Bailey's Mission Call

Well, the big day has arrived. The post office called Brent this morning and told him that Bailey’s mission call was here. We contacted everyone and invited them over for the official “guess,” opening of the call and missionary sundaes. I couldn’t wait for 7:00 to come. I kept looking at that big world map and wondered where Bailey would be spending the next two years of his life.

As our family arrived, everyone placed a bet on where Bailey would serve his mission! Here’s what we all THOUGHT!

• Ty & Staci: Tonga

• Grandpa Shaffer: Alaska

• KayDee: Hawaii

• Dave S.: California

• Jim R.: Eastern Washington

• Bette C.: California (Spanish speaking)

• Grandma Allen: Mexico, Ghana, Russia

• Brian: Louisville, Kentucky

• Whitney: Bahamas

• Gail: Toronto Ontario Canada

• Grandma Shaffer: Nova Scotia

• Jordan: Denmark, South Africa

• Jessica: Norway

• Matt: Scotland

• Heidi: England

• Dad: France

• Westin: Switzerland

• David R.: Southern Brazil

• Kimber: Chile

• Larry: Korea

• Mom: India

• Julie: Phillipines

• Trevor & Ashley: Australia

We all gathered in the kitchen and listened to Bailey read his mission call from President Monson. He has been called to serve in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kinshasa mission. Yep…that’s in AFRICA! He was so excited about his call and can’t wait to serve his mission. He telephoned friends and we all enjoyed sundaes together. What an opportunity for growth…for all of us!

When the Boys are Away...

The boys went to southern Utah to go snowmobiling for the weekend.  So...Jessica, Whitney and I planned some activities for ourselves.  We watched the Olympics Opening Ceremonies (and enjoyed Wok on Wheels takeout) on Friday night.  We also whipped up some fun pin cushions!

Saturday morning, the girls went to watch Courtney play basketball.  We started making some Valentine treats for the boys and then went to Logan to go to the movie.  LaDawn, Kimber and Courtney came, too.  We watched, "Dear John."  After the movie, we headed to Texas Roadhouse for lunch/supper (TONS OF FOOD!) and it was yummy.  We did a little shopping and then came home.  We watched the Olympics while we made something "springy."

On Sunday we went to church and prepared Sunday Dinner for the boys, Mom and Curtis.  I just love spending time with our girls...it's definitely one of my favorite things to do.

Memories

Isn't it funny how a fragrance, a song, a date on the calendar or a place can take you instantly back in time?  Valentine's Day is like that for me now.  Every Valentine's Day, my dad would show up at school with a few pink and red carnations in a vase for me.  He'd always carry them casually, so as not to be noticed by others.  He'd always attach a little hand written note expressing his love.

Friday at school, I arrived back in my office after a very busy morning and there was a beautiful pot of flowers on my desk.  They were from my sister, Gail.  She'd sent them knowing that I'd be missing that vase of carnations...and my dad.  Her thoughtfulness really touched me.  I'm so blessed to have a wonderful sister...and to have had a wonderful dad.

It's Official!

Well, it's official!  Bailey finished up his mission papers and met with the stake president last night; his papers are on their way!  Now, for the wait to see where he'll spend the next two years.  We're all pretty dang excited.  Last week I had a dream that he was called to serve in India.  I told Brent about it when I woke up.  I wondered if they even really called missionaries to India.

Brent's interpretation of my dream:  Bailey will be called to serve on one of the Native American Reservations in Southern Utah.  I think I'd be okay with that.

Where do you think Bailey will go?

Snowmobiling!

Finally, the snow has arrived and there's enough (and to spare!) for the boys to go snowmobiling.  Bailey and Brent spent the day Tuesday up Logan Canyon.  They went to Franklin Basin, feeling it was a much safer bet than Tony's because of avalanche danger.  They had a great time...infact, they had such a wonderful time. that they decided to leave early Thursday morning and head up to Island Park to ride.  They've been there several times in years past, but said that this is the most beautiful it's ever been...warm, nice snow, and no wind.  They enjoyed a couple of days riding and came home today.  The pictures were taken at Mesa Falls and Two Tops.  They call the snow creations behind them "snow ghosts."  They are really the tops of the trees!  They hope to get in as much snowmobiling as they can the next month or so...it'll be Bailey's last riding for a couple of years.  (Unless he's called to Alaska or Siberia on his mission!)  They just LOVE IT!

Happy Birthday, Boys!

Bailey and Jordan all have birthdays within a couple of days of each other.  To make sure we could get everyone all together, we took time Sunday afternoon to celebrate.  We invited Mom and Curtis up for dinner.  We had sweet pork burritoes, chips and salsa, and black beans.  For dessert, Whitney made an amazingly yummy oreo cake and Jessica brought cookies-n-cream ice cream to serve with it.  Not our typical Sunday Dinner, but it was good. 

We were really excited to give the boys their birthday gifts.  We picked up a smartpen for each of them.  These little gadgets are unbelievable...and something we think they'll all use in school.  (Of course, we think that we'd like to pick one up for ourselves one of these days.)  In the picture you can see the three of them trying to figure out their pens.  We then spent some time playing "Word on the Street" before everyone had to leave. 

We're blessed to have such a wonderful guys!  They are very hard workers and are trying to do what's right. They are good examples to us and are always so willing to step in and lend a hand.  We hope the year ahead is a great one for each of them.

Prayer

Prayer

I love this short video about prayer and the miracles that can come about in our everyday lives when we take the time to communicate with our Father in Heaven.  Brent and I see little miracles everyday...probably nothing that anyone would call spectacular or amazing...but miracles to us nonetheless.  I know that our prayers are heard and answered.   (Click on the prayer link to watch the video.)