11 days to our year mark

Hello everyone!
Sorry it's been so long since I've posted. I have had so many things that have gone on and something had to give, so it was this. Work has been crazy busy and things have been hectic at home as well, so hopefully it will be better soon!
Christmas was just wonderful. We got the best gift ever.... an hour and 20 minute phone call from Jared. He is doing just amazing and he couldnt' be happier. I am so proud of him. He is loving his mission and is still in France, but hopes to be transferred back to Switzerland soon. He has such a great attitude and is loving every second. He says that he doesn't know how this time has gone so fast. He can't believe that it's been a whole year almost. 51 weeks and counting. I can't wait till we get to start doing down on our mountain on our calendar. It's been such a blessing to have him serve the Lord is this capacity. We are so proud of him. It's so amazing to see him grow and learn. We all got to talk to him on the speaker phone. It was terrific!!
Next, Jenna asked for a bedroom redo for her gift. She got a new bedroom set with a Queen Cherry sleigh bed. It is so pretty. Her room is pink and brown and her bedding is really pretty. I will post photos when it gets all completed. It has been postponed a bit because she had surgery in the middle of this. She had her tonsils and her adenoids out and it was a bit harder than we had expected. She is doing better now, but one side still hasn't healed yet. She has been out of school for 6 days and will go back on Wednesday. We are excited that she gets to go back to school. It will be nice to get back into our routine.
Grandma is still hanging in there but we wish that she would be able to go home soon. I know that she is waiting for Jared to come home but I don't know if she ( or we ) can make it another whole year. I know that she is trying to keep her promise to Jared. He wishes that she will get to go home and be with Grandpa soon. My Dad is also having a hard time being alone without Mary. I wish that I was closer (in distance) to him so that we could visit him more often.
Also, things with Relief Society have been keeping me hopping! This week I have 3 nights .... Tuesday visitng, Wednesday our meeting, and Thursday, a Stake training. I love being in the presdiency with such great ladies.... Sometimes it just overwhelming. But I can take some time and serve the Lord with gratitude!!!
Jared is supposed to let us know if he is staying in France or is getting transferred. I will post his next letter soon. Until next time my friends..... take care.

How cute is this?

And with all of the returned missionaries that I know... this MUST be true! I just had to post it as I was so thinking about Jared!!! Too much fun!

I figured it out!!!

For some reason, my posts aren't showing up. I figured it out when I updated Jenna's blog ( with my address.) I deleted it and then added it again and it worked. Please do that so that all of my updated will show up! Thanks everyone!!!

Posts not showing up

I think that there is something wrong with my blog. My new posts aren't showing up. I am writing this little post to see if it will update automatically and catch up. Sorry guys, I've been posting, promise!!! Let's see if this remedies the problem!

And the winner is..... Education

Yesterday, I was set apart as the Education Counselor in our Relief Society. I am so excited to be serving with this group of sisters! Two of them I know and love and the other one, I am excited to get to know. It will be a great adventure for sure and I am super happy about beginning this journey. I love our ward and I am so grateful for our last presidency. They were amazing! Treasa is my visiting teaching partner and she has taught me so much! And she is my next door neighbor and wonderful friend! Our sweet Michelle just moved to begin her new adventure with her family, (we will miss her so much! ) and Suzanne was the first one to congratulate me on my new position! Thanks Laurie, Sandy and LaRay! I can't wait to start working together with you in our new presidency!!!

It's Only So Long For Now

Mary, my Dad's dear wife, just passed away this last weekend. Our house has been in turmoil since we heard the news. I am so worried about my Dad. He has been widowed twice now. Not fair!

I decided to post this picture of Jared and My Dad... just to be a reminder that Families ARE Forever and that Jared is out helping others realize that. Although I have sad feelings about Mary's passing, I want to seal my Mom and Dad together for our forever family. I know that is something that I don't have to worry about.... Heavenly Father is in charge!! Thank Goodness and I am so grateful that all things will be right in Heaven.

Rest in Peace Mary: no more pain, no more sickness. God Be With You Until We Meet Again!

Jared's last letter

Hi everyone! We haven't had a letter from Jared in over 2 weeks and I was beginning to get a little worried!! You know that I would have so called the mission home for sure! But, alas, he redeemed himself with a nice long letter in my inbox this morning. It was his 20th birthday on Saturday and so we sent him a 'party in a box' and he had a good celebration anyway! Read on friends:

Dear Family
What is this??? You said that I haven't written in two weeks? I have written every week! Did you change your work email or were there some other problems with the computer?

Thank you for the package. I had Elder Williams take some pictures of me opening my presents. We made the cake, and I had him video me blowing out the candles. It was pretty fun. I bought myself a couple of gorgeous ties the other day. They are really shiny.

This week has been good. There were a few weird things that kind of happened to our ami's. Jackie, the Brazilian wife of our less active, had a huge fight with her husband and she was thinking about divorce. We went over there and prayed with them and kind of helped to calm her down. She is much more calm now, so we will see what happens. We are going to help them move into their new appartment on Wednesday.

I cant believe that you haven't got my package yet!!!! I sent that clear back at the end of September. I hope it gets there soon. If not, I suppose I can just do it again.

We found out that starting on November 4th, our preparation days will be on Wednesday. I really like that, because there will be alot more things to do on Wednesdays. More museums and businesses are open. Except for transfer weeks, they will be on Tuesday.

How is everybody doing? I hear the weather is good.

It has been getting alot cooler here. For a while, it was pretty cold and we didn't have heating in our appartment!! But they turned it on on my birthday! What a sweet present huh?!!

Transfers are next week. I will let you know what happens.

We went over to a members house for lunch on Sunday, the day after my birthday. I was a little worried that they were going to start singing to me. It was fine, until they brought out the dessert. They had made tons of brownies and had trick candles and such. After the second time of trying to blow them out, I thought ''Well, this is lame''! But it was fun anyway.

Dont worry, I am fine!
I love and miss you all!!
Love
Jared
P.S. Tell Chris Happy Birthday for me.

So there you have it folks! My son turned 20 out in the mission field and is having the time of his life. I can't wait to talk to him on Christmas. That will be my best gift ever!!!
Until next post my friends....
Colleen