DAVIES FAMILY BLOG

Looking Back from 35,000 feet

2012-01-24T15:53:00.000-08:00

Mitt Update: Looking Back From 35,000 Feet

What a whirlwind journey! Since last Friday, my friend Paul Johnson and I boarded a flight in San Diego bound for New Hampshire. Paul is a business attorney and internationally acclaimed blogger at MittRomneyCentral.com (go there to see his work). I like to introduce him that way, and he says it must be true since people from at least 2 countries have read his posts.

We first flew to Salt Lake City where we met my brother and sister in-law, Rod and Cindy Davies. From there it was on to Boston where we rented a van, and drove to our hotel in Nashua, New Hampshire. We registered, dropped off our luggage and headed to Romney campaign headquarters in Manchester and became part of a volunteer army of 3,000! That's a formidable force!

Over the next days we joined these good folks who together made 520,000 get out the vote calls, knocked on 65,000 doors and placed 25,000 yard signs in the frozen ground of the Granite state (a.k.a. The "Live Free or Die" state). This was a remarkably well orchestrated and efficient campaign, and all done with only 9 paid staffers in New Hampshire. Mitt knows a thing or two about running organizations.

In addition to the wonderful opportunity to team up with so many great volunteers (all there at their own expense), and not to mention, of course, the formidable victory won, a personal highlight was getting to know some remarkable public servants. Between campaign events, I was able to spend considerable time with South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, New Hampshire Senator Kelly Ayotte and her husband Joe ( a retired Air Force A-10 'Warthog' pilot and Iraq War vet) and former governors Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota and John Sununu of New Hampshire. (Governor Sununu also served as President George H.W. Bush's chief of staff for 3 1/2 years).

One consistent feature noted with each of these individuals was that they were so kind, genuine, and caring. These are, by their own description, ordinary folks. Yet it was clear to see that they were people of great commitment and capacity who truly love our country.

I particularly enjoyed the time spent with Governor Sununu, a mechanical engineer and college professor who told me "I was surprised one morning when I woke up and found I'd been elected governor). He had, through a series of events, been thrown into the fray to be the token sacrificial lamb, but much to his surprise, won the election.

We swapped war stories a bit as he and his wife have eight children, compared to our paltry sum total of seven. He joked that he "had to have enough kids that I could be sure there would always be someone to wipe my chin."

From here the campaign moves on to the crucial battlegrounds of South Carolina and Florida. If Mitt wins there, the nomination will be his, according to the political class. He enjoys leads in the polls in both states. I believe he will win both of those contests, and many more to follow, possibly "sweeping the table" all the way to the nomination.

I also believe that he is by far the candidate best prepared to take on and defeat Barack Obama in November, and that no one holds a candle to him in being able to turn around a country that is headed in the wrong direction.

At least that's how it appears to me from 35,000 feet

Greetings From Matoso

2011-07-26T12:07:00.001-07:00

Karibu (hello in kswahili) All!

I am in Kenya right now and wanted to send you a quick update. I've been here for almost 2 weeks now and I'm loving every minute of it. The kids are so adorable and so much fun. The school is running great. We have 5 teachers and 5 classes, from Baby to Grade 2. There are almost 150 students attending and supposedly we are ranked number 1 in the area. Reason being that we have a primary prep class with a very well trained teacher that prepares kids to start reading before they get into primary school (basically in Kindergarden.) Which has made the news of the changes with SCHAP, that much harder to delivery. Already we (Cory, Kevin and I) have had our fair share of very difficult conversations and people disappointed.

From the moment we started our work here in Matoso, we've used the phrase 'We are (here) in business, to as quickly as possible, go out of business'. Meaning that we are only here to help stimulate growth, teach and train community members, all in an effort to empower the people of Matoso to not only have a better life, but have ownership. One word we are particularly serious about the team not using is 'should'. Suggestions or explaining how we've seen things work well where we live is one thing, but if we give them the answer or more importantly, try to force people to change, the change will only last for so long. With that said, here in Matoso we've only been an assistance and now where near something to rely on. But regardless people tend to hear what they want to hear (I know it, because I myself do the same thing). The teachers here at our school have heard us say MANY times that although we are assisting and partnering with them and the community to set the school up, we will not be here for very long and need to make the school self sustainable as soon as possible. From day one we have been working with the community center/school manager, as well as the beach leader (mayor) to help them with revenue generating ideas, some of which we are still developing, like the computer center.

I feel like the work we have been doing is either high-highs or low-lows… or at least it is that way for me. Working with people, means that a satisfactory solution may mean the loss of lives. Satisfactory just isn't good enough. You either create change or you don't and sometimes you can't, unless the people want it badly enough.

Day to day here have been a bit different for me as far as what I'm working on. Since I will be moving on to other things this Fall, helping with the media has been especially difficult, because my heart is not in the future. I've always been really loyal to my heart, so theres been convincing of mind over matter while I've been here.

Everyday I've been spending my time with the people here in Matoso. Something I haven't ever had much time to do, short of interviews or cameras. It's been fun really getting to know the people and I'm always surprised when I meet with someone again to find out that there is another dream or concern they are struggling with that they didn't share with me in our previous conversations. I feel like I'm finally getting to a real place in their hearts.

Our team of Americans is 20 strong. With everybody but the directors and a project assistant, paired up in twos. The teams spent their first couple weeks working in surrounding (matoso) communities and connecting with the local leaders for initial buy to then start talking with community members. The teams are now connected to the right people in each community and have laid our some plans to begin working and today is the first day really at work. I've decided to spend my time working with the orphans, women and business development. All of which I am VERY VERY excited to be working with. Just to give you an example of what we will actually be doing, with the orphans for example after we met with all of the orphanages in the area and caregivers to gather information, it was really clear that we couldn't and wouldn't be able to address the kids immediate needs… like food, health care, shelter or an education. But we could spending time with them and give them lots of attention. Playing games with them, having conversations with an orphan one on one, etc. could really be life changing and I know first hand, that it is not only for the child, but for the community members around who possibly never even notice the child. I am leaving in a couple hours to visit a community specifically to find one orphan at a time to spend time with today and I cannot wait. It is so fun seeing their cute personality come out and hear them telling you about who they are. Their face beams.

