The Zhou Dynasty

Confucius said.......Or was that Pal?
One of them is an imposter who makes up mumbo jumbo as he sees fit.
The other one gave us ageless words of wisdom.
There was a lot at stake for the one who guessed who said which correctly:

1. Before you embark on a journey of revenge...
a.) dig two graves.
b.) remember your faith.

2. Everything has it's beauty but...
a.) the red panda is HOT!
b.) but not everyone sees it.

3. I hear and I forget
I see and I remember
I do and...
a.) I don't.
b.) I understand.

4. Forget injuries.....
a.) never forget kindnesses.
b.) but not wounds.

5. Ignorance is the night of the mind, but....
a.) not the heart.
b.) but a night without moon and stars.

6. It does not matter how slowly you go....
a.) with the sedan chair, but with the rickshaw.
b.) so long as you do not stop.

7. Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but....
a.) in getting up every time we do.
b.) never building.

8. Study the past if you want to...
a.) know the future.
b.) define the future.

9. Wherever you go....
a.) go with all your heart.
b.) you will have to climb stairs.

Cache had a perfect score,
with 1-b, 2-a, 3-a, 4-b, 5-a, 6-a, 7-b, 8-a, 9-b all being Pal-isms.
With his win he received the coveted ride in our human made rickshaw.It didn't work out as well as I'd hoped.
The sedan chair fared better.
I was a little worried we'd get more than one winner,
and that my back wouldn't hold out for them all.
I should have had more faith in Pal's ability to mimic true wisdom.
And, I think it's exactly because of Pal's wisdom that he so easily obtained the highest order in cub scouts this week -

The Arrow of Light!

(how's that for transition and killing two posts with one stone?
Bert didn't think it could be done - Silly man.)

Here's Pal's troop:
He's fourth from the right.
And here he is with the two other Arrow of Light recipients:
He'll grow.
Why, yes, we did make it through all four years without sewing on a badge.
or finding the slide.
And, although not all of us could physically be there at the ceremony to celebrate with him,
we were all there in thought.
(Cache left this waiting for him on the cupboard when he got home. Could you get a better brother than that?)

Good job, O Wise One!

When I have grown a foot or two...

Hydn saw how excited we were for Cache's letter.
He wanted a mission call too.

I asked him if he was ready to go on a mission.
He thought long and hard but finally decided - yes, he was.

He got called to 'Capital One'.

What must have been one very l-o-n-g hour later, he worriedly asked,
"But Mom, ....who'll wipe my butt?"
He had a valid point.
It was mutually agreed he could wait another year. Or fifteen.

The Call

BANGKOK THAILAND!!
April 18th
We're soooo excited.

Stay Tuned....!

Remember

how he always wanted to be a dog?

And do everything dog's do?

I think he's cured.
A visit to the vet was a little more than he bargained for.

He's a good vet though-
Those three stitches are barely noticeable

THANK YOU ALL!

Merry Christmas to Justin!

He said, and I quote,

"Hands down that was the
best Christmas present ever!"
So again, many, many thanks to all of you.

He's doing absolutely fantastic!
He's upbeat and loving life.
He smiled and laughed non stop.
His testimony is stronger than ever.
He's thrilled to be serving in Italy,
and he hasn't gained or lost one pound :)

Many of you have asked to see the pictures
we compiled. This marathon of pictures is for you.
Some are not included, as they were hard copies that I was
unable to upload to the computer before I put them in Justin's book.
Again, THANK YOU for spending time
and showing support for Justin this Christmas!
What a great present to us all!

Hy and Justin's alligator

Andrew Beeli - Most interesting debater and homeschool friend ever.

Erica Lange - On mother's list of potentials :)

Keegan Valdez - One of Justin's closest childhood friends

Aunt Marcia sharing a much needed refreshing drink with Justin

Cache (brother) and good friend Stephanie visiting with Justin in their China classroom

Wonderful cousins Cali, and Ray, and quite possibly the cutest cousin ever -Levin

Former best boss (First United) Chris Moore

Former Young Men's President Mike Boger

On parental video streaming of live classrooms with Cache and Steph

Steph and Justin in front of Tangshan Earthquake memorial in China

Good friend Sierra and Daniel Dunford (I did not upload all of their pictures. They went WAY out of their way to take Justin to all interesting sites around Dallas. I know Justin thought this was an AWESOME way to spend Christmas.)

