Merry Christmas to Us All

The 2014 holiday season is now a happy memory among our many “Christmases past.”  With Ed recuperating from knee surgery (twice) I enjoyed shopping, cleaning, cooking, decorating and together we both celebrated the season at a Rotary and a Ward Christmas party and welcomed our neighbors and friends as one of five homes open for refreshments and tours in the Christmas Around the Ward annual event.  Larry came from Seattle, arriving on Christmas Eve to be joined by Stacy and her family for dinner and our traditional Holiday Family Home Evening.  Kelly and Gary arrived on Boxing Day (the day after Christmas).  During our time together, we saw two movies (“Big Eyes” and “Unbroken”), saw Doris and Kelly’s wedding dress on display with 55 other wedding dresses at the St. George Art Museum, wrote Larry’s obituary (it was more fun than it sounds), drove to Zion to photograph the beautiful grandeur of this national park, ate repurposed leftovers (several times) and enjoyed lots of chit chat and laughter.  A very nice after-Christmas surprise was the arrival in town of Jan'L and her boys. 13-year-old Kole spent extra time with us when Taisley, he and I went to see "Mockingjay" then on Grandpa's birthday he came over to help us load up the pick-up truck with an oversized load on its way to the DI followed by lunch at the Pizza Factory.  On New Year's Eve, we enjoyed dinner with friends at our house and woke on New Years Day to find a rare skiff of snow.  

In short, it was a pleasant several days with family and friends and we miss everyone who has come and gone as well as those who were unable to be with us at all!  In the words of Tiny Tim, "God bless us ... everyone"... and especially in the New Year!

Happy Thanksgiving 2014

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.  Lots of company ... lots of noise ... lots of food ... lots of fun!  Kris and Erin arrived on Saturday, November 22 (Tylre's birthday) and stayed until Saturday, November 29.  Kelly and Gary arrived on Wednesday night, November 26 (Gary's birthday) and left for home on Sunday, November 30.  During the long weekend, we also enjoyed time with Stacy and Rick, Danielle, Kendi, Taisley, Allysa, Josh, Daxton, Benny, Gary's son Brian and his family including wife Miriah and kids Alexis and Boston.  The days were filled with Hallmark movies, a little shopping, Christmas lights, music and fire pit at Tuacahn (where Taisley found the very lights she had strung among the bushes with members of my Rotary club), walking among the Christmas trees at the 33rd Annual Jubilee of Trees (wow, does that make me feel old), cleaning out the twins' bedroom in anticipation of a garage sale next week, helping Taisley and EJ create their 2015 calendars, runny noses ... and lots of amiable chit-chat.  We missed those who were unable to be with us - David and Jan'L and their kids, Michael and Lilly and Kaytee, Josh and their little "monkey butts", but all-in-all, it was one of the better Thanksgivings we have had at our house!

Hallowe'en at the Sappingtons

Spending Halloween with the grandkids is such a treat!  Because we live so far away from most of our kids, we don't get this experience too often, but this year because of the birth of Thoryn Postma, Kaytee and Josh's Baby Girl #3, we were in Anaconda on All Hallows Eve and got to go door-to-door with Adyn and Skylar.

Before leaving for Montana, we took Taisley with us when we volunteered for "Thriller" at Tuacahn. She was nervous because some of her friends told her it was "really, really scary" but what she quickly found out is that it was really, really fun ... and only "Halloween scary."

Lilly's mom transformed her into a beautiful Elsa (from "Frozen"). Being Elsa was probably the most popular little girls costume this year, but NOBODY had a more beautiful costume than Lilly, custom made especially for her tiny body by her talented mother and a costumer for the Utah Opera Company.  Michael tagged along in the search for candy as Olaf (also from "Frozen").  In Denver, Kaler considered himself too old for trick-or-treating so decided to stay home and pass out candy to those ghosts and goblins who rang their doorbell, but Kole was a Poindexter (not sure what that is, but he looked so cute) and Kyle was a catcher for his favorite baseball team, the Boston Red Sox.  Adyn was Belle (from "Beauty and the Beast"), Skylar was an adorable Snow White and Taisley was a purple minion (from "Despicable Me, Too").

