Classic Blake Face!
Happy Birthday Blake!
A little Brotherly Love..
Monday, January 26, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Hi juST A FEW PICS OF THE SUPPLIES WE HAVE SENT TO THE WEST AND A NOTE OF WHAT WE NEED. In the first pic are huge boxes of matches and here cheap soap is sold in these huge long bars below. Next we bought 12 bags of rice at 22# each. Next rice 12 bags @
22# each . Sugar 10 bags at 2 k each. And we put our food on tables in case of rats. The other side of the school has rats!!
The extra clothing was not there yet, but this is what we got. 80 pairs of shoes. 60 pairs of underwear [used ,clean & from Austtralia] shoes were new, 50 clean shirts good enough for church. On some paperwork the first thing asked for were white shirts and ties. I just broke our hearts readings all of this. They are cold in Rackiracki and in the Ba -western side. I contracted for 50 covers that were sheets or blankets [Australia again] They need tools to dig. So we boought 3o pitch forks {British made] and will send one per village, until we can get more. Oh yes tons of top ramin noodles and huge bags of flour. LDS huminatarian gave 3 days of food to a huge number of people not all church though. This stuff is LDS only. SLC is authorizing 35,000 dollars food for the island. 3 mon per family. Their crops hopefull will start by then. All ground food is ruined and the ground is spoiling.[molding because it is not draining yet] =digging forks local name. Here I am in the bales of bed linens choosing heavy covers. No air I smelled like 2 pigs. Total cost was1,300 bucks fijian. You could feel the spirit telling me "their cold" and I just bought more bedding . We are going to the west today ,sunday to deliver these suplies to the northern Ba region. There are no more cars avaiable because their is a missionary conference the next few days and we are off work at the temple. I am working on a article on Fiji and will add the pics of the flood and our new angel Moroni. Your money will not be a tax deduction, if you need that just make the money s payable to Fiji in your fast offerings. It will take a while to get moneys for other things because we are working with other teams and must cooridinate [sp]so we are doing this ourselves as missionaries. We have used every penny you sent for painting the school in Singatoka for these supplies and the extra 1,000. Thank you all for your good hearts and faith. POresident Wooley is giving us the gas card to pay for fuel. Pres. Nelson was a little miffed. It is his time to go home -they are ready, too!! We will send more pics and keep you up. Bulla Vinaka Mom and Dad
.
The extra clothing was not there yet, but this is what we got. 80 pairs of shoes. 60 pairs of underwear [used ,clean & from Austtralia] shoes were new, 50 clean shirts good enough for church. On some paperwork the first thing asked for were white shirts and ties. I just broke our hearts readings all of this. They are cold in Rackiracki and in the Ba -western side. I contracted for 50 covers that were sheets or blankets [Australia again] They need tools to dig. So we boought 3o pitch forks {British made] and will send one per village, until we can get more. Oh yes tons of top ramin noodles and huge bags of flour. LDS huminatarian gave 3 days of food to a huge number of people not all church though. This stuff is LDS only. SLC is authorizing 35,000 dollars food for the island. 3 mon per family. Their crops hopefull will start by then. All ground food is ruined and the ground is spoiling.[molding because it is not draining yet] =digging forks local name. Here I am in the bales of bed linens choosing heavy covers. No air I smelled like 2 pigs. Total cost was1,300 bucks fijian. You could feel the spirit telling me "their cold" and I just bought more bedding . We are going to the west today ,sunday to deliver these suplies to the northern Ba region. There are no more cars avaiable because their is a missionary conference the next few days and we are off work at the temple. I am working on a article on Fiji and will add the pics of the flood and our new angel Moroni. Your money will not be a tax deduction, if you need that just make the money s payable to Fiji in your fast offerings. It will take a while to get moneys for other things because we are working with other teams and must cooridinate [sp]so we are doing this ourselves as missionaries. We have used every penny you sent for painting the school in Singatoka for these supplies and the extra 1,000. Thank you all for your good hearts and faith. POresident Wooley is giving us the gas card to pay for fuel. Pres. Nelson was a little miffed. It is his time to go home -they are ready, too!! We will send more pics and keep you up. Bulla Vinaka Mom and Dad.
Christmas in Texas
I have video of Jackie but no photos, but she
was as beautiful as always.
lots of love,
am
Friday, January 23, 2009
Christmas in Arizona!
Russell and Michelle, and their 4 cute kids (Jane, Max, Ava, and Sophie) came to AZ this year for Christmas. Blake and Ami, and their 2 cute kids (Juel and Asher) live here in AZ as well, so it was good times. Thanks for making the trek and making the week such fun. My kids are still in withdrawal from their cousins.
Christmas Eve - about to open their jammies
Baby Sophie was the sweetest thing on the planet all week long.
Asher was "missing" and whenever that happens it is not a good sign... but this time - we laughed our butts off when we found him. He had squirted chocolate sauce all over the pantry floor and was sittin in the corner just suckin' it down! I swear to you, we did not pose him. The "Oh crap, I've been caught and must look remorseful expression" was all him.
