more pictures

oops, I didn't mean to get a croc in this batch of pictures

our trip home

We are traveling on a small country road through the most beautiful scenery. This part of Mexico is just stunningly beautiful with bright green fields of sugar cane fringed with dark palms, tropical pines, and flamboyant trees with brilliant orange blossoms. In the distance tower layers of mountains, covered with billows of puffy, creamy clouds.

We left the temple yesterday in time to make it the city of Valle in the state of San Luis Potisi (Tampico is in Tamaulipas) .Luckily, the priesthood session of stake conference was scheduled for this morning at 8:00 instead of yesterday at 4:00. The adult meeting began at 6:00, and because the stake was being divided Elders Alonso and Elder Lynn Mickelsen were the visiting authorities. We had known Elder Alonzo when we served in Mexico City as he was a mission president in Tijuana at the time. Elder Mickelsen and his family had been our friends since Argentina when he was the area president there. I was sorry neither of their wives was with them. Sister Moss didn’t accompany her husband either and so I was the only woman seated on the stand and the only one to speak last night and this morning.

As is his forte, Elder Mickelsen had all of us riveted to the scriptures as he taught exciting insights. He talked about God’s work and glory, the three degrees of glory and asked the question which kingdom would have the most inhabitants? To many peoples surprise he said the Celestial. I hadn’t realized that over half the people that have ever been born during the world’s history have died before the age of 8, and therefore are automatically saved, plus those pure souls who live, but are never “accountable.” All those, plus, Pres. Snow also made the statement that “I believe that when the gospel is preached to the spirits in prison…there will be very few indeed of those spirits who will not gladly receive the gospel.” At one point last night he invited the zone leaders up to ask him the baptismal interview questions, and he bore his powerful testimony on each principle.

Coming home this afternoon, true to form, Dad didn’t want to take the same road we had traveled yesterday, and knowing that there were spectacular waterfalls and lagoons in the area, we checked out of the hotel and set off on an adventure. We forded wild streams found a place every bit as fun as Tolontango to swim and wade through, one huge waterfall so furiously cascading and steaming that we couldn’t even get out of the car, crossed over the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains from San Luis Potisi to Tamaulipas, and arrived home after a delightful Sunday drive, tired and hungry.

The klutzy bike rider

This is a picture of Will playing in a baseball tournament. Yesterday it was such a beautiful sunny day that I decided to go for a bike ride. Feeling coordinated in my new biking shorts, I thought I would try using my new biking shoes and clips. I got no farther than ther front yard when I lost my balance and couldn't get my feet out of the clips fast enough. I fell straight over onto the asphalt and broke my arm. If I thought it was hard to change Thomas' diaper before, you should watch me now that I cAN Only use one arm. I'll be in a cast for atleast three weeks. I plan to be as useless as possible and I'n hoping that in one month my kids (Charlie included) will be pouring their own drinks, making their own mac 'n cheese, and wiping their own bums. We'll see. We had a great trip to NY to see Charlie's parents on their mission. I loved the peace in the Sacred Grove. It was fun to have Thomas all on his own and just enjoy him completely. Sharon and Mary were awesome to watch the other kids for us as well as Charlie's sisters. I'm pretty sure the kids had an even better time than we did. It's hard to type one-handed so I have to go now. Love, Kathy

the klutzy bike rider

Celestial Babe in the Sacred Grove.

One of the few "witness trees" left in the Grove.

"you've got to be kidding me....not another church site!"

"ahh, that's more like it!"

The Crumps and The Crumps in Sacred Grove.

Grandma and Me at Smith farm house

Mom and Tom at Niagara (Hey Aunt Mary, see Canada in the background- Ehh hoser?)
When your mother is the tour guide you get to go behind the ropes! David Whitmer Farm.

One of Kathy's favorite pictures.

One of the Boys of Summer.

Funny Stuff People

Guys,

There are some funny entrees this time around. I forgot about the other branch of the family. It's scary to think that all those combinations are within Mom and Dad's genetic possibilities. It's a miracle that all of us came through with very few deformities. (My mis-shapen head, Dave's baldness, Steve, etc...) The other one that really got me chorkeling was Dan's "Mutual of Omaha" experience.

Similar experience: We have two birds nests in our yard this year. The one in the back yard is a robins nest that is pretty close to the ground within a thick vine thing in our back yard. Knowing Lincoln's penchant for animal and for egg, I showed him the nest. (Mistake) He immediately went over and got a baseball bat to try to knock down the nest. For the next week we had the domestic equivalent of a stake-out to keep the nest safe. Long story short, despite our efforts let's just say that there will be 3 less robins in colorado this year. -Not really funny.

It looks like I am not going to deploy after all. It may happen next year, but it's going to be nice to be around. We love you guys. Marisa is going to post some pictures in the next couple days.

Love,
RMCLBL and Clyde.

