New Stake in Johannesburg South Africa and our missionary saw the change.

Elder Tyrell standing at the doorway of the Johannesburg Temple

March 13, 2011
To the family
Boy am I tired today. This week has been full of cool news. First of all our stake was re-organized and there is now a brand new stake in South Africa. Elder L. Whitney Clayton of the Presidency of the 70 was here to officially organize the new stakes. So our current Stake president was released after many years of faithful service. And our Bishop was also released as a Bishop and called as the new stake president. So now we are working with a new Bishop whom we know not until Sunday. It's quite a monumental event and at the end of this transfer, our zone will be changed to fit the stake, and a new zone will be formed to fit the new stake. I've never experienced this before, but I'm sure it is going to mean alot of readjusting, especially since I'm also going to have a new companion when it happens. So that's the biggest news since last week. We had the opportunity to attend a fireside today with Elder Clayton and it was in the form of a question and answer type thing. There was a lot of funny questions asked, as well as some good ones. I Asked if the uproar in the middle east was going to effect the possibility of missionary work there and he said that the lord will open doors in his own time. :) So i guess that's really just the way it is. Elder Seastrand and i feel like the zone is struggling a little bit, but were not quite sure what to do anymore. Maybe were just getting a little to overwhelmed. We implemented the 5 talent challenge which is a challenge that whoever is able to increase their Father Led Family lessons as well as double the amount of people they have on date for baptism by the end of the transfer then they will get to through a pie in the Zone leaders faces. the only thing is that it isn't having the effect that we thought it might have. So we have to revamp in some way or another. Anyway.
To answer your questions.

1. So tell us about the 5 talent challenge what is that?

1. Look up ^

2.What are some of the guide lines of teaching about how Fathers should treat their families. Is that something you have ever had to focus on or teach because people did not realize they should not do say something like not have incest or in appropriate sexual activities with their daughters. I know that in some areas that has been a problem there but not sure if you directly have to teach out about it.
2.Well we really just teach about the law of Chastity. I've never come across an instance of incest. I'm sure that if that happened, a lot more then the full time missionaries would be involved.

3.Well I'm sure that a lot of what we paid had to do with it, but i never handed over cash for it.
3.Did you have to buy your own bedding and pillows when you got there?

4.Your guess is as good as mine really. The only thing i know is that we have to look out for Rent signs and then tell the senior couples over housing so they can contact them. We've told the bishop\stake president to keep an eye out for us so that's really all i know.
4.So how do you go about finding a new flat? Do you two just take the time to look while trying to teach or does the older couples look also with you that are serving there too? We will pray that the doors will open to a place that you can put your head at night.

5.I finished that book along time ago.
5. How much have you read of the church history book that we sent with you?

sorry I'm not writing much today I'm really tiered because we had to wake up early to get to the fireside this morning and we were late with our call ins last night, but i love you all and am willing to answer questions next week.
Love Elder Jones

Chapel where Tyrell attends at the moment in Pretoria.

On Sun, Mar 13, 2011
Dear Elder Tyrell Jones
I went and listened to the granddaughter of Joseph Smith tell of her conversion story. She is the 3rd to be baptised in his family since his death. The 1st was his son that he baptized at 8 but after Joseph Smiths death he did not progress in the church. The second was one of daughters of a son who joined but then later went to the RLDS church and denounced her baptism in the LDS church. Gracia told that on the day they celebrated the organization of the Relief Society that was made by her own great grandmother Emma Smith she was being baptised and no one in her little branch knew that she was Joseph Smiths great granddaughter and she did not know about this special occasion that was also taking place on the same day. So now I have written a blog about it with some links to lots of LDS info sites and even a rare photo that was found of Joseph Smith and when blown up it shows many of his facial scars from the beatings that he took for the sake of the gospel.
You have actually met Gracia because she is married to your Dads cousin Ivor Jones and they would come visit Grandma and Grandpa at their house through the years.
She stated that many of Joseph Smiths Descendants were scattered all over the world and the majority are in Australia. They have traveled everywhere trying to meet with those families to help them know about their ancestor and his bringing the gospel to the earth.

