Tracting in South Africa can be a real BEAST!

Here's a little video of Dallin and some Elders from his flat with a few interested prospects as they traveled through a wild animal park.

 

Video Update from Dallin

We got a bunch of pictures and videos sent to us from Dallin last week. I compiled a few of them for this video. I'll try to post more of them as I get more time. Stay tuned!

As you can see he is still our same goofball Dallin. I assure you he has managed to perform quite a few baptisms in between his horsing around. It was great to see and hear him. 10/28/10 was his 1 year mark. Can't wait to get him home.

Click on the link below to view the video:

All things Dallin!

As the old saying goes a picture is worth a 1,000 words, well why don't I shut up. here are a whole lotta words! Straight from Dallin in South Africa.

[slideshow]

UYSA State Cup 2010

Payten's Rampage soccer team is playing in the State Cup this year in Orem. It has been a blast to watch them advance. They will be playing their quarter final game this Thursday.

[slideshow]

More UEA Weekend

Mel and I decided to end our weekend with the kids with a continued theme. Visiting Awesome places in our own backyard that we'd not been to yet, or at least in a very long time. We went and spent the afternoon on Antelope Island having a picnic and playing in the Great Salt Lake.

[slideshow]

UEA Weekend!

We decided to take the kids to Timpanogos Cave while we were staying in Orem for the State Cup which Payten is participating in. Mel and the kids had never been there and it had been over 20 years since I'd been there. The hike nearly killed Mel and I but we both agree it was SOOO worth it. I don't think we could've picked a better weekend to go. The leaves were turning and temps were perfect for a strenuous hike.

[slideshow]

Abby the Fundraiser!

[caption id="attachment_433" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="Most of the crew that worked ALL DAY!"][/caption]

Several months ago Abby told us she wanted to do a yard-sale to raise money to find a cure for her mom and MS in general. Knowing full well of the laborious task ahead Melanie immediately thanked her and began to discuss, with Abby, all of the tasks and work it would take to pull it off. Abby never backed away or got discouraged when we'd tell her how much work it'd be.  After several month's and many trips to Morgan and other cities to collect donations from friends, family & co-workers, the weekend had arrived. With most of the items stacked in my garage;  Melly, Abby, Grandma & Grandpa Mikesell & several girls from our neighborhood spent Thursday and Friday sorting, pricing and hauling all of the items to the yard-sale location. Bright and early Saturday morning we were off and running. We headed over to the sale location and started pulling out the tables and setting things up. If you've ever seen or been involved in a yard-sale you know what happened next. Before we could even get half the stuff out of the garages cars were swooping in pulling off the side of the road and things were off and runnin'. That was my cue, so Tyson and I bolted! (not my cup of tea) While I spent the rest o the day at home catching up on some yard work, while the rain had stopped. I couldn't help but think to myself; Abby will probably get her wish one way or another. She'll either make enough money to find a cure or Melanie will cure her own disease by working herself to death!

  

Saturday evening was spent with Melly & Abby at the kitchen table counting the fruits of their labor. After it was all said and done Abby had sold enough 'stuff' to donate $250 to The National MS Society! I can't even explain how proud of Abby I am. It was amazing to see how much love and support is surrounding my two beautiful girls. Thank you to all that contributed. 

[caption id="attachment_434" align="alignright" width="225" caption="Abby's MS Fundraiser Yard-sale"][/caption]

 

A few days after the yard-sale I noticed a post by my cousin Darin that had that, all too familiar MS logo with it. Darin was going to be riding in the 'Bike MS 2010: Harmons Dam Bike Ride'. immediately my wheels started turning as Melanie and I had been trying to decide what method we'd use to donated Abby's money. I thought what a great thing. We could help Darin reach his donation goal and seamlessly donate Abby's money at the same time. I discussed this idea with Abby and she thought it was a great idea as well. Darin was very grateful for Abby's donation and asked for my phone number so he could call and personally thank Abby. He also posted the following on his Facebook wall:

"Thank you for helping me surpass my fundraising goal. I'd like to personally thank my cousin Joe
Craven and his daughter Abby Nielsen, our honorary teammate!

Abby put together a yard-sale fundraiser, and she raised $250! The most touching aspect of her effort is that Abby's mom, Melanie Craven, was diagnosed with MS 4 years ago. 

They're ...a family dedicated to finding a cure; we're an extension of that dedication!"

 

This whole experience has given me renewed energy and a desire to get more involved again. Thanks again to all that donated helped and supported this effort.

Thank you ABBY for being such a sweet, caring, sincere & beautiful young lady. I can't imagine a more perfect daughter!

I love you!!

[caption id="attachment_435" align="aligncenter" width="470" caption="The Crew trying on some of the merchandise"][/caption]

 

 

Way to go Payten!

Payten had his last game of the season the other night. More importantly it was his last game with teammates he's played with for several years.

Roy Rampage Soccer Club had their annual tryouts. Payten was asked to join the club's premier team. He has mixed emotions about this decision because none of his buddies on his current team were invited to move up. He has decided to change teams. I believe this will be a good move for him. He is a talented little soccer player and this should help him to continue to improve and reach his goals. I could go on but I'll let these pictures speak for themselves. Needless to say I'm a very proud Papa!

