VANESSA AND TEAGAN

Kansas City airport

waiting to board in LA

What a treat. Vanessa and Teagan decided to surprise Robyn with a short visit. We picked them up at the airport Wednesday afternoon along with Vanessa's service dog, Roxi.  :-)   Since Teagan flew free, we got 3 for the price of 1.

Teagan was born only a week before we left, so we really hadn't been able to spend much time getting to know her. As you can imagine, grandma and Teagan spent quite a bit of quality time together. Thank you also to Matthew who planned the surprise and then took off work to be Mr. Mom for Orrin and Kian while mom was away.  After Vanessa had been here only a couple of days, she called Matthew to see how the boys were doing - all Matthew could say was that Vanessa was going to get a raise when she got home...
We decided to keep Vanessa busy while she was here, helping us with visits and teaching. On Friday we visited with the Sanchez family. They have been less active for about a year and we are working with them to go to the temple. Vanessa came with us and bore her testimony to them of the blessings that have come into her life since she joined the Church and has been sealed in the temple to Matthew. They were touched by her sweet spirit.  Then on Sunday, we asked her to teach a part of our Marriage and Family Relations Class during Sunday School. The lesson was entitled 'Children are a Heritage of the Lord'.  She was able to share with the class how her children bring her joy.  Again her words were deeply felt by all. It is so nice that she is fluent in Spanish and able to speak to everyone in the ward.  A week ago, a young couple asked us if we would come over on Monday and give them some pointers on Family Home Evenings. They have a little one with one on the way. They invited another couple with two small kids to join who are also struggling with their FHE's. We figured that if anyone could give them ideas on FHE's with little ones, it was Vanessa.  She came and shared with these two couples some of the things that she and Matthew are trying to do with their kids. They were so impressed with how she is working hard to raise her children in truth and light. Vanessa has truly been a blessing in so many ways for us here and with her family back home. We will be forever grateful that Matthew and Vanessa are an eternal family.

Independence Visitors Center

Very Happy Girls

Future missionary

ADAM ONDI AHMAN

On Saturday, all the senior missionaries here in Independence were treated to a special visit to Adam ondi Ahman.  The patriarch of the Far West stake, Austin Bonnet met us there and gave us a wonderful guided tour of this sacred place and provide us with some great insight into all the amazing things that have transpired there and will yet happen in the future. Brother Bonnet lives only a few miles from Adam ondi Ahman and has special access to much of the site that is off limits to most visitors. When he saw our Prius, he invited us to ride with him in his 4x4 pickup as we went from place to place. 

View from the valley of Adam ondi Ahman

Brother and Sister Bonnet

Brother Bonnet even asked Vanessa to help read a quote of the Prophet

'Preacher Rock' where the Prophet and other church leaders would speak to the Saints

View from 'Preacher Rock' where the Saints would have gathered to hear the Prophet.
There is a natural bowl below the rock, and the acoustics are amazing.

There are 12 missionary couples serving 18 months at Adam ondi Ahman. During the winter months there are only 6 couples serving. Their task is to maintain the almost 4000 acres that the Church owns here. The live in various homes spread out over the property. The work is presided over by Elder Joe Christensen, emeritus general authority, who reports directly to the First Presidency.  He and another emeritus general authority, Elder Sheldon Child, take turns coming out for a few days every single month to ensure that everything is being taken care of properly and then report to President Monson. Most of the rich farm land and pastures are leased out to local farmers. It was a beautiful spring day and the words of Heber C. Kimball came to mind. 

"While there (Adam ondi Ahman), we laid out a city on a high elevated piece of land and set stakes for the four corners of the temple block, which was dedicated, Brigham being mouth;

there were from three to five hundred men present on the occasion, under arms.

 This elevated spot was probably from 250-500 feet above the level of the Grand River, so that one could look east, west, north or south, as far as the eye could reach; it was one of the most beautiful places I ever beheld."

I have to agree with Heber.

THE 4 MINUTE MILE

With Vanessa here, we took advantage of Noah's track schedule to go and see him compete on our P-Day.  Noah is in the 8th grade and will start high school next year. His school district provides great opportunities for the kids to compete while they are still in middle school. He is literally following in his Dad's footsteps and running the mile. He also competed last semester in cross country as did James.  I think he has already broken all his father's old high school track records. :-)

proud Dad with some out of town fans