Family Photos 2013

Someday my kids will thank me for torturing them and making them sit through family photos each year.   They are so glad that we are not on an every other year schedule so the torture is at least limited. Seriously it seems every time we schedule a family photo shoot someone has a crisis of some sort....we can't find the scout uniform, someone is running late at work and didn't have time to shower or put on clean clothes, or it is raining (not just a little but a downpour like hurricane Irene).

I am grateful that my kids and their spouses still try to make it to these events.   This is an event that I know is ONLY for their mother!    It makes you feel good that they are willing to do come and put on a happy face that we come to appreciate in our family photos!    I am happy that we have a chronicle of our growth as a family through these annual photos.   It makes me smile both inside and out every time I look at these photos because it represents the growth of our family.

Thanks Britta for the great shots!

The Mender Family 2013
Owen, Mitch, Kim, Joe, Adelynne, Anne Marie, and Nephi

Nephi, Mitch, Joe, and Owen

Nephi, Anne Marie, and Adelynne

Birthday's and Memories

Today is my brother's 45th birthday.....a birthday we cannot celebrate with him.    Over 25 years ago my brother took his life at the age of 19.     In the past 25 years I had never been to the graveside.....in my head I had always assumed that going to that place would not impact me.   Well today when I went with my Dad and sister, and then later with my Mom I was amazed at how it felt to be there.   To clear away the grass that had grown over the headstone and to touch the headstone really had a profound impact.   The tears came quickly as I thought about my brother.  

I think about what a shame it is that the despair of temporary problems one feels the only option is to take their own life.    I think we will always feel guilty that we should have known more, been more aware, and been able to help him more.

Our son is named after my brother and I love to think that Mitch will have opportunities that my brother never had.

Happy Birthday Mitch - we really do miss you....even after all these years!

  

Bowling

When coming to Ohio there is one activity that we do without fail....Bowling.   We probably ONLY bowl when we come to Ohio.....and Akron where there are more bowling allies per capita than anywhere else on the planet (well that may not be true but it seems that way).  

My Dad is a good bowler.....with a high game of 298.   As he will tell you "I choked".   Oh well we can't all be perfect.   He used to bowl in a league when I was younger and we spent lots of time in smoke filled bowling allies as kids running around and playing while he bowled.    Today bowling allies are not filled with smoke and a much nicer place to hang out.

We usually go bowling with the whole family but this trip it ended up being just Dad, Mitch and I.   And if I said we were all a bit RUSTY it would be an understatement.   Our first game we barely broke 100.   And in an amazing feat I actually beat my dad in a come from behind 10th frame win by one pin.   So you have to celebrate that little victory!

Mitch - look at that form.   He gets those pins down through brut force!

Dad getting ready for the challenge.

Mitch - well not really sure what this look is about.

Disregard the sunspot....just notice the 10th frame scores.

Whale Watch in Maine

So when you tell people that you are going on Whale Watch everyone warns you that you might not see any whales and then tells you all the stories of when they went and didn't see any whales and it was cold and wet and miserable.    Well that seems to be what we heard anyways.   It started with Mitch who prepped us by making sure we were prepared to not see any whales....

The morning dawned about as glorious a day as anyone could hope for.   The sun was up and the temperatures were moderate even at 7 in the morning when Owen and I ventured out to get muffins and juice for a quick bite before heading out for the morning.   I love having one kid who likes to get up early!  By the time we got back everyone was up and ready to start the day.

This whale watch was the most amazing day.   We saw at least six fin whales, about 4 humpback whales, a blue shark, several seals, and lots of puffins.  The woman narrating the trip was so excited by all the wildlife that we were seeing.   It was a very successful trip!   And one I would love to do again.

Sunrise from the hotel balcony.   

Past an Island lighthouse where we saw puffins

Owen - sleeping on the boat.....a little girl informed him...."you missed SOO MANY Whales"

Mitch asleep.....

And look at those whales....

Here is another whale

And finally a mother and baby calf.   The tail is of the baby.

New Home

Today our oldest son officially moves into his new home.   They closed on the house Tuesday but have been working like crazy over the last week to paint and put new flooring in the house and get it ready for the "official" move.   Our REAL housewarming gift to them was supplies for home improvement -  flooring and paint and a little of our help to get things spiffed up in the new house.   It is a lovely little home in a very nice area but it will take a lot of effort over the coming years to get the yard in order, but HEY, they are young and that is what life is all about right?   It is nice that they can finally begin life in a NON apartment since Adelynne starts school this year and the stability of a home of your own is a part of our dreams.

So as I was thinking about what we could give them as a house warming present I found the following Irish Proverb....."May your Home always be too small to hold all of your friends".    I thought how absolutely perfect!    It made me reflect back on our life and our home realize we have enjoyed this blessing!   We love to have friends - both new and old - over to our home and entertain.  We love to celebrate the little things in life - like a Sunday afternoon dinner with family or the bigger celebrations that we gather together for like baptisms, graduations, and mission farewells.   But whatever the occasion I am grateful for our "little home" and the friends who make it too small!  

