JR Steenblik Family

Following Elder Steenblik - Back to Southchase

2008-07-30T13:11:00.000-07:00

Brett was just transferred back to the Southchase Branch, where he spent the first six months of his mission. He came back just in time to witness the Sealing of the Rodriguez Family, whom he baptized some 10 months earlier. Lives for generations will be changed forever.

From his letter, Monday June 30, 2008
So I talk about the Rodriguez family a lot cuz they are awesome and because they are getting sealed on the 18th so that’s cool but there’s more. They got married really quick when they did their civil marriage and since she had always hoped that her husband would get baptized and they would get sealed she always had hopes for a big wedding like the ones we have. Well so they are getting sealed and they are having the big wedding they wanted and they in their reception are going to do a lot. Well it’s also a dinner and they called me this week and they asked me to give a toast at this dinner. AHH! Scary thought! I can teach the gospel, talk to everyone; give doctrinal talks in church in English or Spanish with fairly little problem. This I have no Idea how to do. And I don’t know if im to do it in English or Spanish yet. AHHH!

The Rodriguez Family

Families are forever

The Happy couple

From Brett's letter, Monday July 21, 2008

So we planned out our meeting and everything that was going to happen on Friday. And let me tell you that was the most crazy/amazing day of my mission.... We were going to be at the temple to attend a 1:00 session before the 3:00 sealing. So we ended the meeting and bolted. We got there just before they closed the session. And when we finished we ran out to the sealing office to find out that the Rodriguez family had not arrived! So they let us go back to the celestial room and sit we talked to some missionaries from Jacksonville and we asked to be witnesses for some proxy sealings. So just before 5 the Rodriguez family showed up. It was definitely late haha. And then just before they start their aunt informs me that they also asked me to be one of the witnesses for their sealing. I was surprised. So they did that and it was beautiful and absolutely amazing. Their little boy who is normally off the wall was so peaceful and very awestruck I guess. You could tell the temple was a very special place. So we then went to the reception they had and that was also cool. Fortunately people have told me that the toast I gave (yup they also asked me to give a toast) was good. That made me feel good cuz I realized I have never even seen a real toast! So that was crazy. I was telling someone how amazing it was that I was transferred to the branch again just before the sealing and they said, “well elder its because that is who you were sent to Florida for” I feel like that a lot actually.

The Birthday boy

Goodies

Mom, the Mission President might get jealous.

I'm having more fun with the wrapping paper.

How exciting. Say Mom, we don't have an iron. O well, with my suit coat on, no one will know.

Men in Black, On A Mission From God!
the tie we got in Lake Tahoe.

The good guys. The Men in White, "On a Mission from God"

Bro. Mario Ramirez's Baptism.

Some of the families and people I have come to Love.

P Day
I wonder if I still have what it takes
Looks good so far.

Oh, I think I still have what it takes.

Oh ya!

Not so good from the left side. I should have
listened to Dad. Lance and Jacob, learn to switch hit.

New Church issue Missionary vehicles that have been accessorized.

Abby's Big Day

2008-07-29T10:40:00.000-07:00

We were glad that we were able to spend the time with Abby on her very special day.

July 5th 2008

We Love you Abby.

It was great to have her Great Grandmas there.

And what would it be without a little attitude.

Help, she's heavy

The Cuties of Coeur D' Alene, Id.

2008-07-29T09:41:00.000-07:00

From our week in Coeur D' Alene. We spent the week with Tiffany and Rob. Went to the lake, Sweetwood resort, the 4th of July parade and the fireworks show on Lake Coeur D' Alene. It was good to have, Grandma & Grandpa Steenblik, Grams Neuenswander and Megan & Joe with us also.

Do you think you could get any cuter, Sydnie?

Now there's a real ball player. You get the other team
down so far that it becomes a laugher. Brett would
get a real kick out of this, he use to do the same thing when
he got bored.

And what kind of attitude do we have here?

Oh how we miss them.

At the Parade

We Love you guys

Another Fun Night @ the A's Game

2008-06-03T20:56:00.000-07:00

Great seats as usual when LaVor is in charge, two
rows behind the A's dugout.

Watch out for the flying bat.

Thanks, LaVor and Kimberly for a fun night at the A's game.
They won in the bottom of the 9th, 3-2 over the Tigers and yes
we stayed to the bitter end and then some.

Life in the Mission Field with Brett

2008-05-28T20:19:00.000-07:00

Orlando Temple

What is going on here? I thought Tracking was the preferred aerobic activity for Missionaries.

