- Family Blog

Award Day in the Smith Household.

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:14:35 -0800

I could seriously write for this sitcom. This show is the best!

Sun, 20 May 2012 23:29:48 -0800

Whew...what a weekend!

Sun, 20 May 2012 22:37:36 -0800

Shingles? Really? How does a 20 year old get shingles? I was floored. Don't you get those after age 50? I was even more floored that I couldn't remember if my poor son had ever had the chicken pox or not. I have taken him to get every necessary immunization (why can't I remember if he had that one??) I keep racking my brain; he's had his tonsils and adenoids removed...he's had eighteen zillion colds and even breathing treatments. He use to walk funny, so I insisted his knee and legs be checked out. His heart had a funny "thump"....so I made the doctor do tests. He has had a broken clavicle bone....but why can't I remember the chicken pox? Poor kid. He's away at college (which is driving me nuts that I am not near him) when he has this. He said they just burn a little, like right after getting a sunburn. I just might be driving myself right down to Corvallis to see if he's ok. You just never give up on your babies, even when they are two decades old.

Alex had a great time with his date Melissa at the prom in Hermiston. She called three or four times, wondering if he had gotten lost (since he hasn't yet arrived and the dance was starting). I then got worried (surprise, surprise) and tried to track him down since he had my phone. No answer. Panic set in. Much to my relief, he and his buddy Kyle thought the dance started at 7:30 and they decided to play video games to pass some time before picking up the girls. Man do I love that kid...otherwise I might have to choke him once in awhile!

We also completed the big Eagle project for Alex this weekend. Our friends and branch family are the best! We had so many folks show up to assist...it was great. Thank you, thank you to everyone for your help painting. Supporting Alex in this way means so very much to our family. The kitchen at the St. Patrick's Senior Center looks awesome, and we could not have done it without all of your help.

Ryan had a fun weekend with his friend Patrick, who stayed over last night (or should I say morning....as they finally went to bed at 3:30 a.m.!!!!!!).   There were some sleepy boys in this house as we got ready for church this morning. They started their adventures yesterday by attending the district softball game for the Mustangs. By the way girls - you rock. So proud of those softball girls......you'll do awesome in the state playoff!

Grant is at a young, singles event tonight. He and Greg were speaking companions today in Boardman. I am going to miss him when he returns to BYU in June.   We have a place for him to live and he is all enrolled. Hopefully he will hear from the MTC soon, as he applied for any position that is available. He is REALLY looking forward to working with missionaries preparing for the field. He has matured so much....so proud of his progress! Not to mention, it is so nice to have an extra "taxi driver" in the house. I am not tripping here and there nearly as much....I just ask him to help out and he smiles and does it! Loving this extra help right now! Extra bonus; he cleaned the pool & painted it (a MUCH hated job by this woman....especially the dead rodents in the drains).

Genevieve passed her syllabus in piano on Friday morning (yes, you are reading that right....we did have a big Eagle project that same day, which constituted me driving.....very fast....between two locations, switching from a dress to old paint clothes, then back again). So proud of her progress in piano. The instructor said she is doing awesome for the amount of time she has been studying. Way to go Gen!   She then stayed the night with Miss Marlee and has been very busy drawing posters for her summer venture; a dog walking business. Her Daddy just LOVES her entrepreneurial spirit! For just $5.00 per hour, she will walk your little friend.

Greg is driving to Portland this evening for early morning meetings tomorrow. Then he turns right around & drives back to Hermiston for more meetings tomorrow evening. What that man does for our family...is just awesome. I have never seen someone work so hard. One of the thousand reasons I love him so much.

It's quiet and all the kids are asleep. I am waiting for Grant to get home from Pendleton so I can mark his name off on the "safe at home" checklist.

Good night to all...thank you for reading & "checking up" on our family. We love all of you. Also, should say a quick "thanks" to all those who supported us in attending the Fresno Temple last weekend. Seeing how happy you were for our family made it even more special, and being with the Clevelands was wonderful beyond words. We love their family, and we feel "just like family" when we're with Bob, Betty & their children/grandchildren. Even Bob came to the temple and participated. I cried so hard when he entered the room, I just couldn't stop myself. Although Alzheimer’s has robbed so much of the Bob we knew, he's still there - and he was happy! As I looked over at Grant, the tears flowed so freely and happily. It was an experience I'll never forget. I look forward, with all my heart, to a few more of these ceremonies.

All I can say is...."Wow".

Tue, 15 May 2012 22:00:28 -0800

Fresno, California Temple with our beloved Clevelands. It was so great to be with them! Alex & Gen were present during the sealing...such an awesome experience. Words cannot express how Greg and I felt that day.

