I HoPe THeY CaLL Me oN a MiSSioN !!

From the moment Cody (aka: Dakota) was born, 

we dreamed of him serving The Lord 

on a mission through the 

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 

On April 26, 2014 he received his call...

Mexico Hermosillo Mission

leaving on July 23rd, 2014

for the Provo MTC for 6 weeks

then off to Mexico!!

We were all SO happy and excited for him!!

 (a wee bit scared too)

Elder Smith's first area was in Agua Prieta. 

He served there for 5 months 

before he was transferred to Nogales.

Elder Smith served in Nogales for about 3 months when he hurt his knee. His right knee cap slipped out of place and he tore some ligaments so he was sent home for medical treatment. The Dr.s in Mexico felt that there was a tare and that Elder Smith would need surgery. When he came home he went to the Orthopedic surgeon and had an MRI and X-Rays on his knee. They didn't find any tares and felt that physical therapy would be all he would need. It has now been 3 months since he has been home and going through PT. He's not completely healed but doing much better and was just released from medical treatment. He has an interview with our stake president soon to discuss what they feel would be the best next step, going back out on the mission or to start on his college education. Elder Smith served 9 months, he had great success and he loved teaching the peoples of Mexico. His investigators lived in humble circumstances and he loved serving them in what ever way was needed. He was so sad to leave Mexico and his new friends. He had many experiences that helped him grow as a young man and as a spiritual giant. We are so very proud of him and of all his loving service.

Class Time in the MTC

Elder Smith with his Mission President, Elder and Sister Hernandez

Agua Prieta Missionaries

Elders Smith and Ensey

Elders Smith and Filgueira

Nogales

Nana's Babies

 

I think we need an update on all my sweet grand-babies!!

 

       

  

The Circle of Life

We are eternal beings. 

We lived as spirits before we were born 

 and we will continue to live after we die.

We are eternal beings, spirit children of an eternal God. Our lives can be compared to a three-act play: premortal life (before we came to earth), mortal life (our time here on earth), and postmortal life (where we go after we die). God has had a plan for our lives since the beginning of the first act—a plan that, if followed, provides comfort and guidance now, as well as salvation and eternal happiness in our postmortal life. [lds.org]

*****************

Recently, within the last couple years, our family has experienced the loss of a loved one. My mother-in-law, Brenda Jo Hughes Smith, passed away with kidney failure. But not all is lost! We have the pure knowledge and the comfort in knowing that the mortal life is just a temporary state and that we will see her again. We know she continues to live and serve, just as she loved to do here on Earth.

We miss Vic's mom and we cherish our memories of her. She was a woman of faith and dignity. God be with you til we meet again Mom!

We also had a new birth in our family recently. On May 28, 2015 baby Rylan Lewis Patton joined our family! So new from the Heavens, he is our Lil' Moose weighing in at 10lb 3oz. He is such a happy baby and has brought much joy into our lives.

 

I love that Families Are Forever and the Circle of Life continues!!

The Family: A Proclamation To The World

When I began my adventure with BYU-I, the one class that I was looking most forward to taking, was the Family Foundations class. The study of The Family Proclamation. Family means EvErYtHiNg to me, so I was anxious to go into the depths of what The Lord desires regarding the family unit. I have not been disappointed! The Family: A Proclamation To The World is an amazing piece! You can go here to read it in full.

I want to testify that Christ lives, and he atoned for our sins so we can return to Him. I know that as we center our lives with the Gospel and His teachings, we can become an eternal family unit. We will feel his peace and love abundantly in our lives. I also know that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God. "Children are an heritage of the Lord," and the blessings of bringing spirit children into mortality will bless our lives throughout the eternities. I am thankful for the opportunity of taking the Family Foundations class to enhance my knowledge and for the desire to become better within my own family.

BYU-I Pathways Program

  I have been taking on-line classes through BYU-I for the past two years. I've loved every second of it, even on those days that I don't... so much!!

It all began with the Pathways Program...

The Pathways Program is perfect for those who either want to continue or to start their education in later years. Growing up all I ever wanted was to be a wife and a mom, I had no desire nor did I feel a need to get a college education. I was living my dream. I became a mom of five beautiful children, I was blessed to be a stay-at-home-mom and raise my children. Then one day when I was 47, the Pathway Missionaries came to our ward promoting the new program. I was intrigued, but not really interested. However, Heavenly Father had other plans. For about a year the Spirit kept whispering to me that this is what I needed to do. I kept fighting the feeling, but...

 you can't fight the Lord!!

I told myself that I would fast and pray about it, in which I did. Immediately I knew that I had to do what the Lord wanted me to do. Even to this day, two years later, I do not know why this is so important. Nor do I know what I should major in. So right now I'm just working on an Associates in General Studies. I figure that when the Lord is ready He will reveal what I should do and everyone needs the basics, right? 

