Sorry, I wasn't really around my computer much yesterday to post these but I just thought the birthday girl deserved a little photo shout out too. Thanks Pam for the original birthday post.

*Note to the birthday girl: mom, you rock! Is there anything you can't do?! We love you!

Aunt Ruth Ann Plays the Tabernacle Organ

On the day after Thanksgiving, 2008, Aunt Ruth Ann had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play the Tabernacle organ, arranged by her son Scott. Thornes invited those of us who live close enough to come and listen, and quite a few of us were there. I was cleaning out some photo files and realized I never posted these photos, and thought some of you might enjoy seeing them. (It was hard to get a good picture inside the tabernacle with just a small flash, but I still think it's nice that we have the photos for a memory of that day.)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JANET !!

Hope you have a wonderful birthday, Janet.
Do something fantastic and fun today....no work!
You are a great sister.....Love ya

BABY BOY!!

Well i finally got around a computer (we don't have the internet at my house) so i can finally post the good news that on feb. 17th we found out that we are having a baby boy. we are still due july 23rd and so far all development is good. you'll have to have patience with me with the updates since i don't have the internet but they will come. So far we plan on naming the little guy Coleman Martell Denny, so we'll see if that sticks after we meet him.

New Addition

Meet Paige Willey

Born: Feb 23, 2009 @ 730 am

Weight: 8 lbs

Height: 20 inches

ETHAN'S BAPTISM

Hello to all.
We just want to invite everyone to Ethan's upcoming baptism. Yes, he just turned 8!
He will be getting baptized on Saturday March 7th at 10 am. The baptism will be held at our stake center on 400 East and Center street in Ephraim.

We will have lunch after at our house and all are welcome to come. Please let us know if we will plan on you being there so we can plan the food.

Much love to all.

Val and Jon

Matt's Last Letter

Wed, Feb 11

Hi everyone,

We got our orders this week, and I am coming back to Pendleton, but I don't have to report until March 17th! So I have an extra week at home. That second week though I will be working M-F from 8-5 with my recruiter. So I will spend more time with all of you!!!

When people ask what my job will be, it is called combat correspondant.

I can't really explain the feeling of being done! It's crazy. Oh and by the way, for graduation, I will be in the front row facing the crowd because I am in the first squad. So it will be hard not to smile when I see you!


Sunday, Feb 15
Well, I am going back to Pendleton today. We have the gas chambers tomorrow and then the crucible starts. (If you want to see what it's like, you can go on You Tube and put in marine crucible and pray for me!) Giddy up! Crucible is my last challenge of boot camp. Everything we have learned will be used. I can't comprehend that I am almost done. Oh yeah, I am a squad leader now. It's a lot more work than normal. I have to eat faster, do everything faster cause we have to make everyone else get done.

So for graduation, I will be marching in front of the platoon guiding my squad. Rumors are that I am carrying a sword! :) So on Feb 19, I will be a Marine!!! OORAH! Can't wait to see you all!

Oh dad, I gave 5 blessings and ordained 2 priests.

P.S. When you come get me, will you bring chicken in a basket crackers, jalapeno pringles, twizzlers, and other good stuff. All food is going to be good!

P.P.S. Can we also be home for your church on Sunday because I want to speak in fast and testimony meeting and share a couple stories. Thanks.

I LOVE YOU ALL AND SEE YOU SOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

************
From LISA:
To those of you who live close, we will be having a welcome home open house on Friday, March 6 from 6-9 pm. Let us know if you are coming so I can prepare enough food! :) (Like that would ever be a problem!)

Elder Ostler loves bad weather

Dear Family, Feb 2,09
This week we got some snow and ice that was great because it gave us lotsof service to help out people around us and to soften hearts. I always have liked snow and rain and bad weather. It gives us a chance to talk to people that would reject us. It always amazes me the power service can have on peoples hearts in there view of mormons. It is a great tool for missionary work so next time you have an opportunity to serve take it don't let that window of opportunity pass you up. This week all and all has been good we found 2 new people to teach and one was a member referral. The members are doing some really great work here. Also today is zone p-day and we are going to Cape Gireado where we are all meeting up. Elder Bowen is doing great things and keeps learning quick I am really happy for him and his future as a missionary.
With love, Elder Ostler