Good luck Alex...go get 'em!

Tue, 15 May 2012 21:51:19 -0800

Remember to Vote Alex Smith for Business Manager!

Off to Middle School Wrestling Championships!

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 20:26:49 -0800

So proud of these two! They have big, big plans for this weekend.

Surgery is scheduled!

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 09:01:23 -0800

I was on the phone with UCLA for an hour yesterday, but the date is set. Will be gone for six days. Finally.....some relief from the constant discomfort! Thanking Heavenly Father today for the technology to help us live longer, healthier lives.

Smith Family Updates!

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 09:43:53 -0800

Time really is flying by. Football will be over quickly & the kids have been in school for almost 9 weeks. We go to 3 football games each week & one soccer game....so we live in our car! Can't imagine people who complain about having to take "their time" to go to these events with and for their kids (yes...it does happen). Greg is in heaven when he's watching those boys play football, and secretly, I think he really likes soccer. Yes, yes, it keeps him away from college football and woodcutting on Saturdays....but he spends about 30-45 minutes after each game playing with Gen & helping her with goalie "techniques". Yeah, I would say he likes that little girl of ours.

Slowly but surely I am uploading photos of our summer adventures (could my internet be any slower?). We had so much fun together; we will miss these times when our kids are all off at college, married, etc. I try to keep in mind that a lot of "grown up" kids take vacations with their folks. I am trying to convince them they will have "built in babysitters" if Grandma & Grandpa are with them. Weird to think of becoming Grandma & Grandpa in the coming years. Grant is soon 21 & Matt 20. Alex is already 17. Ryan reminded me last night as we drove to Umatilla that in one short year (and technically 2 months) he could be driving the car to a game. Yikes! Where did the time go? At least Gen is still playing with Barbies & American Girl dolls.

The doctor at UCLA has reviewed my study and concurs with the opinion of the specialist in Spokane. They are looking at dates that will work for me to have the specialized surgery. The "up" side is, I get to go to sunny L.A. during the winter. There is a positive in every struggle!

All the kids are well. Matt was a little sick last week, but is working hard at OSU. Grant, as you read in an earlier post, is doing well. Alex passed his written portion of the drivers exam last week and has a driving exam scheduled for next week. Ryan. Well Ryan is just dandy. He lives for the football field. Last Friday night we had three of his friends over and let me tell you........can they eat! They eat lots & sleep little. We got them up bright and early though, as Greg was patiently waiting for their sleepy heads to get up and play some street football. Good times.

We are blessed & life is good.

Elder Smith Update:

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 09:27:24 -0800

Dear Mom,

To answer your questions...

My fast Sunday was great. I bore my testimony. Have I told you that I have not missed a single Sunday to bare my testimony since I have been on the mission? I'm 100% so far. Anyway, I bore my testimony about prayer and told the members how grateful I was for their prayers and how much I loved them. I bore my testimony that the Lord sends each missionary to an area with a specific purpose.

I have not been sick at all on my mission other than that one time on my birthday last year and one other time (August’ish) over a year ago. I think maybe a few like runny noses and maybe some things like that. But I have never missed a day of work other than my birthday.

Well things here are going well. We have so many good people to teach but we can´t get any of them to church. So frustrating. You just want to grab them by the shoulders and shake them and scream GO TO CHURCH!!! The worst part is everyone promises to go and say they want to go then when Sunday comes - - - - they make an excuse to not go. I think this is somewhat like what Heavenly Father must feel like when we don´t do the right thing. He knows how happy we will be if we do the right thing, but he can´t force us. It sure is teaching me to be more patient with people.

Well things are going well here, all in all. I got a new comp. My comp also has 1 year and 6 months on the mission. He is from Wisconsin and was with me in the CTM here in Brazil. I think I am going to learn A LOT more about patience this transfer. That's life I guess.

You asked about Christmas, could you & Dad please send:

15 pairs of black cotton socks. Like regular white socks only black. I find they work the best.
2 pairs of insoles.

1 new Journal.

1 new tie.

I think that is about it. I don't really need anything. All here is well.

Oh and I will be going to the temple this week. I think I will be spending about 25-50 dollars on some books that I want to buy. I got my new card but they changed my pin number. How can I get my new pin number?

Well Mom I sure do love you. I hope all is going super well at home. Hard to believe how fast the time is going. Next general conference I will be home to watch with you guys. Weird to think huh?

Love Grant

Notes from Elder Smith!