I am very proud of what I have accomplished these past two years. It's hard going back to school after being out for 30+ years. But, I have gotten A's in every class, except for Math in which I got a B. I work hard for my grades. I have proven to myself that... 

I can do hard things!!

Even though I'm still not sure why I'm on this adventure, I can say I am so thankful for it!

I am also thankful for obedience. I know my family has been blessed in so many ways through being obedient to the laws and commandments of the Lord. And for heeding the spirit when it speaks.  

 

COMING SOON....

Updates on the happenings 

of the Smith Family Adventures!!
Many exciting things

 in the past,

 present

 and future to be shared...

Stay tuned in!!

So I promised an update a couple weeks ago, and I'm just now getting to it. The thing is...I am absolutely sure I'll forget tons of things. So, I'll just mention the most significant things...

• In November Vic was ordained as a High Priest in our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.


• December we celebrated our Savior Jesus Christs birth very quietly...it was so weird not to have Selena and her family and Brittany and her family with us. I don't like this sharing thing!! But I suppose it's something I'll have to get used to... Selena, Luther and Jaedyn did come over on Christmas Eve, and we made our traditional gingerbread houses. That was alot of fun and laughs!!


• The end of December, Brittany Adam and Kaleb came home for a weeks visit. We spent New Years Eve over at Selenas house and had a nice dinner, had our Family Christmas, and played New Years Eve games. Sadly we had to tell the Pattons goodbye on Jan 3rd. as they headed back to Rexburg Idaho.


• Cody turned 16 on January 24th and was ordained a Priest in February.


• In March we had a new addition to the family!! Hallee Ann Hargrove was born on March 9th at 5:19 pm. She weighed 7 lb and 2 oz. She was 19 in long. What a beauty!! She was born with tons of nearly black hair and looked ALOT like her big Sis. But Hallee has her own look. She is a calm sweet baby and we are SO proud to welcome her into our family!!


• March 15th was a heart wrenching day. Our sweet grandson, Kaleb, 7 months old, had surgery on his little neck. The Dr removed a very large and hard lymphnode. We are praying fervently that the test on the lymphnode comes back with good news....

I'll try to get some pictures downloaded soon. I've miss placed my camera cord...but as soon as that booger is found, I'll post pictures...

Updates Coming!!
WOW!!

I can't believe it's been 6 months

since I've updated my blog!!

My O My... I've been slackin'!!

In the near future I will try to get caught up

on some happenings in the Smith family.

So stay tuned in....

A FUN DAY WITH JAEDYN
Last week I had the privilidge of spending the day
with my sweet granddaughter.

She is at such a fun age.
Where her little mind goes a million miles in a minute.
And her attention span is so short.
We hopped from one activity to the next!!

First I made pancakes for Jaedyn and Selena for breakfast.
Jae got a little sticky, so while momma went to rest for a bit I gave Jae a bubble bath. When she was done she wanted a mani and pedi. And brought me the nail polish she picked out on her own.

Then we went outside and played on the slide and porch swing...
And played on the trampoline.... Of course the day wouldn't be complete with out some sidewalk chalk!!

I sure do love this sweet little girl!!!We then went in and had lunch
And took a nap...I think we both needed it!! <3

OUR FIRST GRANDSON...KALEB
There is nothing sweeter than a new babe.
A sweet little spirit right from the Heavens above.
We are so very privileged to have come into our family:

Kaleb Harrison Patton
born on August 12, 2011.

In the short little while that he's been on earth,
he totally has his Nana wrapped.

love LoVe LOVE that baby boy!!! <3

Here are a *few* of my favorite pictures...

CrAzY BuSy!!!

Life has been SO CrazY this summer...it's time to do an update!
My veggy garden and flower beds are feeling neglected. My yard looks pittiful. My house is in need of a major cleaning and I need some ME time. I would love to take a moment to go play in the pool with the kiddos, read a book, do some crafting, etc...etc...

-BUT-
it's ok that I haven't had time to do those things.
As I have been busy with other very worth while things. And other than spending more time with my kids and sweet grandbaby Jae, I wouldn't change a thing.

We celebrated Vic's parents 50th Anniversary with them
and pulled of a wonderful party that included friends and family from all over the US. Vic, Selena and I planned this party and took it 300 miles away to OKC. All of the family, both sides, siblings of Brenda and Roy, children and grandchildren and great granddaughter all made it to the party. with the Exception of one grandson and one grandaughter. Josh is in Cuba serving our country, and Brittany who lives in Idaho, expecting a baby too close to her due date to travel. We missed both of these kids, but we know their thoughts and hearts were with their grandparents. And they would have been there if the circustances were different.

Mom and Dad
Eric, Traci, and Vic

Vic giving a book to Mom and Dad
that covers and honors more than 50 years


Mom and Dad through the years

Selena made this awesome cake!!

Mom and Dad greeting life long friends.

We all had a great time visiting with family
and friends that we hadn't seen in years!!

