Howzit-Elder Flexy!

 Elder Flexy 2:5 -email-

Mama

     things are going fantastic!!! we have found thirty two new investigators since i got here we are on fire we are teaching like crazy. but now its getting out of hand because we have a hard time seeing everyone we need to. but the work is going awesome and the time is flying by. it turns out when you work your butt off every day the days go by fast. yep we have had some awesome experiances when we have visited one of the members. And he is a spiritual giant so we go visit him and we feel the spirit so strong. He is a return missionary and he was honorably sent home after eighteen months because he burnt out but he did more work in that eighteen months than most two missionaries do in there entire missions. I have been writing in my journal almost every day. Our teaching and finding we are doing both very well. and tell you the truth me and Elder martin are probably the most obediant missionaries in the mission. So God has blessed us for it things have just been working out its so nice. My favorite part of SA is the fact the people actually walk places so street finding is amazing here. you could stand at one corner all day and contact over a hundred people. CRAZY HUH!!!! anyway just know i'm working my can off and i will till the end of my mission. Love you Mama


                                                                            Love, Elder Flexy        

Baba,

      Thats awesome that Brother _____ is getting involved. So i met this Elder in my zone his name is Elder A__ and his family came to visit us and we met his dad. And he reminds me of me and you.:) Him and his dad are so, so, so similar kinda like you and me. Its pretty sweet these missionaries are very powerful! Not too obediant but they are great teachers. and i've learned a lot from them. Anyway love you Baba.
                                                                         


                                                                           Love, Elder Flexy

Sunday Best!

Matthew 22:15-22

15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. 16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. 17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar? or not? 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? 19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. 20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? 21 The say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. 22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way. 

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

Just like we have tax laws, 

the people in Jesus' time had tax laws too. 

When the Pharisees wanted to trick Jesus,  

he was aware of their desire to deceive Him. 

When He asked for a coin, 

He was showing us that we should

 obey the laws of the land. 

"Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's". 

But He also said "unto God the things that are God's."

 What is God's? Everything. 

We are His. Our life is His, Our time is His.

 Even in a government without much freedom, 

our hearts can be His. 

We can obey the laws and love and obey God.  

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

We believe in 

obeying the law.

****

Article of Faith #12 

We believe in being subject to 

kings, presidents, rulers, 

and magistrates, 

in obeying, honoring, and 

sustaining the law. 

Hope your Sunday was the Best! Love, Joy

Family History Friday (FHF): Hot Seat!

I know summer is 

basically over. 

For my youngest, 

school started this week,

 but I thought you might like 

some fun ideas for your next 

family reunion or gathering. 

I found a great web site 

that has a fun idea. 

It's called the 
"Family History Hot Seat."  

You can find it here at 

FamilyHistoryProducts.com. 

I plan on doing something like this 

at our next Christmas Party. 

What a great idea! 

I'll then make copies of the 

Hot Seat recording for each family.  

Check it out. Fun! 

Happy Family History Friday!
 Love, Joy

Daddy & Daughter

The day before Riley left to go to boot camp! 

We ask Natasha, 

"Where is Daddy?" 

and she says, 

"Daddy's in the Army!"

I'm sure it doesn't all make sense to her, 

but we do our best to help her remember him.

 She loves her Daddy! 

He'll be home soon!

Shelter is good!

We recently had the most amazingly "windy" storm pass through our neighborhood. I don't mind a breeze, but this was a wind! As Winnie the Pooh would say, it was "a blustery day!" Rain is good and I usually don't mind it. Everything smells clean and fresh after the rain. I love a good snow storm, especially if I don't have to go anywhere. But the wind scares me a little bit. Maybe because we have 11 really tall pine trees around our home. I don't know, maybe it's because sometimes I feel like I'm in "The Wizard of Oz", and the house is going to lift right up and blow away. It's a scary time to me. Some time during the middle of this windy storm, I was thinking how blessed we are to have a home. Our home has protected us from all kinds of weather. It has kept us warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and dry when there's rain or snow. We can lock the door and feel safe. We can put on our pj's, and wander around, and no one cares. While I was thinking about how blessed we are to have a home, it hit me that our home has sheltered us from other storms too. These storms that are not always visible, but can be every bit as devastating.  These storms come along unexpectedly. If we were to think of our home and the structure of it, different things go together to make it. There are beams, 2X4's, sheet rock, tile, brick, siding, a roof, and windows, etc. All of these things, and more, are what makes the home solid and strong, but not indestructible. In the same way, there are different things that make our home solid and strong. Things we can't see. The first would be desire. To desire a strong and solid home would motivate anyone to do whatever it takes to make it that way. Love, maybe even charity, would be very important. Patience, and compassion. Kindness, sharing what we have. Even selflessness. Hard work. No one wants to work alone. I believe that a family, to be solid and strong, must believe in God. If we believe in God, we want to live a life of devotion to Him. To give glory to Him by the way we live, and act, as a family, and a people. If we build a solid and strong home in this way, it can protect us from the storms that will come. Storms like: loss of a job, wayward children, substance abuse, etc. Some of the storms we may deal with are huge! Some are just the daily struggles that we all have. They can wear you down too. That doesn't mean we won't be a little scared from time to time, when we hear or see the storms around us. We will know that we have done what it takes to have a strong home. We will believe, and know we are safe. 

