Christmas Eve 2007

We had a lovely Christmas Eve celebration with three of our children, their families and the Beshire Family we have been befriending. After a turkey dinner with all the trimmings, we retired to the living room for a scriptural reading of the First Christmas. We sang the traditional Friendly Beasts song with puppets. Jackson also sang a solo of the Little Shepherd. We then dressed in the Santa's helpers' costumes and prepared to visit the Bashire family with our Sub for Santa offerings. (I was nominated to chair the Sub for Santa for our ward.) You will note from the photos, Santa arrived to help us deliver, along with Grandma Kathy, and elves -- Jackson, Davis and Ella.

The Beshire Family from Burundia

As many of you know, I was released last month from my calling in the Young Women after six fun, fun years serving the teenage girls in our neighborhood. I was sad to move on, but I have since been asked to take on a new project. I have been called as a ward missionary with a special assignment to fellowship a new family from Burundia, recently baptized into the Church. They have lived in a refugee camp in Tanzania most of their lives. All of the seven childen were born in the camp. They finally were selected to come to America as part of a special program. My assignment is to help aculturate them and mostly to help them learn English. I try to give them a "daily dose" of English, by dropping by their house and playing word games, flash cards, bingo etc. Today we learned food and kitchen items. After the lesson, we went through the cupboards and refrigerator and named everything. I was surprised to find a package of chicken thighs sitting on the shelf in the cabinet. I tried to talk to the mom and dad about the importance of refrigeration, but I am not sure they understood. They resisted my efforts to move the chicken to the frige, but finally they did place the chicken in the frige. The frige, by the way, was completely empty except for one large cabbage. (They store the toaster in the dishwasher.) It is rewarding service and I hope to make a difference in their adjustment to this new way of life in the US.

Let the Season Begin

Christmas was designed for children. Every day and night brings a new exciting activity connected to the holidays. Danny was in toddler heaven when he could sit in front of bowls of candy and decorate a gingerbread house. Brings back the memories doesn't it? How about sharing one of your favorite childhood Christmas memory. Are you carrying the traditions forward?

Strolling the Zoo with Grandma Kathy

What fun at the Phoenix zoo. If you don't recognize the ankle biters, they are Danny Church(Whit's son), Ryan Church (Eric's son), Brooke Church (Whit's daughter) and Sophia Church (Eric's daughter)

Princess Brooke

Brooke Elena Church
It is so fun hanging out in Arizona helping with the new baby and observing the whole family in their element. Brooke is all ready for Church so I posed her in front of the Christmas tree. She always looks so cute every morning. She picks out her own clothes each day and the other day she came downstairs looking so cute. I told her how cute she looked and she replied, "Well, Grandma, I am a good dresser!"

All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth

Elias Jack Church
Big brother to Brooke, Danny and Ty
Age 7

Update on Danny

Little Danny, now big brother Danny, is doing well with his broken leg. He was casted on Tuesday and is doing amazingly well considering his life is now spent sitting on a couch. It has been a challenge to think of activities for a two-year old that can be done from a sitting position. Danny's sweet personality has made it easier than I ever anticipated. It also doesn't hurt that he loves Elmo, Dora, Max and Ruby. I try to alternate a learning activity, a walk in the stroller, an upper body movement activity and then a video. (The video is mostly so that I can regroup.)Laura will clearly have her hands full for the next months. Fortunately the orthopedist prognosticated a faster recovery than originally thought. We are hoping for 4-6 weeks instead of 8.

Welcome to Titus Rothey Church

Whit and Laura Church announce the birth of their new son, Titus Rothey Church. Born November 28th weighing in at 8 lbs. 4 oz. 20 1/2 inches. (Their smallest baby yet.) Laura was induced at 38 weeks to avoid the 9 lb. plus birth weight. After an eleven hour labor, Titus joined our family for his turn on earth. After much deliberation concerning the name he will be called on this earth, they chose Titus Rothey Church. 2nd Corinthians 7:6 "Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;"
They plan to call him Ty. (Another Ty Church!)
He joins Elias, age seven, Brooke, almost 5, and Daniel, age 2 1/2.

