It seems I post most of my thoughts on Facebook these days.  I seldom am near the computer long enough to write on the blog. Elder Sanford has been the main focus of the blog these almost past 2 years.  Colby entered the mission field on October 13, 2010 and he'll be released on November 6, 2012.  A lot has happened in these years!

I just wanted to do a little update on me...I have drafts started of things I'd like to say.  It's a little scarey putting my thoughts out in the open.

I have what will be a long entry about my wonderful Father.  He passed away almost a month ago. Emotion wells-up in my throat making me uncomfortable and tears escape my ducts.  I'm not quite ready to finish that entry.

So, I'll move on to something a little less painful.  I've been trying to lose weight. It's a day to day process, but I have a program that really isn't too difficult to follow and I'm seeing results.  It's nice to have people notice and comment. I think that most people could do this on their own.  I need help to stick to a plan, and going through the company I do, I DO have the boundaries set in place that I need to help me. The program is "Take Shape for Life" fueled by Medifast.  It's working, and I am feeling more healthy overall.  I still am tired a lot, but honestly it's because I stay up too late to comfortably arise at 5 a.m. daily.  It's something I'm working on. I appreciate the encouragement of my family, especially Jeff.  They have all been wonderfully cheering me on!

Have a happy Saturday!!!   More later.

I've been trying to compose a blog entry about Daddy.  It's hard!  To write down he's no longer with us is awful! It feels like a sick twisted joke.  I know we'll be together again.  But, it's just like with my sister Jill.... When I want to pick up the phone to call and talk---- I can't.  It stinks!!!

Happy Birthday Junie

My sweet June is turning 14. Wow! The other day when I learned my Father's passing would be soon, I prayed he wouldn't pass on June's special day.  I talked to her and got her blessing to come and be with Momma and Daddy and the folks here in Missouri.  She understood what I was going through.  Turmoil....missing June's Birthday versus missing the special time with Daddy.  She encouraged me to come.

Heavenly Father's timeline is perfect--a perfect tender mercy!  I am in Missouri, here with my first family.  Daddy passed away last night. Today June is 14.  Happy birthday to my darling auburn-haired ballroom dancer.  I love you!!!!

(Grandpa can now see you dance! I'm sure he's proud of you!)

this week

We did alot of planning to hit all of our goals. We charted it and made plans early to hit all of these goals. But as the week went on, we were just not hitting our goals and people would consistantly cancel. 

So on Sunday, when we wern't looking super good to hit our goals, I had a little bit of a talk with my companion and discussed my concerns. In talking to him, Elder Peel really helped me to have faith in the time remaining and mostly in the Lord. 

So we went out and saw miracle after miracle. And I know that they were all from the Lord. 

We had an LA call us and set up for right after dinner. right as we were leaving, a person who was stopped right outside of the church wanted to take a tour after talking to him for a little bit and it just so happend that the member was still there and it helped his testimony to help us accompany that lesson. Also, a man who has had a horrible life because of choices that he made called us and set up a time for that night. We shared with him from Alma 36 about repentance and as we prayed with him, he said that he felt just like the lamb that Christ was holding on the front of the Restoration Pamphlet that we shared with him aswell. 

As we strive to hit our goals, Heavenly Father will help us to accomplish that which is important like helping LA's regain their testimony and helping the heavy hearted feel the truth of the gospel.

It is a new move call today. We are not going to move! YEah!! It is going to be a super good move call. and a super good month aswell. Lately I have really been thinking a lot about how lucky I am to be on a mission and how wonderful the work is. I absolutely love it. Helping people change their lives. nothing like it.

THis week was a little bit tiring because we did a double exchange. We had a chance to go with one companionship on thursday over to friday afternoon and then two hours later, we went and exchanged with some other peeps from friday over to saturday. It is really great to be able to serve with the people. 

One of the greatest things was reading in Mosiah and also recently from King Benjamin with how they lead and that is that they work side by side with the people that they are leading. I had a little taste of that feeling. I think that we will probably go on alot more exchanges this next move call. It is really fun. Great missionaries.

Good to hear that peeps are moving on with their lives and getting married like james, glen and elli. I actually got an invitation from James. I was going to write him back and tell him that he forgot to put the address of the place that he would be doing a reception in taiwan. Cool cousin.

 

 Well, I hope that all goes well this week!

 

-ELder Sanford

 

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!