OK - Little Ava (on the right) was like this all week. Such a funny little girl and had us cracking up all week long. she was the total class clown and one-liner queen. Kobe, of course, her one-liner King. They give both their parents such good times!
The "boys" gingerbread house. The competition was fierce. I think Russell called it a tie.
Juel and Asher were more interested in eating the candy, rather than decorating with it.... at this point, Asher gave up and headed for the chocolate!
The most handsome kid on the planet! Although clothing is always optional with him.
Waiting to see if Santa came!
Kalvin, Daisy, Sage and Kobe
Our little Rock Star Daisy! Again, clothing is always optional at the Wettstein's home.
Daisy on her jeep. She thinks she is so cool on this thing.
Sage and Jane - peas in a pod all week long.
We took the kids to Fountain Hill (where the largest man-made geyser is) and fed the ducks and geese, which were crazy! no fear and very aggressive about getting their bread at times. Daisy was way into it.
Wettstein kids waiting for the geyser - go already!
Seriously - the only picture we have of all 8. None with all 10. So mad about that. still check out Daisy... thrilled to be in the shot as usual... Don't get me started on Max - every picture I have of him he is covering his face - kid did not like the sun or the flash or the camera or whatever MAX! Fun kids.
Ava was forced... Kobe was not!
Finally! Touchdown!
Me and Daisy girl. Again - diving from the picture - the little stinker.
Russ and Michelle... Russ thank you for giving me such a great sister-n-law. She is a great person and friend. I am glad to have her in my life. Again - thanks for coming and spending this year with all of us in AZ. A great time was had by all.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Happy Birthday Papi
We love you and miss you terribly.
Lots of hugs and kisses.
Dante wishes you a good swim at the beach.
Bella wishes you a good time watching our video.
And David and I wish you happiness and a speedy return.
Take care,
The Torres Family
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Happy Birthday--until tomorrow.
Hi there Dad,
Happy Birthday on your birthday---but really i am going to post something tomorrow with the
kids. They are asleep and i am thinking that what i have planned will come off much better with their support.
I do hope your day was wonderful. I have tried you on skype but to no avail.
Lots of love,
am
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Our first Foray into pet ownership...
This is Bob
This is the kiddos hard at work digging a grave for poor little Bob. Apparently he was already in renal failure when I got him, and there was nothing we could do, although we did try everything. I took him to the vet, and the only choice was to end his suffering. It was very sad, but on the bright side, Yurtle is healthy and thriving.
Kobe made a headstone for him and the service was just beautiful.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Albinos live in fear (Africa)
These photos are the tip of the ice berg of such a horrific society that we really do live in. This heading captures the truth about living today in Africa
. I had the paper and just couldn't bring myself to read the entire news piece for at least 1 week and then it made me so really ill that I was astounded..at how I felt. And then to make matters worse I asked my friend Sr. Seru [her son served his mission in Gana] and she said that the cult of black magic is even worse than what had been reported. This practice is almost the worse but sadly there is more. Albinos are called "the living ghosts" by locals of Africa. They have milky white skin, blue eyes, and red or blond hair. Sounds like some of my own children and many grandchildren. Their only place of saftey is an island in the vast area of Lake Victoria on the island of Ulkerewe. Children have been abandoned there for many, many years and have been fed by and cared for by these good people. They do not believe the "satanic campain" . The entire contient of Africa is involved in black magic and as for that ..so is our world, too. People will do anything to gain the advantage over anyone or thing. Power and gain is the promise. The only difference here is people want power, gain [money], and to bebeautiful forever. Sounds like a TV ad or new self help book! The albinos are killed in their beds or out in the street captured and chopped up and sold. Even their heads are cut off and sold by the pound! Children are lured out to watch films about Jesus or for candy or treats, followed home and killed and chopped up. Adults are followed and shot dead. One mother even bathed her tiny infant, dressed her in a black dress and then the entire family left their family hut. I have not known any albinos in my childhood
but their health problems are large. Their eyes suffer terribly
and most die from skin cancers. And most die before the age of 30. In the general population the rate of albinism is 1 in 20,000. but in Africa the rate is 1 in 5,000. This island has the largest population in the world. The only thing that has saved them is that the island is very remote. This article no doubt will bring terrible changes for the islanders no doubt. I shutter to think at the possibilies. Again the secret societies, again and again. These are what the bodies ae used for. Fishermans nets - hair is woven into the nets and will guarantee you a bigger catch. Gold miners [ruby and diamond, too] -charms- [made of potions and bones] protect them and increase their "finds!" Some bury the albino bones as they dig to protect them from caveins .
