Vanuatu Port Villa Mission

Recently, I found a post on the Missionary Mom's internet sight, that explains a little of what Kate is experiencing.  She served on Tanna with this Elder, and is now currently serving in Santo.  This is written by Ryan Jones, Elder Jesse Colten Jones' Father.  Sister Brown served with Brother Jones in Tanna, and is now in Santo where Elder Jones served as well.

"One year ago today, we dropped off our oldest kid, Elder Jesse Colten Jones at the MTC, where he only spent 1 ½ weeks before being sent to the Vanuatu, Port Villa Mission. Vanuatu is located in the South Pacific, just west of Fiji. In the past 12 months, he has served on three separate islands: Tanna, Espiritu Santo, and currently on Gaua. He has lived near active volcanoes, survived 2 hurricanes, and several earthquakes. He has eaten dog, cat, sea turtle, and flying fox (fruit bat). He has lived in native built huts, cooked his meals over an open fire, and bathed in waterfalls, rivers, and the ocean, and he has loved every minute of it. 

He is currently the branch president of Gaua Island and part of the only missionary companionship on that island. Gaua has no email or post mail service, so we can only hear from him if someone from the mission office goes to the island and picks up and delivers the mail. We won’t hear from him again until late November. He lives in a very primitive village with no modern conveniences. The only fresh water they have access to comes from what they can catch in a large rain barrel. There is a very small food shop on the island that only sells rice and a few vegetables. They buy most of their food from the villagers where they live. When they buy meat, they buy the animal alive and have to do everything else on their own. 

Colten has had great success, having a baptism about every other week on average. He has experienced so much in his first year, I can’t imagine what could be left that he hasn’t already gone through. I can’t wait to find out. My wife and I have survived this past year on his weekly emails and letters, but now that he is on an island with no mail or email access, it will be a tough part of the next year for us. Having a missionary out has been an odd combination of opposites. I can’t imagine him doing anything else that could make us so sad for missing him, and yet so proud of what he is doing, or so excited for him to come home and yet so excited for him to spend the next year in a place we never even knew existed a year ago."

Pictures from Kate's mission:

Tanna

P-Day on Tanna. Volcanic Ash

Santo

Sleep over at Nana's

Meagan and Quinn left for Hawaii for 10 days and we got to tend little Mason. Sarah and Jordan took the weekends and we took the weekdays.  We had so much fun with this cute little boy!  Ben was his favorite.  Every morning he would cry when Ben would go off to school. Mason would get a backpack and try to go to school with Ben. When we wouldn't let him go he would cry and cry.

Brent and I took Mason to the Ogden Tree house Museum.  He was mostly interested in the trains, but we got him to check out some of the other fun things.  After the Museum we took him for a bike ride along the Ogden River.  He loved riding in the bike trailer.

His mom left us with a few rules such as, "No Binky, except in his bed."  I may or may not have forgotten that rule a couple of times.

We lost Hoo-hoo, his stuffed dog, on our walk one morning.  He loves his little pup and doesn't sleep well without it.  We were so happy to finally find Hoo-hoo!  It was a little stressful for a moment.

We love this cute little nugget, and had such a fun week with him!

Playing at Nana's.

Ogden Treehouse Museum.

Bike riding along the Ogden River.

Ben and Mase.

Nana's bed.

Emillio and Mason.

Cecret Lake

Cecret Lake is a beautiful lake nestled among the alpine meadows at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon. This has been a favorite trail of my mother's for years.  I have fond memories of hiking to Cecret Lake with my family, and preparing dinner in the designated picnic areas at the bottom of the trail.

Meagan and Lizzy blazed the way, as we hiked up this short, and not very difficult trail.  Somehow, unbeknownst to us, we had veered off the trail and ended up on some rugged terrain.  We could see actual rock climbers with all their gear scaling the mountain next to us.  Once we realized we were off the trail, there was no turning back.  Hiking back down to meet up with the trail definitely wasn't the best option.  We knew the lake was at the top and just kept going and encouraging one frightened hiker (wasn't me).

