Happy Father's Day

Dearest Family,

Happy Birthday last Saturday to Karen Keetch and Happy 3rd Birthday on Thursday to Daniel Carter. We had a special weekend hearing for every one of the families! Eliason's and Keith's family came for dinner on Sunday but at different times. The twins had colds so they didn't want to share with Kira. She is so tiny. During the blessing on the food James added his greeting: "Happy Father's Day!" Perfect timing to remember the Father of us all. It was fun to have Talisa stay overnight on Friday night. We loved Julie's visit Friday afternoon. We loved all of your calls, cards, and visits. You make our lives so happy!!!

We learned who our new mission president will be this morning. President Halverson has served for three years which is unusal--the call is usually for two years. He has been excellent. Our new president is Elder Dennis E. Simmons, formerly of the Council of the 70. He was just released in fall of 2008 from serving as President of the Logan Temple. He was in the Area Presidency for the Pacific Islands with the Halversons. Serving as his counselors are Elder Beardall, former stake president in Ogden who came into the mission with us in February, and Elder Hatch, who has been serving as the executive secretary for the past several months. They are all wonderful men. The meeting was very spiritual. The Elijah Choir sang a special arrangement of "Praise to the Man" and "The Lord Bless and Keep You." Many of our friends are also going home this month so the closing hymn "God Be With You" was particularly poignant. This afternoon we are going to "This Is The Place" Park for a mission picnic and program.

We've had an interesting week. Last Thursday we helped with two bus loads of tourists who were touring the Family History Library in the JSMB. It was fun to help them find censuses and other information about their family.

We have enjoyed our full-time missionaries the past two weeks. It was a very diverse group of 34--a deaf couple, a sister without a hands, a sister directly from Thailand who reads and writes England but didn't speak it, several in wheelchairs, etc. We had about a dozen rent-a-trainers including amazing young missionaries. Attending the live session in the Salt Lake Temple was interesting because they had an ALS interpreter for the entire session. She had the book so she could follow and sign every word. They flatten the stairs into a ramp so the wheelchairs can go up to the veil.

We are eagerly anticipating the visits of Mike's family and Melody and Brandon. We have Friday July 3 off from our mission. Saturday they have a parade in West Jordan at 10:00 AM for the 4th of July. It isn't as fancy as the one in Provo, but it's fun and close. We're looking forward to Kira's blessing on July 5th and 11:00 AM in Riverton. We go back to missionary work early Monday morning but we have our evenings free. Katrina and Neal don't know when they will be coming to Utah, maybe not until August. It depends on how things work out with the people in Canada with whom he has to meet. We're happy for anyone who comes any time.

Sunday John and I both gave lessons and we will again next week. The YW president is out of town most Sundays so I'm also attending Correlation Meeting for her representing the YW because I'm the only one who speaks Spanish. A regular Sacrament Meeting chorister was called for the Spanish Branch on Sunday--a first! I still plan and play the music.

We love you!
Love, Mom and Dad