40 weeks but no baby :)

So here we are, hanging out on Sept. 30th and now the real fun begins because I have no reference point to go off of from this moment on. I delivered kaitlyn on her due date and so with #2 I had no other frame of mind besides TODAY. But, nothing whatsoever is happening today. It's kind of exciting now, it's all a mystery. My Dr's appt. is on Thursday so I get to chill for 2 more days wondering what my body is cooking up down there. We've made the most of the last week though and here are some pictures for you to enjoy.

This ones for all of you that wonder why you can never see my belly in any pictures, I tend to have someone or something blocking the "baby" view. ENJOY! Plus, it's a shot of my hair cut I got as a present to myself for not having a baby yesterday. :) Kaitlyn thought the camera timer was THE GREATEST idea.
2 weekends ago we hit the beach for a final summer fling. The temperature was high 80's but the water was pretty cold. Did this stop kaite? NO WAY JOSE! This kid is right after her Dad's own heart and so long as she's in the water she's happy. She drown with a big smile on her face if we let her. Aye-Yaye-Yaye.
The Sand has in the past been off limits for Kaitlyn. Not because we didn't want her to play in it, but because she hated the feel of it on her skin. She's a little lady I guess, but FINALLY she got the picture that sand is awesome and we were really digging. Good times.
I hit the park a number of times last week because the weather was fenominal and Kaite loves it so much. Check out this pig-tail shot. It just kills me to put her hair in piggies, I love it.
She would go down the slide all day if she could. I thought this wouldn't be to tough of a manuver for me, but after 1 run down the slide with the bumpy ridges, I realized that my range of comfort is truly limited and I returned to the cheering section. Wise move.

So, I'm hanging out. Lifes good. I'm really not in any anxious rush to have this baby because Zach's mom doesn't arrive until Saturday anyways so the later in the week the better! If I'm still in the same boat this time next week I might be singing a different tune but I'll let you know. Some of you may be happy to know that we decided on a name BEFORE this kid was born. Shocker, I know. She's going to be Elizabeth Ivie Williams. We're calling her Liza for short and the middle name is Zach's grandma's last name. We REALLY like it and I can't wait to see Liza in person. We'll send pictures. Love you all!

Please E-mail me Pictures!!!

I have a gap in Josie's life as far as pictures go. We didn't take a single picture while we were in Utah this summer! We are lame! Anyway, this plea goes out especially to Mandi, Dave, and Grandma... please send me some pictures! rachelbbentley@gmail.com

p.s.

On Sunday Dave was extended a call to be on the High Council, specializing in Missionary work. Now he can hang out in High Priest Class with Zach when we go visit them. :)

Love you guys,
The Michigan Munchkins

Hello Bretheren and Sisteren,

O.K. I get it, everybody else has written, I'm a bad brother. Things are going well in Colorado for everyone.... but clyde. He is getting old. By old, I mean we are worried that if we pet him too hard he will die. I built him a ramp to come into the house since he has problems with the stairs now. He also keeps loosing teeth. Actually, I feel like I'm getting good practice for Dad's "Golden years">

All the kids are doing great in school. Cora loves ballet, Brig want to start ballet (I know) he is also loving soccor. Link just had his 8th birthday, and had a great time at the zoo with his Mom and Dad. He is also doing a good job in school, and continues to make steady progress. Lydia has officially become a 2 year old in every sense of the word, both good and bad. She is really cute, and is talking like a chimp. Marisa is busy running the ward. I'm the most boring one in the family, with not much to report.

Steve and I are going hunting although he apparently doesn't know the dates. The first day of the hunt is on Oct 18. Like Steve said, anyone is welcome. I warn you though, the deer in Colorado give no quarter. They would just assume disembowel you with a hoof as look at you. Don't make me recount last years near death experience with "the doe of death." We love you guys.

Richard and wife and seed.