Japan has suffered a huge 8.9 earth quake with Tsunami's its crazy all the footage that we have seen. And that came after there was one in New Zealand a few weeks ago. But all the missionaries are all safe in those places. You have such a great protection upon you when you are being obedient in serving him.  I have a cousin who facebooked that was there in Hawaii and he said that they were sitting on a very high hill waiting to see how far up the waves were going to come on the shores in about I think it was six hours later after the earthquake had hit Japan. Papa said he admits he is glad he was here.

Marcus Rose just returned home from his mission. Did he really leave before you cause it seems that he left after wow has time flew and my memory mixed up on time frames.

C has been playing on JV and varsity soccer and he says he feels like jello when he is done.
Sondra and her kids came to visit for a bit today they are waiting for Chad to finish the last of his school and then he will most likely start flight school. The kids are all so grown up now and they only left last Sept.

Well I went to take that CDL test and missed it by one point the buggy thing is that the next time it will be a whole different set of questions and they don't tell you what you did wrong so you can't fix your mistakes or relearn stuff.

Dad took Jo,C and Mc skiing Sat. he tried to to go on the mogul hills like when he was young and spent alot of time sitting on the slope and banged up. He complained about being old more then I have ever heard before. Make sure and send a note to Jo since it is her 17th birthday soon. ok. Yes Will went back to school last week I guess he jumped in in the middle I think is how it worked out. he hasn't said to much more on his facebook since the address was sent he is most likely trying to get back into the swing of non missionary life.

And sat night C went with Jo Trav, Tay, and Cod to the movies. Jo said she loves how respectful Tay can be and the fact that she never feels like she will get in trouble nor that Tay pushes her to do dumb stuff. It makes her really like her alot. She is a very respectful young lady.

I wonder if you have read much in Alma. I started to and my thoughts are along the lines of how well our world can really match or fit some of the things that are happening at that time if you put words in that replace to our words today. The very first chapter how he the man is being so lying and deceitful to get what he wants. This seems to be happening to so many people especially adults doing this to little people so that they can not sort out what would be right or not as they grow older and it causes them great confusion. Now in our own house it would sure be nice if a few of the 3 teens would listen just a bit better to the things the parents are trying to teach so that the influence on the little peoples would change. But I guess that's life in the learning stage right now.
Well this is a first I am writing this and getting it sent off really early Sunday morning because we have not made it to church today. Jo and Jer are both running fevers, the dang water did not get hot so no one had a bath, Dad can hardly move from his ski adventure try to be young again.The worst is that the time changed and I fixed the clocks and it went off like at 4 am so I fixed it again and then it went off late and then I became aware of the sick kids and the unmovable Dad. What a morning so I am reading my scriptures and seeing what the day brings with it. I hope yours had a baptism and some wonderful full filling spiritual input for you.

We love you alot and hope that you find a home(hehehe) I am sure the Lord will guide you if you make that a matter of prayer too which I am sure you do.

Love Mom

Joseph Smith Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints and Gracia his Great Great Granddaughters story.

Today we can see a picture on the left side that is an daguerreotype photograph of Joseph Smith jr. In the middle is the one that is used by the RLDS Church. This middle picture is the oil painting Josephs face has been painted to look perfect with a nice straight nose and no scars to his face from the many blows that he received in his life while standing for the truth of the gospel that he spoke out about.

It is said by Joseph Smith that, "the artist made me to look like a Pretty Boy" "because he has no facial blemishes that are visible in it, Gracia told us".

In the last photo to the right it has been blown up and you can see the slight indention above his left eye that indicates a scar and his eye is slightly pushed in or slanted to the inside where a heavy blow was placed. There is a break in the hair lay of his brow showing that the lay of the skin has been cut and marred in his lifetime. His nose is not such a straight line in this one either.

Please go to Kim Marshall's blog site HERE to see her side of this amazing story with her 2nd generation contact print taken from a negative in about 1879.

Joseph Smith never backed down from speaking his truth of the Gospel (link to the gospel and what that means to LDS church) and the fact that he knew that the Lord met with him and asked him to do many things to bring the light of that truth to the world even in the face of many beatings that hurt his physical body he stood faithful.

