Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone, and may God bless you and your family during this holiday season. We love all of you!!!!!

Our Happy Missionary Son

• Hey parents of the coolest missionary ever. Things are going good out here for me in Antipolo. We have lots of progress in the works.
• Man I just love the mission I think I'm the happiest missionary every alive. I don't know why all I can think is because I love the work. Honestly I know we must do absolutely everything possible for you to obey the commandments and live according to the will of God . This is what makes us happy. I know that there is a blessing for every righteous thing we do.
• My new area is rich, big houses, nice cars, and lots of presents. Different than my other areas.
• Tell everyone hi for me. Especially family members. I love you all lots. Elder Loveless
• We feel so blessed that Brett is so happy, and what more could we ask than this. I know the Lord blesses him and all missionaries when they are obedient in all things. Merry Christmas to us as his parents.!!!!

Our newest Grandbaby...!!!!!!!

This is our newest little Grandbaby, Chloe, the daughter of Curtis and Crystal. Isn't she beautiful!!!!! I just love the little bundles of love straight from heaven. She comes to a very loving family.

After the Surgery News....

• Well family, have no worries. All is well. My belly button is pretty ugly but other than that all is fine. I am careful not to lift heavy things for a while.
• I am Back on Mindoro Island and right now it is raining, that will never change. I have a new companion, another polynesion, and he is awesome. And oh man he can eat. He is a professional Rugby player.
• Its interesting to hear other Missionaries bad experiences and I really have not had it bad. The thing I think of is because of your prayers. I honestly feel the safety and protection that comes from people on the other side of the world. So thank you so very much for your prayers and everything you do for me. Love you guys lots and lots.

Well, we were very worried about Brett, during his illness, and needing his appendix out. But everything turned out great after his surgery. We have been blessed again with his quick recovery, and his willingness to Endure to the End. I can see the Lord's hand in our lives, and Brett's life and sweet spirit. How grateful we are!!!!!!

Troubled Waters

Well I am sure most of you have heard about the terrible Typhoons in the Philippines. Our Dear Missionary son, Brett, has been right in the middle of it all. His area he is currently serving in was not hit as bad, but he has been walking in waste deep water. His first area and Chapel he attended was completely under water, which sadened him. But he has remained safe, and cheerful, until....he became sick with a bad pain in his right side. Yes....Elder Loveless needed his appendix out. They flew him to Manilla and put him in the hospital, they performed tests to make sure that was the problem, and after 14 hours there, they decided to do the surgery, and he is now recovering . We were notified when he entered the hospital, and was able to talk with him, and he remains cheerful, but bummed this happened to him.

I have been worried and sad I couldn't be at his side, but have had a peacefulness with me the whole time. I knew he would be alright, but the MOMMY in me still worries. We are hoping he will get out of hospital in a day or so, then he goes to a Missionary recovery center, which is a home with a Missionary couple there to take care of him and help him regain his strength and get ready to do missionary work again. Prayers for him will be appreciated!

The Lord works in mysterious ways, but I am Grateful for this gospel in our lives, and the willingness of our Sweet Son, Brett, to continue to Serve the Lord in the Philippines. He loves it and the people very much, and we honor him at this time.

Grandma's Pumpkin patch and the Zoo

Here are our pumpkins from our great pumpkin patch

The carousel at the Zoo.....

We picked Pumpkins in our Garden so we can start enjoying them. We had a lot of great pumpkins this year and here are the grandkids enjoying the fun. We also went to the Boise Zoo Saturday and had some great fun for the end of the summer. It was really hot, but a fun day for all. I love fall time, and the fun time of year it brings in.........!!!!!!!

One year down, one more to go!!!!!

Elder Loveless in the Philippines around rice fields on Mindoro Island

• It has been raining here for the past week and a half, but they say the Typhoon is almost over. That is good because I have to fly to Manilla for Zone Leader Meetings. It will be fun.
• We have had a brown out where we don't have electricity, and man that is hard.Most of the Businesses have generators so that is how I email right now.But the worst part is our house. We have no power so the fans don't work We die of sweat then when we come in from a super hot day we have no power so we sweat some more. We moved our beds down stairs and sleep on the floor, its a bit cooler but no so much.
• Luckely our water works But life is good We had another baptism saturday we did it in the ocean . It was awesome. We have more planned too And if the power is still off its happening in the ocean again so that will be cool.
• I love being a missionary. Life is good, I am happy and love all of you and thank you for all your support and love. Tell everyone hi for me. Elder Loveless

Tripping to Iowa.....

This is our big trip to Iowa, moving Alison and Ashton to their new home to go to Pharmacy school at Creighton University. This is our first stop so Dexter could eat and get out of the car seat. He did really good the first day, but 2 days of 11 1/2 hours of driving each day was a bit much for him on the second day. Ashton was ahead of us in the moving truck with his Mom as the co-pilot.

