Christmas Festivities

Well friends, we have officially thrown ourselves into the Christmas season.  The day after Thanksgiving found us doing some Black Friday shopping (craziness...people show their true colors during this time!  We were actually able to find some great deals, so somewhat worth it :) and then decorating the house.  We also went to the Spanish Fork Christmas Craft show. 

Tuesday, we attended the Ryan Shupe and the Rubber Band Christmas concert at South Towne Mall.  Great music, included the girls' favorites, Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman. 

Yesterday, we hit the South Jordan Christmas show (another craft show) and then completed what has become an annual family tradition: the Festival of Trees.  Here are our adorable kids there.  As you'll see, however, from the photo here, their energy waned.  Time eluded us and we quickly found ourselves with cranky, tired, past-bedtime, and hungry children...as evidenced by the photo below where no one cooperated except our little guy. 

We did meet Santa Claus twice.  Kadence is a fan, Stockton doesn't know what to think, and Tayah is apprehensive (thus no photo of her).  We've also been loving all the Christmas music and movies.  As the song states, "it's the most wonderful time of the year!" 

Kids and Christmas

A Very Happy Thanksgiving Indeed

We hope you all had as good a Thanksgiving as we did!  And that would be hard to top...

While we only took one photo (yes, sad news), we loved all the time together with family and loved ones.  Wednesday night was our Smith family gathering, complete with the Cranberry Rock-off. 

Thursday, we hosting our family (minus Darrell and Tanya) and had a wonderful time.  So grateful for family!

Worldwide Leadership Training Experience

Thank you for the many, many e-mails, Facebook messages, phone calls, and comments at work and church.  Yes, it was a blessing to be part of last weekend's Worldwide Leadership Training about the new Church handbooks.  For those who don't know, I was asked to be part of a mock ward council, playing the ward mission leader.  The irony is that I've never served as the WML!   

The "bishop" is President Larry Richards, president of LDS Business College, with whom I work raising money there.  It was a singular, memorable, inspiring, and exciting experience.  I was invited in June and after a couple practices, we filmed this back in August on a Saturday up at the Church Office Building.  Most of the "council" were from President Richards' stake, but it was wonderful getting to know them that week (including Ruth Todd from the news). 

It was remarkable to see six Apostles on the front row while we filmed this: Elders Perry, Bednar, Oaks, Cook, Holland, and Ballard, as well as Sister Beck, Elder Gonzalez, and four or five other General Authorities...very special (and a tad nerve-wracking).  Oh, add 300 people in the audience too!  It was surreal to then have a panel of these leaders comment on the mock council.  To be in their presence to be well taught by them has been something I'll never forget.  The hardest part was keeping it all a secret for a few months! 

One of the great blessings of this opportunity was hearing from so many of my beloved Japanese brothers and sisters who saw it too, including my mission president.  That alone makes it so special.  The whole experience was unforgettable and life-changing in many ways. 

If you want to view it, just click on the title of this blog entry and you will be given the option of media players to watch it.  Or just go to http://www.lds.org/; the link is on the homepage. 

Hawaii, Part II

Here's the next batch of photos from our Hawaii trip!

Some cute little dancers!

LDS Philanthropies with the PCC and BYUH helped reenact the Hukilau, a time-honored tradition in Laie.  Here are some shots from a blustery, rainy night on the Hukilau Beach!

Here we were participating in a special prayer and ceremony before throwing the large nets into the ocean.

Pretty remarkable the spirit and camraderie that was present on that beach.  Locals, employees, friends, etc. all getting in the water and pulling the nets in.  It was rough weather, but we caught some fish and an octopus!

Here was our dinner, a pig, being uncovered from the umu. Amazing!

And finally, for today, here was the scene from that evening's special luau.  Love the music, the dances, the spirit of these performers and PCC students.  Aloha!

Happy in Hawaii, Part I

Aloha family and friends!  Elizabeth and I spent last week in the islands and had an amazing time together.  We have the proof right here.  We went out for the BYU-Hawaii student giving campaign, as well as donor meetings for BYU-H and the PCC.  So it was work for me, much-needed vacation for Elizabeth.  We flew out Halloween day, right after church and got back Saturday.  Many, many thanks to Elizabeth's parents who spent the week watching our little ones.  Here is a photo log of our activities!

While I was on campus, Elizabeth was able to some exploring and relaxing. We stayed at the picturesque Turtle Bay Resort and this was a self-shot she took on the beach right outside the hotel.  This was a rarity: a clear day.  It rained every day we were there.  In fact, it's rained every day Elizabeth has been in Hawaii!

Elizabeth in front of the PCC water falls.

After flying in Sunday and getting settled Monday, we spent the rest of the day at the Polynesian Cultural Center.  It's been four years since we spent time in the villages, so this was wonderful.  We took in many shows, visited every village, and in the evening, we took in the luau and the night show, Ha: the Breath of Life. 

Kap Taviti and the legendy Samoa show made famous by the PCC videos. 




Here is a young man climbing the tree for coconuts.

The Samoan show was stellar as usual, with him showing us how to light a fire, pick, cut, and prepare a coconut, and so forth!



Elizabeth learning how to twirl poi balls in New Zealand.



Wednesday were our donor meetings.  We were able to hear from President Wheelwright and President Orgill, visit with students, hear presentations from different cultures, listen to their salsa band, etc.  This was a highlight for me, to visit with some great Japanese students, two of whom used to live or serve in my first mission area, Ushiku.  I love being able to speak while I'm out there. 

We'll do this in parts, so stay tuned for more from our time in paradise!

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

This is one of the most wonderful times of the year, one where our thoughts and hearts are turned to gratitude. I for one am extremely grateful for all that I have. Here are a few: our home, our neighborhood, our family, our friends. A wonderful place to work and a job where I feel I make a true difference in others' lives. Uplifting music. Our children's smiles and laughter. A living prophet and inspired leaders. Having served a mission and all my Japanese brothers and sisters. Marrying a wife who are served a mission. Our ward and our callings. The Utah Jazz, a warm comforter, v-neck sweaters, and ice cream. The four seasons. Parents who taught me what was right. Children Elizabeth and I can teach the same things. Cars that run. Air conditioning in the summer. Tucano's. Experiences and opportunities that cause us to stretch ourselves. Birthdays. Anniversaries. Every single day. My sweet wife and our adorable children, who my everything.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Be grateful for all you have and remember it all comes from His whose child you are.

(Oh, by the way, just click on the title or link right below it to watch this video)