Chad's been out 6 months !!!

Well, it is finally here. Chad has been in the mission field for 6 months !!! He is having a great time and having lots of wonderful experiences. Our best guess is that he's lost about 25 lbs. and is developing that nice, dark Mexican tan! He says his Spanish is "coming along"..... He did a practice exercise with one of the Hermana Missionaries (Sister) and she told him, "Well, I don't really know what you said.... but the Spirit spoke - and it was strong." HA! We have truly been blessed while he has been gone. The Lord is taking care of us -- we have received some "breaks" the last few months - that have really helped us. We recognize that for the true Spirit that it is. We are blessed..... We miss him horribly but love Monday's when we get to hear from him. He's being a good boy and doing like his Mother asked him -- sending pictures with every e-mail. We usually get about 5-10 pictures each week. That's such a blessing. I can't imagine when parents had to wait for snail mail. Even when his e-mails sound a little down - I can see a picture of him - smiling, laughing, enjoying life. That really helps because those don't lie. He's doing well.

Chad's 20 !!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHAD !!!!!

In honor of Chad's 20th Birthday, we had a Mexican feast. (No - not fish heads..... or avacoda pasta...... yum!!) But, chili rellenos and pork green chile. And, Mom -- to really tick Chad off - sent him this picture of her enjoying a Monster. And, Kenna ... pretending to enjoy a Monster. MMHH! It was good! It was my first one since Chad's left .... honest !! We miss him so much!!!

Chad's 1st Baptism ...

Chad did his first baptism on December 29, 2010. He had not taught the woman, but his companion really wanted him to have the experience. (Isn't that the most unselfish thing....) So - Chad enjoyed being a part of this woman's special experience. We really enjoyed talking to him on Christmas, but it opens up the wound of him being gone. He is doing really well. He is struggling with the Spanish -- of course. But - he loves the investigators and really enjoys the area he is in: Puerto Morelos. WE MISS HIM !!!

The PRINCESS is 16 ..... !!

Kenna turned 16 last month. She worked really hard to get her Young Womanhood Recognition so that she could drive. So - on her birthday, she got her license. She had a "Sweet 16" party that ended up being 35, yes 35 teenagers in our home. It was alot of fun. But - very very loud!!

She got a car for Christmas -- so that really freeze up ..... MY world !! Hallelujah!! : o)

Chad's VISA is here !!!

Chad got his VISA this week. WOW! We are so grateful. Many elders have been delayed a month or more, and some have been temporarily sent somewhere else. So - this is GREAT NEWS !! And, he got to get out of the prison, (oops that's his words not mine --) the MTC two days in a row to see the Mexican Consulate. So - he will probably be leaving on the 13th. THAT'S IN 8 DAYS !!! The super great news -- we will be talking to him in 8 days !! I'm trying to prepare myself so that don't just weep the whole time. It reminds me of when the kids were little and we would be away. Ken would have to call and talk to them, because I couldn't do it. UGH! He's so excited !!! So - I'm excited for him !!!

Thanksgiving

Ken & Mc Kenna started our Thanksgiving with a 5K "Turkey Trot" for the Bentz' little girl. She has leukemia. Ken had already run his normal 5 miles. WHAT A TURKEY !!! (What's a few more miles right????)

We had a wonderful day at my sister Diana's. It was a VERY QUIET THANKSGIVING !!! So strange. But peaceful and nice. Bryce and Laura literally JUST had their baby, Zachary Paul Thurber. He came from the hospital to Thanksgiving dinner. It's "CHAD DAY" so I wasn't sure if we were going to get an e-mail. But - we did. While we were at Diana's. It was a treat to hear from him on the holiday. He began his day with a devotional from Elder Holland. His family was there and their grandkids even sang a primary song for the missionaries. This is the 5th apostle he has seen, and he thought they were going to see another last night. We survived our first holiday without Chad....... whew!! It was very strange for Kenna. 'Lena went with her Dad too, so Kenna was an only child. Like I said STRANGE !!!!

Is that Kenna with a FOOTBALL????

Pam & Zach

Madison & Uncle Ken

Anthem Tree Lighting

Every year the Outlets at Anthem have a beautiful tree. This year's tree is 101 feet. They have a big party to light it. This year we went because Jacob Bentz's band, Divide and Conquer, played. Jacob is Taylor Bentz's brother (Kenna's friend) and Bishop Betz's son (Chad's great buddy -- and one of the reasons he's on a mission).




Their band was AWESOME !!! And, it was lots of fun.