Elder Ashcroft

Read about Elder Ashcroft's departure on his blog: 

http://devinsmission.blogspot.com/

Arrow of Light

Erik received his Arrow of Light Award last night. We are so very proud of him. He worked hard and has acheived a lot. Good Job, Erik!

Student of Promise

On April 5 Devin was one of sixteen students in the Clovis Unified

School District who was honored at the Students of Honor banquet.

This is what the program said about it:

Each spring, the Students of Promise

Program recognizes high school juniors

who are attending school on a regular basis,

showing responsibility, and succeeding in

school in spite of very challenging situations

in their personal lives. On each high

school campus, there are students who face

extreme obstacles that could easily affect

their performance at school, but somehow

they don't let challenges get in their way.

Though they don't expect to be rewarded

for persevering through difficult times,

these students are "heroes in everyday life."

Each student selected for recognition in the

program is eligible to receive a $2000.00

scholarship for use in post-secondary

education. The Foundation of Clovis

Schools wishes to encourage, reward and

honor these Students of Promise.

Devin's high school counselor and the school district hearing specialist who

has worked with him since first grade both nominated him for this award.

Hearing the challenges that all of the sixteen kids

have overcome was quite inspirational.

Cookie Bouquet

This is what I'm giving the Young Women

for their birthdays this year.

It is so cute and all the little kids follow

me around at church when I have one.

Tiger of the Month

Alyssa was selected as the 7th grade Tiger of the Month at her school. The Principal said it was the highest award that a student could receive at their school. The school had a really nice award ceremony. They invited families to come to breakfast and they presented the award and read why the teacher who nominated Alyssa thought she deserved to be Tiger of the Month. Then, they took this picture of them. Congratulations Alyssa!

Family

I am so grateful that I have such an amazing family and support group around me. The past few months have been tough, but I am continually lifted with knowing that I have you all by my side. I love you so much.

Kitchen Stuff

We are making these aprons in Young Women.

I'm glad the girls like the fabric I got.

Isn't it so cute?!!!

This is Julia's first pie - a scrumptious Strawberry-Blueberry-Rhubarb

pie we made while she was home for two weeks in August.

Amaya is sweet 16!!

Sweet 16!!! Can you believe it? Check out our blog to see more!

1 Year Old!

Sophia is 1 year old! We had her birthday party on Sunday at Mom's house. It was a lot of fun. Thanks to everyone who came and help celebrate her happy day.

Sophia is our little monkey, so she got her own, personal, little monkey cake. It was her first taste of Chocolate, and as you can see, she really liked it.

Life Advise from a 23 Year-old Amateur

I am feeling particularly inspired right now. So I decided it would be best for me to write what I’m thinking down so that not only I can hopefully inspire someone else, but also I can remember what I'm feeling and can inspire myself later. So from the mouth of a 23-year old amateur at life, I will dispense my knowledge of living.


Your parents are usually right. As much as I hate saying this, its true. They have many more years on us, I think they know what their talking about for the most part. So listen to them.

Love yourself. That weird scar, your ability to love, and those fat pudges. Love yourself. All of yourself.

Life is going to be tough, but its also going to be fun. Handle each day with enthusiasm and you’ll get through it.

Don’t change for people. Be true to yourself.

Your going to break hearts and people will break yours. Just remember to love yourself without them.

Get to know your family members. Like really know them. Their likes, dislikes and their life experiences. You will learn invaluable lessons and will learn something about yourself through them.

Find that one thing about yourself that makes you different and embrace it. It is most likely is the thing others love about you also.

You will make mistakes and bad choices. Your human. However, be sure to takes these mistakes as growing experiences.

Be kind. Always say your “please” and “thank you’s”. And be that person that makes a stranger smile.

Your family is the most important thing your have. Friends come and go, but your family will always be there.

Facebook, Myspace and texting are good, but they are not a replacement to spending time with your friends and family.

Love yourself. Love your family and friends. And love life, even when its tough.



I love you guys. I am so grateful to have such amazing and inspiring family members who love me unconditionally and teach me so much. You all have helped shape me as a person. I’m truly blessed.

Grapefruit

We have a tiny little grapefruit tree

which has produced a few

huge grapefruits.

Julia says they're bitter

and don't taste very good.

Hopefully they will be better next year!

My Refrigerator

Isn't this the cleanest 5 1/2 year old refrigerator you have ever seen?

Now the real question is - why did I decide to clean it?

Well, I had to take everything out, so I thought I might as well clean it.