Howzit-Elder Flexy!

Elder Flexy 2:4 -email-

Mom,

Ya i'm so glad tasha is doing great. things are going good the work is really slow but we are working our butts off! anyway about your questions. I have not mailed a letter yet we haven't really had time. we work all day and when we get home we just crash its hard work but its fun. And no i haven't received any letters yet but its all good. our area is mostly city and large town areas tracting in our area doesn't really work so we just find near members homes. My companion is awesome me and him are probably the most obediant missionaries in the mission. but we still have fun. the accents are pretty sweet but the older indians have super thick accents and they speak really fast so you can't really understand them. who knew you need the gift of tongues to understand english. :) ya i do stand out a lot people just stare at me sometimes its kinda creepy. we have some investigators that are doing really well they are progressing. we have had some powerful lessons. we have had some really disgusting curry dishes man they are aweful but we eat them anyway but there is this really good stuff its kinda like mashed potatoes but its called pop its pretty good. anyway things are going great i'm learning Zulu and Sign language too anyway better go love ya
                                       Love Elder Flexy


Dad,

Thats awesome to hear all things are going good at home so we had our first Zone Conferance it was six hours long!!!!!! ya but we are learning a lot. we hear that Elder Holland is coming to our mission and we will get to meet him!! but thats kinda scary cause last time he came he send some elders home cause he knew they werent obediant. anyway love you Baba.
                                        Love Elder Flexy

Sunday Best!

“Who are we? 

We are children of God. 

Our potential 

is unlimited. 

Our inheritance is sacred.

 May we always honor 

that heritage—

in every thought and deed.”

-Russell M. Nelson

Hope your Sunday was the Best! 

Love, Joy

Family History Friday (FHF): On Family History!

"We must not be weary in well doing.

 Should we feel our 

contribution in this sacred 

work is small or insignificant, 

we remember that 'the worth 

of souls is great in the sight of God.'

D&C 18:10

Is it any wonder that when we 

receive a testimony of this 

work, we desire to give so much 

to its progress and its 

advancement? Barriers evaporate 

as mists before the morning 

sun. When we perform our work 

with abiding faith, we will 

qualify for the desired blessings."

                                                     

        -Thomas S. Monson

Happy Family History Friday! Love, Joy

Howzit! Elder Flexy!

Elder Flexy 2:3 -email-

Mama, things are going good here the work here is really really slow but the people are learning slowly and steadily. my area has very rich and very poor. my companion said that it has the most white people which is funny cause there are very few whites. We talk to a lot of muslims, and Hindus. key word being talk because we are not supposed to teach them. Good job on quiting pop!!!!!! thats great! ya playing soccer is super fun and no we don't use shin guards but the way they play down here is differant. Not that the rules are differant but they don't kick very hard at all so you don't have to worry. ya the food here is good one of the elders in our zone got some american candy from home and it was so good!!!! I'm starting to like curry its pretty yummy stuff if its made right. anyway i'm finnishing up the book of 2 Nephi its super confusing. anyway we don't have any baptisms yet but they will come anyway gotta go. Love, Elder Flexy   

Favorite TV/Movie Quotes!

-Sleepless in Seattle-

Doctor Marcia Fieldstone: People who truly loved once are far more likely to love again. Sam, do you think there's someone out there you could love as much as your wife? 

