Goodbye's

We had a brief counsel before Travis and his family & Tracy and her family left on Jan. 5th. We told them how much we loved them and had enjoyed their visit. Then we gave them each a copy of the Book of Mormon and challenged them to do as we were doing with our missionaries. We were going to read the Book of Mormon in 60 days which was the amount of time it took Joseph Smith to translate the book. As they read we asked them to circle all the references to the Savior's name in one color and then in another color to underline all of his doctrine. From this, their testimony would grow and they would realize that the Book of Mormon was truly another Testament of the Savior Jesus Christ. There are over 6,000 verses in the book and over 4,500 of those verses refer to the Savior. There are over 100 names referenced to the Savior . In the 230 chapters only 6 of them do not mention something about Jesus Christ. This is a book that will help them draw closer to their Savior and is the most correct book of any on earth. It is the keystone of our religion as it is a witness of Jesus Christ and his mission.

There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives
the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find
greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid
deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow
path.... When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you
will find life in greater and greater abundance."

Ezra Taft Benson

Before they left Izzy had to pick her own orange.

Tiffany, Michael and the girls were the last to leave which was January 10th. What a delight it was to watch the girls every day in the actions with life. It was hard to see the last of them go.

The Pitts family left first which was New Years Day. Tricia was a real trooper as she attended all the activities during their stay. It was important to get her back to Cincinnati as she was heavy with child and due in 3 weeks.