She's home

So after 5 long weeks, Pam arrived early this morning at 1:30am. I stayed up for her, which was no problem, because I haven't been able to sleep at night anyway. Five weeks, what was she thinking? I woke up this morning with someone next to me. At first, I was startled and got a little scared, but then I realized I have a wife and her name is Pam. She is really tan and really tired. It seems as though the job wasn't as easy as she thought. Although, she want's me and Chad to go with her next year and work there. I said we'll have to wait and see. Since my soulmate left, I decided to grow a soulpatch to compensate. She took one look.....I'm shaving it tomorrow. She also bought me several Hawaiian shirts. I'm going to wear one to church with a tie.

Needless to say, I am extremely glad she is home and so is Duffy. I'm posting some photos of the mystery person I woke up to this morning and a couple of Duffy when he first saw Pam again. He put his paws on her and wouldn't let her move. Seriously, he wouldn't move an inch. He just kept his paws on her. She tried to get up and he would have none of it. I let him in this morning also and he did the same thing to her in bed. He wouldn't let her move. I'm going to try that same thing next year when she wants to go to Hawaii again.

In other news, our Arnett family geneologist, Wayne, discovered that we do not have an ancestor from Germany. It seems that the acronym G.BT. was mistaken for GER. She's from Ireland. It still doesn't explain the behavior of some of you.

Syd and Cameron have become quite the buddies. Not sure how much I like it. They gang up on me and call me "Unkie" to make fun of me. I do admit, though, that Syd is fast becoming my favorite niece. She does my dishes and get's me Dr. Pepper from QT. What more could an "Unkie" ask for?

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New photos of family members

HB and Penee, Syd and Lex and Canyon Rosie are down from Utah to visit Miley. We had a taco night with Cliff's family and some other friends. I received a CD with photos of Howard and Ethel from Candy which I'll be using later to compile our Cibola/Blythe history DVD. Also Penee brought some photos for Chea of Cliff's family that she has taken over the years. I'm supposed to give them to Chea, and I will eventually, but I decided to post them here and get a "scoop" on everyone else. Besides, my wife is in one of them, and man is she "hot".

A German ancestor

I know most of you are not as interested in Germany as much as I am, but you might want to know that in adddition to having A.S.S., you also have an ancestor from Germany. Our Arnett (Arnet, Arnot, Arnott, Arnette) roots have not been "rooted" out yet, but we do have some Gale family history that takes us to Germany. It seems as though, Henry Gale's wife (Sarah Gale), whom he married in or around Sydney, Australia is a daughter of one Elizabeth Mc Audra who was born in Shoudey, Germany. She married Tom Wills and they moved to Sydney. So there you have it. We are part German. Come to think of it, several of you look German and several of you act German. Here is the actual geneology information on Elizabeth. I've tried to find Shoudey, Germany, but it seems it presently doesn't exist. What if it was in Elder Arnett's mission? Huh...........

Elizabeth Mc Audra, ABT 1798 - Shoudey, Germany
Individual Note: Spelling varies in Gale Book from McAudry (p. 17) to McAudra (p. 7).Merle O'Shannasy spelled it McAndrew.

Birthday news from Germany

Today is Elder Chad Arnett's birthday. Pam sent him a package that we hope he gets on time. Also she sent a cake mix to the sisters in his district, hoping they would bake him a cake today. Good thing it's his P-day today. The good news about him turning 20 in Germany is that he'll be home for his 21st birthday. (Blogger's note: He entered the MTC about a month before he was 19). The photos are of him and another Elder sitting on top of a German U-boat propeller, the other one is him Dancing to Saturday Night Fever ( I guess) and the bottom one of him and a member young man celebrating (too soon, I might add) the German success in the Euro Cup.

A Horse is a Horse, of course

Thanks to James Payne by way of Keith Mortensen I was emailed this screened photo of Grandpa Howard on top of Masher. This horse was the real deal. Howard was offered a lot of money many times for Masher. This quarter horse was the best cutting horse he ever had. I believe Masher was the out of a line of horses that all came from Babe, the original quarter horse Grandpa groomed in Cibola. Uncle Cliff will know for sure. So, for any of you that are interested, see if you can name all of Grandpa's horses from the line of BABE.

