Winner!

Cooper wanted to dress up today...not just a polo look, the whole collar and tie look.

He looked sharp!

He made me proud...

And not because he received band or honor roll awards ;-)

I Am A Survivor

The tentacles of cancer touch us every whit

And body and spirit we seem to feel unfit

For the joy of life that so suddenly ebbs away
Our thoughts and dreams are in disarray

The shock of learning we have it changes us
Making us think that we are cancerous

And a death sentence has been pronounced
Especially as the news gets announced

Family and friends embrace us and they cry

As if our tears are not enough to satisfy

The grief that overwhelms us so completely
And drains us of our personal bravery

Then we meet our doctor and angel nurses
And hope springs and despair reverses

As we learn about treatments that abound
And we step onto a new battleground

One where we can fight and escape the jail
Of dying, where life can again prevail

Where thoughts and dreams fill us anew

Replacing hopes when they withdrew

As patients we see things differently now
In spite of pain and nausea, somehow

Our eyes see the beauty in just being alive
Because we’re fighting to just survive

Life is too precious to let go without a fight

I want sunlight, twilight and moonlight

To brighten my days and help me to realize

God sees me as precious with his eyes

And if it was He that gifted me with this life
I must treasure it and deal with strife

In a way that confirms for me that I can live
Because a survivor has to be positive

I am a survivor.

K.G. Hutchins
April 24, 2013

Getting Ready for Relay!

Balloons: Check

Tents: Check

Inflatables: Check

Signs: Check

Newspaper: Check

Ironton Tribune
by Shane Arrington

ROME TOWNSHIP — Relay For Life is coming back to Lawrence County Saturday, giving those who wish to raise awareness for cancer the chance to “walk all night so that someone may walk another day.”

The event kicks off with its opening ceremony at noon Saturday and continues through 6 a.m. Sunday. Amy Jo Schenewark, recruitment official at the Lawrence County Fairgrounds, said Lawrence County has exceeded last years numbers in every category and she really looks forward to this year’s event.

“We have a wonderful group of teams this year that have worked so hard,” Schenewark said. “It is a privilege to work with such a dedicated group in our ultimate goal of helping to find a cure for cancer.”

Everyone who can make it is invited to come out and see how much fun Relay For Life can be, Schenewark said. Each team has their own tent and will provide an activity; such as the U.S. Army pull-up bar, haircuts by Curl Up and Dye and Batman and the Batmobile. She said she hopes more people will see how great the event is and sign up next year.

Though, she said it is still not too late to sign up this year, and anyone thinking of doing so can do so by contacting the Relay For Life of Lawrence County Facebook page.

She said the weather is expected to be nice for the event, but tents and a big pavilion will keep the event going no matter what.

“Rain or shine, cancer doesn’t stop. Neither will we.”


The Lawrence Herald
PROCTORVILLE -- The Lawrence County Relay for Life will kick off with opening ceremonies at noon Saturday, May 19, at the Lawrence County Fairgrounds in Proctorville.

The Relay for Life is an 18-hour event in which teams come together to raise awareness and money for the American Cancer Society. Volunteers commit to keep someone walking on the track throughout the entire 18 hours.

Cancer survivors and their caregivers will make the traditional first lap around the track following opening ceremonies. All survivors and their guests are invited to the Survivor Luncheon immediately following the opening ceremonies and survivors lap. All survivors will receive T-shirts and medals for participating.

There will be live entertainment throughout the day and night, along with activities, games, raffles, food and drinks. Some planned activities include inflatables,; performances by the Singing Kernels, Sweet Adelines, Raised on Radio and Lincoln County Cloggers; Zumba; Relay Idol; an appearance by Batman and his car, and more.

At dusk, around 9 p.m., there will be a luminaria ceremony, for which small bags filled with candles can be purchased in honor of or in memory of anyone who has battled cancer.

The relay will continue through 6 a.m. Sunday, May 19.

