Elder Alviso - October 2011

 Elder Cook and Elder Alviso

 Recent Zone Conference

Alex is thriving in the mission field!  He absolutely loves the people of El Salvador!

I cannot believe how fast time has flown by.

His letters and emails definately show his growth in both testimony and maturity.

In a recent email Alex shared the following experience:

"This last weekend was amazing. General Conference was soo inspiring. I was given advice prior to the conference by a friend.  She told me to think of 3 personal questions that I need answers to help your life and to receive the revelation from the prophets of our day. So, I put it to the test this weekend. I have to say it made conference so much more spiritual. I was actually looking for answers instead of just watching and waiting for it to come divinely. All of my questions were answered!"

I love it when I learn things from my kids!

Alex and a new "friend".

Miss Michelle!

Looking back, I cannot believe how fast the past 23 years have flown by.

Michelle at 9 months old

Michelle - August 2011

Last month my amazing daughter celebrated her 23rd birthday.

She was a beautiful, sweet and loving baby.

Now, she is an amazing, loving, compassionate woman!

Sister - Friend

As far back into my childhood as I can remember, I always wanted a sister - older or younger - it didn't matter to me. If I had a friend at school or church who had a sister, I would be so jealous. Whenever I would see a TV show or watch a movie that depicted a sister's relationship I would yearn for that "sisterly" connection.

I was so fortunate that when I choose my sweet husband, he came with a very large and loving surrogate family - The Turner's. Robert and David had grown up together and have always referred to each other as "brother". (Which has garnered some very puzzled looks from people). And I was fortunate to gain a sister - Annie!

Over the years our love and friendship has grown to the point where I no longer yearn for a sister. I have one. We have been there to love and support one another - sometimes from a distance - for over 25 years now! She has always been a great example to me of a great wife, mother, sister and friend.

We are so blessed to have this family! We have been together for the good-times as well as the trials. 9 babies, 9 baptisms, 2 Missionary (at least 2 more to go) and 4 weddings (so far).

One Year Down!!

Celebrating one year down! I guess it is a tradition to take an old shirt write all over it and then burn it. I don't really get it, but what the heck, I am not a 20 year old missionary in El Salvador.

Alex with his first companion, Elder Nick Reid. They were able to go eat after working at the El Salvador Temple Open House. It has been fun for him to re-connect with Nick after Alex's last transfer.

Elder Alviso and his new companion Elder Mejia with recent converts.

San Salvador Temple

This is the beautiful new temple in San Salvador, El Salvador.

The Open House begins this weekend.

Alex is so excited to be able to take investigators through this beautiful new House of the Lord!

Camp Chawanakee 2011

Fully decked out in his uniform!

I think his pack may actually weigh more than he does!

Ben is off to Camp Chawanakee for the first time. He is such a funny little man...he is our thinker, our planner, our organizer (not sure what to do with him as he is the only one of our kids that demonstrated these characteristics as teenagers). He had his pack completely ready to go for 5 days before he had to leave.


I am so excited for him. He will have a great time, I'm sure! He loves being a Boy Scout and loves to camp! We are grateful that he has such an amazing Scout Master that works so hard to provide amazing opportunities for our scouts.

New from El Salvador

Alex was just transfered from Cojute to the Capital City of San Salvador. His area is the most dangerous one of the mission. It is called - Barrio Los Lirios in Soypango. There is a portion of the area called "the Campanera" or the colony. It is so dangerous in that part of the city that the elders are not allowed there after 6pm and are never allowed to go to the end of the colony. He said that it has been a little better lately because the police and army have a contstant presence there. It is however, the first time that he has served in a large ward with many strong members. He has a baptism this Saturday, and more scheduled this month.

Alex was sad to leave Cojute. He met many wonderful people and loved the location. Here are some pictures from his time in Cojute.

Elder Barrera, Elder Perez, Elder Mejia (Alex's companion) and Elder Alviso
Cojute - June 2011
Alex and Sampson
"My cat is the coolest cat ever...I love him and I am his Dad" - Elder Alviso

Quote: "Dr. Pepper makes everything better"
(wow he is his mother's son)

In his last area of Cojute, they had a blood drive and asked the Elders to help with promotion and these are the costumes they asked them to wear. I can't EVEN imagine how incredibly hot it must have been inside those get-up's!

