I have a problem blogging these months.  A while back a friend was talking to me about blogs.  She was talking about privacy issues.  Ever since it's been difficult to share Colby's Mission news and stories.  I'm not blaming my friend, but it did make a difference.

Logan's Eagle

Logan getting his Eagle pin
Jamille Adams Sanford, Logan Timothy Sanford, Jeffrey David Sanford, Norman Sorensen, BenjaminGoodrich

Sunday 27 May, 2012 Logan had his Eagle Court of Honor.  It turned out rather nicely.  It was short and sweet. I'm proud of Logan.  It's nice that there are now flagpoles standing in front of two of the meetinghouses in our stake where, before his project, there were none.

Claire Graduates twice

Claire's friend since they were 3 (Betsabe Ramirez) and Claire after Seminary Graduation

 On Sunday 20 May, 2012 Claire graduated from 4 years of Seminary. She attended early morning Seminary instruction ( the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints) every school day (barring illness and a few choir/band trips) for 4 years...no small feat.  Good Job Clarence!

Jeffrey David Sanford, Claire Sanford, Jamille Adams Sanford

It's been almost a week.  Claire graduated from Provo High School on Thursday 24 May, 2012.  I am so happy for her. It was pretty crazy the last week, what with the rollercoaster grades.  Everything finally came up and she ended up with a 3.5 GPA for her last term of Public School.  Not too shabby!

Gabriel Johnson, Claire Sanford, Amanda Ahlman, Jacob Bigler

Last week was Prom.  Claire went with a nice guy named Gabriel Johnson.  She had a great time.  her best friends were in her group.  That means they all went on a day date and then to dinner and to prom together.  I understand they even went on a stroll in the local Macey's Grocery store.  I guess coming down the majestic steps of the Library wasn't enough "airtime".

You might wonder why Claire has a black heart on her dress.  SHE DOESN'T.  It's an arrangement of peacock feathers.  She really wanted to jazz up her dress, so she did.  I think she looks beautiful.

This picture is of Claire and her best friend Amanda and their dates.

This is Colby's 69th week on the Island, and here's his letter:

I really like what you said about the Atonement. It sounds like it was really well thought out. Elder Zhuang is entering his last few move calls and keeps reminding me of how old he is. I have been in the office a lot longer than I thought I would have been. It seems like Elder Zhuang will be getting a  new guy to train as a new Recorder on Monday and that will go for 3 weeks as a 3 some. and then I think I may have as much as one more move call in the office before getting out. We'll see, it may be more. Most are in for 3 and it's already been 3.5. I'm loving it though.

 It is raining a lot here. 

 We have one guy who we have been working with that is doing good. He should be baptized in the end of the month. We finally got to meet at his house the other day and found out that it was a 9x9 room with a bed and a lap top. A little bit sad. I got to see into who he is kind of a little bit more. I could see that we need to get him some pictures of Christ to hang on his wall. We went to storage today and picked something nice that is framed. There is good power in art.

 I had a chance to help give a blessing to one of the brothers in the english branch the other day. He is in the hospital across the street. For the first time, I really felt the weight of what I was saying as I had my hands on his head. That I use Priesthood power that I am worthy of and is real and I do it in the name of Christ who makes this all possible just makes it so real. I know that the things that he was blessed with are true.

 Well, I'm just trucking along and having a good time. I hope you have a good time as well. The technique with the vacuum is tough at first but once you get the swing down it flows pretty well. It took me a while. It's hard to think I did it for so long. But yes, that was finite too. 

 Have a good week

Week 63 on the island of Taiwan

Dear Family,
This week really was very good. We got most of our time out on the streets because there wasn't much happening. The computers were down. I did what I could, which wasn't much but in the end we got it up and running. We had to call in one missionary who has some sort of computer degree. I really want to know how it all works. I'm asking a lot of questions and stuff, so I am learning a little bit. I'm still really missing Macs. Did I tell you last week that I had a huge project to do with the Dan Jones Video? I got to use Sister BIshop's Mac for that. I estimated that it would take me around 18 to 20 hours to do what I was supposed to, and that was on top of all the other crazy stuff that was happening. But I think is was last Monday? yeah. I said a prayer and it came clear to my mind how to do it. It took 2ish hours and I'm all set. That is the power of working by the Spirit!
I'm having a great time here. Thank you for all of the help.

The work is coming along great. We got out every night this week! It was all on time too, other than Monday when Elder Zhuang had a few things that he wanted to finish up for the next day. I really can see what you mean when you say that happiness comes with diligence. We have seen many blessings this week. 1 member referral turned out to be very amazing. He is in sales and has had a horrible life for the past 3 years. We have met with him once. When meeting, I really tried to focus on using the spirit to teach. It went really well and I feel like he really understands why it is that we are the true church. He doesn't have that much time on his hands, but he is willing to set up his schedule to meat with us. The other great miracle is somebody who walked in off the street with a whole bunch of questions. He originally lived in Nan Tou but recently moved here. He has been thinking a lot about his after life. He wants to make the right decisions in this life. The second time that we met with him, he asked a question about why we need to follow the commandments. We shared with him out of 3 Ne 27 that no unclean thing can enter into the kingdom of God. Later in the lesson, he said to us that he would need a few weeks of reading and praying, and if he felt is was right, he would like to be baptized! His goal is for the 31st. A wonderful lesson. It was a testimony to me of 2 things. That when you are diligent, the Lord will prepare the way before you.

Also, that when you teach by the Spirit, teaching actually works and the message really is brought to the heart of the people.

Thank you so much!
I've got to fly!
Have a good week

- Elder Sanford.

a new pic

Colby has been a Missionary for 17 months as of March 13, 2012. It went VERY slowly at the beginning, but the speed is picking up. After a busy summer he'll be back with us right in the middle of the fall holidays. hurrah!! We got a pic of the Colbster. He's still as handsome as ever.

Pic came with the following caption:

from left to right, Elder Nickell (ELder Buenning's current trainee and my "brother") Elder Buenning (My Trainer and "Father"), Me, Elder Kasner (my trainee and "son"). yeah.