It's a dog's life!

So Pam is finally home and she has been swimming a lot. She does some work for the MARC center in Mesa and helps with a teenager in our neigborhood. He and his brother have been coming over to swim and play with Duffy. While Pam was laying on the raft the other day, Duffy decided that it looked fun, so he jumped in and swam to her and wanted on. Now he has decided the raft is his. Pam, thought it would make a great photograph to put the hat on him. He seemed to like it. Too bad he can't have chocolate bon bons.

Things that really tick me off!!!!!

Cell phones that don't work. Cell phones that work crappy. Cell phones that drop calls. Cell phones that I don't know how to work. People who know how to text message. People who text message. People who text message all the time. People who text message me expecting a reply back. People who have cell phones only for emergencies and have different numbers that they use on trips. People who don't bring their chargers on trips. People who call me on while on trips with numbers that are only good on those trips. People who I try to call on the numbers they give me while on their trips, but I can't call because those numbers don't work after their trips. People who don't answer their cell phones while at the movies. Note: If you have a cell phone, answer it at all times. You're not supposed to answer your home phone ever. That's why you have a home phone to throw bill collectors and solicitors off and sometimes ward members.

There are a lot more things that tick me off, but these are the ones that are presently most annoying. In other words, Eloise, call you Uncle.

Here are some photos of Elder Arnett at his 1 year burning celebration.

Not changing it!

In light of recent posts and comments from some members of the Arnett blogging community, I hereby declare that my middle name is Lee and I am not changing it. I recommend it highly to each and every member of the family if they ever want to change their middle name. Goodnight and Good Luck!

Better photographers than me

I'm posting some photos of our recent gathering at my house. Unfortunately, none of the photos are mine. I found a Sony digital camera with a Carl Zeiss lens on it at a thrift store for $20. I was going to sell it, but Cameron was interested. So I sold it as is to him for $20. Big mistake. His camera takes great photos. Here are some of them. Also, I've included a photo that was published on the cover of the latest edition of Phoenix magazine taken by your cousin Mitch Arnett (Wayne's son). It's of Havasupi Falls. He also takes better photos than me. That makes three, Chea, Cameron and Mitch. I think I'll stick to music.

NTSB report Sept. 17, 1964 Photo of Plane type

NTSB Identification: Unknown14 CFR Part 91 General Aviation Event occurred Thursday, September 17, 1964 in CIBOLA, AZAircraft: BEECHCRAFT K35, registration: N348B
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FILE DATE LOCATION AIRCRAFT DATA INJURIES FLIGHT PILOT DATA F S M/N PURPOSE----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-0750 64/9/17 CIBOLA ARIZ BEECHCRAFT K35 CR- 0 1 0 NONCOMMERCIAL PRIVATE, AGE 47, 355 TIME - 1245 N348B PX- 2 1 0 BUSINESS TOTAL HOURS, 96 IN TYPE, DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL OT- 0 0 0 NOT INSTRUMENT RATED. NAME OF AIRPORT - ARNETT STRIP TYPE OF ACCIDENT PHASE OF OPERATION STALL: MUSH TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB PROBABLE CAUSE(S) PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO OBTAIN/MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED FACTOR(S) PILOT IN COMMAND - PREMATURE LIFT-OFF FIRE AFTER IMPACT

Graduation Speeches and Moon over Cibola

Today marked an incredible milestone in my life. Actually, this past week was one of the most eventful filled times I can remember. If I can be permitted to review the events -- wait it's my blog and if you don't like it go somewhere else. If it doesn't turn out good, I might go somewhere else, too.

Backtracking from today on back, here's what happened. My wife "the facilitator of happiness'', gave the faculty speech today at the Desert Ridge Junior High Promotion Ceremony. She has been as nervous about this as anything she has ever done. Many of you know, she really can't pray in public, let alone speak in public, due to her soft heart and tendency to become emotional. There have been many times during family prayer she would speak so softly that Chad and I couldn't hear her. We would inch closer and closer while she whispered and cried softer and softer. At length, both Chad and I would have our ears right next to her mouth waiting to hear an Amen. We have become used to it and have had some fun with it over the years. But, she is terrified to speak in public, yet she married a man with A.S.S. and has a son with it also. Remember, this is also a woman who cries at Supermarket Grand Openings.