This is me Brooke B. Jones  with Ivor Jones and Gracia N. Jones the great great granddaughter of Joseph Smith Jr. the first Prophet of this dispensation of the

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She happens to be my cousin through the marriage of my husband and her husbands being first cousins.

If you would like to hear some of Gracia's story of how she came to know about the church that her grandfather helped to bring to restoration here on the earth please click on this link to read her conversion story Here. This is a link to the info of her fathers families history Here.

This is a photo showing Gracia Jones family photo link to Joseph Smith and Emma as a great great granddaughter. The top couple show Emma and Joseph Smith then the young man Alexander is their son. He had a daughter Coral who had a daughter Lorena and then Gracia. She is said to be the first ancestor of his to become a member of the Church. She says she is actually the third but the first to be actively pursuing and continuing to reach out to many others that are in Joseph Smiths family today. Here is another story of the conversion of one of their cousins to the Gospel Robert W. Smith just click on his name and it will take you there. Its an amazing story of how Emma Smith spoke to him so that he could go ahead and join the LDS Church.

Gracia's deep felt mission is to try and reach as many of her relatives as she can because as she said "we were not allowed to speak about him and or even know anything about Joseph". This seems to be the same thing that many say as they come to learn of there relative once Gracia has met with them. We can see this plea in this photos caption above the children's heads. Pray that they may come to know about their own ancestors.

 It can be realized that the great grief that Emma Smith suffered because of the brutal death of her husband and the very realization that her and her own children's lives could be in the same great danger instigated that there was no longer communication about their father that they loved so much along with the fact that they were very young children and taking time to talk about the past was just frivolous time spent when a living must be made. Emma was left with a great burden in many little children and the majority of the church members left to a safer land for them so the contact with the congregations of the church were now gone thus the children did not learn of the truths he translated for the Lord on the earth from the sources that he may have wanted them to know it from. Emma's very old Mother in law Lucy 

Mack Smith stayed with her after her sons deaths and she cared for her even feeding her by hand every meal because she could not raise her arms in her old age. Emma was a saint to those she cared and loved but she could no longer speak about her Joseph Smith after he passed away. Thus her children and grandchildren grew not knowing much about their father and grandfather. Only that there was great fear in talking about him was created.

This is a cast of the death mask of Joseph Smith that Gracia Jones shows as she speaks about her Great Great Grandfather Joseph Smith.

A board showing many photos of the history of her ancestors and the connections that make up Josephs historical life. Also photos of her family and the links that are so important and visible when viewed through a photo. Wouldn't it be nice if we could all view history by photos. 

Gracia spoke about the great prejudice that seemed to be between Emma Smith and Brigham Young and there has now been an official letter made stating that this should be set aside and not be recognized in our life times. I sat listening to this and of course was very surprised. My Great Great Great Uncle is Brigham Young and I never knew there was a rife in the friendship. Now I was curious and went searching here to find a link to the story of how an apology came to be asked for HERE. You will see after reading this article that I must be of that 4th generation and I would much rather see a friendship then separations of our families.  This is a wonderful scripture to read D&C 109:70,  and it confirms this action as quoted by Robert Smith in his story "that the  prejudices of Joseph’s posterity" “may be broken up and swept away as with a flood that they may be converted." This is a link site to the story of the man who asked for the apology as he could see that prejudices was a stumbling block for many of his loved ones and needed to be put to rest so to speak. Please read Michael A. Kennedy's story HERE or the more complete story from the Meridian Magazine HERE (which by the way to a person who is a member is quiet a funny renadition).

I really loved Gracia's words of advice "make a paper trail for your family to be able to see and find the links that make you connected".  My personal advice is write your stories so that your children can read them add the photos to the story so that they can see the fun that is in your family and yes include the struggles because those are what shape a family into the survivors and those who endured to the end, kind of people that we are if we but follow the Saviors plan here on the earth.

The Dads Testimony to the Missionary and other family stuff.