But of all the ghosts and goblins in the family, the one who scared us most was Daxton, who spent the three days before Halloween in the hospital with viral meningitis.  It was frightening to know this little guy ran a very high temperature and spent his time in total isolation to prevent the spread of what they hoped was NOT bacterial meningitis.

Not everyone enjoys Halloween, but personally, I think it's great fun. We were amazed at how many people in Anaconda decorated their yards for the trick-or-treaters, but no one does trunk-or-treating like our ward in Bloomington.  So now that this fun night is behind us, we are looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas ... in the meantime, don't forget to brush and floss!!! 

Thoryn is Here and Other Thoughts from a Grandmother

Thoryn Postma, Kaytee and Josh’s 3^rd baby girl, was born at 6:13 p.m. on Tuesday, October 21, 2014 weighing in at 7 lbs. 1 oz and bringing the total of grandchildren we have welcomed into our family to 15!!!  She is beautiful and we are thrilled to call her ours and can hardly wait to hold her.  

We are so happy to be grandparents.  It is, as many have said, “the reason we didn’t kill our kids when they were teenagers.”  This week we are pleased to welcome Thoryn, but are also proud of the accomplishments of the rest of them.  Last night, Taisley masterfully played violin in her 24-minute school orchestra concert at Tonaquint Intermediate School.  Last week on his 16^th birthday, Kaler played his trumpet as part of his school’s jazz quartet.  Taisley and Erin are both doing exceptionally well academically – and in sports and other activities – as are Kaler, Kole, Kyle, Lilly, Adyn and Skylar.  The older ones are busy rearing their own babies, going to school and working to make their mark in the world.

Recently, I wrote a “Grandparents’ Day” editorial for our local paper.  Here is a portion of what I wrote and what I feel about being a grandmother:

Genealogists say less than 50 percent of people in the world know the names of all four grandparents which is sad since psychologists, sociologists and other professionals know a healthy relationship with grandparents plays a huge role in the positive development of children.  Anthropologist Margaret Mead once even stated the connections between generations are “essential for the mental health and stability” of, not just families and their children, but “of a nation.”

The benefits to children in a happy relationship with one or more loving grandparent are numerous.  Children have a better sense of who they are and where they’ve come from; feel special – even a little bit spoiled, which – if you ask any child - is a good thing.  In many cases, children also get undivided time and attention; develop higher self-esteem, better emotional and social skills; improve or maintain good grades with extra adult influence; have someone to talk to; and, studies show, the knowledge, skills and attitudes children develop through this association tend to stay with them through life.

Involved grandparents play many significant roles in a child’s life.  In addition to the person a young girl described as being “the only one in the whole world who can boss my parent’s around,” a grandparent is – or should be – a role model, nurturer, mentor, ancestor, buddy, hero, confidante, spiritual guide, cheerleader, teacher, wizard, and - for those who are technology challenged - even a student!

Kaytee says Thoryn is her last baby so she could also be our last grandchild ... unless, of course, Michael meets and marries some darling girl who wants a baby.  In the meantime, being a grandmother is an absolute joy!!!

Charlene Visits

We had a delightful visit with Charlene in October while she was traveling through on her annual visit to family in Utah and Idaho.  She arrived on Thursday, a few minutes before we needed to be at Tuacahn for a performance of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”  She loved it!  On Friday, she and I went to see Angelina Jolie’s “Maleficent.”  She loved it!  On Saturday, we took a road trip to Cedar Mountain to see the autumn leaves, then ended up at the Utah Shakespearean Festival where we had tickets to see “Boeing, Boeing.”  She – well, we – loved it!  Hilarious!!!  Sunday we watched conference together and enjoyed a day relaxing and visiting.  We had hoped to spend time with Stacy and her family, but everyone at her house was feeling poorly.  On Monday, we went to the Empty Nesters Soup and Salad Social with lots of good food and music by the Pine Mountain Western Band.  We all loved it!!!  On Tuesday morning, she left for Salt Lake … and the next day Jim Holiday stopped overnight on his way to visit family in northern Utah and Wyoming.  It was a really fun week ... we love being the Hotel Sappington!

Saying Goodbye to the VCofWC

I heard some disturbing news yesterday when I called the Volunteer Center of Washington County and was told, “it is now just a 3-ring white binder” on the desk of the receptionist at the Five County Association of Governments.  She told me “whenever someone calls in wanting to volunteer, I just take their name and forward the information to one of the agencies in town.”  Thankfully, it appears, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion Programs are still around as evidenced by an ad through the DWS looking for program coordinators.

