Sunday, December 27, 2009

MERRY CHRISTMAS - 27 December 2009 - Sterling Heights, Michigan


Dear Family,


A week full of celebrating culminated the hectic preparations.

Wednesday morning Myriam, Michael and Dad went to Daniel & Holli's for breakfast and to exchange Christmas gifts. Nathan, Joseph, Joshua and Isaiah seemed to have fun with the Nerf guns from Papa and Nona. We enjoyed being together for a few hours to share the Christmas spirit.

All the Christmas Eve festivities were enjoyed by the Corless, Kulka and Hreinson clans and our friends the Reihl family. After the popular pizza party, we had the Nativity program of songs enthusiastically lead by Ryan: scriptures read by Jim; narration by Papa; costuming by Nona and the moms; photography by Maureen and portrayal by the grandbuddies. The star of the show was Rex Stuart as the sweet baby Jesus. It was a grand reenactment of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ to be remember by all. It was a great joy to see 14 grandchildren all having fun with one another.

Christmas Day started at 7:00 am with the Missionaries coming to share their Christmas with us. We started with singing Silent Night and a thanksgiving prayer and then we opened gifts one by one for the next couple of hours. When this was done, we were all ready for our traditional pancake, bacon and egg breakfast. Later we were joined by the rest of clan for a big turkey feast followed by fun games. Once again the great joy was watching the grandbuddies playing with one another.

The gifts were thoughtful and well received, but the most important gift of all is the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and we, family and friends, are all together in the celebration in our hearts.

The only Christmas Day event that did not go well was that a joint in the sump pump piping decided to break loose flooding part of the basement. However, with quick action to stop the deluge and soak up the residue, the flood was controlled, the damage minimized and the pipe joint was repaired.

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas celebration.

Love y'all, Mom & Dad


Sunday, December 20, 2009

20 December 2009 - Sterling Heights, Michigan

Dear Family,


Christmas - Festivities are fast approaching and preparations are in high gear. We have been purchasing and returning and wrapping gifts so that our matter will be organized in time for the birthday celebration. We have enjoyed receiving the Christmas cards and letters from friends and family and we sent the last of our cards. Last night the complete tribe of David & Jana arrived safely after traversing an adversely conditioned road. It did not snow much, but it did leave some treacherous slick spots on the road. They saw many vehicles that had spun off I-94 in Michigan. We are so grateful for their safe arrival – “one less worry”.

Seminary – Since, Michael graduated, we had thought we were finished with Seminary routine, but the ward building was being re-carpeted and the Seminary class met at our home each morning this week. It was good to partake of the enthusiasm of the young people and we hope they found our home a house of learning.

Entertainment – Dad, Mom and Michael really enjoyed the new movies “2012” and “Avatar” at AMC 30. We saw Avatar in IMAX and 3D to enhance the experience. Also, we were entertained by Tyler's 7th grade basketball games on Tuesday and Thursday – they are undefeated so far. Additional “entertainment” was supplied by Ryan, who invited Dad and Michael to paint the walls in his basement. Actually, it turned out quite well considering the level of talent we have obtained. Michael, Dad and Jim were also, “entertained” by the Jeep ignition, which decided to not let the key turn to start the engine. (Another thing on the never ending “to do list”.)

We wish you a very Merry Christmas.

Love y'all, Mom & Dad


Monday, December 14, 2009

13 December 2009 - Sterling Heights, MIchigan

Sunday December 13th 2009


Dear Family,

Michael is home and he is glad to be here, and we are happy to have him here. His flights were delayed almost 8 hours, just in time for the snow to make the roads slick for our drive home.

Most of our time this week was devoted to Ryan & Maureen in support of the family and specially Rex Stuart. Another high priority was finishing the basement enough so the Preston and Jacob could sleep there to make room for Maureen's parents, who came late Thursday night.

Friday, Mom, Dad, and Michael went to see the new inspirational movie “Invictus” about the South African Rugby team and Nelson Mandela. David has got to see this one!

Sunday we attended North Shores Ward for the blessing of Rex Stuart Corless by Ryan assisted by both Grandfathers, Rex and Stuart and Uncles, Jim and Michael. Tyler held the microphone making it completely a family affair. We then rushed back to attend our Ward meetings. After all the church meetings, we went to the Frank's annual Christmas Party where we enjoyed seeing some of the people from the old neighborhood and singing Christmas carols. We went to see Jim and Vanessa and then Ryan and Maureen for few minutes before going home, to give them all the Christmas gifts from the Frank's. Later, (around 10 pm), we stopped at church to take home all the gifts from the Relief Society to the women's shelter so they can be delivered on Monday.

Never a dull moment as we approach Christmas. We hope we can “hold together”, as Grandma says.

Love y'all, Mom & Dad




Sunday, December 6, 2009

Sunday 6 December 2009 - Sterling Heights, Michigan


Sunday December 6th


Dear Family,

The Best Gift - The crowning event this week is the arrival of a handsome and healthy little boy to Maureen & Ryan. He was born 4:19 am on Wednesday 2 Dec 2009 and weighed 7 pounds 4 oz and was 20.5” long. Mom & I were privileged to stay with Preston, Jacob and Sophia for a couple of days until Ryan & Maureen brought Rex Stuart Corless home, where he was received with great anticipation, love and care by his siblings. Thanks to Heavenly Father - all is well!

Technical Difficulties - Wednesday we got a new AT&T fiber optic phone, internet and TV, which took about 4 ½ hours to install, so we were not able to take the siblings to visit their brand new brother on the day of his birth. The backup visit plan was to go the next day, but the alternator and battery of the Explorer gave up after 7 years and 94,000+ miles of service; the “Little Red Wagon” had to be hauled to the dealership to be repaired. Since we could not all fit in the Jeep the backup visit plan was scrubbed. Sorry!

Matter Organized - Mom worked hard to get the house, inside and out, to look just right for Christmas. She is so relieved to get that finished and all the storage boxes etc. put away. Once again, the house is clean and in order! We are almost ready to publish the Christmas letter, which summarizes our journeys of 2009. There is still much to be done to complete the preparations, but we have gotten a start and the efforts are proceeding to realize the plan to have everything ready.

We hope all is well with everyone.

Love y'all, Mom & Dad

Friday, December 4, 2009

Welcome Our Latest Grandchild - Rex Stuart Corless


Name: Rex Stuart Corless
Born: 2 December 2009 4:19 a.m.
Executive Producers: Ryan & Maureen Corless
Perfect Design by: Heavenly Father
Weight: 7 pounds 4 oz.
Length: 20.5 inches
Condition: Perfect
Family Atitude: Thankful and happy beyond measure.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

29 November 2009 - Sterling Heights, Michigan


Sunday 29th – Sterling Heights, Michigan


Dear Family,

Our journey home from Denver went smoothly. We already miss Ryan, Rachel, Mia and little Lydia, but we enjoy being home and reunited with family back in Michigan.

We baked 18 pies, roasted a 20 pound turkey complete with stuffing and gravy for the Thanksgiving Day feast for 20 people at Jim & Vanessa's home. Besides the families of Jim & Vanessa and Ryan & Maureen, the Stebar and Reihl families joined the celebrations. We called Michael, who was in Idaho, to participate in the “What are you thankful for” session before dinner. It was a great joy for all to be together for the feast, and later play games and just share time with one another.

“Let the spirit of thanksgiving guide and bless your days and nights.” Gordon B. Hinckley (2Nephi 9:52)

The day after - it was difficult to face all the preparatory work and effort ahead of us to get ready for Christmas, but we got started and things will be ready. We are so looking forward to all the children and grandchildren coming to our home to celebrate Christmas with us. We are sure it will be a grand celebration because He, whose birth we celebrate, is great beyond measure. Whatever our celebrations seem to be, he seeks above all, our sincere, thoughtful love for Him and those He came to redeem.

We love y'all,

Mom & Dad

Monday, November 23, 2009

Latest Grandchild - Lydia Hreinson

Lydia Hreinson born 5 Nov 2009
Our 19th Grandchild & 8th Granddaughter

Parents (Exec. Producers): Ryan & Rachel Hreinson
Condition: Celestial
Designed by: Heavenly Father
Family: Filled with Joy

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Sunday 22nd November – Denver, Colorado

Dear Family,

More fun in “Adventure Land” this week. Mia took Papa and Nona for adventures to the Children's Museum on Thursday, and to the Aquarium on Friday. She had a great time showing Papa & Nona her favorite things and reminding us how quickly a two year old's attention can change.

