Hard to believe it is once again time to sit down and remember the past year and highlight those things that are meaningful and important to each of us. Here's a recap. We are very blessed.
Wayne:
It's been a different year for sure. After being diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis the end of 2013, it was a year of learning and steroids. Those things are not fun and yet he did not complain. He is now off the Prednisone and looking forward to hopefully feeling more like himself. That is a drug that is so helpful and yet hard on the body. He has traveled many places with his work and still enjoys all the many associations he has had with people all over the United States and Canada. Regina, Boston, and probably one that was very dear to his heart was Nauvoo. After serving in the Missouri Independence Mission many years ago, and with his pioneer heritage, going back to Nauvoo was a highlight and meaningful experience. He still tries to hunt and fish whenever he can, and enjoys spending time with his boys on the streams or in the mountains. It is definitely time well spent.
Tammy:
This year has been one of great learning for me, too. I am very fortunate and blessed to have the BEST job @ Bountiful Orthodontics and enjoy the time I spend there. I have made so many friends and everyday I wonder how I was so lucky to land such a gig. I served as the Stake Camp Director for Young Women's and it was an experience that forever changed me. I found that I was able to listen to the spirit and do exactly as He would have wanted. I had a wonderful team that I would have never been able to pull it all together without. These women are now some of my dearest friends. I was grateful to have it be finished and yet sad, too. I learned so much and my testimony grew even more. I have also discovered that I really do like exercise. I still get up five-six days a week and head to the place that changed my physical life. Four Pillar Fitness has helped get me in probably the best shape of my life.
Bridger:
Highlight this year was probably going on the adventure this summer to Minneapolis and selling pest control. He and his friend Ryan left at the end of May and stayed the entire summer. It was an experience that was challenging and yet he had a great time and made a good amount of money to help him with school for the future. He just started full-time at Deseret Mutual Insurance and will receive his associates very soon from Salt Lake Community College. His plans are to continue working and then head to the University of Utah for his degree. He is the one that caught the hunting/fishing gene most and really enjoys time he spends in the hills or fishing alongside his brothers and dad. He is a great young man, and I can hardly believe he is all grown up.
Elder Stetson Clayton:
Is thriving and loving his mission in the Mexico Monterrey West. You can always catch up with his adventures on his mission blog:
www.elderclaytoninmexico.blogspot.com I update it every Sunday morning and it is always worth going there. His smile says exactly how much he is loving it there. It is my hope that he will want to come home which we are anticipating the end of May 2015, but who's counting...
Caleb:
in a word, is AMAZING. Oh, how I love this young man. He turned 16 this past July and was able to get his license and purchase a car with his own $$$. He was selected from our stake to attend the World Wide Jamboree coming up this June which will be held in Japan. It's crazy. It has quite a price tag attached and he is busily doing fund raisers, working at SpankyS and whittling down the fee. He earned his Eagle Scout Award and was the youngest of our boys getting it at only 15. He is so much fun, full of personality and really pretty dang funny. We are grateful he is not too cool to hang out with us and we love spending time with him.
As you can see we have much to be grateful for. However, we never forget all of you. At this time of the year it is wonderful for the rest of the world to remember what we have known and love all the time. I am grateful for my testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ. As we celebrate his birth it is my hope that my gift to Him will be to live as He lived. Trying to serve more, be kinder and #sharethegift
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I hope it is a good one for you and yours!
