Smithfield Scoop

CONGRATULATIONS to... Addy for winning the sonatina competition (even though you felt quite miserable!), and to the Flake babies for growing so well and being so cute, and to T & T for finding and purchasing a new home, and to Ian for loving the all time best musical ever (Sound of Music!) and for performing so well in Matilda (which we can't wait to see tomorrow!), and to Grace for turning 10 so gracefully, and to all of the amazing Spartans in our family who learned they can do hard, very hard, things, and to Elise for figuring out how to get the fireplace redone, and to Lauren for surviving Nick going back and forth to Logan for weeks on end (or what felt like that long)...

I was surprised to see that we haven't posted a contribution to this lovely blog for a month. How does time go by so quickly??!! We thoroughly enjoyed our time in California at the Spartan event. I think I am going to write a book, or maybe just some thoughts, that I will call "Lessons From our Grandchildren." I was so inspired by our young ones as I watched them work so hard and overcome obstacles and learn some lessons. It was great! Thanks for inviting us! Please let us know when you plan to race again.

This is a clip from the email I sent to Emma after returning from California - for history's sake...
"It has been fun to be with Elise, Joe and Ruth and their families this weekend. We arrived in California at various times on Thursday evening, between 6:00 and midnight, but we all made it safe and sound. There was really only one major hiccup - when Joe and Lori’s van decided it didn’t want to make the trip and refused to go any further than St. George. They left it at a dealership in St. George after purchasing a newer one, and continued their journey. Typical of that amazing family, they could see all the tender mercies, miracles, and the hand of the Lord in the timing – that it didn’t break down in the middle of nowhere; that they had not bought new tires before leaving, as they had planned; that Joe was able to talk the salesman into giving them more for a trade-in value on their old van than they first offered; that they still got to California on Thursday and the delay did not cause them to miss the race, etc., etc. They are an inspiration to me about looking for the good in each situation. Everyone else made it just fine and we all had a wonderful time together in a very accommodating Airbnb cabin in the mountains. The race was yesterday, with Ian, Jack, Peter, Grace, Grant, Joy, Jake, Emerson and Eliza running the kid’s one-mile and two-mile races and Alex, Joseph, Lori, Ruth and Garrett running the 12.8 mile “Beast” Spartan. I was amazed at how well they all did. Each had some scars, but all survived! The children had obstacles on their course, just like the adults, and had to carry heavy sand bags for quite a distance, climb up walls, run through a deep mud pit, climb ropes, throw spears, etc., in addition to running! Ian came in first of the whole group in his division on the 2-mile run, thanks to his long legs and perseverance. He came home with a bloody hand from a rope laceration, but we bandaged it and he carried on. There were probably 30 or 40 or more kids in each division. In the younger division, the one mile race, Grant came in 2nd, Peter 3rd, and Grace 5th! They all finished, learning they can do hard things and pushing through the parts they didn’t like at all. At one point, little Jake was carrying a heavy sand bag on his shoulders and got out of balance from being top heavy, sank to his knees without putting his hands out in front of him because he was holding the bag, and just stayed there – face in the dirt! The guy manning that event picked him up and asked him if he was okay. “I think I scratched my knee.” After looking at it for a minute, Jake decided it wasn’t too bad and that he could keep running, which he did! So inspiring. However, another of the most inspiring part of the day was watching Jack wait for Emerson. Jack hung out at each obstacle until Emerson caught up, then he would encourage Emer to get through the obstacle and try to get him to run. It was so noble and kind and patient of Jack. What a guy. I had those boys in the car on the drive back and at Jack said to Emerson, “Emer, we need to work on your endurance.” “What’s that?” “You know, your stamina.” “What’s that?” “It’s like when you keep going even when you don’t want to or it gets hard.” “Oh.” “Next time, I might not wait up for you if you don’t work on your endurance.” “Okay.” That was all. No belittling, no complaining, just honest encouragement. It was a good time. What a great family to belong to.  I sure love them all."

We loved having the Manning crew here for a few days recently. Nick was playing guitar in a theater production in Logan and had to travel back and forth to work, but was able to spend Friday night through Sunday here with all of us. Chet learned to navigate the stairs after taking a sad tumble down. He's quite proficient now. We have been to Idaho a couple of times recently, catching a piano recital for Addy and taking some beef to the Harts. We hope soon to catch a basketball game, choir performances, and are looking forward to seeing Matilda tomorrow night. We dropped in on Joe and Lori's family for a visit on Grace's birthday. What a darling 10-year-old! We are always absolutely grateful for any time we are blessed to spend with our family.

Our recent efforts involve getting ready for Emma to return from her mission. We are almost finished with our master bathroom remodel and I'm pretty excited to have the carpet out of the bathroom! Hopefully, it will be done before you all come home to see Emma and/or for Thanksgiving :)

As we watch the Face to Face right now, we are quite excited for the new Youth and Children program. Some really wonderful changes in the church programs that will make a difference in the lives of our grandchildren, which we are so grateful for.

Sure love you all! Have a wonderful week - and pray for Emma's last 4 days in the mission field!