keeping in shape

Grandpa /Vernon gets up every morning at 5:30 a.m. and starts walking on the treadmill about 6:00. The sky is usually still dark when he starts. Eventually this is what you see out the window. Grandpa Vernon is finding that gradually he is able to go faster and longer distances. He fell one day a few weeks ago on the treadmill. His shins got banged up pretty bad but they healed and the doctor here reommended that he stay off his feet for a few days. Grandma/Jerry gets on the treadmill at 6:30 a.m. and walks 4 miles in an hour. By then the sun is up over the buildings and the room is bathed in sun light. With the window wide open it is almost as nice as walking outside. Reading and walking is one of the benefits of getting exercise on a treadmill. The mission has cleared all the furniture out of this one room on the 3rd floor right next to our apartment for exercising. They bought the treadmill just for the three couples. The other exercise appparatus was given to us by one of the members of the mission presidency. We have a set of weights in the room too. Because the room is so convenient we are exercising everyday now except Sunday.

Happy Birthday LaSchelle

I can remember one of the first things Robert said when he came home from his mission to Brazil was "I want to marry a return missionary." LaSchelle was that return missionary. I know now why he would say that. Having served and loved the sisters that come through the CTM here in Brazil, sister missionaries are wonderful. All of the missionaries love having the sisters in their districts and the mission presidents always comment on the strength that the sisters bring to their missions.

We love you LaSchelle and know that you are a strength to our family. Hope Robert, Hyrum, Jacob, and Julina help you have a happy day today.

Mom and Dad

Happy Birthday Julina Eve

One year since you left Heaven. We are so blessed to have you be a part of our family. I saw a beautiful ten year old girl on the television yesterday that made me think of how you might look in a few more years. She made me think of all of our granddaughters and how you all are growing up. Time continues to move forward. I love watching each one of our nineteen grandchildren grow and develop. Your pictures are such a treat for us.

Love and kisses to you Julina on this special day. . .Grandma Jerry and Grandpa Vern

OOPS Jacob's Happy Birthday greating is two days late

Jacob, Roberts second, turned three on Saturday the 20th of September. Every once and a while I need a reminder. thanks Rob.

We love you Jacob and smile every time we look at your picture on your blog. Your Portuguese is great! We loved the Birthday greeting for Grandpa. I have to remember that three of you grandchildren have your birthdays the same month as Grandpa along with your Mama and Great-grandma Chris.

lots and lots of hugs and kisses. . .Grandpa and grandma

Happy Birthday Kynan

Kynan is 11 years old today! We hope you have something special planned. We love you Grandpa Vernon and Grandma Jerry

Sao Paulo Temple

the Sao Paul Temple is located right in the down town area of the city. We are able to go to the temple every other week with the missionaries. The temple grounds are an oasis in the middle of the concrete Sao Paulo jungle. The Linford's daughter and son-in-law ( Charles West served his mission in Brazil) came down to visit for 10 days before the Linfords leave for home. Charles is the son of Frank and Francis West that lived in the Boise first ward where I grew up. I knew his two older brothers John and Frank. We had a great time with the Linford's daughter and son-in-law. The best news (for us) is that the Linfords have decided not to leave for home until the new doctor arrives in November. We were going to be without a doctor for about a month and a half because the interim doctor had heart surgery and would not be able to come. The fountain wasn't running this day because the temple is actually closed right now for cleaning
This is the Brazil Area Church office building that is located in the same complex with the Sao Paulo Temple. There is a distribution center on the back-side of this building as well another building that I think was used for the missionary training center at one time.
There is a stake center located next to the temple too. A metro station is being built right next to the temple grounds which will make traveling to the temple much easier for a lot of people and also make the temple and thus the church more visible to many more people. The Lord has a wonderful way of orchestrating the work throughout the world.

Vernon's birthday in Brazil

We spent part of the in the town of Embu it is a place where a lot of arts and crafts and clothing and furniture makers and jewlers and more sale their wares.
whole families get involved in the marketing
Food booths are located throughout the town center along with performing Musicians. We didn't eat here but met up with 12 other couples for dinner at the "Out Back" resturant in a down-town Sao Pualo shopping mall.
We couldn't find anything that Grandpa/Vernon wanted but I found a small black leather purse. These small open booths fill up about six streets that surround the town square. What a great 67th birthday for Grandpa. . .being in the land and with the people he came to love as a young missionary

Happy Birthday Hailey

what we miss the most is being with family on special days like today when Hailey turns one year old. We love you Hailey! grandma and grandpa