All is well.....

Well, things are about to get crazy for me. I have trying to get things sorted for a smooth transition out of here. We will see how it goes. Well, this will be my last week at work here. It has been really great learning about my new job and learning to become an analyst of intelligence. I am excited to move on, yet I am sad to leave some very good friends behind. Last Friday a bunch of us got together - basically one last hoo-rah before I go. We ate food and played games.

Debbie and Me.

Matthias and Me singing kareoke.

Me and Isabel

Me and Kirk. And Tor.

Hannah, Me and Richard - they are going to get married soon!

Me with the Samaroo sista's - Laura and Kirsty.

Me with the Mannings. Sarah, and then Seth.

And some Kareoke and Guitar Hero!

It was a lot of fun. As you can tell - I met some great people, and have enjoyed my 2.5 years stay here in England.

Friday I move into billeting, and then I will be leaving early next Monday morning.

Finally!

It has been almost 2 months since my last post, so naturally I had to do another one.

Big things have happened - especially over the past week. First of congrats to Dad and Marty on their assignment.

Well, at work they have kept me very busy. Over the past 5 weeks I have been taking this course at work, that requires me to remain at work until late hours. Typically I would go in to work at 0530, and not leave until 2000 or even later some nights. So you can cut out any social life or church callings for that period. One of the days this past week, we had a small SERE day(we basically went out in the woods for an afternoon and we learned how to survive- or how aircrews would survive if they went down).


Well, this is the last week of the class - so I am very excited for things to go back to normal.

Also - some very exciting news. This week I found out about my new job/tech school class/when I'll be leaving. Well, this has been long awaited for. I have waiting for final approval for my retraining for about 4 months. But I've been doing other jobs since last January - so I've been very anxious to move on. I will be heading off to Texas for school in June. Somewhere around the beginning of June. And if plans work out I will be able to be in Utah for when Josh comes home.

Well, whats next for me? This class ends this week, and then I will be studying for my test for Staff Sgt. I will be taking that in May. Then I'll be off in June.

Its been very nice to spend these past 2(well more like 2 yrs and 3 months) yrs in England. I've got to know some really sweet people. But I am also very excited to move on with a new job. I will be closer to family and hopefully I will be able to get back into contact with some old friends.

Update!!

About two weeks ago I started working in the Intelligence Shop. With Intel being the shop I will be retraining into eventually - my commander approved for me to start learning the ropes of the job. But still no word on a class date. Still waiting patiently. But I am keeping busy here.

Here are some of the Young Single Adults from the church - we bowling sometimes... well, Matthias bowls, with Isaac, Adam, and Derek looking on.




On Wednesday, the 30th, I took the day off and went to the London Temple. My dear friends Kirk, and Tor went there for the first time.


Kirk's brother, Adam was there too!

And Tor's grandma, Rosalie was also there.

On Saturday, Feb. 2, was the big wedding for Kirk and Tor!! That was a most spactacular day!!

That night I was invited to attend their sealing in the London Temple! What a beautiful thing.



Through the events of the past weeks, I have been able to reflect on my life here. While I have been stationed here in England, I have had the opportunity to meet and become friends with some great people. I will miss them so much when my time comes to leave. But until that time, I hope to continue to have great memories here.

At the passing of our beloved Prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley - I would like to review one of the goals he said we should strive to have - "Stand for something." I have realized over this past week that we must stand for what we believe in no matter what embarrasment, or criticism comes. And everyday our 'standing' should be a little taller. If we are not standing for something - then we will surely fall. But I have complete faith in the new Presidency of the Church.

Some final pictures....

This is Uncle Marvin's truck!! See the Cruzan on the door?


The night before leaving Colorado Springs, they got several inches of snow!

Thanks to everyone for making this a great vacation!! Can't wait till I see you all again!!

Fun in the Sun!! In Lamar, Colorado??

This morning we traveled 2 1/2 hours Southest of Colorado Springs to a small place called Lamar, Colorado. We went to visit with Uncle Marvin. It sometimes seemed like we were driving forever!! But Dad drove, so that was alright.



One of the big things was the huge windmill farm. There should be up to around 200 of these things sometime this year. Nice pictures - huh?




When we got back to Uncle Marvin's house it was dark - that means the Christmas lights were on!!


Theses pictures really do no justice - they did a wonderful job on the decorations!!
Also, they had this hanging in the hallway!!

Grandpa Cruzan was the Architect of the Densmore Hotel in Kansas City. Also his business card.

The night ended with dinner at Smokin Willy's in Willey, Colorado. It is a great bar-b-que place. If you ever find your self in this area of Colorado - this is a definate stop!!

Back to work for some... still on vacation for others..

With people going back to work. I WOULD have been left at home all day.. but Becky and Neal were going to see some things around town. I got to go with them. And our nephew Antonio joined us.



Our first stop was Manitou Springs....


There is natural mineral water that comes out of the Indians canteen.

I can stand the water now... but as a kid I remember - I thought it was horrible. But people come from everywhere to fill up jugs to take home.

And Becky STILL doesn't like it....

Next stop .....

It was a little chilly out today!!

Then we were off to the Air Force Academy....



But it was getting dark quick... so no pictures....

It was an overall good day!!

Yea!! Sunday!!

Today was a very fun day!! I went to a Denver Broncos Game!! Its the first one I have ever been to. And it was great! The Broncos were playing the Minnisota Vikings.

There were guys covered with pom-poms. And we even had a little tailgate party. Gerald did great at cooking the Brat-burgers. Yummy!!

We had great seats. 7th row from the front.

This was the most action that we got to see up close. It resulted in a safety.

Thanks Gerald and Jess for driving and making it a great experience. And a big thanks to Marty and Dad for the tickets (they gave them to us for Christmas!!).