2009 Christmas Update

Wow! Time flies. Our last entry was in November. Much has happened this year.

Doug has continued in the Sacamento Symphonic Winds. He purchased a used professional model clarinet and is having a wonderful time. (Early Christmas gift.) Pam played with the group during one rehearsal, but decided that she did not have time for it this year. In spite of this, when the band was notified by one of the flute players that they could not attend our Christmas Concert, they asked Pam to sit in. She did so and did a wonderful job. Doug also continues with the 11 year old Scouts, a high school soccer referee and the latest, ham radio. His new call sign is KJ6AQU. His law practice has the same struggles everyone else does in this economy.

Pam has continued as Relief Society President, member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, mother, and continuing student at BYU. She has her sights set on graduating with her bachelors degree and is on target to do so. She was in charge of scheduling over 25 musical performances for the 4th annual Granite Bay Nativity Exhibit at our church. Over 400 nativities from around the world were displayed for three days in our church. She feels very blessed to have so many opportunities to grow in life. Her family (including all her darling grandchildren)bring her great joy.

All the children are doing fine:
David and Melissa continuing in Eagle Mountain, Utah, and expecting another girl in February. David is the Bishop's Executibve Secretary.
Steve and Heather are still in Gilbert, Arizona, where he is working on his Ph.D.. He was just made Elders Quorum President.
Sherry is still at BYU and loving it. She is something like an exercise science major and should finish up in about one and one-half years. She still loves harp, serving in the temple and enjoys running.
Richard is also at BYU. He has continued to work at BYU catering, so he is busy and well fed most weeks. He also got his ham radio license this year, at the same time as Doug. (He got a more advanced license.)
Gary has returned from the Cape Town South Africa Mission with an honrable medical release. He will start at Sierra college in January and is looking for employment so he can save the money necessary to attend a four year school.
Lisa has had another year of music and school. She scored well on the ACT and is hoping to attend BYU next fall. Besides the Marching Band, the Sacramento Youth Symphony, School Choir, Honor Bands, Honor Choir, and solo work, she is busy as can be.

Hope you and your family are well and are enjoying the blessings of this season. We are so thankful for the gospel and the real reason for this season - Jesus Christ.

Love,

Doug and Pam

Amatuer musician strikes again

Wow - it's been twenty-five years since your favorite father, Doug, has played in organized musical groups other than church functions. Having sold my professional model clarinets when in law school to pay for tuition, I am now reduced to using the plastic student model that was purchased for the kids to use. At any rate, I auditioned and was accepted into the Sacrmaento Symphonic Winds, a conmmunity wind ensemble. (Band.) I am thrilled. My first concert is attached, along with the concert program. Definitely an amatuer production, but not bad after all is said and done.... (I had only one rehearsal with them before performance.) I am now looking for professional model clarinets again so I can play better. Pam sat in with the band in rehearsal and they are interested in having her become a member also, but she is too busy right now with all of the family and church callings she is doing.

Next concert is December 13.

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.