Elder Matthew Lawerence Knoop

I wanted to leave you all with a letter Matt wrote to hi ward just before he passed away. It is his testimony and it is a beautful letter. I love you all and once again thanks for all your love and support.

Hey everybody,... The time has flown, I have learned more in these 8 months than in my entire life, my body is tired, I have baptized very little, but I have never been so happy. I have such clarity in my life and I feel blessed.

The other day I realized that one day I would leave this place... and I don't know why but I felt such a deep pain in my heart. The only conclusion that I can come to is that because in these 8 months I have learnded to forget about me. Day upon day difficulty after difficulty and blessing after blessing I have chnaged. This truly was a defining moment in this mission and I will never forget.

I can only hope that I will continue on like this. That I will be the Lords servant until the end. That when I return to the temple in Salt Lake that I may kneel down and offer this work that I have done and that I may feel the sweet confirmation of the spirit touch in my heart as it so often does to tell me that He accepts. That this work that I do is accepted by my Father.

Moses 1:39 says that it is the work and glory of God to bring about the eternal salvation of men, I too have made this my work and my glory. And D&C 18 says that if we should work all our day and bring one soul into the kingdom of God how great shall our joy be if we bring many souls unto Him our joy will be greater still.

I do not know what is in store for me but I would like to think that I too would be able to glory in my tribulation in the last day.

My testimony is simple, but it does not have a shade of doubt. I know with all my heart that these things are true.

Love, Elder Knoop

Love

I just wanted to thank all of you for your phone calls and support. It has truly been one of the hardest weekest of my life and I can't believe that my best friend was taken so quickly. I didn't get say good-bye, give him a hug, hear his laugh, or tell him how much I cared about him. Matt was truly and amazing person and friend. He was the rock for so many people and affected so many different kinds of people because of the compassion and love that he had. I am so glad that I got to be so close to Matt and that our friendship grew into something that I will never forget. I know he is in a better place and I can't imagine the welcome he got when he reached heaven and our heavenly father. Even though so many are hurt and struggling from his loss, I know heavenly father had and has a plan for Matt. I love you all and I thank you again for all the love and support you have shown me, it has really helped to know you all are there for me and I don't know what I would do without you guys.

Much Love, Alison

Skiing in the backcountry

HIKING UP AND SKIING DOWN

EPIC. EPIC. EPIC

Like the title I had an EPIC time in Hawaii and want to go there soon for at least a semester. I loved spending time with Meg and Corb and just seeing their life and meeting all the people who are family to them over in Hawaii. It was a time of relaxation and freedom from crazy hectic life back at home. It was nice not to have to deal with school and work and just going constantly. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to go out there and just be. I know why Meg and Corb love it, but it is a whole different world from our home in Park City. Both beautiful places in which god has created for our enjoyment and it is crazy! Well I love you all, Meg and I always forgot our cameras so I don't have much to show you! Thanks Meg and Corb I miss you soooo much and I will be back!

Christmas Photo Shoot 2007

Beauen, Brooks, Scott, Alex, Corbin
Anna, Ali, Olivia, Sylvia, Mardi, Meg, Lisa, Zoe, Kathy
Alison Jane Knudsen

Thomander Family
Pond Family
Knudsen Family

Christmas Photo Shoot 2007

John Scott Knudsen and Martha Jane Knight Knudsen
THEIR FAMILY
Jonah's feet, Zoe, Eli, Olivia, Anders
Beauen, Brooks, Scott, Alex, Corbin
Anna, Ali, Sylvia, Olivia, Mardi, Meg, Lisa, Zoe, Kathy
Alison Jane Knudsen

Thomander Family
Pond Family
Knudsen Family

Yurt Trip With Friends

Back from the yurt. It was a cold ski ride out.
Ripping up some fresh powder!
The beginning of our four mile hike into the Blind Hollow Yurt, Logan Utah.

San Francisco

Here are pictures of when Mom and Ali came to visit me and Corbin in San Francisco! It was so fun to have them around to offer support, and to be able to hang out a little longer. We sure missed everyone else though. Now we are back in Hawaii and life is good. We love being here except that we are so far away of course. I taught my 16 beehives today, and they are so out of control, and most of them are bigger than me, so I definately do not intimidate them. If anyone has any suggestions feel free to post a comment. I love you all. Meg

Come On Family!

Hello Family,
This is Meg and I hope no one minds, because I took the liberty of cleaning up the blog. I figured it was alright if I deleted some of the monthly this and thats, since they were as old as march. I would also like you all to take note that a new link has been added...Meg and Corbs Blog. It will be updated a little more frequently than the family one, with lots of stuff about me and Corbin and our whereabouts. So check it often. I love you all and will be seeing you soon!

Mom's 55th Birthday!

Mom, Dad and I, we had a great time eating fondue at the Melting Pot. Dad thought we wouldn't have enough food, but in the end we were all stuffed and had to unbutton our pants and loosen our belts!

Mom's 55th Birthday!

Mom and Dad eating fondue at the Melting Pot

Anna's Bike Tour- Oahu

Day one of my bike tour, I started out at Meg and Corbin's house in Hauula and biked North towards Waimea, Hale'iwa and Ka'ena Point.
The ocean was in my view about 85% of the time! It was so beautiful!
Finding a comfortable camp next to the ocean! That's what a Megamid Tent is (mom).
Day Two of my bike tour took me through the middle of Oahu Island, through the raining mist and past pineapple fields!

After riding for seven hours I made it to the Hobo side of the island, I say Hobo side because there are lines of tents along all the beaches of Nanakuli, Wai'anae and Makaha. I took a seat amongst them and met Claire who offered to watch my bike while I went for a walk! Duh.
Camping next to the beach gave me the chance to study the art of surfing through the sunset. What an art!
Day Three: I rode for eight hours from Ka'ena Point, (West Side) to Honolulu and Waikiki. I planned on camping around Diamond Head but there was no camping to be found! Good thing I met a nice local guy who saved my helpless, worn-out, tired self. He drove me an hour and a half to Meg and Corbin's house, where I could sleep and than continue my bike tour in the morning, except now the opposite direction.
I wonder how many miles I did? I loved my bike tour around and through the island of Oahu. It is a beautiful Island and I am so proud of Meg and Corbin for making a life here. I am glad I got to experience this island from a bike seat. I had to remind myself it wasn't the destination, it was the journey. "Don't forget to stop and smell the roses- so I did." Aloha!

Olivia and Ali fun with Photobooth

Olivia and I were having so much fun playing with photobooth that we decided we would share our "best" shots with all of you! They are quite funny and I hope you get as much of a laugh out of them as we did! We love you all!