Service Project

Mel: Shad and I went to a ward service project to clean a park yesterday. The flyer said to bring sun screen but it was snowing! I cleaned the grease out of the stoves and Shad raked up branches and old leaves. The hot chocolate was super.

We had a good visit with a potential partner called Remotec. They are another robotics company that might license our Mobius software. It will probably take six months to get rolling but could be a great thing in the long run. So, not an immediate miracle but could bless us later in the year.

I got my monthly night out at the Mendon Photo club. They asked me to come and talk about my pictures. It was fun to show some of my favorites. One of my fellow competitors said I had a gift which was nice. We have monthly competitions and I'm too competitive. I still want to crush him but I'll be nicer when I pick him up off the ground next time! :) Who did I inherit that from?! He beat me last month in the human portrait topics but I beat him handily the last three of four. Anyway, I look forward to it each month.

I also inserted a picture of my usual pose on a plane. Headphones playing something relaxing like John Schmidt and reading a good book. I was reading the autobiography of P.P. Pratt.

Raeghn is getting pretty big but is being a good trooper. She is much stronger than I am. Thankfully. Luckily I married well!

Have a great week!

Raeghn: It's true, I'm getting bigger, and now am starting to get a little bit of heart burn. I remember with Wayne when I was pregnant, the first time in my life I felt heart burn we were up at "fairmont" with you guys, mom and I were in the pool together and I told her I was having this bad pain in my chest, and she told me it was probably heart burn. Wow, what a smart woman!
This week was pretty normal, nothing big, or anything out of the ordinary. Tonight at dinner, I passed some food to Wayner and he quickly said, "Thanks mom". Mel said, "wow, who's wearing Wayne's shirt?" like he wasn't acting like himself, and Shad quickly responded, "I am!" Since he wears all of Waynes hand me downs. We all had a good laugh, Shad caught on a little later! Cute!
Hope all is going good your way. We pray for you and know that the people of Navoo are truly blessed for you being there! Thanks for your help with Laine and Alyssa. They seem to really enjoy you and what you've done for them. I heard that one day dad told Laine, "We're proud of you son"... and Laine was so touched by that... Laine called one day to tell me that you were going to do grounds work the next day... How did that go? Who's doing grounds work in your yard while your away? I love what you did to the circle. One day I hope to have beautiful flower beds. Time and money sparing! For now I'm just doing black plastic and rocks, and hope the weeds don't overtake the beds too much! We're going to try and plant some grass this next week, we'll see how the weather holds up!
Love you both so much. So greatful to have good parents like you, giving us and our children great examples to look up to and try harder to be like.

Kveena: this week I went to a theme park (Lagoon). I did a lot of jobs to do it. I wanted Wayne and Shad to come but Wayne was grounded and shad thought it was too many jobs. i had to do them in one day because my school gave out discount tickets the day before they could only be used. I brought two fiends who paid for themselves but wanted a ride . one of them was a little more afraid of some of the big rides so we went on smaller rides then normal.

Wayner: This week was kinda boring... we just had a normal week. I did science labs yesterday, Saturday, while Shad and Dad were doing a service project. We had a great meal today. It was chicken and beef gravy and potatoes, and beans. I loved it. School is ending very soon. I can't believe how fast this year has gone by... next year I will be in grade 11!!! I am getting so old... We have like 4 weeks left I think... Me and my dad went home teaching today. It was a good lesson... but we got carried away and were late for our own home teachers. I made a website for the Torrie cousins I don't know if I already told you that... my brain is getting a bit weak in my old age... well Mom says it's time to go to bed now so...

Shad: This week was kinda fun... we just had a awesome week. I did the service project, it was way cold but I got tons of hot chocolate to warm me up.

Mitch kicks a home run!

Wayne: Hey, This week was pretty fun. I gave the lesson in Teachers quorum today. It was entitled "Honour Thy Father" I think I did a fairly good lesson. My dad gave me some pointers on how to teach good. On Saturday I went to a stake dance. I had Lots of fun. Also on Saturday we went to the park with Aunt Jen, Cally, and Uncle Mitch's family. That was lots of fun. In seminary we played a scripture mastery review game. My team won! I started a little website for Torrie Cousins. It is way fun. We can post topics and talk to each other on there. Its just starting but I think it will be a good thing for us because we don't really all get together that often.
Shad: This week was greet, Monday aunt Jen and Cali came to see us, Saturday we went to a park with Kylie and Tia, aunt Jen and Cali then we played kick ball. Sunday I passed the sacrament at a retirement home it was a good experience.
Mel: Had a pretty good week. Spent two days in Florida where I presented two papers and chaired a session. (posted a picture of my reflection in the ceiling of the Orlando Airport as I drag my baggage around. I got stranded in Denver for a couple of hours with the Snowstorm but eventually made it home by 3:00 am. We still haven't had our miracle at the company. Time is short but I'm faithful, especially knowing of all the family praying on our behalf! It seems like we've had plenty of opportunities to pull through and one by one they've been dropped cold. Apparently we have more to learn, needing to become more acquainted with the Lord. I hope we learn our lessons soon or there won't be anyone left at the company. Another company, this one from France, asked if we were interested in selling this week. Everyone has the price right? But, in our current lowly state, the company isn't worth much and has so much potential.

In other news. I was sad to miss Wayne and Shad's night of honor after winning awards in the Logan Canyon photo contest. Sounds like Raeghn represented me well.

