Home is where your Heart is….

This year we joined my parents in Nauvoo for a White Christmas! Andrea flew in from Utah a week earlier to spend some time with her grandparents before leaving on her mission…

The best gift of all was going to the Historic Nauvoo temple with Andrea in preparation for her mission.

 A special day to always remember- 12/22/2012

 Some moments are etched in our memory…

Always my daughter- Now too My Friend!

Nauvoo Visitor’s Center

 Enjoying our time together!

Christmas Morning…

We got the chance to visit the Tukuafus in Nauvoo. Their house is unique in that it is built as a ‘Round’ home. When I first walked in I felt as tho’ I was in the Swiss Family Robinson movie. This is the kitchen…

Irene Tukuafu makes Harps, Dulcimers and Psalteries. www.harp4you.blogspot.com- Here is Steve trying one out. She is also the mother of 14 children (that is her most worth while accomplishment)

Tomasi & Irene

A fun stop on the way home to Florida- Metropolis, IL.

We had tried coming to this place once before but with no luck finding the statue. This time they have put up signs in town to lead you to it :)

We Wish You A Super New Year!

We Have Blessings A Plenty…

December has been busy as we find ways to serve in Immokalee.

 Delivering a ‘real tree’ to our Asst. Den leader’s family with the help of the Spanish Elders!

This is the crew we usually pick up in our SUV to take to scouts on Wed. night. We squeeze them all in (shhhh….)

 Dec. 8th, 2012… The day of the Christmas Parade in Immokalee. We met that morning to start decorating – these 3 boys are brothers. Hammering on pieces of wood to our Rock Climbing Tower!

 Our finished product- a 55 ft. semi truck bed- loaded with boys and leaders!

 17 boys :)

Donna & Monica

Archers and B.B. Guns stations are ready…

Rock Climbers- just to share an uplifting story – Wilson on the right is 12 and one of our oldest and has really taken on a leadership role. As the day progressed the rain clouds were coming in and we began to feel drops. Wilson gathered the boys on the truck kneeling for a prayer so it wouldn’t rain. I also said a silent prayer that these boys wouldn’t be disappointed. The rain didn’t come…. Again after we were in line for the parade and the clouds were looming… I heard fold your arms for a prayer- neither Steve or I had requested it.  Another prayer was said and even tho’ it rained at the church and other parts of town we stayed dry. An example of ‘Simple Faith’

A beautiful night sky…

 

We will sing for you…

November is a busy Birthday month in the Thompson Family- Audrey on the 22nd, Spencer turned 4 on the 24th, Steve the 27th (which was also his Dad’s b-day) and Phil on the 30th. This year was quite different in that it was only the two of us celebrating on Steve’s actual b-day. Hard to sing alone :)

Steve with his French Toast breakfast after returning from the gym.

He got lots of nice cards and phone calls from each of our darling children…

 since working with the cub scouts I wanted to give Steve a remembrance of it and ordered this special Scout nutcracker!

our collection is growing…

Now this looks official~~~

The next night was Cub Scouts so we decided to celebrate and ‘surprise’ our Cub Master :)

What a Crew…

Our Door is Always Open~~~

Since I am used to having alot of family around, I couldn’t bear the thought of no one coming for Thanksgiving- and I do like to cook on this holiday. So I invited Missionaries…

My Fun Turkey Name Place Holders…

 

 My helpers- Sisters Andersen & Williamson

 Naples & Immokalee Missionaries- since working with the cub scouts we have gotten to know the Elders in Immokalee very well (last four)

We had two more join us from the Bahia ward for a game of Croquet.

So we got our wish of not being alone and the left overs were few!

Hope your Thanksgiving was Yummy~~~

Fond Memories…

Thinking today and realized that 39 years ago on Nov.10, 1973 I was baptized as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. How fast the time has gone. On the 10th I was at a scout training mtg. called Little Philmont and who should be there but friends from the Key West branch where I got my beginnings. I was reminded how diligent they were and growing up as a convert in Key West having 4 callings at one time.

Now as I am working at the Immokalee branch with the Cub scouts it keeps me focused on what it is all about- service!

I hope to always be grateful for the restored gospel in my life and the opportunities it gives me to help others in need!

Key West Branch- Phil’s Blessing Day!

 

Best News Ever…..

   Our daughter Andrea got her call to the Spain Malaga mission. She reports to the mission training center (www.mormon.org) in Spain on March 20th. We are very humbled by her willingness to serve the Lord. Way to go Andrea…..

Here to There…. We’re Everywhere!

The last few wk.ends Steve has had seminars to go to for work, so while there we made the best of it and had some fun too ;)

 Side trip to Epcot- hadn’t gone here in forever!

love listening to the Drum & Fife play

 Hoping for more in the French area but nothing like the real thing!

The 1st wk.end in Nov. we stayed here- which is very close to Marathon…

rented bikes and rode around- alot bigger than we thought!

stopping for a treat :)

 Pres. Truman seemed to like the keys- he came to Key West quite often too!

official front entrance…

 Then we made a stop to see the turtles (in Marathon) I had always wanted to visit here!

The turtles come in for various reasons and are taken care of- some can go back out after they recuperate and others are too injured.

  As you can see this guy is missing a front fin!

Thought this was fun….

Always end up at Mallory Square for the sunset in Key West…

Until next time ~~~