Dear Family, Feb 18,09
That is cool that you talked from pmg on Sunday. Also we have moved Sheilah's date back to march because she is not ready for the commitment yet but she is really close. Also maybe her family will all get baptized the same day that would be really neat. It was a crazy week as usual just running around everywhere. Thanks for the package I really enjoyed it and Elder Bowen says thanks for the gift card. We also are teaching a new guy in Jonesboro named Bill who was a media referral. Then we tracted a little bit in Anna again and found a new lady name Ali. It has been neat to be working with the members lots and this week all of are appointments we have lined up to go with members so it will be cool. We also went fishing again on p-day and didn't catch anything but had lots of fun. Maybe because we could see are breath and it was too cold.

With love, Elder Ostler

Brayden 2-11-09

Hey family,
Well this week was awesome! The baptism went amazing Kelli was really excited and when I comfirmed her, she started to cry and the spirit was so strong, it was amazing. We are having dinner with her tonight. She said she has something for us. I'm going to buy her some scriptures and a case, so dad thank you for putting money into my account. I'll use that to buy it.The weather has been amazing. It has been so warm, but it doesn't last this week is going to be a little colder. We have a couple of investigators that we are going to be setting some dates with. They are younger, Keegan is 9 and he just got adopted by a member and he wants to be baptized, so we will be teaching and baptizing him. Reagan is 11, and her mom is a member and wants us to baptize her daughter. Rekia is 14 and her parents are less active, but she wants to be baptized. She comes to church with her friends in the ward and she loves young womens.Those are just the investigators that are progressing. We have about 10 other investigators that we are working with right now. This area is a lot different from my last area. Well I have to go but I love you all and hope you have a great week.
Love peace and chicken grease.
Brayden

Just thought I'd add a pic of the birthday boy! Happy Birthday Bern! We love you and hope you guys can come visit soon - Thomas misses you. :)

Mr. Brandon Howell

The roses are dead,
The violets are blue,
And aren't you sad,
We didn't say Happy Birthday to you?

Sorry we missed,
it was a few days ago,
But with Uncle Rand busy,
We are all just a little slow!

But we hope it was good
and you had a great day!
We all just love you,
we wanted to say!

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ETHAN!

Happy Birthday to YOU!
Happy Birthday to YOU!
Happy Birthday DEAR ETHAN!
Happy Birthday to YOU!!!!!

Love,
all the hundreds and hundreds
of DENNYS

MATT - 15 days!

Denny Family,

I was so excited to get the package of notes that a lot of you wrote from the superbowl party at my parents house! You have no idea how motivating they were! It was good to hear from so many, so thanks to all of you!

And I am glad Tim gave me the gossip about Rachel eating all the hotdogs!

I want to challenge you all, when you are out this week and when you see military men and women on the street, or if you know someone in the service, to tell them a simple "Thank you for your service!" It means so much, no matter how many times people say it, it is a great motivation to keep sacrificing!

And also, everyone, when you hear the Patriotic songs, listen to the words. Just listen. Thanks again and see you soon. I'll leave you with a poem I wrote last week and it is Marine all the way!

As the sun sets, the man is weary.
As the moon rises, the man is hurting.
As the sun rises, the man is lonely.
As the enemy strikes, the man is ready.
USMC - Oorah!

I love you all lots and miss you so much!

Bibler's are going for round two!

Yup it was a surprise to me too. I am due August 28th so Laynee and the new baby will be a little over 16 months apart. I am still in shock! Ben is just super excited and doesn't know why we waited so long to have a family. This means that there are 4 babies coming this year to the Draper family. I keep telling Ang and Em to hurry it up but I don't think they are listening! :)

I've had a request

I've had a request to post a picture of my new car so here it is! I love, love, love it!!! It is so fun and fast.

1997 Mitsubishi Diamante for SALE!!!!

I bought a new car....Wahoo!!!! But now I am selling mine. If anyone is interested or knows anyone is interested give me a call and we can negotiate a price. 110,000 miles, V6 engine, leather seats, sun roof, power seats, locks, and windows, CD/Tape, cruise control.

