The Sparkman Family Letter

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2009 at a glance by Rod, Camille, Stephanie, R.J., Ann, Brennon (Baby "B"), Emma, Bobby, Jake, and Lisa.

Family and Friends:

(Top left to right) Ann, R.J. Brennon (Baby "B"), Jacob, Lisa, Emma, and Bobby (Bottom) Stephanie, Rod, and Camille; Photo taken at a West Bountiful private home. (c) 2009. Copyright SparTechs Company.

Thanks for all you’ve done for us this year. We’ve been blessed tremendously to have so many help us during two eternal, temple weddings, losing Poppy Acosta and Sandy Bentley, and Stephanie’s accident. We’re grateful to our Heavenly Father for his continual protection and guidance. We recognize His hand in all things. During this time of economic uncertainty and turmoil, we’ve been blessed with great jobs, a lovely and comfortable home, food and clothing in abundance, and most importantly, a beautiful and wonderful family. We trust that you are doing well and that you will read on to discover what’s happened in our lives this year. Some highlights are Rod, R.J., and Jacob rode the full twenty miles together in the Hess Cancer Foundation Legacy run. It was a great ride! We got together as a family during Thanksgiving and had a great time.

Video Clip from the Sparkman Family

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Rod and Camille: Rod’s challenge this year has been to move from the Church Office Building where he worked for 22 years with a short 15 minute commute one way. His new commute is to the Riverton Office Building in Riverton, Utah which is 35 minutes one way when the traffic is good. Inclement weather is a real challenge since he no longer has covered parking and has to deal with the ice, snow, wind, and rain. The move, however, has been good for him since the building is fully accessible and he’s able to once again be with his development team and co-workers. Camille continues with the Davis County Library doing what she loves best – helping people read, learn, and grow. Even through the politics, the little things like helping out an Grandma loves me very much! I love Grandma Camille! (c) Copyright 2009. SparTechs Company elderly person or a pre-schooler make it all worth it. She glows and is fulfilled knowing that she’s helped make the world a little bit better and richer. She loves her grandson Baby “B” and spoils him at every turn with her love and affection. Rod just loves to play with Baby “B”. B particularly likes the blue and clear rubber balls that light up when they get thrown! Vendors, at the computer conferences that Rod goes to, hand these out for free. J

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R.J., Ann, and Baby Brennon: R.J. continues to work at Lakeview Hospital as a medical laboratory scientist. He’s had to deal with the H1N1 pandemic implications. He’s had a trial by fire in the medical field. Ann continues to take care of Brennon. She will be returning to school to finish her degree in technical writing. R.J. and Ann joined Rod on several Saturdays riding their bikes on the Legacy highway biking trail. Doing thirty two miles in one morning or afternoon was pretty tough in the begi Ann and R.J. Sparkman after going to see the lights at Temple Square December 2009. (c) Copyright 2009. SparTechs Company nning, but both were troopers and hung in there. Baby B is growing into a toddler. He has a full vocabulary like “fish”, “Dad”, “Mom”, “Cat” (meaning Dog) and a few expletives he’s learned from his dad. He and RJ celebrated their birthdays last month. Baby B loves his grandmas and grandpas. They spoil him rotten. What do you expect when this is the first grand-child on both sides of the family?

Halloween with Baby B

Emma and Bobby McNeal: CHANGE is the word of the year for Emma! In February, she started working at McKay Dee Hospital in the emergency room as a critical care technician, doing everything from CPR on cardiac patients to helping trauma surgeons with stitches. She was on the front lines of the swine flu epidemic. During that same month, Bobby McNeal proposed to her and the marathon of wedding preparations began.

In March, the Bountiful Temple was the beautiful place in which Emma was able to participate in her endowment. In April, Bobby and Emma began renting a townhouse in Clearfield and Emma moved in to take care of the house until they were married. Bobby and Emma learned the reality of the saying “Distance makes the heart grow fonder” while he was far away in Italy on a family trip and she was here with the family for Jacob’s wedding. Bobby was in the city of love (Rome, Italy) and was one sad puppy! Even Emma’s trip to the happiest place on Earth (Disney World), didn’t do the trick.

