Here we are at our 42nd Christmas together as a
married couple. Our first Christmas was
spent in Mesa, Arizona away from our families.
Since that lonely Christmas we have spend 41 Christmases with family
around us. What a blessing it has been
through the years to be with those we love most.
Last year our greetings came to you while we were traveling
the world. From the day after
Thanksgiving to a few days prior to Christmas we sailed from Spain to Brazil,
stopping in Portugal and the Canary Islands. We toured Salvador, Brazil then sailed into
the harbor at Rio de Janeiro. We visited the temple grounds at Sao Paulo,
Brazil and happened onto a wonderful Christmas musical program at the Stake
Center next door. We flew to Curitiba, Brazil where we visited with a family
that Ted baptized the last day of his mission (see photos on the right side).
We had family home evening with them.
Ted taught the lesson, in Portuguese (after 45 years)! Our visit with this remarkable family was the
highlight of our trip and one of the most tender and spiritual experiences of
our lives.
Ted and Melinda are still serving in the Provo Utah Young
Single Adult 11th Stake. Ted is a counselor in the bishopric of the Provo YSA 158th Ward and
Melinda is the Stake Relief Society President.
We love these callings!! The young people energize us old people and they are so fun.
Ted is retired, but helps out our neighbor with their
limousine service. He has driven the
rich and famous and even someone’s cat. Melinda is still teaching first grade.
We have enjoyed a long relationship with Southern Utah
University. Ted has served as national
alumni vice-president, and we have hosted events and helped at homecoming and
graduation. In October the University awarded us the Distinguished Service
Award at homecoming(see below). Our children were
all there, as well as some of our siblings. We were honored at a banquet and at
the football game. We were also the grand marshals at the parade. We were humbled and honored by this
unexpected recognition.
This year we had lots of fun with our grandchildren. We took them in groups on adventures from
water parks to St. George to Disneyland. We loved every minute of the time we
spent with them. They are so much more
fun than we ever imagined. We are so
grateful for the healthy little new grandson, Blake that was born this
month. There is nothing sweeter than to
gaze into the eyes of a newborn baby as you contemplate the birth of our
Savior. We have much for which to be
grateful. We are especially grateful for friends and family whom we hold dear.
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