Moving on...

Thought for the week:  (From the little book, Small and Simple Things by Marjorie Pay Hinckley)

It is good to kneel as a family and to hear daily expressions of gratitude to our Heavenly Father for the blessings we enjoy.  The Lord intended His children to enjoy the good things of life. With all that we have, we must also have grateful hearts.  We must teach our children not to take all that they have for granted.  Thank you is a wonderful phrase.  Use it.  It will add stature to your soul.  Never let a day go by without saying thank you to someone for something — and especially to your Heavenly Father.

And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.       (D&C 78:19)

Birthdays/Anniversaries:     Tanner Oliphant will be 3 on Thursday, Jan. 23rd

Mission Notes:     Well...just a week of trying to catch up from my absence of the week before.  Did a good job on some of it, still a goodly amount to go.  Working with the new office couples has changed the character of the office quite a bit; at first I worried about a lot of things, but have decided that is not for me to worry about.  The Lord is in charge and it will all work out.  Tomorrow is Martin Luther King Day, so there is no mail.  When Sister Young was in the office briefly Friday she said, "You all should take the day off!" as if mail were the only thing done in the office.  The other couples have decided to do that; I am wanting to go in for at least a few hours to work on things I need to do.  Dad is planning on going down to Roseburg to work on the car dolly he bought for using with the motor home so we can take the Prius with us when we travel.  All I can see is $ signs, but hope this will all work out.  Haven't exactly figured out how to do our schedule yet tomorrow but am sure we will.

We are going to work on our "travel plans" this week and then share with you for your input.  For any who read this I would like your thoughts on something else.  I was feeling really relieved to finally have a plan in motion for our immediate future following the mission.  Today we received an e-mail from the Wimbers (the family living in our home) saying that when our closest neighbor found out they were building a house because they couldn't afford to buy ours, that neighbor expressed an interest.  My question to you all is should we talk to him about his interest or stick with our plan of putting the house up for sale next year?  I would really like to hear from each of our children - and your answer can be "don't care" if that is how you feel about it.

Family Notes:
This was a momentous week for the Kirby family as Patrick signed up for the National Guard on Wednesday and then participated in his first weekend training yesterday and today.  Unfortunately for Patrick he ended up sick all week (high fever and cough, according to Sara) but went in anyway and survived - at least enough to make it home this evening.  They are happy to have the prospect of a little more income, medical care, and Patrick going back to school...all of which sound great to us.  Apparently Patrick had signed up for the Iron Man event which cost a sizeable amount of money, and had thought if he could leave for training in February he could still make the event.  Instead his training will start in July which means he will miss it.  Hoping they can perhaps get the money back.  Dad and I are happy it is later because if Sara is in need of help while he is gone, we will not be tied to the mission office by then:)!

I talked with Charlotte this week and we are planning to drive the motor home up to see them next weekend - our first "overnight outing" - which will give us a chance to see what we need and what we would like to have in the vehicle as we travel.  We are thinking our next trip will be a little longer - down to Emily's perhaps.  Will work on those plans this week.  Sounds like Charlotte and Seth are doing fine and we look forward to seeing them.

I missed Jim Jr.'s call on Thursday - and was very sad to find out that I had done so.  Thursday was kind of a hard day at the office - came home and just crashed.  I am still not 100% recovered from whatever hit me two weeks ago.  Hoping that all is well with the Texas Oliphants:).

I saw a posting on Facebook that Holly has been sick - but don't know how she is doing.  Hopefully much improved.  Called Emily because she hadn't answered an e-mail and found out she has been sick too.  Maybe not such a good start to the New Year for all of us!

Christi made it to her meeting in Cheyenne - and home again - without tremendously bad weather, for which I am always grateful.  I think she gets the award for the most miles put on her car out of everyone in the family.  I know John went back to school this week - they take much longer breaks than we got when we were in school:)!  Wishing him a good semester.

Talked with Mary; she's been busy at her work - plus she managed to deliver a vacuum cleaner to our building in Provo for us (Thank You So Much Mary).  It would sure be a lot easier to manage things there if we were there!  She says Michael is preparing to move back to Utah as they have given up on her being able to do her job from Oregon - at least for now:).

I think that is all I know - which is not much.  Love to all:)!