Thankgoodness for sweet neighbors...

Payton and Jantsen started a little lawn mowing business this summer. Jantsen needed money to go to Cooperstown and Payton...well, he just needs money! As they started out in April, they were mowing our lawn, Grandma Faux's lawn and Grandma Thorpe's. Roseann Croshaw, one of Grandma Faux's neighbors, has been going through some hard times and had her lawn mower break. She lives alone and does not have much money. Grandma (mom) was concerned about her and asked if we'd mow her lawn one or two times. I talked to Payton about it and he instantly said, "Sure, we'll just mow hers for free."

After mowing a few times, she told mom that her son had bought her a lawn mower for Mother's Day. She ended up bringing cupcakes to our house with this little note.

"Dear Laura,

Andrew and Vanessa gave me a new lawn mower for Mother's Day! I intend to be independent here, but there may be times I need help. For some reason this yard feels bigger this year. I just must say that I feel a very special Spirit in your boys, Payton and Jantsen...when they came to my home and when I delivered the cupcakes. There was a genuine feeling of caring for me. They have been taught well. You and Greg are being guided in your most important role.

Now--I love your mother and your Dad. I count it as a tender blessing to live in their neighborhood and feel of their non-judging love.

I will keep your phone number. Your family is one more way Heavenly Father is blessing me!

Love you--- Roseann C.

How powerful service can be...to those that serve and those that receive.

A year of "big" birthdays...

This has been the fastest summer we have ever had! Brooks turned 6 and finally gets to start kindergarten! He still remains the live-wire of the family.

Nick turned 8 in November and had a great experience with his baptism. He has such a quiet, gentle strength about him.

Jantsen turned 12 and was ordained a deacon. He was pretty excited to start passing the sacrament and doing fast offerings. He has never complained, but seems honored to serve the Lord in this capacity.

Payton just turned 16. Today he was ordained a priest. Greg ordained him and gave him an awesome blessing. He gets his driver's license tomorrow. He has truly grown into an amazing young man. It will be fun to see Payton bless the sacrament and Jantsen pass the sacrament.

I am again amazed at what good boys we have. I truly feel that they were sent to me, to teach me. They have all the qualities in them that I would love to have! I am humbled to be their mother.

Tender Mercies...

What a week this has been. Tuesday morning at about 11:15 I received a call from Payton asking me to come and pick him up from football. I had just taken Brooks to Mindy's to play and headed down to the high school. As I pulled into the parking lot, I noticed a couple police cars and a bunch of football players out in the middle of the parking lot. It took me a second to notice the banged up jeep. I glanced around for Payton and my eyes fell on Hummer just a few yards from me. He was crouched down holding his head in his hands obviously distraught. My initial fear was that Payton and maybe someone I knew was in this jeep accident. Then Payton came walking slowly over to me with tears streaming down his face.

I think he was somewhat in shock as he could hardly tell me what was going on. He kept repeating one of the boy's names. I looked closer and could see two boys lying on the ground. I left the car and ran over to the accident. There were two paramedics working on one boy and I told them who I was and if I could help. They told me to check the other boy lying face down on the ground. By the time I got to him, he was talking. The ambulances arrived and we got him turned over, onto the back board and into the ambulance. He was okay.

At about this time, I looked around and really noticed all of the football players mulling around. All were in tears and some sobbing. Payton told me later that as soon as these players realized what had happened, they grabbed each others hands and fell to their knees in prayer.

The jeep had rolled. One boy (Brandon Curtis) had been pinned under the jeep, two were ejected and the driver was okay (physically--he was emotionally distraught to say the least).

Brandon was taken to the hospital in critical condition. He never gained consciousness and on Wednesday afternoon his family made the decision to pull off the life support. The community has been in mourning ever since. This boy was an amazing spiritual giant. Our prayers are with the Curtis family and also for the Cook family (Kaleb Cook was the driver).

Also on Wednesday, we had planned to head to Lake Powell for our annual trip with the Ollertons and Murdocks. They left the day before. We decided to keep the trip and also invited Hummer and Karson.

We were just about to Panguitch (about 5 miles away) when the truck (we borrowed Jeff's diesel) stopped on us. We were out of gas. We pulled off the road onto a little parking area. Greg was very frustrated with himself and was trying to decide what to do. I know we were all saying a little prayer in our hearts. After about 10 minutes and Greg deciding to hitch hike, a large truck pulling a trailer pulled in bedside us. We looked over and believe it or not, in the back of this truck was a diesel fuel pump. Greg walked over to the guy and asked him if he could buy some gas from him. The guy looked astonished. He said,"Did you run out of gas? And you need diesel fuel?" "How lucky can you get?" He had a 30 foot hose and filled our tank 3/4 full. He also had some starter fluid and after several attempts to start, the truck roared to life. We drove into Panguitch and filled the rest of the tank. We had no trouble the rest of the trip.

I believe this man was an angel sent from the Lord! The boys think Brandon had something to do with it. Either way, we experienced one of the Lord's tender mercies in our behalf.