Belize trip been there and back

Hi Family
I'm going to shock you all, and write my own (without Robins help, except to get into this thing)
We have returned from our church assignment in Guatemala and Belize, and what a wonderful trip it was.
Besides the weather was just wonderful, 70 degrees or so most all the time, never got rained on, didn't get to hot, and snow was forgotten, our experience with those members of the church in those little branches was fantastic.
They sent us down there for approximately seven weeks to help start self reliance food programs in some of the units in Central America, expecting it to go much like it has in other areas where we have to teach and help the priesthood get on board, etc.  Well we were done and still had almost three weeks left.  so when we    communicated with SLC and told them we were done, they hardly believed us at first and asked a lot of questions, but after explaining where we were at, they decided we should come home a couple of weeks early.
The priesthood was so willing to take on the projects, even after we had to go in and tell them that this was no giveaway program where they were going to just get something for raising their hand like has happened in the past with this program.
We took a different approach: we met with the priesthood leaders and explained the program, then spend a few days going around and seeing what we could find of resources that the members had in their own area. Then we met with the priesthood and those members wanting to be a part of the garden and chicken program.  Those meetings were life changing.  We spent a lot of time going through President Ukdorffs conference message of Oct 2011 of providing in the Lords way.  we went through it almost line by line covering how it related to them individually.  When I got done with that Robin would go through with them what was in their Local Lords store house.  When I asked what was the Lords storehouse they would answer that they didn't have one, but by the time I was done and Robin was done when they answered, it was we have all these talents, we can do this or that, the were teaching their own classes, and running their own show, using their own talents, and realized their Lords store house was just as big as anyone Else's.
What a powerful talk to use on the principles of self reliance, how it changed attitudes and desires. When we met with person over all temporal affairs for Central America he just kept saying could you come back and keep teaching this as he was amazed when we told him we had these people doing these gardens, etc, and never mentioned money, projects for them or anything.  It was so awesome watching them as true principles were being taught and accepted.  We pray they will just keep going with the attitude they had when we left.
We would be working at one place and right across the road or river would be a Mayan ruin, so we got to climb lots of those ruins too.   One reminded me of the SL temple a lot as it was built on different levels, each raising above the last.  The one at Tekal was the one used in Star wars, was fun to stand on top of it and see the view as seen in the movie.
We worked with some wonderful men who are the leaders of the projects and priesthood there, have to say I wish we north Americans had a little more of their attitude.
Got home, reported to those over us and were just getting ready to go to Vernal tomorrow, but Robins Mom just got taken to the hospital emergency with some phamonia type something, so will be in SLC for a little longer.  We will get home soon we hope.
Jeremiah is doing great in Afganistan, his wife Tara is due in three or four weeks, Jake just got back from Texas on an Army assignment, and Josh just got sent to Mississippi I think for some kind of training.  No grass gets a chance to grow under the feet of this part of the O'Crowley family. ( ok the speller just quite on this program, so your on your own for the rest)
Grandkids are doing great, Jakes youngest started walking at seven months and is now terrarizing things and still has a few weeks to turn a year, so serves Jake right, sorry for Britney his wife.
Josh's Gabe just to the priesthood, and daughter Ally just turned that sweet sixteen.  All the rest of the thirteen and 3/4 are doing just fine.        
Hope this finds all of you doing great.
Love ya all
Dana and Robin

March 1, 2013

We r wishing for spring, even though its only march and Idaho can have winter into June.  Lilly went to state basketball and they came home with the consolation prize.  Kc will be graduating from college this spring.   Connor is working at college but majoring in karina, I think!  Charlie is finishing up his first year of college and starting to work on his mission papers.  Jonathan and Lisa are expecting a little girl in July.   I'm excited for the blanket I'm making her, too!  Amy and jake are doing well with their little family.     We don't have too much to complain about.  Life is moving forward, and that is good.  Hope everyone the best of a new season.  Forward with faith!

Belize

Hello family,

We are working hard, teaching Self Reliance, and showing how the local members can use their own and community resources to become such.  It had been very rewarding this last few weeks, and must admit love the warm weather while we are here.
We have climbed many ancient Temples, and are astounded at the greatness of theses buildings.  The people live in the humblest of circumstances, and yet we are showing them how to make things stretch farther with some effort and work.
They look very Mayan and you can just imagine all of this land covered in Book of Mormon people, but mostly what we now see are post Book of Mormon.
Love this mission call for sure, we feel so blessed for all of this hands on learning!

Hugs from Belize,

Dana and Robin

Hi, from Oregon

I decided I would take a little time to learn how to post something and to subscribe so that the new posts come to our email.

