WHOA

Today Lisa came into church and looked at my hair and said, "Whoa!" "What?" I said. "What's wrong?" Then Lisa said that Gary's mission must really be hard on me because I'm really turning gray. Time to highlight!

A Gift

I wondered if Gary would be absolutely bored stiff Monday as a newly set apart Elder stuck at home with Mom as his companion. To my delight he kept busy by packing up his bedroom belongings, and helping to remove all food storage boxes from Lisa's room to his room. We also ran a few errands. As the day progressed, I noticed how much I was enjoying being around him. He was so pleasant while still being delightful Gary, and of coarse no distraction caused by TV, loud music, or video games A nice dinner meal complete with sparkling cidar was followed by Family Home Evening. Gary had been asked to bear his testimony to us one more time before departing to South Africa. As Gary 'testified' of the reality of Jesus Christ, and bore the strongest testimony I have ever heard from him, I tenderly knew I was hearing a missionary bear his testimony. I could feel that missionary spirit. Already I could see a difference in him! Dad then gave him a loving, inspired Father's blessing. We ended a peaceful, sweet day with Gary's favorite game, scrabble! As the day ended I knew that a loving Heavenly Father had given me that day as a gift.

Gary's Mission about to Commence

Gary will be set apart tonight at 8:00 pm as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. On Tuesday the 27th, Gary, Doug, and I will get up at approximately 3:00 am to arrive at the airport at 4:30 am. Gary will fly out of Sacramento at 6:30 am and arrive in Florida about 4 and 1/2 hours later. After a two hour layover, he will take an 18 hour flight across the ocean to Johannesburg, South Africa. He reports at the Johannesburg Mission Training Center on Thursday the 29th, to really get started on what can be a marvelous time of his life.
We don't know how long he will be in the MTC. That information will come later!

That's the details, now I'll speak from the heart. I am thrilled to send off my fifth child to serve a mission to the Lord. I know from experience the growth, maturity and strong testimony that can be a byproduct. When each child has returned from their mission service, it has felt like I'm living with an angel for about two weeks! I know that the true army that brings peace to this world is the one which spreads the gospel of Jesus Christ.

With those truths said, wonderful blessings can be hard. Please pray for Gary that he will meet the challenges of his mission in that far away country and be a valiant missionary. Please pray for his health -spiritual, physical and mental. Yes, I'm crying. This one is especially difficult for me. I don't know if it's because Gary is my youngest son and seems so innocent as to the difficulties of a mission, or because my house is getting so empty (especially after having 15 people here at Christmas!) Maybe it's that Africa is a loooooooooooonnnnngggg way from here. My heart seems to have a sad, empty spot, yet I'm delighted, too. How can those two feelings exist at the same time? Don't worry, I'm planning on 'pressing on' in faith with mostly a smile on my face, even if I do splash thru puddles of water from my eyes. This is a great, marvelous, wonderful thing and I know it.

Merry Christmas to All

We hope that this letter finds you well and enjoying the Christmas Spirit.

Please note: This blog does not currently have pictures, but when our children come home for Christmas, they will show us how to add them. (Check again around New Year's Day.)
Now that we have joined the 21st century, you can view the blogs of our four oldest children by clicking on their link. (David, Steven, Sherry, and Richard.)

David, Melissa, Maggie, Tim and Amirah are in Eagle Mountain, Utah. David still works for the Seminary and Institute Department of the Church and loves it. He currently teaches seminary at Lehi Junior High School.

Steven, Heather, Jarom, and Elise are in Mesa, Arizona. Steven is attending Arizona State and working toward a Ph.D. in social work. He supports his family with research grants and does case reviews for lawyers that recognize his talent.

Sherry and Richard are broke at BYU, Provo, going to school and looking for eternal companions. They both currently work for BYU Catering. They live in the same apartment complex.

Gary - BIG NEWS!! Elder Gary Scott Hoffman has been called to serve in the South Africa, Cape Town Mission. He leaves for the African MTC on January 27, 2008. We will have the entire family here to go through the Sacramento Temple with him after Christmas.

Lisa - 16 year old teenager. With Gary's departure, she will be the only young adult at home and will have the benefit of our full attention....... She is busy with band, choir, Sacramento Youth Symphony, school and friends. This fall she sang in a stake production, "From Cumorah's Hill", which featured the "Orchestra at Roseville Square" with her mom and dad (that would be us) performing on flute and clarinet. (Just like old times!)

Doug and Pam are celebrating 31 years of marriage and still madly in love. Pam is Relief Society President and spends additional time with the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. On top of it all, she was is charge of the music for the three day Nativity exhibit for our community held at our ward building. Over four hundred nativities were displayed with over 30 live musical performances. 2500 persons went through the exhibit with nothing but rave reviews. Doug is still a lawyer with his own practice and yet another new secretary. Doug has the usual choir accompanist calling as well as 11 year old scout leader. Pam and Doug both play in a Pioneer Band for the church and enjoy getting back into organizations that use their musical skills. This past election saw Doug in charge of the Yes on Prop 8 campaign for our ward part of the 95746 zip code area. He also continues to referee high school soccer for both the boys and girls seasons. He looks like a bumblebee in his soccer uniform.....

At this time of the year we gratefully reflect upon the many blessings that are ours from a loving Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ. He is the reason for the season and we hope all of you feel His love as we do. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Love,

Doug and Pam

Choir and Mrs. Leighton

Jennifer Leighton has been the only High School choir teacher to teach my children. That is about to change. This is her last semester at GBHS. She is going to Antelope to take an administration position and teach one choir class.
Sad news for us.

I Really LOVE All My Children...

Way too often lately, my children (daughters-in-law included) call and hear me say "Can't talk much now I'm in a meeting! [or rehearsal, or talking to the Bishop, or...] Just know that in three weeks, much of this craziness should stop. Cumorah's Hill production is this coming Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday -I think you all know that Dad and I are in the pit orchestra. It's very enjoyable, yet it takes time. We cross that off the list in five days.

The Nativity Exhibit is December 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th. I'm in charge of the live music for that which adds up to finding, scheduling, and working with about 50 different musical groups or performers. Wonderful and time consuming combined! The Lord is very much helping with this one.

With all this business, I'm looking forward to spending Thanksgiving and Christmas with my family. I'm praying that we can really enjoy each other's company.

In the meantime, please keep calling. If the quantity of talking time that we want is not available, I know it's high quality time for me to talk to those I love dearly even for a few minutes. LOVE YOU, MOM

Patience of Job

Steve helped us create this blog a few days ago. Tonight he wins the Patience of Job Award and the Good Humor Award. He worked with me for 1/2 hour so I could get the background 'Give Thanks'. After some laughs, Steve ended up putting the background on for me. We both wanted to get some sleep sometime!

This might take a few decades before Doug and Pam are master bloggers.