He is just the cutest of course.

So here we are finally at the Apartments, and getting things moved in and situated. I was taking videos of the move in but it quit working so I don't have still pictures of the truck and all the great help that was there to help. Their new ward members were there waiting for us when we pulled into their place. They were angels sent from heaven.

On Sunday we went to the Kainesville Tabernacle in Counsil Bluffs, it was so awesome. This is where Brigham Yound was sustained as Pres. of the church.

This was out in front of the visitors center at Winters Quarters, and also the Temple. Such a beautiful place. This was also our 30 yr. Anniversary so we had to do some picture taking of us as a couple.

At the Aquarium exhibit in the Omaha Zoo.

Pushing the baby through the zoo.....I had fun!!!!!

This is Alison and Ashton and Dexter in front of their new home, saying goodbye to us. We shed alot of tears, and I didn't want to leave but we will do alot of blogging and phone calls. I know they will be fine. They have to be...........

Us loading in the car and making our 2 day drive home. Bye Nebraska........We had fun......!!!

Paradise in the Philippines

• Well I just got transfered out to the most beautiful place in the entire world. Occidental Mindoro in an area called San Jose. I'm not kidding guys this is the MOST BEAUTIFUL place in the entire world. No worries I'm taking lots of pics and I will send them to you. Just be patient. This area is the island out in the ocean so that means we had to take a plane out here, its pretty sweet.
• Oh and I got made Zone Leader so that is pretty cool. My comp is Elder Fuga he is somoan and way cool. We have a super big area and lots of baptisms planned for this August.We have a family of 5 planned so that is cool too.
• But this place is so beautiful its all province and rice fields and farm land, palm trees. There are native filipinos here they are called Mungyans and they are sweet .
• Anyway guys I love you lots and lots and I hope everything is going good for you. I'll write next week. Elder Loveless

4th of July and summer fun.

Look at these cute Grandkids of ours. Lydia, Brody, and little baby Dexter. Brody calls him Duggers. I think that is cute. Dexter or( Duggers) is 3 weeks old here.

Steve twirling Lydia and Brody and the park.

Ashton grilling his shishkabobs. They were so yummy!!!! Blake and Shauntel were also with us.

Ashton stayed home to make us WONDERFUL SHISHKABOBS.

At the park in Meridian eating 4th of July snowcones.

Me loving my new grandbaby, Dexter.

So we went to Alison's house in Meridian, for the 4th of July. It was a lot of fun all of us together, we all stayed at her apartment, but it was fun. I think Alison and Ashton wondered what had happened to them when we were all there, but they were good sports. We played at a park, then had a delicious dinner grilled by Ashton. We watched fireworks in Meridian, and the kids loved seeing the pretty sparkles in the sky. It was a really hot day but just great being together as a family.

Missionary News

• Well I didn't transfer out but I did get made District Leader so that is pretty cool. I'm in charge of 5 Elders plus me so it will be interesting. But now I carry a cell phone with me always so its kind of cool.
  
  
• The pictures I sent you are just how the water looks here, just trash. The river is black and smells like nothing I can explain its really interesting. It would be a more beautiful place but there are so many people and not enough room so that is what they do.
  
  
• I have had a lot of interviews lately and it has only make my headache worse, but it's cool. I have a little cold and a killer headache.



• Some of our investigators just don't get it. I just don't know how anyone could deny the message of peace, happiness, hope and love.
  
  
• A lot of my friends back home are getting married so its kind of made me feel alone and like I'm stuck in this spot in my life, but at the same time I'm growing like nothing else so I'm happy. I love the mission. It is the best thing in the world and I'm so excited that I have one year left. There is only so many things I can do in one year back home, but here on my mission, I get to change lives so I'm really looking forward to it. Just remember, attitude reflects altitude.



• I love you guys, thanks for everything, tell everyone hi for me. Love Elder Loveless

A day with the Grandkids

Brody playing paddle ball outside

Lydia trying to make funny faces.

I had Brody and Lydia over for the day, to have fun with Grandma, and give mom some time to herself. We had fun making cookies, playing in the yard, reading stories, singing, and just being silly. Then we went to Arctic Circle and had dinner, and played on the toys. It was a great day!!!!

He's here!!!! Dexter Jenks

Well, we have our new addition to the family now. Alison had her baby, and he is beautiful. He was born June 9th at 12:08 p.m. It was very exciting... Alison and Ashton and baby are doing great, they are wonderful parents. So very patient and loving with this special baby. Dexter was born with no left ear, and a little jaw problem so eating has been a challenge but they are doing well and baby is growing already. He is so precious, and beautiful, and radiates such love. I have been at their house but I'm home now giving Ashtons MOM some grandma time as well. The feeling that Grandparents get at these times is so wonderful, I feel like I am becoming a parent all over again. The love I feel for our children becoming parents, and watching them love their children is something so wonderful. My cup overfloweth with love and gratitude.