P.S.- Clyde has a slightly different percent body fat than his distant wolf predecessors. The lambs would be safe with us.

One Of My More Genius Ideas

Maybe it's all the fresh air up here?. . . or maybe it's the proximity to nature?. . . I would like to tell you about one of my more genius ideas as of late that David Stew reminded me of when he came here last week. On the ranch here we have some sheep. They were bred anciently in Barbados and look sort of like deer from far away, rather cheek (and expensive) I might add. My father-in-law bought three of them to eat down the vegetation that grows comparatively like Dad's back hair. . .very impressive! It became necessary to capture them after we had originally let them roam for a time on a isolated hill down in the front of the property. Because my dog Keena is such a well behaved, handsome, regal, majestic, lovable, you get the idea, hybrid wolfdog, it dawned on me that she would be a perfect working sheepdog and that I could employ her efforts to help round up the gentle beasts, thus saving the hassle of chasing after them. So off we went entering the gate and trying to sneak up on the three sheep. Keena, bless her heart, did a wonderful job frightening the sheep and as soon as they laid their eyes on her. They screamed murder as it were and ran! Keena showed impressive speed for an eleven year old (that's 77 years in dog age mind you) and soon had disappeared around the far side of the hill in hot pursuit. I meanwhile ran to head them off the opposite way, ready to tackle the ewe, after which I would lead her to the trailer and the two young lambs would reluctantly follow behind. Sure enough, here they came! All was going according to plan, and after I subdued the mother and was in the process of wrestling her over to the trailer, a funny thought came to my mind. It said the following: "That's funny, your trusty sheepdog should have been coming around the corner by now. And where is the second lamb?" I froze. The shock of what was most likely happening on the far side of the hill took a few moments to work it's way into the actual thinking parts of my small brain. Eventually, the combination of "Wild America" and the Nephite annihilation computed! Sprinting around the hill I prepared myself for a scene not unlike that of Mormon's final battle, only worse. Behold, the wolf with it's prize. Lucky for me Keena was not raised by wolves, but rather by loving humans who didn't consume much mutton. Somehow she did not exactly know what to do with such a large animal. She did the damage of course and the poor lamb nearly kicked the bucket with shock, but she has since survived and is now affectionately and fittingly named "Tripod." It didn't do any good to scold the sheepdog. She was doing what wolves do best. I instead received 40 lashings for one of my more genius ideas. I hope you enjoyed. We'll see you in July.

Love Uncle Dan, Rach, Josie, another little baby girl due Oct. 13th, and the sheepdog.

Springtime in the Rockies

How's it going. Nice to see the relatives have dropped in, Dad are they from your's or mom's side of the family? Anyhow, we here in Col. Springs have been doing well. We have had Rachel's friend and 4 kids staying with us for a week, and next week Rachel's Brother and 3 kids are staying with us for another week so we are basically the bed and breakfast of the town. By the way, Rick, Can I rent a room in your basement for the next week? With all the business, we haven't really figured out the summer schedules, however kids have found the public pool and have been spending almost every day there. Rachel is migrating back to her lost love of politics. If it isn't fox news for her, it is the drudge report or Shawn Hannidy giving us the latest scoop on the "Obama-nation" or some other soundbite that happens to be ticking everyone off. Francesca has started to walk a bit, but is mostly too scared to take more than a few steps. She is cute however. Let's see, I recently gave a talk in stake conference on Families--- It went resonably well. Here is a quote by President Eyring from the talk.

"...scripture study works well only if your children know you love the scriptures and they also know as individuals that you love them. Then whatever pattern you have will work. If scripture study is forced for either them or you, if your children feel pushed, or if you don’t really love the scriptures yourself, then scripture study doesn’t have as much power."

I like that because it is not really how you read, or when you read, but that as you read you let your kids know that it is important. We love you all and we are looking forward to seeing each of you in July.
Love, SREILCF in Colorado

Fun Times All Around

Soooooo...Here's what we've been up to:

- Went to Hawaii. Highly recommend it. I'm changing my name to Leilani so that I can be as happy and mellow as the islanders, do you think it'll work?
- Came back and the Williams Crew made a pit stop at our house on the way to Canada (aka paradise). So fun that they're going to be here now, hooray!
- Dave went to Nike to do some consulting and was able to hang out with Dan, Rach, and the little Josie girl. Good times. Came back with fancy Nike thingies so we can get all tough.
- Jakey can now climb steps and I"m no longer in the doghouse after leaving on the trip (when I first got back he wouldn't look at me. Although he was fine with Dave, go figure. Ah the double standards).
- Maddie is a pro at putting her baby brother to sleep and wrote an awesome essay for school where there was a Prince, a Princess, and a Dragon, but instead of the Prince saivng the Princess from utter destruction, the Dragon ate them both. Circle of life and all of that.
- Josh is a Pokemon expert and can still lift his gargantuan baby brother, which will come in serious handy after my surgery since I won't be able to lift. Tender Mercies. :)

Quotes:

Uh, I have none. I guess it's time we let you know. We've all gone mute, tragically.

