Well, it's been quite a while since I added anything to this and we have so much enjoyed all of your contributions. This is the best and often visited place I go everyday!! Well, sorry to disappoint with no new pictures but here is something I thought I would share that happened a couple of weeks ago... this is the very essence of our family and how much you mean to Sue and me in every way.
I had an interesting Aha moment in Gospel Doctrine. Scott Davis was talking about Missionary Work and put a few questions on the board - one read: The Church is different because:... He was trying to get us to develop our own elevator pitches about just what would we say if a non-member asked a simple question like "What is so special about your Church?"
Many people were confused by the "Elevator Pitch" but it's essentially a concise and clear statement about something and is generally associated with sales and your ability to convey a message in the time it takes the elevator to go from the 1st floor to the 3rd floor.
Well, I thought about how over the many years how I have approached this question and most of the time, because of my crazy analytical mind, I have always gravitated toward the mysteries of the kingdom or the meat and grizzle of the gospel rather than the simple and easy points.
Early in the class, Scott asked this open ended question. To everyone's surprise a non-member who comes every week and to my knowledge has never participated in any discussion was the first to raise his hand. This was a huge Wow!! Terry Newsom said in essence this:
"What is so special about this Church is that it offers a structure to my family that brings joy to my home.
It finally dawned on me that in the very beginning of my search for the truth that the one thing that really got my attention was this little humble family that I visited when I first went to dinner at their home and the missionaries were there to teach me. I don't remember the missionaries or their names, but I will never forget the feeling I had in their home. The sense of unity and peace and something of the spirit that was very special that I had never known in my home.
It seems it's taken me all this time to come to this realization that Scott so beautifully revealed to me - that people don't want to know the hidden esoteric dogma of the gospel as much as they want to really know why I am smiling and why every time they see me that I am basically a happy person. This peace that I feel is so very difficult for people to understand in this sarcastic and dreary world. My message should always just be this one simple statement - My Church is a place I go because it unifies my family and bring me joy.
One can't help but to want to know why and how they can get some of that in their lives.
You are all of this and so much more. Can't wait to see you for Christmas!! we are truly counting the days!!
Well, it's been a WONDERFUL Christmas in the Meyers home this year. We miss Kimbre and Matt a bunch but we all had a great time with the kids, presents, and good food.
We went sledding with some friends today after it snowed 3+ inches! What a blast! Ava had a ball - but Brycen wasn't so sure. He looked cute - but didn't like going down the hill. After awhile, he fell asleep while Drew and Ave braved the hill once more!.
Say Hello to our new dog!
Matt and I adopted her from a family who was moving to a new house and couldn't keep her anymore. Her name is Kiowa but we just call her Kia. She is a AKC-registered chocolate lab and will be 6 years old in February.
She is very obedient and knows all of the basic commands. When she's outside all she wants to do is explore and play play play! She could play fetch for hours if it didn't wear us out first. When she's inside she's extremely mellow. She just follows us around and lays in the front of the couch when we watch tv.
She's an all around very happy and fun dog! We couldn't be more excited! 
