Lake Powell

Ok, so for Memorial Day my family all got together at Lake Powell in AZ. It wasn't easy but we made it happen. It was our last chance to all be together before my brother Devin leaves on his mission to the Philippines next month. The Needs side of my family did this for a family reunion about 10 years ago and it was bomb! So we decided to do it again with my dad's brother Rusty and his family. Sadly the water wasn't very warm yet, but that didn't stop us from having a blast. There was a lot of relaxing, some jet skiing, a little cliff jumping (needless to say I was the first to jump), wake surfing, tubing, BANANAGRAMS, and tons of laughing!

Jace really wasn't asleep the whole time, but he was just right at home on the lake.

Our Elders

It is so strange to think that our younger brothers are now serving their missions. Elder Steven Packard is currently serving his mission in Satelite, Bolivia which is in the Santa Cruz mission. Unfortunately I couldn't really find any great pictures of Steven. We're still working on that. But Steven has been such an incredible example of a true disciple of Christ. He is an outstanding baseball player and played for the University of Oregon and sacrificed two years of playing time and training to serve the Lord.


Elder Devin Needs is preparing to leave on his mission in one month to serve in the Cayuanne, Phillipines Mission. Devin is an outstanding lacrosse player who played this last year for BYU. Both of these young men are sacrificing their time and their talents to serve the Lord and his people in these foreign areas for two years. It is so amazing to think of all they are giving up.




In studying the scriptures the Lord tells us that a disciple of Christ

· must forsake all that he has

· endure to the end

· give the Lord all that you have and are

· give all that you have for the gospel

Even though we have both served missions we constantly need reminding that our job is not done. Our brothers are such a good reminder that we need to continually stand as a witness of Christ.

Children

Children are so incredible. As I've been studying the scriptures I have had some great experiences. Jace has been such a blessing to have in our home. We couldn't have asked for a better child. And now when I read the scripture Matthew 18:3, "And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven," I understand more fully why. Just as it says in Mosiah 3:19 children are meek, humble, patient and full of love. I am so thankful that Jace is so patient with us every day. We are learning every day how to be parents and it is definitely no easy task. But what amazes me most is the pure love I see in his eyes every time he looks at us. It is so unconditional and so untainted. I truly want to emulate that.