Marvelous Sunday Afternoon in Ponta Grossa

After a terrific Campos Gerais Stake Conference in Ponta Grossa, we spent the afternoon with Presidente do Carmo and his lovely family. It was great to get to know them better and feel of the great love they have for each other and the Savior.

Pet Chickens!!

The do Carmos have a wonderful flock of pet chickens. It was a lot of fun to hold them and see how tame they are. The rooster would even crow on command. It did this Petaluma heart good to see chickens.

Christmas Party

Bonnie and I with Presidente and Sister Mechaileh, my first counselor in the mission presidency in front of the mission home Christmas tree. They are such wonderful people.

Prudentopolis

We made new friends with the Sisters of the Ucranian Catholic Church in Prudentopolis. Such wonderful women serving others.

Thanksgiving Day at the Mission Home

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with missionaries, ex-missionaries, friends and family. I will try to label everyone here. (l to r, front row: Elder Melo, Pres. and Sister Cordon, Mel and Emily Triunfo, Bea, Oliver Triunfo; back row: Dallin Cordon, Elders Buerkle, Trevisanut, Pinheiro, Romm, Cardoso, Camargo, Dohrman, Gill, Vincent, Dow, Hansen, Barkdull, Dorneles, Elder and Sister Biehn, Bispo Triunfo, Ravy Tenorio.)

Thanksgiving Table, 2011

Guarapuava Chapel Dedication

Bonnie and Dallin at the dedication of the new chapel in Guarapuava. The day was absolutely perfect and the building and the grounds were just beautiful.

Almoco at the Mission Presidents' Seminar

After a wonderful morning of training we had a beautiful lunch with some of the other mission presidents and their wives. It was a beautiful setting.

Genealogy Fair in Ponta Grossa

Bonnie and I posed for our portraits at the Genealogy Fair hosted by the Stakes of Ponta Grossa on Brazilian Memorial Day.

Dia dos Mortos em Ponta Grossa

Bonnie, Dallin and I checked out the city cemetery on the Day of the Dead, like our Memorial Day, here in Ponta Grossa. Very interesting to see the traditions here. Family is very important. On this day, the Ponta Grossa Stakes put on a Genealogy Symposium, the first of its kind here in Parana.

Sunday Morning Study Time

Elevator Challenges

Dallin and his friend, Daphne attempt to get everything in the elevator after an afternoon of purchases in preparation for making cookies!

Pocket Trumpeteers Unite!!

Dallin received a new instrument from Grandma Peggy which I am sure all of the neighbors are thrilled about. Thanks to the Elder Hyde's parents who came down to pick him up, this was couriered safely to Dallin. He is loving his new found friend.

Go BYU!!

Even in Brazil the question is Blue or Red? We chose blue!!!

First Day of School

Dallin, 14, is now starting high school at the International School of Curitiba. He finally reached a milestone, he has passed his sister and his mom in height and is now gunning for his dad.

Rain, Rain Go Away!!

Poor Parque Barigui is under water. We have had torrential rain and our favorite place to run and walk is now only swimmable. At least it would be if it were not for the alligators that are in the lake.

Udagawa's in Guarapuava

We just love the Udagawa family. Everytime we go to Guarapuava we look forward to seeing their family and when we can, visiting their farm. What a great family!!!

Now That's a Pot!!

Presidente and Sister Udagawa showing off their Sunday dinner Pot that they cook in so that the whole family has something to eat!! Including us!!

Buddies in Balsa Nova

Dallin, Heather and Mom drove out to Balsa Nova to see another part of the mission which we had never seen. I think Dallin will miss Heather when she leaves for BYU.

What Happened to May?

