Welcome Home Brett!!!!

There was a big group of us waiting at the airport. It was so much fun.

This is his companions and Mission Pres. on Sunday with us.

This is Devon and Hyrum holding his sign . They just returned from their missions also.

We have had such an emotional two weeks, and so glorious to see so many family and friends. But most of all to have Brett return home. This is what I have looked too for so many weeks this summer, and now it is done, and I feel so happy about all of it. Alison and Ashton came home, our niece from NC was here, and Grandpa Loveless from Texas was here also, and that was a great treat. Many of Bretts Companions who live in Utah came for his sunday talk, and also his Mission Pres. and wife, who were released 1 month ago came also. So special to meet all of them. It was a wonderful sunday.

Now on to Brett getting the rest of his life on track and figured out. But most of all it is just wonderful having him home, and hearing his laugh. It has been fun watching him have fun with Brody and Lydia, who remembered him pretty well, and getting to know Chloe and Dexter.

Randon summer time fun!!!!!

We have had a lot of fun, so far this summer, and this is a little of what we have been doing! The first pictures are of Steve and I on a boat Trip down the Snake River. This is like a floating Restaurant. We had a lot of fun!

These pictures are of us on 4th of July, at CSI waiting for fireworks with Curtis's family.

These are of Lydia and Brody on their special day with me, making cookies. Yummmm!!!

Steve took Brody fishing on his day with us. This is priceless

Brody was more interested in finding rocks, for his collection.

These pictures of Brody and Lydia, playing with our new pool, slip and slide, on their day together with us.

Hopefully we will have more great moments in a few weeks, when all the family is together after Alison and Dexter, and Ashton are here, and Brett home from his mission.

Missionary News.....

• Hey guys, things are going pretty good for me. I just watched all my good friends leave this last thursday. I have had a pretty hard time with it but its all good I just can't wait to come home and get it all over with. And President Ho Ching is getting ready to leave and that is also very sad, but there is nothing you can do about it.
• Our baptism did go through this last week, so that is pretty cool.
• We went bowling today for p-day and that was pretty cool, it was nice to get out and do something normal for once.
• I'm glad there is only 40 days left. having this last batch leave was hard. I have been with them my entire mission from the MTC till now. I was their companion and have been in the same zone with all of them so is was hard. But now I just look forward to the new Mission President and continue doing what I need to do.
• I love you guys lots, and I will see you all soon. LOve Elder Loveless
• I think our Missionary is ready to come home. It is hard to have the ones you have grown up with leave you behind. But he will be home soon. Aug 5, 6:oo twin falls airport. We can't wait to see this young man......! God Bless him..

Health or no Health.....

Well the road has been long on getting better. I did find out I have pneumonia, and Steve isn't too far behind. But with new meds these days, hospitalization isn't as common. It has been hard but I feel I am making progress. Wow, what a way to start my summer vacation... sick, and I have so much I want to do....I have been puttin around the house slowly, doing a few things but I get anxious to do it all. It is coming though..... We must never forget the blessings of good health while we have it. Ya never know when it will be taken away....

Our missionary son Brett, is nearing the end. Only 71/2 weeks to go. He is really excited, but at the same time very sad to leave the Philippines, that he has grown to dearly love. The Lord has blessed him to be the Assistant to the Pres. at this time,. which is keeping him VERY busy, and that is good in so many ways for him. My heart will greatly rejoice when he returns home, and Alison and Ashton and Dexter will also be home from Iowa at that time, with Curtis and Crystal and family here, my cup overfloweth with joy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Feelings.......

Well, I am feeling happy, sad, miserable, sick, greatful, all of these and more at this time. Steve and I are BOTH really sick, and just cough our lungs out, and look at each other and moan. But I just have to laugh at the same time, because that is just how life is sometimes. But I am sure we will get well soon...We have to....there is much to do to get ready for Brett(Elder Loveless) to come home. I don't really know why we think we have to do SO MUCH...I think that is just what MOM's think when their son is coming home. Like paint something fresh, lay new floor, buy new towels, buy a new dress, ya know, things like that. Isn't that silly, yep, that is how I am feeling. But first I need to get well, Afterall I am done with work now, so I have the time to get ready. And I need it to get warmer, so it feels like summer, then I know Brett is really coming home. I feel better now, thanks for listening, even if your not, I still feel better.

