Last Update Of 2008

Well, we've been more faithful to update on Facebook and so we've neglected our blog. Many of you are on Facebook, but since some aren't... here's the latest. We'll look from most recent to the farthest in the past. We had a very enjoyable Christmas. The boys say that they enjoyed the things they got, and Kathy and I feel the same way. The church has been thoughtful and generous toward us.










Earlier in December (14th), we were able to go to Southeast church of Christ for Kathy's and my first chance to hear both Gary and Dale in concert with Singing Youth of Denver. At one point, they ask those up to the age of 13 to join the chorus. Carl (in sweater) made a bee line to where his brothers were.




Gary and Dale are both in the tenor section. They enjoy the fellowship and have really grown to love singing so much more. Many times they sing and harmonize together around the house. They are pretty good, too.





We've done caroling every year since arriving at Bear Valley. In fact, the Pollard house is the last stop after we're finished. This year's numbers were "down" (only 76!).





We sang at three of our elderly members' homes, including Carolyn Wilcox's (where this pic was taken). Carolyn's husband, Warren, was a long-time and beloved instructor at BVBID who died after a brief and unexpected illness.






We also sing at an assisted living facility called Lakewood Estates (where this pic of Dale and Carl is taken).







Kathy coordinated and hosted the 2nd annual B.V. Girls Retreat. Since this retreat, two "Valley girls" have obeyed the gospel (Madie, back row 2nd from left; Natalie, back row far right). Kathy says this was a wonderful experience.







Our first significant snow of the season, the day after Thanksgiving.








We perform for the Woodalls (Kathy's sister and family) every Thanksgiving. Here, the boys singing a trio.








The Woodall and Pollard men decided to go to St. Mary's Glacier just north of Idaho Springs. It was relatively warm and sunny at the bottom, but only a mile up to the top...







It was blizzard-like. This snow would bring 28 inches to the top here.








A pic from the big Thanksgiving meal (the Pollard/Woodall cousins)









I was honored to go back and speak on the Cold Harbor lectureship. While there, I try to go back and take a picture of our house on Valeview Place.






Oh, and we always eat at Moe's (here's my brother, dad, mom, and Shannon Inge).








Kathy's picture with Carolyn (translator and friend) has been on Moe's wall since spring 2006. I'm amazed it's still there!








Me speaking Friday morning on the lectureship.







Brent has this picture on his camera from their August trip and I downloaded when we were together in VA.






OK. The last hunting trip of the year (as it turned out). One of our families at Bear Valley has a huge spread in Saguache (Suh Watch), about 3 hours southwest of Denver. After an elders/preachers meeting that ended late, we got to the ranch at 3:30 AM. We got up at 6:00 AM and started hunting. All of us but Gary had a cow tag for the ranch. Gary and I went with one of our elders, Brian Wilkie, and his oldest son and BVBID grad, Jack. Here's Gary, Jack, and me in the Rio Grande National Forest. Brian bought a bull tag for this area, but we didn't see anything.



Here's Brian with the boys.








Gary and I at the ranch. We stalked the herd on the Randalls' property and found them about noon on that Friday. Nobody took a shot from within 400 yards. I took the most shots (3) and there were a couple of near misses, but the only elk meat we got was from Doug McNary (another BV member) who was generous enough to share with us.



We did go to the Great Sand Dunes National Park after going to Alamosa for a delicious Mexican buffet restaurant. It's strange to see all that sand backdropped by tall mountains.






It was a fun experience.






Here we are at the sign.









It was a pretty tiring experience.






Well, 2008 was a great year. There were 23 baptisms in the congregation. The family went on several hikes, some neat trips (near and far), and grew more in love with Colorado. We miss you all and pray God's richest blessings on you in the new year. Let's remain faithful to our Lord and keep striving toward heaven. Pray for Kathy and Carl, that they will be able to raise the needed funds to go to Tanzania on mission work in April. God bless and happy new year!!!