Quickly, I'll get into details later, working with the women we are talking a lot about HIV/AIDS and also menstruation cycle for young girls. We are helping to make reusable sanitary napkins for the girls in school, who can miss more than 30 days of school each year because of their period and their fears of having an accident happen while they are in class and being made fun of. With the business development I am working on a side project with one of our friends here in Matoso who is a seamstress. I'm going to try and take his business online by helping to build a very simple website, teaching him the basics of how to edit the website, so he can advertise to the whole world, instead of just his community. The plan is to ship the dresses, skirts, etc. from here as they are ordered. He is going to be attending our business development workshop and then writing up a business plan before we start working. I'm really excited to see how that progresses and watch him go through the process of really understanding his business.

Anyhow, so much for the quick email I thought I was going to write. Hope all is well at home. I miss everyone and I'm as anxious to get back, as I am to finish up our work here.

Love you all!!

Always, Jess

Like Natty in Like Curlers. It's Like Sooooo Funny

2011-04-12T16:23:00.000-07:00

The 9th Brady

2011-04-05T11:16:00.000-07:00

Now we already know that Dad is famous - we've all heard what his position will be at the White House right? One tightly held secret is that he is actually the 9th Brady. See how cozy Mrs. Brady is to him? She is so happy to see him again. I know everyone knows we are related to kings, princes and Mohammad but who knew about the Brady's?

Josh is Famous

2011-04-03T20:18:00.000-07:00

Josh was famous for at least 3 minutes when he was in the Deseret News. He went to meet the Cougar basketball team on their way home from the NCAA tournament. What a fan!

Deseret News Article

BYU student Josh Davies gets an autograph from Brandon Davies as the BYU Cougar basketball team returns from New Orleans and the NCAA tournament in Provo, Utah, Friday, March 25, 2011.

Josh has one LOUD whistle. I am sure the BYU b-ball team felt the love.

Happy Birthday Mom!

2011-03-30T22:25:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday Mom! Jess made an awesome video for an amazing Mother. I know everyone thinks they have a great Mom but I KNOW I have the best Mom. There is no other woman I admire more.

2/14/2011

2011-02-20T21:23:00.000-08:00

hey mom! wow I'm so excited that josh got his call! his mission touches the best mission in the world! ahhh its great!

this week has been great as well! we were able to confirm chewy in sacrament and baptize tim to help him complete his part member family! it was a great day! now elder westwood and i are trying to find anyone to baptize! we don't really have anyone in our teaching pool! so..we are looking for some serious referrals!

Baptism

2011-01-24T22:05:00.000-08:00

This is Marie she was baptized yesterday! Her son and non adopted daughter were there to see it. We have been working with her for 6 weeks and just started working with her son Jesus(chewy) and their friend Evonne(evon) Chew is getting ready to be baptized on the 6th of this month and we are going to invite Evonne to do the same tonight! Please pray for them! They are so ready!

Trevor aka Super Elder

2011-01-23T22:22:00.000-08:00

Wow Mom I'm glad you are having a good week or had A GOOD WEEK! I HAVE BEEN HAVING A GOOD WEEK AS WELL! MARIE IS GETTING BAPTIZED ON SUNDAY! WHOOO! We are excited for her she is getting interviewed tomorrow and she is soo ready! its so great! it's
so cool thanks love ya!

11/22

2010-11-26T10:36:00.000-08:00

wow this week was...well...you said you are going to read this in sacrament or something ..so i guess i have to say that the week was so amazing and great! haha no really it was pretty good!

one of the coolest things we are doing right now is working with less active members! rescueing them if you would!

its takes a lot of time and visit after visit you wonder what they will do or sometimes why they were even baptized! but as you see them throught the saviors eyes and truely come to know what the lord wants for them you are willing to do anything for them and you have the same desire that the savior has to get them to church, its not just a stat or hey the bishop asked us to get you to church so we have to , its hey...we want you to come to church so that you can renew your covenants with your father and partake of the sacrament and remember yourself why you were baptized. It sees a lot of people forget why they were baptized...the sacrament helps us to remember why and what we were baptized for!

one cool thing i thought of was that every member a missionary and everymember a lifeguard! its not only the missionaries job to rescue or the bishops or the hometeachers ..its everyone we are all brothers and sisters and if we truely love eachother we wont let eachother drown in the sea of sin and forgetfulness.

thanks giving wil be fun we are going to visit three families! are area is so large we are going to drive over 4 hours on thanks giving just to get to two of the members homes! ...ya..im really in the middle of nowhere! but i love it!

hope all is well with the family! let me know how thanks giving goes! i love you so much!

Trevor 11/1

2010-11-04T21:22:00.000-07:00

wow thats crazy! sounds like ty is having some fun!

man im scared to see everyone in person and to really see how much they have changed!

people im teaching i would say the most solid are shylinn and judy padilla! daughter and mother! they are both interested in church but im not sure ion how solid they are in keeping commitments! we will find our tonight!@

a cool story though is just the other day we were praying real hard to find someone! and we found david!

he just got here from arizona and we really close with the missionaries down there! the reason he came up to colorado is to live with his parents, he and his girlfriend had a kid and the bishop told him that he needed to find another ward to start attending! crazy! and he said him and his girlsfriend where not going to work out so he came here to start anew! he said he would love to keep learnig he said he know everything and told us about the plan of salvation! so cool! so im praying that david pravenchy will be getting baptized this month! weeeee!

the end!

yesterday was zone conference! which was really good as they all are! we talked about helping our investigators and what we can do to know why we are there and what we can do to help them feel the spirit!

one thig i like was that if we can help them come to know of a past time when thety have felt the spirit then it will be easy for us to help them know that the spirit is there as we share the first vision! after that it will be east to invite them to recive a baptismal date! its rad! the revelation that comes as we are constantly praying for the guidance of the holy ghost in our lessons!

o thanks for the package its was delish!

we are going to take some sweet pictures today by this little lake with the trees all around it in different colors! you will like it!

hows home whats going on right now!?