Papa took Mia in the backpack for a long walk along “Cherry Creek”, where we saw ducks, crows, a rabbit and prairie dog field. Mia was chattering or singing the whole time. We have been busy with shopping trips, cooking Brazilian Black Beans, a Saturday morning apartment cleaning session and Nona reading books to Mia.

We have enjoyed our time being with Rachel and Ryan and are forward to being home Monday evening.

We love you all,



Mom & Dad

Sunday, November 15, 2009

15 November 2009 - Denver, Colorado

Sunday 15th – Dear Family,
The snow gently fell through the night and to our delight all is covered in pure white this Sabbath morning.
Another successful journey! After all of the preparation for and anticipation to our flight to Denver, we were rewarded to see Rachel and her daughters greet us at the airport and shuttle us to the “Hreinson Hacienda”. Our hearts are completely enthralled with our beautiful, sweet and newest grandchild, Lydia. What a great blessing it is to have these precious little ones come into our lives. The very active and cute elder sister, Mia, is the one to enthrall most our time. Before Papa got into the apartment, Mia and him went on an adventure down by the river. For reasons unknown, the water needed a good thrashing with a stick and as a result, Mia immediately got herself wet . Luckily, the day was warm and mostly sunny with a soft breeze and the “Moisten Mia” was soon mostly dry and very late for her nap. Oh well, what are Papas for, anyway?
Rachel and Ryan have a beautiful little family and a nice home, both of which are a great joy for us to visit. Rachel is doing very well. Lydia has been sleeping about 5 hours between the need to be loaded and unloaded. Like her sister Lara, Rachel has her “mommy hands” completely full with these two little girls. There is great divine wisdom in having children while you are young. Ryan's schedule is full of classes, studying for tests, working part time in a pharmacy, being Mia's & Lydia's Daddy Rachel's husband and short sleep nights.
We have been busy shopping, preparing meals and helping with other little jobs like hanging pictures, getting the oil changed in the vehicles, and being a Papa and Nona to Mia. Ryan's Mom left the refrigerator full of things to warm up to eat, which we enjoyed and appreciated very much. Yesterday, we made a batch of Peasant Pasta and two Pumpkin pies for dinner. They turned out great!
We are anticipating another week full of fun & frolic at the “Hreinson Hacienda” and hope all is well with you.
We love y'all, Mom & Dad

Sunday, November 8, 2009

8 November 2009 - Sterling Heights. Michigan

Sunday 8th -
Dear Family,
Another eventful week for these two not so “empty nesters”.
Congratulations to Ryan & Rachel for their latest little addition named Lydia. This little baby girl born on Thursday the 5th weighed in at 6 pounds 13 oz. They sent out a pictures via the phone, which captured our hearts. What joy it is to have a beautiful brand-new baby in the family to love. We are excited to go to Denver on Thursday, to greet this new arrival and to help out for a week or so.
Party time – Monday: we celebrated Maureen's birthday at their home. Thursday: Michael came home for the weekend; lunch with Stebar's at Culver's in Birch Run. Saturday: dinner at Olive Garden.
Business Transactions – Michael returned his out-dated laptop computer to Costco and purchased a more portable and later generation one at Best Buy. We went shopping with the Stebar's to Birch Run. We always enjoy being with them.
Service with a smile. We watched Preston, Jacob (who didn't have school) and Sophia while Maureen went to a Doctor's appointment. She has one month to her due date. Friday we went to the temple. Mom did a sealing session to finish the work for her aunt, Amalia Sanchez Christensen, and Dad did several baptisms, mostly for people from Mexico with long and very Spanish names, which he was mostly able to pronounce due to years of tutoring from Mom. Today, Dad substitute taught the Gospel Doctrine Class “Every Member a Missionary”. Everyone seemed to enjoy the class a lot.
Sports - We survived the cold wind as we watched Tyler play his last of the season football games. Dad survived another hour of Racquetball on Thursday morning. Dad went with Michael to watch and get some action photographs of the Stake Flag football tournament at Boulan Park in Troy. It was a pleasure to watch Jim throw passes to Ryan & Michael as they went undefeated in four games to win the championship. Damage report - Michael got a nasty cut inside his lip from a swinging elbow and Ryan got stepped on in a critical location, but there seems to be no permanent damage.
Blessing – We have truly been blessed with everything we need. Michael, being inspired by the words of Elder Russell M. Ballard in the last General Priesthood Meeting, sought counsel and blessing from his father. Therefore, Dad, assisted by Ryan & Jim,gave Michael a blessing. Go Michael your are awesome!
Love y'all, Mom & Dad

Sunday, November 1, 2009

1st November 2009 - Sterling Heights, Michigan

Sunday 1st
Dear Family,
We have enjoyed another week of service and eating.
Missionary Lunch - Mom and her crew of sisters successfully planned and executed an excellent Lasagna lunch for a multi-zone missionary conference held at the Stake Center on Friday. Mom served them salad, found out where each missionary was from and convinced each one of how good the salad was for them. Remembering how special the members in Corpus Christi made us feel at the zone conference lunches, Mom really wanted to make it nice for them. A senior couple indicated this was the best lunch they ever had at a zone conference, which made Mom's day because she really wanted it to be something special for these servants of the Lord. It was good for us to be with and feel the spirit the missionaries again, even for these few minutes.
Breakfast and Brunch – Monday Mom went to a brunch at Vanessa's celebrating Maureen's birthday, and Dad went to breakfast at Big Boy with four friends from Ford. Good food and good people. Thursday, Dad played racquetball with a couple friends from Ford. The exercise was exhausting but they enjoy getting together for a good workout and a good breakfast.
Pizza Party at Stebar's – We have not been home for Halloween for three years now, but we know how to have fun with friends regardless of where we are. Mom phoned (“we are invited to a Halloween Party at your/Stebar's home and are calling to RSVP”) and so invited ourselves to Stebar's for a little Halloween pizza party. We and they had a good time eating and sharing a couple of hours together.
Temple - We went to the Temple for an Endowment session on Tuesday evening. Mom was proxy for her mother's sister Amalia (we finally got the record straight with a pink/female slip) and Dad was proxy for an ancestor of Sister Barlow. It was good to be in the House of the Lord, even for just couple of hours.
Love y'all, Mom & Dad

Sunday, October 25, 2009


Sunday 25th
Dear Family,
It has been a great week with very few if any dull moments.
Mom has been kept busy with Relief Society visits and organizing, various activities and assignments as well as preparing a talk for the Ward Conference Priesthood/RS Combined meeting. Go Mom! You are an extraordinary super woman.
Tuesday, we enjoyed the good weather by going to Tyler's football game where Dad got some cool action photos of Tyler making an end run.
Wednesday, we went with Stebar's to the St. Clair Inn and enjoyed strolling on the boardwalk and a dinner on a beautiful Michigan fall afternoon.
Dad helped Ryan build some shelves in his closet and did some more insulating of the basement. It is looking good. Dad played or survived a game of racquetball and had breakfast with a couple of friends from Ford. It was good see and listen to them.
We enjoyed the “Reflections of Christ” exhibit at the Stake Center this week end and visited with a few of our friends that we found there.
Today, we were well entertained by the North Shores Ward Primary Program which featured all of our children and grandchildren who belong to that ward. What a joy it is to be with them! Afterward, we went to our ward for the Ward Conference, where Mom spoke in a combined Relief Society and Priesthood meeting about being spiritually prepared. It turned out pretty good and she is glad that it is over.
We love you all, Mom & Dad

