lee & Mont’s daughter, Ashley, is getting married next month on October 10th.
Saturday, Tracy hosted a bridal shower for Ashley.
Thanks to all who helped with the shower, and those who attended.
It’s always fun to get together with family… Congratulations Ashley.
Picture #1: Rebecca Timmins, Patti Timmins (Clark’s wife), Monta Thomas, Karen Ouimette, Tracy Middleton, Terri Lee Timmins, Roberta Webb
Picture #2: (little boy w/ back towards camera) Easton Worthington (Kelley’s son, Terri Lee’s grandson), Ashley Worthington, Terri Lee Timmins, (almost out of frame) Francis Larsen (Roberta’s sister)
Katie, Connor and Emmeline went to California. They invited Bryce and me to join them. Nothing better than that! For sure! Here is a bit from her blog.
The highlight of the trip, of course, was Disneyland. We planned it out pretty well again and got to do everything we wanted to do without ever having to wait in very long lines. Her favorite ride was Soarin’ Over California. She just had a smile the entire ride and was just so amazed by it. She also loved Splash Mountain (and was disappointed the first time we went on it because she didn’t get soaked), It’s a Small World, and Gadget’s Go Coaster. Emmeline was just in heaven the whole time. And of course Connor and I loved it all too. I just love Disneyland. I realized for the first time that I have pretty much aged out of roller coasters, though. Matterhorn, which used to be my favorite ride, was way too jerky and made me super sick.
It was really fun to have my parents there with us. Emmeline was doted on by two extra adults, and we could take turns with them to go on some adult rides. Even though I've said it like 10 times, I'll say it again: We LOVED it!
Enthusiastically singing along during It's a Small World.
It is kind of freakish that she met Anna and Elsa on the day that she was wearing a Frozen shirt, met Mickey on the day she was wearing her Mickey shirt, and met Merida on the day she wore her Merida shirt. Totally coincidental and awesome.
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We traveled through the ruins and and canals that the Mayans used for trading1500 years ago, Then traveled to the underground caverns and snorkeled and swam in the caverns.
Then we drove to Tulum and spent three days in cabanas right on the beach
The first evening that we were in Tulum we were walking on the beach and Alex turned to me and gave me a big hug and said that this was the the most perfect evening that she had ever had, I had been hiding a engagement ring for three weeks switching pockets and suitcases and that was the moment that I asked her for her hand in marriage it was perfect and worth the wait we had a very nice time with the rest go the group when they found out and they are planing our wedding in Tulum (no date set yet)
Kelli Smith Campbell--Fall still feels like Summer here,(Las Vegas) but school has started and dance classes are back on. To add to our schedule, Cassidy is now in preschool with a lady in our stake who teaches in her home. Keyton also started baseball for the Fall season. We missed registration for the Spring season so he's a bit behind the other players on his team. He's trying though, and mostly enjoying himself, so that's good. Aubrie has become more and more emotional and clingy as Gage gets older and is awake more, thus needing more attention. But she still enjoys putting on dance shows for us and insisting that we watch. All day, every day. Allen's immediate boss quit so he is basically in charge of himself and his team for the time being. His boss's boss still has final say in things, but I think he is liking the added responsibility. No new news for Gage yet. He still just eats the blanket on the floor during tummy time. Just another week and we can start the cereals with him. I do worry about him being allergic to everything like Keyton was, because his skin is already getting patchy and red like Keyton's was at this age. Not fun. According to our scales, he is about 15 pounds, which is ahead of our other kids who all weighed in around 14 lbs. 6 oz. at four months. We'll find out his exact weight at his next appointment in a week or so. He is sleeping well, better than any of my other kids, so I am also extremely happy with him for that. :)
Keyton ready for the first game of the season.
Cassidy making her spider for the letter S.
Aubrie in her dance class (she's the closest little one in the blue leotard).
Gage strapped in and ready for his first real walk in the stroller (without being in his car seat).
Cara-- Hallie, Liam, and Ethan all participated in the Show Choir Clinic put on
by the high school. They spent all day working on their songs and dances
and then performed for the parents and families. It was very fun to watch!
Ethan was in an all boys group. It was extra fun watching him because this was his first time (Hallie and Liam did it last year). I've never seen him actually dance to choreography. It was entertaining!
Hallie and Liam were in the older group together. Liam got to sing a duet and do the worm front and center. Hallie got to walk the catwalk on her own. :) They both had a great time.
Hyrum has been enjoying the benefits of being home with Mom during birthday
season at our house...lots of desserts have been made (cakes for parties, cookies
to bring to school and share). He doesn't mind helping out where he can.
A good friend of ours has a small apple orchard. She was so kind to let us
pick some one afternoon. We enjoyed homemade applesauce and apple pie from those
apples. Yum! And Hyrum thought it was especially cool that apples came from trees. :)
THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR SENDING NEWS. It was great to get extra updates. Now, some of the rest of you send stuff! :)
Work hard, study hard, pray hard,
Carol
Work hard, study hard, pray hard,
Carol
Hooray for a nice, long newsletter this time!!
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