Merry Christmas from the Welch Family

Aaron and Steph Welch have something new coming in June.  Hint - check out the steps.  Congratulations!

Merry Christmas from the Lyons

Melissa and Russell moved into their first house in Syracuse, Utah this year.  Melissa ran her first half marathon.

Merry Christmas from the Palmers

               Tiva, Ryan and Abby celebrate the birth of the Savior and the new baby girl yet to be born.

Merry Christmas from the Hess Family

                           Gabriel Hess and his lovely wife send greetings from Denver, Co

Merry Christmas from the Nield Family

                                                Kahler, Lyndsy, Paige, Karter and Autumn

Merry Christmas from the Kesler's

                                                           Virginia, Steve and Kate

Merry Christmas from the Hardy's

                                                                  Ellie sees the star!

Christmas 2014

                                                      The Steve and Jesse Pierce Family

Merry Christmas 2014

Dear Missionaries,

Yes, we will forever call you our missionaries although time and space have moved your lives in many directions since the time you formally served full time missions.  The impact of those mission years works its way into our daily lives still.  We think of you often.   A memory will flash into our thoughts and then we are off to a string of remembrances that put smiles on our faces.

Many of you are now in the trenches of your careers, providing for family and fashioning your talents to make your contribution to humanity.  We get great pleasure hearing about your plans and decisions.  What a variety of paths your choices in compass.  We feel that we are in good hands and can now hand the world over to you.

This past year has been bound up with doing whatever we figured we could not do for another three years.  That meant lots of travel both for pleasure and interest as well as an abundance of time spent with children/grandchildren.  From the Isle of Capri to the shores of the Pacific instilled in us a renewed love and appreciation for this beautiful world.  We are now two months in with serving as President and Matron of the Washington, DC Temple.  We never guessed how much we would enjoy this service.  It has been wonderful.  We see some of our missionaries from time to time which is pure joy.  We even see some of your parents.  We would love all of you.  Come to DC!!!

Our commitment to Jesus Christ grows ever deeper as we bind our lives to Him.  We are grateful for his love and desire to help us be more than we could hope to be without Him.  To one day return to Heavenly Father through the merits of Jesus Christ is a goal worth striving for.  We are grateful for the long view of life beyond mortal life to secure perspective and direction beyond the norm.  Remember, we used to say in the mission field, "Keep your eye on the ball" -  meaning look to eternity.

 Please forward this on to any missionaries you might know who may not get this.  We have an incomplete email contact list to our sadness.  We love being connected to you.  And do let us know what is in your lives.

Much love,
President and Sister Colton

 

Former FTM Tends Colton Granddaughter

Eric and Kalli Sorensen stepped to the plate to tend baby Naomi, daughter of Ann and Dan Oakes.  President and Sister Colton were speaking at the Christmas Devotional at the Washington, DC Temple and Ann and Dan wanted to be there to lend family support.  Kalli and Eric to the rescue!!!  Little Naomi was in good hands with the Sorensens.  Living in the apartment building just above the Oakes, the Sorensens have made Washington, DC home for the last few years.  We love seeing our paths cross in such lovely ways.

Austin Wheat and Maria Jose Marry in the New Year

Austin and Maria have chosen Saturday, the 3rd of January as their wedding date.  They are marrying in the Gilbert LDS Temple.

Stake Conference in Maryland

Can you guess who we saw at Stake Conference?  Chad Goodman, his wife and beautiful daughter.  Little by little we are getting Western transplants here in the East.

22 September 2014

Dear Mission Friends,

     How quickly time flies!  The air is crisp again with a breath of autumn, the leaves are turning gold against the deep blue sky and our thoughts are not far from those we love.  It is with great love and gratitude that we think of you.  We absolutely adore hearing from you as your lives develop and spread in so many directions.  We know your influence will have real meaning and purpose in this world that rocks from what seems the brink of disaster to moments of amazing brilliance.   We like to focus on the later.  Yes, President Colton remains the true optimist! 

     This summer we managed to gather most our family together for a couple of weeks.  It is a herculean task, -  believe me - but, oh so rewarding. Our oldest grandchild just turned 13 years old and the youngest was born this past May so it is a lively bunch.  This next generation is on the move and they are really something!  We are more grateful than ever for the anchor of the gospel in their lives. 