Sunday, October 18, 2009

18 October 2009 - Sterling Heights, Michigan

Sunday 18th -
Dear Family,
It has been an interesting week for us.
Mom's Relief Society has been coming apart at the seams with two sister's relatives - one husband and one father - being hospitalized with serious heart attacks, and another one with a funeral of her mother. Mom has been extra busy plugging holes to keep the Relief Society afloat. We are sure this wave “shall come to pass” and the Relief Society will return to an even keel. No dull moments with this stewardship.
Thursday evening, Mom had a leadership meeting at the Stake center so Dad went to the family history library to find out more about her ancestors. Get this - Mom's grandfather, Ambrosio Gatti, was born in 1859 when the Austro-Hungarian Empire ruled what we call today Como, Italy; therefore, he very likely was born Austrian. However, in that same year (1859) Como was liberated from Austrians as part of the “Italian Unification”, which is basically the Italy we know today as shown on the political maps. He might have never known anything about this since he was only a few months old at the time, and always considered himself Italian as he grew up. Unfortunately, I was not able to find any birth records from that area (Como) in that time frame.
Saturday afternoon, was a busy time with picking up Samantha at the roller hockey rink and taking her to her last soccer game and taking Joshua home after his roller hockey game after picking up Preston from a birthday party. Confused? - believe it or not Dad did the whole thing without getting lost. Later, Mom and Dad watched Preston, Jacob and Sophia while Ryan & Maureen went to a wedding of one of Ryan's high school friends. We enjoyed our time with them - took them to a McDonald's with a big corkscrew slide. We stayed there until they were all tired and then took them home and put them to bed. The strategy worked - they went right to sleep. Sunday morning, we made them a pancake-and-egg breakfast and got them ready for Aunt Vanessa to take to church. We then went home and got ready for and went to church where Mom conducted the Relief Society meeting. One of the less active sisters she visited came to church for first time in many years.
Mom talked with Suzana this week and she seems to be improving i.e. she was more like herself than before. Based on what her daughter Danielle says, we are hopeful that she will be completely recovered in the next few months.

Love y'all, Mom & Dad

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Sunday October 11th - Sterling Heights, Michigan


Sunday 11th
Dear Family,
Weather - It was gray and rainy much of the week, but the weekend was beautiful, sunny and cool.
Sports - This week we went to a couple of 7th grade football games and took a few pictures of Tyler playing quarterback. Dad took a few pictures at Josh's roller hockey game on Saturday. We attended Jacob's soccer game - he scored 9 goals in the rain.
Home Improvement - Dad helped Ryan deliver 91 rolls of insulation to his basement and on Saturday afternoon started to insulate his basement. Dad finished the seemingly never-ending saga of the repair job on David's mirrored closet doors. We sure hope it sells.
Bed & Breakfast - Friday night we were visited by a couple from Corpus Christi, Texas that we had met during our mission. They stayed the night (also a young-adult age daughter) and had breakfast with us before going on to Niagara Falls and New York. It was great to get caught up on news and see some of our friends from Corpus Christi.
Church - Mom “successfully” (she is not quite sure of that) conducted her first meeting in Relief Society and Dad taught the High Priest Group with only 4 hours notice. We hosted a priesthood fireside at our home in the evening. We did an endowment session in the temple on Thursday and Dad got some of the family history records corrected.
Love y'all, Mom & Dad

Sunday, October 4, 2009

4 October 2009 - Sterling Heights, Michigan

Dear Family,
This week we had the opportunity to serve others, enjoy each other's company, appreciate creativity and to contemplate the most important things in this life.
Mom's birthday - after lunch with Vanessa and Maureen, we went to Birch Run for some Christmas shopping and a chicken dinner at Frankenmuth.
Tuesday, while Mom was visiting some of the Relief Society sisters, Dad went on some visits with the missionary Elders, including a Rio Wraps lunch.
Wednesday, Mom had her Relief Society Presidency meeting and Dad took David's closet door mirrors to be replaced.
Thursday, we went to the temple and were able to do some service for our own family members and a few others and clarify some of the family records
Friday, we went to the Detroit Institute of Art, for several hours; we enjoyed some marvelous works of very talented and creative people. Some obviously, were divinely inspired.
Saturday & Sunday we watched & listened to and were inspired by the General Conference talks.
We celebrate, with the rest of our Brazilian family, that the Olympics will be in Rio de Janiero in 2016, but more importantly, we are grateful for Suzana's continued progress as she recovers from a stroke. Suzana, we love you and pray for you.
We love y'all, Mom & Dad

Sunday, September 27, 2009

September 27th - Sterling Heights, Michigan


Sunday 27th – Sterling Heights, Michigan
Dear Family,
Today Mom was sustained as the Relief Society President of the Sterling Heights Ward. Mom says she is “freaked out” by this new responsibility. However, we all know she will do the best she can to do the Lord's work. Go Mom!

We also had a family party after church with with local family members including Jim & Vanessa and Ryan & Maureen and their tribes. Thanks for the phone calls from family (she even got two from Brazil); it was awesome. Mom really appreciated the heart-felt letters from the family members of USA and Brazil that Dad received and put into a book. The book, also, had some pictures from Mom's childhood with her brothers and sisters. Everyone enjoyed it. Vanessa and Ryan and Samantha read their letters to Mom, which added a special personal touch. She feels “my cup runneth over”... “Thanks to everyone”.

Love y'all,
Mom & Dad

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Sunday 20 September 2009 - Sterling Heights

Dear Family,
It has been a sick week.
Family Allergy Alert! After taking Mom to two doctors on Wednesday it was concluded she had an allergic reaction to sulfa. According to Amelita, Vo Gatti had an allergy to sulfa as well. Her symptoms were a prickly red rash from head to toe. Also, the fever and blood tests pointed to a viral infection, but she has dropped the fever for last few days and, thankfully, is feeling fine now. The rash has faded a lot, but she is still taking medicine for awhile. We hope all the sicky stuff is past.

Meanwhile, Suzana is recovering with several signs of improvement from her stroke and aneurism surgery and is staying at Christine's home with 24 hour nurse care. Actually, the lady who watches her during the day remembers Suzana from when they were children. Her mother was a maid at Vo Gatti's home and Suzana , being a little older, watched out for her, bringing her treats and giving her her favorite clothes. She is so happy to be able to help Suzana, saying “Suzana took care of me when we were kids so now it is my turn to do the same for her”. “Cast thy bread upon the waters...” Also, her children have arranged for her, when she is ready, to live in the same condominiums as Christine and Renato so she will always be close. Mom actually talked with Suzana and we are much relived to see the progress she is making.

Saturday, Dad helped Ryan with his basement finishing project by finishing plumbing, wiring the central vacuum system in the basement and helping with the electrical wiring. He enjoyed the pizza for dinner.

Celebration of Ryan's 33rd birthday was held Sunday evening. We attended since Mom's quarantine was over Sunday night. We had a good time getting together with kids and grandbuddies. Next Sunday we are getting together to celebrate Mom's 60th birthday.

We love you all,
Mom & Dad

Sunday, September 13, 2009

13 September 2009 - Sterling Heights, Michigan

Dear Family,
Thankfully, we arrived home safely. We left Boise on Tuesday morning and drove to Ogalala, Nebraska that night. Wednesday, we met Stebar's, who were on their way to Utah, in Lexington, Nebraska. It was a short, but good visit. We drove on to Michigan arriving at home about 3:00 am Thursday morning. We accomplished our purpose of getting Michael settled in an apartment and started in school in Utah, and to visit Grandpa Corless in Heyburn and Dan, Lara, Abby, and Sarah in Boise, Idaho. It was great to see everyone.
We hope everyone enjoyed their Labor Day. We celebrated it in Idaho - Dan cooked up some burgers while Abby & Sarah played in playground equipment at Liberty Park in Boise.
Saturday, after a haircut, Dad helped Ryan with the basement finishing project. Both Mom and Dad attended Samantha's soccer game at Delia park.
We enjoyed Stake Conference this week end.
It is great to be back home again.

