Homemade Baby Gym

Thanks to the Parents As Teacher program, we got this idea to create a make-shift baby gym for S. He sometimes reaches up for the toys, like they say he should, to develop his motor skills to the next level. Mostly, he eats his hands instead of reaching with them. :)

Thanks, mom and Jenn for providing the toys!!

Also, he talks a lot these days. It's a little awkward in church and quiet meetings when he talks so much and so loudly, but I don't want to discourage it yet. He's such a good learner!

Rexburg is such a funny place

So I was walking home from class just a few minutes ago and I realized that something was different. Apparently we are now depending on tax dollars to tell us to look both ways before crossing the street - even in a crosswalk.


But even with this new development, I realized that it wasn't every crosswalk on my way home. It was only in the ones near campus - NOT in the residential area. So it seems that it isn't necessarily little kids that need this reminder, but the big kids. The ones who are too distracted by texting, listening to their iPods, or playing a game on their smartphones. (I wish I had a smartphone :( Maybe Christmas?) I think the saddest part about this is that it might actually improve the conditions around here. I'll leave you to your own conclusions.

Smiles

Our guy has been smiling and responding to our smiles for a couple weeks now. He is such a joyful child and spreads that joy wherever he goes. I love both his dimpled chin and double chin in this video.

God sure knew what he was doing when he planned to send us these sweet little people. Children are to be taught, loved and enjoyed.

Ode to the ATM

Last weekend we went to Utah to attend perhaps my last Arizona Tempe Mission reunion. We have enjoyed living close to the Mormon Mecca where we can attend these reunions regularly, but will be moving at the end of the year.

Attending the reunion reminded me of the delightful intoxication of loving and living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. President Buttars, the leader I served with for almost the entire 18 months in AZ, had me laughing and crying all in the same 30 minutes. He rejuvenated my enthusiasm to live the rigorous and Spirit-saturated lifestyle I used to. President Craig, my leader for 6 weeks, returned from AZ recently and reported back on how the mission continued after we left. It sounds like we are still the "Greatest Mission in the World." :)

In fact, at every transfer meeting - and at the reunion - we sang the hymn "Called to Serve" with a third verse added. The words are: (we sang "Casa Grande" like gringos so that it rhymes...)

Called to preach the gospel to our neighbors,

Giving Christ the glory He deserves.

Called to teach the truth and restoration

in the areas where we serve:

Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert, Yuma, Buckeye, Casa Grande

Queen Creek, and White Mountain

And with Chandler here we stand.

Go-o-o-o Hard Work is our motto

And our banner is unfurled.

Arizona Tempe Mission,

Greatest Mission in the World!

Arizona Tempe Mission,

Greatest Mission in the World!

It never fails, even over three years after I've returned, I still cry as we slowly repeat "Arizona Tempe Mission, Greatest Mission in the World!" Those 18 months were the best 18 months of my life to that point, and still remain some of the most special up until today. I thank God for that privileged life I lived in AZ and for the people I met there.