Needless, to say, giving the speech was tramatic for her. Her sister, Donna, and I went to hear it and we both concur it was incredible. She was animated, charming, disarming and the speech was perfect. No longer will I worry about her shyness. It was as if she found some deep, dark A.S.S. to draw upon.

That's my Pammie!

Backtracking further to earlier in the week, we ventured the 112 degree heat back to the homeland of Blythe and Cibola. It was perfect weather for the trip. It would be easy to tell the kids about the heat, but they got to experience it firsthand. Here are some plans on what to do with the photos and stories told. No, Heidi, I'm not yelling. Lacy has set up a new blog where we will post some photos and life history excerpts, etc. It will tell the story for our next generation Arnett's of our Cibola experience. In addition, there will be a DVD movie made through a collaboration of several individuals with interviews, snippets of the trip we took and an actual script. It won't be of Baby Boomerang quality, but it will be an appropriate multi-media history of the Howard and Ethel Arnett family. It will be called, " A hat and a rose". That's all I can say for now. This will be for our family only, not to leave others out, but some of the jokes and humor may be esoteric in nature. I have asked for the help of Chea, Lacy, Ryan, Cameron (I'm asking now), Jessica, Candy and Kensie (I'm asking now). It will include an all original musical score based on our experiences then and now and feature some familiar voices. Each family member will be included (somewhat like the James Gale book, but better) and there will be recent photos of entire families. It really should be done and needs to be done. We have the resources and skills necessary to do this, so we will.

So, now I backtrack once again to Cameron's ordination. It was a great experience not only for him, but for us all. I know Cameron appreciates all who could attend. I know this sounds corny and maybe even irreverent, but I found myself looking around to see if just maybe I was in tune enough to see some grandparents there. I didn't and I wasn't, but I felt as though I should look. It was that kind of spirit that was there. Cameron, I know you don't read these blogs, but you have come along way and set a good example for others in our family. Way to go, Sobrino.

So, backtracking even further, all of this was looked over upon by a full moon. Thanks DevHoyo for showing me how to turn off my flash.

Eating Crow, Looking up at Snakes!

It appears as though I owe an apology to my nieces, Dana Joy and Lacy Lee (that's right Lee) named after me. I hereby declare to the world that I was wrong and am humbled by their recently running and completing the Ogden Marathon. I, Jeffrey Lee Arnett, born in New Mexico and raised in Blythe, California do hereby admit that they are women of valor. I didn't think they could do it. I didn't think they should do it. I didn't know why anyone would want to do it, but they did it and I with pride now give them full credit for their accomplishment and own up to my stupidity. I feel so low that I have to look up to see the belly of a rattlesnake. They are my heros, winners in life and winners in my heart.

Two college scholarships!

It appears as though I won't be the only college scholarshipped athlete in the family anymore. The attached letter says it all.

Cibola update!

Okay here's the deal. Cameron is going to be ordained on the evening of the 19th at my house. All are invited, however, if you can't make that event take it up with Cameron. I suggest his immediate family make it, like his mom, dad, etc. Cousin Wendy and Colby have graciously offered the use of their house for those coming from out of town. Bedding will be scarce so you might want to bring a sleeping bag, etc. It will be hot here so maybe just a sheet...jk. I learned that term from someone text messaging me. Anyway, my pool is available to all that need it except on Sundays. A bath, however, is acceptable on Sundays. Tuesday, the 20th of May, we are planning to convoy via I-10 to Blythe where we will then head to the home of Malcom and Dondra which is by the old Union Feed Yards. They have graciously offered their home for us to meet at, eat some lunch that we will have bought on Lovekin Ave. and then consume. We will then have a short instructional meeting to detail our trip to Cibola. It's only about a 20 minute drive from there, but we will be stopping along the way for photo opportunities like the Colorado River Feed Yards, the bridge, Baseline road, the Cibola Natl. Wildlife Refuge bldg. to view a map of our old place, the Bishop's place, and then the corral and shack, the bulldozer, Williams old place, the canal, the newer bridge, the fish and game place, the runway and crash site and if possible the old river. Of course, will be also be seeing our old house on 7th street. Chea will be taking professional pictures, but all are encouraged to take photos, etc. She has asked that we be at the site later for some better evening light opportunities.

