Sunday, October 11, 2020

Nurture Retreat

Amazing opportunity to attend an LDS LCS retreat.
Annie came with me and it was so fun!
Heber City is so beautiful.
The place we stayed was around the corner from my dear Tiffany!
Katie was our Chef for the 3 days (husband Matt helping).
She made the most delicious meals.
Lots of amazing speakers ~ Elaine Dalton was my favorite.
Art is not my strong suit, but our teacher was fantastic.
Feeling uncomfortable and B- is what I'm practicing. 
Such an awesome experience learning from these amazing women!
Getting home was a little adventurous.
So grateful I was blessed to attend this "nourishing" retreat.

Sunday, August 30, 2020

August Adventures

One of the most thoughtful and encouraging gifts I've ever received, from my dear Tiffany.  This is a picture of one of our morning runs up a hill (with a cool saying on the back made into an awesome pillow).  When it was a tough run, I'd say..."I love this hill!"  Amazing how much easier the run became.  What a beautiful reminder and life lesson.  How I miss running with my Tiff~
So glad Wades came out for a weekend trip so we could run together again.
Has there ever been a more excited high school junior for the first day of school?!!
School 2 weeks delayed - 2 days in person and 3 days virtual each week.
Dual enrollment at Clayton State - 1 class online and the other hybrid.
Will he ever go back full-time to school?
Kurt home for a few days to play.  Jeff's first Deacon's presidency zoom meeting - oh the dress perks:). Nick finishing up packing his room which is now Justins.  Cool gun activity from Felix for all the youth.  Brandon's beautiful lantana in full bloom (started so tiny in 2015 and moved to a different spot because it got so big - I love this plant!)
What high school teacher shows up on your doorstep to give our high school graduate a cool t-shirt from spring gala that never was.
Thank you Hannah Beth Lee ~ beyond thoughtful.
Youth Swim Activities - love all these cute kids in our pool!
Realizing that these dang peanut butter balls are really not that good.
Cute college brothers on their first shooting adventure in Logan together.
Jeff's Facebook post on August 28:
"Getting older but getting stronger 💪.   Hit a new personal record on deadlift today.  But that's really not what this post is about.  The other day during personal scripture study a phrase came into my mind.  "Immersion brings forth conversation".  In other words loosing yourself in all areas of Christ's gospel is the only way we can truly become converted.  Just like strength training you must put in the effort for the results.  Our testimonies are no different.  Our testimonies are fragile at times and need constant effort or we begin, slowly to lose it.  I am so thankful for my testimony of our savior Jesus Christ.  It is my anchor that helps me from drifting to shallow reefs and other forbidden shores."
Finally back to church August 30th.
Congregation split in half and only 45 minutes, but we'll take anything at this point.  Jeff sat on the stand and remembered to raise the microphone most of the time;).  
Love having a set of elders and sisters in our ward!
Enjoy them coming often for lunch and singing too.
Russ' family meeting Sarah for the first time.
Abbie's finishing up her mission in Logan and went to
Kurt's work for her birthday lunch.  Yea for awesome cousins!

Sunday, August 23, 2020

Nick's time to fly

Sad day for these sweet brothers.  Justin got up at 4:00am to send Nick off.
They are inseparable most of the time and it hurt my mama heart to see them split up.  Kurt came to help with the transition and Nick's huge teddy bear gave Justin a little comfort and some more sleep.
So fun to see the newlywed's first abode - they have it fixed up so nice!
Loved being with extended family and getting some play time in too.
Time to leave another cute boy at Utah State.
How I'm going to miss my Nick, but he is definitely ready to fly.
Thanks to my amazing first year of college roommate Jenni and her awesome husband Mike, years of Grandma & Grandpa's birthday and Christmas money, Nick's hard summer work at the pool company, and tender mercies from the Lord; Nick purchased his very first car.  He can now drive back and forth to Logan airport to pursue his pilot career.  He's adulting well - paid for his entire year of housing (two installments of over $1500 without even telling us, because he matter of factly told me, "why wouldn't I pay for it?").  I'm excited to continue watching amazing things from this cute young man and know he will figure it out.
We love you Nick!

Monday, August 17, 2020

Kurtis and his #1

These cute kiddos have been dating since high school after meeting at EFY.
We are so excited for Kristen to join our family💗

Saturday, July 25, 2020

Cute Cook Cousins

 So fun to have Maleia and Tinei come to visit!  Pool parties, golf cart rides, visiting the Walking Dead sites in Senoia, and observing lots of cute guys - so fun😀

Airport :)

Sunday, July 19, 2020

Jeff Bishopric (aka RVB)

Jeff is 2nd Counselor in our new bishopric
Awesome blessing and opportunity for him❤️ and our family~  
He hasn't had a suit since he interviewed for jobs 20+ years ago and this one has a great story ($7 from good will and the hemming cost $10 which was more than the suit, but well worth it.  The new white shirt was 99 cents, the tie $1.49, and shoes $5.99.  We are now frequenting good will on a regular basis)
We lovingly call Jeff the "Reserve Vice Bishop"😂
Left to right:  Todd Cluff, Ben Johnson, Jeff Austin. Photo/Submitted.
The Peachtree City/Tyrone/Sharpsburg congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints received a new bishopric in July 2020. Ben Johnson has been called as bishop succeeding Victor Ermolaev, who served for four years.

Bishop Johnson is currently a regional sales manager for SE Tylose. He and his wife, Louise, are the parents of four children. Todd Cluff, a regional manager at Certifit, Inc., and Southwest pilot, Jeff Austin, have been called as counselors to assist Bishop Johnson with his new position.

Each of these individuals accepted his responsibility on a voluntary basis and will retain his position with his current employer. The new bishopric will be responsible for members living in the Peachtree City/Tyrone/Sharpsburg area.  
(Marilee's write up in the Citizen)
https://thecitizen.com/2020/08/16/new-local-leaders-called-for-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints/?fbclid=IwAR2MJoAfJHaVKQy1curVdnvIpHYQf7msHTkijZUd4kDZOu3o58wo1rq2p8U

Brandon & Sarah Open House weekend

 Stacey Clarke took beautiful pictures before and throughout the Open House.
So fun to visit and see friends again💗
Golf carting these amazing paths is one of the highlights of our town.
Sally is a must for the boy's pictures😂
Let the party begin!
Nick got home late from work and missed first hour😕
So much sugar thanks to amazing friends💟
The Shoe Game ~ so fun learning more about this amazing couple💕
Nick arrived😂
Brandon's best neighborhood friend ~ Joel
💕What a perfect evening for our powerhouse couple!

Thanks to amazing friends: Brays, Cardons, Griffiths, Trustys, & many more,
set up, clean up, and all the extras were taken care of in no time.
They truly are our Georgia Family ~ we are so blessed💗

Swimming and cake cutting after clean up.
Jen Hosea made the beautiful cake and the frosting was delicious!
Flowers from Grandma & Grandpa to set out during the Open House.

We had a special church on Sunday and Jeff was put in the new bishopric.
We were so thankful Brandon & Sarah could be here for that.
Grandma & Grandpa picked these cute kids up from the airport in SLC.
Back to married life in Provo.  Wedding festivities are complete.