Elder Matthew Ward

has been called to serve in the Puerto Rico San Juan West Mission

(Spanish Speaking). Matthew will participate in a phased training MTC experience -- which means he will spend approximately three weeks at the Provo MTC then travel to the Dominican Republic MTC, where he will receive an additional six weeks of training. His MTC report date is May 20, 2009!

We are so proud of Matthew and know he will make a GREAT missionary! He has such a fun-loving spirit that we will miss dearly -- but are grateful he will be able to share the gospel with those in Puerto Rico!

Walking in the door after what seemed like the LONGEST drive home from Rexburg at 10:45 p.m.!

Where's my call??

Oh the suspense -- I can hardly stand it!!!

We were trying to get Jason (who was in Boise) and Andrea (who was in England) on the phone! The phone somehow hung up on each of them once before we finally got them on speaker phone.

OH Yeah! Puerto Rico San Juan West Mission!!!

Spanish Speaking -- YIPPEE!!

Now where exactly is Puerto Rico . . . to help you here is a map!

As far as we can tell -- Matthew's mission is a fairly new mission. They split the Puerto Rico San Juan mission into the Puerto Rico San Juan West & East missions. The West mission will take in the islands of Aruba, the Netherland Antilles, and parts of Puerto Rico.

None of us even came close to guessing where Matthew was going to go! I think most of us thought he would go Spanish speaking but to the CARIBBEAN -- I don't think that even crossed our minds!!

ANYONE WANNA GO ON A CRUISE IN A FEW MONTHS???

What's a missionary post without a couple then and now photos?!

CONGRATULATIONS -- Elder Matthew Ward!!!

Matthew's Mission Call . . .

is sitting on the kitchen countertop ... waiting ... for Matt to get home from BYU-I tonight!!! Soooo for now this is what I have to look at and I'm practicing lots of self control (I haven't even held it up to the window ... YET!)

So while we are patiently waiting to find out where Elder Matthew Glen Ward is going to spend his next two years -- I have found a little Missionary Mario Video to entertain you . . .

Bryson & Jayden ...

My grandbabies -- I know, I know, they are the subject of each and every post anymore -- but I think you would all agree they are the cutest babies ever!!!

Church Snow Day!!!

I seriously can only remember two church snow days in my whole life and both while living in Idaho (remember I grew up in Canada). If I remember right -- last year we had a church snow day on Super Bowl Sunday and today the 25th of January, 2009 -- one week before Super Bowl Sunday! How crazy is that?!!

I got ready for church -- had just woke up Eric and his friend, Malcolm, and told them it had snowed about 5 inches overnight. Then I received a phone call saying church had been cancelled and get the word out. I told the boys -- who both let out a YIPPEE (shame on them) and then started calling people! WOW everyone I called had already heard from either their Visiting Teacher or Home Teacher!! How Great is that?! We can really get the word out quick. Since we didn't have to rush out the door to church -- Eric had a breakfast request of Biscuits and Gravy (can't remember the last time I actually cooked breakfast). So we enjoyed breakfast together and now are just enjoying a nice, warm (only because we are indoors), peaceful, Sunday! Malcolm has never played Settlers -- maybe we'll have to break out the games here soon!

It is STILL snowing -- I would say we have about 8 inches of snow out there! Here are some pics!

I LOVE ...

seeing my boys with their nieces and nephews! I know they will make good daddies some day!