Corless Connection - Sterling Heights, Michigan - 14 November 2010

Dear Family,

Brazil - Mom and the Brazilian family are all doing well and enjoying last few days of Mom’s visit by, you guessed it, partying with Mom’s favorite foods.  Mom is scheduled to arrive at Metro Airport on Friday the 19th at 12:25pm. She has enjoyed the phone calls from Dad, Lara, and Rachel. She sents her love, hugs and kisses to everyone. She has been frustrated in her attempts answer emails due to unreliable/slow internet connection - so don’t feel bad if have not had a reply.  We are all excited to have her home again.

Settler - Grandma has gotten more matter organized and the condo is starting look much less like a warehouse and much more like at home. She is particularly happy to have the phone and internet installed and functional. The refrigerator decided to stop refrigerating due to a coolant leak - system was recharged with coolant for a temporary fix and parts are on the way for permanent repair. She able to unload a plethora of boxes to church members, which went a long way to reduce clutter.

Temple Time - Dad, Jim, Vanessa, Ryan & Maureen were all at the temple on Tuesday evening. It is a great place to be and see family.

Packer Papa - During the week, Dad prepared for a backpack overnight scout outing with Nathan to Pinckney Recreaton Area. The old hiking boots turned out be a toe killer and the old sleeping bag was not adequate for the predicted overnight night low temperatures. Dad armed with a new pair of nice hiking boots, complete with 8 miles of break-in and with a borrowed sleeping bag hiked ~3.5 miles in the dark to Blind Lake with Nathan and four other Scouts and one other adult leader. Dad not only survived, but had fun with Nathan & friends. It was great to be with Nathan for some one on one Papa time. He is a great camping buddy to have.  After taking Nathan home Daniel armed with a wirebrush on his DeWalt drill and a spray can of paint candid a free underbody paint/anti-rust job on the Jeep.  He pulled out a rock that had been wedged between the Transfer case and skid plate for who knows how long. Thanks to Daniel - it is just what “Beep” the Jeep needed.  

Photos : http://gallery.me.com/rcorless#100674

Love y’all,

Mom & Dad

Nathan & Papa at Blind Lake

Corless Connection - Sterling Heights, Michigan - 7 November 2010

Dear Family,

Fall - The first week of November and its cool weather is already past. The leaves have turned to beautiful colors and are falling or fallen, the dark time is longer and the daylight is shorter and we gained a hour last night as we returned to standard time. Tyler played in his last football game of the season, and dance, hockey and swimming are in full swing for the rest of the grandbuddies.

Elections - On Tuesday the voters spoke and many new public servants, hopefully, will be upholding the Constitution and representing us. May God Bless America’s leaders with their decisions and actions, that we may continue have the opportunity to be all we as individuals, families and a nation can become.

Brazil Update - Mom is doing well in the southern hemisphere as she forges connecting links with our beloved Brazilian family. She is scheduled to return in 12 days, where she will be welcomed home with open arms and grateful hearts. We all miss her and feel “saudades”.

Settler - Grandma has been in Michigan for three weeks now. Progress has been slow, but steady as she and Dad continue one step at a time getting her business matters and her physical matter organized.  The gash on her the head is healing well and the 6 staples were removed from her scalp yesterday. Go Grandma - there is no stopping you.

Temple Times - Dad fulfilled his assignments on Tuesday and picked up Olivia from her dance with Joshua, so Jim, Vanessa, Tyler and Sam could participate in a youth baptism session on Wednesday evening.

Learning & Teaching - Last night at church we had the opportunity to hear the Second Counselor from General Sunday School Presidency speak to us through the internet. We were uplifted and encouraged as he taught us to first learn and then teach key doctrine, invite to action and make promises. It is same process we learned from our missionary experience and, not surprizingly, it is the same process the Lord uses. It comes highly recommended.

More Power for Mom - Yesterday, Ryan completed his birthday gift to Mom as he & Dad finished installing two electrical outlets that Mom has wanted for a long time.  Thank you Ryan! (Together Ryan & Dad make a good DIY team.)

Love y’all,

Mom & Dad

Corless Connection - 31 October 2010 - Sterling Heights, Michigan

Dear Family,

The adventures continue:

Ancestoral & Family Connections - After an absence of ~40+ years, Mom went to and returned from an Uruguaian adventure.  She has connected with several relatives and with a strong dose of determination mixed with a miracle she found the marriage date of her grandparents. She is so excitied and this excitement has spilled onto the rerlatives. It is another reason Mom needed to go to visit family this year. Immeasurable is the worth of this reconnection with family. We all miss her so much and anticipate hearing the full story. She is scheduled to be back in 19 days.