Now, for those of you that would like to leave earlier on the 20th to see other things in Blythe, etc. I will provide a map to Malcolm's house to meet. I know HB and Larry and Kathleen will want to see some other things. Remember, Aunt Kathleen has as many or more memories than the rest of us do in Blythe and Dana should remember some things also. She was so cute and loved to be tickled in Blythe. Kathy, let me know if you would like to go into your old house. I can call the family that lives there and see about it. I might want to go earlier myself to do some fishing, but only if someone would like me to be their fishing guide. Let me know.

Candy, please post of send my any photos you have of Cibola. I know you sent my one with mom being pregnant by the canal. I am putting together a booklet with photos and descriptions to show our history in Cibola.

The most important pieces to this puzzle will be to hear the stories told by Cliff, HB, Larry me and Candy. They will all differ and will all be self-centered, because we all have ASS. But, if we can we will piece together a history of our life in Cibola. It will be hot, very hot for those of you from Utah. Come prepared with air conditioning in your cars and water. It should be fun, if not fun, it will be hot for sure. But, that is really the essence of what Cibola is all about.

Photo test

HB and Cliff received some photos from cousin Rex that we have never seen before. After some harassment, I have enticed HB to email them to me. I wanted him to post them on his ASS site, but it appears he is too busy trying to pry the mattress of his back. The first photos he sent were too large and crashed all my computers, then he resent some that look like this one. If only he could scan them in just a little larger then the resolution would be better, but then I'm not a paying subscriber to anything, so I'll take what I get. This photo is of three very unique fellows. See if you can identify who is who. Also, if anyone has any photos of Cibola or of Blythe while we were growing up, please email them to me or post them on your blog like Lance has done in the past. I'm compiling a small booklet of guide for all the young Arnett's so they can get a real feel for the Cibola experience.

No photoshop, not my fish and the trip is on!

Chea said I photoshopped the guitar photos. I'm posting more to show I really do burn guitars. Please note Pam's toes in the right photo to prove authenticity. I can have a DNA test done to show they are hers.

Also, my own wife thought -- at first, anyway -- the photo of the guy and the catfish was me. So, did Lacy. I'm thinking of posting photos of what I think all my relatives look like and let's just say they won't be symetrical. Also, we are planning the Cibola day trip on the 20th of May. It's tentatively written in sand, not stone, but it looks good for that day. We'll will know more after Cameron has his last interview this week. Chea is on to take photos of the day. I booked it on her photo blog which is what one must do to get her valuable time. We will be having t-shirts printed or maybe badges that say, " Marathon? big deal. I survived Cibola!"...or something like that. To arrange vehicles I might need some sort of head count. Please respond accordingly.

Land O' Fish, Burning Guitars

Chea Lamb and Ryan Brizscssissxxsz (how do you spell it?) are true inpsirations to me. I have decided to take up amateur photography. I used to be a fisherman -- see photo-- (expanation to come), but now I'm a capturer of images, especially with spectacular light. The photos below I call "bright guitars burning in a fireplace because they wouldn't fit in a trash can". Please note the unusual hue and the composition of the subject matter. I worked very hard to capture just the right essence of firelight along with moonlight to entwine the majesty of guitars burning at their pinnacle. I might submit this to the Church News or to Guitar Player Magazine or to the Palo Verde Valley Times and hope that it provides inspiration to those that need a fire lit under them.
Speaking of the Palo Verde Valley Times, as you know, I read it regularly on line. In a past issue the photo of the gentleman holding the catfish was shown. It seems this fellow (who looks a lot like me, at least his stomach does) caught this catfish recently in the Colorado River not far from our old stomping grounds. It's a whopping 75lbs.
What does this have to do with anything you ask? During the middle of May (around the time Cameron receives the Priesthood), we will be on a day excursion to Cibola to discuss our memories and make new ones. Chea of Chea Lamb photography has agreed to "photolize" the event. All are invited to attend. In fact, there is a good chance I will be putting up the bronze plaque (how do you spell it?) dedicated to Howard Arnett overlooking the Arnett Canal. Why is this so important you ask? Because, it is that's why. Cliff just got some never seen photos from Cousin Rex of the building of the ranch and canal and shed, etc.
While I know you hope I would do the honors of being the photog for the day, I have given the assignment to Chea and I hope the offerings of my burning guitars may light a fire in her to accept the honor.