Love y'all, Mom & Dad

Monday, September 7, 2009

Boise, Idaho - 6 September 2009


Sunday 6th – Boise, Idaho
Dear Family,
We, The travelers, survived the journey from Provo to Boise on Tuesday. On the way, we visited Grandpa Corless and went to Burger King for lunch. It was great joy for us to see Abby and get to know little Sarah, who didn't take long to warm up to us. These two are very active little girls – they keep us all hopping.
Monday, we attended the orientation with Michael and his roommate, Kyle. We, the parents, went to a session with President Richards and were impressed with the facilities. people and educational/learning model, which is very much similar to the “Preach My Gospel”.
Thursday we went to the Zoo, where met up with Dan's mom and step dad. They had finished their assignment as temple workers for the day and joined the tour to the animal exhibits for a couple of hours.
Saturday, Dad, Lara, Abby and Sarah went to Bogus Basin for a hike, a picnic and a few photos. The girls were able to get completely dirty and eat some dirt and collect a few rocks. Mom decided to stay home when Lara told her she had gotten a bit motion sick when riding those switch back roads before.
Saturday is a good news day in sports - Brazil defeated Argentina 3-1 in Rosario, Argentina to officially qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. BYU upset Oklahoma 14-13 in the football season opener. The home state teams of Michigan and Michigan State won their season openers. Also, between Dan, McAfee and I we defeated a hoax antivirus that attacked the laptop while Mom was on the internet.
Sunday after church, we went to New Plymouth to visit Dan's family. They made a yummy steak dinner with fresh tomatoes and corn on the cob for us. Lara made a berry pie that was great. We had a good visit and the girls enjoyed playing with their cousins and cats.
We have enjoyed our visit with Dan & Lara and Abby and Sarah J.
We love y'all
Mom & Dad

Sunday, August 30, 2009

30 August 2009 - Provo, Utah


Dear Family,
It has been another jam packed week for us.
Sunday we went to Jim & Vanessa's for a youth fireside where Michael gave a very powerful message to the North Shores Ward youth about the importance of a testimony and what a testimony really is.
Monday the three of us thoroughly enjoyed a Stebar visit which included their famous biscuits and gravy breakfast.
Wednesday evening we had the missionaries over for Banquet chicken and baked potatoes. Dad attended the post Scout Camp Court of Honor at which Tyler got 7 Merit badges and his Second and First class ranks. GO Tyler!
Thursday was supposed to be a day to finish preparations for Micheal and us to go to Utah, but Michael had a bad reaction to Miracell, which gave him horrible itching and pain. After two trips to the pharmacy and several remedies did nothing, Dad took him to the Emergency Room, where he got a cortizone shot, a vicodin pill and a prescription for steroids. Mercifully, he became well enough to travel.
Friday morning we left home and drove through the rain all across Michigan. We arrived in Provo, Utah, Saturday evening after 1700 miles of driving pleasure, including a mercy quest to find some Benedryl for Mom, who woke up Saturday morning in Kearney, Nebraska with a head to toe ugly red (huge welts) rash. She called her doctor, who told her to stop taking the antibiotic for her cough and to take Benedryl. She is too embarrassed to be seen in public so we will just rest today. All is “welt” with Mom! Michael was invited to attend his Mission President's talk in his home ward in Draper, Utah.
Michael was so happy to see his ex-companion and roommate Kyle Calder. We think together they will be able to overcome their anxiety about school and be a great support one another in this important next step of their lives. We went shopping for groceries and out to dinner to the Brick Oven.

Thanks to Heavenly Father we safely arrived and Michael is moved in.

We love y'all, Mom & Dad

Monday, August 24, 2009

24 August 2009

Dear Family,
It has been another eventful week.
Spirit Week - We had a joint family Family Home Evening at Jim & Vanessa's home. Michael gave a great lesson on “testimony” after the grandkids picked a Book of Mormon hero to tell about. Grandma Sparks, Dad, Ryan and Jim bore their testimonies at the end. It was a great FHE! The adults went to the Temple for an initiatory session on Tuesday. On Sunday, the family attended Sacrament Meeting together to hear Michael speak about testimony and that evening Michael lead the discussion at a youth fireside attended by 30 people at Jim & Vanessa's. He did very well as he inspired others to consider their own testimony and the importance thereof.

High tech week – We replaced 2 of our old “relic” cell phones, with the latest model and purchased a laptop for Michael's college tool kit. Saturday Papa took Tyler to the Air Show at Selfridge to see new high tech and vintage aircraft fly. It was an awesome thing to see all these different aircraft and follow the history of the men and machines from vintage World War II aircraft to the high powered, high tech modern jet turbine powered craft of today, including a B2 bomber fly over. The Air Force Thunderbirds put on a great demonstration in their versatile and agile F-16's.

Zoo - Friday Papa and Nona took Tyler, Samantha, Joshua and Olivia to the zoo, which included seeing colorful butterflies, a steamy aviary full of brightly colored birds, walking the the Dinosauria trail, surviving the motion sickness from the Dinosaur adventure ride, Reptile house, Amphibianville, the Penguinarium and, of course, a trip to McDonald's for a treat.

Grandma Sparks - We enjoyed Grandma Sparks visit with us. We made two large family history books of the Sorenson family, visited the Apple Computer store to see what they had to offer for computers and training, and looked at several condominiums for her when she comes to Michigan for the summers. Wednesday evening Dad, Michael and Grandma visited Daniel & Holli and their boys for a while. Grandma stayed over night and left to return home on Thursday morning. Thanks for your visit.

Future – We are scheduling a drive to Utah within the next week or so to deliver Michael to school, visit Grandpa Corless, and Dan, Lara, Abby and Sarah and hopefully friends. Stay tuned !

We love you all, Mom & Dad

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Sunday 16th of August 2009

Dear Family,
This has been a highly anticipated and very eventful week.
Grandma Sparks flew in on Monday and we have been working on updating the Sorenson family history and printing two copies of a very large book, which includes 2995 individuals and the stories of the lives of a few of our precious ancestors.
We have been working to get the home in order, including planting bushes, trees and flowers. Mom decorated the inside in the “welcome home” motif in anticipation of Michael's return home.
Thursday we picked up Maureen and kids to meet Ryan, who went directly from work in Dearborn, to meet Michael at the airport. The airport had closed the old terminal and opened a new one so we were a bit confused for a while, but thanks to a kindly shuttle bus driver, we finally got to the right spot and found Michael. We went directly to the Stake Center and Michael met with President Lantz, who released Michael as a missionary. On the way home we stopped and had Rio Wraps for a quick dinner. We came home to find a welcoming committee of nine of Michael's school friends who had decorated the deck with balloons, posters and streamers. We quickly organized an impromptu party for his friends with pizza, chips and soda pop. Ryan & Maureen and later Jim & Vanessa and their tribes came to welcome Michael home. Michael along with socializing with friends, performed the “huka”, which he learned from the Pacific island missionaries. It was a happy time for all.
Friday afternoon and evening, we attended the wedding and reception of Jim's sister Julie to Dan Chaves, complete with the Polish, American and Colombian sides of the families. So there was a certain Latin flare in the attendees and the festivities, which included a Mariachi band.
At 8:00 am Sunday morning we took Michael and Grandma Sparks to the Stake Center for Michael to report his mission to the high council. It was touching and profound. Sunday evening we had an open house with snacks for family and friends to welcome Michael home. We ended up having quite a big and fun crowd.

We are grateful for our numerous blessings, specially the safe arrival of Grandma and Michael's return from a faithful and truly wonderful mission.

We love you all, Mom & Dad

Sunday, August 9, 2009

"Dinosauria" Detroit Zoo

Sunday 9th of August

Dear Family,
Another event filled week for us. Our luggage was returned to us a couple days late, but thankfully it was undamaged; everything was still in tact!!!

After spending some time at Ryan and Maureen's, David, Jana, Adam, Peter, David Jr. and Mary stayed with us for a few days, and then, they returned home, on Friday morning. Tuesday we all went to the Henry Ford Museum and Wednesday, we took Adam, Peter and David Jr. to the Zoo and saw the “Dinosauria” special showing of robotic life-size dinosaurs. It was good to be with them for a few days.

Getting the yard in shape has been no small task. The large weeping willow tree in the back broke off another large limb, which was pushing against our Blue Spruce. So with saw in hand Dad cut back the offending branches and relieved the spruce from further damage. Dad pulled out the overgrown bushes in the front of the house with a rope tied to the Jeep. A man, his Jeep and a rope: it's a beautiful thing! Big thanks to Ryan for helping plant a a couple of new cork screw willows by the creek, on our rainy Saturday morning, while Mom went to Julie Kulka's bridal shower.

Wednesday evening we were invited to be panelists for our wards youth activity regarding standards. Having been gone from our ward for so long, we hardly know any of the youth in Ward anymore.

