A day with Dallin and Jaclyn

Last saturday, Steve and I were going to Raleigh to meet Dallin & Jaclyn and go to the temple. Well we met a few obstacles along the way. We almost turned around to come home when we realized that we would not make the temple appointment in time. But instead we decided to go anyway and spend the day with them. It turned out to be one of the most memorable days with them. We took them out to a late lunch early dinner and after we took Dallin shopping for some new "Date clothes" He was in need of some, since he hasn't done too much shopping since his mission. Jaclyn and I had so much fun fixing him up...if only Steve were that easy to work with :) Jaclyn and I got some shoes in our little outting. I think the results were fabulous! I am thinking he looks pretty sharp!

got a great haircut!

Jaclyn really liked his new look...I see a great date in the upcoming days for these two ;)

Elder Page bids us farewell

Elder Mason Page who served here about a year ago, dropped by with his parents to tell us goodbye! He was one of our favorites, so sweet and reminded us so much of Matthew. It was so nice to meet his parents. We wish him well in his future adventures and hope he stays in touch.

One Valentines Day that I would like to forget!

This year I spent Valentines Day in the bed. I was so sick with the flu! 8 days I spent in the bed, and another 4 recovering from there. It really stunk! But I still received some beautiful flowers from some very thoughtful men. Flowers to Abigail from her Daddy!
My roses from Steve

I even got a rose from Elder Smethurst, so thoughtful!

Another birthday & the Packers win!

Well it was a very busy birthday for Steve this year...it fell on a sunday need I say more! He got home after a 10 hour shift of church. But the fact that the super bowl fell on his birthday made up for it and the fact that the Packers Won about put him over the top. I could not have gotten him a better present! Happy Birthday sweet thing, may you have another fabulous year, full of fun with your wife and kids!

MTC continues...

Dear Family,
Mom, that is super awesome, I remember meeting Elder Thompson the day before he left! He was just sitting next to me and I randomly asked where he was going and he said Charlotte and I flipped!! I told him he would meet and love you guys!

Good luck in your new calling mom, I just know you will do great, you taught five kids through that age and did the best job ever so I know you willl have no trouble!

Yesterday Stunk!! Presidents Day!! What a crappy holiday to cancel mail for!!! It was a very dark day in the MTC and now everything is pushed back!! It is killing me because I didn't get my letter from Marissa Yesterday like I ususally do! Just so you know, Elder Bennion is an Elder in my district, and one of my roommates. He is one of the four of us going to Sendai. I honestly don't care what type of cookie or whatever you send mom, its you and they are all the greatest!! And just so everybody knows, i weighed myself for the first time here in the MTC and.............drum roll.............I have gained no weight!!!! I was pretty proud of myself because I definitely work hard during gym time to keep the cafeteria food here from blowing me up. I just am not sure how much Marissa would love me if I looked like an Oompa Loompa!!! :)

Tell Dad thanks so much for his letter and the talk he sent me, they helped a ton and just so you guys know, I am mailing a letter for you and Dad today, should get it later this week. :)

Pictures...a couple weeks ago I got my memory card out of the MTC to Jordan and to Marissa, I was hoping they would put some on FBook so you guys could all see, but I don't know if they did that, so if they haven't just ask them to so you can see some pictures.

Mom, thanks so much for the coloring book, I used it today on my PDay and colored a picture for Marissa, but those crayons were pretty cheap, i am feeling like you made a dollar store run on those mamma! :) Tell Stephanie that I got Hillary and Cole's Valentines Cards and that I love them! I had another pretty great week. It definitely had its moments but nothing too bad, I really am being blessed so much every day through you all and my Savior, I can feel his love and guidance constantly and I know that if I stay obedient and faithful that I will continue to be blessed. The Next week we move to Full Japanese which is kind of daunting to say the least. In the TRC there is no more teaching in English, just Nihongo!! The language is really coming along though, When you have the spirit with you while you are taking it all in, it helps so much with retaining it all. I am studying really hard and trying to speak as much Japanese as possible all day. I will send you guys a letter written in japanase one of these days. For this week, my challenge to all of you reading this is to watch a Mormon message on LDS.org. Just look back to february 2009 and it is called "Lifting Burdens." I want you all to watch it and to study and ponder what the Atonement of Jesus Christ means SPECIFICALLY to you. Not in general at all, but I want each of you to think in your minds and in your hearts of how the Savior lifts you up and succors YOU every single day. When you discover those ways, get on your knees and pray a prayer of gratitude to your Savior for those things. I promise you all that The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of Transformation. It isn't about just becoming better people, it is about using Jesus Christ Atonement to change our NATURES. When we discover that we can all take larger strides forward into becoming who the Savior knows we have the capability to be. I challenge you all to remember to "Never give up what you want most for what you want in the moment." The Savior views our lives not by days, but in an eternal view, let us all strive to do the same every day. The last thing I will leave you with today is this, in the song Army of Heleman it says: "Let each who's worthy go forth and share!" We are all worthy to go forth and share this message every single day of our lives. Share it with the way you act, the way you speak, and the way you build up your countenace.

