Kirk Jones

Mike Plowman, Brad, Steve Mousser, KIRK JONES, Mike Ward, John Davis

We had a dear friend pass away a couple of weeks ago.  He was only 53 years old.  His name was Kirk Jones and he had ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease).  I have thought about Kirk and Karen a lot this last couple of weeks.  It is impossible to summarize his life in just a paragraph or two, but I just wanted to share how much he touched our lives.  And by "our" lives - I don't just mean my family's, but our whole "ward family".  Kirk and Karen moved into the ward 2 1/2 years ago.  They knew something was wrong and suspected ALS, but got the formal diagnosis soon after they moved in.  The thing that struck me so much about him was his friendliness and how happy he seemed.  Over the last couple of years, we watched his body wither away, but we were also privileged to watch his spirit grow brighter and stronger.  

He served as Executive Secretary to Brad while he was Bishop and was just released on October 31, 2010 with the rest of the bishopric.  He was so good at names.  I think he knew everyone and had the gift to make us all feel special and like he was our best friend.  Our ward had the opportunity to serve him and his family over the years, but I feel like what we received from Kirk was definitely more than we gave.  I know that he blessed my family's life greatly and we are so thankful that we got to know him.  We will miss him dearly.

3rd Ward Camps

This isn't a very good picture, but it's all I've got. Danny went on his very first Scout Camp up by Big Lake and had a great time. At the same time, Taylor and Alex went on a High Adventure with their age groups to California, and the girls in our ward had Girl's Camp at Camp LoMia - all at the same time!

Brad and I had the privilege to go up for Bishop's Night. This was our 3rd or 4th time. Brad spends a lot of time making up games and different things to do with the girls. They really love it when he come. I'm sad because this is the first year I didn't get a picture of Brad with all the girls, but this one is of him in action!

Feast of Beasts 2

 3rd Ward had their "Feast of Beasts 2" last Saturday.  A few months ago at 6am Stake Priesthood meeting, our ward had the biggest percentage of priesthood holders there.  Because of that, they got the "Irod Rod" award.  They celebrate with the Feast of Beasts and this is the 2nd time they have won.  All the boys, from 2 on up are invited and they go crazy eating every kind of meat you can imagine.  There is pork, beef, elk, chicken, rattlesnake, etc.  You get the idea.  They also drink rootbeer that is served out of an old toilet bowl!  After eating themselves silly, they have different contests for the boys.  I snuck over for a little while on Saturday, just to witness what really goes on - the boys absolutely love it and wouldn't miss it for the world!

This is Ryan trying to catch a chicken.  He was a little shy at first, but rose to the challenge!

I caught one!

This is Taylor and Travis trying to put underwear on a steer.

It looks hilarious, but I feel sorry for the steer!

Penny Project

A few months ago, our Primary started saving change to buy a tree so that they could plant it at the Mesa Temple.  It was a project our Stake was doing together with the Temple.  Ryan and Danny were excited and willing earned and saved change and took it to Primary every few weeks.  

Saturday was the day that they actually got to plant the trees.  Our ward got a great spot with a nice view of the Temple.  Under direction of the Bishop :) the kids got to take turns digging the hole and filling it in.  It will be really neat when they get their endowments or get married and we can take another picture by "their" tree and see how big it has gotten!

Ryan taking his turn digging.

Danny filling in the hole.

These were the kids that were able to show up and help, along with the Bishop and the Primary Pres.

Ward Campout

We had a our first 3rd ward campout at Canyon Creek.  It was a huge success!  There were almost 20 people there.  We had a great time and everyone else seemed to also except for Collin Ward.  He broke his arm pretty badly.  This picture is taken at the fish hatchery.  It would be great if Emily were in it:(

Carl Bloomfield put up a zip line.  I couldn't believe Ryan wanted to do it.  These aren't very good pictures, but it is showing Ryan and Danny on the zip line.

Taylor and Alex wouldn't get up for breakfast and so Mike Ward made the tent fall down around them.  They still didn't get up.

Daredevils!

Campout Continued

We had a great time walking to the creek and just messing around together

Water Fun

Handcart Pioneer Trek

With Brad as Bishop of the 3rd Ward, we both had the privilege of participating in the Highland Stake Pioneer Trek.  Brad was trying to recover from pneumonia so I was really worried about him.  But, we had our own little tent, and he tried not to overdue too much.  I went as stake support.  My job was to help with the activities.  I got to supervise the kids making candles.  It was so much fun!

Our little pioneer family!

Some of my boys :)

Alex and Trevor Ward starting out with the handcart

Bishop McBride speaking to our Ward

Taylor and others pulling up "Testimony Hill"

Taking a well-deserved break after the brutal "Testimony Hill"

Everyone worked so hard.  I was so proud of them all.  What a wonderful thing for us to be able to experience.  I am so glad that I got to be a part of it and hope that Brad and I will be able to participate in the next one in 4 years.