     We have been planning, reading, studying, and preparing to begin our assignment as Washington, DC Temple  President and Matron beginning 1 November.  We hope if any of you visit the DC temple you will make sure to see us.  We can’t think of a better place to meet up with you. 

     We have heard from a number of you recently and enjoy hearing about your plans and adventures.   We would love hearing from you all.  You are never far from our hearts.

A quote for you:

     

Our safety lies in the virtue of our lives.  Our strength lies in our righteousness.  God has made it clear that if we will not forsake Him, He will not forsake us.

                                                                                          President Hinckley 2002

With love,

The Colton’s

I thought I'd give you guys a brief update on life since it's been a while. Roxanne and I are still living happily out here in Denver. Life is beautiful and good and we couldn't be happier. I just got back from Fort Jackson, South Carolina where I spent three months in Chaplaincy basic training (Chaplaincy Basic Officer Leaders Course, or CH-BOLC, pronounced "chuh-bullok"). I also completed a unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), which is very much like a chaplain's version of a doctor's residency, and took place at a hospital. This week was the beginning of my second year of my MDIV. Roxanne also starts her Fall semester at BYU-I online tomorrow. We both have part time jobs—Roxanne works at a Garden Center & Store and does landscaping, I am in the Army Reserves and I also teach beginners' swim lessons at Denver University.

Scott Knudson and Joy Alison Bennett to Wed

Scott Knudson and Joy Alison Bennett have chosen Saturday, July 19th to marry in the Draper Temple.

Ben Allan and Alissa Jordan to Marry

Congratulations to Ben Allan and Alissa Jordan who have chosen June 19, 2014 as their wedding date.

Carters Travel to Rome - Temple in Rome

Sister Carter and I just returned from an interesting trip to England and to Rome. 

Rome was particularly interesting because of its' general history and because we were able to visit and see the Rome temple under construction. 

After driving to the temple site, we enjoyed a meal with Brother Champagnie who is a project manager at the temple site.  This beautiful new temple will surely be a blessing to the saints in Italy and undoubtedly will help the missionary work in that land.

Although we could not go onto the premises because of the construction work, it was most interesting to view the temple close up and to imagine the spirit being poured out upon the saints who will be blessed by its construction.

I’m sending this as an email as I am not sure how to update the mission blog. Perhaps others will have an interest in seeing one of the Church’s new temples under construction. 

In one of the pictures is Sister Carter, Br Champagnie, and our Sister-in-law Pam Robinson who joined us on the trip.  As you can see it was a windy day...

Justin and Lani Watson

Justin and Lani married Friday May 16th in the Salt Lake Temple.

Kevin Pierre Walton to Wed Hannah Elizabeth Salmon

Kevin Walton and Hannah Salmon have chosen June 20th 2014 to marry in the Seattle Washington Temple.

Devon and Karin Tolley's October Announcement

The Tolley's are doing great. We have two cats Oats and Ruby, they love to play and sleep. We are grateful to be living in our first home for the past year. It is a three bedroom twin home that has amazing views of Utah Lake. Devon recently decided to make a change from going to school at BYU to UVU. His goal is to get his Ph. D. in Anthropology/Humanities with an emphasis in the how the personification of death is used in literature, art, music and culture. UVU has a wonderful integrated studies degree that will allow him to focus on both anthropology, the humanities and thanatology- the study of death and grief. He then wants to get his masters degree in Thanatology at one of the five schools, mostly on the east coast. We will see where we end up. Karin is working for a medical/dental claims clearinghouse keeping their operations department running as well as managing their business analyst/regulations department. She sits on the executive committee which has inspired her to go for her MBA. She is graduating with her bachelors degree in psychology in just a couple of weeks. We thought she might take a break as she has been going to school and working non stop for five years but the MBA program is calling. We have been serving as primary teaches of the CTR 6 class for the past nine months and loving it. We recently had to stop due to Karin being immunocompromised. 

Somewhere in all of this we managed to be blessed with starting our own eternal family. We are expecting the first Tolley baby in early Oct. We are so grateful to have the opportunity to become parents. This is also the reason Karin has become immunocompromised. The Dr.s tell us it isn't a really big deal and can be taken care of after the baby is born but until then she has to avoid children (other than close family members), large groups of people, those who have traveled abroad or to places where there have been outbreaks of MMR or other diseases that people can be immunized for. 

