Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Merry Christmas from Africa - 2015

South Africa 2015

Dear Friends,

Once again we tap the resource of social media to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas.  We have received our release letter effective January 18, 2016, but have two more groups to train before we return home to our family.

This year has been a joyful one of blessings and individual growth.  We are so grateful to our Lord and Savior for His life and sacrifice for each one of us.

As we have reflected over our love for the Savior this season, Diane has captured  the Spirit of the Season in her second annual Christmas illustration "Joy is Born."


Our greatest joy comes from our family.  Here is a snap shot view of their lives in 2015:

Staleys:  Tessa, Julia, Jack, Joelle, John, Grace and Rachel



Robisons:  Justin, Lisa, Henry, Emily, Dallin, Amanda and James



Moyers:  Bauer, Cohen, Jenny, Jason, Taylor, Cooper and Mason




Robisons:  Sylie, Olivia, Jeremy, Karenin and JJ







Jamie: center
Our joy this past year also comes from our missionaries.  Miracles surround them.  Miracles have brought them here to the MTC and miracles await them in the mission field.  We are better people for having known each of them and we have been uplifted by their Spirits.

This photo is representative of one of the 50 groups we have trained since coming to the MTC.  Seated with us are the MTC Senior couple (Malmroses), former MTC President and current Ghana Temple President Couple (Grahams), the Robisons, and our counselors the Obengs and Acquayes.

During a brief breaks while the MTC was closed, we visited South Africa and Zimbabwe (July) and France (December).

While in France, we thought about how much we love living the French lifestyle - lots of walking in beautiful places - focus on people, and great, healthy, fresh food. They have long meals with lots of conversation. Now we need to figure out how to bring the things we love into our lives.  But most of all - we need to keep the highest focus on our Savior. Though him we find real happiness. And He’s given us the way to Him - and it is through the covenants and ordinances of His restored church. He has given us the exact pathway to happiness. So most of all - our time should be about reviewing and realigning ourselves with the covenants we have already made.

Forty-five years ago, I met and taught the Geslins and Cruezils in Rosny-sous Bois.  Ever since that time our families have stayed in touch - their children with our children and their grandchildren with our grandchildren.  Just last Sunday we met with this wonderful group of friends and rejoiced in the love that is felt by keeping connections such as these alive - all because of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

One picture says it all:



As we look forward to 2016, we are grateful that our oldest grandchild, Julia, has submitted her mission papers.  She will likely leave on her mission in May.



We also look forward to the dedication of the Provo City Center Temple.



And of course the Paris, France Temple:




So we enter 2016, full of high hopes, dreams and the desire to keep the highest focus on our Savior. Though him we find real happiness.  May the Joy that He brings shine upon you this Christmas season and always.

With love,

Reid and Diane Robison

Friday, December 5, 2014

Merry Christmas 2014


Dear Friends,

Once again we wish you all a Merry Christmas from afar.  This time it is from Africa.  We are nearing the half-way mark of our two year assignment to watch over the Ghana MTC.  Our charge was to develop African eyes.  As you can see by the photos, the people in Africa radiate goodness, love, and devotion.

We also take this opportunity to update you about our family.  The 5 J's and their wonderful spouses as well as the grandchildren were blessed in our absence for 3 years to the West Indies.  We pray for these blessings to continue as once again we are away from them.  They represent to us the meaning of what life is all about.

As you gather in your families this holiday season, we wish you and yours a most special Christmas.  May the love of Him who this season is all about, envelope you this season and always.

Merry Christmas
                                                 Reid and Diane Robison



ACQUIRING AFRICAN EYES

We love introducing the missionaries to the Ghana Temple.  
70% have not been before.

We both love teaching


Hurrah for Israel - future missionaries!



Our kids saw these pictures and asked us to please stay in the MTC from now on.





The joy is seen in their faces.

MISSING OUR GREATEST TREASURES



Joelle and John Staley Family



Joelle & John

Julia - oldest grandchild (off to University next year)
Rachel - 2nd oldest grandchild - now driving
Grace - 5th grandchild - soccer star
Tessa - 7th grandchild - Called Jo's favorite

Jack - 13th grandchild - bronco fan

   
Justin and Lisa Robison Family
  
Justin & Lisa
Dallin - oldest grandson, 3rd grandchild - cello maestro
Amanda - 4th grandchild - loves to read!
Emily - 8th grandchild - loves purple!
James - 14th grandchild - stylish man
  
Henry -15th grandchild - loves to fix things


Jenny & Jason Moyer Family


Jenny and Jason


Taylor - 6th grandchild designs clothes (Taylor Joelle Designs namesake)
Cooper - 9th grandchild - baptized this year
Mason - 11th grandchild with eyes that sparkle (shares Grandpa's birthday)
Bauer - 16th grandchild - our bug finder
Cohen - 18th and youngest grandchild

Jeremy & Karenin Robison Family
Jeremy and Karenin
Sylie - 10th grandchild, baptized this year
JJ - 12th grandchild - known as the "pizza kid"
Livy - 17th grandchild - boss of everybody

And Jamie!

Jamie - our creative adman

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Merry Christmas 2013

This photo was taken on Diane's birthday November 26th just before we celebrated with a French "diner en blanc." As you can see, it is not easy to get 18 grandchildren to all look at the camera at the same time, but they are all there. One is even trying out new 'google glasses.'

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Tuesday, December 17, 2013