Survive Thanksgiving?? Missed You!

Hi, here's some more photos:  Pin the Tail on the turkey game--the elders moved the turkey for lots of laughs.  They all took some pie home.  It was interesting in that Elder Midgley from Morgan, Utah, said as he was ready to dish his plate at the buffet..Looks like my Thanksgiving dinners at home, complete with the celery with cheese on.  (When do I ever to celery with cheese on?  But I felt like I should.  And one of them mentioned their favorite was chocolate or pecan.  I don't think I ever made pecan pie at home much,  But both of those pies I wasn't going to make yet suddenly I was making them.  This was their dinner away from their families too, and they seemed to enjoy it as much as we did.  Elder Aviles from Veracruz Mexico, brought us a gift from his Mother.  His package came this morning (it's not a holiday here), and she gave me a fan and blouse and Dad a Tshirt from Mexico.  He leaves the office on Tuesday.  He has learned a lot of English and has been over all 71 houses for the missionaries--a huge task.  Each missionary is so awesome--just like each of you.  Then they hurried off with some pie to save the world!!  (and the 250 missionaries in our mission and 80,000 missionaries world wide literally are!

We love you!  Love, Mom & Dad

Dom Rep Santo Domingo West Mission

11/27/13

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO THE MOST WONDERFUL PEOPLE WE KNOW!!!

Hi kids and kids in law and grandkids!!  We are so grateful for each of you!!!  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! 

You are all invited to our house for Thanksgiving next year!!!!

Estamos agradicimos para ustedes todos!!

Estoy agradicida por mi testimonio.  Dios vive!  Jesucristo es el Salvador, el Redentor del mundo.!  Agradicida por la oportunidad servir un mision para Padre Celestial!  (y mi tambien.) El Libro de Mormon es verdadero.  Jose Smith fue un profeta de Dios.  El restaurado la iglesia.  Tomas S. Monson es un profeta de Dios en la tierra hoy.  Familias son eternas!!    I am grateful for my testimony.  God lives!  Jesus is the Savior, the Redeemer of the world.  I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve a mission for Heavenly Father, (and also for me--I'm getting more out of it than anyone else.  The Book of Mormon is true.  Joseph Smith was a prophet of God.  Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God on the earth today. Families are eternal!  And I'm so grateful for that-- that I can live with you all forever!!  We are grateful for all of you!!  (in the first part)

En el nombre de Jesucristo, Amen.

Hi Bethany!

On Wed, Nov 20, 2013 at 3:46 AM, Susan Schmidt <susanandjim6@yahoo.com> wrote:

We have transfers Dec 3rd, with sisters going home Dec 18th.  The mission field has been an incredible experience!  Our language skills are better, my cooking is worse (can't really do the same things with the oven and ingredients that are here, but my piano playing is better, my computer skills are better, my love for all God's children has increased 100 fold.  We send a letter home to families (or at least I found it in the file, but no one taught us to send it) a few months out from when they are leaving, that tells parents and families not to distract their missionary, because they are at the height of their language and teaching and testifying skills.  I've thought a lot about that as we come to each transfer sending some great ones home and welcoming some beginners.  The transformation of each missionary is amazing!!  With the power of the Lord and with their hard work and faith, they have each become giants!!!  The missionaries say they can't see it in themselves. 

     Thanks for letting me ramble!  We got an email today from our trainer who is now home, an elder we watched for a year-- in the office for a few months and then an AP in the south who came in for a few days each week. --and he thanks us for all we taught him!--wow, the young people today are so awesome!  That's you Bethany.  We have enjoyed your news each week.  Hit it hard the last home stretch--Thanks for your example of working hard each day, for letting us see Russia through your eyes, for seeing how you learned a really tough language.....and much much more!

Love, Susan & Jim

On Monday, November 25, 2013 6:15 AM, Bethany Jensen <bethany.jensen@myldsmail.net> wrote:

Thanks for writing!

I hope you have a wonderful week!

Love,

Sister J

More Pictures From Janet

Dominican Flag

Hi Kids and Grand Kids!