It breaks my heart, because WE – including as many as 19 full and part time employees along with some fantastic AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps*VISTA members – built an amazing organization.  When I first came on board my budget was $30,000 … when I left for the mission field in 2010, our budget was nearly $600,000.  We went from a teensy, tiny RSVP program to 6 programs (RSVP, FGP, SCP, Youth Volunteer Corps, a Medicare counseling program called Health Insurance Information Program and our Court-ordered Community Service Program).  I had more than 50 AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps*VISTA members over the years – many I still hear from occasionally on FB or Linked In.  We had over 2000 volunteers of all ages - whose names and faces we knew - and, who considered themselves “RSVP or YVC volunteers serving at the hospital, library or a school.”  We provided volunteers for almost every community event in Southern Utah – except the St. George Art Festival –and were well respected in all three communities - St. George, Cedar City and Kanab - where we had offices. 

I fought for Carol to be my replacement because I saw a woman with the kind of drive our organization needed, even though she didn’t appear, at least on paper, to have the right skill set for the job.  No question the community needs her new program, but why did she need to take down the Volunteer Center in the process?

Ed gave me some good advice when he told me to “let it go” and I will, but I needed to vent and to assure myself what we built over a period of 16 years was what I thought it was … a dynamic organization which met many, many community needs.  We had an amazing staff and hardworking volunteers – many who told me how much they loved working with me and how our organization made them feel vital and important in meeting the needs of the Southern Utah community.  I'll let it go but it probably isn’t going to be today!

To Denver and Beyond ... and Even More Beyond!

We made a quick trip to Denver (if you can call 11-hours one way a “quick” trip) on the weekend of September 10-14.  This dual-purpose time in Colorado was (1) to see David, Jan’L, Kaler, Kole and Kyle … and in this instance, to also meet up with their cousin Matthew who was in Denver interviewing with medical schools in the area; and, (2) so I could attend the Rotary Institute at the Westminster Westin Hotel where I was dropped off at 9-ish and picked up at 5 p.m. on each of 3 days.    During our time with Dave and Jan'L, we shucked corn to fill the freezer; attended Kyle's scout pack meeting and witnessed him receiving his Bear badge; and, we had lunch at a Denver "speak-easy" then took a jaunt out to Fort Collins to see the beginnings of Colorado's second temple.  It was a relaxing, fun time with the Denver Sappington’s … and I learned a lot at the Rotary Institute, too. 

On Sunday morning, we drove to Provo – a shorter road trip of only 9 hours – where we stayed overnight at the home of Jan and Bruce Christensen, then met up with Kelly, Gary and Whitney for a delightful evening at the Simmons Pioneer Theater Company on the campus of the University of Utah for a performance of “The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”  This entertaining play – with two different versions – took an inside look into the lives of the contestants in a spelling bee.  We saw the “family” version deemed “safe” for kids or those of us who might be uncomfortable with the “adult” version. 

On Tuesday morning, we drove 4 hours to St. George to bake cookies for the Bloomington Stake Picnic and to catch up on things at home before leaving on Thursday morning to drive 6 more hours to Corona.  Again, with a dual purpose (1) to celebrate my mother’s 91^st birthday on September 20 and (2) to help her get settled at Emeritus at Corona, a memory care facility across from Crown Pointe.  The dementia is escalating … in fact, she did not recognize the photo of my Dad as her husband, noting her husband was Joe!  She is fiercely unhappy and emotionally combative – hates me  (and told me she always has) and everyone at this new place although she’s not yet met most of them.  The Emeritus at Corona kitchen staff created a birthday cake and had balloons for her on Saturday.  Janene Bills and Mother’s square dancing friends Jim and Diane Long came by with happy wishes, but she denied it was her birthday and was angry she had been dragged out of bed and forced to get dressed.  It really is very sad to see her in this situation, because her youth, beauty, husband and many of her friends are gone, whatever she has left of her life is being spent in bed, and “I hate it here!”  I can’t help but wonder why “they shoot horses and put down injured animals” but we keep our people alive “no matter what.” In the heat of the move, when she was particularly unhappy with me because I had to take the cat in for shots and for grooming, Ed reminded me of the final words my father ever spoke to me on earth ... "thanks for trying so hard to get along with her!"