Settler  - Grandma is still settling in as fast as she can. Her endurance is amazing. This week she got a new roof installed, satillite dish installed, and a new washer & dryer installed, in between all the installing she unpacked some more stuff, took care of some banking business, got a new cell phone (586 201 4358), and got 6 staples in her head.  Grandma had a little fall from which she has a swollen and bruised spot on the forehead and shallow gash on the top of the head.  She is all right and it hasn’t slowed her settling in progress.  Go Grandma!

Serve - Dads new calling in High Priests group leadership is exciting. There is much to do and much to improve on. Dad took a few hours to make a one page grid of the ward with all the names of High Priest Hometeaching responsibility geographically located to help in organizing the home teaching. 

‘Tis the Football Season - Tyler came back from his injury and played in his first game of the season on Wednesday. He passed, ran in for the extra points and sacked the quarterback 3 times. Go Tyler.  Saturday was the Stake Flag Football tournament. Dad took a few action photos of the championship game depicting Jim & Ryan’s stellar performance as they went undefeated to take the stake championship once again. Go Guys

Love y’all, 

Maureen's Birthday Party Games

Maureen's B'day - "Happy Birthday to You"

Mom & Dad

Corless Connection - 24 October 2010 - Sterling Heights, Michigan

Dear Family,

Cassino Connection - Mom is enjoying her renewed and strengthened connection with her family.  Armando and her are planning to visit relatives in Uruguay this coming week. Mom has not been there for more than 40 years. This should be quite the adventure. - Go Mom!  “Out to discover”!

Busted - Isaiah, on his way to school, was hit by a car.   The Bad News, with several witnesses, there is no clear story as to how it happened  Was he told to stop or go ? The good news is no permanent damage - a broken foot should heal just fine. 

The Arrival - Grandma Sparks has a successfully arrived Michigan. Exhausted, but happy to be here with family. Dad and her have been busy with getting electrical power, gas, phone, internet, dish network TV, a new roof, new washer and dryer, mailbox keys, tricycle assembled, front door lock repaired and bank accounts opened. Wednesday morning the moving truck arrived. It took 3 men 5 hours to unload and turn the condo into a warehouse of her personal stuff. Each day and one step at a time, we have been unpacking and getting her “matter organized”. It will take a few weeks to get things as she would like, but we going as fast as an 85 year old body will go. She really likes her new home and thinks she will be happy here.  We all hope she will!  Welcome to Michigan, Grandma!

Sunday Dinner - Dad and Grandma went to see the grand buddies perform in the primary Sacrament meeting Program of North Shores ward.  Afterwards they all came to Papa’s house for dinner, video conference with Lara, canoe rides, campfire, home movies from the1980’s and games. It was so fun to be together. Dad made dinner and set table like Nona would have it.  

Love y’all,

 Mom & Dad

corless Connection - 17 October 2010 - Sterling Heights, Michigan

Dear Family,

Winterized - The days have been beautiful, clear and sunny with a little cool nip in the air, so both Grandma’s Condo and Mom & Dad’s house got their sprinklers winterized. Monday, Dad got the keys to Grandma’s condo and parked her Jeep in the garage.  Grandma is scheduled to fly in the on Monday at 10:25 pm and the movers are scheduled to be here a couple of days afterwards.  Next week will be full of helping Grandma get settled in her fancy condo. 

Overseas Mail - Dad mailed Mom’s absentee ballot and a “Care package” to her. Mom is doing well and enjoying her visit and they are enjoying her.  Dad Says, “It is not good for a man to be alone.”  The post office worker asked if her vote has worth the $28 to took to expedite it. Dad wondered how many soldiers had died to make her vote worth having and did not hesitate to send it.

Pumpkin Carving - Ryan & Maureen hosted the annual pumpkin carving on Friday evening with all the Kulka’s and another family from their Ward. To add to festive atomsphere of pumpkin artistry they had a camp fire to warm and smoke the participates.  A good time was had by all. 

