ANOTHER BUSY SUMMER IS ABOUT AT AN END

AUGUST NEWS

The 1st annual Kids Hayden Lake triathon kept some busy.
KATE

JACKSON and NOAH

KIAH
The swim is about to start...bike was next...finally the run.

KIAH, NOAH, KATE, friend, friend, JACKSON

Another day...
SOPHIA, NIKELL, and HAYLIAN at honeysuckle beach. Far from Nana's camera
 1st ANNUAL ???  COUSIN'S CAMP
MIKINand ANGIE B in charge of second day of cousin's camp. It was a fun time for all the cousin's to get together while their parents worked at the elephant ear booth. No pictures of the first day when they attended the free movie(something our local theater does in the summer), and did games an lunch at the pavillion by the theater. AMANDA ZELLER was ther to help too.

WYATT, KIAH, ELLA,ANGIE, MIKIN,CADE,and SOPHIA


Cousin's camp musical chairs

KATE, COOPER, GUNNER, KIAH, WYATT, NOAH 

Painting bird houses

MIKIN. SOPHIA, KIAH, CADE, JACKSON, KATE,WYATT, BECKETT, ANGIE, AMANDA

Drawing letters to UNCLE SPIKE

MIKIN, ASA AMANDA, ELLA, GUNNER, JACKSON, NOAH, KATE & CADE'S back
PAPA says it was a terrorist's camp, rocks in the pool, on pool cover, in his shop, and arrow holes in his camp cots and flashlight.  His turkey pulled off the wall and junk in his hunting room.  Sounds like terrorists, right? Or just kids.


CASSIE, ANDREW,COOPER,GUNNER AND BECKETT COME TO VISIT

COOPER and his cousin NOAH say their goodbyes

ANDREW and CASSIE off to Whiteman AFB in Kansas City, Mo. for his final 2 years in the Air Force dental corp.

NANA and BECKETT, who was blessed  sunday in Dalton Ward

Indiana Jones alias=GUNNER

ELEPHANT EAR BOOTH>>>>again.....
We had the yearly elephant ear booth at the local county fair. Sadly, I did not take pictures. It was raining the first two days and the whole fair attendance was down, so not as much money was made, but, we all still had fun working with the JIM LEE, and SANDRA DAVIS families. The booth helps to fund missionaries from our families. Our current missionary SPIKE is in Brazil serving our Heavenly Father. We have had 14 go so far with 2 left for this current generation and WYATT, BRETT and ANGIE'S son will be the first one from the next generation. There are 24 grandson's in the families so far and some girls may go! So, we are so blessed to have this booth. It means a quick end to summer though, and a very hectic busy week.
This year we have had an extra helper...HAYLIANN came up from Utah and stayed with "us all" for two weeks.We miss you already Hay babes.

SO MUCH MORE WAS GOING ON TOO...

TOM FINISHED HIS 1ST 1/2 MARATHON WITH BROOKE( of course not her first)



OUR BRYNNE IS HAVING ANOTHER BOY!
There was even times for NOAH .....climbing trees...
and SOPHIA swimming with CADE


School is upon us again...A first for HAYLIANN at middle school and COOPER in pre-school.

with all the others to go back after Labor Day.

And so ends this busiest summer on record...at least for me.

