Seasons of JOY and THANKSGIVING

Our hearts were full of gratitude and love to the Almighty GOD, who is our Heavenly Father for the great and amazing news we had received from Lorena's Oncologist when we visited him yesterday for a check up at MCG (Medical College of Georgia) Lorena is 100% cancer-free. Her doctor, Dr. Dainer revealed that she had a very bad tumor that most people do not survive. He was concerned about telling her what the result of the treatments might be. However, yesterday, he was grinning from ear to ear when he told us that Lorena does not need to be in the cancer center anymore. He said it was a great miracle, and that we have every reason to have a BIG celebration. John reminded Lorena about the blessings pronounced upon her by a brethren who administers sacrament at McKay-Day Hospital in Ogden, Utah. Lorena had a difficult life during her cancer illness, and has so much to tell. We both have had difficult and some trying circumstances, but we never lose hope. We put our trust in HIM who gave us life. We both survived-and this is our season of JOY, LOVE and Gratitude.

We are also started our adoption application with the LDS Family Services.

This photo taken on June 27, '08 at Colonel Mason's LUAU Party at his house. We have known him back in Hawaii as John's boss, and he became John's boss again here in Ft. Gordon. We are happy that we were able to attend this party together.

July 8, 2008--taken at Harbor Inn SeaFood Restaurant in Augusta, GA. This was another dinner party for Colonel Mason as he is being transfered to another place.

July 7, 2008: Tybee Island, Savannah, GA, 2 hours and half drive from we live-John misses Hawaii

Tybee Island, SAvannah, Georgia. We could not believe that we will be enjoying the outdoor once again.


We got hungry-Zaxby Chicken fast food


John decided to have a pet at home. This was taken at our neighbor's home who sold the puppy to us. He got a Cavalier King Charles Spaniels dog named "Rocky". We keep the name Rocky. Jul. 6, 2008

John and Rocky at the World of Coke in Atlanta, GA (Jul. 7, 2008). For all of you people who think the military life is horrible because you have to move about every three years or so. Me and Lorena have been able to live in Hawaii, Virgina, Utah and Georgia. Also because of the traveling that is involved we have the opportunity to visit most of the major church historical sites from Carthage were the Prophet was murdered to Palmyra walked the sacred grove where GOD the FATHER and the LORD JESUS CHRIST visited the Prophet Joseph. We have been to beaches of Hawaii and Savannah, GA. We have seen the beauty of this land as we have traveled to new duty stations and we have loved it. This last year has been hard but we have a great lives; it is rife with challenges and exciting adventures. I have the greatest job in the world and the best wife that any man could hope to have.

Mistletoe State Park/Clark Hill Lake on the 4th of July. From left to right; Lorena, Tess, Carol and Lingling. Old buddies at BYUH

My glamor shot contribution:-)

Taking Rocky to the VET. He is a good dog (Jul. 8, 2008)

At the Filipino Fireside, SLC. With returned Mission President from the Philippines. October 7, 2007, few days before Lorena's surgery. All smiles in spite of the cancer

Lorena and Johnny at the Conference Center October 2007 General Conference just before Lorena's surgery. I miss that sexy long hair.

Lorena and some crazy young Filipinos at the Filipino Fire Side in Salt Lake City just after General Conference 7 Oct 2007 three days before Lorena goes under the knife.

Columbia, South Carolina Temple first time back to the Temple since Lorena's surgery, 10th May 2008. Doesn't she look sexy?

Lorena's Oncologist, Dr Dainer at the Cancer Care Clinic at MCG 15th May 08. A couple of weeks after Lorena's last chemotherapy treatment. If you look closely at his neck you will see that he is wearing a Navy neck thing. It took me a while to trust him.

CPT Wilson enjoying the Work and the Glory while Lorena under goes Chemo.
Lorena poses for a glamor shot with two of her nurses Kay and Kathy on last day of Chemotherapy. 25th May 2008

Beverly and Gene Sturgill, the Parent of the Missionary who baptized Lorena in 1990. They came out to Georgia from Idaho to take care of Lorena while I was doing some training at Ft Jackson, SC back in January.
The Dulans, from Hawaii, drop by to visit Lorena after her Surgery at McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden, UT.
The Nurse preps to remove the staples from Lorena's abdomen.




Lorena sharing a happy moment. This is when I was deployed in Iraq.


10 October 2007 Lorena prepares to go to the hospital. This was also her 40th birthday. A lot of people felt sorry for her because her birthday activities consisted of about five or more hours laying on a cold steel operating table. On this day she was given the gift of life, and I do believe that that is a little better than a card or some birthday cake.

Another glamor shot after surgery.

Dr Carabine, the Surgeon.

Rob Sturgill and his kids traveled from Twin Falls, ID to see Lorena. Rob is the missionary that baptized Lorena.

Savannah, Georgia- 2 weeks after we arrived to Georgia from Utah. (Nov. 2007)

Johnny, the mischief. Savannah Georgia

See, what I mean?

This was taken after the Change of Command Ceremony. Lorena was given a dozen yellow roses as part of the ceremony. Nov. 16, 2007

CPT Wilson the battle harden war hero takes command of Bravo Company. Some laugh and say, Johnny battle harden, yea right. But just think and ask yourself this question, has my hummer ever been blown up while commuting to work not once but twice or has any body ever thrown grenades at you from atop of a building and then some gunman run into the road shouting at you or had snipes shouting at you from all different angles. If you can answer yes then we can share war stories but if your answer is no then just remember I have and you have not. But I still love you. Nov. 16, 2008

In front of our house in Clinton Utah with our faithful Polynesian neigbhors, The Kalama. We miss them so much. It was hard to say "Aloha 'Oe" to them. We did not sell our house; we have it rented out. Lorena's hair was cut short so she can prepare for the chemo; however, she did not lost her hair at all. (Nov. 12, 2007)

One more stop before we hit the road to Georgia. One of Lorena's new friend in Clinton had just have twin babies, and wants us to hold them as we Lorena and I wanted a baby as well. Lorena was not allowed to lift more than 5 pounds, but the babies were only less than5 pounds each.

With the babies' mother, Linda

John is more than ready to be a daddy.


This has been an exciting time in our lives. Life most definitely has been an interesting and exciting adventure and with the continued blessing from the Great God in Heaven we will have many many more. We are thanking everyone for their prayers.