The Dominican flag that dad wanted, I got a mini table one, the ocean by from a parking lot, and the temple at night.  It is interesting that the Dominican Flag has scriptures on it opened to John, And the truth shall make you Free.  Someone said only country to have scriptures on their flag!!  Love Mom & Dad 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JIM, DAD, GRANDPA!!!! You are awesome, you are loved!

Thanks to you dear Jim for all the wonderful times, memories and fun!  Grateful for you!

***

DAD,

Happy birthday! We love you. I took a little video of the kids wishing you a happy birthday. I'll try to post it on our blog soon. Hope you have a terrific day and a wonderful birthday. Miss you!

Love,

Andrea

***

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!

 I thought about you twice today during Kindergarten when we addressed the calendar and talked about what day it was. I mentioned to my students that today was my Dad's birthday, and I got lots of, "You have a dad?" "Whoa - you're too old to have a dad." Kids are fun :)

I told Claire that today was your birthday and she said that we needed to have a cake and open presents. When I told her that wasn't possible, she insisted that we celebrate Daisy's birthday (our dog) in your place. :) -Ashley

Birthday Card to Dad

To Ellen: Hey, he enjoyed the birthday card!  Thanks, love, Susan

Happy Birthday JIM! What a memorable way to spend a birthday--in an exotic country! Hope you have a great day and get to spend it with people you'll never forget. You're a great brother! Love you lots. Ellen

Email from Janet

On Sunday, November 17, 2013 2:08 AM, Janet Gee <janetegee@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Jim and Susan,

Thanks for taking me, picking me up and etc. Flights were good.  Customs was quite the challenge in New Jersey---huge huge long lines. And then had to go reclaim luggage and give it to them again, etc. And then to  take the air tram to concourse A and etc. I had to go through security again; they went though both carry ons and took out those little tiny bottles of water.  I'd filled them in Dom Rep.  Not serious problem.But I'm home and it all worked out well. 

Turtle came through great as well as the dolphin. I opened my suitcase to get a few things out and saw the Christmas surprise!  I opened it, but will re wrap it.  Cute wrapping. I love it! Thanks

Have a great Sunday; I wanted to let you know I was home! Love you lots!

Yes, send a few of your favorite photos from  your camera--I think there are about 40 photos in those books--of course  you can change out any you want to switch......

Headed to bed.  Have a wonderful Sabbath!

Love J

(Note: Janet has sent something every week since we have been here!!!)

Land Dedication Site

Hi kids! Did I already send these? They were taken at the site where the land was dedicated for the preaching of the gospel and also at the temple.  What is more important in our lives?  The gospel and each other!  I've shown the picture of you all to many here!  Looking forward to seeing you in person!

Love,

Mom & Dad

Email From Elder Reeder

From: Riley Reeder <riley.reeder@icloud.com>
Date: Thu, Oct 31, 2013 at 4:05 PM
Subject: Its been way to long!
To: susan.schmidt@myldsmail.net


Elder y Hermana Schmidt!

How are you guys?  I’m so sorry that it has been so long since i have been in touch with you guys.  Life has been pretty crazy recently, but I promise I haven’t forgotten about you!  Everything is going great.  I can’t believe how much the Lord has blessed my life in the time that I have been home.  Its great being with my family, especially with my niece.  She has too much energy, but its always fun chasing her around.  I am attending USU, and its going great.  I am still trying to decide what I want to study, but right now I’m taking some business classes. The other day I was in accounting, and we began to discuss “petty cash” boxes.  Instantly I thought of the mission and all the crazy trips to Citi bank.  Its amazing to see how the things that I learned in the office are helping me in my studies.  I am working in web design, and I love it.  I get to set my own hours which is convenient with school.  It pushes my abilities, but I’m learning a lot.  As for other things- I’m dating a very special girl- her name is Kyleigh.  She is incredible.  I don’t know if you remember me joking with Elder Gatherum about dating his sister, but I guess the joke backfired.  We ended up meeting, and hit things off right away.  We have been dating ever since.  We are planning on getting married in June, so thankfully you will be home- I will make sure and send you an invitation.  I hope you are still enjoying the mission.  I miss it each and every day.  It was such an amazing experience.  Thank you for all the things that you taught me, and the great examples that you both are.  I look up to you, and consider you my other grandparents.  Say hi to President and Hermana for me, and everyone in the office.  I love you all.

