Smurthwaite Family Newsletter--2022

(a copy of the newsletter we sent out)

Jonnie and Marlise Smurthwaite – Christmas 2022

This last year, we traveled all around the country in our RV! During our “HoppoTabi” full-time RV journey we will have traveled over 23,000 miles from California to Maine and from Washington State to southern Florida, and so much more in between! We’ve visited 42 States, 30 national parks, countless Church History Sites from Vermont to Salt Lake City, and many US History Sites from Plymouth to Jamestown to DC to Gettysburg to Memphis. We attended 2 family reunions and visited many family and friends along the way. We have had our fair share of challenges and surprises, along with wonderful gifts, tender mercies, and life lessons.

We’ve learned to rely on each other, to roll with all the ups and downs, and to enjoy the journey. A unique, once-in-a-lifetime, cherished experience, and a dream come true. Even with the challenges — we wouldn’t trade these experiences for anything!

(Ruby Beach, Washington)

The end of our journey is bittersweet . . . we are grateful for new experiences ahead of us, but we know we will miss this time terribly. Still being on the road, it’s a much simpler Christmas for us. We are grateful for the spirit of the season that we have enjoyed, and for the increased focus on the Savior. We are grateful for ‘baby Jesus’, but also for the ‘adult Jesus’ and the ‘resurrected Jesus’ . . . and pray that you will feel of His love, as well.

(Smurthwaite Reunion--Fairfield, Utah)

On the road for most of this year . . . Sierra is reading, dancing, and quoting movies . . . Janson juggles high school classes and seminary online while being the go-to guy . . . Ryah has blessed us with creative fixes on more than one occasion . . . Colton gives from his generous and courageous heart and surprises us with his art skills . . . Daxton shares his enormous energy and is quick to make us laugh . . . Jonnie, Marlise’s hero that makes it all possible . . . Marlise, Jonnie’s angel that makes our rolling home and family a heaven on earth. It’s impossible to capture it all . . . but hopefully we are a little more wise, close, bonded, grateful, etc. . . . Here are a few highlights from our family’s 2022 journey.

(Niagara Falls, New York)

(Acadia National Park, Maine)

Marie: Graduated from BYU-Idaho in April, working at Conservis and living in Logan, UT. Enjoyed family reunions and Harry Potter World with us in December.

JD: Still in NYC performing at piano bars and private events. We enjoyed seeing him at the Smurthwaite Family reunion and when we went to NY and took him with us to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

Janson (14): Favorites include all the US history in the northeast—like Mt Vernon, Monticello, and sites of the Revolutionary War and Civil War. (And visiting Grandma Craig on her mission in DC!) Also, all the Church History, especially Susquehanna and visiting all those church sites so close together—that increased his understanding and appreciation. Loved the National Parks, especially Acadia and North Cascades. Learned a lot about time management being on the road and managing school and seminary. “So glad we did it; I loved going to so many places!"

Ryah (13): Enjoyed all the Church History “a LOT!”. Enjoyed the National Parks, especially Acadia, Tetons, North Cascades, & Rainier. LOVED doing the RV journey. Learned that wherever we go, Heavenly Father is mindful and aware of us! Also loved taking school and piano playing on the road. Declares she’s a big fan of her family, and she’s so glad they’re the ones she got to share this journey with.

Colton (11): Loved visiting the National Parks and learning how they were created and established. Loved visiting Amish Country in Pennsylvania. He never knew much about them and loved learning it. Loved learning all the US and Church History. Impressed with what hard workers they were. And inspired with how consistent the Saints were, in their faith. Appreciates all they did and sacrificed. Says he loved the RV journey, and being with family!

Daxton (almost 10): Also loved all the National Parks, especially Redwoods, White Sands, Acadia, and Tetons. Loved Church History, especially visiting the Whitmer Farm in Fayette, NY. Also loved the bike ride that we took all around DC, seeing the monuments. A big fan of ‘road school’. Enjoyed Universal Studios (tall enough for all of the rollercoasters now!). And he also loved the RV, and being with his family!

Sierra (5): Loved going to Amish Country and seeing their farms and animals. Loves the museums and parks, and learning about them (and pushing all the buttons that tell her stories about the history and happenings). Loved the National Parks, especially Acadia, Tetons, White Sands, and Olympic. Loved Church History, and the faith of the people. Loved all of our family time together!

(Mt Rainier National Park, Washington)

(Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico)

(Grand Tetons National Park, Wyoming)

(Amish Country--Lancaster, Pennsylvania)

Nauvoo, Illinois

Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington

Statue of Liberty, New York

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Washington, D.C.

We hope that your own adventures and journeys of 2022 have reminded you of your Father in Heaven who loves you and of his son, Jesus Christ, who offers peace and joy and blessings to all of us. We wish you all the best!