Have a good month everyone.

DKJMJ

The Forgotten Loins

Hellow Bentley Family!! We were recently doing DNA testing and found a partial match with your family, with a link to this blog site. It feels so good to be in contact with long lost relatives! Just to catch you up on what has been going on with us... The Twins! Jicky and Jandi, Ohhh aren't they adorable! We have watched them grow up since they were little tykes. We have always dressed them identically and the girls really love their good looks. They are always flurting after Kom and maron's boyfriends. Kom has really blossomed in the past year. She is now going to school to be a beautician. She has yet to be married. Our handsome Dane is so smart. He has a brain just like a steel trap. He really wants to find someone to marry, but so far no luck, although the dogs are fond of him. Maron has decided to become a hygenist. She loves to smile and can almost smile ear to ear. Manji is such a handsome little person. We have only had to shave the little tyke once (Ithink she has Maron's smile). Staddy has been working on keeping both eyes open while reading and is doing a good job. Wommy has been greatful to have recently found the fountian of youth. She has been working on keeping her eyebrows thinned, and we think she is stunning. We love you all and hope that we can get together at your next family reunion!!!
Staddy, Wommy and the surly 6 (Dane, Kom, Jicky, Jandi, Maron and Manji)

It's Us

Peter's 1st Birthday party (He's inside). The kids you don't recognize are on the other side of the family.
Just after Matt and Sam caught a 12 inch fish. Going for two!
Playing fire engines.
Peter is crying in this picture, but later learned to like his Tonka Truck Helmet and being strapped down.
Eliza and Katie at our last fling up the canyon.

Dear Everyone:

Somehow we skipped writing last month and no one seemed to notice. However, I think two months in a row may be pushing it. Last month we were in the final stages of planning a regional service activity (A Date auction for the Young Single Adults). Yes, they auctioned themselves, but we have tons of fun dates lined up for the youth and we raised $3000 for a service organization called "Healing Hands for Haiti". It kept us busy.

Since most of you have heard the rumor, we'll just make it truth. We have been looking at houses up in Davis County. The thought was to move this summer because the market is great to buy a house right now. After fasting, however, we think we will wait a few more months. So yes, you still all have a place to come and stay this summer :) We've got lots to show you anyway as the yard has many changes and with our stuff inside, the house does too.

Peter took his first steps last Saturday, but he likes crawling so much he may still not be walking when you all get here. Eliza won't go to sleep unless you play her "Sunbeam" music. It really has nothing to do with the song "Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam," but that is her favorite song so that is what it is named. Sam just finished his first season of soccer. Matt was the coach and I had fun being an official "soccer mom"

Matt finished his projects up at Hill Airforce Base last week too. Maybe when Rick comes he can get us on base so we can eat at the brand new Popeyes Chicken restaurant. Starting Monday, Matt will be at Hill Airforce Base permanently for the next two years. (Can you see part of our incentive to move closer. His commute will be about an hour each way since he will have to stop and get a company car at his office).

Have fun with school out.

Love the Gehring 5

the weekend

We’ve had a wonderful weekend. When we arrived to open the temple yesterday morning before 6:00 a.m. two buses were already in the parking lot. The wonderful saints from Papantla had traveled all night to spend the day in the temple. We hurried to change into our temple clothes and welcome them into the house of the Lord.
There were three people coming to receive their endowments, one family to be sealed, and a good group of young people to do baptisms. One, dear, sister, Hna. Gonzalez de Jimenez had brought the names of her father, two brothers and her son to have their temple work done. She told me how her son had died twelve years ago when he was just 23 years old. With tears in her eyes she watched as the young men of her Stake entered the water and were baptized for her loved ones.
The sessions were full and the hours flew past. We left at 4:00 to get Dad to the priesthood session of the Chairel Stake Conference at 5:00 where he was speaking. He spoke again in the adult session last night and did a great job. There was a wonderful children’s choir all dressed in white who sang a sweet medley of primary songs. This stake is so active that today they had to have two sessions so that there was enough room for everyone. I wasn’t scheduled to speak at any of the meetings so I was completely relaxed. As it turned out, they called on me at both morning sessions. I bore my testimony about the fact that families can be forever; and told the story of seven year old, Sofia Guerra, her sudden death, and what a comfort it is to her parents to know they can be together again because they have been sealed in the temple. As is the custom here their were beautiful fresh flowers decorating the podium and along the banisters. There was an impressive stake choir that sang the prelude and postlude as well as two special numbers during the conferences. The pianist is one of our former missionary sons.
After conference the stake presidency (their wives) had prepared a meal for us of fruit, salad and sandwiches. It was fun to sit with their families and visit. We do feel like we are making some dear friendships and that our lives have been so enriched by this experience, as it has with each of our missions.
Sweet sisters keep giving me gifts. Saturday Hna. Alvarez knitted the top of a towel to look like ladies dress (you have to see it to understand). Hna. Gomez made little cardboard slippers to hold my match boxes. Hna. Pena gave me a beautiful white fringed shawl and brown, glass jewelry.
Two weeks ago we ate dinner and had FHE with the Blancos. Tomorrow we’ve been invited to the home of Pablo and Marta Mendez. Their 16 year old son is a fabulous musician who plays 6 instruments. In the Tampico Conference last week he played a cello solo, and a piano piece as preludes to the different sessions.
June is going to be an interesting month as so many of our temple workers are leaving on vacations. Three of my coordinators are gone now: Hna. Perez will be in New York until August 1st with her daughter. Hna. Blanco went a week ago to Orizaba to visit family. While there her husband began to hemoridge and was put into the hospital. The doctors say they can’t travel for at least two weeks. Hna. Briones told me yesterday that her husband is scheduled for surgery in Mexico City in a week and will be in the hospital there five days before they can return. We are going to be a bit short handed especially since Hna. Esparza (one of my assistants) has her surgery this Friday and won’t be able to return for at least a week, so. We had hoped to have new counselors and assistants in place by now. I’m concerned because Hna. Lopez, the wife of one of the men, leaves Tuesday to see a new grandbaby in Baja California and won’t return until the first of July. Oh well, it keeps life interesting, and the Lord always works things out for me. I love you, Mom

