We are not only sprinting to the end, we are on a dead run! William is one of the remarkable people we have met lately. Notice how he must sit almost doubled over in the front seat in class. He sits near the front because his hearing is not good. It would be wonderful for him to have a set of hearing aids, but those kinds of things are not for the average person in the Philippines. William was given some type of drug when he was younger to slow his growth. Instead of slowing his growth it curved his spine. He has a very difficult time walking and sitting is even a problem. He is amazing.

What a great week!

<--------- Elder Richards and I SkimBoarding in the Massive rain ponds outside our apartment!

Jaime Brousseau

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Is That a COUNTDOWN? I think someone is getting a little TRUNKY!!

Mission memories!!

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Lissa and her two daughters. The one on the right is getting baptized in April. They have changed their lives all the way around and now she's a WARD missionary! The church is true!!

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Burning a shirt, tie, and pants to represent 18 months, 1 year, and 6 months in the mish! just a tradition. I'm a little late, but oh well! 21 month mark will do i guess! Boys will be boys!

Elder Whipple and I

SNOW IN TEXAS. It doesn't happen often, but It does happen. This was the first time in a LONG time that texas has gotten SNOW! Don't worry it covered the ground and melted in the same night!! Gotta love TEXAS

Kim and Joe's Yard Sale Christmas!!

(I hope Kim doesn't mind if I share this from an e-mail. I loved it. Mom)

I just read the "haircut" episode. I laughed soooo hard!!! I am reminded of Elder Worthlins talk this past conference. He mentioned the importance of laughing in situations like that instead of getting so uptight and reacting in anger. Klay is a perfect example! What a fun couple.

We had a great Christmas. In October I got this idea to have a yard sale Christmas. Since it is warm basically year round here there are always great yard sales on Saturday to go to. I have enjoyed going out with the kids and finding great deals so I decided that this year I would buy Christmas presents at yard sales. Might sound a little quirkey but it was fun! And I spent less than $100 on Christmas--except for the family Santa gift which I bought on ebay :-) Joe was a good sport about it. He always seems to guess or find or know somehow what I am going to give him for Christmas. This year I got him! Christmas morning after everything was opened he said, "You know, I never in a million years would have guessed that I was going to get a set of elephant book ends from Vietnam that were 70 years old." I finally did it! A surprise Christmas present!

Those Stripling Warriors!

Armed with the Word of God and great confidence!

"Maraming Bulo"

Dear family,

We are so proud of all of you for going to Utah and helping Grandma and Grandpa Johnson with repairing, fixing, cleaning and visiting. You are wonderful!! We are "maraming bulo"--puffed like a ball--with pride of each one of you. I can almost hear Grandma telling everyone that comes to the house about her worker children.

Dad thinks I hang with the natives a little too much. What do you think!!

I have a whole new appreciation for "building codes." We came upon this structure on our way to Banaue. Believe it or now, it is a little gift shop/residence. It takes courage to stand in the overhang, but we have courage.

Also, a recent picture of Dad, standing in the wind. Isn't he handsome?

We love you all and pray for you by name--daily! Now, be good and do good.

Mom