Elder Gatten Aug. 24, 08

So it was awesome to hear from you all again this week. I love the opportunity that I have to get your e mails. I seriously love hearing from you guys. It sounds like this last week has been just one of those crazy weeks. The elephant ear booth, people coming and going, and everything that goes along with that. It sounds like your all making it though and your just all getting your feet back under you now!
So the elephant ear booth sounded like it was good. It was cloudy and rainy the first couple days but you know what that’s life huh. Then it picked up Saturday and Sunday I heard. That is good. How were the sales and everything with the price of the ears and everything up? Did people complain and stuff? Did grandpa help a lot again or did he kind of stay out of it this year as he gets older? I remember him and harden putting it all together with all of us young guns years back. That was so much fun. It’s a family tradition with such a wholesome purpose. Who worked there? Were there enough people? Did anyone tell you to say hi for me? When is the first CDA football game, that should be coming up fast huh. So much is going on. Its starting to be fall again here before you know it. That is so weird cause it was fall when I left. Nuts how time flies. I have 9 months. Next transfer I will hit my 1 year mark. Crazy. I have grown so much.
So what about those Olympics! They finished off pretty awesome I though. Mens volleyball won, also basketball, plus the US women pulled off a win against brazil to win the gold. Man did I get a ear full for that. I am still getting it from everyone how it was luck and so on. But I just say you cannot deny the score, the us won and brazil is going home with silver be happy with it! Anyways I really enjoyed being able to stay up on it here a little bit. I love the Olympics.
so brynne found out that she is having a boy! I cannot believe it! I am so freaking excited for her. I don’t know why, maybe its cause I just feel closer to her and all cause she is the closet in age to me. I love her and I could not be more happy for her. I remember when she wrote me when I was in boa vista and told me that she was pregnant and everything. I was so pumped. Now she knows what she is having and so on. So much has happened while I have been here. Crazy. Ill have to many new nieces and nephews when I get home I don’t know what ill do. I wont know them and the ones I have now will look so different it will blow my mind! Katelyn said that ella is beginning to look like kiah and that kiah is like a young girl now. Cade is walking and attempting to talk too. Craziness! I love them all so much. I miss them so much. Let them know that!
Dad got our goose mounts dusty! Sweet huh! It has already been a year since we headed up to Canada! I have been thinking a lot about that trip this week knowing that it was this time last year. I scan all the pictures that I have on my camera from the trip and I can just imagin it all so vividly. It’s the best. Good times. We will have to plan another trip together. Dad and brett do their hunts by themselves so that means that we can have our duck and goose hunts together. Well have life time memories of it brother! I hope that the mounts turned out really sweet. I still have not seen my MULE MOUNT that dad got. You have to take pictures of them all and send them to me I am dieing to see them all. And dads duck mount. That has to be neat. I can just feel it in my bones that it it hunting season ya know. Its so nuts. And your going to be going up to the joe this weekend. I cannot believe it. It feels like it was just memorial day!
So this week it rained a lot. One day especially. The roads were flooded up to my knees or a little bit higher and I was just thinking of all the nasty diseases I was getting. But there are like poop river/ canals that run throught the city as their soar system, and they filled up super high. It looked like the st joe with hi water. But brown and reeked like poop. There were like soccer balls and tons of things in it cause the water carried them away from the peoples houses, and there were people with long poles picking the stuff out of the river. They take all they can get for free here. Poop river or not. Funny story though.
So tyler said that Kenny was taking the discussions how is that going? I am just curious cause I heard that and then I never heard anything more. I have been praying for him and the situation. That would be amazing if he came to know the truth. I can totally see him being a great leader in the church. You should go up hunting with him this year or something, i think that would help him a ton!
So we had a baptism this week! What a miracle! Seriously.! We had no opportunities for baptism really, and then we knocked doors and found this young girl. Like 12. anyways we taught her the last couple weeks and things just totally worked out, and we ended up with a baptism. What a blessing. An act of faith too. We had promised a baptism this week not knowing where we were going to get it, and the lord put someone in our path. I love the gospel and the difference I see it make in peoples lives. The work is going well. The biggest problem that I have is getting people to church. We pass and pass by the houses of the investigators and they have the biggest excuses ever. You literally have to throw shoes at them and water to get them up. Its so different than the states. I love the U.S.
I have been realizing the real importance and purpose of our lives this week. I have had the goal to think in more of a eternal perspective to help me along. How the work I am doing now may not have any fruits but I am laying seeds and who knows what my affect will make down the road for these people. It is a great comfort to know though that I am giving it my all. There is no no no doubt there. I am being blessed, and I know I am where I am supposed to be at this point in my life. Many countless sacrifices, but unlimited blessings.
I love you all. I am so grateful for you all also. I am mindful of each of you and your situations as I pray day in and out. I go through each one of you as I pray. I love it. Sometimes I fell like the brother of jared, having my faith tested but always knowing without a doubt that my father and heaven is there and will lead me in rightousness. I know this gospel is true. I am to the grind and bit. Really working and building up his kingdom. I know that through the sacrifice that our saviour made we made be healed and return to our heavenly father again after this life. What joy this plan brings. An eternal perspective. Take that to mind. Your all the best. Next week I have a normal p day. Wensday. Hit me up and drop a live slackers. I am always here…where are you….brett…..dusty…..tim…etc
Your elder

Spike lee!