Fall

Well, it's here, the weather has changed to daily rain, school is in full swing, and Rachel is volunteering for the Republican National Party "go Palin!" - Rachel, the natural "I hate to talk to strangers" person has volunteered to canvas our neighborhood and pass out McCain/Palin signs - Never in a million years would I have guessed it. The kids are all doing great in school. Cecelia is really taking to learning and enjoying all day Kindergarden. Levi has been doing soccer which seems to be every day, but is only 2 nights a week. Between that and all the bishopric stuff, Rachel and I don't see a lot of each other as I leave for work before she gets up. Speaking of work, they have extended *again* my time to allow us to finish removing all the equipment from the fab. My best estimate for my last day of work is around April of 09. I have also been talking to a guy who owns a company that does patent research and claims. He is looking for a semiconductor engineer "read steve" who can help him do patent research. The pay is very good, so I am going to work with him a little more and see if I like it. The downside to having a job with him is that all the insurance etc, would have to be self purchased. The upside....I would work from home. We'll see. We are into birthday season, Israel is now 11 and Elijah truely becomes a teenager this month as he turns 13. His voice is almost lower than mine and we may have to eat our rabbits to help suppliment all the food he comsumes. I don't know what we are going to do in 5 more years when we have 3 ravinous teenagers to feed. We really enjoy having Rick and Marisa so close and love to get together. By the way, any of you men who feel at all inclined to go hunting, Rick and I are going on the 24th of October. We have two doe tags this year so we expect to have some good luck. If you want to make the trek, call one of us soon!!

Shark Teeth, Rats, Blankies & Corruption

Michigan Bentley News in brief:

Josh had oral surgery yesterday. Turns out that he had an extra front tooth, just like a shark. Pretty impressive. They yanked it out and that puppy was almost a full inch long, since it still had the root and everything. Josh had them drill a hole in it so that he can wear it as a necklace. Admit it, you all are jealous. He bounced back really well: he was playing basketball later on yesterday afternoon. Good stuff.

Maddie actually loves school this year. Hooray! They were supposed to bring in three "artifacts" to show what they were like, and she brought in cheese, a stuffed squirrel, and her rubber rat. The teacher pronounced her unique. We think so, too.

Jacob is into dancing these days. He likes to turn on his little jukebox and try and get us to jam with him. He also has a favorite blankie that he likes to chew on, which he generously offers to others to take a nibble if we would like (so far no takers). He says the same word for Dad and for Dog, we're not sure what that means (draw your own conclusions)...

Highlights last month include having Zach and Mary come down for a last day of summer extravaganza at the lake (thanks guys!), Taking a trip to Mackinac Island, redoing our front room (the kids say it's the "boring room" since they can't jump on the couches), and the kids starting school. Not to mention trying to get the house organized, as usual, but with slightly more pressure since it's up for sale and technically people could come over anytime for a look. And they can look in the closets, too. Awkward. Dave was in town which was nice. I guess there's also the Detroit Mayor going to jail and having to be removed from office by the governor. Things can only get better from there I guess!

Don't forget to eat your leafy greens.

Love,
DKJMJ

Report

Mom's guilt trip finally got to me. Just kidding Mom. Rachel and I are doing the same thing as usual here. Just trying to get by and get through school. We've finally decided on a name for our next kid: Violet Rachel Bentley. We're exited for her to come and anxious to see how Josie does with the change. It should be fun. Rachel is ready to lose her pouch. I don't know if there is anything else to tell. Keena is doing well. She sends her love to Clyde, Crosby, Murphhead and the other beasts of our family (yes, that includes James and Steve and Elijah). That acually reminds me of something... Last night around 2 a.m. I woke up to a bunch of coyotes fighting in the distance. It reminded me of a huge wookie fight with the aforementioned beasts and myself. Yea that's right. It was be quite a rumble.

Okay talk to you'all next month.
Cheers,

Dan and Rach and Jose and Kee

Does anyone else remember that OfficeMax commercial with the music, "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" playing while the parents are stocking up on school supplies for their kids to go back to school? I noticed that I was singing that myself in the aisles at Wal-Mart this September while buying erasers and notebooks and completely rejoicing in the upcoming change. I absolutely love summer and having the kids around all day. I love the slow pace and the family time but, I must admit, there is a great satisfaction in dropping off Will and Emma at 8:30 each morning and getting to the end of the day with out thinking, "Did I get anything done today?" Seriously, my house has never been cleaner. One of the main reasons is because my van is in the shop after a fender-bender while buying Slurpees at 7-11 and I can't go anywhere unless I walk...hence, I don't go anywhere. I figured out that that's why women were so into baking cakes and curling their hair and wearing dresses when their husbands came home from the office in the 1950's...they didn't have their own cars! If you can't go to shopping, you might as can something, right? The problem is, the cleaner the house is, the more grumpy I am when it gets messy again five minutes after the children return. I actually told my kids that they cannot play in the toyroom anymore. The toys are off limits because no one cleans them up but me. Hmmm...I know that toys are for playing with, but not at my house--atleast not the day after clean-up day (which, incidentally is the worst day of everyone's life at my house). Caroline started preschool this week and I was really excited to have some one-on-one time with Thomas (read: time to myself while he naps), but then Emma got sick and I had to spend the whole day cleaning up throw-up! Oh well, on the plus side, since I can't go shopping with sick kids either, my house is still clean. Sorry about the stream-of-consciousness blog. Hope it makes sense...atleast to the women out there. Love, kathy