Bosom buddy (mine and boys) Jen Smith from Canada, who met Justin on trip to Europe... she even matted the photo!

Good friends Landon Jernigan, Amy, Dave (former scout leader) and Spencer

Most Awesome YM President and Stake YW President, Tami and Jeff Schall

Adopted Aunt Gail's Christmas picture of our old barn that Justin used to be assigned to hang lights from every year.

Fellow bank employee Vicki Campbell

Childhood friend Pamela DeSilva and Justin

Greatest Grandma and Grandpa ever - Kim and Joyce

Haley and Ryan doing 'parts' with Justin for Christmas Eve family night. Ho.Ho.Ho.

Paladin and his hero

Gail and grandkids

Jesse

Sister Boger and kids

Dani Lauricella - Another of my potentials. Aren't they cute?

Poulson brothers and Justin (Where's the MOTHER AND FATHER I MIGHT ADD?! -Actually thanks to Sandra this project wouldn't have gotten done. Thank you Sandra!)

The Gibbs- who forgot to pack Justin in their suitcase. I don't blame them, and I'm sure Justin was in their thoughts...

Friends Jenny and Shane Morris

Justin and Dad

Sister Eizenzimmer - former seminary teacher

Sister Galloway - friend and supporter of all her youth

Sister Mackey- Former seminary teacher (he's had some good ones)

Me. It felt so good to put my arm around him again

Julie Pezillo gave yet one more ride to Justin this Christmas. I think she's hauled him many times. Also friends Ashton, Johnny, and Roney brothers

Cousin Ryan teaching Justin the basics of Hockey for his Christmas present

Aunt Chris, Uncle Bruce, cousins Charley and Jake spending their first trip to the temple with Justin

Best next door neighbors ever - Erin and Bill Branham with Hunter and Avery

Rachel (Justin's awesome writing/English mentor) and Richard Stanley

The Johnson Girls

Rachel and Sherry Humphries

Aunt Marcia and Haley needed a nice bass to help them out

The Roghairs

Good friends Jessica Poulson, Jonathon Bethke (newly returned), Amy Bethke, and Megan McHenry

Adopted Grandma Louise Cain -She's the greatest

Longtime best friend Adam McInnes

Ryan, Haley, and Justin after a looong day

A fantastic collage by Gail!

Cache and Justin in front of Cache's wall of Chinese words to learn

Hero and Cousins Abe and Grace

Another favorite cousin, Ty, who took extra care to make sure Justin knew he was missed

New cousin Michelle (Ty's wife)

Aunt Lynn and Uncle Fred

Cousins Will and Kellyn

Aunt Karyn, Uncle Kieth, cousins Mikiya, Riley, Garrett and Russell

Aunt Kalyn and cousins Brooke and Bryce

Aunt Ambia and Micheal

Absolutely wonderful friends, and teacher to Justin - Dino, Dom, Craig, and Carol Lauricella

Conner Akin

Sister Couch

Bishop and Sister Hatch

Libby Christen

Ryan Anderson

McKeon Akin

Jinx McCarly

Maria, Caleb, and Rachel Underwood

Rhonda Stoehr

Calder (who's grown a foot since Justin left)

Julie Watson

Jamie Akin

Brother Watson

Brother and Sister Slover

Crystal Green

Kenny and Junior Stoehr

Ashley Green

The Mason Bunch

Sisters Cooper, Apple, and Mayor

Marshal, Brady, and Toni Wilcox

John Wyatt (instrumental in helping Justin get his Eagle)

Bishop Mason

Fred Douglas

Jeanette Koyle

Haley and Justin enjoying a relaxing day of reading

Angela Cardoza

Dawna Bowen and Maddie

The Albrechts

Maddie

Baby Payne coming soon in April!

Terry Lamb - who even made his own sign for Justin but didn't have a camera at home.

John Underwood

Aunt Marcia, Ryan, and Haley enjoying a political discussion and debate

Justin and his bank coworkers, who thought he would enjoy a trip down memory lane

Trickier than you might think with a timer

And Justin with his loyal and most faithful friend, Kate

Thanks for supporting him
and giving him a boost as your Christmas present.