Happenings in Philippines

• Nay and Tay Loveless, how are things for you at home? Things are going absolutely GREAT for me.My mission just continues to go on and challenges come and go but it's fun.


• We went to the temple early this morning. I love going to the temple especially here because we don't wear ties we wear what is called a barong or a native shirt. It's so sweet I love it and I am having one made for me to bring home.


• I has rained 5 days straight here and I am always soaked head to toe. I guess it comes with the job.


• We are teaching this cool guy the gospel he is so happy with the changes in his life. It is amazing to see the changes that come over people once they start to accept it into their lives. It just strenthens my Testimony about the Gospel.


• I love you guys, don't forget about me, the missionary in the Philippines.

Missionary Mothers Day Call

• It was great talking to all of you:) Thank you so much for all you have done for me and for being there always. You all sound really good
• Hopefully I was able to answer your questions and let you feel the Spirit of God.
• I have a chapter for you guys to read and go over for family home evening. Its section 76 of Doctrine and Covenants. Read it and discuss what you can do better to be ready for the kingdom of God. Its a really interesting section, so read it.
• HAPPY MOTHERS DAY MOM, I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!
• We enjoyed our phone call from Brett, then the same day we got an email from him and this is it. Just hearing his voice, and listening to him talk in his new language was so fun and comforting to all of us. He is doing really well, and staying busy. We appreciate his sacrifice so much by being obedient to the counsel of serving a mission. We love you Brett.

I Love Being a Missionary

• I love it here in the Philippines, and to tell you the truth, I don't want to come home when it is my time. I want to be a missionary till I die. But I know all good things must come to an end. But that is a long time away.


• We taught 6 lessons today, and that is really good for this mission. My companion, Elder Johnson,(he is the kid) I am the trainer) are really doing good. Especially being new in the area, and still new at being missionaries.The people are so humble and nice.


• I was reading in the Temple prep book, and it says everytime a temple is built, Satans power is weakened and the Lords power is strengthened. Thank you for being Temple attending parents, I know our family is blessed for it.In D&C 130 it says,everyblessing we receive is by obedience to the law. So if we want more blessings, we must obey the law first.


• I have lost so much weight, I need more pants. I found a lady who will make them for me, and a new suit. It's not that much money so I put an order in. I get to pick out the material too.


• I was in my first Typhoon. It was Awesome.... I was soaked from head to feet and everything too. But it sure made if muggy. That is not good.


• I love you and miss you tons, but I keep going strong. Be like Joseph Smith, what ever came his way push through and follow Christ. Or in other words,"Come what may and love it."

Easter fun in the sun.

Here is Alison and Ashton being goofy in the sunshine. Alie has 2 months till the baby is born. We are excited for that great event. It was so nice to have them here with us. They will be moving to Omaha Nebraska, in Aug. and I cry everyday about this. But we are helping them move so we will have a great trip with them, and cry all the way home. I know there is life out there other than Twin Falls, Idaho. Sometimes these things make us all grow in ways we can't imagine now. I am happy Ashton will be happy going to Pharmacy school there. We love them.

We had a nice Easter with our family here. Alison and Ashton were here as well as Grandma and George, and Curtis and Crystal and the kids. Here Brody and Lydia were having the egg hunt in our backyard. They are growing so fast. It was a nice day to be together.

We love these little grandchildren, they bring alot of joy into our lives. It is nice they live so close to us. Thanks for checking in on us. Love you all.

Easter Wishes

Happy Easter everyone, and enjoy your families. Love you all.

I am a TRAINER!!!!

• This is a beautiful sunset over Manilla Bay.
  
  
  
  • Well my new companion is straight out of the MTC,which means I am TRAINING!!!!! Can you believe this. I'm six months in the field second area, and yes in a new area now, and I have no idea about the area. It is super crazy and a little scarey.
  
  

  I am now in Navotas right on the Manilla Bay. The houses are in little alleys and so its hard to find the houses. A lot of our investigators houses are right over the Bay so that is cool. I walk around in water every day so we wear irrigation boots. And yes I do wear them. I came from the cleanest part of the mission, to the dirtiest. It rains a lot here so it is always flooded.
  

  • I got my birthday package, thanks alot for everything.
  
  
  • We live in a nice house upstairs. I eat alot of fruit, bananas, mangos, pineapple and watermelon. I love it all.
  
  
  • I feel like this is home now, so it will be interesting when it is time to go home. Time is going by so fast.
  • We get to Listen to Gen. Conference next week-end so that will be nice. Our Mission Pres. has us watch all 5 sessions so it awesome.
  