Letter #43

Dearest Family,

I write to today with not much to say in the development of the work here in Agudos. This week was rather hectic. That is not to say that it hasn't been a week of singular personal growth. Sometimes weeks are like that! But as I sit and type I feel a great peace, part of which springs from you, my family. I am most thankful for your continued support of me.

This week I was a little "blue" as Elder Beaudoin went to Londrina to renew his visa and so I spent several days with Elder Havili, he of the city Seattle. He was affable as ever and we spent an enjoyable time attending our several duties, interview, and marked appointments. Lots of bus travel within a short period of three days! I also got to visit the uppermost top-right corner of our mission, Macatuba. Check. There the father of the president of the ramo (branch) was baptized in what must have been a very special moment for all.

I also introduced Elder Havili to the Palador Pastel. If you ever pass by here, I´ll take you too, though be warned, you may have to split the beast as Elder H and I did.

Oops, I forgot to address the pre-letter questions, so I'll skip back and do that. I loved the cards, though I do remember explicitly mentioning THAT picture on the front as being for mom´s eyes only, hey! Oh well : ) They're happy and cheerful and well done, and indeed I have already sent one out (to whom???). They are slightly more expensive but not to worry, I always budget more money for letters than normal, because I try and send a lot. I´ll send out another one this week to my dear recent converts, who sent me the second letter I've received from them here in Agudos. I'm sure it will make their day!

Second, on shoes. Thankfully due to some research before the mission the shoes that I picked out are holding up pretty good. I usually just use one pair as the other has worn down on the corners and gives me the outer calf workout of my life walking around in them. I think I may have to get other shoes down the road or just resole the ones I have here in Brasil, which would probably be cheaper. However, for now I think I am good. In the future, if anything I may look at a new pair of insoles. We'll see.

Well, I thought Dad might like to know about a few Brasilian games that the kids play quite a bit here in Agudos. One, classic leapfrog with upwards of 20 kids. Impressive. Two, a jump rope like game called pula corda, where they use a large elastic cord, tied in a circle that goes around two people´s ankles. Then two participants must jump and do different things with the cord circle created, one matching the other step by step exactly. Each step the cord goes up higher on the bodies of the two that are holding it making it higher and thus harder to complete the more and more intricate moves within the cord, until one cannot match the other and a winner is declared. Don´t understand all of the rules yet but it's very popular. Last, my favorite, a kid wraps himself around a convenient pole, light post etc. and forming a chain and grabbing him around the waist, 10+ kids try and pull him off. Oh yeah. Try that one for FHE this week : )

Three sweet moments and I'm out of here: First, our convert is still progressing, left this morning for a job interview we set up for him with an active member here. Hopefully he'll get the job and that will also help him be more integrated into the church as well as simply being a blessing received as a result of his recent efforts.

Second, we are helping are recent convert/ward mission leader begin the process to get his patriarchal blessing and prepare for the temple in August. We had a very nice lesson with him and his wife yesterday. I know that this blessing can be a strength to him in his life and maybe the final needed effort to bring his wife into the church as well.

Third, I teared up, secretly of course, Sunday when arriving at church I saw the newly baptized young man seated up in the front with the deacons ready to pass the sacrament. And even more when he, making his way down the aisles, administered this sacred ordinance to me, and I was blessed by the priesthood of someone whom I had helped come into the church.

I love this work with all my heart. I do. We are small in number but we wield the mighty sword of truth, everlasting truth that cannot fail for it comes from the creator of all things, even God. Share it please, whenever and however you can. Bring families to the missionaries to teach.

