One of the biggest sacrifices of serving a mission is missing events with our family back home. It is so comforting for us to know that our children and grandchildren are all doing well and making good choices in their lives. I would like to share with everyone a most wonderful family event that took place in January 2014. Our very first grandson was born. We now have 5 granddaughters and 1 grandson. These grandchildren are most precious to us and we are so grateful for technology so we can see them grow up while we are away.
Baby Ross Winton Tolley, born Saturday, January 25th, 2014 at 5:16 pm, weighing in at 9 pounds, 10 ounces and measuring 21 inches long.
And to top off such a blessing our new baby will be coming to meet us the end of May. Ross's dedicated parents (Dale and Alana) are willing to travel all the way to Sweden so we can have the opportunity to meet him while serving our mission.
Congratulations from Adelaide Australia!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Warren and Wendy, we are so happy for Dale and Alana, Ross looks like a real keeper, and wow they are coming to visit you in Sweden! We sure miss you. For a while I couldn't get into your blog so I sent a message to both of you on your link-in Warren I don't know if you picked it up to not.
ReplyDeleteWe were heartsick to learn about the lost of your missionary. What a hard thing for the young men and women of your mission to experience, for many it was probably the first time a peer and dear friend had lost their life. Life is so fragile, it probably made their mission work feel even more urgent. I am so sorry for your loss too, I'm sure you loved him dearly.
I loved the young missionary picture - they all look to happy and committed to the work.
Knowing you Wendy you're probably speaking very good Swedish by now. I'm sure it has been a very special experience to learn to love Swedish people and land like Warren does. I hope both of you are in good health and after winter I bet your ready for Sweden's long, long summer days.
Pat and I are experiencing some wonderful life changing events. Last Oct. Pat was called to be the Consulting Landscape Architect to the Church History Department. It is brand new concept, in fact we are filling one of the first such service missions. They keep telling us "this is a first so hold on, we are finding our way through this new and way out of box concept". Pat and my mission papers didn't even go through the missionary department we emailed our papers directly E. Kent Hinkley, the Director of all church facilities (now that's BIG job), although our call came back from the mission department. E. Kent Hinkley continues to be Pat's main contact. Although I did not receive a call back they have given me assignments and my direct contact is Steve Olson the lead historian for the church. We are involved in some new breaking projects and concepts the Church History Department, is working on. One is a "complete" historic renovation and restoration of Nauvoo. This project is so exciting and spiritually moving. Other wonderful projects we have worked on are at Martins Cove and other handcart sites as well as and the priesthood restoration site. We feel very blessed and sometime inadequate. However, the Lord has helped both of us so much, his inspiration has lead us to know what to do and how to carry it out. This week Elder Stanfill called and set me apart to fill a regional position. I am overwhelmed, the Lord will really need to guide me a lot.
Our family is all doing quite well and soon number 13 grandchild will be here, Laura is expecting #3, a boy, June 20. I still work on a contract with the college. Your name comes up on occasion Warren...don't worry it is always good! As I mentioned at the beginning, Pat and I sure miss you both and think of you often. Lots of Hugs and Love, Pat and DeAnn
Congratulations on the new grandson.
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