Argentina Bound

Sarah has been preparing to serve a mission for the Church for several months and went into the Mission Training Center the end of August.  She has been intensely studying Spanish and has recently gone to Goya, Argentina.  Her first few weeks there were eye-opening and she is adjusting well.  She said that the people have very little but have very kind and open hearts.  Here are the first few pictures of Hermana Shoaf and the surrounding town.

The town is made up of dirt roads lined with concrete block houses painted bright colors.  There are random patches of bamboo grown for shade and to block the wind.  Sarah walks 15 miles a day and her feet need washed every night because of the dust.  It is summer now and it has been around 100 degrees most days.  It was very different for Christmas to be in the summer.  The last picture is of her Mission Pres. and his wife and Sarah's companion.  Sarah is doing well and is loving the people in Argentina already.

Court of Honor

Adam finally received his Eagle Scout award in Oct.  The ceremony was short and sweet but we enjoyed it.  One of the most special events of the evening was that Tyler got to 'induct' Adam in as an Eagle Scout and it was touching for us to see the two of them together.  The surprise of the evening was the beautiful statue that the Scout leaders got for Adam.  It was amazing!  We really appreciate Grandpa Jenkins coming and speaking also.  He was very complimentary and we loved having he and Jane there to share this event with us.  This award is just the beginning of Adam's list of things he can achieve in his lifetime, I hope and pray that he will take the qualities of Eagle Scout to heart and use them to live by all his life.

Blessings come in small packages

Tyler and Beth blessed Hudson on Sunday, Oct. 9.  We really enjoyed being involved and were sad that Beth's dad wasn't able to make it back in time to be at the blessing.  We had a great dinner at Beth and Tyler's house after church with the Shippleys.  Beth made us some delicious soups and rolls.  Hudson is getting bigger as we speak and is adorable.  The only sad part about having Hudson so close is that it makes me miss my other grand kids even more.

With three new grand kids this year, it is time for everyone to update my family photo gallery (hint, hint)!

Hermana Shoaf

We escorted Sarah to the airport early on Monday morning Sept. 26.  She reported to the Missionary Training Center on Wednesday after spending a little time with friends, her cousin, and her sister. Sarah has now been in the MTC for 4 weeks and will be flying to Argentina about Nov. 29.   By the looks of all of us, we are not morning people!

It was a special experience to go with Sarah to the Temple and to help her prepare for this mission.  It surprised us that she was so willing and ready.  We sewed many new clothes and spent hours doing paperwork and making phone calls to finish all the requirements.  I think Sarah was still in shock and a little nervous but excited and anxious to get started.



Spanish hasn't been coming easily to her but Sarah has been dedicated and diligent in her studies.  I am proud of her persistence and the example of obedience she is.  I don't doubt that the Lord will guide and protect her as He sends her to help his other children in Argentina.

Castles and Crabs

Gulf Shores, Alabama Sept. 2011

If you look close you might find the tiny sand crab Karina is holding.  We had fun chasing it and it was good at digging itself down into the sand to hide.  We did the usual shell hunts and we visited the pier at Fort Morgan also.

 Waves always win the battle against sand castles.  This one had been struck a few times and was already washing down rapidly.  The kids jumped in the waves and held each other up, which worked most of the time.

 Look.....see....foam!  Sea foam!  With the wind churning up the water so fiercely, the sea foam actually became solid.  It stayed on the sand for several minutes as the wind blew it in all directions.  You could pick it up like bath foam and play with it just the same way.

Just before Sarah was to leave for the Missionary Training Center, we took this short family vacation to Gulf Shores, Alabama.  We didn't have any real vacation this year so the long week end was great.  We managed to schedule the get-away the same time that the first tropical storm of the season came ashore.  What timing!



Gulf Shores was fortunately in the eye of the storm path so we only had periodic downpours and extreme wind.  It made the beach a little dangerous and beautiful at the same time.  Waves reached 8-10 feet high which is huge for that area usually.  We managed to have enough dry spells to enjoy the beach and when it rained we just went shopping.  This giant shark mouth is the entrance to Souvenir City, our favorite shop.  The entire store front is the giant shark.

Dance! Dance! Dance!

Karina and Adam didn't miss all the fun.  We had a great dance-a-thon for our Saturday night entertainment.  We all had a few moves to show.  Most of the Shoafs don't have much rhythm (except maybe Adam) but aren't we glad the Barnes' and Griffiths' do. 

Nature Lovers

When everyone got together the first week of Aug.  we had time for a little outing at Saunder's Springs Park.  We sadly had to send Adam and Karina to school.  The rest o the gang went to get some excerise and fresh air. 

Our hike around the little lake revealed a turtle also out catching some of the summer sun.  It is amazing how such a little fellow can attract such a crowd.

Eagle sighting

Adam had his Board of Revue a few weeks ago and he is officially an Eagle Scout.  I am not sure when he decided to finally finish it, it must have been when he decided to grow taller (when I wasn't looking).

Adam seems glad to have it done since we have hounded him for some time.  I think it has been 2 years since his project was done and he managed to finish his last two merit badges 3 months ago.  We look forward to his Court of Honor in Oct.  He planned it in conjunction with a camp-out at Fort Duffield.  It is a Civil War fort along the Ohio River.  Very Exciting!

We are really greatful for his Scoutmaster Steve Westover for all the time he has put into helping, encouraging and tutoring Adam.  As a parent, it is nice to have allies at the battlefront.

Life drifting by

There are always too many excuses for not keeping touch.  I was lazy and let too much time slip on by.  Now I am trying to make a few amends. 

Joel and I went to dinner with some old friends on Friday night and enjoyed watching the Belle of Louisville float down the Ohio River.  I enjoyed the cool breeze and the great company.  It was a nice break from the heat of summer we have had for so long this year.  There is something soothing about watching the water roll by,  maybe even 'inspiring'.  I plan to blog again soon  Love to all my family,  Mom (Grandma Shoaf)