Last Friday I was able to attend the first Russia Samara Mission reunion in over ten years. My mission was a big part of my life and I believe I am who I am today because of the experiences I had there and the people I met and served with. It was great to see some of those people again on friday and talk about some of the experiences that we shared that hold such a tender place in my heart.
My mission president's wife was able to attend and it was so great to see her again. Her husband was a great man in so many ways. He came to the mission field full of energy and ideas and inspired me to work harder and learn more. His commitment to the gospel was clear and his love of the Lord visible in his smile and the love he showed to us. About a year after I came home I learned that doctors had found several tumors in his body. Within a few short months he passed away. I had a chance to ask his wife about that experience and was touched to hear her personal story of the struggle she went through during that time. But I was also impressed at how many memories she shared of the mission experience with her husband. I think I expected to find her loss overshadowed her experience but it seemed to be the other way around. Her experience in Russia has profoundly affected her life as it has mine and many others.
Over the past few months I have felt strongly impressed to share some of these experiences. I've started a personal blog where I've been writing down some of my memories from my mission. I don't want to forget how I got there and the things I experienced and I also want my children to know of the people on the other side of the world that have such great faith. I look forward to compiling these stories into a book that my children can keep. These experiences are very personal to me but I feel that others might benefit from them also. If you would be interested in reading these let me know and I will send you an invitation to the blog.
In a recent email my mission presidents wife shared this thought, "It was great to learn about your lives and your families, and then I noticed as the evening wore on, our conversations turned to Russia, the mission and the experiences we had there. It was such a significant time in our lives. The mission was exactly what we always believed it to be – something incredibly special and remarkable that we were allowed to be a part of. One of the last comments Pres. Wold made to me – just weeks before he died (when I was feeling very distraught) – was “The mission has prepared you for the years ahead.” I believe that statement could apply to most, if not all of you. My mission in Russia was a gift from God and changed my life forever." I couldn't agree more.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
What Day Did School Start?
So somewhere in the middle of family reunions and company last week school started again for Dallin and Cameron. No, they don't have new school clothes, or backpacks, or lunch boxes. I haven't even gone through their boxes of homework from last year to take pictures of all the hard work they did. And now, a new year has begun. I feel like it has taken off and left me behind.
We did make it home from the reunion in time to meet their new teachers at the Open House. Cameron's excited because she has all her friends in her class again. Dallin, well, I think he'd rather stay home with his Dad but neither of them have that choice.
Eden and Austin both start preschool in two weeks. Maybe by then I'll be a little more prepared. But it seems like Eden and Austin are stuck with scatterbrained, busy mom instead of the calm always on top of things mom that Dallin and Cameron got.
We did make it home from the reunion in time to meet their new teachers at the Open House. Cameron's excited because she has all her friends in her class again. Dallin, well, I think he'd rather stay home with his Dad but neither of them have that choice.
Eden and Austin both start preschool in two weeks. Maybe by then I'll be a little more prepared. But it seems like Eden and Austin are stuck with scatterbrained, busy mom instead of the calm always on top of things mom that Dallin and Cameron got.
Company
After being stuck in a hotel with the flu for a couple of days Ryan's sister Deb and her family came to stay with us until Saturday. The kids had a blast getting to spend some extra time with their cousins from California that they don't get to see very often.
I think Austin enjoyed spending time with Uncle Stu the most. He was so excited to show Stu his new birthday presents and everything else he owns even though I don't think he remembered ever having met this Uncle before. On the last day they were in town I had to take this picture of the two boys playing on the iphones (Austin had Aunt Deb's). It was like Stu and mini me, even down to the orange shirts!
Saying goodbye can be so hard sometimes. Brittney is one of Dallin's most favorite people and it broke his heart when she ran back in the house crying after they had already started to leave. He can't wait to see her again! We all can't wait!
I think Austin enjoyed spending time with Uncle Stu the most. He was so excited to show Stu his new birthday presents and everything else he owns even though I don't think he remembered ever having met this Uncle before. On the last day they were in town I had to take this picture of the two boys playing on the iphones (Austin had Aunt Deb's). It was like Stu and mini me, even down to the orange shirts!