Our 15 Minute Labor Day Adventure

This is a true story.

It was a beautiful Labor Day morning so we decided to go for a walk.

Everyone was having a wonderful time. Matt had just finished putting the tackle on his pole when suddenly...
It began to hail, hail, hail, hard, hard, hard!!!!
It really hurt.

Peter didn't really like the experience.

Eliza liked the cookie.

Sam thought it was hillarious.

Dad and Mom couldn't believe our adventure only lasted 15 minutes.

Hope you had a good Labor Day!!!

The Williams in NYC

We had such a great time on our trip to NYC! We saw the whole thing (Manhattan that is) and LOVED every minute of it. Kaiters was a great sport and we all got used to the 2 hour one way commute into the city each time we went. We spent 6 days in NYC and then moved on to the Atlantic ocean for some swimming and beach time. It was AWESOME. We had a stupendous time. I'll add more in a bit.

Zach's having his way with the Wall Street Bull.

more pictures

Dad in front of the church with the Madona and Child and pretty alter
Pres & Hna Moss, Us and Elder & Hna. Batt when they came to our place for dinner

from the Beaner

Hello all,



Everything is good with us. School has started up again for me and I am actualy enjoying the learning process. We got a new car. It’s a 06 Mazda 3 Sport. It gets really good mileage but is also pretty quick with the 5 speed. We had a fertility consultation and other than the cost everything looks promising. We are doing more painting to the house and I am almost done with the outdoor kitchen so we can actualy use it before winter. Other than that everything is cool with us. Love beaner and stinker

our weekend

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We had a sweet group of primary children visit us in the waiting room of the temple today. They were scrubbed sparkling clean and wearing their best Sunday clothes. We invited them in and talked to them for 15 minutes about the temple (such questions as “Why do you think everyone in the temple wears white clothing?” “Who can read what it says over the door of the temple? Who’s house does it say this is? I used a picture of Jesus and they all could answer who He is, and they all agreed that they wanted to go to heaven and live with Him and Heavenly Father someday. Then I showed them a picture of our temple and explained that the temple helps us get back to them . They watched a short DVD and then went outside to walk around the outside of the temple and have their picture taken. Hopefully, this first temple experience will leave them with a desire to return when they are old enough to do baptisms and later to receive their endowment and be sealed.

Aug. 30, 2008

We just got out of the evening conference session of the Victoria Stake. Victoria is the capital of the state of Tamaulipas. It is modern and clean with left turn lanes and multi lane streets. AND the Holiday Inn Express here HAS A BATH TUB! I feel like I’m back in the States.

But, I did want to take a minute and relate acouple of things from the conference. We visited with a sweet couple who come regularly to the temple. They shared their first experience in the temple. It was in 1980, before there was a temple in Mexico. The family lived in Mexico City at the time, the wife was pregnant wife with their third child and they had saved their money for a year to make the trip to Mesa, Arizona. They didn’t know what to expect, but when they entered the doors of the temple they felt like they had stepped into heaven. The workers greeted them with smiles and hugs, took care of their children, and in their words were “angels.” (our goal is that everyone who enters our temple is treated this way). They went through their initiatories, the session and and sealing, and then immediately went to the bus station to return to Mexico City, because they didn’t have money to stay in a hotel or purchase food. As they were leaving the temple grounds, a humbly dressed man extended his hand and said “Take this.” When Hno.Flores looked to see what he had been given to his shock it With that money the little family were able to get home, and have something to eat on the way.

