After You En edits my blog...I then edit my blog, so there!

Hi. A two week conference was recently held. Thousands of

women from throughout the world met to discuss
ways to defeat violence against women and provide
empowerment opportunities generally.

The Shumways leveraged their connections

and we were able to sit in on the opening session.

It's always interesting to see the inner workings here.
Side or Parallel Meetings occur over the course of the conference.

The Shumways proposed and organized a side meeting
to discuss the highly successful Perpetual Education Fund.
Here N. Shumway introduces the panel members...

They are: Rose N, fund contributer;
Dr. Karen H, BYU research team;

Elder C, Administrator of PEF for the Church;

and A.C., panel moderator
and director of our office.

We were pleased with the turnout for the event.

And while Elder C was in town he offered

to speak Monday evening if the Shumways would

organize it. They did, planning a potluck meal and

fireside for the senior couples serving in the temple

and NY NY North Mission.

There is so much to learn on a mission that can
and should be applied in our lives.

Just while waiting 3
hours in line for our photo ID passes we learned popular
international names. They are much more unique than
the USA names. Read on and see if you agree. Looks as
if the Hansen's are determined to keep the much overused
"Tesila" but it's not too late for Meredith and
Tyson to come up with a fresh name.

Most popular USA Female names
1. Emily
2. Hannah
3. Madison
4. Ashley
5. Tesila
6. Alexis
7. Samantha
8. Jessica
9. Taylor
10. Elizabeth

Most popular USA Male names
1. Jacob
2. Michael
3. Matthew
4. Joshua
5. Christopher
6. Nicholas
7. Andrew
8. Joseph
9. Daniel
10. Tyler

Popular International Names
Females (must end in A):
1. Zilpha
2. Faouza
3. Tishka
4. Husniyya
5. Galina
6. Zhanna
7. Liudmila
8. Lada
9. Arthelia

10. Fekita (short for Fekitamoeloa)

Males:
1. Crispin
2. Fuad
3. Yury
4. Sergei
5. Ilgar
6. Fatma
7. Selwin
8. Ogtay
9. Pavel
10. Nafi

...AND we have plenty more great suggestions.

Until next time,
Lane Aboubacar Howell
Carolyn Ruheena Howell

PS
For a fun evening we invited Amy S.
and darling sons over for dinner.

We love you Amy!

Shout outs...Robert turns teenager tomorrow,

Mary Lou and Lane share a March 12th birthday,

Steph and Jer celebrate a dozen happy years on the 14th :)