2007 was a great year in many ways and not so good in other ways. We got new little TJ, Boyd started a GREAT new business, many of you got raises, Humble sold his practice, Rod passed the CPA exam and pa and I made it through the whole year on our mission. We did lose Grandma, dad moved from the old place, Rod and Boyd had wrecks, but every one is healthy, we have another new baby in the works, the Gospel is True, and we have so very many blessings. I’m looking forward to a GREAT 2008! Be safe and Happy New year to you all. This is what we did on New Years EVE, we went to the burned village and these are the new houses and the old ones. The village people were very happy and so are we.
How fun it was to see and talk to all of you! I thought that Jonses were crazy for getting us a web cam this late in our mission but I am so glad they did just for that one party. It was fun to finally see our littlest one moving and so cute. Please still send us more pictures of the party Andy or who ever took them because that would still be well appreciated. Only one more day kids! MERRY CHRISTMAS!
The Church encourages us to partner with other NGO’s (non-governmental organization) on projects. We found an NGO we were very impressed with and finally got to team up with them on five schools. The NGO is Room to Read. They build classrooms in conjunction with small library’s for schools. The thing we like about them is that they expect the villages to participate. They provide the material, but the villagers build the schools. A great Church principle is shown with this approach. We agreed to provide the materials for five toilets to go with the five shools which they had planned. One particular school, we had already committed to build a well. If you click here, you can see some photo’s of this project. It has been a fun one. We were out the other day and they were all working so hard on the project. I counted over 50 villagers there working.
Here is a picture of the DIC gang with their cool hats….
Thawan is just messing around here - he served as one of our translators. By the time the training was all done the translators all felt they could then not only perform the procedures but teach the course. You can see more about what we did for over a week by clicking on NRT. Thawan is in our Branch Presidency. He served a mission in Thailand. He is a great guy.
It was fun because I got to talk to many of you, got emails from you or got messages on the Blog. You are the best. Pa got me an elephant necklace, a silk skirt, a wood heart puzzle box, a jump drive of my own (I’m now in the 21st Century) and took me to Lao Plaza. The couples gave me a nice long chain for my silver penants and made me a cake. I am very blessed. Here are some pictures of the whole thing and Pa’s NRT training. Thanks and love you all.
I loved the flicker pictures Andy. Thank you so very much. All of you look good enough to hug! The best looking people there and the BEST BAR NONE! Yeah Jazz! Keep it going!
Picture 1. We have to wear our jackets and warm hats because it is only 98 degrees out here working in the sun on the road. 2. We get our breakfast of soup from the lady every morning about 7. She wipes out the bowl with a dirty rag and puts in the soup and what ever extras we want in it. Mmmm I can’t wait for some of that ,not. 3. The construction sight when it rains. This is fun times on the way to work.
Hey family I decided to send some pictures from Lao because I have a little time today since pa is gone to the wells and I got my projects almost done. I’m putting in some pictures of your slim Father and one of me looking silly singing. Pas pants really are about to fall off. Should I give them a little help? Don’t answer that. We are really doing some work here and not just setting around feeling sorry for ourselves. It is pretty good most of the time. There are a lot of frustrations with the government but we have fun with most of the people. We will be gone to the northern part of Laos from the 31 - June 2 but keep the emails coming. Hope your summer is scheduled to be a fun one with family.
Pi Mai Lao means Lao New Year (April 15th). The celebration goes on for three days (April 14th, 15th and 16th). Traditionally they go to the wat and wash off the Buddha. This led to blessing people by pooring water on them. This led to the tradition of soaking everybody at every party. You can click on Pi Mai Lao to see some photos of the festivities.
