It is hard to believe, but two months from today, Oct. 11, dad and I will finish our missionary service here in the California Los Angeles Mission. We have very mixed feelings - from sadness at leaving the people we have grown to love, the missionaries we have served, and the responsibilities that we have had, to excitement about our upcoming trips to visit all of you, and just being home again with time to putter. Leslee asked if we wanted them to come and "pick up us from our mission". We said that would be great! I wish we could think of something to do rather than go directly home - I don't know why, but just going home makes me feel a little lonely - I need something in between as a "buffer" or transition, I guess. The Crook's, when they left, drove to Utah and then on to Idaho for a couple of weeks and then went home. At the time they were planning that I thought it was kind of funny that they wouldn't go home first, but I'm beginning to understand. I know this sounds silly and sentimental, but, oh well, it is the way I feel. So, if any of you have suggestions, we are open to them.
The Chantilly house is no longer ours. After 4 years of "trials and tribulations" with that place it is sold and we no longer have to worry about it or think about it. I don't believe that concept has sunk in with us yet. We appreciate the love, support, and encouragement you were to us during the hard times with that "saga'. We believe the resolution of the law suit associated with that house and the subsequent sale are direct blessings from our mission. We know without the Lord's help we are nothing.
Well, this has gone on long enough. We love you, we are proud of you (in the very best sense of the word) we are grateful for you, we thank you for your love. We feel incredibally blessed to be the parents and grandparents of such exceptional and beautiful and wonderful children.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Monday, August 07, 2006
Pretty in Purple
Paisley is beginning to grow out of some of her Sunday clothes so we have started to dress her in some new dresses. We bought this one a while before she was born and I have loved it and been waiting for her to wear it. It is very cute and she looks adorable in it!! You can't really tell from the picture but on the ruffly sleeves and on the collar are eyelets in the fabric. They are so sweet!
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Anniversary Cruisin'
Jason and I are taking a cruise in November for our anniversary (which is in December but things are cheaper in November) and we just wanted to invite anyone interested to come along. We don't want to leave anyone out, so all are invited. If interested contact us for details!
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Pretty in Pink
There have been lots of sales for summer clothes in the baby department so we got a few things for Paisley since most of her clothes are either pants or long sleeves. This is one of the cute new outfits she got!! She looks so cute in it too! The shirt is a onesie and it 12 months so it is kinda big, but it is so cute I wanted her to wear it today!
James recent email
Dear Mom,
Everything is great here. Actually, the last typhoon we got just wind. Unless it is windy with stuff flying around, we are out preaching. It is fun. We have been doing really well with the work. Our baptismal pool went from seven to one. But we are working our butts off. We come home exhausted and wanting more than 8 hrs of sleep, but continue to push on. Elder peterson told me a story of how he knew an Elder that got off the plane in his home state and passed out. We literally are kept by the Strength of the Lord. I honestly believe, if the Lord did not bless us, this work would kill us. I love it though. It is hard, but somehow I hate saying it is hard. I love it. The hardships rock. I grow, push through, and the blessings afterward of peace, comfort, or finding someone is just wonderful.
Lets see. My journal is going to blow up. I keep writing in it, lol. I am hooked in it. I read in Wilford Woodruffs teachings that we will be judged by our journals. What we do here is sealed in Heaven, well, what we write here, will be written in Heaven. So I would exhort and ask the whole family to write in a journal. Even if it is two lines. Starting it is what is important. I tell you mom, I will look back upon my journals like I do my scriptures. I cant wait to show you them. You always stressed it and wow... I think I went over. I have so much stuff saved, pics, cards, stuff, I love it.
Anyways. This sunday we will be having our first investigator baptism! His name is Cai Xu Yang. He rocks! He is 15 and had to deal with some family stuff, but he rocks! He is getting baptized after 3 months of waiting. It will be wonderful to see him get baptized. He is a wonderful young man who I have come to love alot.
Have you head of Tim Tam Slams... Well, Tim tams are like twix... you bite two corners off and you drink milk through it. Tim Tam Slams! So much fun, and they are good! The milk here is pretty good. At least the milk we get. I cant remember the last time I had regular milk.
