Weeks 29-30 in The Utah Ogden Mission

Lyrics

1. 1. I have a fam'ly here on earth.
   They are so good to me.
   I want to share my life with them through all eternity.
   2. While I am in my early years,
   I'll prepare most carefully,
   So I can marry in God's temple for eternity.


2. Chorus
   Fam'lies can be together forever
   Through Heav'nly Father's plan.
   I always want to be with my own family,
   And the Lord has shown me how I can.
   The Lord has shown me how I can.
   
   
   I love this song we sing with our children. Though most marriage ceremonies say "till death do you part" God has provided a way for us to be sealed for time and all eternity in one of His Holy Temples. I am grateful for His mercy and love for all of us to have that opportunity. 
   
   
   Serving a full time mission with our family is a unique experience. We still carry on with family and individual activities but with a spirit of the work of God always a part of us. The work and the mission never stops, but our children are growing and flourishing in Utah. 
   
   
   Mackenzie is busy as a senior at Bonneville High School in South Ogden. She spent the entirety of December singing with the small group choir Tapestry. She has even learned how to dance as they are more of a theatrical small choir. She is getting straight A's taking Utah required classes like computer literacy, financial literacy and nutrition alongside her English and Mathematics classes. She applied to Brigham Young University Idaho and Provo. She is getting to be a great skier as we spend almost every Saturday morning on our "day off" (Friday at 4pm - Saturday at 4pm) on the slopes of Snowbasin. She is finishing writing the fantasy novel she started when she was 12. She is applying for scholarships. She and a few friends love shopping at thrift stores and going to Cafe Rio for lunch. We love her and are so grateful her senior year is going well. 
   

   
   
   Emma is a cross country athlete. She loves running and she loves the boys (especially the seniors) that run everyday after school. She is counting down the days till she turns 16 (53 days) so she can go on a date and drive. We are cheering for her opportunity to drive but not so much to date. She is doing great in school, passed drivers ed and will be performing in the upcoming school musical, Mary Poppins. She thinks the missionaries are cool. 
   

   
   

   
   
   Joshua turned 11 a few weeks ago. He will receive his webelos and arrow of light awards next week. That was tough to finish. We crammed. He is doing gymnastics twice a week and playing basketball twice a week. His passion right now is his freshwater fish and tank he received for Christmas. He watches them and takes notes on their interactions. Yesterday he brought home an eel. Yuck. He loves playing Star Wars battlefront with dad as well as watching Ute basketball games. 
   

   
   
   Eliza said yesterday, "do you know one of our missionaries is getting married?" She feels a real connection to them like they are her siblings. She loves the snow, especially sledding and skiing at Snowbasin. She will share a scripture or a song at a fireside that brings the spirit to the meeting quickly. She is genuinely kind, caring and compassionate. We meet people from all walks of life and she doesn't judge. She loves like Jesus loves.