We just put Dan on the airplane yesterday morning to begin his mission. He will be serving in Houston Texas. ("Houston, we have a problem" :)  Every time I think I am going to start crying, I try to remember how excited I am for him. He has been home the last month and we have been working like crazy on our house.

Mission Assignment

Hey everyone,

Just thought we would tell you we will be on assignment with our mission call from Feb 6-March 21.  We will be working on Guatemala and in Belize.  We will see how easy it is to blog while we are there, in Ethiopia it was near impossible, but we will do our best to keep you updated on what we are doing and where we are at.

We will think of you in the warm weather.

Hugs.

Dana and Robin

Visiting Jer in Colorado

 Jeremiah and his family live in Colorado.  Tara and him have 4 sons, and another on the way.  We decided that we would visit them the week of New Years, giving us time during school holiday to have time with the older boys.

 Making a Home Depot Gingerbread House

We helped them move to Colorado last May into their home where they are starting a new part of their lives after Jer graduating from UVU. The move was a feat all in itself, and the house they found was so nice after a year and a half in a tiny apartment.

Weston

For us to come back and see them all moved in and settled was quite fun.  Braxton loves his new big back yard, digging for treasures in the dirt is his favorite.  Weston was a newborn when they moved, so to see his growth crawling up and now down the stairs, walking around all the furniture, and opening cupboards and unloading them, just such joy for us to experience.  It was also fun to see Jeremiah with his boys.  A father interacting with his children, holding Weston when he was tired and ready for bed, while he fell asleep in his arms singing his little boy song.  It is always fun to see first hand how the children you raised love the children they are raising.  The interaction with their own children, teaching, talking, loving.

Braxton

We brought with us a fun activity to do with the older boys.  I found Star Wars snowflake templates on the internet, and we printed them out, after an hour of figuring out how to make them large enough to cut, we started our cutting activity.  A card table was set up in the living room just for our snowflakes, scissors, paper, and excitement. It really was a feat.  There are some really small parts to cut on those snowflakes, but with duo help we made these snowflakes.  I was using an exacto knife to get the eyes, ears, and mouth cut out.  Tara and Braxton were cutting partners and Porter and Tyson cut the outside edges out by themselves, and we created some fabulous snowflakes!  Porter just kept going, he even started designing his own snowflakes.  It was a hit!  We all had fun.

Tyson, Me, and Tara

Braxton, Tara, Me

Porter

Our Snowflakes

Our biggest surprise was Weston, and how much he looks like his grandpa.  I thought, mmm, he looks like him now, his eyes, his cheesy smile, the shape of his face.  But, when we arrived home, a few days later I found a framed picture of Dana as a baby, and I'm not sure there is much of Tara in that boy.  Those are very true O'Crowley genes in that boy for sure.

Dana and Weston

Weston, Dana, Braxton, Jeremiah

Dana and Jer spent most of their time together working on little things in the house, just fixing here and there.  Dana loves to have projects to do all the time.  This is just what and who he is.  So there were light fixtures changed, doorways framed, and just bonding going on.  Braxton had his little tool box out, hammer, screwdriver, helping along the way.  He too is a busy little boy, and talk!  No one can talk as much as Braxton, well it seems that way.

Weston learning to walk

We watched movies at night and were caught up on the Avengers series.  Had to see Ironman and who and what he was.  Dana and I haven't ever read the comics of these Super Heros, so it was fun to learn about these characters and their personalities and achievements.  Ahhh the love of Super Heros.

 Braxton and Weston

Braxton and Weston

I guess this is all for now,  it was a fun trip, and a great time with this O'Crowley Colorado Family.

Hugs,

Robin

Hello again...just had to see if it worked!

It's cold here in Careyville, too.  Had to put a new battery in the car, just couldn't keep jumping it!  We spent Christmas in Pocatello and surprised Charlie.  He had to work and we didn't tell him we were coming over.  All 17 of us stayed 2 days in the apartment and had a blast.  It had just been clean check so we lucked out there!  Jake, Amy's husband, just had knee surgery and was on drugs.  Lisa, Jonathan s wife had morning sickness.  But all in all we had a great time together.
Basketball and the young women's program at church are keeping me busy.  Lilly is playing great and the new beginnings talk will be ready by Sunday.
I love chickens, and we have 2 dozen.  I baby them all the time and they give me just under 2 dozen  eggs a day.  Even in all this cold weather.  Wish we lived closer and I could share some with all of you!

Tim, I've been really thinking about cousin Joe.  He could really be an asset to your ranch.  The thought just won't go away.  He is a handi-man and jack of all trades.   Call me sometime and we will talk.

Thank you, Robin!  I will love to share our family.  I'll even figure out the complicated process of adding pics!     Until later, make it a great day!    Holly