Yesterday afternoon I got a skinny cow out of the freezer to eat, but did I eat it?

No, because it was all MELTED!

Yes, just a few months after the five year warranty is up

the fridge decides to die.

It is a Kenmore. Our last fridge was a Kenmore.

It also died - but it was a good fridge and decided to die right

BEFORE the warranty was up.

It is still serving us well out in the garage,

and is now completely stuffed, especially the freezer,

as I went to Costco just the day before.

Now, my next question is: Will I ever buy a Kenmore refrigerator again?

Midnight December 23, 2009

The head of security at the Fresno airport is in our ward,

and he graciously escorted Marvin and I through back doors so we

could greet Jordan at the gate as soon as he walked off the plane.

What a handsome returning missionary.

After we walked up the terminal to the rest of the family,

Jordan went over and gave Brandon a big hug saying,

"Devin, how you've grown!"

The second Jordan got in the house he went to the toilet and

gave it a hug!

We think Jordan is now part Peruvian.

Smartie Pants

Sierra just got her first report card for Jr High. She got the first of many, (hopefully) straight A's. She was really excited, which you can tell by her "happy eye". We are really proud of her.

What's up?

To find out what's been going on in the Bingham house, click here

Also, it is okay for people other than me to leave comments. It's actually even nice so people know you are reading their posts!

The Mighty Hunter

We went to Bear Lake for the Deer Hunt again this year. Steven was given strict orders, by me, not to shoot anything smaller than a 3-point. He came home at lunch time and had not seen any buck. I thought I was safe. He went out again after lunch and promised not to be too late. Well, you can tell by the pictures, he came home late and he shot another 2-point. He got so excited about seeing any buck that he shot first and asked questions later. Oh well, I guess I get to try out my new venison recipes.

Jordan's Birthday Celebration

Well, my birthday was on Tuesday, but I suppose my zone couldn´t wait that long so they egged me on Monday, I totally wasn't expecting it Monday. Monday we went to San Bartolo, which is a rocky place by the beach that is very scenic. The waves are huge right there and there are geysers when the waves get big enough. Afterwards we went to eat in a restaurant as a zone, and I got plain old arroz chaufa (fried rice). They eat a lot of fried rice here, must be because they have a lot of rice. It is kind of wierd, but I am not sick of rice yet. I just eat what I get I guess. So then Tuesday I did a visit to Villa Alejandro with Elder Van Duyn and my old pensionista made a cake for me, and I got egged again. I was expecting that one. Then in the night we went to visit the Quintanilla family, who are members, and they made me another cake, and I got egged again. I was expecting that one too. Then Wednesday when I was back in Lomas my current pensionista made a cake for me. I got egged a again as well, but this time it was different. This was the first time that they poured flour on me too. So that is my birthday story. Lots of cake, lots of eggs. 14 eggs in all. The cakes were good, but I am sure my German chocolate cake back home was even better. Save me a slice, ok.

A Mckell-a-Date

Yeah, I'm dirty. I took this while I was writing this and taking a break from homework.

I haven't written on the blog for quite a while so I thought I would give an update on whats going on with me.

1. I have moved! After nearly 9 months, I finally was able to move to Downtown Salt Lake. I'm living with my best friend Cara and here two cats. Its a older apartment, but it has alot of charm. Wood floors, small closets and a kitchen that is so small that I can't even open the fridge without it hitting the stove (it doesn't open all the way). But so

far, its been great! I can ride my bike everywhere and I'm only two blocks from school!

My dirty small room. I love it though! I has two windows!

My little Kitchen with no dishwasher or garbage disposal. We've gotten good at washing dishes!

2. I am currently working on surviving my second to last semester of college. Everyone get ready to come to my commencement in May 2010!

3. I'm still working at the law office as a Legal Assistant. I need another job, but I've been too lazy/busy to apply. Oh well, the bright side is I'm becoming my boss's favorite.

4. Utah lost. I was sad. But BYU's lost soften the blow a little bit.

5. I have become a really good knitter! In fact, my girl friends and I even have knitting nights! One day I'll knit you all sweaters. As of right now, I can only knit you dish cloths. : )

Well thats all I can think of as of right now. I love you guys!

More Pictures from Jordan

A pet we found in our room one morning.

Me. I found the tree of life while hiking two weeks ago.

Me again. In space.

A look at what Jordan is doing in Peru.

Do you get it?

See, it says it right there.

Jordan and Elder Van Duyn with their latest convert

Silly Jordan

On the Beach