News from London, Eh!

Well, I’ve got to admit I can’t believe we are all here and the last week has come and gone. The only way I can sort out anything to tell is by doing a timeline of events. WARNING: this is long.

May 16 - Zach practiced general dentistry for the last time and said goodbye to his staff and patients.
May 23 - Packed up the GI-NORMOUS moving truck with the help of Pop, Jim (Calkins), Charlie, Zach’s Dad, and the one ward member that showed up on time. Other ward members came but we were finished. I can’t thank Kathy and Sharon enough for coming over in the morning and afternoon to clean my apartment and for Teresa and Zach’s Mom for taking care of Kaitlyn for about the whole week. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
May 24 - Left SLC at 4 am (thought it would be 3 am but you know how that goes) Set off on I-80 towards Omaha. We made it there at 9 pm. Kaitlyn was a traveling angel. Zach’s Mom and Dad made the drive with us and talk about LIFE SAVING. It’s a good thing the moving truck could only go about 65 because we stopped and gave Kaitlyn so many breaks that our mini-van driving time was worse then theirs.
May 25 - We left Omaha at 8 am (we needed to recover from the previous day) and drove straight through to Detroit which incredibly enough took us until Midnight! Poor Dave and Kar stayed up for us and had their basement set up better than the Hilton, it was such a great way to finish off 2 long days of driving. Kaitlyn did great again but I had a heart attack when we stopped for lunch and after changing her pants I was putting things away and Kate fell out of the car right on her face on the asphalt. Of course she got over it in a few minutes, although the left side of her face is still healing, I on the other hand am still shaken up from being right there and having it happen. I’m sure it won’t be the last time.
May 26 - We slept in until 9 am and left around 10 to head for the border. Luckily we didn’t look too suspicious and after a 45 minute meeting with the customs agent about all of our visas and other paperwork they let us through around 1:30. We drove to our new city of LONDON. On the drive in we passed every major store we are used to seeing in SLC. There really isn’t any visible sign that we’re in another country besides the speed limit being in Kilometers. We found our way to Platt’s Lane where we live and pulled up to our town home and… it was not what I expected. The exteriors are older and ours looked pretty shabby, the yards hadn’t been cared for and there were tall weeds around. The playground across the street looked old and faded and I thought “well at least this isn’t the inside.” Now, let me just say that I made the mistake of conjuring up in my mind what it would be like based on our experience in Omaha and the pictures I found on the internet. I also had the floor plan from the management and made the mistake of picturing it MUCH bigger than it really is. So that’s a preface. I walked through it and went upstairs and the 3 bedrooms are more like 2 bedrooms and a 3rd space we’ve affectionately named “Mary’s Walk-in Closet” because it’s so small and our master bedroom is too small for our dresser so it had to go in the 3rd one. The basement is 2x4’s and cement, not finished at all. I saw the whole thing, went upstairs in the bathroom and started bawling. It was a great cry. I really needed it too. Packing, moving away, driving 3 days, little sleep, stress, etc plus the added disappointment of my new home feeling more like a mouse cage welled up and I was out of commission for 5 minutes. The beauty of hitting my low point right at the start is it’s all gotten better from there. While we moved in and I directed traffic, Mom put the kitchen together, Kar took over as full-time babysitter for Kate, Zach and Dad and Dave had their hands full with the entire truck’s contents. We couldn’t have done it without Dave and Kar coming to help. Kar also served as our PR rep. By the time she left, she’d met all of our neighbors and introduced us all.
May 27-28 - We spent unpacking and working out the details of money, school insurance, etc. Which are still not resolved but in the works.
May 29 - WE TOOK OFF! We decided we all needed a break and drove to Niagara Falls and Palmyra for a 2 day trip. For the record, Niagara Falls is tons cooler than I expected it to be. It’s HUGE and the Canadian side was so well manicured and looked more like how clean and pristine the church keeps all of their buildings and facilities. What a cool place. We went on the Maid of the Mist right up to the falls complete with a drenching when we got there. Kaitlyn screamed her head off the whole time but it served to wear her out and she slept for the next couple hours. We had so much fun in Niagara that we only made it to Rochester and found a hotel.
May 30 - Palmyra trip. There is such an incredible spirit at the church history sites there. Mostly felt for me when we walked through the sacred grove. We all had an great experience. Even Kaitlyn was overcome by the peace and fell asleep for the morning. When we were done it was already 3 pm and we decided to head for home. 2/3 of the way there at the junction for Toronto I hear “Why don’t we just go to Toronto?” That’s all it took. We headed off to Toronto and found a hotel. We are a little crazy.
May 31 - TORONTO. It’s not as big as NYC even though that’s what all the Canadian’s refer to when they try to give us a comparison. Not that I’ve been to NYC but Toronto just feels open even in the heart of the city. We all decided it feels A LOT like San Francisco, complete with China town, Greek town, India town, Tour boats, a castle, a huge Beach, and it wasn’t a degree warmer than 70 the whole time there. We had a great time looking around and seeing the sites. We got home at 7 pm and hit the sack for the most part.
June 1 - Today! We went to our ward which is small but strong. There are 2 families that live here in Platt’s Lane that we’re getting together with for FHE tomorrow night. I’m not sure how many callings we’ll both get, it looks like they need the help. I guess we’ll find out next week. We’re on our way for a walk since it’s turned sunny and a little warmer for the first time all week. Zach starts his first day of school at 9 am tomorrow morning! Wish us luck. We do have great neightbors and I'm excited to get to know everyone and everything better.

