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

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

Week of 19th - 24th of January 2009

Dear Family,
Heavenly Father granted us another great week to serve him and we are grateful for it.

This week we met almost all of the 30 missionaries and inspected all 14 missionary apartments in the Corpus Christi and Sinton zones. It is a joy to see them and feel of the enthusiasm they have for being representatives of our Lord and Savior in this part of the His kingdom. We see the joy in their eyes as they tell us about the investigators and converts they have been teaching. For the most part, they have taken to heart the encouragement from Mom to keep their "matter organized" as indicated by their excellent housekeeping.

Tuesday, we taught the 2nd New Testament class of this session. We had a few new people join the group as we talked about the conversion of Paul and the qualities he had to perform his calling as a missionary. We discussed Paul's desire to serve the Lord and the importance of our own desire. If the purpose of our earth life is to pursue our real desires then our desires are extremely important. The question then becomes: Is our true desire to return to our Heavenly Father or is it something else i.e. something less, something much less? May our true desires be to do whatever it takes to return to Heavenly Father with all out heart, might, mind and strength.

We are grateful for you and enjoy the contact we have with you
Love 'all, Mom & Dad

Week of 12th -18th of January

Dear Family,
We are doing well. The weather here has been great relative to the bitter cold and snow of Idaho, Colorado, Illinois and Michigan. We appreciate the news from you.
We taught the first New Testament class of this session and went to lunch afterwards with a couple of the ladies in our class. Dad looks forward to the next the class. It has been great to prepare for the class. We enjoy the association with the students and the sharing of their experiences and insight with all of us.
Wednesday, President and Sister Miller were in Corpus Christi for interviews with the missionaries. We went out to dinner afterwards and had a delightful time together talking about our children and, of course, sharing the gospel.
Unfortunately, Dad has been using a lot of his time this week to get this computer functional again, after re-installing the operating system. However, this "major Microsoft mess" has not gotten in the way of going on appointments with the missionaries or any other higher priority things.
Today we filled in at the branch. Mom took care of the Primary by herself and Dad took care of the Sunday School and Priesthood meeting for the one young man. Afterwards, Sis. Gorham, a traveling nurse from Mississipi, came over for "Sunday dinner". We got to know her better and had a pleasant meal, and then watched together the DVD "Reflections of Christ". Then she left, just in time for us to get ready for the second "Sunday dinner" - this time for two elders who evidently didn't have a dinner appointment today.
We love it all!
We love you a lot, Mom & Dad

Dear Family,

This week we have became morning mall walkers. It has been a good brisk walk for both of us in a pleasant air condtioned and music filled environment. And there is no threat to buy something because all the stores are not open yet! There are a lot of senior citizens as well as a few young moms pushing strollers. It takes us 15-18 minutes to do a lap and we do three laps. We have enjoyed meeting a few new and interesting people. Mom specially enjoys walking to the fun different beats "it's like dancing!"she says.

This week we have been out with the missionaries on several teaching appointments. It is great to listen to these investigators and to share our thoughts and experiences with them. Some of these brothers and sisters have had a very rough life and could really use the peace the Gospel of Jesus Christ has to offer them.

Saturday evening, Mom hosted a birthday party for one of the branch sisters in our apartment . Mom made her tasty trifle and we got some Pizza Hut pizza for the refreshments. Of course, English was not spoken so I went to the study and wrote the CCCConnection.

Dad has been learning so much as he prepares for the New Testament class that starts on Tuesday. The story as documented in the New Testament has come to life as he gains a greater understanding of the historical background of the peoples- politics, military, philosophy, etc.of the first century AD. The missionary work of that day was facilitated by the common Greek language and the Roman tolerance of various religions, but faced the opposition of the Jewish leadrs and the added challenge of the philosphies of man that were mingled with and tainted the pure gospel. The Lord has always prepared a way for His gospel to be spread and Satan has always found ways to oppose the progress.

Good news - Elders Walker & Johnson called and said they could come over for dinner today. They hope nobody will sign up to feed them on Sundays so they can come here and eat some "delicious noodles". The tradition lives on... :)

It is hard to believe we have been in Corpus Christi for almost 8 months already. Time seems to move faster and faster.

Love y'all, Mom & Dad

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