Generous People. Generous Hearts.

We've been overwhelmed by generosity of so many people in our community. During the past few weeks, we've been the caretaker of goodwill offerings from so many of you. We are excited to say that in the coming weeks, we will be able to provide a great deal of support to the girls of Hogar de Natalia Siman in El Salvador.

French West Indies

Our nephew currently serves in the French West Indies Mission. With his mission president on an airplane home, I thought I would upload this video just release on a mission blog created by the mission president's wife. If you've ever served a mission or sent out a missionary, this is a six minute video you've just got to see.

These were days... from diane robison on Vimeo.

Tacos for Tots.

We are so excited that this coming Saturday, June 27th, our dear friends Michael and Lluvia Campbell are hosting a Indian Taco sale with all proceeds going to Hogar de Natalia. (See artical below.)

If you've never had an indian taco made by the Campbell family, you are in for an amazing treat. The Campbell's live at the top of our street. The fry bread starts cooking at 11:00 AM and ends at 4:00. See you there!

4750 No. / Provo, Utah (4750 North is one street south of Orem Center Street, off University Ave.)

The Hope of a Nation.

If you look closely into the eyes of the girls of Hogar de Natalia, you'll see more than you might imagine. But you'll have to look past the meager surroundings or the buildings in disrepair, because it's the eyes that tell the tale - which truly is the story of hope.

The school bells had just rang when more than a handful of the fifty eight girls that live in this orphanage located in the fringes of San Salvador strolled dutifully back to the place they call home. The majority of these girls - fifty four out of fifty eight - are termed "unadoptable." And not because of some malady they possess or because of a crime they've committed, but because some day, some how, each actually wants to return to their homes - home to a mother or father, a sister or aunt.

But today they can not.

Since there was no way for them to survive with the parents that gave them the gift of life, they luckily found a home with the sisters of the church - who despite an almost complete lack of funding - raise these girls as if they are their very own.

It's surprising the places where you can find hope thriving. And it's no surprise that we found it at Hogar de Natalia. These are girls who want to learn, who want to achieve, who want to become women of substance. But it takes more than the dedication of a handful of nuns and a single visit from a few Americans. Sadly, it takes more than we have to offer.

And so we vowed, like many, many people have done before, to do something - do anything to help these dear souls. It is this passion that is taking us back to El Salvador during the hot days of July to bring whatever we can to make not just their days, but there lives a little brighter.

Dear friends -

We are not a professional humanitarian organization. We are just one couple who sees a need and is trying to help. Please join us - with whatever small contribution you can make - to help the daughters of El Salvador. We are traveling to El Salvador in a little over a month to deliver what we can to Hogar de Natalia. 100% of the funds we collect will be used to purchase - at discounted prices from reputable, local vendors - washing machines, eating utensils and cooking supplies for this wonderful organization. We are covering all of our own expenses (flights, food, hotel) so that all we collect will go to this most worthy cause.

If you are interested, simply click on the paypal button and make a small donation with your credit card and then check back at the end of July and look at the eyes of the girls you've chosen to help.

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

- Brian & Stephanie Neff

The Trouble with Sextuplets.

A few weeks ago, my kids decided they'd better come up with some names for our new chickens. Great idea, I thought, but entirely impractical. Since then, only one has a name, but even that moniker is fading fast.

The trouble is this - they all look the same. Same size, same color, same temperament. And even though they are lovable in their own chicken-like way, maybe not being able to tell them apart makes it easier to dispatch with one of them when there are noodles, onions and carrots needing something meaty to go into the pot with them.

But even though they are merely chickens, it does seem a bit dangerous to consider they are objects rather than things with brains and emotions - even though the brain part of the equation is rather small.

That said, they have been well-cared for and even appreciated - mind you they haven't left us a single egg to date. Maybe we'll even come up with a few names for them too. Does this sound descriptive enough: Chicken #1, Chicken #2, Chicken #3...

The Watch Begins.

Tomorrow, the start of the 2009 hurricane season officially begins. And with that comes three sets of parents who will listen a lot closer to weather reports, seek out the latest news on the hurricane tracking website and, most importantly, increase the number of prayers offered to heaven for the protection of their children serving missions.

Abraham Maslow said something like this, "He who has a hammer, thinks everything is a nail." And so with three family members living in places where hurricanes have a history of dealing a devastating punch, it's little wonder that for the next six months we'll focus on thing like ocean temperatures, barometric pressure changes and prevailing winds.

Keep your eyes open for activities in the eastern Caribbean and the golf states for activities and if you hear something, reach for your phone to let us know and then join us on our knees.

How Can I Keep from Singing.

Just about ever choir that has been assembled has carried this song in its portfolio of hymns. In my simple view, however, these inspired words echo the sentiments of our day as well as any other.

My life goes on in endless song
above earth's lamentations,
I hear the real, though far-off hymn
that hails a new creation.

Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear it's music ringing,
It sounds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing?

While though the tempest loudly roars,
I hear the truth, it liveth.
And though the darkness 'round me close,
songs in the night it giveth.

No storm can shake my inmost calm,
while to that rock I'm clinging.
Since love is lord of heaven and earth
how can I keep from singing?

When tyrants tremble sick with fear
and hear their death knell ringing,
when friends rejoice both far and near
how can I keep from singing?

No storm can shake my inmost calm,
while to that rock I'm clinging.
Since love is lord of heaven and earth
how can I keep from singing?

My life goes on in endless song
above earth's lamentations,
I hear the real, though far-off hymn
How can I keep from singing?