Spike Aug 20, o8

What do you know it is another week and another letter to the family i freaking love to death! Ya! I feel bad that you all did not get my letter that I had sent last week to you all. That internet crashed along with my letter that I had written for you all. And I wont lie it was a sweet letter that explained about my president and the mission. Oh well. But I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to write again this week! So much has happened there and also here it seems impossible to keep up on life!
So it sounds like your all up to the same old. Staying busy and enjoying life! It sounds like the fair should start at anytime! Are you guys excited or what?! I love this time of year. I know that I have so many memories of the fair and of growing up with everyone. It really is a great opportunity to work together as a family and it is for such a great purpose. I have shared with many missionaries the story about the elephant ears and everything and they think that it is such a cool thing we do. I even wrote it in my papers when I sent them in. it may be stressful at times but just think about what your doing it for and the spiritual fruits it will bring in the lives or your children. I can see the blessings of it right now in my own life. What a blessing. Thank you all! Have fun. You should add some more people to the bee eating group too. Where you have to kill a yellow jacket and cook it up and eat it in the doe. That is awesome. Oh the fun things that we come up with in the elephant ear booth. I just had a random thought. Football season is starting too. How does the cda team look this year? Have you guys seen or read anything in the paper about it?!
So I did not hear much about the blessing of beckett. I hope that went good. Dad sounded like he was busy and had to talk in a ton of wards and stuff. How was it? That is neat. I cannot believe the pictures that I saw on the blogs of the birthdays. Everyone, the kids, look so much bigger! Seriously I was totally freaked out. I think the one that looked the most grown up was cade and noah. They are totally bigger. I am going to be blown away in a year when I get home. That’s right I have 9 months. Isn’t that weird? Nuts. The time does fly by. It is not a lie when people tell you that when they get home. The time is here and then it is gone. It will be over before I know it then I will be in college. Nuts. But ya. Had a good Sunday family day it sounded like.
So the Olympics. (olympiadas) it sounds and looks like the united states is kicking butt. I saw that we are a little behind on gold medols but we have more than anyone. That’s right. You want to know what all the Brazilians think is that it iis not even worth it to watch cause the estados unidos , united states, wins everything! Ha ha, I agree with them and then I continue to talk it up and rub it in their face. They had a swimmer césar that won the gold in the 50M free and they are treating him like a god. I saw the post interview at a members house. The whole world here was glued to the screen. Especially when it was argentina vs brasil the other day. I watched a tiny bit. Brasil lost 3-0.; that was so awesome. I love giving everyone a ton of grief about it. I always tell them I root for boca juniors a really good argentinan team and they want to kill me but I am bigger than them so nothing happens. Ha ha. But ya they are happy they won a gold. And the swimmer who won the gold lives in the U S too. Funny.. were the best I guess.
So this last week has been really ruff for me. Thursday I had the stomach flu and I could not go out to work. I woke up in the middle of the night in a fever of 39 celcious. It was bad. Puking and you know how that goes. Well then I spent 22 hours sleep on Thursday and then Friday I bore the pain and went out in the freakin heat working. And I just got more depressed. We have marked so many baptisms and they are all just week sauce, like no one really has a true desire to read and to pray and to follow Christ. It is sad. So a ton of our baptisms have feel. We have like 9 left. And I hope that they go to church. That’s another thing. The investigators have to go to churcha minimum of 2 times to church and 4 times if they are under 14, so that makes it harder to baptize. Anyways, we have planned like last weekend to get everyone by the cars of members ya know. We showed up there at like 8 30 a half hour before church and there was not one person who came with us. We had like 20 people to go to church and they all promised and we had 3 cars and no one came. How are we supposed to baptize and have people progressing and keeping the commitments when they don’t go to church? It is really a trial for me. That is the biggest problem here in my area in raiz manaus. The people are not willing to make sacrifices to follow Christ. They all want to do whats right but are not willing to do what it takes. So we cut a ton of them out of our teaching group and moved on. We have been knockin more doors than you can imagin and few people to show for it. Its all water under the bridge. I am being tested. The adversary is really working on me. I have been working my heart out, coming home with blistered feet, sun burnt face, and nothing nothing nothing to show for it for the last month. The area is really testing my faith. I am so depressed, but am learning to put my burden on the lords shoulders. He is there with open arms waiting to lift us up and to help us all we have to do is rely on him and put your trust in him. I am learning so much here. I am learning to rely on the lord and he will give you the power to face your problems and to work threw the hard times. From the companion flurries to the work being grueling and staying in the same area after transfers it is hard. I think I have spent more time on my knees lately than I have sleeping. It is an emotional roller coaster. The lord will provide a way I know. There will be fruit for my labors sometime.
I have such a strong testimony of this gospel. I know with out a doubt that it is true. I am so grateful for a father in heaven who loves me, cares for me, knows me by name, and carries me along in times of sorrow and pain. I am appreciative for my brother Jesus Christ and the sacrifice that he made for me, and for you. The sacrifice of being raised upon the cross made it possible for each of us repent and to be raised into the kingdom of our father and have eternal families. I know that the book of Mormon is true without a doubt in my mind. It bears testimony of Jesus Christ, his ministry, and his gospel. Of repentance, baptism, the gift of the holy ghost, and our life journey. It holds the truth of everlasting life, thus everlasting happiness that is unfathomable to the human perception. The book of Mormon is the most correct book on the planet. It is the keystone of our religion. Like the prophet Joseph smith said, take away the book of Mormon and where is our religion…..we have none. It is the keystone of our religion, without it our beliefs and the restoration are a fable. Joseph smith is a prophet of god. In 1829 he received the priesthood keys to call once again upon the earth apostles and to guide and lead the people upon the earth. He restored the church of Christ as it was founded centuries ago. He translated the gold plates threw the power and gift of god. The fruit of his ministry is the book of Mormon and it is proof he is a prophet called of god. The book of Mormon contains a promise unlike any other book. Moroni sealed the plates with this promise and bore testimony of its truthfulness. If we read and pray with a sincere heart, with real intent, doubting nothing, the lord will answer our prayer and give us an answer. What an awesome prophetic challenge and promise! I know that the book of Mormon is true. I have taken that challenge many times here on the mission and I have again and again received the answer yes! It is imperative that we have this testimony, and that we reaffirm our answer often. The more often we read and pray the stronger our testimony will become and also the desire to search scriptural truths. The gospel is true. Jesus Christ is my lord and savior. We have a prophet on the earth today who leads and guides us in truth and righteousness. Thomas s. monsoon is chosen of god and holds the keys to this last and final dispensation. Of this I know. In the name of jesus Christ amen.
I love you all so much. I have such a testimony of this work and the gospel. It brings true happiness in our lives. Not temporary lust or happiness blinded by the adversary, but eternal happiness and joy in the mansions of our father in heaven. Read pray and teach your children the same. What can I say more? Don’t put the day off, grab the book of Mormon now and read it. Get your children together tonight and teach them the gospel. They will look back on this and it will be a fond memory. Grab your spouse and bound reading the scriptures. You both share a great love for the same thing. Share your feelings with one another about what you r hold so dear. Have a testimony meeting. But….do it now. Make it a habit. It will bless your life. I love you all. Keep the faith. Be valiant, the lord needs you.
You’re elder
Spike
ps...you have to write me this sunday cause my next p day is MONDAY because we will have a general authority here next week. so write sooner please. monday. dont forget. loves and kisses...lots of them. your al the best! oh go and see carlee j man and the babe. they get in tomorrow. ha! i love kateLyn Anne Park muah