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News from S. Africa

[caption id="attachment_407" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Roodepoort & Soweto Zones, Jan. 2010"][/caption]

Dallin is doing great! It is the highlight of my week to get his emails and pictures. Here is an excerpt from his current email:

"...we do get a lot of work done and it shows. we had 25 investigators at church yesterday. i can't believe how much god is blessing us. but if you aren't enjoying the companionship it seems like these things don't matter. i love p-days because we get to be with other missionaries, we play soccer every morning and i must admit for a big guy i'm pretty good. i am a better defender than anything but i did score like 2 or 3 goals today that were well lets be honest.... amazing! haha. plus we had a braai or as you know it a bbq after wards and i made some delicious chicken. and the best part of the day is hearing from my family. we went to the temple this week and it was very spiritual. and we had zone conference and it also was uplifting i just hope that me and elder ncube can start enjoying each other becase for now its rough."[slideshow]

New Blog Address! (Click here to go to new blog)

For anyone that frequents this blog or would like to follow my family blog. I have made my own website/blog.

http://www.joe-craven.com

There are links on the new blog that you can click to receive an RSS feed of the blog or to get an email notification if a new post is published.

Thanks for following,
Joe

Abby's Cheer Recital

Abby had her cheer recital this weekend. She did such a great job. I think we've found her calling. Yelling, Jumping, Hopping, Endless Energy & just and overall happy girl. ♥(custom made cheerleader)♥

The whole process of that day is ridiculously CRAZY! I can't believe how many people come to watch. Studio 48 does a great job coordinating such a hectic big event.[gallery columns="2"]

Thanks for always making us smile Abby! ♥♥♥∞

Last game of the season

This Saturday was Aidan's last soccer game of the season. He has improved tremendously over the past couple of years. He loves the position of goalie and loves to harass the coach between quarters to let him play goalie.[gallery]

It was unseasonably cold for the end of may. The boys played hard and finished the season off with a bang.... Okay, a tie. (;

Goooooooooal!!!

Payten & I got the oportunity to attend our first ReAL Soccer game last week. It was a lot of fun! What a great stadium. Not to mention, it was Free which doesn't hurt either. Payten's Rampage soccer team acquired the tickets so there was several of his team mates there also.

By the way... ReAL won 3-1

6 Months Baby !!!

I got a surprise email from Dallin this morning. He reached the 6 mo. mark and looks like he celebrated a bit. It's soo good to get pictures. He looks very handsome and happy! Here are the pictures and parts of his email:

Here are some pics of the things I did on my six month mark.



"Burned a tie :)"




"Ate some delicious mexican casserole."





"a picture of me and a kid I love named Nqobile. and I stole his hat and thats the story of the picture."





-- Posted From My iPhone

Location:Johannesburg, South Africa

6 months baby!

I got a surprise email from Dallin this morning. He reached the 6 mo. mark and looks like he celebrated a bit. It's soo good to get pictures. He looks very handsome and happy! Here are the pictures and parts of his email:

Here are some pics of the things I did on my six month mark.



"Burned a tie :)"




"Ate some delicious mexican casserole."





"a picture of me and a kid I love named Nqobile. and I stole his hat and thats the story of the picture."





-- Posted From My iPhone

Location:Johannesburg, South Africa

News from S. Africa

This is Dallin and his new companion in front of the Johannesburg Temple. He seems to be doing great and working hard.


Here he is performing a new dance. Shocking... I know.


Here is another of Dallin and his new favorite cuisine "cota" he says it's his saving grace.



-- Post From My iPhone

Location:5825 S,Roy,United States

News from S. Africa

This is Dallin and his new companion in front of the Johannesburg Temple. He seems to be doing great and working hard.


Here he is performing a new dance. Shocking... I know.


Here is another of Dallin and his new favorite cuisine "cota" he says it's his saving grace.



-- Post From My iPhone

Location:5825 S,Roy,United States

Something new...

I've decided to start pursuing something I've wanted to try for a long time. Photography has been something I've loved for as long as I can remember. My Dad was always on the pursuit of the "crowd pleaser" photograph. In my mind he had many. A picture is something that 10 people can look at and each one will draw something different from it. 10 different memories or ten different points of view. They have a way of making you laugh, cry, ponder, reminisce or give you inspiration.
Over the past several months I've been given the opportunity to take family portraits for some friends of ours and bridal pictures for our friends' sister. So far it has been challenging and a lot of fun. I hope to save some money and take some courses to help improve my abilities.

Below I will post some of the pictures I've taken.

I'd love to get some HONEST feedback to help me improve. (promise I won't be offended, these are my first times taking pictures that aren't family or just recreational)

















Don't forget to post your comment below :)

Something new...

I've decided to start pursuing something I've wanted to try for a long time. Photography has been something I've loved for as long as I can remember. My Dad was always on the pursuit of the "crowd pleaser" photograph. In my mind he had many. A picture is something that 10 people can look at and each one will draw something different from it. 10 different memories or ten different points of view. They have a way of making you laugh, cry, ponder, reminisce or give you inspiration.
Over the past several months I've been given the opportunity to take family portraits for some friends of ours and bridal pictures for our friends' sister. So far it has been challenging and a lot of fun. I hope to save some money and take some courses to help improve my abilities.

Below I will post some of the pictures I've taken.

I'd love to get some HONEST feedback to help me improve. (promise I won't be offended, these are my first times taking pictures that aren't family or just recreational)

















Don't forget to post your comment below :)

Pictures from S. Africa

Here are some pictures Dallin sent this morning. His email came late. I was a bit worried/bummed we wouldn't hear from him this week. But to my surprise a bit later we received an awesome letter and these great pics. He looks so happy. I couldn't be more proud of and happy for him. I'm betting he didn't get as up close and personal with the ostrich. Birds are one of his greatest phobias. I wish I could afford to go pick him up from S.Africa after his mission. What a great experience he is living!


Johannesburg Temple




Elephant Crossing




CHEESE!




Couple of GOOD LOOKING animals




How could they turn him away




Dallin's worst nightmare




Playing with lion cub




Kenneth's Baptism