The air conditioning was not working. Lucky for us, the weather has been unseasonably cool, which gave a Dad the time to track down the problem to a faulty fuse. With all new fuses the air conditioning is functional once again. Just in time, because it very humid and in the nineties today.

This week we looking forward to having Grandma Sparks come on Monday and Michael return home on Thursday.

Love ya, Mom & Dad

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Return of the Corless'

Dear Family,
Thanks to Heavenly Father, we have safely returned home from our latest adventure to Brazil. It was difficult to leave our family in Brazil, but it is so good to be back home to our own bed again with warm weather.

Once again, our Brazilian family and friends could not have been more gracious, kind, and generous hosts. They opened their hearts and homes to us and saw to our every need. There is not sufficient time nor space to recount all each one did for us and what it meant to us. Everyone treated us so well. We thoroughly enjoyed being with them. We could never repay them for all they gave us. Thank you, again! Muito Obrigado!

Each flight of our home itinerary had some unusual event. 1) The flight from Porto Alegre to Rio - TAM - was rerouted to Campinas (Sao Paulo state) due to fog conditions in Rio, but that was no problem because we had a seven hour scheduled wait for our next flight. 2) After an hour and a half into the flight from Rio to Atlanta - DELTA - we returned to Rio due to a faulty back-up steering system. We arrived at the hotel at 4 am and left to return to airport at 1 pm. At the airport, we stood in line for over an hour to check our luggage and get boarding passes (apparently, the computer was down). The rescheduled Rio - Atlanta flight - DELTA - was about an hour late taking off. In the middle of the flight they found a cigarette butt in one of the lavatory waste bin, which, if it had started a fire, could have killed everyone on board. We safely arrived at Atlanta at 2 am, where we were able to go through customs and passport control and rebook our flight to Detroit - DELTA - at 7:30 am. 3) They kept changing the gate for our flight to Detroit from B to E and back to B concourses, which caused us to rapidly go from virtually one end of the terminal to the opposite end of terminal. The flight to Detroit was uneventful, until our luggage did not show up at the baggage claim. We still do not have our luggage...

The best part of the day was seeing David who came to airport to pick us up, and the best part of the night was sleeping in our own bed once again.

We love you all, Mom & Dad (The Survivors)

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Week of 15-21 June 2009

Dear Family, - Happy Father's Day
Today we spoke in the Farmington Hills Ward sacrament meeting in the morning and went to the North Shores meeting to see the Grand children sing and Tyler pass the sacrament. It was a special bonus to see some of the members from the old Gratiot Branch (where we served a 1 year stake service mission), who now attend the Roseville Ward.
This week the house has been in a messy turmoil because we are having the tile replaced, but it is looking really nice now. We really like Nick, our Albanian master tile man. He is doing a great job removing the old cracked and worn tile , preparing the surface with a layer of cement which makes a hard flat and level surface for the tile , and then laying and cementing in place the tile. Monday he will grout the tile and Tuesday seal it and hopefully finish up the job. Then we will be able to put appliances, furniture and “things” back in place and clean up.
This week, Dad had a breakfast with three on his friends from Ford on Tuesday and played Racquet ball with two other friends on Thursday. It was good see them and catch up on what is happening with them.
Friday we both went to the Stake Youth Conference where Mom taught five 1 hour group sessions about the ancient temple and tabernacle, how they symbolize Heavenly Father's plan for us and how they relate to today's temple. She did an excellent job in preparing the youth to go do baptisms in the temple afterwards.
We hope all is well with y'all,
Love ya, Mom & Dad

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Week of 8-14 June 2009


Dear Family,
We have enjoyed being home for one month now.
Mom & I attended the funeral service for John R. Pfeifer on Monday. He was the Stake President when we first came to Michigan. He called Dad to to serve in the Bishopric and ordained him a High Priest. It was a great funeral service for a very talented, accomplished ,vascular surgeon.
Tuesday, we attended Samantha's 5th grade promotion ceremony at her Elementary School. Next year she goes to the Jr. High School with Tyler.
Our home has a new roof. The 12-15 man roofing crew, all from Central America, came at 8:30 am, tore off the old roof, installed the new roof and cleaned up by 4:30 pm. It was very interesting to observe the process; even when it started to rain they kept on working.
Saturday we were invited to and attended Samantha's birthday party. We enjoyed the celebration for Samantha, who is becoming such a wonderful young lady. Jim's Mom and Jack were there. It was good to see and talk with them again.
Sunday was the High Council speakers and we were invited to talk. Mom spoke in the Warren Ward and Dad went with Jim to speak in the Southfield Ward. Mom's favorite thing was staying for the No. Shores sacrament meeting, sitting with Ryan and Vanessa's families, and partaking the Sacrament blessed by Ryan and passed by Tyler. Now we will go to wish Jim a Happy Birthday. A special Sunday indeed.

Love ya, Mom & Dad

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Week of 1 - 7 June 2009


Dear Family,
HOME - This week of events has been filled with getting our house in order. Dad is claiming victory in the battle of attrition to rid our home of the uninvited mice that took up residence in our basement. We have contracted to get a new “lifetime” roof on the house, stained the deck, painted the mailbox and shopped for a new tile to replace the cracked and worn tile of the foyer and kitchen. We have learned that getting our “matter organized” is hard work and very expensive, but we look forward to having a good roof over our heads and a solid, pleasant to look at, floor under our feet.
CHURCH - We went with the missionary Elders to teach an investigator a lesson on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She has been studying and praying with a great desire to know and is committed to be baptized. The lesson went well and we were able to share our testimony with her. She thanked us for coming and lifting her up. We both felt good about being with the missionaries again. As a part of the Family Home Evening Activity on Monday, we have been asked to share our mission experiences with the “Empty Nesters” of the ward. Also, we have been invited to speak in other ward's Sacrament Meetings on the 14th and 21st of June.
FAMILY – Monday we went to dinner at Rio Wraps, watched a movie and played game of Boccie at Partridge Creek with Vanessa and her kids (Jim was out of town on business). We enjoyed watching the baseball games of Joshua and Tyler and Samantha's last soccer game of the season and they seemed to enjoy having us there. Grand buddies are great! After Joshua's game we took Preston & Jacob home and ate some of Ryan & Maureen's leftovers and at Ryan's insistence, we played a game of “Settlers of Catan”. Friday after work, Ryan brought Preston with him and we fixed a squeaking brake on the Ranger, while Nonna and Preston played Dominoes. Today, we went to Ryan & Maureen's to celebrate Preston's 7th birthday.

Love y'all, Mom & Dad

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Week of 25-31 of May


Dear Family,
This has been an event filled week.
After helping Ryan do a front brake job on his Ranger in the morning, we had a party with the tribes of Jim & Vanessa and Ryan & Maureen to celebrate Memorial Day. Also, the Riehl's (from their ward) came, and we had the pleasure of getting to know them a little better. We grilled hamburgers with all the trimmings plus had enchiladas, salads, cookies, watermelon, brownies and a trifle for eats. There were many canoe excursions across the pond to see ducklings and turtles on the way to “Treasure Island”. We had a great time playing Croquet, Volley Ball, Boccie and, of course, socializing.
Getting our matter organized is still a priority. Dad is waiting for some good weather to clean and re-stain the deck. We got a quote and looked at some tile to replace the kitchen and foyer floors, and got an estimate to replace the shingles on the roof. We could buy a new car for these prices! Also, the rodent wars have heated up again. We found the mouse expressway under the front porch into the basement pantry. The varmint expressway is now permanently closed with fiber glass and 2X4 pine blocks to all future traffic. Oh well, it is just part of protecting one's family and property from forces of nature. After all, the little freeloaders were just looking for something to eat.
Medical matters appear to be in order after Dad's visit to the doctor and getting various blood tests and pictures completed. Mom got a brand new pair of inserts to put in her shoes to help her hammer toe from getting any worst. It is a bit difficult because nothing is hurting her now. It is a matter of faith to wear them just to keep things from maybe getting worse. She will have her regular check-up this coming week.
Thanks to Olivia, who called and asked Papa, “When are we going to the Zoo?”, Friday morning we took Olivia and Jacob with us and used our renewed membership that Nona got Papa for his birthday. We were joined by 50+ bus loads of school kids!!! (Next time, we will go on a Monday or Tuesday.) We enjoyed the Penguins, birds, butterflies, lunch, reptiles, anteaters, polar bears, a river hippopotamus, giraffes and a train ride before we needed to leave to get back.
Ryan invited Papa to go to their Father Son Camp on Friday evening. Papa hitched up the camper trailer, dodged thunderstorms on the way to Walcott Metropark and set up camp with Ryan, Preston and Jacob. We had a good time walking in the leech infested creek, playing games, eating deep-fried everything: onions, potatoes, and Oreo cookies. We survived a cold night's sleep and got up in time to eat a “healthy” deep-fried breakfast of French toast sticks, hash brown potatoes, link sausages and fried egg whites. (Someone brought this deep-fryer ... )
So much for our week. We hope all is well with y'all.
Mom & Dad

Sunday, May 24, 2009

We are baaaack!