I’d love to hear from any one and I’ll try to do a better job updating instead of the crazy long e-mail. Our info is:
TELEPHONE: 801-738-0212 (yes it’s a UTAH number)
ADDRESS: 568 Platt’s Lane London, ON N6G-3B1 Canada

Love you all!

blossoms

There were so many trees in blossom, oranges, pinks, reds, purples and yellows, it is quite wonderful. I mentioned last week that the rains had begun, but in truth it only lasted two days and we are back to the high dry temperatures (today predicted at108 tomorrow 110). I sent you an e-mail with more details about what is happening. Is it easier to go to those or read the Blog? At least here it is fun to see the pictures. Thanks for your mothers day messages on the phone and your loving e-mails.

To The Greatest Mom in the World

You are always a Queen to us!
We love and admire our Angel Mother.
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

Hello from the second fruit of toney's mighty loins

Hello,

I have finally gotten fancy and started to write in the blog. The only new news that I can think of is that I may deploy in September for 6 months. If anyone wants to move their family in with Marisa it might be nice for support. -We have fairly large basement, and a nice menu selection in the kitchen if you like rice based food.

Linc is doing great and has made some nice progress the last couple of months. It seems like the diet could be working a little. He still does cute little Link things, like running into the backyard with goggle and a swim suit to swim face down in a big puddle that we had.

We are sickly. It seems like we have been sick all winter and spring. Not runny nose sick, more like pukey sick. We bought a new matress a few months ago..... Retrospectively a mistake. Between the 4 kids I'm pretty sure we have voided the warranty.

We love you guys and are getting excited for July!

love,
R,M,C,L,B,L
p.s.- Clyde sends his reguards.

R&M Clan

I'm going to have Rick do most of the writing ... but I'll be in charge of the pictures.

We painted our entry and living room. Let's just say I'm grateful Rick is still alive.

This is our Brigham/lion/dog. I took him on a walk around the neighborhood looking like this.

Nothing makes me happier than all of our kids sitting around the desk coloring together.

I was telling Maddie that she and Josh could get a reward of watching a movie at the end of the day if they could be good (i.e. getting along, showing respect, etc.). "Can you guys do that?" I asked. "No day is perfect, Mom. Just keep that in mind."

