HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

WE, IN THE WEST INDIES MISSION, MET OUR GOAL OF 2008 BAPTISMS IN 2008.

The final count was 2012.

History: 2006 - 601 baptisms
2007 - 1027 baptisms

Christmas Memory

Michelle invited us to post memories, so here is a great memory from our Christmas last year. Enjoy our own special Christmas Pageant.



And here is part 2.

Skype Info

Mom and Dad are on Skype and you can catch them when they are online. It provides a nice way to do a full screen video chat. We were able to have a Skype call with them when we were in the hospital after Heber's birth and they were able to see him. It was so cool.

Skype is free. You download it from www.skype.com. You have to create an account. Then you can add friends. My skype name is bar33byu. I'm not on very frequently, mostly only when I'm looking for Mom and Dad. You can look up their skype name which is georgeandevar. I think they will have to accept the invitation from you before you'll be able to see if they are online.

So go ahead and sign up so that you can keep in touch!

Video Chat

Join us for the multi-user video chat with Mom and Dad. Get your webcam turned on and ready and then go here. Hopefully everyone's internet connection will be up to the challenge. I know that the Gillelands had a tough time last time we tried this. The Virginia Rosses also have an iffy connection, so we'll see what we can do and let everyone catch up with Mom and Dad individually if they aren't able to join us for the conference call.

Merry Christmas!

I hope you all are having a wonderful day. :)

Safe Haven

On the way to Page to collect Deb, Steve asked me if I was concerned about the weather and the possibly dangerous driving conditions. I responded that I felt strongly that we were on the Lord's errand and he would make a safe way for us.

As we were crossing I-20 the bad weather hit. Blowing snow had caused a car to overturn and the highway patrol was waiting with the passenger for a tow truck to retrieve their upside down car from the ditch.

Upon our save arrival in Page, we quickly went to work loading Debbie's belongings into the truck and trailer. Once the load was covered, Steve took off back into the storm. He opted to go the south route to St. George, trying to avoid any mountain passes. 10 hours later, he pulled into our driveway. Along the way passing many stranded vehicles, semi's pulled over to chain up, and even a snow plow which had slid off the road.

The next morning he went to unload Deb's posssesions. In the light of day he realized that the wheel bearings from one of the trailer wheels were all gone and there was problem with the axle. Angels had truely carried him home. He still has no idea how the trailer was able to make the trip.

Deb and I left the next morning. Although we did see snow along the way. We seemed to travel in "windows" of good weather. As you may have heard on the news, it was the worst winter storm in many years. All along the southwest it snowed in places like Las Vegas!

Thank you for all of your prayers. I have felt strength and have been guided to do and say things that even surprised me. Deb seems better everyday. She has a long and difficult task ahead of her. But she is stronger than she realizes and will make it through this.

Happy Birthday Jack!

12 is a big one!!

'Tiz the season of Miracles

The following is a post by Sister Robison on the WIM blog that I thought you might enjoy as a sample of the miracles that take place frequently as the gospel is spread throughout the West Indies Mission. We will be a the zone conference on the 23rd in Trinidad.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

What a tour

"And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." D&C 84:88

This scripture came to mind as I looked back over our December zone conference tour. We had a series of small miracles that allowed us to get the work done. Here are a few of them.

• Ferry blessings - Getting to Canje, Guyana is tough because we have to cross the Berbice river by ferry. It is also very very hot, crowded, and noisy so it wears me out. Lately only one ferry has been running so it can take hours to cross. But, we were able to walk right onto the ferry and leave within minutes both ways. On the way back from Canje we arrived after they closed the gates and they were even lifting up the planks to the boat. Somehow, the Assistants were able to get the gates opened and us on the boat. The couples, who cross constantly said they had never ever seen that happen. We were traveling to the second session of District Conference and if we hadn't made it, we would have been late.
• Hotel Blessings - Because the hotel in Martinique was full, we were given a suite with a perfect zone conference meeting room
• Flight blessings - Seats on airplanes became available, when there weren't any. We had no flight from Suriname to Guyana on the day before we were to fly - but a new flight was added at the very last minute. We got the last seats on the flight home from St Martin. Sister Collins worked miracles rerouting everyone to accommodate changes due to the Guadeloupe strike
• Tour logistic blessings - We were able to slip into Guadeloupe between two major strikes. We did not know that we could get into Guadeloupe from Martinique until 8h30 p.m. on the night before the zone conference.

We were able to hold 7 zone conference, 2 sessions of district conference, 4 leadership training sessions, and 1 fireside in 6 different countries in just 13 days!

One more zone conference to go - Trinidad on December 23rd!

Good times, good times.

Post a fun memory....for fun.

A Guilty Pleasure

A few weeks ago at the Page movie theater, a rare event occured. There was a midnight premier for a movie that has been highly anticipated by many young girls and their moms alike, yes I speak of the vampire saga, Twilight. Even though I am definately NOT a night owl, a group of friends and I made a plan to go and enjoy this adolescent delight. To ensure we could make it to the witching hour, we met up at 10pm at Denny's (the only place open past 9:00 in Page) for some pre-movie viewing banter and noshing. Finally, the time had come for us to welcome Edward and Bella to our town. We know that he doesn't really have fangs, but we wanted to show our vampire excitement. Here are some of us in front of the theater after the event. We love you Edward!

Winter Wonderland in Durango

A trip to the Gillelands' is never dull. We had a fantastic extended weekend eating, playing in the snow, riding four-wheelers and the mule, going to movies, shopping, eating, hanging out, relaxing, eating, eating, you get the point! It was especially delightful to have the Hannays there as well. We missed you Ross brothers and Debbie! Here are just a few pictures from the Thanksgiving extravaganza.....
Rex and Jebb were the first to brave the winter weather, but it wasn't long before we had a whole group of wet, muddy, snowy, happy kids frolicking outside.

Michelle set a beautiful table with all of the traditional Thanksgiving fare! It was a thumbs up from everyone!

We attempted the Ross favorite, snail rolls, but alas were not successful. Blame it on the weather.

We enjoyed getting to know Lauren's "friend" Devin, and look forward to seeing lots more of him!

Thank you, thank you, thank you John and Michelle. As always, you were such gracious hosts! We are so thankful for you!

The Blessing Box

Hey Everyone!  I hope we all had a GREAT Thanksgiving!  I want to invite all of you to participate in the Blessing Box.  Click Here