Yee-Haw Cowboy!

2010-10-17T20:44:00.000-07:00

hello everone! tis i elder davies!

this week has been pretty good! it has gone by rather fast!

at the start of this week elder summers went on his temple jube. just like i did last transfer! he had a blast so while he was gone i was staying with elder kelley and elder mackay! they work for the spanish branch out here as does every other missionary! haha! we had a lot of good time elder keley and i and mackay get along very well!

Also last p-day we went to the park and just messed aroung because there isnt much to do here in dodge so we need to get creative! so we did! i have attached a couple pictures from that day! we had a lot of fun! we rode demon frogs and little pnies! we were even able to drive a horse drawn pumpkin! it was pretty rad! i will also send pictures of some other stuff we did later!

then elder summers got back and we went to work! (not likt i wasnt working when he was gone) but we found a couple a boy and girl and the are living together at the age of 19! we taought them and they seem very interested! we found them on saturday! they are really busty always at school and then at work so we keep trying to swing by but they are never there! but we will keep trying! we have the faith!

o yes as im sure most of you know they came out with monopoly at mcdonalds again! we have been play ing that a lot i wll send some pictures to show you some fun that we have been having with that!

this week we also had interviews with president as a talked with him he asked me how my spanish was as always, i told him im not having language study still( because he told me to stop) and asked him if i should start having it again..he said we wasn't sure and wait till after the transfer! he then told me e had moved me out of dodge for a little and the put me back so he doesnt really know whats going on with me right now!

i will find out next monday and let you knoW im kinda excited but i dont want to leave i love it here!

thats really all for me we had stake conference we had to drive to garden city to go which is an hour away! so we got all the 4 recent converts we have out here and got them into a van and headed up! and it was a good conferece!

well i got to go! i love you all pleaqse write me!!

love elder davies!

What A Stiff!

2010-09-30T16:27:00.000-07:00

this weekend elder summers and i found some starch in out closet...so we decided to have some fun with out polyester ties!

i think they came out quite well!

They Came 2 by 2

2010-09-13T16:34:00.000-07:00

wow this week was crazy! i had two baptisms! i know suprise! im attaching pictures to this right now so i hope you enjoy!

the first is with shannan! she was suppose to be baptized two weeks ago! wemet with her saturday and asked her to be baptized she said yes! so she was baptized sunday! and then....

we started teaching kari and her daughter maddi on tuesday asked maddi to be baptized sunday she said yes but kari the mom needs to await because she has a smoking problem so she will be getting baptized next sunday! i wrote a lot more in the letter im sending today with the memory card! but i hope you like the pictures! and the third one is just elder summers..my new comp!

but the week has been good! it has gone by very fast! because of all the work we have had to do with the baptisms! but it is a lot of fun!

Welcome to the Jungle

2010-09-13T09:46:00.000-07:00

Getting Out In Dodge

2010-09-12T14:14:00.000-07:00

Denver Temple

2010-09-12T14:13:00.000-07:00

Flying Serpents

2010-08-28T10:23:00.000-07:00

1 Ne. 17: 41

And he did straiten them in the wilderness with his rod; for they hardened their hearts, even as ye have; and the Lord straitened them because of their iniquity. He sent fiery flying serpents among them; and after they were bitten he prepared a way that they might be healed; and the labor which they had to perform was to look; and because of the simpleness of the way, or the easiness of it, there were many who perished.

MEN WORKING

2010-08-28T09:41:00.000-07:00

Tracting in Dodge

2010-08-10T20:04:00.001-07:00

8/2

2010-08-03T17:12:00.001-07:00

we don’t play much dodge ball here..but we do play a lot of fuyball! my whole district is spanish...except me and my comp, we are english..guess I’m not going spanish after all! but there are 8 spanish elders to one branch! That’s tells you how crazy the spanish population is here! i speak spanish everyday anyways!

and yes i have heard the "get out of dodge" and let me tell you i know why they say it! its stinky every friday the burn or boil the cows blood which they gather over the week. and they have tons of cattle here! and it is really hott so ya..i know where that phrase comes from!

but uh...let’s see...this week has been crazy! like a 5 hour drive to dodge! and it is way mega hott here! i can’t believe it! yesterday at 7 the temp was 103! and we don’t have a car also I am on bikes...again! haha! so it is really hott!! haha jake got another motorcycle! that sweet..i mean...o jake i hope he stays safe!

but there has been some stuff going on in dodge, we found a guy on thursday and taught him a first and he accepted a date for the 28th and said he would pray about it! and he said he knows God would tell him it’s true if it is! so that sweet! we are meeting with him again on friday!

then last night we had something cool happen we got a referral from other elders and we bike about 20 min to go find this lady and she wasn’t living at the house we went to anymore! but the guy gave us the address and let me tell you..we were ready to go in because it was hott! but alas we decided to carry on to the house this guy told us about, and when we got there the lady invited us in we said a prayer and I’ll tell you what the spirit was working through us! we just started asking her about previous missionaries and stuff and asked her if she knew it was true and she said yes and then i asked her if she wanted to be baptized and she said yes! so she is coming to church on sunday and will hopefully get baptized the sunday next! cool huh!

any way...no for some weird new..kinda...so my ankle has been hurting since about the beginning of last month. and it hasn’t really been like super bad..but it has been getting there! and i talked to a foot doctor who is in my ward! fancy that! and he looked at it and said that the plate might be ready to come out because a lot of times that causes pain in those places...so i think I’ll talk to sister pfile about it and see what i should do! ha! so that just a little update on me!

also i have another new comp! his name is elder Adviento! he is from hawaii! he is way cool and way chill! him and i get along really well! he has two older sisters that are married and he is the baby! he doesn’t surf but he bogie boards so that cool, but we really don't have much to talk about! ha so I just ask him questions about himself and hawaii all the time because i really want to go there!

and that really all from me! love ya'll!

elder davies!