She has a good point. :)

Kar

From Grandmamma to the best 21 grandchildren in the world

Dear Children,

Today Grandpa and I walked along the beach of the Gulf of Mexico (we have to drive about 20 minutes to get to it). The waves were splashing high and one caught me by surprise and drenched my tennis shoes and Bermuda shorts. I kept walking in wet shoes for awhile, but finally decided to just take them off and enjoy the sand between my toes. I kept thinking how much fun it would be to have you walking with us.
Every few feet or so we’d discover a pretty sea shell. We have quite a collection now to bring home in July for you to create “shell sculptures” with at the reunion. Grandpa found a small, hollow crab shell that is very interesting, and we’ve added it to our “sand dollars” and unusual shells in a basket in the bathroom.
It is fun to watch the fishermen wade waste deep into the water, and throw large round nets out. They slowly pull them into shore and if they are lucky they’ve a net full of fresh fish to sell at the market or to take home for breakfast.
Speaking of food, a week ago we walked along the Laguna which is about a 10 minute drive from our house. A friendly, medium size crocodile swam along beside us as we walked. If we’d stop, he’d stop and turn so that he could look at us head on.
Grandpa thought he was sizing us up for his breakfast. I wasn’t concerned as there was a nice big fence between us. He must have decided we were not worth his trouble because after awhile he turned and swam away. There are also lots of snapping turtles in the Laguna, and some huge fish which are the main diet of the crocodiles.
There is a nice dirt path all the way around the big Laguna where many people go to walk or jog. Spanning the water is a bridge that is about a block long. I like to walk across it and remember when I was a little girl and would walk across the Franklin Avenue bridge that spanned the Mississippi River right in front of our house in Minneapolis. My big brothers and I had grand times playing on the banks of that mighty river, but I never even dipped my big toe into that rushing water. There were no crocodiles, but my mother warned me about the terrible deep drop offs and whirlpools that could suck even a grownup under and drown them within seconds.
What a blessing it is to have parents who love us and protect us. I want you to know that Your Heavenly Father also loves you and will protect you. Always turn to Him in prayer, and listen to the whisperings of the Holy Ghost in your life.
With all my love, You’re Grandmamma Bentley

VIRTUAL SUGGESTION BOX

I WOULD LIKE TO UTILIZE THE COMMENTARY OPTION IN OUR BLOG SO WE CAN SAY FUNNY THINGS TO EACH OTHER. AT THE BOTTOM OF EACH POST ARE THE WORDS "0 COMMENTS" ALL YOU DO IS CLICK ON IT AND LEAVE A COMMENT ABOUT EACH POST IF YOU LIKE. I'M DOING IT! SO WHEN YOU POST, DON'T FORGET TO CHECK THE COMMENTS IN A COUPLE DAYS. LOVE, MARY!

birds and the bees --what to do with a curious 8-year-old

This is a conversation I just had today with Will:
Will: Mom, do dogs get married?
Mom: No, not really.
Will: Then how do they have babies?
Mom: That is a good question. Why don't we talk about that later when Dad and I can sit down with you and explain it better.
Will: That's ok. I think I already know.
Mom: What do you think happens?
Will: Let me think...how can I explain it so a 34-year-old can understand it? That cracked me up...like it's so simple but I'd never get it.
Will then proceeded to give me a half-right explanation and I told him we will talk about it again later when I can really explain it to him. HELP! Those of you who have already had this conversation with your kids give me some ideas! Thanks in advance for the advice! Love, Kathy
p.s. You don't necessarily need to answer this question on the blog...no explicit diagrams etc. for our G-rated bulletin. Yes, Dad, I am talking to you.

Masonry and Mormonism

Dear kids - Everything you ever wanted to know about Masons and more:

Last month during a phone call to an employee of the Temple Department in Salt Lake I mentioned that one of the candidates I was considering for counselor and registrar of the temple was a Mason. The Church employee immediately expressed concern and said he would have to run it by the Temple Committee. I had to wait three weeks and call back three times before I received their answer: The Committee was reluctant to recommend a Mason to the First Presidency but they wanted more information about the candidate's involvement with the Masons before they gave me a final answer. I knew the Church has not encouraged Church members to join the Masons in the past, but I was a little surprised by their reaction because the newly elected Grand Master of the Masonic lodge in Salt Lake City is an active Mormon. You would have thought the candidate I was considering was a member of the Klu Klux Klan or maybe even a left wing Democrat(Just kidding Charlie). They asked me to check out the facts for them and report back.

What I found out was very interesting: The Masons are a benevolent fraternal society that was established 500 years ago in England and Scotland to provide protection and assistance to victims of religious and political persecution. The society is not a religion but its members must believe in God and try to live in accordance with the ethical tenets of the society. They use rituals, signs and other symbols, some of which are similar to those used in Mormon temples, although they have very different meanings and purposes. This is not too surprising because, according to the Masons, their rites and symbols were derived from Solomon's temple. Some prominent Masons include George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Winston churchill, Benito Juarez (Mexico's most revered president) and many other prominent Mexicans. Most Mexican Masons fear the power and influence of the Catholic Church in Mexico but they have a high regard for the LDS Church. Many of them have been instrumental in helping the Church since it first came to Mexico.

