Slide Show! (finally figured it out)

RM visit

Elder Henrie went home with the second group of outgoing missionaries and he brought his parents down last weekend to tour the mission. The Henries came over to meet the family and have breakfast with us.

3rd group of Outgoing Missionaries

Office Staff and AP's with President and Sister Reeves and outgoing missionaries

L-R: Elders Rahlf, Alvis, Stinson, President and Sister Reeves, Sister Foliaki

This group went home October 7 (but I could not get the pictures to download until now).

Mom's Newsletters

Hi everyone, I was reading through mom's newsletters and she mentioned that she would ask me to put the emails on the blog. I didn't know she had thought of that and I realized that there are many, I'm sure, who don't receive the newsletters, so they are now posted on the blog - if you haven't read any of them and would like to get an update just click on the archives and look for "Newsletter #1, #2..." and so on. Enjoy!
- Allyson

Newsletter #4

Dearest Friends and Family,

Our children are doing a great job keeping the pictures on our blog up-to-date, if you have time to take a look at melreevesfamily.blogspot.com

Thank you to so many of you who have emailed us!!! You are so kind! We so love to hear from you and wish we had more time to respond! Some of the highlights this past month:

*Our daughter, Carrie and husband, Brian Warnick gave birth to Tanner on September 15th. He is beautiful and adorable, of course! We are so happy for them and anxious to see him!

* We enjoyed the mission president's seminar in early September in San Diego. We were instructed by Elder Perry, who is currently the head of the Missionary Department and was so amazing at age 86! He had a bad cold, but it didn't stop him from being powerful and full of energy and testimony. We are excited for the new program he and the Missionary Department is putting into place with "Ward Area Books", which all of us will hear more about soon in our wards.

*It is amazing to us to attend many of the baptisms that our missionaries have and realize how many wonderful people the Lord has been preparing for the Gospel. About a year ago, one sister ran across some small snapshots of some of her ancestors. She became obsessed with enlarging and framing the photos and putting them up all around her living room and dining room. She started to read all she could about their pasts. A few months later, two of our missionaries knocked at her door. She invited them in and was thrilled as they told her all about eternal families and the plan of salvation. She was baptized two months later and is "on fire" with the Gospel.

*Ryan, Valerie and Allyson are surviving getting up for early morning seminary and have some wonderful teachers at the high school! They are making new friends; they are trying hard to be good missionaries at school!

*Daughter, Laurie Stacey ran the St. George Marathon this morning! (Ryan drove up to Utah with her and Eric drove down from Cedar City and got to watch her run over the finish line.) We are very proud of this little mother of four. We think part of her "madness" has been the willingness of her good husband, Sully, to watch the kids (sometimes for several hours) while she has prepared for it. We mothers know how great it feels to escape when we can!

*We send home four great missionaries on Tuesday morning and pick up 14 more in the afternoon. This is Linda's "big" cooking week. ( It's kind of refreshing, since it's been pretty difficult to downsize of late! She's having withdrawals not needing Costco every week!)

*Daughter Julie Bourgeous has been trying out homeschooling her three oldest children (of five). It is challenging, but exciting.

*Mike & Jenny's new baby is so healthy and darling. We are all so grateful to our Heavenly Father. Jen & Nyall's preemie, Kate, turned one.

*We don't mind still having 108 degree weather two of three days in October so far!

*Greg's enjoying staying with Jon and Leah in New Jersey and interviewing.

*Jessica & Reid have had the time of their lives back in Reid's mission in Africa. Reid loved being able to introduce Jessie around the mission. They'll be back to Utah next week.

We love you all and so appreciate your love and prayers. Linda, Mel, Allyson, Valerie and Ryan