6/12

2010-07-12T17:52:00.001-07:00

hey mom!

wow sounds like a crazy week!

thats crazy they moved natty up with the 16-18 year olds! she must be so pro! i just wrote you a letter and am sending it off today! its not to long but i thought you would enjoy it!

the lady that feed us pasgetti is very well she has been having back problem and was not able to come to church! but we are still trying to work with her and get her to church!

my new comp is doing better! i helped him give out his first book of mormon on saturday! i was very excited when he did it! i do what we call book of mormon day! or bom day! where we pack up our packs with copies of the bom and off we go and try to give out all the ones in our pack! i gave him two.and then he told me he had two more. and i have 7 that i was giving out! we ended up giving them all out! it was a great day! its one of my favorite days! and i am going to try to do it more often!

we just started teaching a 10 year old girl named kyra weatherford! she is amazing, her spirit is just calling for the gosple! she is scared to commit pr do anything because she is afraid he father who is in afganastan will not like her anymore, her mother and sister were just baptized about a week ago! so we are starting to work with her and we will teach her and her family on wed! sweet!

thats really all thats going on here in fountain! its crazy how quick the week has gone by! i could not believe that it was already sunday again and now monday!

cool jen meacham is moving to springs! do you know where at because springs is a huge town! i would be very excited to see them!

well i love ya'll! the church is true! because its what i do!

love elder daives!

6/28

2010-07-05T22:00:00.000-07:00

hello mother! sounds like you had a blast at lemi training! i can't believe you played thisby! uggg that was the role that broke me out of my shy shell! that's a really fun role!

man this week has been pretty crazy! i got my boy on Wednesday! his name is elder Waid he is from Alma Arkansas and he is really shy! so needless to say i do a lot of the talking when we go places, but I'm trying to break him of that! he has gotten pretty use to me and we does get use to someone he is really funny and really spiritual! he is waiting to go to the Rosario Argentina mission! so i have to help him learn Spanish...even though i don't really know Spanish...so pray for me!

the picture is of him and I.

and yesterday we had a cool miracle!

Saturday we stopped at a mans house who we helped do yard work for and asked him if he would like to come to church and he said he would try, and so yesterday he came to church! and after sacrament he had to leave but he said he really enjoyed it and said he wanted us to come over and talk with him tonight at 5! sweet!

also a part member family came to church that we invited Fri and his wife is a member and him and his son are not but they are thinking about baptism! I'm so excited! that miracles are starting up again!

and that's really all from me! but i love all of you!!

love elder Davies!

6/14

2010-06-19T16:38:00.000-07:00

well transfer came and went! and i am staying in fountain! with elder Torres i will be killin him off! so thats exciting!

so now. i don't know...we are just kinda chillin, we are teaching a couple of people

one is a lady who thinks really fast! but is always behind!

we taught her about the book of mormon and all she could think about was the route they would have taken to get to america...then we resolved that and then she would do the same thing with every subject! ha! but she said she would get baptized if she knew it was true!

then we are working with a family who had talked with the missionaries before and have come to church...but when they came to church all the people talked about was the prophets and what they did that week! uggg so family don't do that ok! be good members if you see new people make sure to let them know we talk a lot about christ and God! that would be wonderful!

so has our ward had any new baptism's! i would love to know about the work back home! and what you are doing to help it along who are you working with and is there anything i can help you with?

the work is good and im good...soo...ya...thats really it...

i love ya'll!

love elder davies!

Fountain Colorado 5/24/10

2010-05-24T16:07:00.001-07:00

Sent: Monday, May 24, 2010 9:39 AM

To: Becky Davies
Subject: Re: How is Fountain??

hello mom! well another week gone by! itsbeen pretty good! real fast! i cant believe im back again sending you another e-mail! we have lost all of our investigators and are starting new again!

the cool thing is that right after we lost our last one we prayed that we would have more, and yesterday we got three people who want us to come back! so i am stoked that the lord heard our prayer!

and so this week we are staring over so to say! not really much to say!

im putting together a little preasent for you and i think your going to like it and if you do i will start doing it more oveten!

love ya!

love elder davies!

Elder Davies - Fountains and Flips

2010-05-17T16:07:00.000-07:00

On Mon, May 17, 2010 at 10:24 AM, Trevor Joseph Davies:

well its been another wonderfull week, real slow thought, we got dropped by our golden family this week he said that he got his answer on friday but wanted to get to church to conferm it! needless to say church was not good that week everything that went wrong...did, sacrament was super loud and in elders courm all the talked about was bowling and hunting..no lesson what so ever...and we also can't get in contact with out other investigator that said that he wanted to be baptized! so we did a good amount of tracting and only taught 3 lessons this whole week....sad i know..

but it was still a good week because we still had a lot of fun! elder torres and i get along really well! and the other two get alopng with us aswell! so we have a good time!

sorry i dont have a lot if pictures well i dont have any right now but i will try to get some!

love ya! love elder davies!

From: Trevor Joseph Davies [mailto:trevor.davies@myldsmail.net]
Sent: Tuesday, May 04, 2010 9:23 AM

and then these three are the guys i'm living with! elder torres the one behind me is my companion and the two others the big one is elder dayley from texas and the elder johnson from northern california! we have a lot of fun!

On Mon, May 10, 2010 at 10:20 AM, Trevor Joseph Davies <trevor.davies@myldsmail.net> wrote:

hello mom and family it was great talking yester day! i loved hearing all of your voices! it made me very happy! you said you wanted pictures and updates so here they are!

the first is my new room and bed, it was really dirty before but we cleaned it up and now it looks great!

the second is a sweet weight room we have in our appartment!

the third is the view from my window! that is city hall and it is really pretty at night in case you couldn't tell!