I talked about how King Benjamin’s people had pitched their tents “towards the temple,” and how Lot had pitched his tent “towards Sodom” and asked the question, “Our our tents, or homes, pitched towards the temple and the words of our prophet, or towards the world and it’s voices? And “How can we help our children and grandchildren look toward the temple, and the day when they will enter it and make sacred covenants?” Then I told of the conference in 1977 when Pres. Kimball challenged every family to hang a picture of the temple in their children’s rooms, so that they would grow up with that image, and how I went out the next day and bought one and hung in our family room: and I bore my testimony that, that image of the temple, along with reading the scriptures, FHE and family prayer made a difference in the lives of our children and in our lives too.

It is now September 1^st and we are driving home. As usual we have taken the “scenic route.” We have purchased three different books about the state of Tamaulipas, and are systematically exploring all the byways. After checking out of our hotel we headed southwest through the Sierra Madre Oriental. The rich, green, agricultural valleys, and steep wooded cliffs and mountain passes enchanted us. The missions of Jaunave, Palmillas , and Tula, all founded before the pilgrims arrived at Plymouth, by Franciscan Monks were fascinating. Jaunave was alive with people and tiangis shoppers (it was obviously market day). Palmillas was so dead we saw not a soul even though we went through the main square and into the Catholic Church which dates back to the early 1700’s and is noted for it’s elaborate altar and beautiful painting of the madona and child. Tula is famous for it’s elaborate, elegant, embroidered leather jackets and skirts; but we were disappointed to learn that nothing is avalible ready made. Everything is custom ordered and sent to exhibitions because it is a luxury item that none of the local people wear. And Tula is definitely in the “tullies” and not on the tourist route.

We got stoppoed once by a military patrol. They are stationed throughout the highways which lead to and from the border in hopes of catching drugs or other smuggled items. We never get stopped on the main highways, but this is the second time they’ve stopped us when we’ve taken smaller side roads. We think they must just be bored and need to fill their quota. There are always half a dozen soldierswith machine guns and rifles in full military attire with sweat running off their young faces.

Busy and Change

Though not quite a month, and despite the abundant conversation in July we've decided that some of our recent experiences are comment worthy. As some of you are already aware, Sharon and I met with our Bishop during the reunion and asked to keep the subject matter in confidence until an official announcement was made. The announcement, the reorganization of the young single adult program, including Sharon's and my release as Young Single Adult Advisors, the 4-stake Singles Ward dissolved, and four new single wards organized has presented many changes. Accompanying the changes, clearly directed by revelation to local leaders with 1st presidency approval and support, has been a wonderful spirit confirming these changes along with the significance, importance, and magnitude for greater awareness, love, and support for the Young Single Adults. Likewise it has left a void in our hearts as the regular association and recharge of spirit and friendship Sharon and I enjoyed has to a degree been halted. Sharon enjoyed only a brief break as she has been called as a primary worker. I too have been busy as a "hall monitor," I walk the halls and monitor Peter.....





....I'm sorry to tell you that is all Matt wrote up. Now you get to read my writing.





Peter does only have two more months of church before Nursery. I'm sure many of you are also aware of the age of your 14-17 month olds. Can we apply for a new class within the church. Those kids or at least the parents of the kids 12-18 months need a place to go for three hours. Peter's prime area would include a jungle gym as he is climbing everything he can.





Preschool starts next week, but orientation started this week. As head of one of the committees, I get to talk to all of the classes about our fundraiser. Thanks to Kathy for watching my kids.

We enjoyed ourselves up at the Whiting's reunion. No one got sick, but we missed all of you.

We have a busy family and we are loving every minute of it. Hope all of you are doing great.

Matt, Sharon, and family

Special Days for August and September

AUGUST:
4th: Jacob Anson - 12th: Caroline Joan - 27th: Israel Anthony

SEPTEMBER:
6th: Zachary Thomas - 11th: Richard Lincoln - 12th: Sharon Ella - 29th: Elijah Christian

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Missionary Report

Dear Rising Generation,

Since returning to Tampico, Mom and I have modified our daily schedules quite a bit: we used to go for long walks at the lagoon or on the beach nearly every morning but we have only done it a couple of times this month. One reason is that the sun comes up earlier in the Summer so the temperature is also a lot hotter. We thought about getting up before dawn every morning but most of the time we simply feel too tired to exercise that early. But probably the main reason for our schedule changes is that we are getting to the temple much earlier and staying longer. Just before we went home to Utah we changed my counselors and Mom's two assistants. Just before we left I told them that the number of initiatory and sealing ordinances being done this year was lower than it was for last year and that we ought to try to do more when the temple reopened. They have really taken up the challenge! Thanks largely to them, we have quite a few workers and patrons who are willing to travel to the temple every morning and to come an hour and a half earlier every afternoon just to do ordinances. All they ask is that someone be there to open the doors so they won't have to spend too much time waiting at the door in our hot, humid, subtropical weather.