So can you believe it 3 months! Tomorrow is a month on island! Yet it seems like two years ago I left you and dad to board the plane. Crazy, huh? Oh! I had a wonderful, wonderful spiritual experience. Keep it between the family and the grandparents. So two days ago... I was reading in Ch. 10 of Preach my Gospel. Well, I was reading under the section on How to Adjust your Teachings for the Investigator. Well, one part said... Pray for the Gift of Discernment. I have never had any words really hit me hard on my mission till I read those 6 words. In my Patriarchal Blessing I am blessed with that gift. I immediatly was hit hard and I mean HARD! By the Spirit. I started to pray and ask Heavenly Father to better allow me to use this Gift. Help me to discern the Elect that are ready to hear the Gospel. As well as what they need, what I need to do, etc. The Spirit was sooo strong family! I loved it. I exhort all of you to get a Patriarchal Blessing and read it over and over. I cant believe I have not read mine alot before I left for my mission. I read it every day. I am able to see the blessings of it! I love it. So that is my Spiritual message for you all. The chinese continues to get better. Everyday the Lord continues to better it.
Well, I want to email dad, maybe he will get it at work! I love you alot. Be safe! Let me know about Jasmine. Tell her that I say hi and I am excited! I am totally excited, that is totally cool! AHHHHHHHHHHH! Lol. You still have sisters in the ward?! That is crazy, poor Jared and Shane. How is Shane? Are his papers in? Anything new with the ward, stake, family, Roxie, my book collection? Anything? I miss you all, but I focus and the Lord delievers. Love you mom! Byebye!
Always your son that Loves you!
Elder Whelchel
Everything is great here. Actually, the last typhoon we got just wind. Unless it is windy with stuff flying around, we are out preaching. It is fun. We have been doing really well with the work. Our baptismal pool went from seven to one. But we are working our butts off. We come home exhausted and wanting more than 8 hrs of sleep, but continue to push on. Elder peterson told me a story of how he knew an Elder that got off the plane in his home state and passed out. We literally are kept by the Strength of the Lord. I honestly believe, if the Lord did not bless us, this work would kill us. I love it though. It is hard, but somehow I hate saying it is hard. I love it. The hardships rock. I grow, push through, and the blessings afterward of peace, comfort, or finding someone is just wonderful.
Lets see. My journal is going to blow up. I keep writing in it, lol. I am hooked in it. I read in Wilford Woodruffs teachings that we will be judged by our journals. What we do here is sealed in Heaven, well, what we write here, will be written in Heaven. So I would exhort and ask the whole family to write in a journal. Even if it is two lines. Starting it is what is important. I tell you mom, I will look back upon my journals like I do my scriptures. I cant wait to show you them. You always stressed it and wow... I think I went over. I have so much stuff saved, pics, cards, stuff, I love it.
Anyways. This sunday we will be having our first investigator baptism! His name is Cai Xu Yang. He rocks! He is 15 and had to deal with some family stuff, but he rocks! He is getting baptized after 3 months of waiting. It will be wonderful to see him get baptized. He is a wonderful young man who I have come to love alot.
Have you head of Tim Tam Slams... Well, Tim tams are like twix... you bite two corners off and you drink milk through it. Tim Tam Slams! So much fun, and they are good! The milk here is pretty good. At least the milk we get. I cant remember the last time I had regular milk.
So can you believe it 3 months! Tomorrow is a month on island! Yet it seems like two years ago I left you and dad to board the plane. Crazy, huh? Oh! I had a wonderful, wonderful spiritual experience. Keep it between the family and the grandparents. So two days ago... I was reading in Ch. 10 of Preach my Gospel. Well, I was reading under the section on How to Adjust your Teachings for the Investigator. Well, one part said... Pray for the Gift of Discernment. I have never had any words really hit me hard on my mission till I read those 6 words. In my Patriarchal Blessing I am blessed with that gift. I immediatly was hit hard and I mean HARD! By the Spirit. I started to pray and ask Heavenly Father to better allow me to use this Gift. Help me to discern the Elect that are ready to hear the Gospel. As well as what they need, what I need to do, etc. The Spirit was sooo strong family! I loved it. I exhort all of you to get a Patriarchal Blessing and read it over and over. I cant believe I have not read mine alot before I left for my mission. I read it every day. I am able to see the blessings of it! I love it. So that is my Spiritual message for you all. The chinese continues to get better. Everyday the Lord continues to better it.
Well, I want to email dad, maybe he will get it at work! I love you alot. Be safe! Let me know about Jasmine. Tell her that I say hi and I am excited! I am totally excited, that is totally cool! AHHHHHHHHHHH! Lol. You still have sisters in the ward?! That is crazy, poor Jared and Shane. How is Shane? Are his papers in? Anything new with the ward, stake, family, Roxie, my book collection? Anything? I miss you all, but I focus and the Lord delievers. Love you mom! Byebye!
Always your son that Loves you!
Elder Whelchel
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Baby Mohawk
Since Paisley's hair has been growing like crazy we have started experimenting with different hair styles. This one is a winner with everyone, even Paisley gives it the thumbs up!
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