At the Science Center. My new companion C-3PO

B Y Who?

A Columbian Dish "Bandeja Paisa"

Typically, bandeja paisa includes grilled steak (either ground or whole), chicharrón (fried pork rind), red beans, rice, chorizo (sausage), a fried egg, and an arepa. It is usually accompanied by sweet fried plantains and a slice of avocado. Some versions include a tomato or sauces like hogao, a potato, or other ingredients. The Bandeja Paisa is said to be of no good for the heart and it may cause hypertension, diabetes and obesity. Contains a high level of calories, carbohydrates and saturated fats.^[2] Bandeja Paisa contains between 1500 and 1800 calories the total energy that should be ingested per day. Bandeja paisa is a good resource or nutrients: minerals, vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates and fats but the portions should be small. Beans and rice are a good mix because the rice complements the amino acid that the beans do not have. The chorizo and chicharron are not good health because of the high level of saturated fat they contain.

What was in the Bandeja Paisa anyway, my stomach, I can't move.
No Tracking today.

What's up with this part down the side of your head?

Mother's Day Flowers

2008-05-09T18:36:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day Flowers from Abby, Lance and Syndie.
Thank You! Grammie misses you.

2008-05-06T11:19:00.000-07:00

A night at the A's game

2008-05-06T09:44:00.000-07:00

Finally.... Dad has figured this thing out, I think. Oh how I long for the good old days of snail mail, 35 mm cameras and undeveloped film. I keep saying, to myself, it's not so good exposing your weaknesses they just give way to your vulnerabilities. At my age who cares. Thanks Julie for your patience, we're trying.

Here we are at the A's game last night. We stayed to the bitter end. A's won in 10 innings 2-1

Great seats 4 rows up in back of home plate.

It's always fun when we're together.

Game Night at Grams and Papas

He has one hidden up his sleeve... reminds us of our dear Julie

I don't think you counted that right!

The Girls at Womens Conference

Ha-Ha! We left the guy's at home while we, besides getting spiritually enriched, PARTY ON.
Movies every night, out to dinner, what more could we ask for.
Say, are you boy's have fun yet?

Who's picking us up?

Elder Steenblik's 1st Area - Orlando

2007-11-28T18:33:00.001-08:00

It's neat to have the Temple so close, as a matter of fact it's in my Zone. We get to go to the Temple once a quarter and boy do I look forward to that. From l to r my companion Elder Fowers, he's the greatest, me, Elders Willmore & Knowlton they are the Zone Leaders and our apartment mates.

Mission Map

My Room, the bat Papa sent me.

My 1st Baptism, Sis. Visenta Dumos, she's from Equador. My comp. Elder Fowers.

The 4 Amigos. Notice the matching Ties, Kymee sent. l to r Elders Willmore, Knowlton, me and Elder Fowers. Taken after Stake Conf.

Go Figure! What?

We went to Gatorland on our P day. The other Elders, as you can see, were trying to get in and wrestle with the Crocks. They tried to get me to join them, NO Thanks! They did feed them Hot Dogs and gators would jump up and take them.

At Transfer, my 1st. Elder Fowers is moving on and I am saying to train a greenie for the MTC. Now I have to put forth a greater effort, I now have to led out.

Our Sweet Sydnie???

2007-11-27T22:15:00.000-08:00

Sydnie loves hats!!! The new thing that she does. I think she is trying to do a somersault, but I'm not sure.

Meet Nala

2007-11-27T22:08:00.000-08:00

Our Christmas Tree

2007-11-27T21:56:00.000-08:00

Our white tree! Saturday we went to put up the huge tree we have a had for a few years now and it was too tall for our ceilings. So, we had to buy an new one. We decided to go with something different, so we got this cheapy from Walmart. It works...I guess.

Snow Day!!!

2007-11-27T21:20:00.000-08:00

Lance was especially excited when it started snowing last night. All he wanted to do today was play outside. Lance, Sydnie and I made a really cool snowman, but Lance destroyed him before I could take a picture. By the way this is Nala. The kids are having a lot of fun with her. She is a pit bull mix and the sweetest dog.

Sydnie loved the snow. She did not want to come in.

Syd got really excited when she discovered the you can eat the snow. She would pick up balls of snow, hold it up and say "nnoow" and then eat it. I had to watch her to make sure she didn't eat the yellow snow.

