We hope you are enjoying a wonderful Christmas and Holiday season! 2009 again brought many changes to our family's lives that we would like to share with you. We'll begin with us:
Toward the end of last year, we finished our 3 year mission for our Church . . .a wonderful experience! Most of our time since Dick's retirement had been given to that mission, so 2009 brought a return to more normal life and finding out what being retired is usually about! We enjoyed great times at home and on trips to Twin Falls, Texas, and Colorado to be with our most choice possessions, our 4 daughters and great sons-in-law and 15 grandkids. We've also caught up on lots of backed-up projects, even including major remodeling to most rooms in the house...WHEW! ... almost done with that, thank goodness!
We also enjoyed great trips with good friends/family to France, Cancun, Chichen Itza, St. Augustine, Ft. Lauderdale, Disney World, Island Park,
and McCall. Several road rallies came in between with our British Sports Car Club in our little green TR-6 convertible. And, Lawana had a special time with several of our daughters at the Women's Conference in Provo.The year closed with a unique, life-changing "mini-mission" experience that we will never forget! We were asked by Lawana's brother, Corwin, to visit and serve with him and his wife, Peggy, for around 6 weeks in Kenya, Africa. They were serving there on a special three month measles prevention mission for the Church and we had the wonderful opportunity to help implement it. Such humanitarian work is very needed in undeveloped countries like Africa, where a totally preventable disease like measles still kills 500 children each day. During the closing week, around 93% of the African young children were provided measles "jabs" (vaccinations) in the
area we worked around Mombasa and the Chyulu Hills. Most of our time went to this greatly-needed work and we came to love the wonderful, loving spirit of the very poor, but very noble African people. Along the way we also went on several safaris in Africa's wild bush and saw many fantastic wildlife sightings. It was Springtime there, so we saw practically every species of African wildlife with their young babies! Should you like to learn a bit about the measles work there and enjoy a taste of the wonderful African people and the majesty and splendor of that wild, dangerous, and beautiful country, just click on "Measles" at the top left under "View by Subject." (Incidentally, for you who have already seen some of our African pictures, we have added a lot more great safari wildlife pictures in the "Measles" section which you might especially enjoy).In closing our part of this Christmas letter, we continue very grateful for freedom and America, fairly good health, loving friends and family, and many other blessings. We are especially grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives. We thank you all for your love and friendship. We wish we could see or hear from all of you more often. Please know that you are always welcome in our home. We wish you the very best during this glorious Christmas season and hope that the New Year brings you & yours much success & happiness.
Please continue scrolling down for the Christmas Messages to you and fun photos from our Daughters' Families:
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