The Snyder Family Passed Through DC

Josh and Jessica Snyder and twins, Brinley and Brody passed through Virginia on their way to graduate school at the University of North Carolina.  Josh will be getting his masters in Healthcare Administration.  The twins are just about to celebrate their 1st birthday and are busy practicing their walking skills and have definitely charmed us.

The Tolley Family

I wanted to write and give you an update on our family as it has been a while. Our son Lachlan Oliver is growing like a weed. He is almost three feet tall and only nine and a half months old. He is tall to say at least. He loves to read, like his father. He is loving learning anything he can. He climbs everything and we figure we are only weeks from him walking. We are loving being parents. We both talk about how much we have been surprised by the amount of joy we feel when we are with our son. I have never seen Devon happier then when he is with his son. Devon is now employed at UVU, but more importantly he is working on finishing his undergraduate degree. I am busy with work and family. With Devon's benefits at UVU I have started to pick up a few businesses classes here and there so that I can get my MBA at some point. 

Colette Sorensen Arrived!

Eric and Kalli Sorensen announce - 
We want to share our great news of baby Colette. She was born on Mother's Day at 633 PM, weighing 8 pounds and measuring 21 inches. We couldn't be happier. Here's a few pictures. 

Jordan Crafton Attends Conference in Washington, DC

The Coltons enjoyed an evening with Jordan as he was in DC attending a conference for podiatrists.  He is one!  We could have used his services for you missionaries in Tampa as I recall.  So lovely to see him.  The conference was in early April and it was a chilly night in DC when we got together.

Good News From David and Jamie Pearson

 I’m graduating with my M.A. in Applied Communication soon (I just have that nasty thesis to finish up). I’m starting a new job in American Fork doing digital marketing in a few weeks. With that Jamie and I have a giant move to a splendid little house close to the office.

But really, the baby is the coolest part. 

James and Dawna Terry Family Update - 2015

Things are going well for Dawna and I. We are having a little girl due March 22nd. We are living in Salt Lake. I am attending the University of Utah studying Health Promotion and Education and am a Pre-Med student. Dawna has been teaching 7th-9th grade math at a Jr. high in Riverton. Dawna is the Primary Pianist in our ward and I am the First Counselor in our Elders Quorum. The Elders Quorum President is a member from Lakeland (Drake Linarte) and he actually helped Elder Joseph Johnson and I teach an investigator in Winter Haven, so kind of a small world. 

THE PALMER REPORT

Just wanted to update you on how the Palmers are doing. We are doing great. We bought our first home in September of 2014 in Taylorsville to be closer to Ryan's job and family. Enjoyed a family vacation this past weekend to the beauty of Arches National Park.

Ryan: Currently working for the Publishing Service Department of the Church.

Tiva: Still teaching History, her fourth year, Tiva was awarded Coach of the Year for her region for Girls Soccer. Ryan is proud of her, Tiva is humble about it. Tiva is also 6 months pregnant with our second child and daughter. Yes we are having another little girl.

Abby: She is almost 2 years old, how time flies by. She loves nursery. Her personality has really taken off, she bring smiles and laughter into our lives.

This will be Tiva's last year teaching we have decided it is time for her to be a stay home mom and nurture our children. We are acting upon faith but we know it is what the Lord has plan for us.

Visiting the Zach and Heather Mettra Family

Living just ten minutes from our daughter in San Clementi, Ca is Zach and Heather Mettra.  It has been almost eight years since we served together at the beginning of our mission.  Zach runs his own successful start up business, Bright Oak  and Heather is an artist, her work now available from Deseret Book.  Cohen, their 18 month old runs the show!

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.