We missed you guys

2007-11-26T02:41:00.001-08:00

It wasn't the same without you guys. We had Thanksgiving Dinner on Sunday....had to wait for the chef to be able to cook.

Thanks for the Turkey thought Megan & Joe...... instead we had a chicken. Jacob must be in growth spurt mode, he downed 2 wings, 2 thighs and 1 leg--Wow!

We all went around the table and said what we are thankful for. Family was top of the list. Happy Thankgiving.....you all were missed.

Megan & Joe's Hawaii Trip

2007-11-23T21:16:00.001-08:00

HAWAII

These are a little late...but this is from our trip in September to Maui with Grams and Papa.

The day we got there Grams insisted that we go see the first LDS church on the islands. On the way, Papa got REALLY lost (He said it didn't qualify as lost because he never had to turn around). We got to see some really beautiful views and some really pretty flowers along the way.

Here we are at the church house...FINALLY!

Our favorite thing we did in Hawaii was take a day trip over to Lana'i to golf at The Experience at Koele.

This is Joe and I waiting for the ferry at the harbor in Lahaina...

...and here we are on the ferry.

The ferry ride on the way there was nice and smooth, but on the way back the captain said "we are probably going to have some choppy water so those of you sitting in the back out in the open might get a few sprinkles" Luckily on the way back we were a little late getting to the ferry so we could not get an outside seat, because the people who sat out there got DRENCHED! It was pretty funny to sit inside and watch them just get more and more wet!

Joe's CRAZY swing....on the AMAZING 17th hole!

Aren't Grams and Papa super cute?! Again...the AMAZING 17th Hole.

Needless to say we had a really great time...but how can you not...it's HAWAII!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2007-11-22T21:50:00.001-08:00

We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Here are some pictures from Mom & Dad's.

The delicious turkey!

I loved the centerpieces! Cranberries are my favorite!

(Sorry about the picture! I'm not sure if I was the problem or if something was wrong with the camera...it's a little blurry)

These rolls were amazing! And there were plenty to go around :o)

Everyone is smiling because the meal was sooooo good!

Porter, before eating the turkey...

and after.

We had a great time with everyone. How thankful we are to have a great family, close by, to share great memories with.

We ended the night with several games of Mexican Train and Catch Phrase.

Now that Thanksgiving is over, Christmas can come!

LaVor got lip injections!

2007-11-21T13:51:00.000-08:00

But not the plastic surgery kind. I got a phone call at about 11:00 this morning. It was LaVor telling me he was on his way to the hospital. He's pulled this a couple of times and it's been a joke so I thought he was yanking my chain once again. But he wasn't. He said he cut his lip open and would probably need stitches. When I got home, this is what I saw:

As you can see, the cut starts at the lip and goes all the way to his nose. He was working with a cutoff wheel when part of the blade broke off and got him. He said he was covered in blood and looked like he was "coming home from war". He did have to have stitches but they'll be out in a week. We knew he should have taken the day off :o) But we're very thankful (how appropriate...right before Thanksgiving) that the injury wasn't as bad as it could have been.

WATER DOG!

2007-11-17T20:15:00.001-08:00

When we take Saffron to the dog park the first thing she does is hop into the water tub. I'm pretty sure this tub is for the dogs to drink out of...but that doesn't seem to bother her!

Our Porter Puppy

2007-11-17T19:46:00.000-08:00

Joe is doing a really good job of training Porter. He can sit, stay, lay down, roll over, and shake. We bought a dog bed for him that looks like a miniature couch and Joe has trained him to go lay on it when he says the word 'couch'. Jason, Thanks for the training book! Joe read it and it seems like it is helping a lot!
Porter is pretty much terrified of Saffy. Saffron doesn't pass that doorway (unless told), so Porter teases her and acts all tough as long as he is on one side of that doorway and Saffy is on the other. Otherwise, Porter just runs away from her (usually under the ottamon or behind the couch).
This is him the week we got him. He is MUCH bigger now (but mostly LONGER). I never thought we would be dog people...but WE HAVE FALLEN IN LOVE OUR PUPPY!

Family Pictures at the Lake

2007-11-14T23:00:00.000-08:00

I don't know if you can tell, but we were all freezing. Hence Lance's lack of hands.

The Riley's Halloween

2007-11-14T22:39:00.000-08:00

Abby, Lance and Sydnie ready to go trick or treating.

2007-11-14T22:29:00.000-08:00

Family Pics

2007-11-14T00:11:00.000-08:00