To Tollestrup Family 5/17/10

hello tall family! just droppin by to say whats crackin! and to sent some pics your way!

las p-day we were at the park playing soccer and well i founf out my comp likes to do some extream stuff so we atarted jumping over tables and stuff and one thing led to another and so i started doing back flips off of trees but don;t worry we wont get to intense! haha!

but this week was a little slow! one of our families dropped us and we cant get in contact with our other investigator so we only tauhgt three lessons this week! sad week! but its ok this week will get better!

love ya'll!

love Davies

Busy Week!

2010-04-25T18:39:00.000-07:00

wow! people miss me! Thats neat! i miss the ward i miss the spirit that is there! its interesting to see how other wards work ! and being on a mission has really made me want to come home and help the missionaries over there! when a ward is there to help the missionaries and the missionaries are there to help the ward, that when miracles happen! its great! both of the recent converts i talk to say that the ward is a big reason they keep coming to church and a big reason they got baptized!

the two boys we dropped because we taught them all we could and thats what the dad asked of us, and he won;t come to church and he want's his kids to be baptized in utah! so we prepared them for baptism and now it is on the dads head to make sure they get baptized, so i am praying for them that they he will do it!

man this week has not been a good one! i have been dying! i cut my hand last monday on a new knife i got! it was a pretty bad cut, i'm pretty sure it needed stitches but , i hate getting stitches so i just put some pressure on it and i had no band-iads so i wrapped some toilet paper around it and taped it on! its healing up quite well!~

then yester day whille biking i was attacked by a fence! it jumped out of nowhere! grabbed my same hand i cut and ripped the skin off of one of my fingers! another finger! so we walked the mile home and i bruised my shoulder and cut my hand again! pictures will come to you soon!

and this week was just rough! everyone we saw said the me and schramm dilla schramm looked way tired! and it has just been a rough one! but all is still going well!

one of our most solid investigators mom is being a problem, the girl is 19 and ready to be baptized but the mom say she should wait till the 8th of may! when she could and should get baptized this sunday! uggg people!

and the miracle guy, didn't come to church again! sooo we have a lot of work to do with these people this week so wish us luck!

i'll be writting you a hand letter soon! with some pictures in it!

i love you and i testify that this work and church are true!

Elder Davies!

Good Sunday

2010-04-12T19:40:00.000-07:00

hey mom! and family and friends! this week has been pretty good! yesterday was a really good Sunday! out recent convert Jen has been having problems with her knee, soo right after we taught Sunday school she started crying because of the pain she was in, so we gave her a blessing and a couple of hours later she said it was feeling much better!

then our elders courm Pres told of a story where he and his squad where under heavy fire and how he so many people die and get wounded, and how we go to the hospital to get bandaged up and stuff, then he related it to jacob 2;8 and how church is our hospital for the wounded soul! man it was soo good!

i have been taking many fun pictures with my camera and i will send them in a sec i am loading them onto the comp!

but really the week has been simple we taught another first and gave a man a date...but he didn't come to church so he lost his date, so now we need to work with him even harder so that he can get his date for two weeks!

but the work here is good! i love springs! i love the rush of the city and how you never know what your going to run into!

like yesterday we asked this guy if we could help him and he said no and started walking to his garage and i said "are you sure?" and he said now leave and then i found out why he was going to his garage, he was holding a pistol in his hand..haha! so we left,

but i love that you never know what and who you will run into and i love bearing testimony to people and explaining to them a little about our church and how it works and how we use the book of Mormon! its great!

man i love my district right now!~ we are all pretty chill and like to have fun, but we all know that we need to do work! its great!

ok im outski! ill send some pics here in a sec!

love ya!

elder davies!

Natalie's First Dance

2010-04-12T08:53:00.000-07:00

Natalie's first dance.....she looked beautiful of course! It is so weird seeing your baby sister all dolled up and to think that boys will be taking notice. I kind of had a freak-out moment when I thought of the boys. I guess I have to let go and let her grow up but even when she is 60 she will still be my baby sister. She had a great time, big brother Josh kept a good eye on her and she danced with....boys who will remain un-named. I know that this is just the first of many beautiful pictures of Natalie. We all knew she was beautiful as a baby but she seems to keep getting prettier (and taller) the older she gets. We are so lucky to have such a beautiful girl inside and out to round out our family. We love you Nats!

Happy Birthday Mom!

2010-03-28T18:32:00.000-07:00

Rachel - My favorite thing about Mom is her steel trap memory. I am amazed at how well she remembers everything she reads. She is a fountain of knowledge. I am also honored to be her daughter - that distinction carries with is a responsibility to honor her by living the best life I can but it also carries the perks of being related to such an amazing person. I love how she is always there no matter what is going on. I know she would drop everything if I needed her. There is no better mother, friend, mentor, adviser and woman that I know.

Josh - My favorite thing about Mom is whenever we get into an argument,

it always turns into a discussion about the gospel and principals.
Some of my best learning opportunities come after an argument.

My next favorite thing about mom is her willingness to serve. As I'm
writing this sick in bed, mom is getting me Ginger ale and crackers
from the store. Mom is always willing and ready to serve and teach
others by her example. I love you mom

Kristin - I love mom because she has taught me almost everything I know. She is loved and admired by so many people and I am lucky enough to call her mom. She's the best thing that ever happened to my life! - Kristin

Natalie - Some of my favorite things about mom are:

1) How learned she is,

2) How in touch with the spirit she is,

3) When she tells a joke and is so proud of herself,

4) How hard she works for everyone.

Taylor - Abbi is one of the BEST grandmas In the whole wide world! She teaches so much and sacrifices almost everything she has for all of the classes she teaches. YOU ROCK ABBI!!!!- Taylor

Dad - The Lovely Rebecca of Poway is my hero (actually heroine, but I'm afraid the uninitiated might think that I use heroin--for the record, I never have, and never will). She is truly one of the most remarkable people i have ever known. She is so REAL. She is, through and through, exactly who she portrays herself to be. Becky is a person of great personal virtue and integrity.