Dear Family,
We apologize for taking so long to write. Thanks be to Heavenly Father, we arrived home safely Tuesday (12 May) evening after our 2600 mile journey from Corpus Christi, Texas to Denver and on to Alton, Illinois. We sure enjoyed our visits with the families of Ryan & Rachel and David & Jana. We also have enjoyed being with the families of Jim & Vanessa and Ryan & Maureen. We were released from our mission by President Barberis on Thursday evening and reported to the High Council on Sunday morning the 17th of May. We have been invited by Brother Marshall of the High Council to speak in the Farmington Hills Ward on the 21st of June, and Myriam will be speaking in Youth Conference on the 2oth. It was good to be in our home ward once again after two years of being away (We served in a Detroit Branch for a year previous to our mission). We found fewer people, a few new people and a few familiar faces.
Sunday evening (17th.) the family came with the grand buddies and Papa took them in the canoe. It was Sophia's first time and she was not very confident in the stability of the canoe until she sat in Papa's lap; then life was good once again. A few friends came that day to see us and we enjoyed visiting with them also.
Friday night we had a sleep-over at our house. Papa slept outside in the tent with his grand buddies and made a pancake breakfast for the whole crew.on Saturday morning. The parents, Tyler and Mom enjoyed sleeping inside, looking at old pictures and reminiscing. Mom's favorite part was seeing them go to bed upstairs, talking and laughing, and then again in the morning, sitting in the stairways, visiting quietly, as they used to do when they were little. She couldn't resist sitting with them, enjoying every minute of it. Just that made her holiday wonderful!
Saturday evening we went to Stebar's for grilled steak dinner and to get ourselves updated on the events of the last year.
There was and is still much to do in the yard and house to get our "Matter Organized". But we have been chipping away at it and little by little, things are starting to look a little better. We need to get the roof reshingled and the deck needs to be cleaned and stained. There is never a dull moment.
We are doing fine.

Love y'all, Mom & Dad

Sunday, May 3, 2009


With mix emotions we leave Corpus Christi, Texas. I will not miss the speed bumps of Walnut Ridge Apartments nor the anxiety of the Hurricane Season. We will certainly miss the friends we made and working with the missionaries, who are the servants of God.
We are grateful for:
Our Companionship
The enormous help of the missionaries in the moving our stuff out of the apartment and being so helpful to us.
The wonderful weather and great road conditions for traveling across the great state of Texas.
The watchful and warning eye of the courteous Texas State Highway Patrolman Porter, who gave us a warning for doing 75 mph in a 70 mph zone.
Our Valiant Vehicle – the” Little Red Wagon” in spite of being overloaded and stuffed with no space to spare has safely and reliably gotten us to Clayton New Mexico.
The edification from “Approaching Zion” book by Hugh Nibley on CDs that we listened on the way.
I am grateful to Heavenly Father for sending me these things and much much more.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Week of 19-25 April 2009


Dear Family,
It's our last week in Texas. We will surely miss the people and the nice winter weather, but not the summer heat.
Monday, we made lunch for and took Elders Clarke and Valentine to the Texas State Aquarium.
Tuesday, we finished the New Testament class with the discussion of Revelation followed by a tasty potluck lunch. Later we visited Pamela Kins a recent convert. She bore a powerful testimony about the how the church (gospel) had helped her physically (does not need a walker nor oxygen anymore), mentally and certainly spiritually because she let the missionaries teach her. Once again we were blessed more than we could be a blessing to others.
Wednesday, we attended the transfers to say “good-bye” to the Elders and Sisters who were leaving the Corpus Christi area. Later we had dinner at President Hernandez home, it was Sister Hernandez birthday.
Thursday, we were taken out to dinner by Patriarch Kemple and his wife, Ana. We enjoy being with them because of the interesting things they have done and places they have been and his love of and knowledge of history.
Friday, we received some great news and bad news – Dan has a job, but they will not be meeting us in Denver. We will greatly miss seeing them, yet, we are so happy for them.
It is our plan to leave here on the30th. and arrive at Ryan & Rachel's on the 1st of May.
We love y'all, Mom & Dad

Monday, April 13, 2009

Week of 6-12 April 2009

Dear Family,
Happy Easter!
Today, Mom & Dad spoke in the Spanish Branch Sacrament meeting. Mom told the story of Easter and Dad read in English, “The Testimony of the Living Christ” as issued by the 1st Presidency and Quorum of the 12 (January 2000), and Mom read it in Spanish. Later in the 1st Ward, Mom took part in the Relief Society lesson and Dad taught Elders and High Priests. After church, we made a strawberry angel food cake “flower” dessert and deviled eggs and went to Bishop Workman's for dinner. It was fun being with their little family and neighbors.
Saturday morning, we attended a very interesting preparedness seminar. Mom stayed for bread-making in the afternoon, while Dad returned to the apartment and worked on the outline of the Book of Revelation for the Tuesday morning Institute class. In the evening, we went to Weatherton's for a Texas BBQ and to meet Sister W.'s brother and sisters. It was fun and we ate too much! They showed us a youtube video on Men's Brain-Women's Brain, which was hilarious because it is so true.
Wednesday was interviews, so we went out to dinner with President and Sister Miller and enjoyed the time with them.
The rest (most) of the week we made visits with the Elders and sent Easter Cards and Michael an Easter Box. We have started to prepare for our return home and the subsequent trip to Brazil. So much to do and so little time!
Love ya, Mom & Dad.

Sunday, April 5, 2009


Dear Family,
Feeding Elders and visiting investigators with the Elders was the standard for this week. I suppose we were fatting up the Elders before we leave.
Monday, we took Elders Bodily and Lewis to the Texas State Aquarium and to a redneck style BBQ, where we sat on picnic tables and ate off of a sheet of wax paper. It was fun and the food wasn't bad.
Tuesday, after teaching the New Testament class, we made lunch for and went with Elders Utley & Mathusek to visit Beatrice, an elderly, spunky widow lady. She enjoyed the message and was very animate about parents particularly mothers watching after the children. She was widowed and had to work and raised her family by herself. Mom told her about the Lamanite mothers and the great influence they had on their sons. She immediately identified with that and enjoyed reading that account in the BM. Later, with visited the Diaz family with Elders Clarke & Valentine. Philipa, the mother, told about us about their son who received a severe head injury in a car accident when he was three years old and how they, for many years worked with him to the point where he became perfectly normal and will graduating from High School in June. You can easily see the love they have for one another in this family. She really relates to and likes Mom and was sad hear we are leaving soon.
Wednesday, we made lunch for Elders Bailey and Nipko and enjoyed the video call from Dan, Lara, Abby and Sarah.
Thursday, we made lunch for the Elders Utley & Mathusek. Later, we visited Melba with Elders Bailey & Nipko. The discussion was all in Spanish and something Mom said really touched her heart. She was in tears and thanked the elders (and the Lord, as she gave the closing prayer) for bringing Mom to her house.
Friday, Mom cooked a Shrimp and Rice dish that was great. Her sister Amelita told her how she and Vo Ita did it and Mom remembers it as one of her favorite things to eat. After trying it out we shared it with Elders Valentine and Clarke. Later we went for one of our rare walks on the sea wall on Padre Island to get a little exercise and sun.
Saturday, we attended lunch and hosted an impromptu Subway sandwich lunch at our apartment with four of the Elders. Between the second session and priesthood of conference, we went to dinner with Michael and Michelle King. They will be leaving Corpus Christi in the next couple of months for his next CES Institute assignment in St. George, Utah. We are trying to help his wife become more envolved in church; it seems she enjoyed the time with us.
It is difficult to believe our time in Texas is coming to an end soon, but we are so looking forward to seeing family and friends.
Love y'all, Mom & Dad