Steve's Day...08

The leader of the Gatten's is of course Steve. He is the patriarch and priesthood leader of family and his example is one of service and love.He loves the Lord and believes He is especially in tune with His God in the out of doors. He has a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as our Savior and tries so hard to live the gospel. He is the most proud of his family.





He is so proud of his son Spike's example as he serves in the Manaus Brazil Mission...



He travels to Panama, and Alaska with Jean.



He serves in the church..be it trek or scouting.


He loves to teach his children and grandchildren..to carry on traditions"




He works hard, he plays hard.........





He likes to eat..soooo

The general...or cruise director...dad...or hubby...Happy Birthday!

With all that goes on every day in the lives of the 

Gatten's, the person who keeps us all going is our energizer bunny Steve. He puts so much into the art of living, that we all keep up with the traditions and goals he sets for the family.  Thanks Dad and Hubby for your endless energy and love.  You are our example of what we should try to be like.

Happy Birthday Paula!

I really love her for her devotion and frienship...Have a Happy Day Paula.


She Loves girlfriends.



She spends many hours driving Scotty to his appointments and supporting him through his trials...



She cares for her mother.



She really loves to spend time with her grandchildren, especially alone.




One of my best friends is my sister in law, Paula. She is my partner to go to the temple with every week and seems to love and care for my family as much as I do. She loves her grandchildren and being a grandma and prays so hard that the Lord will bless each of her children to be able find mates and have children of their own. And, then, to teach them to walk in faith keeping the commandments and following the prophets. The wish of every mother.
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