Thanksgiving

We have so much to be thankful for....

At the end of October, we had a close call with my Mom. She was hospitalized for a few days with a bowel obstruction, and a few miracles later, she and Dad returned to their mission in Nauvoo. They are happily serving, and Mom is as strong as ever. Today is her birthday, and we wish her a year of health and happiness!

Mike started a new job in mid-October. He now works for a division of Deseret Management called Deseret Digital Media. It is the entity that runs all of the church's "for profit" websites such as, KSL.com, DeseretBook.com, DeseretNews.com, etc. He is loving his job, and after years of travel, the rest of the family loves it too.

For the Deseret Management Christmas Party, we went to the JS Memorial Building and dined with the First Presidency and 9 of the 12 Apostles. I had the good fortune of sitting next to Elder Uchtdorf at the dinner table, and shaking hands with President Monson. I also met Sheri Dew. Pres. Eyering delivered a Christmas message, and the BYU group Vocal Point sang. I have been to a lot of really great work Christmas parties, but this was by far my favorite.

Tyson, Tasha and Taryn are all doing well. Tyson has become a dedicated student this semester. I think he might have his first really great college report card. I always knew he could do it. Tasha is enjoying her Senior year in HS and loves leading the Cheer Squad. She is excited about the opportunities that await her next year as she chooses which college to attend. Taryn is just a happy 8th grader who loves to hang out with her friends. She is a class officer, and enjoys going to the games and planning school activities.

Tanner left the MTC for California on Nov. 4th. His letters have been brief, but as far as I can tell, he is settling in and enjoying his experience. His companion is Elder Brown, and they will soon move into a home that one of the members purchased for the missionaries to live in.

I was concerned for Tanner having his first Thanksgiving away from home. I prayed all week that he would have a very special Thanksgiving, and felt that Heavenly Father would bless him with such. When I got his e-mail on Monday he said that he had been sick on Thanksgiving, and didn't mention anything special. I was a little disappointed until I got a handwritten letter today.

This is what Tanner said, "So, like in my e-mail, I go sick this week. First sick day in the mission. No fun. But we did get to play in the Turkey Bowl for our ward. For Thanksgiving, we ate at the Barberich's house. They're a really nice family. The food was phenomenal. Just traditional Thanksgiving. BUT! I had a very neat experience that night. Elder Brown really wanted to go see a family in our ward that neither of us had been to before. I went along with it, as usual. When we first got to their house, we were welcomed in, but it was really kind of awkward. We didn't know what we were doing there, really. Then, out of nowhere, Sis. Jackson walks down the stairs, looks at me, and says, very enthusiastically, "So I understand you know my nephew." I had no idea what she was talking about. It just so happens that my teacher, Bro. Morgan, from the MTC, is their nephew. He told them all about me, ha ha. It was really cool. She called him, put the phone on speaker, and let me talk to him for a few minutes. That was really neat."

So, most of all I'm thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who somehow knows how to orchestrate special experiences that even a Mom can't create. Yes, we are truly blessed! Hope everyone is gearing up for a wonderful Christmas!