Many early Mormons became Masons in Nauvoo, including the first five presidents of the Church, probably because they hoped it would help them avoid the persecution that had plagued them in New York, Ohio and Missouri. But some Masons were jealous and suspicious of the Nauvoo lodge, which was then the largest in the United States with several thousand Mormon members. It is likely that some members of the mob that assassinated Joseph and Hyrum were Masons. A Masonic lodge was organized in Salt Lake by non-Mormons after Utah was settled, but active members of the Church were not welcomed in Utah until the local lodge changed its by-laws 30 years ago.

Mom and I just finished reading "Mormons & Masons," a small book written by Gilbert W. Scharffs, a University of Utah Institute teacher whose son is one of Rick's high school friends. He shows that prayer circles, tokens, signs and many other elements of the temple ceremony existed in some form among the Israelites, Egyptians, Coptic Christians and other ancient civilizations long before the Masonic movement was founded, and that many of the temple rituals were already in place in the Kirtland temple long before Joseph Smith became a Mason. So it is not surprising that there would be some similarities. What most people do not appreciate are the significant differences. According to numerous Mormons who are also Masons, the differences in the meanings and purposes are far greater than the similarities. Those who have a first-hand familiarity with both rituals say that they have never been bothered by the similarities, which they view as superficial. They also feel that the Church should not be concerned if a Mormon wants to be Mason, or vice-versa. The values of the Masons and the Mormons are very similar and are mutually supportive.

I hope this information was as interesting to you as it has been to me. Abrazos,

Don Antonio Benitez, el Presidente

Hi family,

April blew by, good grief. Dave went to China, as we said, and the rest of us are just grateful to FINALLY have some sunshine here in the Place that is Gray and Dark. Yay for Spring. Updates:

- Dave: Super Dad of the universe, currently in town and willing to be spit up on and get up with the baby. Deserves a medal.

- Kar: teaching 5 boys in Primary, including Josh. Loves it. These kids have a spiritual depth that amazes me.

- Josh: whipping out the basketball and practicing his lethal moves. Had a sleepover with a "kindred spirit" friend who also had dinosaur pj's, and along with fighting with lightsabers is comfortable enough to give a Triceratops a cute voice and go on adventures with Josh' stuffed animals. (that was a serious run-on sentence)

- Maddie: Counting down the minutes until school is over. Typical morning conversation: "Is there school today?" "Yes." "Dang!" To her credit, though, she gets up and soldiers on. Went to a Daddy-Daughter Dance at school with Dave sporting a hairstyle that she designed.

- Jacob: Crawling dangerously, and "cruising" (walking around holding onto furniture and/or hands). We don't have any childproofing up except for one item: a dancing mechanical chicken which ominously guards the computer cords so that Jakey won't chew on them. It terrifies him so he gives it wide berth. So if he grows up and has psychological issues surrounding poultry, you'll all know why.

Also, for our ward talent show Josh and Maddie dressed up as a dragon and a unicorn, respectively, and told original "castle" jokes. Below is a sample...

Josh's jokes:

Why did the dragon never sleep?
He ate the knight.

How many wizards does it take to open a magic book?
Two: one to seal it, and one to open it.

Why don't dragons like wizards?
Because they always know the way to their lair.


Maddie's Jokes:

Knock, knock.
Who's there?
Me!
Me who?
Neigh! Neigh! Sorry the little pony interrupted.

Why does a dragon blow fire?
How?
He ate too much spicy food.

Why do wizards do magic?
Why?
Because of a good witch.

Why is a king and queen so rich?
Why?
Kings and Queen's orders.

Yep, you missed out! :)

Other Quotes:
"He's cute, but very slimy." -Maddie, summing Jakey up perfectly (he's still a spit-up king)
"It's nice to hug you when you don't have slime on your shoulders." -Maddie, to Dave (an accurate commentary on the aforementioned prolific spitting up of the jake)
"Go Go! Go Johnny, Go! Go!" -Dave, singing Johnny B. Good at the ward talent show as he drummed (amazing!)
"Da Da Da Da Da" -Jakey
"OUCH! That's tough love." -Josh, when Jakey clawed at his face in an attempt to hug him
"I think I got too dizzy in my mind, a little." - Maddie
"I don't really feel comfortable without my imagination." -Maddie
[Big noise]
"What happened Maddie?"
"I'm too tired to say." - Maddie
"I'll go in there for her." -Josh, when he heard Maddie get frustrated as she labored under the consequences of our "you wake him, you take him" rule for Jake (he took over and helped him calm down)

We love you all.

DKJMJ

special days in May

Birthdays: 1st:Kathy. 3rd:Matt. 4th:Peter. 9th:Rachel M. 14th: Mandi.
23rd: Rachel B. 26th: David. 31st Lydia.

