Happy New Year

Dear Family,
Happy New Year!
Once again we were blessed to celebrate with others. This time we were invited by the Weatherston family to celebrate New Year's Eve and the return of their missionary son. There were 50-60 people mostly younger people because of their recently returned missionary. Of course, there were plenty of tasty things to snack on, games to play and people to meet.

We celebrated New Year's day with a warm sun-filled barefoot walk on the fine white sands of Padre Island Beach where we met and talked with Brother & Sister Sturgis from the 3rd Ward. Her sister (Lane) lives in Colville, Washington and knows the Carnie's. Sister Sturgis knows George as Bishop Carnie! Small World! Later we went with the missonaries to make some visits to members and investigators. In the evening we were invited to Giron's (Brazilian Couple) to meet their daugther, Claudia, and her family who had driven from Utah to make a Christmas surprise visit. Her husband went on a mission to Portugal so he understands what is being said. A nice family and a great surprise. Of course, Sister Giron made something for us to eat. This time is was a very tasty dish with Cod fish. This is a typical, special occasion food in Portugal and Brazil.

The New Year ward and branch meeting schedule will only allow us to meet with the Branch and partially with the 1st Ward. We will miss our friends in 2nd & 3rd Wards. However, we will be seeing some of them in the Tuesday morning New Testament Class, which I have been preparing for by reading in Acts. We are looking forward to meeting with them again.

Thankfully - David & Jana and their tribe made the journey safely back to Illinois.

Happy Birthday to Vanessa!

We love y'all, Mom & Dad