We were afraid that our new counselors and assistants would be unable to devote as much time at the temple as their predecessors because some of them are still working part time. To our mild surprise, they are spending more time there, not less. We have also been pleased to see that they are full of new ideas and have a real commitment to the temple.

My second counselor, President Garcia, is a good example of this: Although he has a relatively small income from his contracting business, he willingly stayed at the temple for the entire two weeks we were in Utah so that the other members of the Temple Presidency could go on their pre-planned vacations. He usually is the first on to open the temple and he often stays later than anyone else. He is faithful to his calling even though his health is not the best: among other things he has problems with his vision and right now he is in Mexico City having an operation on his knees. But he has a lot of faith and is totally committed to the gospel. When he was serving as a bishop several years ago, a woman told him her husband was going to divorce her because she was unable to have children. He told her he would fast with her for three days and that the Lord would bless her with a child. Not only did she get pregnant right away, but she had twins!

My first counselor, President Alfonso Lopez, and his wife were baptized only 10 years ago, but they have also shown a lot of faithfulness and dedication. All of their four children are active in the Church and those that are married were sealed in the temple. In Mexico this is somewhat unusual for convert families, even when the parents are active members of the Church. Much like President Garcia, President Lopez usually comes early and leaves late. Obviously, with counselors and assistants who are willing to sacrifice this much, the least we can do is be willing to make the same kinds of sacrifices.

These scheduling changes have forced me make better use of my available free time, but so far, by prioritizing my time, I have been able to still go to the gym and keep up on Cougar football. I go to the gym to lose weight and get in better physical condition (I've lost about 8 lbs. since I came back and feel great). I keep up on Cougar football without any apologies because I have followed it most of my adult life and this season looks as if it could turn out to be really special. My other passion, by the way, is my wife and family, which even more important to me than BYU football (except, perhaps, during the annual BYU-Utah game).

To conclude, I would like to mention another change in my life that I've been working on since before we began our first mission together. As you probably know, given enough time, a wife can have a wonderful spiritual influence on their husbands. Mom has been trying to change me for the better as long as we have been married, but only recently have her not too subtle efforts begun to have much visible success. Among other things, she now has me fully trained to open the door for her, put down the toilet seat and flush the toilet after I use it, take out the garbage, help prepare food and set and clear the table, and put on my seatbelt before driving. I'm still working on but improving in my duties as priesthood leader of the family, such as always calling on someone to pray morning and night and at meals, calling the family to read the scriptures every morning, and for family home evening activities. At this rate, I will soon be able to do it all without her prompting me first. A nice by-product of my domestication is that she is becoming much easier to live with because she no longer has to keep reminding me and I no longer feel like putting up a fight before doing them. How would men, children, and other wild creatures ever become qualified for heaven without women?

Your slowly improving Papi

the technelogical, advanced, modern generation?

I gave the above title to this, because this "older generation" grandma, is the one who is posting the following from my educated, computer literate sons who seem to find the blog a little complicated to manage ( but I give them credit because at least they wrote. hint, hint to the rest of you)

BLIMEY! We are supposed to write a BBB for August? All that talking in July didn't count? Really? Steve

Hola familia,
Things are pretty much the same around here except I havn’t interacted with any children since the reunion so that’s nice. Last weekend we went to Bear Lake fishing, jet skiing, and golfing. Since my inlaws are obsessed with golfing I have become decent at the game. Besides Charlie does anyone in this family golf? I have quite the garden going. Father taught me well. Other than the fact that I mistook some corn for weeds and took a machete to them everything is growing rather nicley. The tomato plants are like five feet tall! We are doing eggplant and various peppers as well. Mandi may be getting a job with the photographer who did our wedding. She would do candid shots mostly for weddings, only work a few times a month and make good paper (money). I am just trying to enjoy the last few weeks of summer before school starts up again. Ok, that’s it. Love,
Jimbean and Mandiloo

the last

To quote Capt. Hook, "...and yet a third time..."

here is the second group

The Wild Things that Abound Everywhere

Dear Bentley B, (Caution: this may be too long for some bloggers)

Rachel, Josie and I had a great time in Utah with the family. I especially liked climbing and flying in my mountains. It was really fun. Keena on the other hand, has seen better days. She did not eat anything the entire time we were gone. But she sure was happy when we got home. She even tried to cuddle up to Rachel, who she has learned to be wary of mostly because Rachel is convinced Keena is out to get her place in the family. Right now, Keena and I are alone as Rachel decided to go back to Utah with her family for a cousin's reunion. It worked out well because I start my class this week and will be very busy.