  
  • The pictures are of Manilla Bay and the sunset. I love it here.
  
  
  • I love you guys tons, and thanks for everything you do. Love Elder Loveles
  
  

Great get-a-way

So this past week was spring break, and I needed a break from it all. So I went to my daughter Alison's house, in Boise, and we made a baby quilt for her new baby coming in June. We had a lot of fun, shopping, eating, sewing, and laughing, and just being together. What a sweet treat for me to just spend time with her. Thanks Alison for being my No.1 daughter and friend. And thanks to Ashton for Sharing her.

Baptisms in the Philippines

• Hey Family Loveless, How is the world are you doing? Well I have some absolutely amazing news for all of you. I had my first 2 baptisms and it was amazing. It was such a great great great experience. I had the priveledge of doing the babtising. Here are some pictures of the 2 ladies , One older and one younger.
• After then we had a lesson and it was so spiritual the spirit was so strong. I testify that through the spirit all people can know the truth. That is what happened to our investigatores. Just like it says in Moroni 10:4-5 if we seek the truth with real intent we will receive by the Holy Ghost. It was so awesome. Just a great experience, something I really needed. This work is so amazing. When you really have the desire to work it goes so amazing.
• Just remember I love you all very much and thank you so so much for everything. Your the best parents in the world.
• Love Elder Loveless
• What more could we ask for Brett to be going through, than this. I thank our Heavenly Father everyday for the blessing of Brett being on a mission and the growth he is going through and us as well. I love this gospel. Shari

Service in the Philippines

These are pictures of a service project done, with the Sisters.

• How is everything going in the good old U.S. of America? Man I miss America, but things are going really really well. But our babtism did not go through as planned. He just wasn't ready, but that is his decision, nothing we can do about it. We did some service in the sisters area and that was really fun and then with my investigators we have been watching the Testaments and oh man it gets me every time. Everyone was crying and they said they feel the Holy Ghost. It has been super cool.

• We are now reactivating a RM who has been less active 30 years. She told me of a dream she had, I want to share with you. She dreamed that two missionaries came to her door. They were both big guys one dark, the other white. The dark one in front the other behind. She saw the faces and everything. Not even one week later me and my first comp(who is Tongan and big like me.) showed up at her door. He was standing in front of me. She said as soon as she saw our faces she knew we were going to bring her back into the church. Since that day on she has been active 4 months now. Awesome Huh.


• But now we have 8 planned to be babtised in Feb, so it is exciting. I feel like Alma 26, please read it. It is amazing I love my mission, I have had a lot of changes come. I know that through the Lord all things are possible.


• Remember every member a missionary, Please help with the missionary work in Hansen. It is super important, especially being on the missionary end.


• I can hardly believe the growth we hear in this young man of ours. What a great missionary he is becoming. I can feel the spirit with him, and I am so proud of his growth, and changes he is making. Just getting used to the culture, and surroundings is a huge leap. It makes my heart sing... Shari

Fun Pictures of our Missionary (the Blonde One)

News from The Philippines

• Hey Mom and Dad. things are going really good here. We were supposed to have a baptism last week, but he smoked so we had to push it back til the 17 of Jan. The people must go to church, obey the word of wisdom and law of chastity for 4 weeks before getting babtised so its really hard but when you do get somebody they are most likely going to stay active their entire life so that is a good thing.
• It has been really cold like down to 60 degrees. Crazy that I'm saying that is cold huh.
• I just love my companion, he is awesome and I have learned alot about the gospel from him. He is a convert of 2 years and has a testimony like nothing else. It is amazing. we are studying in Preach My Gospel the Christlike attributes. Knowledge and Faith link together it is so amazing. You should study it.
• Lately when I think it is in Tagolog or at least a little of it is. It scares me because I speak english, but that is the spirit helping me. I can speak a lot better now, it is alot of fun, and I have made relationships like nothing else it so so awesome. They are my family away from home. But I miss you guys so much. But I'm happy to be here serving the Lord. I have learned alot about myself and what is truly important.
• I just wanted to say that I love you guys so much. I pray for you guys everyday and I know that God answers my prayers. Always look for someone that you can share the gospel with. I love you.
• Oh just to let you know I'm officially Filippino now, I ate bolut the other day. Thats another story for next time. Love you guys tons, and tons. Elder Loveless

Christmas Memories

Christmas Memories...the best time of the year. Its always the best when family is around us. We had a short visit with Brett on the phone, and that was special for us. He is doing well.

Our annual New Years Morning Breakfast at a Resturant with Johns Family.

Steve and I took Brody and Lydia sledding, while the parents were away for their Anniversary.

Fun with the Grandkids here.


Grandmas and George opened presents with Steve and I Christmas morning.

Our pretty tree, sorry, I can't seem to turn it.