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Week of 23-29 of March 2009


Dear Family,
Yesterday we enjoyed a three zone Conference with an Area Authority, Elder Richardson. He is a gentle, spiritual and impressive man, who is a professor at the Pan American University. The talks were edifying as we learned more about how the Lord works with us and what we can do better. Elder Richardson presented “Mobilizing the Ward Mission”, which will better organize our efforts to contact and teach less actives, recent converts and non-members. This “mobilization” has been in the works for a few months and ready to be fully implemented. The local leaders and the missionaries are all enthusiastic and ready to go with it. Also, we got to visit several missionaries who formerly were in Corpus Christi.
Grandpa Corless is better and back home from the hospital, but is still struggling a bit trying to keep things straight in his mind and his memory. However, he said he is getting better each day. I am thankful for Joel and Geri and home teachers, who are keeping track of him everyday.
It is hard to believe that there is only a month left in our mission. One month from today is a zone conference and the next day we plan to journey home via Denver to see three little precious grand daughters namely Abby, Mia, and Sarah, and, of course, the parents Ryan & Rachel and Dan & Lara. The next leg of our journey will take us to Alton, Illinois to see Adam, Peter, David Jr., Jana and David, and to meet Mary Amelia. We plan to participate in the blessing of little Mary Amelia on Sunday the 10th of May. The final leg of our journey will take us to Michigan to see the rest of the grandbuddies and to have a big party, just like Joshy said. (We have missed them all so.)
We are so grateful for the phone calls, photos and Rachel's Easter package; they really help us feel “a part of” instead of “apart from” you. Thank you!!!
Congratulations to Rachel & Ryan for their “great expectation” due on the 11th of November. Mia will have a friend specially chosen by Heavenly Father. May all go well.
Love y'all,
Mom & Dad; Nonna & Papa;

Sunday, March 22, 2009

16th-22nd March 2009


Dear Family,
Last weeks cold rain was replaced with beautiful warm and sunny weather.
In the Tuesday morning New Testament class, Mom taught about the ancient temple ceremonies and how they related to the the Plan of Salvation, including the the Atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the High Priest, whose sacrifice was himself, in place of the ceremonial animals.
On Friday, all six of the Senior couples in the mission gathered for a dinner hosted by President & Sister Miller at the Mission Home. One couple, the Ott's are new so it was the first time we met them. He played Major League baseball for a few years. They were very excited to meet us because the other couples had been telling them, specially to Sis. Ott, ''we can't wait until you meet the Corless'es” because they figured she and Mom would have a 'blast” together. They were right. They both talked and laughed, and probably could have kept on doing it all night. Yet we all mingled and had a good time socializing and sharing stories, late into the evening. We stayed in McAllen overnight and got back to Corpus Christi, Saturday, in the afternoon.
Saturday, Grandpa Corless was admitted into the hospital in Rupert, Idaho, where they are trying to figure out why he became disoriented. He is not suffering from pain, but his mind is playing tricks on him. So far there is no official word as to why, but Geri and Joel suspect a new prescription medicine for his Parkinson's disease may be at the root of this problem. I think that makes sense since Parkinson's is neurological disease and the prescription medicine is likely to have some effect on his nervous system.
We hope all is well with everyone.
Love y'all, Mom & Dad

Monday, March 16, 2009

HubbleSite - Theater

Dear Family,
You got to try this one! It is awesome and in every way out of this world!
HubbleSite - Movie Theater

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Week of 9-15 of March 2009


Dear Family,
Spring in South Texas has brought 70-80 degree warm and sunny weather early in the week to rain and 40-50 degree cold for the later part of week. It has been very dry in Corpus Christi so the rain is a very welcome change.
We have had the opportunity to cross paths with few more South Texans this week. I hope our visits have left them better, at least in some small way, than we found them. It is amazing how many problems people can get themselves into by not following the Lord's plan, but it just as amazing how living the Lord's commandments can dissolve the seemingly insurmountable problems. For instance, we see the delight of a new convert as she gains a greater understanding from studying the scriptures in the light of the restored gospel. A sister, who is grieving from the death of her husband, is finding comfort and peace in her heart. Another sister, who has been clean from alcohol and drugs for several months, enjoys the missionary visits and wants to be baptized, but struggles with lack of support from her family. Another sister is finding clear direction with light and peace in a world full of darkness and confusion as she is accepting Jesus Christ into her life. However we are convinced we are being blessed more than we are blessing others.
We are truly the history hungry hounds. Our recent edification comes from the study of ancient temples through some Hugh Nibley book and CDs. It appears that most all of the activities of civilization has root in the ancient temples. At the time of Abraham, the Egyptians, in their preoccupation with the afterlife, had virtually a complete working model of the temple and ceremonies, but lacked the priesthood. There is no substitute for the real thing.
Today we had Bishop Smith and family for dinner. Both Bishop and sister Smith have Idaho roots. Mom thoroughly enjoyed their daughter as they set the table and seasoned the pasta together. We miss our little grandbuddies.
Thanks for your calls.
Love y'all, Mom & Dad

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Week of March 1st -7th 2009

Dear Family,
The top story for the week: Welcome to little Mary Amelia! Congratulations David & Jana on the fruits of their labor in bringing this 8 pound 3 ounce little angel to be with us. What a blessing she is to all of us. Mary is the 7th granddaughter and 18th grandchild that our family has been blessed with.
This week has been full of activity. We completed the inspection of the 14 missionary apartments in the two zones and emailed our “Matter Organized” report back to the Mission Office. We visited with 32 of the 38 total missionaries in the two zones. Mom filled a little cup with Easter candy for each missionary. It really is a blessing to us to be associated with such wonderful, high caliber, young people as these dedicated missionaries are.
Wednesday evening we received a call from a Brother and Sister in Idaho Falls where Michael and his companion had just taught a lesson to their niece. They were so impressed with them that they had to call and tells us how great missionaries they are. Needless to say we were so pleased that Michael has been working hard and using his talents to further the Lord's work. Once again, we were reminded how blessed we are to the parents of all you children. You inspire us!
Tuesday we taught the 8th of 15 New Testament Classes. We are in the last two months of our adventure in Corpus Christi and the time has kicked into hyper-drive and seems to be rocketing by at warp speed.
Love y'all. Mom & Dad

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Week of February 21-28

Dear Family,
Just as foretold, there is never a dull moment in this old world as we prepare for the Second Coming.
Wednesday evening, after interviews, (Mission) President and Sister Miller, invited (Stake) President and Sister Ratliffe, CES Administrator Brother and Sister King and us to dinner. We all had a great time. The men sat at one end of the table and the ladies sat at the other end; we did not interrupt eachother at all, but had a wonderful evening just getting to know one another better. The ladies in tune with their great taste, ordered the food, including the dessert, and it was great! We were specially pleased that sister King, who had been ill for a time, came. We had stopped by her house the day before to encourage her to come and Mom's hugs seemed to make the difference. She not only was there but it was obvious that it did her good to get out and socialize a little.

We went on several appointments with the Elders this week and met some very interesting people. Everyone has a story, complete with challenges and triumphs, and everyone of them could use the healing power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We enjoy working with these missionaries. The association with them in this great work is a real blessing to us.

Sunday, we attended the Conference Broadcast for Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. Bishop Edgely of the presiding Bishopric, Brother Costa (2nd Counselor in SS Presidency), Elder Quentin L. Cook and President Uchtdorf - all edified us. We brought a less active member. Afterwards, we went to a few appointments with different sets of elders, visited two less active members and made a couple of future dinner appointments with them. We hurried home and made our "Sunday dinner" for 2 other Elders who needed a dinner appointment of their own. :)

It is like Mom says, "Our mission title is 'one hug at at time'."