One thing I enjoy about living up here in Oregon is the abundance of wildlife that surrounds out little cottage home. I would like to tell you about it. We have a resident red-tailed hawk who patrols our mountain ranch in search of rabbits and squirrels. He is quite handsome and I like to watch him out the window as he sits on the same limb every afternoon in his never ending search for food. He makes a lot of chatter. I don't know who he is talking to as I don't think anyone can understand his language and can't see any other red-tails around. Additionally, there are 4 or 5 coveys of quail, each with around 15 chicks all hiding in the bushes around the ranch. Its fun to see them scatter as I approach them. There is always one adult who is put in charge of watching for predators as the others rummage around for food. Large gray squirrels, chipmunks and cottontail rabbits abound here, because of this I'm rather surprised that we don't have more coyotes and foxes of which we know are around, but never see. We hear them somewhat frequently down the hill and across the way yapping and howling back and forth at each other. Keena and I sometimes join in! I would love to know what she says to them. Or what I am saying to them for that matter when I howl. It is not uncommon to stumble upon small garter snakes and lizards. I've seen skinks and salamanders as I've roamed around as well.

On special occasions I've caught forest falcons darting across the driveway in hot pursuit of unfortunate squirrels or songbirds. These are mostly sharp-shinned hawks, but once I was certain that I saw an elusive goshawk. Turkey vultures sometimes use the thermals generated on our mountain as a launching pad for cruising the upper airways. Ravens frequent our hill, especially in the winter. In fact they congregate every afternoon, sometimes 60 at a time down in the back of the ranch. We can see them interact from our back window. It is a curious thing to see and something I never was taught about when I studied corvids (the crow family) in school. Blacktail deer have been less frequent visitors this year, but we know we have one young buck who's mother and twin sister tragicly were hit by cars out on the highway. I've spotted him very early in the morning stealing the pasture from the sleepy cows, but he remains very shy. The trout in our pond are quite friendly. There are two or three of them that live in the 80 ft. long river between the spring and above the waterfall. They have no where to go, but to hide under rocks like ostriches, unaware (probably) that their tails are fully exposed. Its fun to watch them move from place to place and try to guess why they behave the way they do. In the pond we have a 90 lb. Columbia River sturgeon who is about 6 feet long. You can see how ancient he is. In fact, he's probably been here on Earth twice as long as me! He doesn't move very fast, but his facial expression is one of contentment and even happiness. As if he was smiling cause he knows he's not going to be dinner.

Creating the pond has brought a surprising amount of wildlife to our ranch. Ospreys frequently take a glance and have probably stolen a few fish. I spied one hovering 50 feet above the pond waiting for a meal. I had to think fast of what to say when my father-in-law also found him and raced at him with his truck honking. Asking me why I didn't deter the bird from stealing his fish, I told him that I was waiting to see if he'd fully submerge like they say they do and then I was going to hit him with a rock! (Actually, I would have gladly paid the man the $.50 per fish he paid for them to watch the show play out to its fullest extent. Its with joy that I see all of this that the Almighty has blessed me with. I challenge you all to take the time to find something wild and see what benefits come from pondering it.

With love,

Danimal Frank

Mom's fotos from the reunion

Bentley Reunion Slide-show

I'm sorry that I don't have pictures of most of you, seriously apoligize. I'd love to see the rest of your pictures, especially Mandi and Dave who were snaping photos right and left. this was a really easy program to use, so hopefully there will be more slideshows to come. Love you all! Mary

DAD'S FRIEND THE BEAR

okay so I didn't get the right picture. Now you can see Hna. Esparza's arm in a sling from her recent operation. AND you can see Dad almost being eaten by a bear!

