THANKFULNESS, GRATITUDE AND HAPPINESS

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

We had a wonderful THANKSGIVING at the mission home with Pres and Sis Shumway,  They graciously invited us, Elder and Sister Barker, the fleet and apartment managers and the office sisters, Sister Kohl, office manager; Sister Nurmela, office supplies;  Elder and Sister Leavitt a couple missionary serving in the Pryor ward; an investigator family, father; mother; 2 children; plus their own son from Iowa, his wife and daughter; and their children here with them, Taylor and Abby.  22 of us around the tables; one in the kitchen and one in the dining area.

We all brought food, helped fix it and then Pres. Shumway gathered us in the living room for a spiritual thought.

 He said "I would like to welcome everyone to our home, but it isn't our home.  It is the home of the Savior and his Spirit resides here.   We are blessed and grateful to be able to live in it for 3 years and we are happy to have you  enjoy today with us".  

(He is speaking of the Tulsa Oklahoma Mission Home where they are presently living)

 When he said that, it really gave me a jolt!  Just think of being in the home of the Savior!

The Temple is the Temple;  The Church house is the Church house;  

but to be in the HOME of the Savior?!

He introduced everyone and in doing so brought a happy spirit to the group. Now back to the dinner;

I think these are the verses he quoted.  He only quoted the bold underlined sections of the verses.

I Timothy 4:8 For bodily EXERCISE profitith little: 

*** below is the rest of the verse but he didn't quote it***

--  but Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, 

and of that which is to come.

Ex 12:14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial and

 ye shall keep a FEAST to the Lord throughout your generations; 

ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance forever.

 *** He only quoted the underlined bold section.***

So he said, Remember,  it is a FEAST so  EAT UP and ENJOY and don't stress over exercise!!  He made comments about how important it is to have family traditions-- several of the food dishes and recipes are those his parents and grandparents had and he is passing them along.

 We love and enjoy his sense of humor.  He then gave us a spiritual thought and a Prayer of Thanksgiving and Blessing on the food.

We had a very enjoyable time with conversation while eating and then gathered in the Living room for some entertainment after we had cleared the tables and all of us helped get the food put away.
 Everyone there has had personal spiritual experiences that have prompted them to give service to Heavenly Father and the Savior in the mission field.  Some of them shared those experiences.
The spirit here in the OTM is incredible!!

Below is President Shumway with two of his sons.  His son on the right was a music major on the violin and was very good even though he hasn't practiced much since being in medical school and he was playing Taylor's violin. the son on the left, Taylor, is also taking violin lessons now But was playing the mandolin then.  President Shumway in the middle is on the guitar.  They all sing parts and sang some really fun songs.  President Shumway has written a song about prophets that they played and sang for us.  It was very good. I hope to get a copy some day!

Below, Taylor is playing a favorite piece on his violin that his mother, Sister Shumway loves and she accompanied him.  She loves her role as the Missionary Mother and she loves to cook for them.  She is usually wearing her white apron due to cooking most of the time.  She has 190 missionaries since starting in the Mission in June/July? of this year and this January they will be getting 40 more so that will bring the total to 230 missionaries.

President and Sister Shumway wanted something fun and safe for their children to be involved in while they were growing up,  so Pres. Shumway who has a background in music and Sister Shumway also decided to have a family band.  They even made CDs and sold them.  It sounds like they had much fun and enjoyment doing the performances.  Below is a picture on a CD they sold

After the day, we all went home with very full happy stomachs and happy hearts with beautiful music replaying in our minds.   It was a special time -- to remember always.  Elder Francom and I are amazed with  all that President and Sister Shumway accomplish with their happy, positive, and encouraging attitudes that are so strengthening and uplifting to all the missionaries.

FRANCOM MEMORIES BELOW

Left to Right;  Granny Francom, Rob, Shannen, Spencer, Sophie, Sasha, Nhaya

Family, do you remember the last Thanksgiving we had at the homestead in Logan? Not everyone was able to come but we enjoyed those who could.(I should have taken this picture earlier when more were still at the table). It was the year before we sold the home in 2005. That home has so many fond memories of family gatherings!

Left to Right Nhaya, Daniel, Kai, Jonathan, Charie, Jared, and Ella

Does anyone remember looking for food to snack on to fix to eat?

David showing his Son Collin where to look while David's wife, Lori, Daniel and a friend look on

Below:  Remember when the cousins put on a fashion show with the play clothes for Granny?  They had so much fun!

and Granny loved it!

Left to Right, Nhaya, Sophi, Grannie, Naomi, and in front Sasha

Boys,  Was that when you boys helped your father put a stairway in the garage? Yes! and it was a very good thing you were there to help!!

 WE love and appreciate each one of you, our sons and daughters and your spouses so very much. We are so pleased with your faith, endurance, growth, development and charity.   Each and everyone of your children --( our grandchildren) are invaluable to us. Along with learning experiences, you all have brought us much joy.  When we are far away we miss, love and appreciate you even more

The family home in Logan, Ut for 36 years

--and of course we can't forget Daniel's happy dog, MOKIE, that we all enjoyed,  even Dad!

Mokie  with Jared and Elizabeth's black dog, Baby

 We are so very grateful to be serving our Heavenly Father and the Savior who prepared this great Family Plan of Salvation for each and all of us that have ever lived or will live on this world.  Not for just here and now, but for eternity and forever as well.  There are so many that don't have this knowledge in their lives about how important the true gospel and family is that we hope we can help to bring this knowledge to as many families here as we possible can.  Please pray for us to have courage to open our mouths and share the gospel of Jesus Christ in such a manner that people we approach and teach will be accepting.

Left to right--the husband behind the wife:  Jonathan, Charie and Kai; David, Lori and  Garrett;  Mark, Laurel and Preston Harris; Rob McGee (Amy's fiancé) and Amy behind Mom and Nhaya; Daniel (not married) behind Dad and Naomi;  Spencer, Shannen and Sasha Williams; Steven and Nan; Jared and Elizabeth;
Front row left to right, Brooke, Bradie, Jessica, Collin, Kumen, Sophie, and Bailey

This is the last family group picture we have had together --

Taken in Driggs, Ida. When Grandmother Stone passed away 2003

Can you believe that -- my how time does fly!!  We need to get another one as we don't have everyone in this one and everyone is almost 10 years older. Maybe when we return from the mission we can get one.


To end this blog,  I will copy the comment made by Aunt Rae's friends who are also on a mission.

"We feel the Lord must have a sense of humor as he sends us senior missionaries out into the big cities to drive and find our way. The GPS is our best new friend."!  from Gary and Joye Neal

WE add our comments:   -- and it takes both of us to watch traffic to keep from being hit or hit someone else!  We give thanks every night that we are still in one piece and safe!  We are so grateful for this scripture D&C 84:88.  We see evidence of it every day.

 "And whoso ^areceiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go^bbefore your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my ^cSpirit shall be in your hearts, and mine ^dangels round about you, to bear you up."

OUR HEARTS ARE FULL WITH THANKFULNESS AND GRATITUDE