August: by Bjorn

Well, the 3 younger kids are off to their first day of school! Can't believe Miriam's in high school! We did father's blessings yesterday and the number of blessings I gave was a bit less than I'm used to. I guess the blessing I can give Natalie now is simply praying for her every day and trusting that the Lord will watch over her.

Summer definitely went way too fast this year. School started extra early this time. The kids seemed ok with it, and its nice to get back on a regular schedule with everything, including family scripture study. We got notebooks for each person in the family and we're trying to be better at recording feelings, thoughts and personal revelation as we study. Enoch requested personal study time after family study time so they could have a personal experience in the scriptures and have time to write about it. He had a great experience doing that up at Sky Mountain and wanted to implement that into things here. I think he really experienced some great things up there and learned more about himself and leadership and good habits, and a lot of other things including the type of person he wants to be and the type of people he wants to be around. It's a joy to see him maturing and figuring out what's most important in life, as well as helping the family to improve in meaningful ways.

Isaac has another two weeks until school starts and he's very excited for it. I think he has enjoyed being home, but is definitely ready to be out on his own again. He enjoyed his trip to Mexico, though the first day there they were doing a relay race where you carry an orange under your chin and with his head down he didn't see the clothes line and ran right into it at full speed. It hit him right in the mouth and took him off his feet, into the air, and then flat onto his back. He said the fall and landing weren't bad, but he bloodied up his mouth pretty bad. He has sores inside his mouth - like huge canker sores. He said it was like getting hit in the mouth when you have braces on, only worse. Hopefully it heals quickly.

Enoch got injured in a soccer game - went up for a header and came down and hyper-extended and slightly twisted his left knee as he landed. He was down on the ground for a while and Mom and I were pretty concerned. It ended up that ACL, MCL, meniscus all seem to be fine, but there's still pain along the outside of his leg around the knee area. The tournament "trainer" said she thought it was the fibular ligament. We took x-rays and no bones are broken. We're going to take him to see the same specialist that operated on that same knee a while ago and see if anything other than rest and/or physical therapy are needed, but after limping around for a few days, Enoch seems mostly better, so we'll see. It's still somewhat tender depending on how he moves it.

So, life is getting back to normal. Back to watching lots of soccer games, and hopefully getting to bed at reasonable times rather than midnight every night.

8th Grade
10th Grade
11th Grade

Summer 2019

They have traveled far and wide and we're SO GLAD to have almost everyone back home again!

Italy

Sacred Grove

New York

Sky Mountain Ranch

Alaska Basin - Teton Valley

June 2019

Auriana and Taylon are currently in NAUVOO!
They are enjoying watching Taylon's sister as a performing missionary there,
and they also saw Anne Pendleton (Bjorn's brother Mark's daughter in the picture) who is serving there as well.

Auriana & Taylon went to California to celebrate their one year anniversary.
TIME FLIES! 

AMERICAN RHYTHM is getting ready for their trip to Italy!
They are such a fun group to watch!

We enjoyed having Elder Schlegel (Isaac's Companion  from Germany) stay with us for a while. 
Isaac enjoyed giving him an American experience. 
Isaac is in Mexico, visiting the orphanage there again this weekend.

Natalie's District leader Elder Marcus Young is on the right.
(Craig's son)

Natalie is enjoying an open house for their new chapel in Villalba!

Enoch is mowing lawns and has had several basketball tournaments recently.
He has been playing a lot of Spikeball in his spare time. He also enjoys hiking and hammocking with his friends.

We enjoyed the Pioneer Trek this year.
 Bjorn and I helped with the food, so we were able to see the kids at meal times.
We also had the adventure of frying scones in a wind and rain storm.  

May 2019

Highlights: 

• Auriana & Taylon are both working, but Taylon is enjoying a break from school. We see them most Sundays which we love!   
• Isaac moved home for the summer.  It's great to see him more often now. He's still working at BYU every day. 
• Natalie arrived safely in Spain and is having a wonderful time there. It has been so fun to have her call a couple of times. 
• Enoch's team went to Logan for State Soccer and lost to Sky View who later become state champions.  It was fun to see Brenda and Jenny & Chad there. 
• Miriam finished personal progress.  Her final project was organizing and updating all of our emergency supplies. She worked hard hoping to finish by the end of the year ... she beat her goal by 7 months.  
• Ellie has 3 values left to do and is planning to finish before the end of the year as well. 

