Idaho members reaching out

I have been pretty bad about doing this lately. With the busy Christmas season and a few bad days I have avoided this for a while but I am back!
I think one of my favorite things about having a missionary is the communication from other members in her area who reach out and send letters, texts, pictures and general praise for my daughter, things I know and miss. For instance, a sweet family has invited them to Christmas breakfast and wanted ideas for a gift to give that morning. Ashley would love anything so to get specific was hard. But I think she will be surprised. And it helps me feel so much closer to her and know that they are treating her well. If I can't be with her, at least those who are with her are treating her with kindness and love. And in turn I live having the Sisters over here! the spirit they fill our home with is amazing and they truly love what they are doing!

Alex's dad died. He died December 4th. Travis, my dad, Tami, and I went to the funeral and it was nice. A little different from others that I have been to, but it was nice. Alex is having a hard time and I wish things were easier for him. He had a long week of funeral preparations as well as studying for finals. It is too bad the rest of the world can't stop for family tragedies. Cortney will make sure he is fine. She is good that way.

Happy Birthday, Ashley!!!

Today over a thousand miles away Ashley is spending the day sharing the gospel, sharing her sweet testimony. playing someone's flute, and enjoying the company of many others like her who are away from home at this time of year. And of all days today I miss her the most.

I love you, Ashley!  Always and forever

Happy 21st Birthday!!!

 

 

Throwback Thursday

Christmas is here and one of my favorite parts about it is Mr. Kruger's Christmas. It was a movie the church produced back in the 80's about a lonely man who finds the joy and comfort he needs to get through the Christmas season through the Christ-like attributes of a little girl who befriends him when he needs it most. It is one of my favorite movies, mostly because of the star. I have always been a big fan of Jimmy Stewart, and not because of his fine acting skills (yes, I have seen a lot of his movies. My mom is an old movie junkie and I am a constant companion to many of them!)

Nope, it's because he looks like my Grandpa. I watch him and I reminisce about a very quiet man (more quiet than my dad, even! Yep! Hard to believe, huh?)

 who kept to himself most of the time and was as stubborn as a mule (See, old movie talk!) He was taken too soon from us, before I really got to know him.

(Okay, he did live 10 years after he had the stroke, but that really doesn't count. That was only a shell of who he really was.)

I watch that movie and remember. And I watch that movie and look forward to someday chatting, or not chatting probably, and spending some quality time with a man who has always been a mystery to me.

 

 

Kenzie's first concert!

Tis the season for Christmas concerts and the first one was last night! Mackenzie had her first orchestra concert ever and she did great! Joey sat in the front row and made paper airplanes with a little boy and flew them until the concert started (will my little boy ever grow up? I think he is stuck in what Britt would call an annoying state childish boyhood that never ends. She is his biggest fan right now!) The whole family was there and it was a great way to spend Family Home Evening!

 

 

Way to go, Mackenzie!!!

Now, the following video is for my older girls. Franklin Orchestra has a long standing tradition of performing this song during the Christmas concert. They have done it the last 17 years since we have started attending franklin and I figured Cortney and Ashley would get a kick out of seeing it. Mackenzie is still in beginning band so she has a few years to go but how cool is this? The Franklin Marching Orchestra!!!

 

All in all, a great night!