This past week I've listened to the last general conference two more times all the way through. The overwhelming--overwhelming--focus is missionary work. It is the work we are called to do, for we have been warned:

"And again, I say unto you, I give unto you a commandment, that every man, both elder, priest, teacher, and also member, go to with his might, with the labor of his hands, to prepare and accomplish the things which I have commanded. And let your preaching be the warning voice, every man to his neighbor, in mildness and in meekness. And go ye out from among the wicked. Save yourselves. Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord. Even so. Amen." (D&C 38:40-42)

That we may so work, in mildness and meekness, with the bond of love formed in our eternal family, I pray,

Love,

Tanner

With All Our Love

(Read first paragraph and write something wonderful about my cards ;-) __________

In regards to last week's letter my question was not in regards to what you'd like in a package, but just a question. This week's question for you to answer would be whether or not your shoes are holding up. We're reading about other missionaries who have gone through three pairs of shoes; others who buy shoes where you are, shoes that the local postal workers wear, and love them. Do we need to help you with another pair of shoes for the second half of your mission? _________

Dear Tanner,

Hello! Seems like forever since we've spoken ;-) I miss your face. Still. In regards to my last wonderful package of which you spoke so highly about, I forgot to ask you about your cards. Did you not love that cute missionary? But alas, just this week realized that you are unable to mail them without considerable expense on your behalf. Please use them as thank-you cards for special investigators and members where you serve that you need to write. Also, save a few, perhaps already written, to mail once you're back in the states. You do have another package coming, just an envelope with the Ensign, but it's stuffed with some serious LOVE ;-)

This week was one for the record books. Miller, while joining in with two neighborhood boys over unannounced, was hit in the head with a baseball bat. While I was speaking with Aunt Becky on the phone. Bless her heart that's still left. I scared her to near death. Miller's fine, never even went to the hospital, but watched throughout the night. Fortunately, mostly the eye/cheek bone took the brunt of the swing; unfortunately, it was the same eye that was black last week due to missing one of Sawyer's throws. Miller also lost both of his front teeth. He would not make a good mother. It's a good thing his eternal destiny involves holding the Priesthood and other such activities, as childbirth would be impossible with him. His tolerance for pain and blood is nonexistent. His desire to experience pain or blood is nil. His ability to cope with anything causing blood or discomfort is zero. Two whole days this week were lost due to him being unable to handle hanging-by-a-thread teeth and all the inconveniences they bring with breathing, drinking, eating, and brushing his teeth. But they're finally out, and he whistles unknowingly while speaking. My favorite! Expect lots of cute pictures in the near future. I just can't resist!

It gets better. This week was the bi-annual Scholastic book fair. I love working the fair in exchange for book product. This time it was back in Charleston, so I began and ended my shift with an hour long commute, five or six hours per day for three days. But I did come home with tooth fairy fodder, and boxes of books for your future perusal. Cooper babysat two days, with Dad helping a LOT. He also had them by himself one day, and took them to two departmental meetings, one Optimist luncheon, and one class. He and they were toast by then so he called it a day. I'm glad for both of us this is not our usual style of living, but twice a year makes it enjoyable for me to escape for a few hours with my dear friend Kathy. Porter joined me on the last day and was a big help in clean-up. He comes in disguise of working, and actually just wants to make sure I don't miss anything worth reading. Scholastic sells more than books, and at larger outlet venues have toys for sale. So I turned a quarter of my hours in for a wooden dollhouse that will be opened in December. I can't believe I'm going to have one in my house.

Sawyer has been suffering with a lot of headaches this year. I decided last summer, when school was beginning, to keep track and see if there was a reason for them. He's had four visits to the eye doctor, one visit resulting in eye exercises for him to do, and the last one for a different prescription. We've tried more sleep, less stress, more water, and less sugar. At his physical in March he failed his hearing test on the right side, and then described his headaches as being on the right side. We asked for a neurology referral, and his MRI last week showed an arachnoid cyst on the right side. Most times nothing is done to them unless you're symptomatic, as Sawyer. Usually you're born with them but they can also come from a head injury. It's nice to finally know there's a reason he's been suffering. We'll keep you updated!

