Okay, here's my bio: Born in 1959 in Spokane Washington. Son of Ken and Antonia Smith. He was born in Hailey Idaho, she in Dickinson ND. His ancestry is mostly British/Scot. Hers is entirely German-Russian Catholics.
Raised most of my life in/near Missoula Montana, I grew up with my 3 brothers and 4 sisters in an extremely inactive family. LDS friends of mine introduced me to the Church in 1975, and I was baptized Dec 20th of that year. Within a year, I was absorbing LDS scriptures, having read the Book of Mormon, D&C, New Testament and a Marvelous Work and a Wonder in that timeframe. Served my mission to Bolivia from Dec 1978-80. I converted hundreds of thousands of the people there, it's just that most of them don't realize it, yet. ;-) Returned, moved to Salt Lake City, Holladay area. Married Laura Thurber in Feb 82, within a couple months, she got bored with me and we were quickly into family counseling. Left for the Air Force in Oct 82, with her filing for divorce while I was in Basic Training and Tech School. Survived Air Force Law Enforcement and K9 training. Divorced finalized on my first day at my first assignment in Fort Worth Texas (Carswell AFB). Worked with patrol and explosive detection dogs there. In 1985, sent to Korea for a year, where I guarded the base's fence line from invasions. I was very successful, as no North Korean attacks occurred at my base during my 12 month stint there. While in Korea, I started writing an old friend, Ramona Jackson. We sent photos of ourselves to each other (crossed in the mail), and both had a strong Holy Spirit-like feeling that we should see more of each other, upon seeing the photos. Returned home in Feb 86, spent two weeks in SLC, where my parents and family had migrated to and become active. Then went to Indianapolis to visit Ramona. In one week, we were engaged. I went to Mississippi for 6 weeks for cross training into computers, and then was assigned to Gunter Air Force Station, Montgomery AL in June. Ramona and I tied the Celestial knot in the Chicago temple on August 16, 1986; and I moved her and her three kids down with me. The Air Force left me at Gunter for the next 16.5 years working in the computer field, until I retired on Nov 1, 2002. We spent a couple months selling our home and visiting family, then moved to Indianapolis in January of this year. All three kids are grown. Aaron is married with 5 kids, in the Air Force in Las Vegas (Explosives Ordnance Disposal expert). Michal, our daughter, is married in Montgomery; her husband photographs genealogy records there for the Church. Our youngest, John, returned from his Alaskan mission in Oct 2002, and has been working since. He has had two experiences I have not yet had the experience to have: meet John Redelfs and taste Esperanza's cooking. I am now working as an office manager for an LDS owned company that makes components for race cars (mostly Indy and Nascar). So, when your favorite driver crosses the finish line, chances are we've made his oil pump, exhaust, or hubs. We purchased an older 1935 home, two blocks from Ramona's brother, who is bishop here in Plainfield. I have 4 years until I'm in danger of that bishop calling-thingy. I am the 11 year old scout leader, and Ramona teaches 4 year old Primary. Previous callings: Bishopric (2x), Stake Mission Presidency (2x), Ward mission leader (3x), stake clerk (2x), ward clerk, ward exec secretary, Melchizedek Priesthood Group Leader, YM President, choir director. My favorite church calling experiences: in the choirs for the Korean and Birmingham AL temple dedications; and Leader for the new group (now branch) in Tuskegee AL. Ordained an elder in 1978, and a high priest in 1989. Hobbies: Reading (gospel, history, science, some fiction); walking/biking; Internet. I'm also a hat wearer, only started wearing ball caps in the last 6 years. My favorite hat right now is my Boy Scout fedora, one of several I've owned over the years. I've been on the Internet since 1986, and was an active member of some early LDS email lists, like: Morm-Ant (run by Bill Hamblin, prof at BYU). I was one of Zion's first members, as JWR , I and a few others tired of the anti-Mormon attacks found at Mormon-L. I was the list co-owner for a time, until early this year when I left for a break, due to the direction this list was going. I decided, with the death of my dear friend Marc Schindler, to return, so I could enjoy the presence of JWR, Val, Stephen, Steven, Tom, Scott, Ron, David, and many others that I've come to know as close friends over the many years. I have met a few Zion members over the years, including Tom Valleta, Scott and Doug McGee, Dave Kenison and Dave Crockett, Tami Reber (who is like a kid sister to me that I haven't heard from in years), Heidi, etc. I look forward to meeting those in the Indiana/Midwest area. What I would love, is for us to plan a Nauvoo reunion get-together next summer. Meet on a Saturday, go to a session, then dinner/lunch, and walk around the sites. Who's interested? I'm going to be pushing this from now until we organize something. All of you are welcome to use my home as a central pad for visiting the Church sites (or other visits). We're 5-6 hours from Nauvoo and Kirtland, and 8 hours from Independence Mo and Palmyra. K'aya K'ama, Gerald (Gary) Smith [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.geocities.com/rameumptom/index.html LDS Evidences, Family History, Food Storage, etc. ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// /// ZION LIST CHARTER: Please read it at /// /// http://www.zionsbest.com/charter.html /// ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// --^---------------------------------------------------------------- This email was sent to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aaP9AU.bWix1n.YXJjaGl2 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] TOPICA - Start your own email discussion group. FREE! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/create/index2.html --^----------------------------------------------------------------