As we were coming through the Virgin River Gorge, we were greeted by a beautiful rainbow – a sign, Ed said, we are back where we belong!  When we finally arrived home on Saturday night, we took a minute to calculate our travel and determined we had been in the car for 36 hours and traveled 2300+ miles in ten days!  So the next time my companion complains, “we never go anywhere,” I will refer him to this blog post.

Cuz'N Camp 2014

Cuz’N Camp 2014 was an assortment of cousins coming and going, doing things together and with G/G Sappington.  David’s family showed up unannounced after a week on the Jones’ houseboat at Lake Powell.  We picked up Taisley and spent an afternoon at the St. George Children’s Museum (Kaler didn’t want to go because, at nearly 16, he doesn’t consider himself a child), but Kole, Kyle and Taisley thought it was great fun.   We followed it up with play in the water park which is always a wet and wild activity for the kids.  Dinner was at Stacy and Rick’s with Allysa and Josh and their two boys – “great” cousins Daxton and Bentley.  It was more noisy fun before David’s family went home on Monday.

We had hoped to have Lilly for the first time this year but it appears she, at age 7, is still uncomfortable with the idea of being away from her parent(s) more than just overnight ... and that's a requirement for Cuz'N Camp.  We hope she will want to come next year.

On Tuesday, we got up early and headed for Las Vegas to pick up Erin – Kris’s “baby girl” who, at almost 12-years-old was flying into McCarren as an unaccompanied minor.  After we claimed her, Cuz’N Camp’s first “mystery trip” was to the Las Vegas Discovery Children’s Museum.   It was fun, fun fun packed into 3-floors.  A little pricey at $12 per person, but well worth it with things to climb, swing on, push, pull, dial, build, dig, pour, explore and investigate.  For almost 4 hours, our pre-teens giggled over, played in and contemplated the end result at a dozen displays. 

Our second “mystery trip” of the day was to the new Silverton Casino with its new million-gallon aquarium.  Because we were there on Tuesday, we didn’t get to see the mermaids (who perform for the tourists while feeding the fish on Thursday – Sunday) but the tank was filled with dozens of species of beautiful fish.  They were interesting and pretty, even without the scantily clad girl swimmers.

Our third “mystery trip” on Tuesday was to the always popular M&M Store with its four floors of candy, t-shirts, mugs, toys and other costly memorabilia, but who doesn’t enjoy those tasty little chocolate filled treats.

On Wednesday, we spent a couple of hours at the local Deseret Industries store where the girls shopped for and tried on clothes, shoes and lots of other stuff.  Erin got a cute skirt and a couple of tops but no shoes.  Taisley found a couple of tops and a pair of “gladiator” shoes.  Both left the store happy. 

From there we went to Raymond and Linda Lowe’s home for aquatics in their indoor swimming pool where the girls dived, flipped and swam for more than 2 hours.

On Wednesday night, our “mystery trip”  was an evening at Tuacahn Center for the Arts in Ivins.  Grandma got a great deal on tickets since it was considered a “dress rehearsal” for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat.  Wow, it was soooooo good.  The girls and the audience laughed at the hilarious telling of the scriptural account of Joseph and his jealous brothers and tapped their feet to the beat of the wonderful music.  It was a really fun night.

On Thursday, they were beat (and, honestly, so were we), so we decided to forgo the two “mystery trips” Grandma had planned and just stay home and work on craft projects, attend Taisley’s back-to-school night and end the day with a night swim at the Lowe’s.  Another fun – but less frenzied day!!!

Friday was supposed to be extra special, according to Grandma’s plans … starting with a “mystery trip” to the Washington County Fair.  I thought we would just spend the day riding rides, seeing the farm animals and eating over priced and mediocre food.  Turns out, the rides did not begin operating until 4 p.m. (we got there around 11 a.m.) because it was too hot.  We wandered for awhile, saw some interesting seed displays and talked to a couple of friends, then decided it wasn’t worth waiting around for 4 more hours.  On the way home, we took a side trip to the Dinosaur Discovery Museum which – surprisingly – the kids found very interesting!