MORE SOCCER HIGHLIGHTS:BOYS VARSITY SOCCER · APR 18Overtime Stunner Thrills Fans, Gives Dons the Win

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AWAY			HOME
OREM HIGH SCHOOL		VS	SPANISH FORK HIGH SCHOOL
1			2

Heart-stopping action in the final minutes brought the score even in Spanish Fork and sent the Dons and visiting Orem into overtime at one each. At the break, going into the overtime period, coach Shane Ferrin was vocal! “You MUST do better! We have too much at stake and we want this more than they do!” When the boys took the field he was a little less animated, but still emotional, “ These are great young men. I love them and just want them to be happy with their performance today and every game.” And happy they were when only three minutes later, Sophomore Enoch Pendleton drove hard to the frame and using his sheer size and strength, forced the ball into the goal. The celebration cleared the bench and showcased the unity these boys and coaches have with each other.

BOYS VARSITY SOCCER · APR 20Senior Night Ends in Spectacular Fashion – Dons Win 7-0

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AWAY			HOME
PAYSON HIGH SCHOOL		VS	SPANISH FORK HIGH SCHOOL
0			7

At the conclusion of 80 minutes of soccer tonight, the home-team Spanish Fork Dons celebrated their win by dumping the 10-gallons of ice water from the cooler onto head coach Shane Ferrin. “Just once, I’d like to get away without wearing the water!,” said Ferrin. But wear it he did and the smiles on their faces (including Ferrin’s) indicated that it was exactly as it should be. In a match that saw total domination by the Dons, the Spanish Fork boys put up seven goals – four of them by Senior Ryker Barton, who had one of his best matches this season. The remaining three came from solid shots by Junior, Cesar Fuentes and Sophomores, Ethan Binks and Enoch Pendleton. Pendleton nearly had another late goal, but was taken to the deck in the box. In what seemed to be an obvious penalty kick for the Dons, Pendleton was called for a foul and the free kick awarded to the Payson crew.

Enoch was named the sophomore athlete of the year.  His coach described him ... 

"Enoch Pendleton is a specimen.  Strong, powerful, fast.

He is built like Atlas, Smart like Copernicus,

 Handsome like Cary Grant,  and a gentleman like Nelson Mandela."

April 2019

BOYS VARSITY SOCCER · APR 13“We Never Back Down From a Fight”

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AWAY			HOME
SPANISH FORK HIGH SCHOOL		VS	LEHI HIGH SCHOOL
1			0
1	-		-
2	-		-
OT1	1		-

Screen legend and model of manhood John Wayne said, “Men should be tough, fair, and courageous, never petty, never looking for a fight, but never backing down from one either.” It would appear that the Spanish Fork soccer team operates in a way that would make the Duke proud. In a tough contest that saw the visiting Dons battling both the wind and an improved Lehi squad, the final whistle blew at the peak of high action and intense pressure. The Spanish Fork boys carried that momentum into the first overtime period and with only minutes off the clock, Sophomore Enoch Pendleton powered his way through a tough Pioneer line to sneak the winner in.

The match truly was a fight, with seven cards being distributed in the second half. The Dons played like John Wayne described and played courageous, fair, and with intensity. Coach Ryan Crockett, with an evident smile in his voice, said, “There’s no quit in these men!! They want this season to be one for their school, families, and the entire community!” And the visiting stands looked as though much of Spanish Fork was there to be a part of it. “Our fans are a big part of our success this season,” said coach, Shane Ferrin. “Without the support of this crowd and the big noise they create behind us, the battles would be harder and the wins less meaningful. I hope they know how much we need them and how big and wonderful their impact is!” It sure seems like a special season and team this year for the Dons. 

BOYS VARSITY SOCCER · MAR 20Disappointing Loss An Issue of Luck, Not Play

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AWAY			HOME
MOUNTAIN VIEW HIGH SCHOOL		VS	SPANISH FORK HIGH SCHOOL
2			1
1	1		1
2	-		-
OT1	1		-

The Dons of Spanish Fork played a solid and dominating match Tuesday at home against a very challenging Mountain View squad. But in the final minutes of an overtime that saw the Bruins in Spanish Fork’s half only once, a corner kick awarded to the visiting team resulted in some bad luck for the Dons and disappointment to their energetic and supportive crowd.
The two teams traded goals midway though the first half and went into the break at a goal each. The Bruins drew first blood on a corner kick that went unmarked in the middle. The error by the home team cost them as Mountain View found the ball in front of the frame and no one there to stop it.

Minutes later though the Dons answered when Junior Cesar Fuentes gathered a slotted ball from sophomore Enoch Pendleton and nearly ripped the net with a left-footed powerhouse shot! “It was exactly why we pulled Enoch up today!,” said head coach Shane Ferrin. “Enoch is a strong, powerful, speedy, player, and he makes good things happen. He did what we asked him to do today.” 

American Rhythm
Preparing for their trip to Italy in July

Miriam's birthday picnic :-)

Happy 15th birthday to Miriam!!
She got her drivers permit and she begs to drive every day!

