Here we all are...on a bus in the Philippines going for more 

training in Manila!  You wouldn't believe the beautiful hotel 

we stayed in there!

MTC Experience

Here we are with Clint at the Salt Lake Airport on our way 

to the Philippines!

Philippines Mission Presidents & wives with M. Russell Ballard 

at MTC.

     The few days we had at the MTC Mission Presidents Seminar were filled with lost of uplifting and inspired teaching and training for us!  We were taught by the prophet, the twelve apostles and many other general authorities with the MTC staff.  It is overwhelming to take it all in and think of the responsiblities that have been placed on our shoulders.  I want to thank each one of my sons for the training I received in loving and mothering them...even the challenges...probably especially the challenges.  What better training could a mission president's wife have than what you all gave me!  Did I tell you I love you?!  I love you more!!

After Church in Newport Beach...aren't we a funny-looking bunch?!   I promise,
Natalie is not crying...She was shielding her eyes from the sun!

Our Last Beach Vacation For a While!

Papa George & Baby, Braydon.  He loved to 

run from the waves with his Papa!

Abigail, Natalie, Caleb and Carter (in front).

Natalie, Brinkley and Abigail in the warm bath after the 

cold beach!

    

     Our family vacation to Newport Beach, California, was wonderful!  We couldn't have asked for more beautiful weather!  It was in the 60s and 70s all week.  We were worried about it being too cold this early in June.  The ocean seemed quite a bit colder than usual, but that did not stop those grandkids (all of them) from getting in everyday...sometimes several times a day.  Often times, they would come back to the house, take a warm bath, go back to the beach and play in the water some more!  We went through a lot of sunscreen!  Our sons all took one quick plunge on the last day...so they could say that they got in!  We sure missed having Joseph with us!  He had obligations at home that kept him from coming!  His sweet daughter, Natalie, came and had all the fun for him.  I'm sure she will talk his ear off enough that he will almost feel that he was there. It was so fun to watch the grandkids get along so well.  Each child had a buddy to match up with in the group!  Even Braydon (15 mo.) had Brinkley (3 yr.old) for lots of happy play time together.

     Sundays are always interesting on vacation as we all go together to a strange ward (not so strange since we go each year).  It's always fun to see who forgot what, as we dress to go.  Some forgot there ties.  Others forgot their belt, shoes or socks.  We were a sight, but enjoyed being together, partaking the sacrament and listening to the testimonies born.  Life doesn't get much better than that! (Even with all the wiggles and squirms!)

     On Wednesday we took a little break from the beach (for most the day anyway) and enjoyed a fun adventure at Knott's Berry Farm Amuzement Park!  What a great day that was!  I loved the rides as much as anyone...well, most of them.  Some of the favorites were:  Montezuma's Revenge, The Boomerang, Supreme Scream and The Log Ride.  I am sure the grandkids could name a few more.  They also had a great time trying the various games to win stuffed animals...and they did win a few and were very proud of themselves.  I'm not sure the parents were excited for more toys around the house.

     The evenings were a fun time for the adults to play games, watch a movie, or just be together and talk about old times.  It is interesting how we all can remember the same experiences so differently, isn't it?!  It was a tearful final family prayer as we came together before our journey back to Arizona!  What a wonderful blessing it is to have such a strong bond of love in a family!  We will miss them all so much.

     This is our final week in Arizona before heading to the Philippines and look forward to the great blessing of serving the Lord for three years.  We are humbly grateful for the prayers of family and friends to help us on the journey we are about to embark on.  What a blessing you all are in our lives.  Because of you, we have been "prepared for a time such as this", and we will "go and do"!  Much Love to you all!

We are leaving on our mission soon!

George & I have been called to be mission president in the Philippine San Pablo mission.  The study and preparation has been a wonderful experience!  However, this past week has been really busy and hectic.  Brett, Jenifer and Braydon sold their home sooner than expected and they have been moving in with us.  It has been a sweet experience to have them here...they are such a joy to have around.  Moving is always a lot of work, especially when people are moving in while others are preparing to move out.  We are going to the beach for a family vacation this week, so we are ready to relax and have a lot of fun with the kids and grandkids for the week.  We leave for Salt Lake for a three day Mission President's seminar on June 22nd and head for the Philippines on the 26th.  Yes, I am sure you are thinking like we did...How can a mission president get enough training in 3 days?  We have been studying a lot of materials sent to us by mail and have had a Preach My Gospel tutor calling us each week for several weeks with some really good training.  We will go and do our best!  Leaving kids and grandkids and an 86 yr. old mother (George's mom, Gran'Marie) and dear friends is not the easiest, but we have faith that they will all be blessed!

This is just a couple of fun pictures of my last shopping day with 

Gran'Marie before we left on our mission! It was a fun 

memorable day!  We found some nice new clothes for her and 

she loved getting to go to the mall.  My friend Melanie Conway 

came with me!  I had Dial-a-Ride (bus) pick Marie up in her 

wheelchair and take her to Chandler Mall where Melanie and I 

drove and met her there!

Jan & Richard White are pictured here with us.  This was a picture 

at a Going Away party they had for us.  It was especially for all the 

old Mission Bay Ward members to come and say their good-byes.

  Mission Bay was the singles ward that George was the Bishop

 of when it was first formed.  Richard was a counselor to him.

Christie Billquist, George and I and Candace Copple at the party.

I think both of them did a lot of the party planning, etc.  They both

were in the Mission Bay Ward with us! They are special friends of

ours now!  We love them.

This was some fun pictures I took of Brinkley and Brody when 

they were at our house to play!  If Brinkley got to pose with the 

feathers, Brody wanted to also! :-)  So Cute!

Here is Braydon all ready to go to see Papa George & Grandma

Kathryn give their farewell talks at church!  Does he look like a

future missionary or what? :-)

Braydon with Jenifer, his proud mama, and our beautiful 

daughter-in-law!

Braydon with his proud Papa George!