Remembering my nephew

 Here is part of the obituary for my nephew, Shane.  What a wonderful guy!  His passing leaves a gap in a lot of lives, but his goodness serves as a reminder of the promises of what life is meant to be-and will be some day!

     Travis Shane Mitchell, 28, of Fairfax, Va., formerly of Rigby and Idaho Falls, Idaho, passed away Sept. 24, 2010, near Baltimore, Md.  Shane was born Dec. 21, 1981 in Logan, Utah, to Travis Don Mitchell II and Julie Hall Mitchell.  He was a graduate of Rigby High School.  As a faithful priesthood holder in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he shared the gospel in the Ukraine Kiev LDS Mission from 2001 to 2003.  Shane married Holly Adams on May 20, 2008, in the Logan, Utah, LDS Temple.  Shane served with the Idaho Army National Guard 116th in Iraq prior to his marriage, then with the U.S. Army Reserves as a Russian linguist.  He traveled to Germany as an interpreter for a military exercise and to Russia for a linguistic school in which Holly was able to accompany him.  Shane obtained a bachelor's degree with honors from Utah State University.  It was while residing in Logan that Shane and Holly had one of the best days of their lives as they welcomed Preston into their family.  Shane was currently pursuing a law degree at George Mason University School of Law.  He was a member of the J. Reuben Clark Society of Law Students.  He was appointed to the Journal of Civil Rights Law at GMU.  He and his family were residing in Fairfax at the time of his death.  Shane enjoyed life.  He could fix anything.  His family relied on him to build, repair, assemble, or install everything.  Shane learned to sew, knit, and cook gourmet meals.  He loved adventure, travel, and living in the Washington, D.C. area.  Most of all, he adored his sweet wife, Holly, and little buddy, Preston. 

♥

Mt. Vernon is a beautiful place!

I love its history, the expanse of the estate, the colorful gardens, the quaint buildings, and the location near the Potomac River.  It measured up to my highest expectations. 

Don't you hate it when you visualize a place to be more grand and exciting than it really is!

(click, then click again to enlarge)

The ladies of Mt. Vernon:

Martha Washington, Lou, and myself

I'm off to work now, but I have a lot more pictures to share!

♥

JoAnn

Wanting a job, but....

Our daughter, who lives in Portland, Oregon, is looking for a job.

She is starting to feel a bit desperate, since Portland has a very high unemployment rate.

Yesterday, she was so excited to have a job interview with a new company that makes health food products.

That is until.....

She heard the job would be doing this

Dressed like this

for $8.40 an hour.

(Yes, that is less than unemployment!)

Do you think she was crazy for letting this opportunity go to someone else? 

(If anybody might actually want the job!)

If anyone out there knows of a good job in the Portland/Beaverton area she would appreciate the tip.  She is trying to work around a school schedule, but she is a hard worker!

Doesn't it make you wonder how "healthy" the products will be if Hazmat suits are needed?

♥

JoAnn

(Photos from Google.com)

Good things.....

Sometimes life throws you a curve ball.

We have to pick ourselves up and carry on for good reasons like these!

Go Preston and Maddie!

We LOVE you!

John 14:18 
"I will not leave you comfortless;  I will come to you."

♥

JoAnn

P.S.  Thanks for the picture, Ally!

A short update.....

Dear Blogging Friends,
     I am writing today from Leesburg, Virginia.  Our trip to Washington has had some unexpected twists and turns and unfortunately, some tragedy. 
     My sister Julie and I arrived last Thursday to stay with her son Shane, his wife Holly. and baby Preston while they ran the Ragnar Relay Race. It was such an exciting time for all of us.  Shane and Holly left early Friday morning with their team, excited and ready for an adventure, while Julie, Preston, and Lou (Julie's sil who just moved here 3 weeks ago) and I headed off to explore a beautiful part of the world called Harper's Ferry, West Virginia.  It was a beautiful, hot, fall day. 
     We enjoyed the beautiful drive through the rolling hills and then had so much fun exploring the quaint, little village that reminded Lou so much of her dear England, with all the old stone buildings, rock walls, and tiny shops.  Preston was such a little trouper and let us linger in the shade of the little restaurant built back against the ivy covered stone walls. 
     There is never a good time for a tragedy, but when you get those phone calls that break your heart you never forget where you were or what you were doing.  We were at a little Civil War museum when Julie heard that Shane had passed away during his race.  He was young, healthy, and fit.  The race was just getting a good start.  These things shouldn't happen!  It was unreal!  The medical examiner figured it was his heart and that it happened suddenly.  I won't go into details, but we were devestated!
     The next few days were a blur of sadness, making plans, and supporting each other.  We helped pack up a life full of promise- for one of uncertainty.  It was a heartbreaking experience.
     The Lord does indeed show forth His tender mercies during such times and we had so many sweet experiences and helpful "angels" who ministered over us.  The world has many good, kind, and helpful people (other than those who work at the Metro!).  Blessings do come.  Prayers are heard. 
     Shane, who had been attending George Mason Law School, was one of those people whom everyone loved.  He was smart, hard working, friendly, religious, and kind.  He loved his wife and adored his son.  I'm sure his life and influence will be far reaching.     
     Holly, his sweet wife, is a pillar of strength.  Her faith and courage strengthened all of us.  She has the assurance that she and Shane will be together eternally and that life will be okay. 
     Julie flew home on Tuesday and I have been staying with Lou and her family.  They have been so kind to take me in and help me experience some of the sights of this beautiful city.  Tomorrow I will return home.  We will attend the funeral on Saturday.
Thank you to all who have prayed for us and offered support.  It has helped!  I am so grateful for my belief in eternal life and a loving Father in Heaven! 

     ♥

JoAnn

P.S.  Holly we stole this picture from your blog. Hope you don't mind.

I'm off.....

(Photo from Google.com.  Graffiti by Mrs. Clegg)

I will be gone for a few days (blogging may or may not happen).

I'm soooo excited! 

Have a great week!

♥

JoAnn

TV or not TV? That is the question....

Did you watch "NCIS" tonight?

It was the season opener and was pretty intense.

 (photo from Google.com)

We love that show.

(Don't you wish you could hang out with Gibbs, Tony, Ziva, McGee, Ducky, and Abby?)

Last night

I missed "Dancing With The Stars".

(I was outside working in the yard and forgot all about it.)

 (Photo from Google.com)

I'm OK with waiting until closer to the end of the season to get hooked, although I didn't even get to see David Hasselhoff dance once.  (Should I really feel bad?)

Do you have any television shows that you like?

Think about how shows from the past have impacted your life.

(

(Photo from Google.com)

 

Some of my TV memories include:

Being in LOVE with Ricky Nelson on "Ozzie and Harriet".

Wondering what mischief Beaver Clever might get in each week (and finding Eddie Haskell so offensive).

Hoping Gilligan and the rest of the crew would get rescued.

Saying "Good night John Boy".

Enjoying the honesty of Opie, the awkwardness of Barnie Fife, and the wisdom of Sheriff Taylor.

Marveling that Perry Mason could convince EVERY guilty person to confess just before the show ended.

Envying the closeness of the medical corp on MASH.
Laughing (sometimes so hard I'd be crying) at the messes Lucy and Ethel got tangled in.

Did all that television watching make me a better person?

Probably not.

Did I enjoy it?

YES! 

♥

JoAnn