GOLDEN YEARS - WATER TOYS

How fun for the Senior Howards! We are going to make the most of what summer is left in the In-land NW...to be sure on only smooth

waters and when the sun is shining. Maybe next year we'll try some water that is actually moving!

ELIOT !

July 4th has always been a great day for a celebration, at least since 1776...

This Sunday, 2010, is another year for great celebration...Eliot Nathan Howard is to be blessed by his Father, Craig Robert Howard. Both events in history deserve fireworks and expressions of great gratitude for miracles received by a loving Father.

SUMMER? FUN!!!

It has, and continues to be a long Spring...record rains and cool weather...but being hardy In-lander NWesterners, we packed our winter coats and headed to the "coast" (as the Spokane folks call anyplace West of here) to Mt.Vernon, Poulsbo, Seattle, etc. Our few days vacation was wonderful. I fished 6 different lakes (with the same result) and caught a lot of casting experience and JoAnn made lots of scrubbies and took pictures of lots of beautiful flowers.

Spring Time

Spring is struggling to show up here in Spokane...however it is blooming in Mt. Vernon. JoAnn and I with another couple are headed there Friday - will attend the temple and even catch an M's game! We hope to see the tulip fields as pictured here (a couple weeks ago)

Sarah is on schedule for Mother's Day...reports are all positive. All other family members doing well. Thanks for your prayers in our behalf.

Post Mission update

We keep busy serving in the Spokane Temple and as Ward Family History Consultants...yes, and enjoying family. Our mission was amazing and many blessings were received for our family. We are excited to welcome a new boy into the family, via Craig and Sarah (May 9). They purchased a house and so we looking forward to helping them paint, move, etc. Stephen has just returned from competing in the National Guard Biathlon event in Minnesota. Grandma and Grandpa had a great weekend with the kids hiking the Coeur d'Alene Lake trail...wow...what a trip...we are ready for a nap.

The Good Doctor

Staying in the (Dr.) Willard Richards was truly not only an honor, but a welcome refuge from the packing and cleaning of our Nauvoo apt. We felt a calm and peaceful feeling there, also gained a greater appreciation for Willard Richards. He was a faithful friend and dependable recorder for the prophet. He was assigned many responsibilities for the Church. When Joseph was asked why Bro. Richards had so many callings he said, "I have looked long for a man with feelings like my own heart...Willard Richards is the man!" Willard was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, who was jailed with Joseph and Hyrum Smith and John Taylor in Carthage. Shortly before the martyrdom, the jailer suggested that the prisoners would be safer in an iron-barred cell next to the bedroom. Joseph asked Elder Richards, who was called the "doctor" by his friends..."If we go into the cell, will you go in with us?" The doctor answered, "Brother Joseph, you did not ask me to cross the river with you - you did not ask me to come to Carthage - you did not ask me to come to jail with you - and do you think I would forsake you now? But I will tell you what I will do; if you are condemned to be hung for treason, I will be hung in your stead, and you shall go free."