Merry Christmas 2019, Y'all!

"HO, HO, HO!"

We truly hope this finds you well & happy! Our family has had an eventful 2019 with the lowest of lows & the highest of highs - LOTS of growth & BIG changes for us. Our highlights:

EMILY (18): Broadway Musicals; TREK (Pioneer trek reenactment), Bought 1st cowboy hat/boots, Prom, High School Graduation, Started college online, Works at Chick-Fil-A, Huge church Regional Youth Conference, Took up Yoga, Especially for Youth Camp, Young Women’s Camp, Queen Rhapsody concert, Josh Turned Concert at Billy Bob’s Texas, Performed with Millennial Choirs & Orchestras in Carnegie Hall/Toured NYC, Colored her hair, Colored it again, Classical Art Class, Young Women’s High Adventure, Volunteer at Second Chances dog/cat rescue shelter, State Fair of Texas (it’s a thing!), Changed 1st flat tire on road, 1st Live Artist Sketch, Overcame huge obstacles and came out on top shinning like a Christmas Star! So very proud of her!

JONATHAN (25): Country Fan Fest Concert, Learned/Poured/Worked with A LOT of cement, Moved back to Texas, Blue October concert, Began first “real career job” at AmerisourceBergen, moved into his first “on his own’ apartment, Will be completing his last year of college online with hopeful graduation in Dec 2020. Loves to buy guns, rifles, and anything else that goes “Bang!” So very proud of the man he is, his integrity and work ethic, and for putting himself through college cash-on-the-barrel and graduating debt-free! Big boy is now officially his “own house-hold”. Sniff sniff.

JESSICA (29): Works at Chase Bank in telephone center in Claims Dept. She & Taylor continue to live in Richardson, where they are raising Genna (turns 3 in Dec). She shares custody of Orli (turned 6 in Jun) on the weekends. We try to spend time with them when all our schedules permit. LOVE those little girls! Being grandparents is all the fun part of being a parent, but none of the not-so-fun part of being a parent! Haha!

BOB & TERI (forever 49): 1” away from being Empty-nesters! Bob still Regional Director of End-point Support with AmerisourceBergen. Surprised when recognized by Golden Arrow District of Boy Scouts of America in Jan. for his 15+ yrs in scouting & awarded the District’s highest award: District Award of Merit (it’s like the Silver Beaver Award, only on  the District Level rather than the national level.) DJ/Light/Sound services for churches, companies, organizations, individuals. Provided sound for TREK, Traveled to ID several times on business, Visited Jonathan in ID & got to be part of their infamous Bonfire & Country Dance Night, Provided sound/Technology for Church’s Regional Youth Conference, NYC Touring with Emily, Provided Sounds/Light/Tech for Young Women’s Camp (Emily has loved having him at her camp each year!),
Bob was called earlier this year to be the 1st Counselor to the Bishop of our Ward (congregation), is still the Stake Assistant Clerk/Technology Specialist, Serves & ministers to others daily. TERI keeps busy keeping the home fires burning, being Stake Public Affairs Social Media Specialist (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and website - check it out at www.latterdaysaintsinplano.com), Assistant Ward Newsletter Editor, Relief Society (women’s organization) Ministering Sister and Secretary, Stake Center (church building) Building Scheduler, Admin for the Texas Dallas Missionary Moms and California Bakersfield Missionary Moms Facebook groups, running the Founder1787 Facebook and Instagram sites (in lieu of teaching the MOA class this year), and keeping the family and home organized and put-together, on top of surpassing my self-imposed reading challenge this year of reading a book per month (15 and counting so far! Check out my name on goodreads.com to connect, if you’re a reader too!) Bob and I celebrated our 30th ANNIVERSARY this year in February! Forever isn’t long enough with this great and honorable man! Love doing Life with him!

Remembering the Real Reason for the Season,
We Wish You A Very Merry Christmas & A Happy, Blessed New Year!