In other news, Chad got transferred to the Kiel Institute Outreach Center on the Baltic Sea. He now teaches English and Institute. (it seems that Elder Perry started these Institute Outreach Centers when he was in Germany on assignment for a year). As Chad says, woot, woot! I would post his letter, but it seems you have all read it anyway because Pam forwards them to you.

Ralph Machata, Lee West, Fiddler and Potter

These are names from the past that deserve some historical mention. Since reviewing the life of Uncle Charles, I've decided someone should document a history of our time in Cibola. Since I am the youngest male child and my memories are the youngest I can recount some things. However, my time in Cibola was also the shortest. HB, Cliff and Larry will have more to tell than I will. I am hereby requesting that my siblings, including my dear sister, to tell me about their memories of Cibola and the characters that lived there. I am also requesting that some famous photographer in Arizona and a famous illustrator in Utah get involved to help put together these memories. In later blogs I will request specific memories about certain times, places and individuals and events. Oh, did we have events. Crazy things happened in Cibola.

In other news, I've posted a few photos of Chad and his latest email.

Parentals!

Well I sure did enjoy this week. A lot of cool things happened and I had a few great learning experiences.I loved Zone Conference. It always seems to give me that needed boost!After Zone Conference I went with Elder Michael for a Zone Leader Tausch. That was fun and interesting. We went down to Harburg to help the Elders there with a move. For their neighbor's daughter or something like that. It was good and the people were extremely nice. It went a bit later than we expected.The next day we hit the road pretty early. We had to catch up with a member to let him into the old Sisters Apartment. After that we met up with all the other missionaries at the Wartenau to get ready for an Ausstellung. That was a blast. We went down to the Uni and did it there. It was amazing. JAE's are where its at! I learned alot about how to get contact information, something I have personnally been struggling with for a while now. I just haven't been able to seal the deal. But at the Ausstellung I started to use techniques that I've learned from other missionaries and started to see success! It was an awesome experience. I went a bit crazy though. We had a bet that anyone who got a baptismal date on the street got this jougart chocolate thing. I wanted it. Bad. I hadn't eaten and well ya...the pictures and the little movie I'm sending should explain it all...When we tausched back, the week was all about service and member appointments. We went and helped a member rennovate a room in their house and had a great talk about missionary work and how members can help. It was there that I realized how service could help the work in this area. We need to get the name of the Church out but to be known for good, and not for the things that we seem to be known as. We need people to see that we are just nice people who live what we believe. So that is what we taught at the member appointments for the spiritual thought. Its great cause there is a section on that in PMG in chapter 9. It ties in perfectly.On saturday our appointment fell out and we got a call by the JAE's who asked for our help in cooking for the activity instead of actually going around for the activity. So we did. It was a good idea cause a less active member came along and she brought a friend to church the next day. At this activity I realized how much I love the youth of my ward. They are such great kids, President. They all want to do good and help us. Speaking of my ward here in Lauenburg, things are going a lot better. The member-missionary relations are improving a whole lot. I don't know the exact reason why it was so strained in the first place, but now I can honestly say that I love this ward and the people in it. The excitement for missionary work is also increasing. I think the problem was that missionary work the way we picture it as missionaries isn't the kind of missionary work that they are willing to do right now. So we've been switching the focus a little and now they are starting to love the idea of serving. Also the boys of the ward love going out with us for 'mini missions'. The ward is also now willing to go on joint teaches and starting to realize that they need to open the doors and their hearts a bit more to welcome the people who are looking into what we have. That was and is still a bit of a problem with this ward. They aren't the most friendly to strangers. But that is changing.Our investigators are all outta town this week. One in London and the other in Berlin. So we are just trying to get some new contacts and get something new going here. But this week we have a lot of member appointments because of the school break. Now the families of the ward have a lot more time than during the school week.
You know, I used to have a hard time with this area. It was a big change from what I was used to down in Essen. But I am so grateful for what I have learned here. I don't think I could have learned it anywhere else. I love the people here. And even though the work is harder that what I've previously experienced, it has all been for my good. The light of morning always follows the midnight hours. I see how my skills have enhanced, my love has grown, and my understanding has expanded.
But enough of that sentimental crap.

