And a Child Shall Lead Them

Just a couple of Anson's cute events. On Friday, Stella took the day off so she could help Dacia, who had given birth to Joseph just a week ago. She dropped Anson and Tanner off at school in the morning and then picked up Anson from school a little before lunch, when his school day was completed. Stella took Ella with her, and after picking up Anson, they went to MacDonald's for lunch. Just as they were turning in to MacDonald's, Anson said he would rather go to Burger King. So, they went to Burger King, where each of the kids got a kid's meal (which included a little toy).

As they were sitting there, Anson heard a couple of little kids saying that they wish they could have gotten a little toy. They weren't complaining loudly, just kind of verbally wishing. Anson asked if it was all right, and then took one of the little toys over to them and gave it to them. What a wonderful, charitable act.

The second experience of Anson was that at school, each of the kids was given a piece of paper to draw on. Anson asked if he could have an additional piece of paper, as well. He took the two pieces of paper and stapled them together. On the first page he wrote (spelling corrected), "by Anson" and "the Book of Mormon."

He then gave it to his teacher. That's right. He gave his teacher a book of Mormon. She has had contact with the church before, and thought it was very sweet. We should all be so bold.

Book of Mormon cover

Inside his Book of Mormon

The Miracle of Life

"There are two ways to live your life.
One is as though nothing is a miracle.
The other is as though everything is
a miracle."
--A Einstein

We had the opportunity to experience the miracle of life Thursday when Joseph Palmer Shumate was born to Devin & Dacia. The birth of a baby is full of tender mercies of the Lord. What a sweet blessing it was. He is perfect and beautiful. We took Tanner, Anson, & Ella to the hospital to see mom and dad and brother. We were going to the room even before Dacia got to her room (she had been in the recovery room until then). As we were walking down the hallway to the room, we turned around and saw Dacia in her wheelchair and Devin alongside her. The kids, especially Ella, just squealed with joy and went running to their parents. What a beautiful sight. The nurse was touched by the scene. As were we all. The nurse was impressed by their family. Two wonderful, loving parents with nice, cute children. How could she not be impressed. It was very sweet to see the children crawl up onto the bed with their mother and baby brother (one at a time). It brought back memories of when each of our children were born and what special times those were.

Proud siblings!

Tanner-biggest brother and exemplar

Anson will protect him

sweet Ella...her world is about to change

Joseph Palmer Shumate-one week old

Anson Shumate--master photographer

Yesterday after General Conference, our family gathered together for dinner, as we do every Sunday. While we were sitting around, Anson (Devin & Dacia's five year-old) wanted to borrow my camera. These are the results.

Stella

Devin (thinking)

Jaqui & Travis

Danielle & Cory (Zombie pose)

Alan (giving Anson the eye)

If you know of someone who is getting married, keep Anson in mind. His rates are very reasonable (due to the child labor laws).

Surprise!

We got a phone call Friday night from Reagan telling us that they were coming to visit us. Not only were they coming to visit from Spokane, they were already past Ellensburg and would be here in two hours. She called us so that we wouldn't go to sleep before we got there. What a treat that was.

Gwyn, Reagan, Anson, Kelsey, & Tanner--Ella was still at home

We spent almost all of Saturday with the grandkids, so their parents could spend time doing some things and also spending time with each other. It is a real blessing that our sons (and their wives) enjoy being with their siblings. When the boys would call home from their missions, it was just as wonderful to listen to them talk to each other, as it was to speak to them ourselves.

Matt, Gina, Reagan, Kelsey, and Gwyn had to leave early Sunday afternoon. It was sad to see them go, even though they are only five hours away. Before they left, Kelsey and Reagan left post-it notes all over the house. Check these out---