Bob receiving the Golden Arrow District's "District Award of Merit" for his over=15 years of superior dedicated service to BSA and his community

Emily at Carnegie Hall

Emily with her best friend, Kathryn, all decked-out at QUEEN concert

QUEEN concert Tshirt souvenir

Bob visiting Jonathan at BYU-ID

Emily and her date, Joshua, at Prom Spring 2019

Happy 30th Anniversary to us! Haven't change a bit! haha!

Boom! Boom! Bang! Bang! Jonathan in one of his elements :)

Look who Jonathan ran into at the airport...

One of Jonathan's good friend and coworkers - working that cement!

Utah's County Fan Fest

Honey and the rest of us are Wishing Y'all a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

A Miracle Took Place in New York City

This is Emily's choir. 

On the 42nd anniversary of New York City's greatest power outage, there was another power outage. Yet, a miracle occurred.

My first thought when I heard of it was: Someone needed to hear this musical message in a bad way, and the adversary thought he'd stop it from happening. But God is greater still and took it to MILLIONS of people instead of just the few at Carnegie. Millions of people heard this "celestial message" and have been inspired by it. Twitter BLEW UP over this and people are thanking the choir from all over! 

Millennial Choirs and Orchestras, you are accomplishing your goal - to take good music and God back into the concert halls of America and to American hearts. Bravo! You shone in the face of adversity!

#mcoinnyc

A Special Day

Today is June, 9, 2019.... a very special day. It is the day my husband will be ordained a High Priest in our Church. I think we are both happy and humbled by this. He is a such a good husband and father. He is a true disciple of Christ. I know he is and will continue to be worthy of this ordination.

He is also being set apart as the first counselor to the new Bishop of our Ward at Church. With this comes a heavy responsibility and one I know he is worthy and prepared to take on. I pray I may be strong enough to support him each day in this calling, so he will have that added strength that I'm sure he'll need at times.

There is one part of today that makes me somewhat melancholy, though. And that is that I don't have Mama and Daddy here on Earth with whom to share this special and good news. So I guess I'm posting this as a way of reaching out to the Universe to let the Uni eres know instead of reaching out to them by phone. I know they are aware of us and i know they know about this good news. Still, at times like these I just miss them terribly and wish I could reach out directly to them and hear their voice.

I love you and miss you, Mama and Daddy! I know you'll be with us this day as my good husband is ordained to be a High Priest and set apart as the first counselor in the Bishopric. I only wish I could hug you and see your face. But my heart will do so instead.

I Am Enough - You Are Enough

Because of Christ, Through Christ, and With Christ, I am enough.

And so are you.

Even when we don't feel like we are. We are. 

#BecauseofHim

#ShareGoodness

Because of Him—Easter Video

 

 

We remember his great sacrifice in Gethsemane. 

We remember his sacrifice on the Cross. 

We celebrate His victory over death in His rising from the Tomb. 

Without each of these events, we would have no hope, no repentance, no life after death, and no resurrection unto eternal life. 

#BecauseofHim we are free. 

Because of Him we will literally resurrect, just as He did (Salvation). 

Because of Him we have our agency, to choose between good and evil and inherit the mansion of our choosing, hopefully choosing the highest of His glories (Exaltation). 

Happy Easter Week!


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


Recordamos su gran sacrificio en Getsemaní.

Recordamos su sacrificio en la Cruz.

Celebramos su victoria sobre la muerte en su ascenso de la tumba.


Sin cada uno de estos acontecimientos, no tendríamos esperanza, ni arrepentimiento, ni vida después de la muerte, ni resurrección a la vida eterna.


#GraciasAÉl somos libres.

Gracias a Él, literalmente resucitaremos, tal como lo hizo Él (salvación).

Gracias a Él tenemos nuestro albedrío, para escoger entre el bien y el mal y heredar la mansión de nuestra elección, con la esperanza de elegir la más alta de sus glorias (Exaltación).


¡Feliz semana Santa!

Book Review: Finding Noel

 

 

Finding Noel by Richard Paul Evans

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I love these Christmas books by RPE! They're not too long, but they always leave me with a smile, and I like that. I need more smiles in life! :) This story is about three people, two of which are the main storyline, and how they survive through their trials, come together, help and support each other (with others along the way doing the same, and others not so much) and finally 'finding' the third person, who becomes part of their family. A story of redemption of sorts. I like it because it gives hope.