Friday evening was special because after 4 days, Taisley was missing her Dad, so the “mystery trip” I had planned was especially timely.  She “guessed” we were going to the movie when I told her the “mystery trip” started at 7 p.m.  She was delighted when, instead of parking at the Stadium 8 Movie Theater, we pulled into her driveway where, in the stairwell, Rick and Danielle had created, a “laser” field made of red string.  To get to the Welch’s home theater in the basement, the girls had to navigate their way through the string trying their best to avoid touching it and sounding the alarm (Rick had some interesting sound effects).  After much laughter, both made it through then we settled into a big-screen showing of “The Lego Movie” complete with strawberries, sour cream and brown sugar … and popcorn.  The evening concluded in the back yard with a hula hoop contest, S’mores over an open fire (with the evening temperature about 100 degrees) and chit chat with the family.

Ask these two delightful young women how they enjoyed Cuz’N Camp this year.  I hope they’ll say they had a great time – despite Grandma declaring it a “no technology zone!”  Ask them about chalk art and making bombs on the driveway – despite Grandpa’s worries about damaging the house and/or the driveway.  Erin said the best part of Cuz’N Camp was seeing Taisley and me at the gate when her plane landed.  Taisley particularly liked swimming … and they both thought shopping at the Deseret Industries store and Grandpa's waffles were the best!

Next year, Cuz’N Camp will be in Puerto Penasco, Mexico (June 8-14)!  Bring your swim suits and cameras and plan to enjoy an exciting and fun-filled week at this very different Cuz’N Camp, which for the first time since its inception will see parents invited (unless the Cuz'N's talk me out of it)! 

Happy Birthday to Me!

Dean and Margaret Hooks will enter the MTC in Provo (for a short stay) on August 11 in preparation for their 6th mission, so decided – or so they told me – to throw themselves a little farewell party on the evening of Friday, July 11 at the Vintage Clubhouse.  I had every reason to think this was a legitimate invitation … but when I walked in at 7:30 I was greeted by a HUGE “surprise” and a rousing rendition of the Happy Birthday song!  As it turns out, the party was a celebration of the 41^st anniversary of my 29^th birthday! 

Kelly and Gary did most of the organizing, but Stacy, Rick, Danielle, Kendi, Whitney, Michael and Lilly and Larry were all there to lend a hand and sing loudly!  Besides family members, there were many friends we have known for years as well as lots of members of the Bloomington 7^th Ward and a handful of members of the St. George Rotary Club.  The food was tasty and plentiful and the company was delightful.  And, I was TOTALLY surprised!!!

Michael and Lilly had to leave early on Saturday and Stacy and her family had plans for the day, so the rest of us jumped in our cars and drove to Cedar City for the July Jamboree, including an amazing car show – which Larry particularly enjoyed.  It was HOT in Cedar City but nowhere close to the 110+ degree summer day in St. George.  Larry was shocked by the heat and was certain his friends back in Seattle would dispute his claim of triple digits so he documented it with a picture

We spent Saturday evening sorting Mother’s jewelry and getting it ready for an estate sale.  Sounds boring, but it was actually a fun time together.

Sunday was quiet and, in Larry’s opinion, boring … but we got in a few laughs and I enjoyed his company.

It was a lovely weekend and a better-than-I-expected birthday.  Thanks to everyone who helped make it a special celebration.  I love you!

Increase in Utility Costs Results in Rioting

The Church in Linden, Guyana is still, very much in its infancy.  Priesthood leaders are almost non-existent, so missionaries do much of the work necessary to keep the organization up and functioning.  Weather plays a big part in church attendance.  When its raining, the members who normally would walk to church remain at home, not being able to afford the cost of cab fare.  In these circumstances, attendance at Sacrament meeting might be only about 10-15 people! 

However, unlike other small branches in 3^rd world countries, the Church in Linden had a nice building … until Guyana Power and Light suddenly announced a huge increase in the cost of their utility to the very poor people throughout the country.  The result was several days of rioting – and inexplicably burning down buildings here, there and everywhere – in protest, including the building housing the Linden Branch of the Church, which we attended numerous times in our 14 months in Guyana.