THE OLD AND THE NEW

I thought you might enjoy seeing pictures of those we associate with and I refer to in my e=mails. Here are pictures of our first presidency (Hna. Esparza has her arm in the sling, Hna. Treto has the reddish hair). And here is our new presidency (Hna. Garcia has the short dark hair and Hna. Lopez the more reddish color). SEE YOU ALL NEXT WEEK (OR SHORTLY THEREAFTER).

tHe BeNtLeY ReUniOn

Ok so here is the meal schedule revised (hopefully for the last time! :) )

we are now starting the reunion on Wednesday night....

WEDNESDAY

DINNER AND DESSERT - Mary and Karalee

THURSDAY

BREAKFAST- EVERYONE IS ON THERE OWN!!

LUNCH- Sharon and Rachel (DAN) at classic (there is a grill)

DINNER AND DESSERT- Mandi and Mom

FRIDAY

BREAKFAST- Mary and Karalee (at moms house)

LUNCH- Mandi (at the pond)

DINNER AND DESSERT- Kathy and Rachel (STEVE) at the pond

SATURDAY

ALL AT THE POND!!!

BREAKFAST- Mandi

LUNCH- Kathy and Rachel (STEVE)

DINNER AND DESSERT- Sharon and Rachel (DAN)

PLEASE NOTE- When in charge of a meal you will be responsible for EVERYTHING including silverware, dishes, drinks and clean-up!

for the meals at moms (and possibly Kathys) there will be regular dishes available. If you opt to use these you will be responsible for the complete clean up and put away of them! Ricks family will be doing their own meals, and Mary and Dave's families will not be there on Saturday, keep this in mind when planning how much food to make!

ALSO-The pond we are going to is a private pond so ANYONE can fish without a license! So bring your stuff! We are camping over night at the pond, Jimmy and I have a lot of tents and gear available so please let us know if you need us to provide anything for you. We can bring tents for the out of towners so that you don't have to bring that cross country with you, but we don't have a ton of sleeping bags. We also have quite a bit of equipment for cooking while camping and coolers that we can bring as well. let us know what you need!

oh and 1 more thing... bring bug repellent!

Here are a couple of more pictures. The one is our farewell dinner with our old presidency. You've heard me talk about the Tretos and Esparzas, now here they are.

the orphanage

Yesterday I went to the Salvation Army Orphanage with the Moss’ to assess the needs. I dragged the Moss’ into this because I learned that to access the Church’s Humanitarian Aid, if you have no humanitarian missionaries, there has to be a request from the mission president. The biggest need is for food, and milk is at the top of their list. When Uncle Bruce and Aunt Bev and Uncle John and Aunt Lynn served as humanitarian missionaries the Church provided 50Lb bags of powdered milk to the orphanages in Mongolia and Mozambique where they served. Hopefully, we can get that help here. I was very impressed with the director, Ana Maria Alcocer. She and her husband live there with the children (their own family is grown). There are five other helpers, two or three of which also live at the home.
I learned some interesting facts such as:
1) This is a “Children’s Home” not a true orphanage because these children can’t be adopted. All of these children have at least one relative, that person is just not able to care for the child because of poverty.
2) Abandoned and abused children who are able to be adopted are cared for by the government which has resources to cover expenses. This Salvation Army Children’s Home is funded by charity donations.
3) There are 22 boys and 16 girls from 5 months to 12 years of age. I asked what happens to them after they are 12 and she said they are old enough to work and if they have learned “obedience and respect” they are returned to their relative (it is enough to make a child not want to learn either principle).*
4) The school age children attend a local elementary school, where they do wear uniforms (you can see some of them wearing them in the pictures). There is a Woman’s Aid Society in Virginia which provides the uniforms and one pair of shoes for each child every year.
5) Although food is what is needed most, there is a need for pillows and bedspreads, toys and clothing. Any donations are welcome and what they can’t use themselves they sell at a bazaar and the money earned goes to buy food.
6) I was happy to see that things were clean and the rooms were painted and cheerful.

The children are darling and they loved having their picture taken. Enjoy the pictures (The picture of the sun I’m standing in front of was painted by the Mormon family that came last Christmas and we had for Christmas Eve overnight.

* Dad and I went downtown today to the big market. We stopped at Burger King to buy an ice cream cone. While Dad was ordering, a disheveled boy of about 12 or 13 came up to me and asked me for money to buy something to eat. His one eye was clouded and it looked like he couldn’t see out of it. His dusty face was tear stained. I couldn’t help but wonder if this was a boy who had been turned out onto the street to fend for himself. We bought him a $9.00 whopper meal.