She often jokes that when we were first married I thought she was some backwoods country bumpkin, and I was a sophisticated easterner. Well, admittedly, there may have been a little bit of the European traveler in me, and I might have viewed her upbringing as "simpler" than mine, but little did I realize that I was marrying the female version of Elder James E. Talmage. She loves the Lord, loves his gospel, and loves learning about gospel truths and everything else under the sun that is of any significance. I definitely married way above myself, and I'm doing my very best to keep up with my beloved Becky. She never ceases to amaze me.

Jacob - While I should thank her more often than I do, Mom doesn't need thanks or praise to do what she needs to do. She's a woman of conviction and is always pushing full steam ahead towards her goals.

Elder Davies (AKA: Trevor): mom has raised mom has made me, without mom i would be nothing! is that good?its a poem i made up right now?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TREVOR!

2010-03-24T09:01:00.000-07:00

T - tenacious, terrific, totally out of the ordinary, talented, teacher, teddy bear

R - radical, radiant, role model, rugged, respectful, representing,

E - excellent, energy, extreme anything, example, elder, electric

V - very special, vague in his letters to Rachel ;), voracious appetite for brownies

O - outstanding, out of this world, over the top, outrageous, obedient

R - righteous, right, relaxed, rocks, remarkable, reckless, ready - rockin

If you asked each member of the family to tell you something special about Trevor they may write a book. From the time he was a baby he captured our hearts and the heart of anyone who came in contact with him. He is truly one in a million and a unique soul. He is everything that is good and fun in our lives. Plus he is serving a mission and bringing the joy of the gospel and the joy of Trevor into the lives of the people of Colorado. While we miss him like crazy he has become larger than life to us while he is away. He is now "perfect" Trevor in our eyes. I couldn't have asked for a better brother and a greater gift for having him in my life. Happy Birthday Trev! We love you more than you will ever know. Even though we are all miles apart goographically we are all close in eachother's hearts.

Trevor Update....

2010-02-23T21:34:00.000-08:00

One thing I have learned about Trevor the last 8 months is that he is a man of few words.....see below

we just got 2 iches this weekend! and then this is me with slder smith! my roommate from svu! hahaha!

Although it was only one line and had atrocious spelling we love to hear from Trev! We are happy with one line or 100 lines. The pictures speak 1000 words and we can't wait to see more.

The Toughest Guy in Town

2010-02-11T22:48:00.001-08:00

I will be the first to admit that I don't know a whole lot (aka: nothing) about Rugby. Since Josh has been playing Rugby I thought I should take more of an interest in the sport. I decided to do some great research. First things first - I saw Invictus (great movie by the way). Second I went to a rugby game. That is pretty much where my research ended. I learned what I needed to know. The sport of rugby it is tough. It is brutal. It is crazy to watch. Josh dislocated his shoulder during one of the plays and kept playing on. What a stud. Who knew my baby brother would impress me in so many ways.

The school Josh's team played at was beautiful. It looked like an old monestary and it was only built last year. It was definitely the prettiest high school I have ever been to.

The kids (especially the boys) were totally impressed

Happy Birthday Dad!

2010-01-23T11:06:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Dad! Another year older, another year wiser. If he keeps this up he may yet be the smartest man on the planet. We had fun celbrating his 45th birthday. Isn't it amazine how I have such a young father? We had a great dinner that he didn't eat because he is the incredible shrinking man and eating very healthy. We opened presents, ate frozen yogurt and sang our traditional birthday song medley. Molly cuddled up to her favorite man and tried to lick the presents. For millions of other people who also think my Dad is their favorite person I can only say this. He is even better than you imagine.

FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT DAD:

Rachel: I love how Dad makes friends everywhere he goes. He finds Italians, Russians, Mormons, Veterans and people in need to be his new friends everywhere we go.

Jacob: I love talking to Dad! We've had some great conversations over the phone through the years and I enjoy receiving counsel from him as well as simply catching up with him.

Trevor: my favorite thing about my dad is that he is my father.

Natalie: My favorite thing about dad is, his cheesy jokes and when he's so

proud when mom laughs! :)

Jessica: My favorite thing about dad is his heart and the capacity he has to love people.

Travis: My favorite thing about Jim is how he is such a peacemaker. I have learned much watching him maintain a cool head in times where I easily would've lost my cool. He is able to remove himself from the situation.

I also love his passion. When he is excited about something...off he goes and quickly...in hot pursuit...gathering info...making calls...spreading his enthusiasm.

Kristin - No offense to anyone else, but Im pretty sure I lucked out with the nicest, most hard working, selfless, funniest, (well sometimes funniest but he is the king of "Dad jokes") respectful, humble, courageous, noble, spiritually intuned, most amazing dad ever! I LOVE my dad!

Natalie's Poem

2009-11-01T22:12:00.000-08:00

I was cleaning out my documents folder on my computer and I found this fabulous poem that Natalie wrote for me.......

A Poem For My Big Sister

Rachel you make me smile, and every once in a while… You don’t.

I love you very much… So much that I would live in a hutch…. For you.

If you just happen to read this poem… well I’ll make you go home.

Of course if you are already home… I would make you a clone… And then I would send it home. You are a joyful human being, and you don’t have trouble seeing.

If you ever do have trouble and you are seeing double, then give dad a call, unless of course he’s at the mall. If he is you have no hope, you will just have to marry the pope. If so Travis would be very mad, and he would go to the dark side (AKA bad)

Well this is very tragic!! I have to go to bed, so work your magic. Your magic will fix everything, and it will urge you to play pong-ping. Goodbye for now my dear sister, and don’t forget to bring you mister, and don’t let him get a blister. See you later alligator!!

Natalie is a poet and didn't even know it!

Too Cute for Words

2009-11-01T21:53:00.000-08:00

Need I say more?