The Alfaro Family. A recently converted family in Cojute.

Abby's Junior Prom

Abby 5-14-2011

Abby's dear friends Maren & Teara
Abby & Chase (Bubba)

Abby & Dave

Abby & Mom

Our Bike Rider

This is Josh's newest passion...riding his bike! Once he got the hang of it we can not get him off his bike! He is constantly asking one of us to go out and ride bikes with him. HE LOVES IT!

New Companion!

Last week Alex got a new companion. His name is Elder Mejia and he is from Honduras. It is the first time he has been excited about one of his companions since Elder Reid (his first).

It is so nice to read about all the adventures and testimony building experiences they are having while teaching the people of El Salvador the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The area he is in is difficult and they have to spend a lot of time working with the members and teach them how a ward / branch is supposed to run. He is learning so much. It makes my heart swell with joy to see him growing into such a wonderful, strong young man!

This is the house Alex shares with 3 other Elders. I am pretty sure he will really apprecicate all he has when he get's home!

Update From El Salvador

This is the city of Coujutepeque with the San Vicente volcano in the background.

Catching a ride into San Vicente for District Conference - February 2011
As a mom, I am trying not to wonder if they actually knew the person driving the truck - let alone the fact that they are in the pack of a pick-up for the 10 mile drive!

Lunch with the district - February 2011

Such handsome young men.

It's Abby's World - And We're Just Along For the Ride!

What a blessing it is to have such a fun-loving, enthusiastic daughter! She loves life and tries to live it to the fullest. Our challenge....keeping up with her! She is so blessed to have some really wonderful, strong, valiant young women that are her friends!

Boys are CRAZY!!!

Troop 336 on their sled!
Yes, that is Ben under all those clothes!

So, we have been hearing for years about the Klondike Derby that the Boy Scouts do every year in February up at Camp Chawanakee on Shaver Lake. This year our troop participated for the first time since we have had a Scout! Of course, the weekend it was scheduled happened to have a winter storm warning in the mountains. Boys (and their valiant leaders) had to hike up into their campsite - with their gear - in the snow storm. They endured a night of hail, snow, thunder and lightening....but....all survived the night! Participated in a competition the next day pulling sleds - most weighing more than all our boys combined. And....they think this is fun???

Elder Alviso's New Area

Here is the outhouse!

(I love the pipe coming from it to the

stream below)

Here is the view from the outhouse of

Cojutepeque, El Salvador

This is a picture Alex took from his "outhouse" in his new area of his mission! I'm not sure if I really want to know if they have to use one, but the view is sure nice if they do. Just don't ask me how to pronounce the name of the city.

24 Years of Wedded Bliss

I am so blessed to be married to my best friend for 24 years today! It has been a blessing to share my life and all the up's and down's that come with raising a family together. It is hard believe that we have been together so long - until I look in the mirror or see a picture of us now, next to a picture of us then. Wow!

Elder Alviso

The San Vicente Volcano - view from his house.

His last baptism before leaving San Miguel

The bridge used to cross the river in San Miguel.

Alex was transfered this past week. He is now in the small city of Cojutepeque. It is half way between San Salvador and San Vicente. He is really excited. He is in a much larger branch - about 120 members and there are 4 Elders in the branch and they share an apartment. He said it is much cooler because it is closer to the coast. So, the "hot season" will be only 95 with 98% humidity instead of 104 with 98% humidity.

Toothless Josh

Well, it finally happened. Josh lost his first tooth. He was beginning to think that he would be the only first grader at his school that hasn't every been visited by the tooth fairy.

Christmas 2010

We had a really nice Christmas this year. I alway's love it when I get my house decorated.

The best present of all was our phone call from El Salvador from Elder Alviso. He sounded great and we all took turns talking to him. Even figured out how to do three-way calling so Michelle and Andy could get into the conversation!

Grandpa and the boys.

Christmas Eve at Grandma & Grandpa Smith's.