Groundbreaking

Our stake was recently created and because of that we don't have a building yet. We had a groundbreaking last Saturday. We were all able to attend. Fortunately, we also had some friends there who had a camera.

Adam was first (they talked a long time)

Joshua's turn

Rexburg's perpetual "how-well-do-you-know-the-other-roads" construction.

Experiences

We've had some sadness in our home in the last little while--we were expecting a baby next May, but for some unknown reason we lost the baby this week. This has been hard for us. We are grateful for our understanding of God's plan for us and for the knowledge that our family is eternal, that we will be together as a family forever, if we are faithful.

This scripture about the Savior brought me comfort as well:

"And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

"And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities." (Alma 7:11-12)

I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and our truest friend, and that he suffers with us when we suffer, and mourns when we mourn. He is with us in our hour of sorrow, though we cannot see him.

Please don't worry too much about us--we have a loving Father in Heaven and kind friends here below, and they're taking good care of us. We have two precious boys to hold on to a little tighter and we have each other. And we're doing okay.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers in our behalf. We love you.

Anna

Sunday Stories

John and I have been called to serve in the younger Nursery in our ward. Joshua would normally start going to Nursery in two months, but this calling means he starts early and comes with us. It's so fun to watch him learn in this new setting and to see how much he really does understand. (I'm afraid our big boy Adam overshadows him a bit at home.) He doesn't really talk yet, just knows a couple of words, but yesterday the children were coloring a picture of Jesus after our lesson. I was telling Joshua about his picture, and he pointed right at Jesus and said, "Jesus". I guess he's been listening after all!

When we moved back to Rexburg, the Primary presidency asked if they could move Adam into Primary now, instead of waiting until January, since he is one of the more mature kids in Nursery and there was only one child in the Sunbeam 4 class. We agreed to it and he started last week. He loves it! Our dear friend Marsha Johnson, who happens to be the 1st counselor in the Primary presidency, said that his first week was great. They learned about prayer, how we shouldn't say the same things all the time but should pray from our heart. Adam said, "I have a heart. And bones." Marsha: "Yes, you do! Did Jesus give them to you?" (or something like that-sorry if I quote you wrong, Marsha.) Adam: "Yes. And muscles."
Before bed, Adam was getting ready to say his personal prayer, and I mentioned that maybe he could thank Heavenly Father for his heart and bones that he was talking about earlier. He proceeded to thank Heavenly Father for his heart, bones, muscles, eyes, ears, hands...and every other body part he could think of. It was so cute.

We love our delightful children! They are so fun!

New Blog for Plant Questions!

Check out my new blog - plantwizard.blogspot.com and start asking your questions. Tell your friends too!

Well, we made it back to Rexburg and the weather is beautiful! It was nice to be in Willard for the summer but it's nice to be back for my last semester.

Now we just need to unpack...

Oh yeah, we lost our camera in AZ so it might be a little while before we get pictures on here.