Dear Tyrell
I'm sorry I don't write as much as I should. Things get busy and I don't take the time to let you know how proud I am of you. Mom talked with your companion's parents this week, I'm sure she will fill you in on the details. We bought a car this week that runs on natural gas. It has saved us a lot of money so far. The only down side is the places are limited to fill it up. It's used and has a lot of miles on it but it is new to us. The suburban is on its last tire. I hear a lot of good things coming from that area. Your Mission President sent us a letter two weeks ago and told us what a good job you are doing. You will never know how much you have changed the world in these short two years, but you do. With all the things happening in this world, it’s great to see positive and uplifting things taking place little at a time. Stay focused and work harder than ever. Time is getting short. It's time to take the things you have learned so far and put them to work. For me the last six months became the most productive because it took until then to get things right. Staying focused gets harder the closer you get to coming home. But if done right it will become the most productive time of your mission. The Gospel of Jesus Christ Is moving through the world like a forest fire and you are a part of that fire. I may not say much about my thoughts and feeling about the Gospel but it is the way back to our Heavenly Father. The Savior Jesus Christ is divine and he is the head of that great and glorious plan. By following his plan can only bring you happiness. I do believe that.

Well son take care and work hard and pray often. You are in our thoughts in all of our prayers every night. You couldn't make me any prouder than I am. My Mission President when I first arrived in the mission field gave me some good advice. He said you only have two years to make the best of your mission and then you have the rest of your life to think of it and talk about it. That is so true. There isn't a week goes by right now that something happens that reminds me of an experience I had while serving the Lord. I Love you and think of you often.

Love Dad

Letter from the Missionary to the Dad
Hey Dad thanks for the e-mail, it always gives me a boost when you send me something. This week has been good but a little bit challenging, at least in the end of the week on Wednesday we had exchanges and it was actually a really good exchange. I was with Elder U, the missionary that sat next to me on the plane ride over, and he's been struggling a little bit. The last couple of areas he's been to have been areas that he came into a whole lot of clean up and so he's been losing his joy for missionary work. I hope the exchange went well, he said he was going to do better by the end and so I now have to call him every once in a while to follow up on how he's doing. Thursday we had weekly planning and exchanges so it was kind of hectic. Elder Seastrand and I got back together Friday morning, planned for an hour, then drove to a township about 30 min away and then switched again. I then had to drive back having only gone that direction once and you guessed it, I missed our exit and we lost a whole lot of time. By the time we got back to the area, we had missed our appointments and only had time to visit our Bishop before we had to travel to another area again.(we cover two wards) Well this time I got pulled over in a routine police stop that they do around here, missed another exit and missed our last teaching appointment as well. I think the only effective thing we got to do was tract for 20 min and have correlation with the other ward mission leader. I've got to admit I was a little frustrated but after looking back, a lot of good happened. I got to talk a lot with Elder Kelly (the missionary I was with) and see things that we both could improve. His district is doing the best in the zone so he shared a little about what he's been doing. Now on Friday morning we were supposed to attend our districts district meeting and do splits with the Assistants, but I made the mistake of leaving our phone with Elder Kelly and didn't notice until we had already made it back home. So we had to pick up the assistant and the go back again to get our phone. Man I had a headache, but I learned a lot. I've recently been working on having much more meaningful prayers and it's paid off. On Saturday we had an appointment and I prayed that he would be able to accept the message. I also prayed that if he wasn't home we would be able to find someone who was prepared and I asked if it could be a Father led Family. Well we got to the appointment and no one answered when we knocked so Elder Seastrand called him and sure enough he wasn't around. Hoping that we could receive answers to our prayers, I spotted a lady that was walking down the street and started talking with her. She said she had a family, but unfortunately they are in Angola, she told us she would call us if she wanted us to come and then walked away. As I turned around a man was pulling into his driveway and he waved to us to come and talk with him. He invited us in and we taught him and his wife. That was really powerful and a definite answer to prayer. Over all it's been a good week and its crazy how fast time flies’s because this transfer is in its last week and it feels like I just got here. You should send me some crazy stories about your mission.

Love MilkToast
AKA The first little Alonzo Jones boy that got called this name
whenever they had to do hard work chores on the farm funny thing is he hated being called this..


Dear Elder T. Jones Letter from the Mom
Where do I begin there was so much that happened that I hope I can keep it all strait.

1. Mc of course tried to drive over the log that you saw and now the sub is in full need of repairs that will cost almost more then its worth to put into the car. So Dad got a car that will hopefully save us a small fortune as the price of gas goes up up up. The red truck took the amount it would cost to pay the car payment to fill up in gas and that just made Dad cringe into getting the new car that I am sure you will get when you come home.