Saturday Dad and Hunter drove two hours into Kentucky to the Blue Lick State Park, where the district Optimist Convention was being held. He competed in the district oratorical contest, against four other local winners, and did NOT win. He was a little disappointed, to say the least, having rode in the car for four hours, knowing he'd be mowing grass for two years to make up for not winning the $2500 purse. At least he can try again next year!

And, to finish off this crazy week, this week was also Relay for Life. This year we held it at the county fairgrounds Saturday from noon to 3:30 a.m. Sawyer and Porter helped me blow up balloons by 7 a.m., By 9:30 I was picking up Cooper, Breyer and Miller for a baseball game. 11:30 I was back at the game to pick them up and bring them to the fairgrounds with me. They had fun playing on all the inflatables, chasing Batman around the track for a picture, playing in corn hole tournaments, playing volleyball, and eating leftover cancer survivor lunch food. The weather was absolutely beautiful! I ran the three little kiddies home when Jarrod and Hunter arrived, and left them after quickly bathing and feeding them. Cooper stayed and was a big help in putting out and lighting the luminaries. I was up by 6:30 and back to pick up trash we missed in the dark. I got close to two bags! I also threw my keys away in one of the trash bags, and had to get a ride home. I'll get pictures up this week, but here's a few:

Today was an eagle scout court of honor for a boy in the second ward. Your brothers were all given parts in the eagle ceremony. It was very well done, which is a good thing if you invite the executive scout representative. Porter has finished all his paper
work, and collected all his letters of recommendation! Yeah! Only took a year! He just needs to turn in the paperwork to the council, and schedule a board of review. Yes! He isn't going to be having his court of honor until you get home. He told me today that's what he would like to do. I think it's a great idea! I had been asked to play the piano, and while doing so couldn't stop laughing when I realized that if you're going to sing all three verses of our national anthem as part of the court of honor program, be sure to hand out hymn books to the visiting scout executives on the stage!

I found this article yesterday, and thought it was interesting. The scientists are interested in seeing what happens when the earth passes by the meteor shower next year: "NASA scientists recorded the biggest explosion from a meteorite impact seen on the moon in eight years of monitoring. The lunar burst was caused by a 40-kilogram boulder-sized rock slamming into the surface at about 90,000 kph. It generated a flash 10 times brighter than anything seen before, which came from the thermal glow of molten rock at the point of impact. The moon, like most bodies in the solar system, is subject to relatively frequent bombardment by small space rocks. Most of these objects are fairly tiny, pebble-sized or smaller, but in 2005 NASA set up a specific program to identify how often they occur. The lunar impact team has since identified more than 300 explosions, most of them faint and usually happening at the same time as a meteor shower on Earth. Researchers want to know how often they can expect such impacts, which could come in handy when planning moonwalks during future astronaut trips to our satellite. The March 17 impact created a blast that was bright enough to be seen from Earth with the naked eye. It may have generated a crater roughly 20 meters wide, which could be imaged by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter next time it passes over the area, allowing researchers to see a very fresh impact on the moon."

We have an investigator in the ward who is about to graduate in theology from Marshall. He'll be baptized Saturday. I was speaking with Hunter and telling him that investigators such as him revitalize the ward. The whole ward rallies around him and his excitement in finding the gospel. We need to do more to experience that sweetness more.

While reading the conference talks, which you will soon enjoy, I came across this from President Packer. "I have come to know that faith is a real power, not just an expression of belief. There are few things more powerful than the faithful prayers of a righteous mother." Know that this mother is praying for you.

Love, Mom and Dad

Beautiful Math!

Sawyer had to create four pictures for math using circles: halves, quarters, and eighths.

Good job, Sawyer!

Missing: Teeth

Two in twenty-four hours!

Easy Art

I saw this idea on-line, and was impressed that someone thought of making a white board out of a picture frame. It's that easy. I was given five Ikea painted frames (makes erasing errant marks easy), and spent $5 on markers. Best investment ever! I thought I would put some in the church bag or park bag or traveling bags, but they've been too busy!

A Fish Eye's View