4th is Week of Fun and Family

The first week of July 2014 began with a surprise visit with Whitney which included pleasant, animated conversation about her new job as inventory controller with Subway, as well as about puppies and kittens.  We enjoyed seeing her - although we didn't get a picture - even if it was just for a couple of hours.  Soon after, Tylre, Jaeson and 13-month-old Guillermo (nicknamed "Memo") came to town.  We would have loved to have them stay over with us, but we got to spend a couple of hours catching up.  Allysa, Daxton and Bentley joined us the next morning, and after a breakfast of Grandpa's waffles (which Memo really liked) we moved the party to the St. George Town Square.  The water park was surprisingly busy at 11 a.m. since the temperature on this July day was already well over 100 degrees.

On Independence Day, we had breakfast in the park with our next door neighbors.  Later in the day we barbecued hamburgers with Stacy, Taisley and Danielle (fireman Rick had to work) then saw "Earth to Echo" - an obvious Disney re-make of "ET" before joining thousands of residents at the park of the traditional fireworks show (during which Rick was called out twice!)

It was a week of fun, food, film, fireworks ... and family.  It doesn't get much better than this!

Cutearoo is Baptized and Other Good Stuff

 

This weekend, we traveled 11 hours to Denver to be present for the baptism of 8-year-old Kyle Wayne Sappington on Saturday, June 7, 2014.  My tall, handsome, first born son David baptized and confirmed his third son - our adorable, charismatic and bright-as-a-new-penny grandson – with more than 40 neighbors and friends in attendance.

We arrived on Thursday evening, spent Friday visiting and catching up.  On Saturday, Jan’L was stressed about how much she still had to do, so we gathered up the boys for another of Grandma Linda’s famous “mystery trips.”  This activity was an afternoon including 36-holes of miniature golf and a stop at McDonald’s for French fries and chocolate shakes while David and Jan’L finished their preparations.

On Sunday, after Sacrament meeting where Kyle was introduced as one of the ward’s newest members and Kole passed the Sacrament, we went back to the house to change clothes and load up for another 9-hour drive … this one to visit Michael and Lilly and to lend a hand to help him get his house in order … and to see Elder Gavin Bynoe, from Guyana, off on his mission to the Georgia Macon Mission.

At Michael’s, I stripped wallpaper, cleaned the stove and refrigerator and weeded in the yard.   In short, I’m pooped!!!  While in Provo, we also took a minute to visit Bruce and Jan Peterson Christensen and her 96-year-old mother, Phyllis who I have known since age 12.  

I think one of the sweetest experiences in life is to walk and talk with any of my children.  During these short jaunts around the block, they share dreams and asperations or tell me what makes them happy or anxious.  When we visit them, I also enjoy having any of my children – or grandchildren – beg us to stay a little longer as they did in Denver.  “Just one more day,” said a teary-eyed, 15-year-old Kaler numerous times.  “I won’t let you go,” said 12-year-old Kole who had me in a big, bear hug as we prepared to leave.  “You don’t come often enough,” said David. 

Talk about music to a mother’s / grandmother’s ears!!!  This must be what is meant by “heaven on earth!!!”

We Are Rich in Friendships

One of the sweetest blessings of our mission to the West Indies was the friendships we made with other senior couples … and those lovely friendships continue even though we have now been home for two years.  Last week we enjoyed a delicious dinner, company and conversation with Jim and Mary Andrus (St. George) and Bob and Katie Beecher (Lehi) at the LaVerkin home of Val and Marcia Cook.  The Andrus' took our place in the mission office in Trinidad where they served the entire 23 months of their mission.  The Cooks were called to be Humanitarian Service missionaries throughout the entire West Indies and the Beechers - more or less - took over our assignment with PEF.

Tonight we had dinner and a pleasant evening of chit chat with Jean and Carol Drolet who we first met at a WIM couples conference when they were serving in French Guiana.  Now they are serving in the Utah St. George Mission where they share the message of the gospel to approximately 27,000 French-speakers who visit the area's Church historical sites every year (who knew we had that many French-speakers in little old St. George).  They told us they introduced their son, who was still unmarried at age 35, to a beautiful Relief Society president from French Guiana ... they "clicked" and are now married with a new baby.  The Drolets still have about five months left before they return home to Canada so we hope to get together again.

Friends are – according to the scriptures – what make us “rich” (Proverbs 14:20) and one of the greatest blessings of our friendship with these wonderful senior couples is none of them ever tire of talking about our shared experiences in the mission field.