Sean's in the Philippines!!!

Sean called us last night (Saturday, 12/20) from the San Francisco airport. We got to speak with him for about 10 minutes (during our Ward Christmas party, of all times!). He was on cloud nine. He had given his first discussion and handed out his first BofM while on the flight from SLC to SF. He was SSSOOO excited about it! He said the guy was really interested and thanked him for sharing his testimony with him.

He also told us that he was the group's (about 12 missionaries) travel coordinator and was responsible for getting everybody where they were supposed to be. He said it was very stressful. Imagine our little boy being responsible for all those guys getting to the right place at the right time! He said that he got to speak Tagalog to the ticket counter people and that they were very impressed.

He had a 17 hour flight that departed at 9pm Sat. night, so we figure he arrived in Manila around 2pm our time. We have confirmation that he arrived there safely because he called his friend Jason while we were at church. Jason was very excited that he was able to talk with him for about 20 mins. According to Jason, Sean has a 12 hour layover at the Manila airport and then a 2 hour flight to Laoag. He was grateful that he was flying to Laoag because the bus ride that he was originally scheduled on was going to be 14 hours!

I also received another confirmation that he arrived because the credit union fraud dept called to verify that an ATM transaction was initiated in the Philippines. I said, "Yeah, please note on the file that he will be there for 2 years."

We were thrilled to be able to hear his voice. He sounds amazing and there is no indication that he has ever been homesick or has felt low. We appreciate all of your prayers on his behalf!

We get to speak with him again on Christmas!!!

Brad

SNOW IN VEGAS BABY!!!!!!

IMAGINE OUR SURPRISE WHEN IT STARTED COMING DOWN AROUND NOON AND AS OF 7:30PM IT IS STILL COMING DOWN!!! THIS IS HISTORY IN THE MAKING!!!

Thanksgiving Weekend

Ok, so I guess I should post something here about Thanksgiving weekend. Can I just say, "Chick-flick overload!!!" With Matt in Utah and Sean on his mish, I was simply out-numbered. For you sympathizers...here's what I was subjected to:

1) A full day of Pride and Prejudice...the A&E 6-hour version!!!
2) Twilight movie...TWICE!!! (I actually fell asleep during the second sitting)
3) An incredibly difficult puzzle resulting in hours and hours of the girls sitting around the dining table while I sat on the couch reading...
4) WICKED!!! Of all things...I was nominated to read the book "Wicked" so that when we go to NYC for Christmas and IF we can get tickets to the Broadway show (I have yet to find any available during the Christmas week), at least one of us will know what is going on in the story! (For the record, I don't recommend this book to anyone...the author is quite disturbed...so let's just say I'm "taking one for the team"!)

In the girls' defense, I did finally demand that we go to the James Bond movie "Quantum of Solace" Thursday night. It was a non-stop adrenaline rush...so it did help to balance out the manly side of me... :)

So...yeah, I really missed the boys this year. I especially missed going to the park and playing football with the cousins in the annual "Bud Bowl". But I have to admit that the quiet weekend was very much appreciated with all of the traveling I have been doing over the past 3 months...it was hard to go back to work and will be even harder to start traveling again next week.

I do have to take this opportunity to say how grateful I am for my family. We have had a ton of fun over the span of 25 years, and I really look forward to creating more amazing memories! My amazing wife is my very best friend, and I count each one of my kids as best friends too. Each one of them are a blessing in my life.

I am also grateful for the ability to work, even though it has taken me out of town 2-3 weeks per month over the past 3 months and will continue to do so for the next 2 months (at least), including a trip to China the second week of January. I can't deny that we have been truly blessed with the ability to continue working and making a decent living during these tough economic times. I know there are many out there who are struggling for various reasons during this Holiday season, and I pray that their burdens will be lifted and that they will find joy in the Season of Hope and Giving through celebration of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.

We are especially blessed to have our amazing missionary, Elder Sean P. Beckstead, preparing himself to leave the MTC for the Philippines on Dec. 19. His testimony has already magnified beyond our belief, and he is anxious and excited to get out to the mission field and preach the Gospel. We are thrilled for him and can't wait to live his experiences through his emails and letters. He is missed, but the thought of him finding the immense joy in serving the Lord eases our minds.

I am truly blessed and grateful for wonderful friends and family. Without their love and support, I would cease to exist.

-Brad

Matt's Triathlon!!!

Here are some pics of Matt on the day of the Orem Triathlon "sprint". He finished!!! I don't remember his time, so Matt, can you post a comment and let us all know how well you did?!?! GREAT JOB!!!! I haven't even done a Tri!...and I love to cycle!!! What's up with that?!?! (Oh...and congrats to Taylor and Lauren too!!)