First Class Marine Matt Denny (almost)

23 days until we see Matt,

Marine Private First Class

I haven't blogged a lot because I send emails, but I know some of you don't get the emails and want to hear how he's doing. So here's a quick review. (If you want to be added to the list - let me know at dennyfamily5@comcast.net

**Phase One at MCRD (by San Diego airport) was tough. He had to go through a lot of discipline and corrections and all the typical stuff you see in the movies with the yelling and stuff. But he also had spiritual highlights. (Received a great blessing and was filled by the spirit at church. He loves church and participated in giving blessings.)

**Phase Two at Camp Pendleton was shooting and learning to live, eat, breathe, and love every detail of your gun. He runs with it, sleeps with it, and can take it apart and put it back together blindfolded. He left at 202# and is now at 171#. Down 6 pant sizes. We won't recognize him! He didn't like this phase cuz it was hot and cold (at nights) and dusty, dirty and muddy. He was sick in both phases, but has greatly improved and sounds great. His favorite song at church is Called to Serve and wants everybody to sing it while thinking of the military service men and women.

***He made sharpshooter. Can get 9/10 at 500 yards, in the center

***He power walk hikes with an 80 pound pack, 20 pound flak jacket, 9 pound kevlar, 6 pound rifle, 8 pounds water.

***He's glad he took sewing in high school, he fixes everything for everybody.

***He's still the witch doctor, and the SDI wanted to promote him to private first class (from private) because of his dedication to this.

**Phase Three and back at MCRD. Currently they are starting to get ready for graduation, which means lots of running, marching, drilling and then he's got finals week coming up. All kinds of finals - academic, history, medical, martial arts, drills, pt (that's their personal records), and other stuff. The week of Feb 15 is Crucible week (also known as hell week). There's a You tube site that shows it. It's brutal So keep him in our prayers.

*** We are being fitted for camis and dress uniforms. Wow! Expensive clothes. "But when it really hit me was to have the name put on my camis and to wear my name plate on my dress uniform." He also mentions he is going to stop and see G'pa Denny in his bravos so he can see the Denny name living proud in the military!

***He wants to tell everyone thanks for the letters, stamps, cards, etc. He doesn't have much time to write, but it's awesome. Everytime they call his name of mail call everybody groans, "Again!" He grins and loves it and says, "My family loves me!"

Here's his address so you can write and support him one last time that way!!! (after training he'll have his cell phone back - so it's be back to the real world and no more hand letters!) :(

Recruit Denny MA

2nd Bn Echo CO PLT 2109

26001 Midway Ave

San Diego, CA 92140-2109

In a couple weeks, he'll call, but we'll have no warning, and he'll let us know his orders as to where he goes next. Thanks for all your prayers and support! We are leaving with Trav and Just on Feb 24th. Lisa's mom and 2 brothers will also be there. Sounds like an amazing experience. We'll also be 'adopting' several of his platoon mates that don't have family coming. The branch puts on a nice luncheon on Thursday for all friends and family, and he's got several coming to that that don't have families able to support them.

from Brayden

Hey family, it is good to hear from you. Well this week was amazing! I love this area. Lethbridge is really windy all the time, like 70 km winds everyday. It has been a little warmer this past week as well. its been really nice just windy. Elder Jenkins is from Spring City Utah, right by manti if you didn't know. He has one older brother and has been out for 16 months. He is pretty cool, but has a hard time teaching. He gets scared and forgets what he is talking about, but it's been alot of fun this past week. This area is the opposite of my last area. We cover three wards, the 5th, 6th, & 8th wards, which is the whole north side of Lethbridge. This is the biggest area in our zone, but guess what we don't have? Have you guess yet? That's right, I still dont have a car which stinks, because our area is huge. We are teaching alot of people, mostly part member families and less active members, but it is a big change from my last area.We are having a baptism on Saturday Feb 7th, and we are really excited. Her name is Kelli VonMatt and she is so cool. She is 19 and has a one year old girl. She works from home for a finical company. I'm not going to lie, she is pretty cute and her daughter is really cute also! She came on Sunday to church, but just for a little bit because she was sick. We gave her a blessing and she is feeling alot better. Elder Jenkins is going to baptize her on Saturday and I'm going to comfirm her on Sunday. She is the main person we are working with right now that has a baptismal date, but all together we have about 12 investigators. That is counting part member families. This zone is the biggest zone in our mission, we have 16 elders, 6 sisters and 2 senior missionaries. It is so much fun. Well I got to go, but I love you all and hope your having fun. Stay warm down there. Love peace and chicken grease. Love Brayden