I hope all is well with all of you, Thank you for the calls; we really enjoy hearing from you.

Love y'all, Mom & Dad

Monday, February 23, 2009

Week of 16th - 22nd of February 2009


Dear Family,
We are doing well. The South Texas winter weather has been very pleasant and good to us.

We have been on the go this week trying to make a difference for someone . We taught the 6th of 15 New Testament classes (Romans 1-8). We got on to the subject of accountability and the importance of keeping our “matter organized” and how it relates to our physical, mental and spiritual well being. We enjoy the students and the class discussion and the discovery and or rediscovery of the true & powerful doctrine contained therein.

We made a picture album for Brother Flores, a member of the branch, who is under going experimental cancer treatments. It has 50 photos from his birthday party last week and we made an 8X10 photo with a nice frame of him and his wife. We have been so excited to give it to him today at church.

We went on several visits with the Elders this week. One was an emergency visit to a recent convert who is struggling with tobacco. We were able to visit and help her avert the crisis and left her better than we found her. Another visit was to a less active member who has been studying with Jehovah's Witnesses. We found her in such an agitated and confused state of mind she could hardly express herself. However, after an hour of sharing our testimony of how study and prayer can lead us to truth, reading part of the Book of Mormon to her and asking her to study, ponder and pray to know the truth, she also was better than when we found her.

We went on a little side trip to Alice, Texas to escort our musically talented District Leader, Elder Walker, to play the organ and piano for a wedding of a member groom to a non-member bride. It was a very interesting cultural observation as to the level of dress standard of the attendees (guys vs. gals). The ladies, with few exceptions, were all dressed up and looked real nice. White shirts with Levis and boots and Hawaiian shirts, suits and ties were all well represented attire for the guys. The father of the bride wore a western styled tuxedo with a black cowboy hat and a toothless grin. Everybody seemed to be happy so it was a success for them.

Once again we recognize the Lord's hand in our lives and the lives of others. As we do the best we can, He fills in the huge gap left by our inadequacy and makes all the difference in our lives.

We sure love you all, Mom & Dad

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Week of 9th - 15th of February 2009


Dear Family,
We hope everyone had a happy Valentines Day. We went with the Elders on two appointments before we attended a birthday celebration dinner for Brother Flores of the Spanish Branch. It was his 72nd birthday. He has been under going treatments for cancer. There were a lot of friends & family in attendance to celebrate and he was so happy to see everyone; we took pictures of the attendees to make a book for him as a remembrance. Mom had fun learning some Mexican music dance moves and everyone seemed very peasantly surprised so see an "Anglo" missionary so enjoying their music.
Friday evening, after going to two teaching appointments with the missionaries, we attended a Valentine activity sponsored by the 2nd & 3rd wards and got to visit with a number of people. Afterwards, we went to the Weatherston's and played a game of Greed. Thursday, we had some teaching appointments with the Elders,and then had our own celebration with a Texas Roadhouse steak dinner.
Tuesday after the New Testament class we went to Giron's (the Brazilian family), to help them load the truck for their move to Florida. Four Elders joined us so the work went quickly. In spite of moving, Sister Giron made us a home cooked lunch. Yumm!!! They left on Wednesday morning. We will miss them. Tuesday evening we went to an appointment with the Elders and then took them to dinner, where we met a member of the church who owns a construction business. He told me his Ford Trucks outlast the Chevrolets by 3.4 to 1 i.e. he has to buy 3.4 Chevy trucks to last as long as 1 Ford truck. Dad was PROUD and had a grin that went from ear to ear. Mom asked him to send us his data so we can forward it to those interested.

We are doing well and enjoying the warm weather but also we miss the family.

Love y'all, Mom & Dad.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Dear Family,
We have enjoyed the warmer 70+ degree weather this week.
This is what we did this week.
Monday. After cleaning the apartment and shopping, we were invited over to Elder Walker and Valentine's apartment for a fun District wiener roast in their fireplace.
Tuesday. We taught the New Testament Class and learned how to better prepare for partaking of the sacrament. Later, we went with Elders Walker & Valentine to visit Pamela and share the "Hope" talk given by Pres. Uchtdorf. Later, we went Elders Johnson & Bailey to give a lesson to Arthur and Diana (new parents and new investigators). We were able to bear our testimony about the church and its effect on raising our children.
Wednesday. We attended the Zone Conference. Afterwards President and Sister Miller and us went for some Ice Cream. Then President and Dad had a meeting with the Stake Presidency about revitalizing the Ward mission to bring back less active members, share the Gospel and retain new members. They are planning to call some service missionaries to replace some of our functions when we leave in May, since it doesn't seem like there will be a couple coming to replace us.
Thursday, Dad made a form for the Zone Leaders to track post baptism lessons, We took Elder Johnson and Bailey to lunch to get to know them better, including post mission plans and future careers. Later that evening, the missionaries invited several investigators to a showing of "Testaments" at the Stake Center. Dad and Elder Bodily went to pick up a couple of investigators that needed a ride, so it started a little late, but it was effective in bringing the Spirit to them.
Friday. We went with Elders Walker & Valentine to teach Pamela, a long time investigator who is preparing to be baptized on the 15th. Pamela has been reading and studying more of the scriptures than any investigator we know of.
Saturday. We went to a wonderful Brazilian dinner prepared by Sister Giron, who had been cooking almost all day for us. Mom & I stayed a little longer and washed the dishes and cleaned the kitchen, while Sister Giron sat down and rested her aching back. They are moving to Naples, Florida on Wednesday. We will miss them.
Sunday, we went to the branch meetings. Thankfully, Ricardo, the one young man, was there and I got to teach him, which means I did not have to sit through the priesthood meeting and listen to the lesson being read in Spanish. We also, attended Sunday School and Relief Society and Priesthood meetings of the 1st Ward. The Priesthood and Relief Society Lesson today was on the sealing power restored by Elijah. Dad thought it was interesting how Moses, Elias and Elijah appeared and restored keys to the bringing of all of us together, or unifying us, to return to Heavenly Father. We decided it is a good idea to be unified with Heavenly Father. After Church Elders Walker and Valentine came over for dinner.

We hope is well with you all.

Love Y'all, Mom & Dad

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Texas State Aquarium


Dear Grand buddies,


I wish I could bring you guys to see this and many other animals here.


I sure miss you! Papa


This cat from Africa can jump 12 feet vertically and catch a bird in flight 50% of his tries!

Teeth!

Week of 25th through 31st January 2009

Dear Family,
Greetings from the land southward by the sea. It has been a bit cooler this week but it is much better than the bitter cold of the northern half of the country. We hope everyone has been able to stay warm and healthy through such cold weather conditions. It looks like Grandma Sparks has the right idea about wintering in Yuma! We have 3 months to enjoy this weather before it really gets too hot, but then we will be on our way to the "land northward".

On Monday, we took four missionaries to the Texas State Aquarium . Lucky for us the weather was nice so we could be outside and see four shows/demonstrations. We all enjoyed the sights and taking photos.

We survived another missionary transfer week and, of course, we are still in Corpus Christi. We miss the missionaries that left to other parts of the Lord's vineyard but enjoy getting to know the new ones that came into this area. In the far "land northward", Elder Michael was transferred to Taylor Mountain Stake in Idaho Falls. The inside story based on the phone call from Sister Humphries the "missionary mom", Elder Michael is now serving as a Zone Leader . She told us that the four Sister Missionaries in his district said Elder Corless was the best District Leader they ever had. It must have been all that good training from his Mother and Sisters that he learned how to respect and properly treat the ladies. Go Elder Corless! (urawsum). She said all the way home after taking them to transfers she kept thinking how to tell us how she felt about Elder Corless and then it came to her: "he is a stripling warrior; you raised a son of Helaman!" Needless to say it made Mom's day!!!

Thursday we were invited to lunch by Elder Van Orden, who just finished his mission, and his parents who came to take him home. They are from Decatur. Illinois and know where Alton is. Bro. Van Orden, retired manufacturing engineer from Caterpiller, knows Corey Wurtzbachler, who Jim, Daniel and I know from working at Visteon. Corey is still working for CAT, but is in India now. Small world. We enjoyed meeting them.

We all is well with everyone.

We love y'all, Mom & Dad