JSA Alumni Talent Show

We had a ball practicing and presenting this number for the
JSA Alunmi Talent Show 2012!   In the video are:  Jared Jones,
Tyson Jones, Danny Jones, Rusty Jones, Eric Robinson, Greg
Memmott, Lamoni Vizcaino, Kevin Jurado, Nolan Call,
Clayton Nielsen, Frank Hatch and Chris Jones at the piano.

Regional Coordinating Council Welfare Specialist

After serving for almost 2 years as the Regional Institute Director, Frank was released in December.   He was then called to serve on the High Council.   This calling only lasted about 3 weeks.   I was sitting at home one night when the phone rang and it was our Area 70,  Elder Arnulfo Valenzuela, calling from Mexico City.  He wanted to talk to Frank.   Frank was off at a basketball practice (coaching) so I asked Elder Valenzuela to call back.  When Elder Valenzuela talked with Frank he called him to serve as the "Welfare Specialist" on the Regional (State of Chihuahua) Coordinating Council.   Of course, Frank accepted but thought this was odd since he had barely been set apart for his High Council calling.   When we talked to Pres. Jones on Sunday, he explained that Elder Valenzuela said he had felt inspired to call him. (President Jones)    Elder Valenzuela said that he had been trying unsuccessfully to find someone to serve in this position.   He said he had the names of several people but they had either not been approved by the Area Presidency or else they had not accepted the calling.   He then asked President Jones if he could recommend someone for this calling.   President Jones said he knew who Elder Valenzuela wanted and then recommended Frank.  President Jones said he knew they were trying to fill this calling and had not wanted to recommend Frank because he wanted him for the High Council.... but reluctantly told Elder Valenzuela that Frank was the person the Lord wanted.   Frank was set apart last night.  Elder Valenzuela wanted Frank to travel to Mexico City for training but we have a cruise planned that same week so that will have to be rescheduled.   We will learn more about this calling as it unfolds but as far as we can have been told, it will involve quite a bit of traveling as he will be working with the Welfare Specialist throughout the State of Chihuahua with issues concerning welfare, which include Employment, the Perpetual Education Fund, Education, Home Storage, Physical, Mental and Spiritual Health.   I know right now Frank feels a little overwhelmed but I'm sure he will do a great job!   He always puts his heart and soul into his church callings!   I'm proud of him.

Just as a side note for journal keeping, I was called and set apart as the "Stake Indexing Director" in August.   When I was set apart President Jones blessed me "with a passion for this work!"  I have to say, I think this has been my "all time favorite calling" so far!  I absolutely LOVE it!

In the picture... from left to right: President Kelly Jones, Frank and our Bishop, Russell Robinson.

2011.... ONE OF THE BEST CHRISTMAS' EVER !!!

OK... so don't ask Cam & Hanna their opinion,

but for me, 2011 was one of the best Christmas' on record!   

We had kids, grandkids, snow, Christmas music, yummy food,

lots of sugary treats, Santa, the Nativity,

and two very meaningful service projects!

For Christmas, Big Bear and Lita

 requested 5X7 pictures of each of their grandkids

 and 8X10 family pictures.

We also got this cool digital frame

(lower left hand corner)

from Mike & Angie, Brandon & Laura,

that continualy scrolls through Lita's

favorite pictures!

Somehow, the message wasn't clear to everyone....

so we are still waiting for a current family picture

of Preston and Alixe's family!

Then our collection will be complete!



I think Teague was THE MOST THRILLED with his Christmas present

this year!   Boy, does this BOY LOVE HIS VACCUM!

THE NATIVITY 2011.... Staring baby GATES and narrated by Kayla.

Angels Emily and Clarita visit Mary (Olivia) to tell her she will

soon have a new baby who will be the "Son on God, the Redeemer of the World!"

                                            Joseph, (Cam) and Mary (Olivia) travel to Bethlehem.

The Inn Keeper, (Tessa) tells them there is "no room."

Baby Jesus (Gates) is born to Joseph and Mary.

(Baby Gates is a special guest star produced by Derick and Brittany!)

A new star (Katie) appears in the heavens!

The angels just can't stay away!

The Shepherd/Wise Man (Hanna, far left,) finds baby Jesus lying in a manger!

(Sorry folks, we were a little short on actors this season!   he he!)


Granny & Bampa, Uncle Rick and Aunt Lynnette, Derick and Brittany,
David and Marisa and Matt and Cassie and kids had dinner with us Christmas Eve.
Uncle Rick and Aunt Lynnette brought the Chimes and they
were a big hit!!
Hummm....  I just had an idea for Christmas gifts for next year!!

Our Christmas Family.....

This is our Christmas Family!   Each year we enjoying sharing Christmas with a needy family!   This year was no exception, of course!    A family of 9 live in this little tiny, small house.   The father paints cars for a living and work has been very sporatic so they were really struggling.   His wife told us that recently he spent several weeks sanding down and repainting a car only to have the owner come and  steal it back, without paying, after all the work was done.   We were excited about doing Christmas for them because their bishop says they are very dedicated members of the church. This family has several teenage boys and we don't have any teenage boys in our family.  So Angie sent out an email to her ward members, asking if anyone had used clothing to donate to these kids.   The response for her ward members was overwhelming.  They donated brand new clothing,  underware, soccer balls, cleats, and even money to buy food with.  What wonderful people live in her ward!   The  family's Bishop suggested he would like to see the boys have new shoes for church.   With the help of some good members in Angie's ward we were able to give a new pair of shoes to each member of this family.  We are ao thankful to be soooo blessed that we are able to share with others at Christmas time.  It really is what Christmas is all about!!

Still some more to share!

I think Christmas 2011 was one of the best of my life!   (or maybe it just seems that way because of the traumatic Christmas we had last year with mom's surgery and her being released from the hospital just a few days before Christmas.  Plus we were in the middle of remodeling and I didn't do any decorating last year.)   Anyway... this year was GREAT!   Christmas just isn't Christmas without family and grand kids around!   We were blessed to have both Mike and Angie and Brandon and Laura and their kids here for Christmas!   As is tradition... we always enjoy sharing our blessings at Christmas time by taking Christmas to a needy family.   Well... this year it turned into even more!   Because of the amazing response from Angie's ward, and   Laura and Brandon also came with many items to donate.... that combined with the things I had prepared turned into way more than enough for one family.   So, we decided to just drive out into a neighborhood and open up the van and start giving things away!   My little granddaughters, Olivia, Tessa, Hanna, Kate, Claire and Emily helped me make a lot of Christmas cookies and we took those with us to give away as well.  As always, it was so much fun!   Once we parked the cars and started giving things away people just came running out of their houses!   At first the grand kids were timid about giving away the cookies but they soon good into the spirit and cheerfully practiced their Spanish, saying  "Feliz Navidad" as they handed out the cookies!   We hope our grand kids learn that the true joy of Christmas is in sharing our blessings with others and bringing a smile to someone else's face!

A soccer ball is a real treasure here in Mexico!  I imagine there will be lots of

street games in this neighbor hood!  We passed out at least 10 soccer balls and some cleats!

Brandon and Mike came across this man who was taking a bed

 to a family member as a Christmas gift.  They helped him carry in down

 the street and to his family member's house!