I looked at the calendar and noticed that we are two days away from June. What on earth happened to May? Let's see...1 District Conference in Guarapuava, 4 Zone Conferences, two sets of transfers with over 30 new missionaries, 1 New Missionary Training, 1 Guarapuava District Auxiliary Training, 1 Stake Leadership Training, 1 Stake Fireside, 1 Zone Leaders Council Meeting, 1 Mission Sisters Training, 4 District Meetings, 1 New District Leader Training, 4 sacrament meeting talks and numerous baptismal services. Wow, I guess I found out why this month went by so quickly!!!

Missionaries- The Great People that fill up our time

HAPPY 14th BIRTHDAY DALLIN!!

Dallin turned 14 today and being 5 de Mayo (or Maio here in Brasil) we always have a pinata. Here in Brasil they don't have pinatas so Heather and Mom improvised and made one with paper machete and a balloon. We also found a Mexican restaurant and really did it up right.

Happy 14th BIRTHDAY DALLIN!!

Dallin loved his presents! Green was the color of the day as far as wrapping goes. You gotta love embolagens!

Dinner with the Udagawa Family in Guarapuava

Churrasco -Brazilian Barbeque

Beef ...its whats for dinner (and Chicken Hearts)

Mission Presidents' Seminar- Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brasil

Brazil Area Presidency

It has been a pleasure to serve with this wonderful Area Presidency. It is the first time in Church history that the entire Brazilian Area Presidency are all Brazilians. We are so lucky to have served under their watchful care and guidance. (l to r: Pres. and Sister Mazzagardi, Soares, Godoy, and Cordon)

2010 Mission Presidents

It was wonderful to see all of the mission presidents and their wives that began this great adventure with us last year. (l to r: President and Sister Ribeiro, Tanner, Hall, Prieto, Tavares, Cordon, Prieto)

25th Wedding Anniversary at the Mission President's Seminar

President Cordon surprised me with wonderful flowers to celebrate 25 wonderful years. We got to spend the day listening to Elder Andersen. What a blessing

Aimee Jackson visits us in Curitiba

Trip back from Ilha da Mel. Heather, Dallin and Aimee are all tired after a wonderful day on the island.
Park Tangua - They toured the city
At one of the city stops we meet a wonderful family that are members of the church. Their oldest just turned 12 and was going to the temple to do baptisms.
Jardin Botanico one of our favorite spots
Aimee arrived. Fun to have dear friends visit

In Honor of Nolan Ralph Cordon (1930-2011)

American Legion Honor Guard. Nolan R. Cordon served in the Navy during the Korean Conflict. Grandpa died on April 6, 2011. He was buried in Driggs, Idaho along side of Grandma Cordon on April 13th.

Aunt Donna Larsen Douglas

Dear Aunt Donna came from Idaho Falls to support the Family. This is Grandma Cordon's only sister. This is a picture of her at Grandpa Cordon's burial.

Grandpa's only living brother and sister

Shelby Cordon and Delma Macafee

Surprise Trip Back to the States

Heather and Dallin loving being with Grandma and Grandpa Hillam. We got to attend Joao and Summer's wedding while being home to celebrate the life of Grandpa Nolan R. Cordon.

Joao and Summer's Wedding

Our Dear Friends Elder Jose and Filomena Teixeira at the Wedding of their Son Joao
Summer and Joao - It is wonderful to marry your best Friend
Dearest Miguel and Lisa Teixeira. They married just 3 weeks earlier. We love them.
Salt Lake Temple

Dear Friends-Baptism

Only One Match!

Today Dallin was inducted into the National Junior Honors Society. He is doing excellent in school and is a real example.

FINALLY!!!!

Heather came home from school to a bright blue BYU on the door and a room full of blue and white balloons in her room. She has been officially accepted to BYU and is thrilled. Go Cougars! She has definitely been Jimmered!!

What adversity?

After missing her first two events of the day at the Curitiba City Swim Meet with a severe allergic reaction that required two shots of benadryl and a nap, Heather came back and took 2nd and 5th place respectively in the 100 and 50 meter back. Her placings gave her the 22nd overall position in the meet and a medal. Where would she have finished up had she swam all the events. She's a fish!!