Ahhh the time of the year that memories flood our memory. Some delightful and others that cause sorrow. My heart is drawn to Jesus Christ, his purpose and example. I delight in celebrating his birth. My devotion gets deeper with every passing year! My heart is drawn to gratitude for the amazing blessings we enjoy. I’m grateful for you and the love, friendship and family relationship we share.

To keep you up to date, here are a few of the blessings we enjoyed throughout 2021!

Brian and his family have been very busy with one son, Parker, returning from his mission with honor and another son, Connor leaving on his mission to Honduras. Brian & Staci have enjoyed teaching at BYU this year and the freedom it has allowed them to get to visit us more often. They are loving their life in Provo, and have become ski bums! It’s so fun to see them tearing up the slopes! Brian is currently serving as a counselor in the Bishopric in his ward. Parker is attending BYU and sharing his amazing gifts and talents just as we expected him to do! Connor is currently serving a mission in Tegucigalpa Honduras. He was thrilled to get to actually serve in the area he was called to. He’s loving his mission so far and has enjoyed several baptisms.  Isaac has become quite the guitarist, he saved up and purchased the guitar he’s holding. It’s amazing to watch how Josh holds his own in such an active family!

Kristi has had the exciting opportunity to live in Hawaii for a few months while she worked on NCIS Hawaii and Magnum PI. In the opening credits for the pilot, she can be seen in the outrigger canoe as the 2nd to the last person in the canoe. It’s really hard to catch her, but a mom knows her girl, and it was thrilling to see her paddling and following the cue to look above as a jet crashes into the mountainside. She has worked as a stunt double, (as shown with the actress holding the camera) a stunt driver (nothing crazy, just driving up to a destination) and has been an elderly lady who gets knocked down. Since she’s been home, she has also worked on a episode of Danger Force on Nickelodeon, episode 215. She hopes to become a sought after stunt driver and has taken courses. Before this type of work came through, she worked tirelessly to get her real estate license. She is now licensed in California and Hawaii. She also works for Redfin as one who shows the homes. It’s easy work, and doesn’t require any selling, the listing agent takes care of the rest. All while still working with Le Petit Cirque and maintaining some private clients.  We’re proud of the way she has stepped up her abilities to provide for her family as a single mom. Gavin & Alex have both stepped into the world of driving in getting their licenses this year. They are juniors in high school and have been diligently working in school while planning on getting jobs to pay for insurance… and then we fear they will be off and running leaving these old folk in the dust. Yes, we are officially the over the hill gang! This year Geoff retired! It was a hard decision for him after working since he was 14 years old, but he’s loving being home! We have been a bit more laid back, but have been incredibly blessed to be able to serve as Ordinance Workers in the Newport Beach Temple. We work on Friday mornings, so come to the temple on a Friday morning and you may see us! It’s been fun seeing so many old friends from our past! We have enjoyed so many spiritual experiences as we have stepped into this new venture in our lives. It has helped us find perspective as we grow older. It has been shocking to us to experience how quickly the time of our youthful and even middle aged bodies have moved into elderly bodies! Yet, in the temple we feel young as our bodies are renewed as we serve. It’s such an amazing blessing. When we think there’s no way we can do more, the Lord shows us tender mercies to help us fill our stewardships. We love those we are serving with and are beyond grateful for the friendships we’ve obtained.

May you enjoy a wonderful Christmas and a very happy and prosperous New Year! We are so grateful for you!

Loretta & Geoff Smith