LITTLE COUSINS

Dear Family,

Becca and Paul were up here recently and got together with Suz and her family.  Here is Becca holding the last two grandchildren, little Elizabeth # 79 and little Analise #80 on the left.  These are real cute little girls.

Becca went down to Suz's ward on Sunday and moved to their row.  When these two little girls saw each other, they went nuts for several minutes, smiling, laughing and flapping their arms.  People sitting behind them were distracted from the talks and it was such a spontaneous scene. It was as if they were saying, "Hey hi, you made it!  I'm so glad to see you"

I have often wondered about our families.  Maybe things are not so random.  The little babies and kids seem to stare at me constantly as if to wonder, "Where do I know you   and haven't I seen you somewhere before?"  Their eyes follow me around the room.  Rob's boy little Luke did that all the time and it is a phenomena that seems to last until they are a little older.  Little Elizabeth is constantly staring at me all the time and I wish I could read that little mind.  You wonder sometimes whether families were somehow organized up above.  Not true certainly in all cases but one feels a familiarity with these little tykes as they come into the world.

So proud of our family and these new little additions.

Love you all,  Dad

MADELINE HAS A HOME COMING, PAUL JR. GETS A MISSION CALL

Dear Family,

Madeline came home from her mission in Scotland and Ireland.  She was felt to be under the weather there.  She has had exhaustive tests and medical evaluations and luckily, absolutely nothing was found on her evaluation here.  She has a clean bill of health for which we are all grateful.  After adjusting to the release, she is well, happy and looking forward to the next phase of her life.

She gave a homecoming talk in her church on Sunday and much of the family came up to hear her.  She did a marvelous job and spoke so warmly of her mission and the lives she had influenced for good.  She gave a vibrant testimony of the Gospel and her mission.

She had quite a bit of success in the time she served in both Scotland and Ireland.  Those she taught are in constant contact with Cheryl and Paul and so appreciative of Maddie. She is going back to school.  Here she is before the Stake President released her from her mission.

Maddie is great and all love her very much.  Here she is with some of her cousins from our side of the family,

Here is Hannah, Catherine, Rebecca, Sarah, Madeline B., Rachel and Maddie, the star of the day.  in front is Caroline, Emma and sister Annabelle.

Cheryl and Paul had a great open house after the church meeting and did a great job of entertaining all who came.  We all chatted and stayed a little long.  We all love Maddie.

Here is Johnny with a hat that Maddie brought him from Scotland.

During the week, Paul Jr. received his mission call. We went over for the opening and so did Paul's parents.

.Paul Jr.  was called to the Taiwan, Taipei  Mission and will go into the mission training Center in Provo in July.  we were all excited and happy for him and this new challenge,  John served there and got quite proficient in the language.

Well it was quite a week for Cheryl and Paul with the homecoming and the new mission call. We saw them again at the birthday party for Karen Huntsman.

We are proud of Maddie and happy for Paul.

We love you all,

Mom and Dad

OMA'S FAMILY NIGHT PRIZE

Dear Family,

It is time for another update.  We have had family over quite a bit recently and it has been great!  Here are some of the grandchildren from several families who came over with their parents.

Since Rebecca and Paul were here from St, George, we invited all who could come over for Sunday dinner.,  Doug and kids came, Suz, Scott and kids were there, Paul and Rebecca were there also with their children, Cheryl came over with several daughters and little Johnny. They all ate rapidly and took off for all parts of the house.  When the kids get together it is really something!

Oma always tries to have a spiritual thought at such get togethers and especially on Sunday.  She had written a short play and wanted the kids to act out the parts.  It would have taken less than 5 minutes but it was murder trying to get them all to come up and stop playing for a Family Night. We would get a bunch together only to have them disappear as we searched for the others, "Like herding cats?"

Finally Oma went around and promised all a special prize if they came to family night and participated in the play. Some of the teenyboppers stayed in the basement, some went home.  Little Johnny pleaded that he could stay since Oma promised a prize without knowing what the prize was.  We had the little skit about showing mercy to others who may be a little different, made some comments, had a song and a prayer.

Then Oma said, "I have a special prize this time. For all who came and participated get the prize.  The others do  not" Then she brought out a huge bowel, filled with coins that she had been saving around the house.  There were a ton of coins!

"Everyone can come up here and grab one handful of coins as their prize". It was like feeding a bunch of hungry fish. They all ran up and grabbed their handful.  Johnny put his is a plastic bag and slept beside it.  They all scored, JuJu got $19.00 worth of coins, "The quarters were on the bottom" .  Never did take a total but they all scored. Here is a picture of what was left over.

At first I was a little disturbed by this, "What are we teaching? You get paid for coming to Family Night?"  But for several days after they were still talking and smiling about Oma's prize.  They would never forget that one!  Those that did not participate were left out and glum.

I suppose that is how it works.  Our Father in Heaven invites us to do certain things and there are unspecified rewards for those who follow these invitations and those who do not would not be quite as rewarded.

Keep having Family Nights,

Love, Dad