5.6.2009

In honor of "Amore d'oro" (golden love)

We rocked the Old Spaghetti Factory with this bunch...

Lotsa pasta, lotsa laughs, lotsa water drinking contests and a little spumoni ice cream was a perfect way to say...

Noi Amo (we LoVe you)

5.6.2009

49 Years and Counting

Forty Nine Years ago today these two "amazings" were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple. Dad proposed to mom on Valentines Day and three months later they began an incredible journey full of ups, downs, turns, roadblocks, steep inclines and rapid declines. We can't wait for more, more, more.

49 things we LoVe about you

1. Your examples

2. Your Faith

3. Your Commitment to your family

4. Your never ending service

5. Your testimonies

6. Your wisdom

7. Your knowledge

8. The respect you show us

9. Your support

10. The love of your country

11. Your relationship with the Savior

12. Your knowledge of Joseph Smith

13. Your love of Brigham Young

14. Stories of your childhoods

15. The respect you have for your parents

16. The neighborhood you raised us in

17. Dad's incredible taste in suits and ties

18. Mom's love for shoes (some have inherited this love and we couldn't be prouder)

19. Mom's cooking

20. Dad's love of good theater popcorn

21. The pasture

22. The never ending support you give to your grandchildren

23. Your ability to forgive

24. Your hard work ethics

25. Our cowboy dad and grandpa

26. Service to the community

27. Your love for your neighbors

28. Your brothers and sisters, our aunts and uncles

29. Your missionary service (9+ years!)

30. Your positive outlooks

31. Your willingness to participate in Dance, Dance Revolution

32. Your sweet "Wii Fit" skills

33. You instilled in each of us the love of skiing

34. Mom's ability to make Grandma Evans ginger cookies

35. Dad's polished boots, shoes and cowboy hats

36. Your laughter

37. Your signature gray hair

38. Your love of good food

39. The love and acceptance you show your son and daughter in laws

40. Your open door, open ears, open heart policy

41. Your people skills

42. Years of Christmas memories

43. Fairview

44. Rockland

45. Rodeos

46. Mom's love of speed (typing, walking, skiing, horseback riding, amusement park rides)

47. Your willingness to endure hard things

48. Dad's hunting stories

49. Your unconditional love

There are not enough words in the English language to describe what these two have done for so many. We love you, we honor you, and thank you for making our world complete.

4.30.2009

Over the past month dad and I have had several conversations regarding the power of the Priesthood. Again dad acknowledged the role of the Priesthood and faith as life saving factors over the past six months. Through tears he bore testimony that through Priesthood power and constant faith one can get through anything. I continue to gain valuable knowledge, insight, and testimony strength as I learn at the feet of my father. Dad spends countless hours each day studying, meditating, and reviewing scripture, gospel doctrine, and church history. As I have fulfilled my calling as a Relief Society Instructor I find myself turning to my parents continually for wise counsel, reassurance, and ideas. This evening in particular I felt that there would come a time that I would need to rely on the counsel I was receiving.

Dad is fortunate to have an incredible library of fascinating church history. A couple of weeks ago I found myself back in dad's office sitting with mom and dad as they both read to me from two different books. As the clock ticked on I knew that I needed to leave for they had an early morning assignment in Salt Lake but the feelings of wanting to stay would not subside; I wanted, I needed, I thirsted for more. More counsel, more wisdom, more time. My thoughts have gone back to that Saturday evening conversation and I am filled with gratitude for the knowledge, peace, and reassurance I received.

This past week in the midst of a family emergency we called upon dad to meet us at the hospital to assist Gentry in giving a priesthood blessing. As we stood in the ER and witnessed the power of the Priesthood we felt the arms of our Father in Heaven around us. Through the gracious love and compassion of our Father I was being afforded the opportunity to not only hear but witness first hand the power of the Priesthood as I have never witnessed before. It is through the example of my parents that we are able to stand in faith and partake of the promises, counsel, and priesthood blessings that dad spoke of that night. There is no doubt in our minds that through the ministering of the Priesthood miracles are performed.

We are so grateful for the worthy Priesthood holders in our family. I will never forget the tender moment as grandfather/father and grandson/son joined together in a most sacred act of Christlike love. Our family continues to be the recipients of precious and tender mercies from our Father in Heaven. We are so blessed.