How are you two? I really want to see the Uncle Charles video. Really really bad. Alas, I dont know how.

Mother, I did get the easter package and sent you a letter. Dad included in mentioned letter is the lyrics to the humpty dumpty song inspired from your falling through an attic.

Mother, what the heck are you doing being sick? Thats my job! Yes, I am ein bisschen erkältet, but its ok. I can't really sleep at night though. For two reasons. My compaion Elder Bidstrup talks, or screams rather, in his sleep, and two I can't breath cause my nose gets all stuffed up when I lay down. But thats ok. I think its because its warming up a little. But just a little. A very little. But thats ok. The longer I suffer in the cold the hotter my wife will be. Thats what a Member of the Area Presidency told us. Elder Wondra. So I'm making myself suffer as much as possible. Persecution Points. Its a Gospel Truth. Bruce R. McControversy wrote about it in Mormon Doctorine. Ok so not really. But he should have.

So I think I told you this, but on April 17th we are having a Mission Conference. All 130 some odd missionaries are going to be up in Hamburg to hear Elder Holland speak to us. I'm pretty excited but kinda hope I dont get transferred. They are the 15th of April and, even though I never thought I'd say it, I don't want to go. But I'll let you know the verdict in 2 weeks.

Other than being sick I'm doing well. Im not really all that sick so dont worry mom. And as far as glasses go, I'm fine. I can wait til I get home to use or get them. I dont really want them to be honest. I dont need them to read, I can see clearly close up. But one day I stole Elder Higham's glasses and put them on and saw detail in the distance. It's like you said dad, I didn't know that man was supposed to see that much detail. We're supposed to see things in the distance?! Who knew!

Well my pictures and video cant be read by this computer. I think everything is corrupted on my card. I hate public computers. But the pictures are still there so dont have a heart attack. I'm sorry that everthings being dumb! I'll try one more time but if not, oh well!

Yea! It works! So the pictures of me talking to cars, is me talking to cars. The winter wonderland is me in a winter wonderland. Me in a red shirt was me on a tausch and Elder Blackham gave it to me to wear. I didnt realize what kinda a shirt it was until it was on and I had worn it for 5 minutes. I grabbed the knife and demanded a new shirt. I hope you enjoy!

I love and miss you!

Elder ChArnett

Baby Boomerang, the movie

Tonight we viewed the documentary called "Baby Boomerang". It's a play on words on several levels which I will discuss in my movie review below. I must admit to expecting a longer wedding type video that he is so famous for. I also envisioned it being something like Ken Burns WWII documentary. It was neither. It was magnificient. It lasted 55 minutes and worth every penny of the price of admission, which was free, or course. The theatre was jam packed. We had to pull up our arm rests to squeeze everyone in. I believe many partrons including AJ sat in the cracks in the seats. The Howard Arnett family was well represented by AJ's family, Cliff's family, my family, Cameron and Chea's family and rightly so as Howard was mentioned in thinly veiled reference at one point in the documentary. I know the documentary was warmly accepted as it received a well deserved standing ovation at the end. I asked some people who were there that didn't even know Uncle Charles well what they thought of it. They were visibly moved and entertained. My guess is that close to half in attendance we not relatives. My how word spreads when something is free and its a Monday night.

Since most of you will not get to see it unless it becomes successful on the documentary of history channel circuit, I will give you a brief rundown and my thoughts.