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Book Review: The Noel Stranger

 

 

The Noel Stranger by Richard Paul Evans

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Cool story line! I loved it. There are a couple of twists, which I'm not used to in RPE books, and it's nice. If you've ever had something 'bad' happen to you, and you just want to crawl into a hole and forget the world, but then somehow you are forced out of that hole (by your own determination or by someone else) and then things start looking up, but then they are not as they seem, and the entire reason for the it ends up being something quite unexpected and different from what you thought, then you'll relate to this book. It's a fun story to read, it made me smile again at the end, and it was just a nice book. RPE's book always are. Easy to read. Unfortunately, I read his "Noel" trilogy backwards. Oh well, good thing they're all about different people and not related to each other. Why does RPE do that with his books? Most of his "series" are actually not connected at all. That kinda bugs me, but the books are such delights to read that I endure it. :)



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Book Review: The Noel Diary

 

 

The Noel Diary by Richard Paul Evans

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Great book. A bit different from other RPE books, in that this book seemed a bit more 'raw'. By that I mean that the topics were a bit more real, sad-but-true-to-today's-reality of many people's lives. It made me wonder what I'd do in several of the situations the characters were found in. Made me wonder about my own parenting style, relationship style with my husband, and personal "life" "style" that I choose to live my life in. I'm so glad and thankful I didn't have the trials these characters had in their lives. But grateful to know about them, thereby being able to empathize more with others who might have. I think it's funny when RPE finishes a book, and the character says something akin to "and so I wrote a book about it, and titled it "The Noel Diary". Haha! Anyway - a good and entertaining short read. Always, RPE draws upon characters who have character and deal with real-life situations, and always I walk away from his books not only entertained, but pensive and inspired to live my life even better than before. That's a good book, I think.

Again - I don't rate any book 5 stars unless it is out-of-this-world fantastic and classic - like Pride and Prejudice, etc. So 4 stars is my "top" rating. :)



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Merry Christmas Y'al!

Hello Family and Friends!

Christmas is upon us again! Yay! We hope you and yours have felt God’s blessings upon you this year and are enjoying good health and the love and joy of family and friends - especially during this “most wonderful time of the year!”

We had a decent year and enjoyed a visit from my (Teri’s) brother, Billy, back in February (see picture above). It’s always so nice to be with family and get caught up on each other’s lives. He is doing as well as can be expected. Getting older ain’t for sissies! His feet and legs are still hanging in there, but give him trouble often. His deafness in the one ear is getting worse, and he still suffers from Tinnitus, which can be very distracting and frustrating. Bless his heart! He keeps busy with odd jobs and is a great help to George and Becky, his friends/landlords. He gets to go out with friends at times and is doing well overall.

BOB: Continues to work for AmerisourceBergen and loves his job and the people he works with. He is Director of End-Point Support for the Southwest Area and travels from time to time. He was the President of the Young Men’s organization in Church most of the year until he was released in October. He will sorely miss being so intricately involved with the boys he’s grown to love as his own. I think the boys will miss him just as much if not more, as they absolutely love him! He was a fabulous YM President! He also does “side jobs” for church, friends, and word-of-mouth-friends as DJ, Sound/Light Technician and Computer Mr-Fix-It. Serving others is like oxygen to him! He is the best husband and father we could ask for, and I certainly appreciate all his help where all those Honey-Do’s are concerned. 

JESSICA (28): Is currently working at Home Depot in North Dallas; lives with her fiancee,Taylor; is in the process of a divorce from Nate; and being a Mama to Orli (who lives with Nate) and Genna (who lives with Jessica & Taylor). We see her and/or the girls as time/schedules permit. Those girls are growing way too fast! Orli started Kindergarten this year! Way too fast, I’m telling ya!

