Elder Stafford - Pics

 

Weekend Explorations

We are running out of time!  Some of our favorite areas will close soon for the winter. Also, I have been really sick this week and needed to get out of the house for a bit.  So we decided to head to our favorite new spot to do some more exploring.  We have been out this way 4 times now and each time we manage to see new wonderful things!

We saw a herd of deer, we went up some steep climbs, we found some fun sticks and Harry Potter wands, we met some rangers and were given a cool new map, and we even hiked a bit to check out some of the areas.  Near the end of our adventure we saw a very steep hill and decided to try it out. We got to the top and found we had taken the back way up to the top of some ski runs, complete with chair lifts and amazing views!  We worked our way down and found at the base that we were at the Kelly Canyon Ski Resort.  We met the owner and learned all about ski classes.  Fun!  I adore my family!  There is no one else I would rather spend the day with!  We miss the two older kids and look forward to the times we get to spend with them as well!

 My goofball!

Remembering the Good Times

This was picnic on a mountain day. Best date ever! I worried that photos of Richard would always make me sad. But I like to be reminded of the happy memories. There are so very many of them! Grateful I took a moment to capture this one. I miss my husband.

Returning with Honor

Today we will welcome Elder Stafford back into our home and our daily lives.  He has faithfully served the Lord and the people of North Carolina for the past six months.  I am so proud of him and his ability to continue working hard even when things were so difficult for him. He gave everything he had and that is what a mission is all about!

We talked to his Mission President yesterday and he told us what a diligent and obedient missionary Jacob is.  He assured us that Jacob will receive a certificate of completion. He also told us Jacob will continue to be a missionary for the rest of his life. I know this to be true, as Jacob was an amazing missionary even before he left for North Carolina. 

We are so excited to see Jacob again after all this time. We are proud of him and his service. The kids look up to him and have expressed their desire to follow in his footsteps and serve missions themselves one day!

I want to let Jacob know how much we love him!  We could not be prouder of him and we are thrilled to welcome him home! 

Congratulations Elder Stafford, for returning with honor!