The victims have their blood drained off also. Some even drink it on the spot. All are bringing the flesh and bones to local witch doctors. [[ I know that this is a horrid subject but we must never forget that this is the earth that did kill the Savior and all involved knew he was innocent.] These poor souls are afraid to sleep, go to work, go to school and above all afraid to be counted, for fear that a list will be drawn up with their names and addresses on it. What is to counter this plague. All of the "Temples" that have been built in Africa. We have friends who serve in Nigeria and they sing the praises of the saints and how their children love to come and do work for the dead!!! You know when I was a teen I thought that all in the world would one day join the "Chruch" and all would live in love and peace [old coke ad]. Well I was wrong. All will not join and they must be allowed to have their... run of the earth with their leader Satan... They all will be known by their own works. We [ Byron and myself] have found the "truer" meaning if the phrase "a living prophet". Each time the prophet allows the font here to be used for a baptism is a teaching moment. The TRUE AND LIVING PROPHET teachs us the kindnesses of the Lord God and of his tender mercies. A mercy is changing the letter of the law on the font --into the spirit of the Law of the Lord. We have seen our new president Wooley keep the laws of the temple handbook and also have seen him bend those same laws. When we have islanders come from islands so backward that there is no furniture -nothing to sit on, sleep on, or eat on, but a woven mat ... they are all treated like kings and queens. And by treating them as such they become that very person right under our watchful eyes. And then as they are growing and learning, they are sealed to their families, with a respect that they have never seen or felt before and with simple words, that they do understand, God begins finishing the child in to a king and queen. Next they , [king and queeen] having learned the lessons of the temple , they now begin help others around them. They have watched our roles as workers and now begin to serve others. ..... There is a cycle to our church life. ... It take us from seedlings to olive trees. ... To king .. from child .. and queen ... to angel ...all in the blink of a lifetime. This .. is our circle of life, as "children of Heavenly Parents."
. I had the paper and just couldn't bring myself to read the entire news piece for at least 1 week and then it made me so really ill that I was astounded..at how I felt. And then to make matters worse I asked my friend Sr. Seru [her son served his mission in Gana] and she said that the cult of black magic is even worse than what had been reported. This practice is almost the worse but sadly there is more. Albinos are called "the living ghosts" by locals of Africa. They have milky white skin, blue eyes, and red or blond hair. Sounds like some of my own children and many grandchildren. Their only place of saftey is an island in the vast area of Lake Victoria on the island of Ulkerewe. Children have been abandoned there for many, many years and have been fed by and cared for by these good people. They do not believe the "satanic campain" . The entire contient of Africa is involved in black magic and as for that ..so is our world, too. People will do anything to gain the advantage over anyone or thing. Power and gain is the promise. The only difference here is people want power, gain [money], and to bebeautiful forever. Sounds like a TV ad or new self help book! The albinos are killed in their beds or out in the street captured and chopped up and sold. Even their heads are cut off and sold by the pound! Children are lured out to watch films about Jesus or for candy or treats, followed home and killed and chopped up. Adults are followed and shot dead. One mother even bathed her tiny infant, dressed her in a black dress and then the entire family left their family hut. I have not known any albinos in my childhood
but their health problems are large. Their eyes suffer terribly
and most die from skin cancers. And most die before the age of 30. In the general population the rate of albinism is 1 in 20,000. but in Africa the rate is 1 in 5,000. This island has the largest population in the world. The only thing that has saved them is that the island is very remote. This article no doubt will bring terrible changes for the islanders no doubt. I shutter to think at the possibilies. Again the secret societies, again and again. These are what the bodies ae used for. Fishermans nets - hair is woven into the nets and will guarantee you a bigger catch. Gold miners [ruby and diamond, too] -charms- [made of potions and bones] protect them and increase their "finds!" Some bury the albino bones as they dig to protect them from caveins .
The victims have their blood drained off also. Some even drink it on the spot. All are bringing the flesh and bones to local witch doctors. [[ I know that this is a horrid subject but we must never forget that this is the earth that did kill the Savior and all involved knew he was innocent.] These poor souls are afraid to sleep, go to work, go to school and above all afraid to be counted, for fear that a list will be drawn up with their names and addresses on it. What is to counter this plague. All of the "Temples" that have been built in Africa. We have friends who serve in Nigeria and they sing the praises of the saints and how their children love to come and do work for the dead!!! You know when I was a teen I thought that all in the world would one day join the "Chruch" and all would live in love and peace [old coke ad]. Well I was wrong. All will not join and they must be allowed to have their... run of the earth with their leader Satan... They all will be known by their own works. We [ Byron and myself] have found the "truer" meaning if the phrase "a living prophet". Each time the prophet allows the font here to be used for a baptism is a teaching moment. The TRUE AND LIVING PROPHET teachs us the kindnesses of the Lord God and of his tender mercies. A mercy is changing the letter of the law on the font --into the spirit of the Law of the Lord. We have seen our new president Wooley keep the laws of the temple handbook and also have seen him bend those same laws. When we have islanders come from islands so backward that there is no furniture -nothing to sit on, sleep on, or eat on, but a woven mat ... they are all treated like kings and queens. And by treating them as such they become that very person right under our watchful eyes. And then as they are growing and learning, they are sealed to their families, with a respect that they have never seen or felt before and with simple words, that they do understand, God begins finishing the child in to a king and queen. Next they , [king and queeen] having learned the lessons of the temple , they now begin help others around them. They have watched our roles as workers and now begin to serve others. ..... There is a cycle to our church life. ... It take us from seedlings to olive trees. ... To king .. from child .. and queen ... to angel ...all in the blink of a lifetime. This .. is our circle of life, as "children of Heavenly Parents."
Bula Vinaka Ya'll Love Mum
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