The picture with me and the puppy was right below a sign that said no dogs allowed. We didn't see it until we were on our way home. He is our garden guarding dog. Not quite ferocious enough yet, but we hope he keeps our food safe from the hungry deer and robbits! We had a fun time at the park yesterday with the family. A rousing game of kickball and some fun at the park and zoo wore us out and left many sun burnt. I posted my favorite duck picture of the day too.

We think of you lots and hope our prayers are working on your behalf. I'm sure you are both doing great as memorizing monsters. You've always thrived in your callings and I'm sure you are doing incredible. Thanks for representing us to the world in such a great way!

Raeghn: Had a good week with Jenn and Kali. Kali sure is growing up. Cute girl. She talked a lot about you two. I'm starting to feel better, not sick to my stomach all day long, still having some headaches, but for the most part, I'm functioning better and keeping up with more house things. It snowed here, and we were all praying for sunshine. It finally came Friday, and we're enjoying the Spring we've all been longing for. Friday night we went to the Photo show of the winners of the contest that Wayne, Shad and Mel won. That was a lot of fun to look at all of the great photos of the canyon and know that 3 of them were from the men I love and call my own! I was a proud wife and mom! We're praying lots for you!

Andrew's Birthday

Mel: Had an OK week. It started with another layoff of about 5 people but we have seen rumblings that things are getting better. We had a fun birthday with Andrew. I test drove the bike and I knew if I liked it he would too.
Conference weekend was sure a good time with all the family. Wish you were hear, but happier you are out serving the Lord.
I don't know if you remember the story of the CEO of the Polynesian Culture Center (Les Moore), but he works for the Huntsman Capital Group which has a lot of money, so I met with him this week. Had a nice visit at the Joseph Smith Memorial building right before his meeting with Elder Cook from the Twelve. I don't know what will happen but he inspired me to aim high. I'd like to follow in his footsteps because he was successful in industry and then was called by the twelve to be the CEO of some LDS businesses which he was able to turn around and make them thriving. Well whatever the Lord has in store for me will be the best.
Shad: Today is Easter and I got to pass the sacrament for the first time. It was very spiritual, I made one mistake. Andrew's birth day was fun. This week end all the kids at are house had spring vacation, Thursday-Monday. We are having a great time. In my duty to god I am going to read my scriptures in Nephi-Mosiah until I am not a deacon any more. Ohh, I'm not going to stop reading my scriptures. Love you!!!!!!!!!!
Wayne: I have been doing good in school Tyler and them left early this week... it was so sad... Tyler left his pillow here. School is fun we have been learning about machining in engineering class. I am teaching the lesson in teachers quorum next week. my dad is helping me prepare. todays lesson was very good we learned about self discipline and how to set goals to improve self discipline. Shad did very good at passing the sacrament for the first time. he was the shortest one there. I got a job again at a scout camp. this year i will get payed. I cant wait. Aunt jen is on the phone with my mom and they are planning to come here sometime soon. In my duty to god this week I am working on writing a page about the sacrament. For scouts I am working on my family life merrit badge. which is required for the Eagle Scout Award. Well I hope you guys are having a fun time working out there. I will keep praying for you... Wayne Torrie (Jr.)

Conference Week

Mel: Here is a picture I took at about 3am in Dallas where someone decided to smoke in their room. The sprinklers put their cigarette out and flooded the room below them. The rest of us just got to stay out in the parking lot for an hour in our underwear. I got a cold but I'm better now!

Company is still struggling. Looking at 5 layoffs Tuesday afternoon. Praying for a miracle... They are such great people and workers.

Had a great time taking Shad and the rest of the boys to Shad's first priesthood session. The First Presidency talks were incredible. The Lord wrote those talks. Each had their own style/personality but all spoke with the tongues of angels. I've made it a personal goal to take the boys to every Priesthood Session in the conference center. You can't beat the Spirit in that building. We went to Dennys for dinner and then went to see the Seamon's Condo. Great to be with brothers! Dave is getting good at that trumpet. Imagine if he'd have practised as a boy! We're sure proud of you and tell everyone about you. Keep up the great work!

Stan:
Hello mom and dad. We are so happy for you and glad you are hard at work. I wish I could have seen you at the MTC. Maybe for your next trip to the MTC. :) Thank you for your example to our little ones. We know we'll be blessed for your service. Good luck with all that memorizing!

Mitch:
Hi Mom and Dad, we love you and are glad to hear that you are already getting your feet wet and doing the work. We had a great time at General Priesthood meeting and were proud that our parents were on a mission doing the Lord's work. We love you and look forward to hearing of your adventures and experiences.
Tia:
hi this is tia i can't wait till we can come to see you guys, in July! I hope that you guys are doing good I am! love ya! tia
Raeghn:
Shad: Prestod session was wonder full, I learned a lot, I felt the spirit. I learned that we must keep Monday open for family home evening and a lot more
Kveena:hay i had a great week i am really excited about diner tonight cause all of us are get'in together. see ya
Wayne: Hope your missionary stuff is going great. We think about you all the time. When we went to the seamon's condo me and Tyler walked over to Elder Hollands door. The spirit just by his door was amazing! It hit me very hard. His doorway was decorated with pictures of the savior and there was a beutiful bouquet in a vase. I was amazed at the power of the spirit that was there. We just stared at the door for a while then we left. I wanted to stay there for ever. Shad had a great first priesthood meating he looked a little bored after the first hour, but I think it was over all a good expirience. Well hope you are having an amazing life altering experience!
Adam:
Andrew:hi i listened good and got a bingo!
(Remember to see bigger versions of the pictures just click on them!)