This movie was 14 years in the making. Mark explains at the beginning of the documentary why it took so long to makeand why he never wanted his dad to see it which becomes evident as the film progresses. At first, the movie is really not so much about Uncle Charles as it about Mark. On the surface that sounds shallow, but once the documentary began to unfold we understood why. It did focus on Uncle Charles -- who he was and the life he lived, but it also focused on a son (baby boomer-ang) coming to the realization of how great his father really was. That's I'll I can say without giving away more, but this was a deep, well thought out documentary. It was a love story, it was a tragic hero's story, a spiritual story, a missionary story and much more. It was funny throughout, bordering on hilarious at times. It was heart wrenching evoking many tears. It was patriotic. It was historical in that it detailed a time of great sacrifice, specifically by Uncle Charles, but also by others of his crew that were featured in the film. But, it was also "historic" in that it revealed a transformation in Mark (the same one we all go through or must go through) when he realized what kind of father he had and how he has come to appreciate it. There were many layers of emotion that all in attendance felt. I hope this story continues on and Mark is successful in showing it at film festivals.

I took some photos of me and Pam (actually Larry did) getting ready to go to the funeral and later and at the movie theatre. I'm no Chea, but here are some photos anyway.

My mission!

Through the magic of the internet I have been able to re-live some of my mission experiences. I wasn't much of a photographer on my mission, but thanks to modern technology I can access stuff that I actually saw and experienced.

I spent 18 months of my mission in and around the city of Adelaide, South Australia. Adelaide was a large city with many parks and hills, etc. But, for a little town guy this was trying at times because I didn't get to see much of the countryside in the big city. For my last 6 months, I was transferred to West Australia -- namely the city of Perth. While Perth was also a big city it was most scenic. In fact, it is one the most beautiful places I've ever been. I was fortunate to be able to travel most of West Australia my last several months of my mission. While traveling, I saw some incredible things and learned much more. The above photos all have particular meaning to me which I will try to explain.

The top photo on the left is a giant forest just outside of two towns called Bunbury and Collie, south of Perth. These were and are the largest trees I have ever seen. No, I've never been to the Redwood forest, but these trees are so big you can see how they have built a walkway up on top. This is just inland from the Indian Ocean. I spent one of the worst nights of my life in Collie as I had to sleep on a hardwood floor with out a blanket, pillow or anything. I used my suit coat to cover me for warmth. There was no warmth or sleep that night. The next photo is of Albany, West Australia. It is said it is the most distant place you can travel from Arizona. If you go any further, you are coming home. Albany, during the 1970's, was a large whaling town. It had one of the world's last whaling stations. I have never smelled anything so "deathening" (that's my word for it). It smelled horrible. The men used sharp knifes on the end of poles (think hockey sticks) to cut away the blubber. Everything went into a hole in the center of the whaling ramp which was then boiled and boiled some more. I think this whole thing was stopped (meaning outlawed) in the late 70's. Next are some photos of the Albany cliffs. These cliffs were at least 300 feet high. During the winter they had what they called "Killer King Waves" come in from the Anarctic Ocean. Because there are no islands or land to speak of between Anarctica and the coastline they would grow to 100 feet or more during the stormy season. At times, with a telescope, you could see icebergs in the distance. Next of note is place called the Gap. The two side by side photos show what happens when king waves hit the Gap. This Gap was created over time by waves crashing against the coastline. A wave hits the front of the Gap then shoots hundreds of feet toward the back, then shoots hundreds of feet straight up. There is a cage overlooking the side of the Gap that visitors stand in. Needless to say when I visited the Gap, I got soaked. My point of all this is that almost yearly, some careless, drunken tourist (or local) would jump the locked gate to the park surrounding the Gap and stand in the cage when the waves were too dangerous. I might add they were never seen again as they were carried out to sea. I have used this analogy several times while teaching Sunday School to point out that we must draw a line what we will or won't do. Those that cross the line venture into dangerous territory. I know that took a long time to make my point but the photos are awesome and I was there. Finally, the last photo is of Narrogin, West Australia. I accompanied my Mission President to this little town to dedicate it for the preaching of the gospel. It never had missionaries until we went there and dedicated it. I'm not sure what real success I had on my mission or what good can be said my time and service there, but there is a branch in Narrogin and of all things a Geneology library.