2. Tue night after wrestle practices, C had a learning lesson on listening to the shouts of the Holy Ghost and the consequences of what happens when you choose not to. He said before hitting a 200 pound back of the head that he could hear a voice saying don't do it and was looking at D B but his lips were not moving and hearing "don't do it don't do it" and then just doinging it any way cause by that time he was in defense mode and mad. Thus a broken hand called a boxer break, we had xrays on Wed morning fanagled an appointment to hurry and do a half cast which meant we went to Provo on Thursday and got a special cast allowing the wrist and knuckles to move made to be able to still wrestle by a sport orthopedic hand specialist. While waiting to get into the cast maker we went and met your mission companions Mom, Dad and little sister. We had a rather fun get to know, even got to watch Elder Seastrands try for Broadway (well ok rest home, Oklahoma sing out as a priest) while we we there. Rushed back to get the cast on and then rushed to meet with the team that was playing laser tag before the State Wrestle tournament. I went home went to work on Fri and then Dad and I turned around and went back up to stay the night but missed C's matches as they were early in the day. He won both of them that day. The next day Sat. he won the first a kid that he beat all year those are the photos of him doing his squeeze on this kid, The kid really hates him and is the one who tried to hit him and the ref intervened. The next kid got ahold of his hand and he had a hard time getting it a way, after that his fire was a bit gone from the pain he was having in his hand along with the fact that he couldn't hold on with anything but the one hand. The kid beat him by one point after that was the Millard kid and without the two hands he just couldn't do it. So he places 4th but next year he says that will not be how it will play out. The cool thing is that he is the only freshman on that stand all the rest are Jr. and Seniors. That alone was an accomplishment.

3 Mc went on his first Kondike and they won that made him feel really good and he even stayed alive and didn't freeze and it hasn't been the warmest kind of winter this year. I didn't even have to hardly help him pack he had it all ready to go on Thur when I got back from Provo along with having the chores done and the fire all stoked up.
Jo helped me by watching the boys and of course talking Aunt Amber into helping her so she could go on a date Sat. day along with T talking his Mom into helping him on Fri night so they could go on another date with his big brother and new friend. Next week Jo will be bringing this new friend to Church as she is not a member and she has invited her to go to girls camp with her too. She fully intends on helping her to become a member so watch out the girl is getting missionaryish. T and Jo have tried to stoke the fire twice now and I fully recommend that they should make sure that they have a different source of heat in thier houses when they are adults as they suck at it and we have to fix it every time after. Mc wishes that he had been awake to help them because he ended up with the cold shower this Sunday morning after the take an hour shower girl got done with her luke warm one.
Today superman was on and Jer saw it and went up and put his PJs on then told me that he needed new super pants because there was a hole in the middle and the power fell out. Never laughed so hard, he also does not fly he rides his mot-er bike to the rescues. He alternates to a dog for Z's benefit periodically through the day.

Dad finally feels better and Mom is so glad that there is only one more week of wrestling because I am so tired of it now. I will have to go again to Provo so C can get a cast that is permanent and to make sure that nothing got riped up while wrestling. We have to be back by 2 so its going to be the craziest drive ever.


I have a really cool Hello Jones family on my facebook from a fellow that I think you know that just flew in from Columbia by the name of Will Casper.
Justin Carter is in LA performing at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival his group made it to the finals and preformed on Sat. Thats about all I know of that.
Robbie and Nathan return from their parts of Africa in two weeks it will be interesting to talk to them if I run into them.
I haven't heard updates on your other cousin missionaries so sorry no word but they must be doing great still.
It seems so strange to sit and think that almost two years have gone by and yet it isnt feeling like that much time as past all at the same time. Especially when I look at the basement and its not getting done very fast so there is still not a room to put you into at the moment. Not that you are very concerned about that I am sure. I am so grateful for all the things that you are learning and gaining that will help you to be the very best father and leader and continuing server to the Lord which is what our lives are supposed to be balanced with. Well I dont want to take up any more space because I want you to take up the space with what your mission is teaching you and helping you to gain that will help you be a better person.