Independence Day

Hello everyone,

    

Happy Fourth of July!!  One funny story we walked out of our house yesterday morning and a little girl, no older than 7, said today is your Independence day! It made me laugh that she would know that.  It just kind of made our day.  We have had a great week.  I feel like Elder Jones and I have a great companionship we teach with a flow and a spirit that is incredible.  I'm so grateful to be here in Petrolina. This is one of the best wards in the mission. Everyone is so willing to help us. It really is amazing how a member with a smile on his face can make your day ten times better.  This week we have been teaching a 16 year old named Victor he is just amazing.   In testimony meeting on Sunday, he sat there with tears rolling down his face.  After church he told the members that talked to him that he would be baptised next Sunday. I’m so excited for him and to see his progress. 

One story that touched me this week was that on Monday night the other missionaries asked us to go pick up a cake at a members house.   When we passed by the cake wasn’t done.  The family invited us in, to wait and participate in family night, with them.  As I sat there listening to this family, one by one share testimony and say what they had done in the past week I almost teared up.  Sometimes as missionaries you stay so much in the world, teaching people who don’t care about the gospel, who don’t have the desire to follow Christ and when I saw this family together, following the counsel of the prophet, it was just a beautiful thing it helped me remember my purpose here.  I know that I have to go out and use every possible second to help bring families to a knowledge of the truth.  How I love this gospel.  I hope that we are doing the small and simple things to bring about great things.   Small things like family night, reading the Book of Mormon, prayer, and going to church.  I know that these little things bring about great things.  It’s these simple things that got me on a mission.   How I am grateful for my parents and their diligence in doing these things as I was growing up.  I know that my investigators are also grateful for their diligence.

Last night for our Forth of July party we had a churrasco and made chocolate chip cookies.  We had four American Elders and two Brasilian Elders it was a lot of fun to come together and celebrate a wonderful day.  We also decided to have a wrestling competition after we got done eating and don’t worry Dad, I didn’t let you down. I didn’t lose one match. haha it was a ton of fun. 

I sure love you guys,  I hope you all are doing great! Have a fantastic week!

Love,

Elder Mender 

Memorial Day

Well Mom how are you doing?  I can't believe you're all home and it is Memorial day. Some family barbeque time seems amazing right now.  Well everything is just dandy here in Brasil.  So today is P-day because tomorrow we have a meeting. We are pretty excited.  The work is going great.  Maybe tomorrow I'll get the package you sent.  I hope so.  Well in other news we are working really hard.  I'm pretty happy with life. Did you ever get the pictures I sent home?!!? I'm a little worried its been a few weeks.   Well have a great Memorial day say Hi to the family. Have a great week. Love you mom!!

Hello, Hello, Hello - what a beautiful day to baptise!!!

Well... I would like to say we baptised this week but satan seems to be working triple time on our investigators.  We have one woman named Vanalusia who is just a power house.  I swear when she gets baptised she is going to be the next relief society president of the church.  But she always has work getting in her way and when she doesn't have to work, her family isn't there or some problem.  So She decides to wait one more day but I know this week is going to be the week.  We just have to be strong.  

We also have another family that we are teaching that is just amazing the Grandma is Vania.   She is a well known woman here in Salvador and just amazing.  She has two children Eros and Luana.  Eros is married to a member and is probably one of the smartest guys I have ever met.   He can rap freestyle like nothing else but also is book smart as well.  He is really into philosophy so we have been able to talk about that.  When he read the Book of Mormon he felt an answer that it was true. Now the tricky part is helping him realize it.  I love this family so much.  His sister Luana is also another amazing woman she is single with a 7 year old daughter that has a medical condition which has made it so she couldn't walk her whole life. Her name is Samara. She is just a princess, last month she had a surgery which will help her to walk in the future.  I just love this family.  It is interesting how all three of them have said they can see how God has led us (the missionaries) into their lives.  I'm so grateful for the miracles I have seen with this family.  Last Saturday we had the chance to go do a service project and paint two rooms in the house. It was so much fun to be with the family.  Afterwords they made dinner for us.  I'm pretty sure that's like 100 celestial kingsdom points right there! haha it was amazing.  Sunday the whole family showed up at church.  I'm pretty sure I started crying when I saw that.  They looked like they just fit in the church. I love this work.  You know everyday I wake up tired but something just makes me get out of bed excited and happy.  I love teaching this gospel. It's one of the best feelings in the world.  I know that as we just keep working hard we will see more and more miracles happening in our work. I testify that Christ lives.  He is the son of our loving Heavenly Father and He loves us.  The plan of salvation is perfect. We just gotta do our parts and eternal life is promised to everysingle one of us.  Have a great week everyone.  I love you all!

 

Love,

Elder Mender