Anniversaries: 5th: Jimmy and Mandi. 25th: BOTH Steve & Rachel and Dave & Karalee

here are the photos to go with the story

I saw another angel fly

When we arrived in Tampico there was scaffolding around the tower of the temple. The original Angel Moroni had needed to be “resurfaced”(which happens every 5 or 6 years due to wind and weather), and during the process of taking him down there was an accident and he broke his arm. For five months our angel has been in Veracruz being fixed, and a substitute has been atop the temple. This morning we watched as the he was carefully removed with a complicated series of ropes and pulleys and our very own Moroni was set in place. Shining and polished he stands, blowing his trumpet; announcing the glorious news of the restoration of priesthood keys and all that that includes.

The rains have come, but like in Camelot, they seem to confine themselves to the evening and night time and the days continue sunny and hot (today the forecast is for 108). Monday we traveled across the river into the state of Veracruz where there are three branches of the Church which belong to our temple district. We had addresses of the chapels, but were successful in finding only one. The other two were nowhere to be found, and even their addresses didn’t seem to exist. We will do more checking before our next adventure in that direction. In these newer areas the chapels are usually located on narrow dirt roads. In every case they are the prettiest building, and have the best maintained grounds in the neighborhood. This is the only area of Latin America we have lived in where one will see a wood house interspersed with the more typical cement houses. Within the same block there will be lovely homes and then a shack. They do enjoy bright colors, and a sure sign of money is to see a painted house. Pinks, blues, greens and orange are typical all mixed within the same block. We have been impressed with the lack of poverty and seemingly higher standard of living in this area. The fact that this is the oil capital of Mexico has a lot to do with it as there are good jobs to be had.

However, that said, Monday when we crossed into the next state of Veracruz searching for the chapels, we did come upon a huge “tent city.” And I don’t mean nice pup tents with floors and netted, zipped windows. I mean ropes from trees with a blanket or table cloth thrown over to give some privacy and shade. Since it had rained the night before there was mud everywhere. Some “homes” had cardboard sides, others branches. Paper signs with the families names designated property lines. The area appeared uninhabited as we drove through the muddy, dirt trails. We assumed that the people had gone into the cities to beg or make money anyway they can. It was definitely a humbling experience.

Speaking of humbling, may I tell you about Marialena. At the age of 30 she developed a terrible disease (no one can give me a name for it), which began paralyzing her body. That was about ten years ago. She now can only move her fingers, eyes and talk through clenched teeth. Once a week faithfully she comes to a temple session! She arrives in a taxi and our guard with the help of the driver have to lift her out and get her strapped into a wheel chair in which we have pillows so that she can be at about a 175 degree angle. We pin her temple dress onto the clothes she comes in, and assign a sister to accompany her in the session. This dear sister's joy in life is attending the temple.

Another sister, Hna. Mata, comes four or five times a week. Crippled since birth, she is supported by large braces on both legs and maneuvers with crutches. Whenever, I am tempted to feel sorry for myself all I have to do is remember these sweet sisters.

Love to you each, Mom

Quote of the Day

"Rachel and Josie are doing really good, other than the fact that mom sent her a psycho doll from Mexico for Easter."

This one sent me rolling, Dan is classic. byw, Francesca likes it so don't worry mom. Love Steve

The Adventures of ZM&K

Kaitlyn is a DARE DEVIL! The girl is game for anything that is fast. Yep, that sums it up... FAST. Examples: The blow up slides at carnivals that are really tall and steep, Being pushed good and hard on swings, Goes for the biggest slides at the park, and most recently... 4-wheeling. She was a WRECK when we got to this location to 4-wheel. She hadn't gotten any sleep and was hungry and unconsolable but once we put her on the machine her worries were swept away and she was the happiest girl around. I love this about my little Kaitlyn, it is so fun to see. It does make me wonder a bit about what her hobbies will be as she grows up though.

We are postponing the inevitable at this point, well I am. Packing I mean. We leave 3 weeks from Saturday and I know suddenly our move will be a week away and I'll realize I haven't done enough preparatory packing but I just refuse to cause unnecessary chaos early in the game. What is the optimal time line for moving anyways? I was thinking 2 weeks before start pulling out the boxes. I just hate when every room is lined with boxes and it's all pretty much a mess. We have limited space as it is. I'll give you an update and some pictures for your entertainment.

As for little prego woman, I find out what I'm having in a couple weeks. Woo Hoo. I've got to be honest, these are my thoughts: Girl- I'd be a little relieved. Only because I know what to expect, it will feel comfortable to have another girl and I wouldn't have to buy a thing.. always good on the student budget. I find myself day-dreaming about a girl if that means anything. Boy- I'd be really excited but almost scared. That's silly, I'd love every minute of it, but just will have a lot more questions about what this little guy would be like. Zach thinks we're having a boy. OFCOURSE I will be VERY happy with which ever we get, it's fun to not know right now.

That's us in a nutshell. Zach has 2 more weeks of work and then we pack for a week and we're OUT OF HERE. Party. We love you all. See ya in July unless you live in, or plan on coming to Detroit or Canada in the next month or so. Feel free to stop by. :)

Zach, Maria, and "Speedy"