The lake is beautiful and is set just under Sugarloaf Peak. The water is crystal clear with boulders and pine trees strewn across the shorelines.

What a beautiful end to a Saturday afternoon.  We love our Utah mountains!

Volunteers

Lizzy decided on her own, that she wanted to volunteer at Lakeview Hospital.  She works at the front desk taking phone calls, directing people to patients rooms, delivering flowers, and basically anything else they ask her to do.  Her friend Baylee joined the ranks.  On Thursday afternoons they work the front desk together.  They are the cutest little volunteers I've ever seen!

Salsa Saturday

Salsa Saturday is a day I look forward to every year.  Scott and Jen are so kind to let us participate in their salsa making party.  We spend the entire day cooking and canning salsa in their garage.  If you have seen the TV series Breaking Bad, it's kind of like that but in a good way.  No drugs,  just very yummy salsa.

With Scott's mom Barb in charge, we always have the best tasting salsa around!

The Utah State Fair

The Utah State Fair captures my interest with unusual foods, watching the little ones on rides, people watching, and unique animals. The last day of the fair, Brent and I went with Meagan, Quinn, and Mason.  The fair is more enjoyable with a little one around.  We caught up with Quinn's brother and sister-in-law, so Mason had a friend to ride the rides with.  I love watching these little nuggets.

Ravioli Making

Butternut squash filled ravioli with brown butter sage and a beef short rib stuffed ravioli with mushroom cream sauce, were on the menu for us to make at our ravioli making class.  Michelle and I learned how to roll and fill our own ravioli.  With Michelle's family's Italian roots, she may use her culinary skills to make these "pockets of love" more often than I will. Knowing how much work goes into ravioli making, my family may not see them at the dinner table much.  It definitely is a treat, and is fine dining at it's best. Maybe a very special occasions will warrant them.

The class was a blast!  Michelle and I always have a great time together!  We got to sample our ravioli making at the end of class, and I must say, it was divine! 

Labor Day - 2014

Labor Day began watching one of my favorite little soccer players. Madi played an awesome game, and I was so honored to be there.  They won the tournament which was fabulous!

After the soccer game we decided to go to the zoo with the Cottle's.  Zoo on Labor Day?  Who would have thought that it was one of the busiest days of the year.  I was so impressed with our little old Hogle Zoo.  I haven't been for awhile, and was amazed with the changes.

Hopefully, we can go back soon, so we can get up close and personal with these beautiful animals.

Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day weekend marks the transition from Summer into Fall.  The leaves begin to change to vibrant red, yellow, and orange, and the temperature begins to drop.  The mountains are beautifully draped in the colors of fall. We were excited to be invited to spend Saturday with the Carling family at the Silotti Cabin in the gorgeous Uintah's. Wherever you go in the Uintah mountains it is beautiful!

Our first adventure of the day was visiting the Fish Ponds at Bear River Lodge.  At this location, catching fish is supposed to be a sure thing.  With most of our group fishing, we were a little surprised that only three fish were caught.  Lizzy caught the first fish, and was startled as her line began to tug and she saw a fish attached to it.  It took several kids helping her, to reel it in.  She was ecstatic as she saw the big fish she had caught.  Brad told her that every person has to kiss the first fish that they catch.  It caused quite a commotion as she went to kiss the fish, it squirmed and flung blood all over her.

Ben and ShaLynn caught the other two.  I was a little stunned that Shay was able to catch a fish with the tangles she had in her fishing line.  With her Dad's help, she was able to get it to shore. The other fishermen/women were outwit by the fish.

The kids enjoyed games and movies while Brent and I went on a motorcycle ride.  As we stopped at a resting stop, I noticed a trail sign to Lily Lake.  We decided to hike to the lake and back. We started this  trek from the Highway, and hiked a couple miles up to our destination.  The lake was so beautiful, surrounded by pines and quaking aspens.  The water is crystal clear, and is a perfect place to escape and find some peace and quiet.