They were definitely happy to see each other after two long weeks of separation! FINALLY on June 27, 2009 in the Bountiful Temple, Bobby and Emma were sealed as husband and wife. They enjoyed a fun honeymoon in Jackson Hole, Grand Teton, and Yellowstone.

In August, Bobby changed from contract work at Hill Air Force Base to civil servant which should be more stable work. It was also the time Emma went back to school to finish up some more classes that Weber State University nursing program required that the University of Utah did not.

In September, some health concerns from previous months became even more concerning and Emma began seeking out more specialty doctors. In November, a dermatologist also discovered that she is also suffering from a genetic skin disorder called Vitiligo. It causes splotches on your skin and is not contagious.

Bobby’s sister, Sarah, came into town for their Grandpa Luker’s funeral. While here, Sarah, Bobby, and Emma went to the Manti Temple where Emma felt prompted that she needed to quit her job in order to focus on her health issues.

We hope that by putting this information out here it can help you understand what is going on in our lives. We hope to continue to face the changes in our lives with hope and with the knowledge that the Lord is on our side. One quote that we have come to love is, “Our burdens give us the opportunity to cultivate virtues and attributes of the Savior.” We are here to become like Christ and in this season of Christmas we are grateful for all of the challenges and experiences we have had this year that have helped bring us closer to him. May the Lord bless you this year!! Love Bobby and Emma McNeal

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Jake and Lisa: Well it has been an eventful year for us. We began by traveling to Florida in February so that he could meet his future in-laws. Jake soon found out that they are crazy just like his own family and all worries quickly disappeared about marrying into the wonderful Steinmetz family. May 16^th 2009 came before we knew it. It was a beautiful day, one that we will both remember, not for this life alone but for all eternity as well. We were married in the Salt Lake Temple. We spent our honeymoon in Florida with the Sparkman side of the family. Don’t worry! We are planning a second one for just the two of us. We went to the most magical place on Earth, Disney World!!! It poured the entire time. It truly was magical. Jake even ruined his phone from it being wet so long. July brought us all back together Steinmetz and Sparkman alike. We ventured up to the land northward, known as Rexburg, Idaho. Lisa received her empty diploma case. She received her BA in History. We love being married. Jake is now enrolled at LDS Business College in Salt Lake City and will start his long journey of education in January. We love you all! May the Lord Bless you this upcoming year with all that you need and the desires of your hearts!

Stephanie and Precious: Life is funny. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, a tree slams into you at 50mph. Heavenly Father either has a cruel sense of humor, or He really knows what he’s doing.

I finished my Associate’s Degree in General Studies at Weber State University during the summer. I felt that I needed to take time off from school to earn money for a mission. But plans change according to what the Lord has in store. I experienced some health problems and wanted to get them resolved before submitting my papers. I went to the doctor several times and was diagnosed as normal... I guess there’s a first time for everything.

I worked at This Is the Place, a "Disneyfied" Utah historical park, during the summer. I drove a miniature train around in circles and waved at the Native Americans in their teepees. It was a real professional job. I quit working there after a lot of stress and political garbage. I prayed for direction to earn money for my mission. The spirit prompted me to ask for a job at Jacob Lake Inn in Arizona. I was surprised when I got the job. But I was more surprised when I had to leave after only two weeks. I was in an accident that nearly killed me. Nearly, but I’m not dead yet.

When you hit a tree, there is usually a reason. Trust in the Lord and may your holidays be bright this year.

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As you can see, our family has a lot to be thankful for and is happy to take the time to remember Christ this season. May your families be blessed and may you know that we think of you often. With all our love, (Con todo nuestro amor y cariño!)

The Rodney Sparkman Jr. Family

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The Sparkman Family Letter

Spending Time with the kids during Thanksgiving

Halloween with Baby B

A Night Out on Temple Square Salt Lake City, Utah December 2009. There are 190 photos here! You'll want to see them all. Enjoy!