June & July 2011

(We are new at blogging. This is going to be interesting.)

As most of you already know, we are going on an eighteen-month service mission to the Visitors Center in Sharon, Vermont. Sharon is the birthplace of Joseph Smith. There is a large monument, a visitor center, a chapel, and a stake camp on the property. Everyone we have talked to who has visited there, tells us it is a very beautiful place, and you can FEEL a special spirit there.

We will enter the MTC (Mission Training Center) in Provo on August 1st for 5 days, then we will pack the car Saturday, and leave Monday August 8th for Vermont.

We will actually be in the New Hampshire, Manchester Mission, under the direction of the Mission President, but will serve at the visitors center. Our apartment is in Sharon, about 5 minutes from the visitors center

We have had an exciting summer. We spent most of June in Minnesota with Mike's Uncle, Richard Lance, and his Aunt and Uncle, Judy and George Drew. They are the kindest people you will ever meet. It was beautiful in Minnesota and we had a great time. I caught a 5 1/2 pound bass and that was a bit exciting. Mike caught some pretty nice fish too. Richard's neighbors, Ron and Karen Cupfer, are really awesome. She taught me an easier way to fillet fish, and helped me fillet the big bass. It tasted good, but was not as tasty as the smaller one I caught.

We both talked in church in the small branch in Wahpeton, North Dakota. Mike talked the first Sunday we were there. He invited his Uncle Richard to come and he did. Mike's talk was very inspiring and from the heart. When Mike came walking back to sit by us, Richard raised his arm and shook Mike's hand. That really meant a lot to Mike. Mike's talk was given with the help of the spirit, and when you tell him what a great talk it was, he doesn't take credit for it.

We went back to Arizona for a week, packed up, and headed for Utah where we had a great family reunion with our children and grandchildren at Escalante State Park. We had 6 of our 7 children there, and 28 of our 36 grandchiildren. Dewain and his family were unable to come this year, because he was out of the country with his work. We sure have teriffic children and grandchildren.

Today, Sunday July 24th, we attended Fruit Heights 4th Ward, the ward where we lived for 15 years before moving to Arizona. It was wonderful to see everyone. It was like a great big family reunion, with lots of hugs. We sure felt their love for us.

Thanks to Melinda and Jacob (Cluff) for helping us get this blog started. We love you all. Mike & Janie, Mom & Dad, Grandma and Grandpa.