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 19:44:06 -0800

Last two emails from Elder Smith. Sorry I haven't posted for awhile - we've been on the run! We hear from Elder Smith each Monday on his p-day. He is writing in response to me asking what a "Favela" is, and what are the bugs like there! He also told me that he was getting cold so I needed to send more underclothing. It made me wonder how "cold" it was there!

Dear Mom,

Congrats on the new calling! I told the seminary teacher here that you had just been called as a seminary teacher. She sends you a hug and wishes you good luck. She said she cried it was so hard for her the first 3 years... she is now starting her 4th year. She is a return missionary too. But don't worry mom you will be great. Just don't put up with the punk kids. Sister Waite was tough on me but today I have a lot of respect for her. (Even if she did unfairly punish me for the transgressions of others - - - which she did often.) I think what you could do to most make seminary a good experience is respect the students. Let them choose how they would like the class to be structured (within reason) and let them be responsible for their learning. I hated being told what to do all the time. Don't put up with attitude but don't be too bossy either. Teenagers hate being bossed. The other thing is take advantage of Alex. He will be able to tell you what people say about seminary and how the kids feel about it. More than anything just be chill. You will do great! When I get home I want to go a watch a few of your classes!

Favela is the slums, hood, ghetto, the projects and the other side of the tracks all rolled up into one big mess and built house on top of house.

The bugs here are normal. Here is just like New York City mom. There are a TON of rats and a TON of roaches. I bet there are a ton of bugs here that are here that they don't have in the states but I never really paid much attention to the bugs. I'm sure if I went to the north it would be all huge snakes and such. The furthest point south to the furthest point north of Brazil is the same distance as Seattle to Miami. There is a lot of diversity here. It SNOWS in south Brazil! It is not all jungle and such. There are plains and mountains and everything else.

I sleep with two thick blankets at night and use shorts and a tee shirt so I don't get that cold. But I get cold very fast now.

I plan to extend my mission but President Pinho wants me to wait till the end is a little closer before I consider staying and decide for sure.

Well I love you all a lot!

Love,
Grant

Here is todays email. He was responding to my panic over the new class schedule at Heppner High School. I will only have seminary for 3 days per week for long periods. I told him I was getting thrown a curve ball....and as usual, my missionary son had some good advice for his 'ol mother. I also asked him if he was allowed to teach in the ghettos. His answer was "we preach to everyone". Boy do I miss that kid:

Dear Mom,

Well to start off, there are people here who are very nice, but there are a lot of jerks too. Favela is....interesting. Maybe I would take Dad and Alex with me to visit a few favelas here, but I don't think it would be a good idea for the whole family to go. We preach to everyone. EVERYONE!

As for seminary - - - just throw a 5 minute bathroom break in the middle. Let the people stand up move around and such, than sing a hymn and start back up. In the end, the kids who want to learn will learn and the kids who don't, won't. Not much you can really do if the kid doesn't want to learn on his own.

Well big news. I was transferred! Yup. Kind of a bummer because I was just getting to know the area and the people and we were really getting into the swing of things. I think this area will baptize a whole bunch here soon. We have a ton of people marked. On the other hand I am excited about my new opportunity. I will have a new area and most likely a less experienced missionary. I will also have the chance to serve a few other missionaries that are here on their mission - - - which I am excited about. It will be different then what I have been doing for the last 3 transfers (training) but I am excited to mix things up a little.

Well that’s all on my end. Love you all so much! Please tell Alex Ryan and Gen that I love them.

Grant

Today he also wrote his Dad:

Dad,

Glad to hear it is warm there. We are freezing here. We have been wearing our suits a lot here lately. It is about 14 degrees here which is about 50ish in the States. But the cold here is very different because of the humidity. It mists all the time here so you get all damp and the wind blows and you get cold fast. On the other hand I am sleeping much better in the cold then I do in the heat. The cold is 100 times better than the heat!

So I hear you have to talk for the ground breaking of the stake center? I didn't even know that they were building a new stake center.

I have been studying the Doctrine of Christ a ton lately. The Atonement of Christ makes us clean of sin in accordance with our faith, repentance, baptism by authority, the reception of the Holy Ghost, and endurance in living our temple covenants. My purpose as a missionary is to help people do these things. If what I am doing is not helping someone to do one of these things then I need to seriously consider whether or not what I am doing I a good use of time. I believe that same principle is true in our day to day lives. Many people lose focus of this basic truth. It has brought a whole new sense of purpose to my work as a missionary. I don't know if this would be appropriate for the ground breaking but maybe it will help.

Well I don't have time to write more you will have to see mom's email for more updates.

Love ya!
Grant