Sam Baldwin: Well, Dr. Marcia Fieldstone, that's hard to imagine. 

Doctor Marcia Fieldstone: What are you going to do? 

Sam Baldwin: Well, I'm gonna get out of bed every morning... breathe in and out all day long. Then, after a while I won't have to remind myself to get out of bed every morning and breathe in and out... and, then after a while, I won't have to think about how I had it great and perfect for a while. 

Doctor Marcia Fieldstone: Tell me what was so special about your wife? 

Sam Baldwin: Well, how long is your program? Well, it was a million tiny little things that, when you added them all up, they meant we were supposed to be together... and I knew it. I knew it the very first time I touched her. It was like coming home... only to no home I'd ever known... I was just taking her hand to help her out of a car and I knew. It was like... magic. 

Sunday Best!

Matthew 5:16

Let your light so shine

 before men, that they may see

 your good works,

 and glorify your 

Father which is in heaven.

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

We are all examples! Some good, some bad. We might as well be a good one. Abraham Lincoln said, "Whatever you are be a good one". I agree. If we have blessed with a testimony of Christ and our Eternal Father, we have an obligation to them, to stand up. To be set on a candlestick for all to see. I know to me, that sounds very intimidating. I'm not perfect, why would I want others watching me and how I live my life? Whether I like it or not, people will watch me, and my example. So, if I want God to be glorified, I must do my best. I must "Let my light shine". 
Hope your Sunday was the Best! Love, Joy 

Family History Friday (FHF): First water skier?

When John Howland came with the other pilgrims to America. He had quite an adventure. He was just a young man in his early 20's.

What an opportunity!

 To come to a new world and 

start a life of his own. 

While the Mayflower was at sea a storm came, John Howland fell off the ship. It wasn't like it is now. If you fell off a ship now, they could just turn around and come get you. No, this was a ship with sails and turning around would be almost impossible, especially in a storm and how would they find him, even if they were able to turn around? Luckily, or by divine intervention, John was able to catch hold of the topsail halyards and was rescued. When I spoke with friends today about this story, someone said, "Hey, he was the first water skier!" Funny! His story is an amazing one. He married Elizabeth Tilley, after her parents both died the first winter. Years ago our family had the opportunity to visit Plymouth, Massachusetts. What a great trip!! The things we heard, and the things we saw, will always stay with us. We are so thankful for the pilgrims. If you took the time to look, to see all of John Howlands descendants. You would be amazed. If he had just fallen of the ship and not been recovered, so much would be different. I'm glad he caught hold of the halyards. I'm sure his descendants are too! Heres a list of some of them:

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Joseph Smith

Dr. Spock

George H. W. Bush  

George W. Bush

Sarah Palin

Christopher Lloyd

Humphrey Bogart

Alec Baldwin

My friend Julie

and My darlin!

Happy Family History Friday! 
Love, Joy

Lessons!

On July 25th, it was the seventh anniversary of my oldest brother's passing. He was just 46 years old. Losing him was quite a surprise. We have always been a close family. We had Sunday dinner together for years and years, even after we were all adults, and living away from our parent's home. We spent time together, hiking and picnicking. He had been divorced and was living on his own. His three kids, lived with their mom. He was always content and happy to be in the mountains. It wasn't uncommon at all for him to go fishing with his dog, Gordon, at least once a week. He was a happy person most of the time, and mostly fun to be around unless he was teasing me. Yes, he still teased me. He was always ready with a joke or funny story. 

While hiking with several family members, including one of his sons, he just fell on the trail. The family gathered around. Everyone filled with the shock of what had just happened. My nephew, his son, ran down the trail hoping to get a signal on his cell phone. My brothers and dad took turns giving him CPR and carrying him. They made their way down the trail. After the paramedics arrived, everyone realized that what they were hoping didn't happen, did happen. My brother was gone. His short life was over. My parents were amazingly strong. But as my mom says, "Parents just shouldn't have to bury their kids." In the hours after his death, our family started noticing small miracles, tender mercies that the Lord had seen fit to give us during this hard time. The lesson I learned is this. God is always there. Even in the hardest times. We just need to notice Him! When my brother died, he was in the mountains. He was not at home alone, he was with our family doing what he loved, being outside. He was gone in a moment, not after years of pain and sickness. We knew he loved us, and he knew we loved him. He is buried where my mom and dad will be buried, in the same grave with them and not alone. I believe he is with others on the other side. Family who have passed on before him, and love him too. We miss him, but we are thankful that we had 46 years with him. Look for God, He is all around us. He loves us and even let's us have sad times. These times help us to be better people. 