I was so impressed with Lily Lake that when we returned to the cabin, I took several of the kids up in the Suburban (no more hiking for me), while Brent made dinner.  There, we happened upon a group of campers that had brought their horses up for the day.  They kindly let little Mason sit on one. We shared some laughs at the lake, and returned to the cabin for dinner.

Brent was a gracious host, fixing us dutch oven enchiladas, and a surprise dessert. We played games until late in the evening where we wrapped up the day and returned from a very adventurous day in the Uintah's.  We had a wonderful time with the Carling Clan, and appreciate their kindness. 

The Silotti cabin.

Fishing at Bear River Lodge.

Hiking to Lily Lake.

Game time.

Liz and Brad

Lily Lake part two.

The Silotti Cabin

Many years ago, Steve and I visited the Silotti Cabin (Angie's parent's cabin), with our friends Brent and Angie Carling.  They brought their new baby Brad with us to the Wyoming Downs Horse Races, and a fun weekend at the cabin.  I took a picture of us then, and had a family member take a similar picture 25 years later, in the same spot, with those remaining.

It's sobering to think of the many changes that have happened in that time.  Brent and I are now widowed, and Steve and Angie are our angels.  We miss them so much, and pray that we will always feel their spirits.

1987

Brad, Brent, Angie, and Steve

August 30, 2014

Brad, Brent, and Cindy

Ogden Temple Open House

Over a half a million people toured the remodeled Ogden temple.  We were some of the lucky ones to tour this magnificent edifice.  Friday, August 29th, our family and the Trip's, were able to view the interior of this temple.

Reverence, and appreciation were expressed by many for the House of the Lord.  Understanding, and having attended dedicated temples in the past, made it especially significant and tender as I walked through this beautiful temple.  Every detail was attended to, showing respect of the ordinances performed in this Holy House.

I am grateful to be sealed in the temple to my family for time and all eternity.  Families are forever!

A little confusion.

That's better.

Stripe The Stadium

Are you ready for some football? Even with sweltering evening temperatures, you can still feel fall in the air with the beginning of College Football.  From Rice Eccles Stadium you can see the colors changing on the mountainside, as autumn is on the doorstep.

August 28th, was the Ute's home opener against Idaho State University.   Dressed in Red, ready to stripe the stadium, we came ready to show our loyalty to our Ute's, and to party!

Utah dominated the game with an ending score of 56 to 14.  Although,  the fans lost interest in the "blow-out", they quickly became entertained with games of their own.  Keep-the-beach-ball-away-from -the-ushers, was a crowd favorite.

We love our Ute's and are so excited for the football season to begin!

First/Second Day of School

With the events of August 25th, only one child went to school on the first day.  The other followed on the second day of school.  Whatever day ended up being their "first day of school", they are really brave and I am so proud of them.

Lizzy, 10th Grade

Ben - 6th Grade - Ms. Trimble

Six years ago….

Six years ago today, August 25, on the first day of school, a Monday night, Steve suddenly, and unexpectedly passed away.  This is the first time since he passed that dates and events have lined up.  I had no idea how hard today was going to be.

Our hearts are completely broken as we mourn this incredible man.  He is/was the best husband, and Father.  My children, especially my missionaries, feel his presence often.  I love the picture of the missionaries walking with a heavenly angel, a loved one from the other side, beside them. I know he is there with them strengthening them during difficult times, and hopefully enjoying good times with them as well.

I am grateful for the kindness of those around us.  I never fully understood the scripture, Matthew 5:4, until recently, "Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted." We feel comfort as friends and family express their condolences, and love and support us.

We are grateful for the great Plan of Salvation, whereby we can live together as an eternal family.

Thank you for your kindness.  We love our friends and family!