The other thing that kept me so busy this summer is Girls Camp.
I'm the stake 4th year camp leader-and boy-o-boy that's a BIG job!!
But I LOVE every second of it!!

The 4th year girls (20 of them this year) go on a high adventure of sorts for a whole week. We go canoeing (didn't get pictures of that-boo!), we go caving, swim, crafting, games, we do a service project for the community that is close by. (This year we worked at a food bank. We worked in their gardens and cleaned a new warehouse they're building to expand the food bank.) We sleep in tents, and cook over open fire. We sing songs. We star gaze and just plain act silly.

This year it was SO hot, reaching the 100's all week!! And we weatherd a huge rain storm which dropped 3 inches of rain on us during the night. 2 of the 4 girls tents collapsed, the girls (10 of them) joined us leaders for about and hour and a half. When the lightening stopped, we put them on the bus to sleep through the rest of the night.The next morning this is what we faced....

It was great fun!! The girls worked so hard to get everything dried up and they even smiled, laughed and sang through it all!! What GREAT young women we have!!

Some Crafting time...

One of the two groups that went caving....

Definately a memory making week!!

So yes
a CrAzY BuSy Summer
But, I'd do it all over again.
It's so good to look back and see what I've accomplished.
Now off to other adventures....
Next week I'll post some pictures of the High Adventure that Vic and Cody went to this week...The Apostle Islands on Lake Superior
THEN

off to Rexburg to meet my yet unborn grandson...Kaleb!!!
YAY-CAN"T WAIT!!!!!

MY MOM

Louella Mae Brunner
1939-2007

This week my thoughts have been especially full
of gratitude and love for my Mom.
Today is Mothers Day.

I am so thankful that my Heavenly Father sent me to her loving arms.
She truely is an ANGEL.
My Mom is the GrEaTeSt example of Love, Kindness, and Compassion
She was always right there ready to render whatever service she could offer.
And ALWAYS with a smile on her face! She loved everyone!
My Mom bore 5 beautiful children Donna, Debbie, Bobbie, Rich and Me (Lori)
She was a woman of STRENGTH.
Debbie and Bobbie returned to our Father in Heaven after a short time here on earth,
sadly within just a couple of months of each other.
Debbie was 2 yrs old and Bobbie was 5 months old.
How in the world she got through it, I'll never know.
She was and IS an AMAZING woman!!
Then many years later, she nursed my Dad through cancer for over 10 years.
Not complaining once. She knew what needed to be done and did it!
She is my HERO and my IDOL.
I hope to be half as good as she was/is one day!

I miss her Oh SO MUCH!!
I am grateful that I have the knowledge that she still lives!!
Maybe not in this world at this time,
BUT she still LIVES nevertheless!!
And I know I will be able to HUG HER and tell her that I LOVE HER once again!!

We will be together FOREVER and I'm so THANKFUL for that!!

I LOVE YOU MOMMA-HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!

BABY OH BABY!!

I LOVE being a "Nana"!! My babies have babies!! unBELIEVABLE!! My girls are such wonderful loving mommies!! Am I surprised?? Not at all... They are wonderful loving individuals!! I'm SO proud of them!! Selena's baby Jaedyn Marie Hargrove 1 year old

Brittany's baby Kaleb Harrison Patton Arriving abt. August 11, 2011 Aren't they SO BeAuTiFuL !!!

MY LITTLE MAN

HAS BECOME A WONDERFUL YOUNG MAN

The other day I was sitting in Sacrament at church
and Cody was next to me. He reached for my hand and held it.
First of all, that melted my heart!!
As we were holding hands,
I noticed how they were beginning to take the form of a mans hand.
Then memories flooded my mind of when he was born.
I remember looking at his tiny little hands
and thinking of how small they were,
and yet SO different from his sisters hands.
Boys and girls are so different from the 'get-go'
It's truely amazing!!

Dakota Ryan {aka Cody} was born January 24th 1996
He was my smallest of my 5 children.
7lb 4oz
But now...he is by far the tallest.

Cody is my only son, he has 4 sisters.
He 'kinda' has a special spot in my heart...being the only boy.
He is so tender and loving with me,
but...with his sisters...thats a different story...most of the time
He can be SO onry!!!
But he can be so sweet when he wants to !!!

I'm so proud of my Cody
He honors his priesthood,
He is a hard worker, and helps out when ever he sees the need.
When we had the big 12+ inch snow fall a few weeks ago
he not only shoveled our drive but went to the neighbors house and helped them.
We hadn't even met these neighbors yet, Cody reprsesnted our family well!!
Then he went with his cousin and the missionaries to shovel several other drives.
He has such a willing heart, he loves to serve
and he steps up to the plate when needed.

Cody loves playing with little kids.
I know he will be an amazing father one day!!
And a wonderful husband!!
My "little" boy is growing into an awesome Young Man!!
Did I mention...I'm SO proud of him!!

I LOVE YOU BUD!!!!!