In memory of my big brother, Brian. Love you!

Howzit! Elder Flexy!

Elder Flexy 2:2  -email-

Dear Mom,

     ... Anyway our area is booming with new investigators! last week we found 3 new investigators but this week we got 15 crazy huh! ya the people listen but they usually just don't want to change so the work is slow but good. also I'm learning some Zulu its a pretty cool and hard some of the noises they make are really hard to learn. My companion is from Pretoria which is in south africa we are getting along well and the work is going well. ya our area is just north of durban along the beach which stinks cause we can't swim but oh well its a beautiful place. our appartment is really good and small. All i've really eaten since i got here is lunch meat sandwiches and pasta with Parmesan cheese. haha ya we have p-day till six o clock then we do work for the rest of the day. ya things are going good the weather here is nice. People keep saying its biting cold and i just laugh cause its not even close to cold. Anyway I'm doing great...       
                                                                                                          Love, Elder (Flexy)

Sunday Best!

“Because the Spirit is often 
described as a still, 
small voice, it is also important 
to have a time of quiet 
in our lives as well. 
The Lord has counseled us to 
‘be still, and know that I am God.’ 
If we provide a still and quiet 

time each day when we are 
not bombarded by television,
 computer, video games, or personal 
electronic devices, we allow 

that still, small voice an opportunity 
to provide personal
 revelation and to whisper sweet 
guidance, reassurance, 

                and comfort to us.”                                                                      

Vicki F. Matsumori

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

We all need to take a few minutes (at least) each day to just sit still, and to listen. What is God trying to tell you about your life. He is there and He will guide you and help you along the way, I know it. Hope your Sunday was the best! Love, Joy  

It doesn't matter 

where you go

 or what you do
or how much you have,

what matters is 

who 

you have beside you.

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

Celebrating 25th years together!

I love you, sweetheart!

5 Faves on the 5th!

1- Being in Love!
(after 25 years)

2-Being married!

(to my best friend)

3-Being a Mom and Grandma!

(what a blessing)

4- The Temple!

(the mountain of the Lord)

5- My Family!

(and being together forever)

My darlin's Birthday!

My darlin!

(getting a little salt and pepper in that beard!)

Today is my sweetheart's birthday!

Happy Birthday! 

We had a fun day in Salt Lake City. 

We rode the Front Runner down, and had a big adventure. 

The Gilgal Garden was pretty neat. 

This guy was pretty busy for a long time 

doing all of this to his yard. It's now open to the public. 

There were scriptures and thoughts and 

songs written on a lot of the rocks.

Fun and interesting!

Then we went to Trolly Square. 

We ate lunch, and decided to go to see this antique car collection. 

We had seen information about it on the internet.

We rode Trax as far as we could, then walked and walked, for blocks and blocks.  

We saw this on the way! 

Good idea!!!! I will. 

Notice the raindrops on the Trust Jesus sidewalk sign? 

Yes, it rained too. 

So we walked and walked, I know I said that, 

and we got to the building and guess what.

 It was closed! 

What the..! 

No way, did we just walk and walk 

to get here, and have it be closed!!! 

Are these some of the antique cars? 

My little darlin ran over to the front door to see if anything was on the door. 

There was a sign that said, "Running errands!" with a phone #. 

So we called the number, (remember we walked and walked), 

and they said they will be back tomorrow. 

Sorry, we won't!

We headed up to the Trax station. (More walking.) 

I need it to be clear, 

I had no intention of burning the massive 

amount of calories that I burned today. 

-Sorry-

We stopped at the 

Hope Gallery and Museum. 

We both loved it!

We made a quick pass through the Gateway. 

My darlin loves Dick's Sporting Goods. 

He is always looking at racquet's.

 I can't believe he doesn't get tired of looking at them. 

I went into the Brighton store.

 He can't believe I never get tired of looking at the Brighton store. 

It's a great relationship we have.

 I'm just grateful the stores are right across from each other. 

After that we headed for home. It was a fun day, 

mostly because we were together.

 I think my sweetheart had fun too. 

Happy Birthday, Sweetie!