Saying goodbye can be so hard sometimes. Brittney is one of Dallin's most favorite people and it broke his heart when she ran back in the house crying after they had already started to leave. He can't wait to see her again! We all can't wait!
Smith Family Reunion
For Ryan's family's reunion this year we went to Heber Valley Camp August 17th and 18th. One of the highlights of the trip was doing the ropes course. I was so proud that all the kids made it across, without even flinching! I admit, I may have flinched, once or twice. But even Austin gave it a good effort even though his legs were just too short to climb up.
Eden was a little nervous at first but her cousin Katy swore she had done it before and it was lots of fun. I found out later from Joy that Katy had never made it all the way on her own before but what you don't know can't hurt you. Eden walked up that thing like she had done it every day of her life. 'Course she handled those cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde last year pretty well too so maybe she was born for this.
We gave Eden the camera and I found this one among the forty or so pictures she took. She has a pretty funny perspective on the world. I wish I could have included all forty pictures. They were really cute. Especially since half of them were of her and Katy.
Eden was a little nervous at first but her cousin Katy swore she had done it before and it was lots of fun. I found out later from Joy that Katy had never made it all the way on her own before but what you don't know can't hurt you. Eden walked up that thing like she had done it every day of her life. 'Course she handled those cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde last year pretty well too so maybe she was born for this.
We gave Eden the camera and I found this one among the forty or so pictures she took. She has a pretty funny perspective on the world. I wish I could have included all forty pictures. They were really cute. Especially since half of them were of her and Katy. 
The cousins all started The Turkey Club with a flag and theme song. Pretty silly.
Graduation Day
On August 14th Ryan officially graduated from BYU's EMBA program. HOORAY!
The white thing Ryan was wearing around his neck is called the Stoll of Gratitude. He wrote a really sweet note on it to me during the ceremony and gave it to me afterwards. It made me cry. I definitely felt like it took the two of us for him to get his degree (with a full time job and four kids). But that's what marriage is all about.
The white thing Ryan was wearing around his neck is called the Stoll of Gratitude. He wrote a really sweet note on it to me during the ceremony and gave it to me afterwards. It made me cry. I definitely felt like it took the two of us for him to get his degree (with a full time job and four kids). But that's what marriage is all about.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
All American Boy
This little boy has some skills! I think I'm looking at enduring some hot summertime baseball games in the near future.
Gilroy Family Reunion - Day 7
Home Again
On our way home we stopped at Cedar Breaks National Monument (it looks a lot like Bryce) and then at Parowan. One of Ryan's distant relatives settled that small town and his home has been turned into a museum. Ryan took the kids and found pictures of his relatives, among other pioneer memorabilia.
I think this is Silas Smith.
On our way home we stopped at Cedar Breaks National Monument (it looks a lot like Bryce) and then at Parowan. One of Ryan's distant relatives settled that small town and his home has been turned into a museum. Ryan took the kids and found pictures of his relatives, among other pioneer memorabilia.
I think this is Silas Smith.
Gilroy Family Reunion - Day 6
Bryce National Park
I love hiking through Bryce. We got a little more cooperation out of the kids this time since the weather was so much better. We took the Navajo Loop trail until it connected with the Sunrise trail. Overall it was 3 miles and I was really proud of Dallin and Cameron. Cameron even beat us all to the top. Eden gave up about 20 min. before the end. There was some drama but we eventually got her there too.
Once again Ryan carried Austin in the backpack. It was pretty funny to hear the comments people made as they passed him. (I always end up at the back trying to keep Eden going). Some of the comments I heard were, 
I love hiking through Bryce. We got a little more cooperation out of the kids this time since the weather was so much better. We took the Navajo Loop trail until it connected with the Sunrise trail. Overall it was 3 miles and I was really proud of Dallin and Cameron. Cameron even beat us all to the top. Eden gave up about 20 min. before the end. There was some drama but we eventually got her there too.
Once again Ryan carried Austin in the backpack. It was pretty funny to hear the comments people made as they passed him. (I always end up at the back trying to keep Eden going). Some of the comments I heard were,"Man, that guys in really good shape." (That was actually when he was also carrying Eden and going uphill).
