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.