Jordan and Allie Crafton in California

President and Sister Colton and friends,

Life has been crazy for me and my wife Allie this last year. We both graduated from BYU (Allie Dec. 2012 and me April 2013). I applied and got into grad school, moved, and now in June I will complete my first year of Podiatric Medical School at Western University of Health Sciences College of Podiatric Medicine in beautiful Southern California. It's been tough but I'm loving it and I feel that this is what I'm supposed to being pursuing. Allie is working as a writer/editor and as a server at Cheesecake Factory. We have been married for about 3 and a half years.  Being in California has been full of great opportunities to share the gospel for both of us. I have a group that I study with often and they ask questions all the time. I will always be greatful for the opportunity to serve in Florida. It has shaped my life and given me better perspective. I am forever greatful also for the friends I made, for those I served with and around and for those I was able to teach. The gospel of Jesus Christ is true and He lives! Love you guys. Here's our update :)

Jordan and Allie Crafton

Thomas Hamann and Spouse Graduated

Hey,

So my wife and I graduated from Brigham Young University Idaho this month. It was very exciting. Now I'm in the job hunt. A few leads fell through right before graduation, so now we are living in Bakersfield, California with some family. In the mean time I am looking for the right job, and preparing for grad school just in case one doesn't come around. We are considering Oregon State University to get my MBA. We are also preparing for our baby girl to arrive in July! Quite a chaotic point in our lives to be sure, but we are hanging in there! 

Mary (Lane) and Colton Hickman Take Internship in Henderson, Nevada

Life is wonderful! Colton just received a summer internship in Henderson, Nevada working for a company called "Olin Clor Alkali". He will be doing chemical manufacturing. He only has one more year left at BYU before he graduates in Chemical Engineering.

Since we are moving for the summer, I attempted to give my two-weeks-notice at work but instead my boss offered me an opportunity to work remotely from Nevada. I was blown away! We are feeling so blessed and grateful. Everything else is going well. We have lots of family and friends in Utah we will miss over the summer, but we are excited to meet new people and make new friends. 

Colton's health is still great. He gets an MRI every year, and there has been no reappearance of the brain tumor. 

Trevor Andreasen - a Commissioned Officer in US Air Force

I got married on March 28th, 2013 to Jordan Cox from Auburndale, FL, never met her in the mission. Sealed in the Orlando temple on that day.

I graduate from BYU on June 20th with a degree in Spanish and minor in Aerospace Studies.

I commission as an officer in the United States Air Force on June 20th.

I go to Undergraduate Pilot training on March 5, 2015 and will be there for a year and a half for training, then to where ever the Air Force sends me.

In the meantime, we are living with my in laws until training, so moving away from UT on the 24th of June. Looking for a job in Florida and looking to work on a masters or a private pilots license.

Gabriel and Roxanne Hess Going Gang Busters

Life is going well for Roxanne and myself here in Denver, Colorado. I am closing out my first year of graduate seminary here at Iliff School of Theology, working on my Masters of Divinity. Roxanne and I are very involved in our ward, Washington Park, which is a largely downtown ward. She has a calling in the Relief Society, I am in the Elder's quorum presidency, and we both have a joint calling as Gospel Doctrine teachers. We both have several jobs—I work as a swim instructor now and I also drill with the Army Reserves (my role there is as a chaplain candidate, essentially a chaplain resident/intern with the Army). Roxanne now has four jobs: math tutor, Macy's employee, garden center employee, and landscaping. She just finished out her semester at BYU-Idaho's online program, so she's happily working away.

I leave this summer, in 3 1/2 weeks, to do the Army's entire chaplaincy training, which will last three months and will take place at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. After this I will be 'branch qualified' as a chaplain in the Army, although I will not be eligible to actually be a full-fledged chaplain until I have finished my graduate seminary education, two years from now.

We are enjoying life together. We are happy, spring is in the air, and life is wonderful!

Sister Dorothy Erdman Explores Southern Utah

No news here, & at my stage of life, that's probably good news!  I enjoy seeing your posts on facebook--I hope you both are well & enjoying a beautiful spring.  I just returned frrom 2 1/2 weeks in Payson with Heidi--We made it to Capitol Reef & also Zion while I was there.  We love Southern Utah & all its exciting places, many of which were new to me when I was a student at BYU taking herpetology & geology fieldtrips.  We're hoping to go back to Arches this fall.  

Braden Bagley and Family Reside in St. George, Utah

Our beautiful daughter Harper turns 1 on May 6th. I graduated a year ago and we are now living in St. George. We enjoy our family ward and are currently teaching the 8 year old primary class. Life has been very good to the 3 of us during our short 5 years together. 