Riley Reeder

La Sirena--A Kmart kind of store. La Sirena means mermaid

The Botanical Gardens in Santo Domingo (la jardin de botanico)

Hi Family!  How are you all doing?  Aunt Janet was here, we had a wonderful time.  But how are you, I have missed talking to you!

Love,

Mom and Dad

Janet's Visit

To Family: Wish You Were Here!! This is what we did after working in the office for 10 hours!!!

Transfers--Missionaries leaving

Oct 22, Traslados, misioneros terminan

What a week huh!

Hi Kids and Grandkids!  What a week huh!  Halloween and 3 birthdays!  We are so excited to hear and see and talk to you all!  Wow, parties and carnivals and house closing and moving and dinners and costumes outings and fun!  You are all doing so well!! 

     I guess the movers are coming Friday to pack up Brent and Judith and Derek at their home in Layton, and deliver their things on Monday in Rexburg.  Wow a gorgeous house sounds like!  And the collaborating with John Welch!

     Darren and Jolynn and Patrick, Maylin, Cameron, Sydney, Celeste, Joshua, Michael, Christian entertained a hundred and 30 guests in just one night at their backyard spook alley and carnival games event.  Sounds so fun! 

     Amy and Jake and Grace went trick or treating to Jakes' work and they got to see all the insides of the company and all the employees and their families.  That sounds neat!  They are making house plans.

     Andrea and Ross and Allen, Abby, Jane, Emma and Jill had quite a week with ward party, planting flowers at the Sacramento temple, and celebrating 3 birthdays plus their cute Halloween theme of Green!

     Annette and Caleb and Hyrum went to the Sam's club Halloween party--Amazing!  And won the contest for the best trunk and costume decorating in the theme of Monsters, Inc. 

     Ashley and Kelland and Claire had a terrific party for Claire's friends in their new backyard.  Their masters degrees are coming along very well and so is Claire who was gorgeous as the little mermaid to join her parents as Ariel and Erik.

   

     We've had a lot of rain today.  When we drove to our small branch today, there was lots of mud around houses.  We had a day of service with yellow Helping Hands Shirts yesterday.  We picked up garbage and helped clean out gutters and drains.  So I guess they were better prepared for the rain today.  A cute little family--very dark, young mom and dad who have a little gal about  2 or 3 (who runs around sort of quietly in Sacrament Meeting, and comes up to help me play the piano) blessed a little boy today.  First blessing we've seen since we've been here. They named him Nephi and a lot of other names.   After meeting the counselor in the branch presidency asked us to drive them home because of the rain.  I should have taken a picture.  Such beautiful people, and such a little humble dwelling.        I pulled out pencil and pen during Sacrament Meeting for her to draw.  This little girl rubbed my arm, then put her little arm next to mine as if to say, there is a difference between us both.  (size and color and freckles!)

Take care!  Love, Susan and Jim 

BOO!!

Our Trick o Treaters from left to right:

Elder Arana from Virginia, head AP  He is an old lady out of the shower.

Elder Midgley from Morgan, Utah.  He is a CIA agent. Office Elder

Elder Aviles from Veracuz Mexico, A Tourist  (tourista) Office Elder

Elder Guerero from the DR, an FBI agent   ?

Elder Rincon from Mexico City 2nd AP, he was the penguin from Batman

We had chili, rolls and crackers, apple cider, carmel apples and candy.  We ate it all!  Wish you were here!  We had carmel corn yesterday.  Cooking here is way different, but still appreciated!

We've had wonderful Halloween's haven't we,,,,and there are more to come!

Love you all!!!

Love, Mom & Dad

Witch is your favorite Halloween!  Ghoal have a great one! 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Hi! Happy Halloween! Today the elders came, creaking doors, then trick or treating us! How fun! Here's our treats, the office, and Dad as Dracula! They wanted us to tell some of our memories of Halloween. We bragged about you all!