 Love you have a super great week and teach many beautiful Children of God.


1. Does anyone ever ask for extenstions to thier missions these days? Are you, just wondering?
2. What one thing would you want us to send to you this next month?
3.Please tell us one scripture that has helped you this week.
4.When should a person ask the missionaries to meet with one of there friends?
5.How do you prepare for fast sundays as a missinary?

Missinary Letter back to the Mom
Well, I did write alot about this week on Dad's page, so you'll have to ask him to read it. Other than all that not much has happend. Other than we deep cleaned our flat and our car today.
I can't belive Will is already home. You need to send his mailing address to me so I can write to him. I havn't heard from my buddy in long time. I did get a letter from his sister though.
I got a letter from Sam, he filled me in on everything that has happend lately and you'll have to fill him in that I got some of his Christmas letters from the ward, he said he didn't get very many.
You'll have to give C my congradulations he's doing really good. You'll have to tell him to watch his temper though so he can do even better. I know plenty of wrestlers who lost their chance to wrestle because of stuff like that.
Well sorry it's short, but I did write stuff to Dad, you'll have to convince him to let you see it and put it on your blog.
Love Elder Jones

What is Respect, views by a Missionary.

2. Do you use the rain coat we sent with you or do you use something else that's easier on a bike.

2.Well it's actually sitting at the mission office because it was to heavy for me to carry around, I usually just endure the rain. it's not so bad because I'm in a car area.

3. Name one unusual thing you saw this week.

3.Well we've seen some few interesting things, not sure if I should include them in the e-mail. For example, A really large man working shirtless in his yard, with an extremely Hairy back

4. While you have served have you seen lots of medical sadness's that if the people had good health care things might be different for them?

4.Yeah I mostly see people with facial deformities or leg deformities. I think that's due to not being well cared for when they are young.

6. Tell us what you ate for dinner this week, did you cook it?

6.Well this week we haven't been fed alot so it's mostly stuff we cooked yourself. I recently have been making pap because it's cheep. I don't eat it all the time though. Bishop made a public announcement to the ward that we need more food (we didn't tell him to) so we'll see what happens. People bring alot of frozen meals to church on Sunday so those will help us stay healthy

7. What is one thing that you wish you could bring back with you but your not sure you will try to because of space or cost.

7.I wish I could bring everything but there's not enough time to think about stuff like that

8. What was church like for you this Sunday without a calling?

8.Nice! I can focus on missionary work

9. If I sent protein shakes over would you drink them? Would it help you eat better?

9.Yeah it probably would but I don't know if that's to practical

10. How many times have you been sick while serving, I recall the one phone visit at Christmas the first time you sounded like you had a bad cold.

10.I haven't been sick too much, mostly just if I get a head cold. I'm recently recovering from that actually.

11. Have you had to use the meds, that we sent while you have been there?

11.Yup

12. Do you have heartburn ever anymore?

12.Sometimes, those previcid really help.

13. Do you wish that you had a water bottle that had filters or even maybe a hydro back pack that you took with you?

13.No I can get one of those at the mission office, but I don't really need it here

14. You are using your contacts up right, keeping your eyes healthy by not going over to many months of wearing them correct?

14.Yes I'm using them, I admit I have forgotten to change them a few times but it's all good

15. If you made a documentary film of South Africa that would affect many possible changes for their country what would be your focus? Lack of fathers, Medical issues, homelessness, orphanages,

15.I'll have to ponder that one

16. One thought about respect and what it means to you?

16.Well respect to me is like being patient with others even with all their weaknesses. It means treating them with kindness even if you don't feel like it.

