Grateful for our Leaders

Meet President and Sister Pfile. They may well be the busiest people I have ever met. When I drop to the couch at an end of a busy day, I often think about them. For there really is NO end to their day. You could say they have about 150 children to watch over. Adult children, but children still. They counsel, advise, lift, inspire, motivate, serve, pray for, cry with and ever love their missionaries. Despite all these demands they radiate joy in all they do. They are truly filled with the Spirit and an abiding sense of gratitude. So as we prepare for Thanksgiving, we want to express our gratitude for the opportunity to serve with these wonderful leaders. We feel their love and our Savior's love as we labor daily in this great and marvelous work.

Ahhhh... Zone Conference

We are in the middle of Zone Conferences. If you have no idea what that means, picture a family reunion of totally unrelated people who love each other and are thrilled to spend a few hours together. Then imagine that it is a group of about 30 people where the vast majority are between 19 and 22 years old. Think energy, enthusiasm, motion and Spirit. Remember to picture just a few older missionaries less entergetic - but who still have the enthusiasm and Spirit. What do we do? We learn of Christ. We share stories of success in spreading His word. We are taught how to show His love to others by the way we treat them. We laugh together. When touching stories are told, a few tears may fall. There may be a few practical jokes. Or even some gentle scolding from our Mission President. In short, it is a wonderful inspirational experience. We are motivated to try harder. We are filled with love for the Lord, for each other and for all those we serve. We LOVE Zone Conference week. Elder Faihurst and I inspect the mission vehicles and train the young missionaries about vehicle safety. So we get to go to several zone conferences every six weeks. I hope the spirit of these occasions comes through in these pictures.

Foxy visitor

We looked out our window today to see a

red fox crossing our street.

A real live red fox. He seemed pretty brave to be wondering around among the cars and the humans. When I stepped out on our front porch to snap a picture, he turned and looked at me. I am not sure if it was me or my fuzzy pink robe, but something scared him off. I wish I could have gotten a closer picture. I hate to think about it, but I am pretty sure that the fat squirrels in this neighborhood keep Mr Foxy around.

Calling All Grandkids

The play room is ready. Thanks to Walmart, Target, Craig's list and the Flea Market! We have cars and trucks, ponies and dolls, dinosaurs and plastic heroes, legos and books, doll houses and stuffed animals. Pretty much something for everyone. We just need some grandkids!!!

Family Historical Sites

Last Sunday we took a stroll down memory lane... mostly MY memory. I was pleased and a bit surprised that I could remember these "family historical sites".

This family home was purchased by my Grandfather, William Clifton Butts. He died when my mother was five years old, but the family held on to this home for years. 922 Baltic. I have several memories of living there when I was about 3. Some of you may have seen a picture of me in the front yard in a "fru fru" dress with my Grandpa Spargur.

Around the corner is Mill Street, where several family members lived. This house belonged to Great Great Aunt Grace. She was my Grandma Spargur's aunt. I remember her as a very nice white haired lady. The back yard was tiered and she had lots and lots of flowers. She would give us money when we came to see her. At first it was a quarter, but later a dollar or two.

If you drive a couple of blocks down Mill street you come to Myrtle White's home, she is my Great Grandmother. I have many fond memories of "Gom Gom". We always visited her and she was always loving and kind. Of course I remember this house being much bigger... .but then maybe I was much littler.

There you have it. A few choice family historical sites. What a choice blessing to have these memories and feel the connection to generations.

Home Sweet Home

What fun to live in this 100+ yr.old house. The glorious mountains near by. Beautiful colorful falling leaves outside. Fat squirrels stopping by to say hello. Touches of family are all around us. Grandma White's swing on the front porch. Aunt Dorothy's art and decorating style. Wooden pieces made by my Father. In my mind I can clearly see my Grandmother sitting by the window in the corner reading her book and glancing out at the neighborhood. Memories of holidays and vacations. Memories that bring such joy. We feel such a sense of connection to family members everyday. This little house is filled with warmth and comfort. The two pictures above show that we have added a few Fairhurst touches. We have already had several dinners here. Over the next couple years, much missionary work will take place here... in this comfortable warm family home.

Mr and Mrs Fred Fairhurst

-8 Beautiful daughters and 7 handsome sons

-18 wonderful grandchildren

-21 homes in 5 states

AND...living on the same block for over 30 years

-Having our parents nearby as we raised our family

-More cars than we can remember ie: 4 vans, 3 station wagons,

several pickup trucks, a Studebaker and a Gremlin

& now...A white 65 Mustang for our retirement years

-Trips to Canada, Puerto Rico, South Africa and to...

San Diego, Boston, Miami & DC- just to name a few

-Many deployment separations followed by joyous reunions

-Year after year of no money left once the bills were paid

...Followed by Years of prosperity

-College tuitions and wedding expenses

-ER visits, stitches, broken bones, flu and rashes

-dogs named Gipper, Striker and Mickey,

a cat named Snowball, 2 turtles, lizards and one ugly rat

-7 wonderful Temple weddings

-5 missionary children and now...

1 Senior Missionary couple

-Tears of Joy ... Tears of Sorrow... Tears of Inspiration

Good friends from our youth and new friends to meet

Hours and hours of church service- and ever being blessed

Add 9 beautiful peach colored roses and...

You have 39 years of love and adventure-

39 years of marriage!