This one was from a young couple as they passed. Wife says, "so, which one of us do you think would be carrying that thing?" Husband says, "not me."
And finally, a Dad with several young kids in tow, "That's a good dad."
I think so too.
Gilroy Family Reunion - Day 5
Mammoth Cave
This was pretty exciting. There are these caves (actually lava tubes) out in the middle of the forest. Some are bigger than others but the kids had a blast crawling as far as they could go. I put glow bracelets on everyone to keep track of everybody, which was really helpful. Unhelpful, not having enough flashlights. The floor of the caves is very rocking and sometimes slippery and the ceiling is unpredictable. I didn't even realize how crazy it was until I took pictures and saw things much more clearly with the flash.
Archery
This was pretty exciting. There are these caves (actually lava tubes) out in the middle of the forest. Some are bigger than others but the kids had a blast crawling as far as they could go. I put glow bracelets on everyone to keep track of everybody, which was really helpful. Unhelpful, not having enough flashlights. The floor of the caves is very rocking and sometimes slippery and the ceiling is unpredictable. I didn't even realize how crazy it was until I took pictures and saw things much more clearly with the flash.
ArcherySunday afternoon we borrowed bows and arrows from the front desk for a little archery practice. It was the only thing Dallin was really dying to do. I have to admit - it was awesome! My very first try I nailed the target! I think that was one of the coolest feelings in my life.
Ryan, of course, was really good and hit the center target more than once. Sometimes it's so unfair that he has to be good at everything. (Othertimes it's pretty helpful.)
I was so proud of Dallin. He hit the target several times and I was really impressed with his good form.
Ryan, of course, was really good and hit the center target more than once. Sometimes it's so unfair that he has to be good at everything. (Othertimes it's pretty helpful.)
I was so proud of Dallin. He hit the target several times and I was really impressed with his good form.
Gilroy Family Reunion - Day 4
One of my favorite things growing up was going horseback riding. There was a corral right across the street from where we were staying so I gave in to the temptation. It was so much fun.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Gilroy Family Reunion - Day 3
Navajo Lake
Some of the kids were more successful than others at getting into the water. Supposedly it was pretty cold, I wouldn't know, I have a thing about lakes. But it was pretty funny to watch them run in, get a little wet, and run back shivering. All except Cameron and Merri, that is. They took off to the dam and tried to fish but they didn't seem to mind the cold at all.
"Hey Mom, look, I've got a buterfly!"
Singing and S'mores
Aunt Lynne flies in all the way from Hawaii for this vacation each year. It's great for our family to get to spend time with her. And we're very grateful to her for making the arrangements to stay at this fun place.
Austin discovered a new source of fun, sand. We don't have too much of that around our house. So he spent most of the week here, in the sand pit. I'm still getting sand out of his shoes!
Cameron is the marshmallow cooking queen! Which only makes sense since she's the queen of treats. But she has truly mastered the art of the perfect roasted marshmallow.
Dad was more than happy to reap the benefits of that mastered art.
Some of the kids were more successful than others at getting into the water. Supposedly it was pretty cold, I wouldn't know, I have a thing about lakes. But it was pretty funny to watch them run in, get a little wet, and run back shivering. All except Cameron and Merri, that is. They took off to the dam and tried to fish but they didn't seem to mind the cold at all.
"Hey Mom, look, I've got a buterfly!"
Singing and S'moresNikki made some cool song books so we could sing along at the campfire. There were a few generational conflicts (I didn't realize tunes changed over the years) but it was still fun to sing songs I remember from campfires oh so many years ago.
Aunt Lynne flies in all the way from Hawaii for this vacation each year. It's great for our family to get to spend time with her. And we're very grateful to her for making the arrangements to stay at this fun place.
Austin discovered a new source of fun, sand. We don't have too much of that around our house. So he spent most of the week here, in the sand pit. I'm still getting sand out of his shoes!
Cameron is the marshmallow cooking queen! Which only makes sense since she's the queen of treats. But she has truly mastered the art of the perfect roasted marshmallow.
Dad was more than happy to reap the benefits of that mastered art.
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