Well this week has been pretty good, the best thing that happened is that we went to a hospital to teach sick people. that was pretty cool. We met a guy who had surgery on his leg and he was very intrigued about the Book of Mormon, unfortunately he was reluctant to give us his telephone number so we'll have to see if he calls us, It happens, so were waiting. We also went on exchanges twice this week which was really cool. I was with Elder Larson the first time and he's a super great missionary. He's been out about 7 months and while on exchanges, we taught for the first time on his mission, a white father led family.  He got really nervous and kind of forgot how to tactfully teach and started rambling on about alot of things and tried to answer every one of their questions all at once. I hardly got a word in. After talking with him about the situation he realized he needed to relax a little bit so the next time they met with the family, they were calm and collected and the family is now preparing for baptism. The next exchange was with Elder Nhlabatsi he is from Swaziland and he is way humble. he's doing great work, the only concern he had was that he is having trouble understanding Elder lechner. I gave him some good advice about communicating more with his companion and last we heard they are doing much better. Saturday was a little tough, most of our appointments fell through and it was getting us a little down. By the end of the day I feel like I learned a little lesson in gratitude though because when I wrote in my journal I realized that we did a lot of good. We actually met some very good prepared people and we taught our favorite family Clyde and Nicky, earlier that day we did service by helping someone move in to their new house. I guess it really just matters where your focus is. If your focus is on the positive you will feel positive, if you focus on the negative you will feel negative. Sunday was good, we had a small fireside and Bishop talked about missionary work, The ward is really excited now so we'll see what comes of it.

On Sun, Jan 30, 2011

So this week our family blog joined the Internet MTC, whats that you say well its a person who is willing to allow their site to be searched when a word or information is looked up that lists things that have to do with our church The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Or links their blogs to sites that has to do with the sites that the church has. Also there is a site that hosts Meridian magazine that tells all kinds of inspirations stories that are Church affiliated and they ask that you link good things to your facebook, or twitter or your blog so that those who are looking for information find sites that carry our opinion's and positive statement's about the gospel helping to teach and give insight instead of negative or incorrect perspectives when google is used in a search to find an answer to words like God, Family Home Evening, Missionaries, Family, Jesus Christ etc. This will help those seeking answers to the Mormon belief ahead of the time that the proselyting Missionaries knock on their door if they have been looking to see what we believe. So I love that the first song on our blog is I hope they call me on a mission but I do have to update and change to some more primary songs that are more about family and the Gospel.

This week I feel more and more like we live at the high school wrestle room after school. Mc worked to be ready for State but he only won his second match and it was a double elimination so he ended up out. C won those two boys in Wayne county and they were 112 pounds instead of 103 he beat the first kid but the second kid they would one get 2 points ahead and then trade over to the other getting 2 points then trade back so C only beat by one point in the end. He told me that I needed to write that out more clearly for you. I think because he wrestled kids that were heavier is why. This weekend he went to Enterprise and took third place. All the kids were juniors or seniors so it was very tough for him but he felt good and the whole team came in 2nd. J has helped by keeping the little boys with her every time I have to take the older boys some place. I think really she would rather that then taking them anywhere. She got Jer to eat a ton of no bake cookies with peanutbutter along with chicken. He is so stressful because he seems to survive on nothing but pedisure and somehow we have got to get him to eat other things. Today they went horse riding and April was so hyper and poor Hobbles was sweating he is way to out of shape. Arab seemed just fine and just wanted to stay close to Hobbles as usual.

I made a goal to get 8 miles in of a run and I did it of course every inch of me hurt from Wed till Sat evening in varying degrees. J whimpered because her calves and shins and thighs hurt from biometrics and C and Mc ached from wrestling. C was so bruised after Enterprise and even has an eye that got a black spot so it kind of is half shut. But we are all excersized for the week thats for sure.

Just so you know the getting ready for Church this Sunday was much better then last Sunday and less of an argument. The speakers talked about being Forever Families and to put our feet in those shoes of others that had not attended the temple. The loss of how they must feel at not having a linked chain to those ancestors. I am so glad that my family is a forever family and that we have been sealed to each other. Even when there are days where we all struggling to be kinder, more respectful and learning to get along at least we are forever connected to each other because your Father cared enough to desire that his partner be sealed to him forever in the temple instead of just on the earth until we die. Anyway without a few struggles we never realize how much better peace can be.

Dad says "that he loves you and wishes you the very best in your endeavors". "Don't get discouraged and pray always". "You will never regret the work that you are doing." "I need to take the time to write a longer letter but it seems that time just moves to fast"

Dad is doing the taxes this week and passed up going skiing with the youth and Mc who will go for the first time without us. He is instead going to watch C at the Region wrestling at the SVC center.

Love all of us