Jazz vs Lakers Game

March 2019: by Bjorn

Dear Family,

What a week it has been for the Pendleton family. It's such a joy to have a missionary serving from our family, but that joy only makes the goodbye a little bit easier. There are still at least a couple times a day that I almost break into tears as I think about her and try to figure out what to do with that big hole in my heart. But the joy does outweigh the heartache and the heartache is temporary and definitely worth it because I know what she is doing is right and will benefit her in so many ways. I also know of the amazing good she will bring about through her teaching and service and love of the people of Madrid.

We enjoyed a wonderful morning in the temple the morning before she went into the MTC, as well as a yummy lunch together at Pizza Pie Cafe. We said our goodbyes in the entryway of the restaurant, and I'm sure a few people gave us some looks, but I didn't care that I was crying in front of total strangers because I was hugging my dear missionary daughter. The setting apart Tuesday night was wonderful. The stake president couldn't make it for some reason and so the 1st counselor did the setting apart and the spirit was very strong.

It was fun for Auriana and Becky and Miriam and Ellie to help Natalie with her packing process at various times leading up to her departure. Some side benefits were inheriting more clothes that Natalie didn't want or need anymore. No complaint from the sisters!

It was great to see so many of you at Natalie's farewell and see your love for her. Thank you to each of you for your example and support for all our children throughout the years.

Life goes on and everyone is involved in something. Miriam and Ellie continue with clogging and doing whatever work they can to continue earning money for their trip to Italy with the American Rhythm Folk Ensemble this summer. Enoch made the high school soccer team again and is busy with practices and games each day after school. Auriana & Taylon continue to stay busy with work and school.

We celebrated Isaac's birthday today (10th) since he'll be in Mexico (with Enoch) with the Kaiizen Foundation on his actual birthday. Becky cooked him some delicious salmon, with pan eclairs for dessert. He invited all his college roommates over and they had a lot of fun being crazy at our house.

The group video chat with everyone for Dad's birthday was a lot of fun. Thanks, Chad, for letting me tease you about taking a nap in the middle of it. :) We love each of you and are grateful for all our opportunities to associate with you.

Love, Bjorn & Becky

Natalie's P-day is Wednesday while she's in the MTC. 

Her email address is: natalie.pendleton@missionary.org

January 2019

We attended a fun family reunion in Victor, Idaho after Christmas.
We played in the snow a bit, but we mostly just enjoyed hanging out together with the Pendleton Family. 

Christmas morning was so fun with everyone home together again! 

Miriam and Ellie - Junior High Choir

Enoch - High School Guitar Class

Natalie's coed Intramural basketball team
Champions! :-)

Miriam got her braces off!  Hurray!

November 2018

BOOK OF MORMON:

A few minutes ago we finished reading the Book of Mormon.  We started on Friday at 4:00 ... and finished on Sunday at 8:00. It was a Book of Mormon marathon with the Young Men and Young Women of our ward.  It was quite amazing, and my testimony of that Book was definitely strengthened.  I personally took a break here and there for different things, but a lot of the youth were there for every single word.  It took some real determination and perseverance.  We even had guest appearances from Lehi, Nephi, Enos, Samuel the Lamanite, Moroni, and others.  

MISSION CALL: 

Natalie turned 19 and got her mission call to MADRID SPAIN!!  

She will leave on March 6 for the Provo MTC. She is excited and we are excited for her! 

   

A NEW TEENAGER:

Ellie is a teenager now!! 

Ice Cream and Ice Skating to Celebrate!! 

DANCE:

Miriam and Ellie made the American Rhythm dance team!  If all goes well, they will be travelling to folk festivals in ITALY with Auriana and Taylon this summer. They are very excited!!

SPORTS: 

Ellie has been playing rec soccer and volleyball and loves it.  Volleyball is a new sport for our family ... the rules have changed since I was young.  Enoch and Miriam both finished up their soccer seasons successfully.  Miriam played varsity in one of the final games at the high school and received a varsity letter.  Enoch's club team did so well this season that they will move to the Premier level next season...that't the top! In my opinion that's a huge accomplishment for a team that doesn't cut players.  His team started out with a bunch of 10 year old friends from the neighborhood with three of their dads as volunteer coaches.  They have worked very hard and have progressed amazingly together.  They are fun to watch! Both Miriam and Enoch made the school basketball teams this week as well!  Here we go with four games every week. What fun!!  Isaac's (and Scott's) intramural frisbee team is doing well in their tournament.  Natalie has had a blast playing intramural soccer and basketball ... both of her teams are doing well in the tournaments as well.  She has persevered through a sprained ankle.