Les Miserables

2009-09-13T21:08:00.001-07:00

On Friday night I gathered my kids and a few more to go and see Josh in Les Mis. Josh was Javert and he was FaBuLoUs! The play was very well done and I was pleasantly surprised by all of the amazing talent there. You can tell that some of the kids will go far with their voices. This is one of my favorite plays and I was choked up quite a few times. First when Josh came out and started singing - I kept saying "is that my baby brother up there?". It was a bit surreal to see him looking so big and scary and singing so low and so well. I was so proud that I choked up right there and didn't stop during the entire play. It is such a fabulous story or redemption. It was a little hard trying to explain to Tanner why Josh just killed himself at the end (the Javert suicide scene) especially since Tanner kept asking and didn't understand why Josh was playing a bad guy. ;) Luckily he still thinks Josh is awes. The kids were all very good due to some great and funny scenes and a whole bag of candy. It was an unforgettable night! Go Josh!

We had quite a crew waiting after to see the famous Javert

Josh with all his make-up and creepy sideburns. They wouldn't let them come out in costumes but his were amazing.

Josh trying to get his Wolfman sideburns off. The kids were fascinated (boys) and repulsed (girls) by the extra hair on Uncle Josh.

Trevor

2009-08-24T10:58:00.000-07:00

Trevor left us for the MTC on August 5th. We really miss him but my Mom decided to bring "Trevor" around everywhere the family gathers. He has been to a BBQ - he didn't swim because he is a missionary, a car trip and is now a greeter at my parents house. His happy face cheers us all up and if we ever need a Trevor boost we can just go sit by him and laugh. I guess this makes it official that my family is odd - as if any of the 5 readers who read this didn't already know this important fact.

Clever Jofes Davies

STATS

2009-08-01T15:37:00.000-07:00

I am interrupting this blog to make an important announcement. This post will contain all sorts of shameless bragging. If the reader is offended by this please don't read on. Spoiler alert: there will be much gushing and fawning below.

I know I am a proud parent and sister but I have to be honest I am no expert on basketball. I have to ask Travis to help me understand the fundamentals of the game. Although I never played basketball expect to throw a mean granny shot I do love watching the kids play. This season was a really fun one to watch. At the end of it Kaden was the number on scorer in his league. Natalie was number one in her league and Taylor was #13. They all did amazing! One mom came up to Natalie and told her that someone needed to stop watering her because she was growing so fast. Taylor is amazing on defense and really gets her team pumped up. It was fun to watch all of them out there trying their hardest and having a blast.

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

2009-07-17T23:10:00.001-07:00

So I have this crazily talented sister who cracks us up all the time. If you look at the pictures I take of her, the majority of them are her smiling with a goofball face. Up until a couple of years ago I didn't realize she had this side of her. When I saw her in her first play Beauty and the Beast I was blown away and shocked. I didn't know that my quiet sweet sister had this sassy, funny and creative side to her. She really hams it up on stage and entertains all who watch her. She is mesmerizing whether she is playing a duster or in a Shakespeare play. This play was no exception and I once again was proud and awed by my baby sister who is growing up to be abeautiful, funny, talented and amazing young woman.

COLORADO SPRINGS COLORADO

2009-07-10T17:24:00.001-07:00

Congratulations to my brother Trevor Joseph "Josef" Davies. He has been called to the Colorado Springs Colorado Mission. He goes to the MTC on August 5th. He is setting such a great example for our kids. The kids all adore Uncle Trev. Congratulations Trev! The people of Colorado Springs will be lucky to have you in their mission. We all know you will do great things and touch so many lives in your 2 years there. We are so proud of you and

love you so much~

Trev - playing it cool

JOSH'S GRAD

2009-07-10T17:22:00.001-07:00

In June we went to Josh's graduation. He graduated a year early at 17! We are so proud of him. He worked really hard so he could finish early and get a year of college under his belt before he leaves next year. He graduated with a 4.0 and took the ACT and got a 27. He will be ready to go to BYU next fall. He has been homeschooled since 5th grade and has been a role model in so many ways. He has done mock trials where he argued legal briefs, staged mock debates where he would debate both sides and has been in numerous Shakespeare plays. He is pretty well rounded and I love to bug him about how the girls think he looks like Edward Cullen. He and I have a Twilight debate going on. He hates it and I love it. Secretly I think he really likes it but doesn't want to admit that he likes a love story involving vampires.....

What a stud....We really are so proud of him and I know that he will do great things with his life.

In June

His graduation was unique in that each teaacher got to tell about each graduating student. It made it more personal.

It was a rather long ceremony......

The kids favorite part was the cake and drinks afterwards

2009-06-21T23:44:00.000-07:00

To the best Dad 7 kids could ever ask for. We wanted to share some of our favorite "remember whens". We love you Dad!

*Remember when you taught me that 7x7 was 49 just like the San Francisco 49ers? I have never forgotten that lesson

*Remember when we were driving to work and we drove past a really nice car on the freeway and I said how I wished I had a nice car and you told me that even if you had all the money in the world you still wouldn't buy me that car because you wanted me to earn it first? You taught me the meaning of work.

*Remember when you sat us down in the tent in the back yard and told us we could pack up one bag, not tell any of our friends, leave our house and belongings behind and we needed to go to the Wilderness? After Jake and I were shocked and I was crying and Jake was pumped you then taught us the meaning of sacrifice and helped us develop our own testimony of Nephi and Lehi's faith.

*Remember when you always corrected us when we said "Me and Sara"?

*Remember when you would quiz us on what the speed of light was?

*Remember when you would always say "Where's Kevin?" on every trip and freak us all out?

*Remember when you would always tap on the steering wheel to whatever Christopher Cross, Peter Cetera or any band/song that caught your interest?

*Remember when you would hear a song and then go and duplicate it note for note on the piano?

*Remember when your nose would twitch when you were telling a joke? Oh wait, it still does!

*Remember when you would see the mile markers on the road and ask mom and I when we could see them while you and Jacob patted each other on the back for your perfect vision?