I love you all and I know we can all be great missionaries if we strive to realize who everyone around us is, they are our brothers and sisters, show our love to them and share this wonderful life of happiness that we have!! Until next week, I love you all so much!!!!

Sincerely Yours,

Elder Zachary Taylor Page

Serving at the U of A

Elder Page is finding that serving on the campus is very different from serving in a spanish branch. Teaching people his own age is very different and just being on campus, he feels like he should be heading to class. He is loving the work though, there is where the Lord needs him right now. This little tidbit is from me not Matthew, he only has 7 months left, can you believe it! And by then that means that Zachary will have been out for 9 mths...crazy. Having more than one out really does make the time go by even faster. He did mention that being on campus does make him look forward to going to school again and learning. I always told them that there would come a time that they would miss being in school, funny when your words come to pass. Keep those cards and letters coming they really do uplift and encourage him. Thanks to all of those that have! Steve was just out in AZ last week. He found his mind wondering to Matthew. He has never invited me to come with him on one of his trips to AZ. I guess he knows that I would be heading south in a car while he is in a meeting :) I would just watch from afar :) Don't worry I would never do that!

Still waiting on pictures :)

This week absolutely flew by!! I don't really have anything to dramatic to report either. It was a truly wonderful week though. I am definitely in the groove of things here and I rarely got down at all the whole week. The week was steady and unshaken in the fact that, unlike last week which was scattered with the highest highs and lowest lows, I was just in cruise control above the clouds this week! :D I will tell you that I have really got into a rhythm about my studies, I stay focused and work hard pretty much the whole day straight through and I am recieving blessings for that. When you dive in and just focus and work it really does just make things go so fast, even the days blur together. I can hardly tell what day it is here! The Japanese is coming along, it is still really hard but with the help of the spirit every day things are beginning to stick instead of just bouncing off of all of us. for example: Watashi wa Kamisama ga kazoku wo aishitte imasu. I know that God Loves Families. i am learning to love it even though it is definitely discouraging sometimes. I am powering throught Jesus The Christ, it is pretty amazing and even though it is really deep, I am learning so much about the life and plan of our Savior Jesus Christ. I know without a doubt that he came down with a purpose to fullfill. I know that he came on the errand of his father, our Father in Heaven. I know that he grew up and came into the role as Savior and Redeemer step by step, grace by grace. He did in actuality take upon all of our sins and pains and that if we strive to understand that relationship with him, he can strengthen us even in our darkest times. The Son of Man hath descended below all that he might raise every last one of us, no matter what our struggle. I promise that he is always there to wrap his arms around us and to carry us when our feet give out. There is matchless strength in the Spirit of God. The Comforter is the key to guidance and the key to happiness, if we keep it with us we will have joy even amongst the thorns of life. I challenge you all to be consistent in the nourishing of your souls. Constistency and constantcy are satans worst enemies. When we have those things in our spiritual feasting, with constant prayer, the power of the adversary cannot dampen our spirits. I promise that as you all find consistency in your prayers, studies of the gospel, and in your hope for the future, you will find more joy in every day and you will find opportunities to help those around us to feel that same joy. I love you and i miss you all. You are thought of often and are a great source of strength to me. Never underestimate what you give to me as a full time servant of the Lord. Satan wants you to think that your prayers don't make a difference, and that your thoughts don't strengthen us, but I testify that they do. "Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a Perfect Brightness of hope and a love of God and of All men..." Until next week,

Love, your son, brother, best friend, and missionary,

Elder Zachary Taylor Page
Getting letters from the MTC is truly the best letters you will ever receive from your children. They grow so much so fast, it truly is like watching miracles happen
Still have no pictures but here is a photo of his tag taken by a friend.

# 47 is here already! Happy Birthday Steve!

Happy Birthday Sweetie! # 47, we are the same age atleast for a few more days :) Wow! You have so much in your life, so many who love you! We all wish you the best birthday ever! Thank you for being the best everything!!!! Husband, Father, son and friend! We love you, Happy Birthday!

You've had a birthday, shout Hooray!!!!!

Febuary 4th 1989 @ 10:05 pm Dallin Scott Page enter into our family! What a glourious day it was :) Look at all you have done over such a short span of time. WE are so proud of you Dallin. You are a perfect big brother, a great example of patience, how to love, humility, and how to use your sense of humor to get you through the rough spots. We hope that you have as much joy in your day has we have had for the last 22 years! Happy Birthday, and may you have many many more to come. WE all love you forever!!!!