The Guardian’s - Papa took Joshua and Olivia to a 3D movie while Jim & Vanessa took Tyler and Sam to the Stake Youth Activity. Papa took Sophia on a date to the Cranbrook Science museum to see the special of Dinosaur skeletons. The big dinosaurs were a bit scary, but lunch was well received.  Grandbuddies are great!

Calling - Today Dad was called, sustained and set apart as the 2nd assistant in the High Priest Group Leadership. Brother Drake is the Group Leader.  This should be a lot of fun/work.

Love y’all,

Mom & Dad

Corless Connection - 10 October 2010 - Sterling Heights, Michigan

Dear Family,

Today is 10/10/10. 

Brazil - Mom arrived in Rio Grande, Brazil safe and sound and with much joy of her family. Her journey went very well, only one flight was delayed (2 hours) due to fog in Porto Alegre. Amelita told Dad how grateful she is for Mom’s visit. Mom has a way to bringing “light and joy” wherever she goes. We are all grateful for her safe arrival and hope all goes well during the visit.

Fixit - After taking Mom to the airport and seeing her get through security, Dad visited Dan & Holli and helped fix a bunk bed (Josh was so happy for the improved sleeping arrangement) and install a lighted ceiling fan over the dining table (so much for the dimly lit romantic dinners).  One might say Dad brought some “light and joy” to the Allen Park Corless tribe. 

Saturday, After the 10 mile bike ride with Vanessa, watching Preston, Jacob, Sophia and Rex for a couple of hours, and attending a Joshua, Preston, Jacob roller hockey game (coached by Jim & Tyler), Dad got cleaned up and attended the wedding reception for Pete & Rachel Cannon with Ryan & Maureen. Pete is the one that helped Ryan do all the electircal wiring for the basement project. President Lantz was there alone and sat with us. His wife was helping the with move of one of their sons to Atlanta.  Dad told him he is getting new member in the stake - Grandma Sparks.

Mover - Grandma Sparks is scheduled to arrive in Detroit on Monday the 18th and the movers with all her stuff should arrive within a few days.   Dad is scheduled to get the condo keys on the 11th so it will be ready for her arrival. Dad met the condo association president and told him about Mom coming. He and the other neighbors are excited to have her come because the it has been unocccupied for 5 years. We are all hoping for the move to go smoothly for Grandma Sparks.

We love y’all,

Mom & Dad

Corless Connection - 3 October 2010 - Sterling Heights, Michigan

Dear Family,

Happy Birthday to Mom. Tuesday Mom became one year older. Vanessa invited her for lunch to celebrate. Our temple assignment was cancelled due to a power outage, so we had a little vacation and were able to stay at Kulka’s longer ; we talked and played games... Also, it finally rained enough to fill the pond behind our home and it is beautiful again. Mom’s says it was a birthday gift from heaven; her heart was gladdened. Thanks to Heavenly Father for another tender mercy.

Sorenson USMC - Dad enjoyed reading Uncle Nile’s book about his experiences which took him to San Diego, Iwo Jima, Sasebo, Nagasaki Japan and back home to Idaho again. It was wonderful to experience this witness of this part of World War II through his eyes and heart. Thank you Uncle Nile - your sacrifice is a priceless gift.

Tyler’s Tragedy - Tyler is recoverying well after his spleen was seriously damaged. This week we learned how severly he was hurt. It was a life threatening injury, which had the potential to have caused him to internally bleed to death, specially since he went home the evening it happened and to school the next day, where he went to gym and even ran. Surgeons were ready to remove the spleen in order to save his life, if necessary. But through his living  the “Word of Wisdom” and caring for his body, and the power of the Priesthood, his body is repairing the damage and he is doing well.  All the surgeons at Henry Ford - Macomb Hospital all know the Miracle Football Player named Tyler. Once again the Lord has shown mercy, answered prayers and blessed our family. Thankfully, the only tragedy is Tyler will miss the football season this year. 

Brazil Bound - Mom has been busily engaged in preparation for her visit to her family. She has hugs and kisses to give and gifts to offer our Brazilian Family. Dad has also been involved in the preparations by producing a couple of short “movies” at her request, showing the “Northward” side of family. We all hope and pray this journey will go well and will be successful expressing our love for them by providing a connection to our family “Southward”.  

General Conference - Once again the Lord has reached out and invited all of us to come unto him. We are grateful for the inspiring, uplifting and edifying messages from the Lord through His servants. Now we just need to do it!

Love y’all,

Mom & Dad