January 31, 2010 - Sterling Heights, Michigan

Dear Family, It was a great joy for the family to attend Joshua’s baptism last Sunday. The baptistry was full to capacity. It was attended by two families from their subdivision as well as family and friends from the ward. Vanessa spoke on “Baptism” and Nona on the “Gift of the Holy Ghost”; Papa conducted; Aunt Maureen was chorister, and Tyler and Samantha gave the prayers.  Jim baptized and comfirmed. It turned out great. The celebrating continued at Jim & Vanessa’s with a birthday dinner and party.  Monday was a day to visit widows and single ladies, three from the ward, plus Jim’s Grandmother and Great Aunt Shirley. It was a long and tiring day, but it was well worth the effort to visit the lonely and to comfort those that mourn. Mom was kept hopping this week and not just because of her broken toe.  She went to a movie (Young Victoria - liked it a lot) with several of the Relief Society sisters and had six hours of interviews with the ward visiting teachers broken up into two three hour sessions. The interviews took an extraordinary effort by the presidency, but it was rewarding to get know each of the visiting teachers better as well as the sisters they visit. David called - He is feeling better from his two week war with a vicious infection. This infection was so bad that one doctor told him if this had happened two years ago he probably would not have survived. We are relieved and greateful to know he is recuperating now. We thank Heavenly Father for hearing our prayers and blessing us so.   Also, he received a commendation from the head of the dental school for academic excellence.   Awesome!   GO DAVID!!! Tyler’s basketball season ended with a hard fought narrow victory. They won all, but one game! Go Tyler! Friday, we went to an afternoon Apple Computer class, followed by a movie “Sherlock Holmes” and shopping for a very special little princess -Sophia’s birthday is coming up- in the Disney Store, where we ran into Ryan & Maureen.   Once again we have been blessed greatly. Love y’all, Mom & Dad

Sunday January 18th 2010 - Sterling Heights, Michigan

Dear Family,

Busted - It has been an interesting week, which was dominated by the Mom’s broken toe! We went to Troy to see the doctor (Detroit Tigers Team Doctor), went to Sterling Heights to get X-rays, went to Royal Oak to buy a new stiffer shoe to support the foot. And a couple of days later went back to exchange her shoe for a different one.

Reports -Finally, after several hours of investigation. we got all the information together to submit the loss reports to the Sterling Heights police and State Farm insurance.  Dad 

personally delivered both of the respective reports to make sure all was in order. Now we need to wait for State Farm to decide what the policy covers and what we will need to restore out of our own pocket. 

Restoration - 

• We went to Lowe’s to order the new door. It is more energy efficient, has the louvers in the window, and it more secure to discourage future break-in.  (It is also more expensive :) )
• Dad  bought a new flat screen TV for the kitchen - it is a black 22” with DVD player. 
• Saturday morning, After much thought and study, we finally purchased a brand new iMac computer to replace to stolen ones. Dad has to learn a new system, but he will no longer have high blood pressure from the frustrations of the Windows operating system.  Mom managed to get us a discount of over $100.00!!!

Sunday, Dad taught the first of four classes on member missionary work during Sunday School; Mom had a meeting afterward church. We invited a couple Dad did not know for Sunday dinner.  

We executed our very first iChat with Dan & Lara and enjoyed seeing them & the girls.

Love y’all, 

Mom & Dad