*Remember when you used to read every Far Side comic and laugh hilariously?

*Remember when you bought the Plymouth Laser and took me, Mom & Rachel out for a spin on a snowy Michigan evening and did donuts all over the parking lot? You taught me the value of a fun car and the importance of learning how to handle a vehicle regardless of weather conditions.

*Remember when you taught me how to pitch and used to spend lots of your time catching for me in the backyard so I could improve my skill? You taught me the importance of spending time with those you love.

*Remember when you whacked the Florida Davies' dog across the room when it was getting quite frisky with me and I asked you what he was doing? You taught me the importance of protecting innocent children from crazy little male dogs.

*Remember when you drove me to your office and sewed up my knee with 18 stitches after I split it open in the backyard? You taught me that even though kids do silly things sometime, you still have to love them...especially if they're YOUR silly kids.

*Remember when you got sick in Guatemala and I was able to participate in my first Priesthood blessing ever (at the gorgeous Quinta Real hotel) with the help of Meech? You taught me that everyone needs help some time or another...so we'd better be ready when that time comes!

*Remember when one of your internal bubbles found its way out the back end as you tucked me in for bed that one night @ Mimi & Pops' house in Stuart...and we both laughed because it was the first time I had ever witnessed that from you...and I was at least 8? You taught me that we're all human and it's ok to laugh at yourself sometimes, especially when sharing a bonding moment with your Son.

*Remember when you ran into someone you knew at a random Gas station in the middle of a cold nowhere and Rachel and I thought that was so crazy you (Mom included) knew everyone? You taught me that it's important to make friends wherever you go, and that it's even more important to remember their names (which I believe you did)!

Remember when kristin and I were little and we would jump on your feet and ride around the house as dads laughing slippers!

Remember when we went on a quick and very exciting scavenger hunt to find me a puppy!? Oh sammy... or when the woman we bought him from asked us how long we had been married!?

Remember when you use to come home from work and I use to lay next to or under the piano and listen while you made up all sorts of songs?

Remember when I was attached by a dog (the first time!) and only a few weeks before you had told me that 'if I were ever attached by a dog, that I was to make sure I rolled on my stomach and protect my neck and face'... which saved the left side of my face from nearly 55 stitches on the back of my head. Just a bite or two away from neck!

Remember when you thought you died... oh wait, that's happened a few times :)

Remember when I use to say, 'I don't have any friends'... so you volunteered... and started asking me if you could be my best friend :)

Remember when we were picking up Jake from his mission... and Kristin and I would always ask, 'what are they saying?!' and for some reason everyone was always asking, 'why is she wearing so much make-up'!! Oh and do you remember how many iguana parks there were? Every grassy patch we would yell...'Oh look, iguana park!'

Remember when you and Bishop Bullick without hesitation saved Jenny's life? It was a reminder of what an amazing father I have and the great lengths you will unselfishly go to, even if it meant risking your own life to save another's. You have always been my hero and I know you are for many others. I'm lucky and grateful I can call you mine! Hands down, I've got the greatest dad. Happy Father's Day! I love you very, very much.

Remember when you used to come coach me in between innings during my softball games.

Remember when we opted out of the school dance and went to Outback and to see Vertical Limit instead.

Remember when ( I was like 4) and you taught me I could just lift my dress up to go to the bathroom instead of un-zip the back and take the whole dress off. (You probably dont remember that, but it was a big turning point for me)

Remember when mom would go out of town and you "made" dinner. aka we all got 99 cent famous stars.

Remember how we stay up late watching 24 because Jack Bauer is the MAN!

Remember when my friend needed a blessing and I knew you were worthy and I could call you and you came right over?

Remember how I want to thank you for being the best dad ever! Thanks for picking me ;P

*Remember when we watched the family videos and you always left the camera on all the time, like with the camel ride? I don't know why that is, but it's was always enjoyable.

*I can't really put a specific time, but all the times we have those deep conversations are some if the best times I have.

Remeber when we had the fathers interviews every third Sunday? Those were interviews that I loved and I know helped me in my life.

*remeber watching 24? Sure, it wasn't the most virtuous show on earth... But that time in my opinion was very spent. Every time I wasn't allowed to watch it, it was terrible. It wasn't the same watching it later without you. Any time spent with you is amazing.

*Remember when we were in Pompeii and I said that the Ferrari was my favorite part of the trip? The car is nothing in comparison to being able to spend time with you. That was not only the best thing about the trip, but one of the unforgettable parts of my life.

*Remember when you would always ask "who?" when I would say me and megan?

*Remember all the times we read "Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom" and snuggled up in bed?

*Remember when we read "Swimmy" so much that you went out and got a black clam for me?

*Remember when I would come into the piano room while you were playing a song you wrote and I would ask you how you did it?

*Remember when you, Josh, Trevor and I would go camping in the backyard when Mom and the girls would go to girls camp?

*Remember when we picked up Claim Jumper and you said "I'm a violin" while the Claim Jumper Lady asked you for your order?

*Remember when I would laugh at all your jokes... even though I didn't understand them? (You probably didn't know that at the time)

Love Story meets Viva La Vida

2009-06-01T20:29:00.000-07:00

This is a family favorite

EASTER BEACH 2009

2009-05-10T21:22:00.000-07:00

We had a very busy Easter. It is such a huge blessing to have so much family nearby. We have both sides of the family here which we NEVER thought we would have. We knew we would always have the Baker side but the Romneys? No way. Never in a million years did we think we would lure them to San Diego. Althought I think it may have been the weather more than our amazing personalities that brought them here. Just a guess. Whatever the reason, they are here and we love it. As Henri the bird says in An American Tail "Never Say Never". On Easter Sunday we had family dinner later in the day at the Bakers but we were able to go to Ann and Mitt's house and have a beautiful walk on the beach before family dinner. Tons of cousins were there and it was one of those days that you want to capture and remember. On Easter Sunday when we remember the sacrifice of the Savior it was a perfect opportunity to appreciate our many blessings.