WHITAKER FAMILY Est. 1972

Jan. 26, 2014

Hi Brycer!

How is everything going? Have you received the package I sent from home yet? Maybe this week? Dad and I were saying today we cannot believe that Christmas was a month ago! It seems like Januarys always fly right past in a blur! This one has been cold, teens at night and rarely over 39 days. We've been able to run down at the river at least once a week so that's been nice. The days it's too cold or the air is too bad I just go get on the treadmill. I have the "Gym Box" which has all kinds of workouts you can do and not have to pay a gym membership. I did a treadmill workout last week and the instructor about killed me! Wow that's a workout.

We had another fun but busy week. It seems like we're always doing something we have to get ready for and run out the door. I'm so thankful! I would be way too bored sitting around all the time! I know Dad is looking forward to being able to get outdoors and putter around. We have been washing walls and I took down the curtains in the dinning room and tv room and am contemplating what I will do It's always fun to spiff things up a little bit.

Nancy and Terry spent Monday through Thursday at the Marriott in Provo receiving their medical training. They came back to their house Thursday night. They are getting set apart as missionaries tonight at 6:00 so we will be going along with Casey and his family and Scott and maybe Erica. Lance and Fae and their kids are on their way to Disneyland for a week!

Casey's 33 Birthday party at Orb 6 20 Jan 2014

Back to what Nancy and Terry reported to us as the number one reasons missionaries get sick is they don't drink enough water. They said that they get stomach concerns. So Bryce my question to you is are you drinking good water, lots of it every day and how is your digestive tract doing? Keep taking those oils and keep things in good working order OK? Also you need to get adequate sleep. You need to remain really healthy and strong to have the stamina to get this work done! She said they need to work out too.'' I'm guessing all of your walking is taking care of that aspect for you right?

Monday night we were going to have a family birthday party for Dad and Casey but as night came it looked like Lance wouldn't be able to break away from work because of an important project they were working on at Orb 6 so we loaded everything up and took it over to their office so he could be there! We had lasagna, garlic bread, salad and Casey's favorite, lemon meringue pie with ice cream! It was a lot of fun and great because then Lance could be with us. Their businesses are really growing great! So great that Casey, Byron and Daniel are all flying back to

NY to the Super Bowl next Sunday. They have really good seats, on the 14 yardline in the end zone! Byron paid a lot for them. He just had them both pay $2,000 each. They have frequent flyer miles and get to stay free at the Marriott because they stay there so much as they travel. So that will be a once-in-a lifetime experience for Casey. Byron also gave him a cool new gun. I have no idea what it s but everyone was having a fit over it!

Casey's Birthday party

Tuesday is our day in the temple and it is just so wonderful! We love it so much! I am taking a wonderful Family History class from my good friend Ann Lewis who lives in Orem. I go every morning to the Temple, drop Dad off and scoot over there for two glorious hours of instruction from 10 till 12. Then I hurry back to join my shift. Sister Ashton the Temple Matron took the class last fall and loved it. Anyway, it's all about truly knowing your family and getting to know their histories etc.

Dad and the boys

Wednesday morning as I have been going through everything imaginable your Patriarchal Blessings surfaced and Dad and I read through them. It was the sweetest birthday gift for him to see how your lives have unfolded through the choices you have made.

I loved the part in Casey's that states... your worthiness many blessings will be realized many times and in many countries." "There have been many, many blessings realized in your behalf by your family pertaining to your existence upon this earth. Be grateful for these blessings. Be proud of the name that you bear and the heritage that is yours. Become more acquainted with your progenitors. Honor them. Study their lives. Gain an understanding as to why you are what you are. Be proud of it and build upon it. Build your character upon the admirable qualities that you find and know about those who have gone before you."

I wonder if that would have had the impact it had on me as I read through it if not for that wonderful class! I feel an even heavier responsibility to make sure that information is gathered and available so you and your children can know and love your ancestors even more! Bryce, read through Alma 37:1-20 and apply what Alma is teaching Helaman to Family History. I'm going to forward you the class notes she gave us which would be a fabulous talk if you ever need a really good subject! The part about the "Myths" of Family History are especially good. If I'm not mistaken, I don't believe any of us are excused from doing this important work. So check it out and see what you think.

Bryce, we are praying for your investigators especially that you can find the Lord's elect and that they will have a strong desire to attend church so they can feel the spirit there in rich abundance. Send their names to us and we will pray specifically for them. I wanted to tell you, last night we had our Sat. night session of Stake Conference and Elder Lewis who just returned from Mexico City, you might know him...anyway he said how Elder Bednar taught them on Christmas day at the MTC when he had just arrived that "If you are truly converted you will never fall away." He told a story about a Brother Alvarez who had been a member since he was 22 yrs old and was then 65 yrs old. He lived in a tiny little house. He and his companion had been teaching a family who were being targeted by the drug lords down there and they had to move immediately out of their house for their safety. They had no place to go so this dear kind brother told them they could move into his house and he would sleep outside in a tin shed. He was so worried that they would move out of the area and that their lessons would stop and they wouldn't be able to progress in their lessons with the missionaries! For TWO months he slept outside and freely shared with this little family. Elder Lewis said that a year later he was able to go back to that area and go with them as they were sealed in the Mexico City Temple! He said that peace and joy are to be found in this work. We will see miracles in ourselves and others as we serve. Through missionary work we can all be converted and never fall away!

Then right after that a dear father, mother and their teenage daughter all spoke. They had been married in the temple 21 years ago and stopped coming to church. Their daughter's friend's parents asked if she could go to church with them. She then wanted to be baptized but her dad didn't think it would be a good idea. Anyway, they had the missionaries in their home teaching the daughter and they brought such a sweet spirit it softened the heart of the dad and he met with the Bishop and was able to baptize her. He said last night was the first and only time he had ever spoken in church! Talk about courage! It made me cry my little eyes out to see him so humble and so much like every single one of the members in our ward! What they are now and what they could be, an eternal family just like his if they would only come unto Christ and be healed by his matchless power!

This is probably, no, for sure long enough! I'll dear elder it to you so you can read it later.