Our little Danny -- Broken Tibia

Danny and his cousin Ryan Church in a Star Wars duel!
We are so sorry to hear that little Danny Church broke his leg today. He was at an indoor amusement park in Chandler, AZ, and broke his leg on a slide. He will need to be in a full leg cast for about eight weeks, non-weight bearing. This will be such a challenge as he is 2 1/2 years old. Whit and Laura are up for the challenge as they know broken bones like no other. Many of you reading this blog will remember their automobile accident 7 years ago which left them both with severe injuries including multiple fractures. One big complication is that Laura is scheduled to have a baby on Wednesday. She is to be induced on Wednesday morning. Her due date isn't for two weeks, but her babies tend to be big, so they are trying to avoid a nine pounder. I will be traveling to Phoenix next week to help out with the new baby and it looks like I will also be Danny's nurse. Pray for his speedy recovery.

Happy Birthday Chance Voorhees

Chance Voorhees turned one this week. It's difficult to believe that it was just one year ago that he was born 12 weeks early and weighed in at just over 2 pounds. He has made many milestones since then and we are so lucky to have him strong and healthy. Happy Birthday Chance.

And Last But Not Least Number 15 -- Baby Hugh

Hugh....right after his bath and massage
Hugh Devin Matsumori was born to Devin and Becca on October 19th. I was lucky to travel to Omaha to greet Little Hugh when he came home from the hospital. Becca and I spent a delightful week with this new little child of God, straight from heaven. (Yes, Devin was there too, but he spent a great deal of the time studying.) Becca and I had great moments together learning and relearning how to be a mom. We all have great respect for all the mothers out there. Motherhood is indeed a lifelong effort. Congratulations to Becca and Devin.

And Last But Not Least Number 15!!!

Beautiful Brooke

Charles Hendrik Middlemiss

Check out these cute kids

Dan Dan

Ella Sue Church 2nd Birthday

Amanda "Hermione" Edwards

Hey, we're not done yet!

Elias Jack on his way to soccer practice

More Grandchildren

Big Smile from Sophia Church

Ryan and Sophia Church

Here They Are in Living Color

Chance Joseph Voorhees



Ryan Voorhees Edwards age 2

Scott David Edwards age 4

Davis Jones Church age 4

Avery Deann Church at age 1 day

Jackson Tyler Church at age 6 1/2

Fifteen

As of October 19th, 2007, Hugh and I now have fifteen grandchildren.
#1 -- Amanda Christine Edwards
#2 -- Elias Jack Church
#3 -- Jackson Tyler Church
#4 -- Scott David Edwards
#5 -- Brooke Elena Church
#6 -- Davis Jones Church
#7 -- Ryan Voorhees Edwards
#8 -- Daniel Merritt Church
#9 -- Ryan Louis Church
#10 - Ella Sue Church
#11 - Charles Hendrick Middlemiss
#12 - Sophia D'Amore Church
#13 - Chance Joseph Voorhees
#14 - Avery Deann Church
#15 - Hugh Devin Matsumori

Peru

Hugh and I just returned from a great trek to Machu Picchu, and other environs of Peru. We were accompanied by Bette and Darrell and as always, had a great time with them. They are great travel companions. A trip to Peru mostly involves visiting the ancient Inca ruins including the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu. We trekked and hiked a ton and saw some amazing structures built hundreds of years ago and despite frequent earthquakes, are still standing today. There were an estimated 8 million Incas during the peak of their civilization, but were conquered by about 200 Spaniards. The Spanish brought guns, but also disease which devastated the Inca population. I will post some of the more interesting photos. Kathy Distributing School Kits

/>Practically every photo you take is National Geographic quality due to the rich cultural and archeaological heritage there. There is a lot of poverty there. We brought about 75 school kits to distribute to the children. We wished we had brought 7500. The children were so excited to receive a gift and when they saw the contents, I had children waving American dollar bills in my face wanting to purchase one of our kits. I will post a photo of a child with one of our kits. It was fun to interact with the children with my un pico espanol.

The Newest Blogger on the Block

After spending a week with Becca, I decided it was time to start blogging. We have spent some time looking at blogs this week and it was been a lot of fun. We'll see how it goes.