Michael Hofer and Spouse Travel to Dominican Republic and Haiti

Things have been busy!  I just graduated with my Bachelor's in Medical Laboratory Science!  I am super super excited about it and I am leaving my job at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital and going to work in at ARUP Laboratories in their Mass Spectrometry department.  My wife and I recently returned from a service trip to the border of the Dominican Repulic and Haiti.  I was translating of course.  We may go back this June again, I will keep you posted! 

Austin Wheat to study in LaPaz, Bolivia

I am at Arizona State University majoring in Geography. I have an upcoming internship with the State Department at the US Embassy in La Paz, Bolivia.

Trenton Gates to Graduate from Snow College

May 3, 2014 I will be graduating from Snow College. After two amazing and interesting years here I am glad to be done and moving on with my education. As of right now I applied for an Associate of Science in Construction Management. However, at the end of this summer I plan to take the BYU Foreign Language Test and change my AS to and Associate of Arts. After Snow College I am going to attend Utah State University this coming fall semester. At USU I will be working on my Bachelor of Landscape Architecture; I plan being at Utah State for 4 years. This summer I will be moving to Springville, Utah. I will be working in Provo, Utah at Provo Parks and Recreation during the day on a landscape crew and Seven Peaks Waterpark as security during the evenings.  New adventures and new experiences await me. 

Coby Hall and Shannon Doty to Wed

Coby Hall and Shannon Doty have set aside Friday, May 16, 2014 as their marriage date
in the Draper Temple.

Former FTM Missionaries Settle in Washington, DC Area

Eric Sorensen and his wife, Kali - Josh Bagley and his wife Monica - Steve Pierce and his wife Jesse came to brunch this past Saturday morning.  How life does move on.  We understand we have just missed the arrival to Maryland of Elder Goodman.  We hope to see him and his family soon.

A shout out to Spring and have a wonderful Easter.

Matthew Harris and Andrea McClaine Wed

Matthew Harris and Andrea McClaine have chosen 28 March 2014 to be married in the Redlands California Temple.

The Crofts Land in Big Piney, Wyoming

My wife and I welcomed our second child to the family on Oct 22,2013 a daughter named Madilyn and our son will be three this year. I graduated college in December of 2013 . And landed a job in Big Piney Wyoming.

Remembering Sister Martina Peck

Dear FTM Missionaries,

Memories of Florida in March are glorious to reflect on especially this year as "March roared in like a lion” here in Virginia.  We are hoping to see it pass “like a lamb”.  The cycle of the seasons brings with it a great witness of God’s hand in restoring life.  Spring, the season of rebirth, is right around the corner.  

We love hearing from you.  It is fascinating to see how much is packed into your lives after a mission in rather short order: work, schooling, finding the one, marrying the one, families growing, new jobs, great life experiences.  So much has happened.  We treasure hearing of your lives in all their unique fashion.  

We wanted to inform you that “one of our own”, Sister Martina Peck, passed away on March 2, 2014 in Mesa, Arizona.  She and Elder Leslie Peck served together on 6 separate missions.  The Florida Tampa Mission was blessed to be among the missions in which they served.  They served with insight, vigor and joy.  A special quality I observed in Martina was  her unwavering sense of excitement for life.  She never held back but found energy and fulfillment in "getting to work".   We will always love the Pecks (and we know we speak for you too).  Their  impact will live long after them.  We send love and blessings of peace and comfort to Brother Peck.

We hope this finds you all well and happy.  Life is good!

Love to all of you,

The Coltons

Dakota John Jumps in NYC

It just so happened that the Coltons, the Gillries and Dakota John were all in NYC in February.  Dakota jumped in a Track and Field event in a large armory right there in Manhattan.  He jumped 6 feet 11 inches.  The Coltons and the Gillries cheered him on.

News from the Hatch Family

Hey quick update from the Paxman Hatch and family.

We had another baby!  It is a beautiful little girl.  We named her Vi.  Her older brother Parley (now almost two and a half).

We built a huge shed in the backyard, I am working as a web developer for SecurityMetrics here in Utah.  Still working on my Bachelors in Computer Science (Software Engineer).

David McKinlay and Kristy Lynn Brennan Marry

David and Kristy Lynn were married August 9th, 2013 in the Bountiful Temple.