Mothers Day Phone Call from Philippines

These are random pics of Brett in Manilla now serving as Assistant to The President on the Mission. He is now a city boy and driving in the crazy traffic. Our talk with Brett was wonderful and it made me want him home even more. But that time is coming fast, and he is a very busy missionary training, teaching, driving, training, training, and picking up other missionaries. He loves it, and loves it there. I think he will have a hard time coming home, and he speaks just a little different now. I am anxious to talk to him in person, and get him back in America, in his own bed. I am thankful he loves it so much....that is a big blessing in his life, and he has been a blessing in their lives as well. We love you Brett. He is coming home Aug. 5. Yipppeeee!!!!!

New Floor....

We decided to get rid of some of our carpet and put in Pergo flooring. Well it ended up being a BIG project, but Steve was a great guy to continue. But he always gets new power tools, to do a project around the house, so I think he is the ultimate winner. I think it turned out beautiful and I love the shiny floors. Thanks to my handy man, all things are possible....!!!!!!!
This is Steve working so hard to put in new floor. "Oh my aching Knees"...!!!

But is looks so beautiful......"Great Job Honey" this is the dining room, nothing moved back in yet.

This is around the corner of the dining room into the laundry room. I love the beauty of it. "Good job Honey". And now on to something else......!

Random thoughts......Birthday wishes!!!!

Saturday was our grandson Brody's birthday, and we spent a fun time saturday with him, and listening to conference, coloring easter eggs, and just spending time together. What a great time.
We also had an email from our missionary son Brett, and he has been made an AP, in his mission, and he was so surprised but very excited, and nervous. I miss him terribly at this time, it is his 21st birthday on Monday the 5th, and I want to spend it with him. Since we cannot do that, I will be thinking of him all day, and feeling so happy and honored of his decisions he has made in life, and just the great person he is. I know our Heavenly Father is happy with him, he is His messenger of the the gospel to the people in the Philippines. I love you Brett, and wish for the next 4 months to go quickly but also for you to be the best missionary ever, and stay close to the Lord for guidance. Happy Birthday my dear Son........

It has just been a wonderful weekend with conference and Easter, and being with family....and having our new floor done to enjoy it all...I will post pictures later.......Love to all !!!!!!

Conference Week-end, Easter

What joy my heart feels when I listen to conference!! It speaks to my soul, and gives me renewed convictions to become a better person. I know my Redemer Lives, and that these are prophets of God, to guide us in these perilous times. What Joy I feel.......!

Missionary News

• Hey guys, things are going pretty good for me right now. My new comp is from Dumageti. He is my second Filipino comp so that is pretty cool. We are both actually going home in Aug so that is cool. We are just trying to get used to each other but its going to be okay.
• We are starting over with new investigators. Our old ones have pretty much stopped coming and are no longer progressing so we are looking for new people. So all we do is walk around and tract and teach its way tiring. But its all good, and soon coming to an end.
• I am getting a new Mission President in July. We will miss Pres. Ho Ching. But then I am coming home, so its all good.
• Always be obedient so the blessings will be there. That is what we keep saying. Thanks for everything and continue on and God will bless us all.
• Elder Loveless

Fun times at Grandmas House

While Chloe was sick in the hospital Lydia and Brody stayed with us, and we had a ball. Bath time with the bubbles were a big hit. The last picture was right before Chloe was real bad and they were all resting on my lap one evening at our house. Sure do love these kids. Just wish I had Dexter here too.

Wonderful Family Time

Our New Years Breakfast out with Johns Family

Our Christmas taco fun night!!!

Both new babies with MOM's

Cute Dexter

All four grandkids playing together

As time just keeps on flying by, our memories of family togetherness warms my heart. The Holidays are so special, but having our Daughter and family here with us was the best ever. We all had a great time, but that too is over. Everyone is safely home in their own corner, but our joy will last forever.

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......!!!