JONATHAN (24): Is currently home for his “off semester” from BYU-ID. He changed his major to CIT and has been working this semester at AmerisourceBergen in an internship. He’s been blessed in that all his “post-mission” jobs have application to his major and have been incremental in importance/knowledge for it too. Good for the resume after graduation! Last semester he enjoyed being asked to be a Country Western Dance instructor on campus, and he’s thoroughly enjoyed that! He also loves to serve others and does so whenever possible, as well as making sure he takes time to spend with good friends doing things like making huge bonfires, off-road cycling, hiking, climbing, and other adrenaline-inducing things a Mama rather not know about until he’s home and safe! Recently he got to travel with friends to Arkansas for one of their mutual friend’s wedding. He’s also learned how to take apart rifles and completely sand/stain/update the wood on them. He did such a great job, that friends are asking him to do theirs! He’s a big help here at home too, and I am glad to have this time with him before he finally flies the coop! Especially when he sits down to play guitar and sing for us! He attends the Young Singles Ward in North Dallas and serves on the Activities Committee there. 

EMILY (17): Recently got her Provisional Driver’s License, meaning she has been driving ALONE now the past few months! “Mama, I feel so grown up driving around town everywhere!” It’s a bittersweet pill for this mama, as she’s our baby, and this marks a big milestone for us - nearing that Empty Nest stage. Emily keeps busy with her studies as well as the Dallas Millennial Choirs & Orchestras (she sings alto & they performed in the Tabernacle onTemple Square in Salt Lake City in April, and we hope she’ll make it to NYC this coming Summer to perform with them in Carnegie Hall), her two art classes (classic and modern), her piano lessons, hanging out with friends, and her church activities where she serves as the Laurel Class Secretary (16-18 yr olds) as well as serving on the Stake Youth Committee (youth who are responsible for planning/leading activities for all the Latter-day Saint youth in Plano, like dances and events). She also adopted her new best friend: Honey (3 y/o Parsons Russell Terrier/Miniature Schnauzer mix female dog). Honey is the sweetest, kindest, most silent & cuddly dog ever! We’ve all fallen in love with her. Those two could not be more each other’s “spirit animal”. They are two peas in a pod and they are inseparable. No, really! We love when Emily sits to play her ukulele and sing, and love it double when she and Jonathan sing and harmonize together! Heavenly! Another big event: She started her first job - at Chick-Fil-A! She loves it there, and I must say, they sure are a good employer! Second big event: She cut all her hair off! She just wanted something different. (See picture below) We think it is adorable and she pulls it off well.  Emily is a huge help to us around the house, as my lower back and sacroiliac dysfunction keep me from doing many things I’d normally do. She also loves to serve others and is often called upon to do so in many different ways. She’s known as the “reliable/responsible” one. She loves babysitting, pet sitting, and also quiet nights at home with a good book or movie and ice cream! Who doesn’t? Ha! She continues growing in her artistic skills and blows us away with her sketches, paintings, and even self-taught crafts she makes. Friendship bracelets have been a big hit this past year. 😉 

TERI: I just continue homeschooling Emily, keeping the family organized and in my spare time I am a Grandma, the Stake (City-wide church area) Public Affairs/Social Media Specialist running the website (www.mormonsinplano.com), Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Instagram accounts, a Relief Society (women’s group) Ministering Sister and Relief Society Ministering Secretary (formerly Visiting Teaching District Supervisor), the Stake Center building Scheduler, Assistant Ward Newsletter Editor, Administrator for both the Texas Dallas MissionaryMoms and California Bakersfield MissionaryMoms Facebook groups, Attire Check Volunteer with Dallas Millennial Choirs & Orchestras, and friend to any who need one. I love to serve and help others any way I can. It just makes us happy, doesn’t it?

There is no doubt the world is in turmoil, yet there is still so much beauty and goodness to be found if we take the time to find it. So many seek lasting joy and peace, but seek it in the wrong places. We invite all to Seek Christ this Season during which we celebrate His birth and remember His life and mission. He is the way, the light, and the life. It is only through Him we can find that lasting joy and peace. We, and the world, need His wisdom, joy and peace more than ever before. Our prayer for all, as well as for ourselves, is that we will refocus this new year in seeking that Christ who is our Redeemer and our true Friend, who can fill our lives with lasting joy and lasting peace, while still guiding and strengthening us during our sojourn in this troubled world.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Y’all!

 

Walt Before Mickey

What a great movie!