A Lifetime to Come!

She turned and spread her arms and everywhere she could see, there were people like bright birds calling with a thousand voices.  Then suddenly she understood "Here is where it begins - with all of us together, giving our daughters a world worth living                               for a lifetime to come"~

This photo shoot was about a 5 hour event.  It was tiring, messy, I think she peed twice in the naked shots  :)  and frustrating.  The older girls were hungry and bored.  But we knew there was potential there and we were "pretty sure" it would be worth it.  So we endured and did what we had to - to make it work. Dad had to leave with the girls to give them a break.  And this (above) is what we got.  It made me think of life in general and that saying that keeps popping up everywhere, our Heavenly Father constantly reminding us  -  "I never said it would be easy, only that it would be worth it!"

So in life we plow through things that we think are hard and messy and tiring.  And I think after we're done we get to see and feel the edited and "finished'' results.

It was such a pleasure to be with Shelly and her family. She is such a good mother.  All our children are amazing parents.  I'm so grateful that I was able to be there. 
I used frequent flier miles so the trip only cost about $70 round trip!

Being there reminded me of the day, shortly after arriving here, when I got an email message from our daughter-in-law Becky. She had to have surgery for some melanoma.  I wished so badly (had kind of a melt down) that I was home and able to help their family during that difficult time.  Those kind of days make it hard to be away.  Thankfully she got through it just fine, without me.  And I miss Katie and Jeff's family so much also.  It's wonderful to talk and "see" them on FaceTime however.  Small technological miracles!  Remember, when we first arrived in Brazil, some items had been stolen from our luggage.  There was this pix-star photo frame that is "connected" now to all our kids.  They snap a photo and email to robynhall@mypixstar.com and before we even blink, there is this new, awesome photo of some beautiful grandchild (or parent).

For example:

This are campaign photos - Craig Jr. was successful in keeping his legislative seat this last election!  He is the representative for district 33.  We're very proud of his efforts!

  Anyone can add to our collection if you have an especially great picture you want to email to us!  We miss seeing all of you!




While I was in Seattle the power went out one morning.  This always promotes "creativity"!  Lucy was experimenting with her princess castle, the dolls and the flashlight.  Then she got this great idea and made a poster invitation.   First graders are so awesome!

One day I told her how grown up she was looking and acting. 

Her reply was "Well, I am 7 now."

These are photos Randy took while I was gone for 2 weeks.

real coconut water!


They went on a Saturday with a Brazilian friend to the beach for lunch in Santos which is another city about an hour and a half away

I hope to be able to make this trip sometime soon!

And this is their first Sao Paulo Futebol Club game!

They took some other sr. missionaries, walked to the stadium, seniors get half price!
Sao Paulo won 2-1 - and they had a blast

Brother and Sister Avila (former missionaries but still neighbors)
 love Randy and they surprised him with this early birthday gift.
They couldn't wait to give it to him!