Comings and Goings

May 31, 2015

Dear Sister Kristina,

We had a wonderful sacrament mtg today with Ali Bingham speaking and Aaron Peery reporting. The place was packed. Ali did such a wonderful job, she will be a great missionary and will probably be just like you jumping right in and working from the first minute out in the field. I talked with Christina Walker a little bit today too. She's so ready to leave but has to wait another week before she leaves. She said reading your letters makes her feel better about everything and she really appreciated all the details you gave and the great attitude you have.

Aaron spoke slowly and kind of quietly, not sure if that's how he spoke beforehand, but he even looked way different than I remembered. The fun thing was that he wore a lava lava to church. He was very funny, because when he first started speaking he said he was so cold here and then said, "It can't be the fact that I'm wearing a skirt." Sister Peery was just beaming. I could tell she was so happy to have him home. He just got home yesterday, so I'm sure he's kind of in a travel fog still.

In our combined RS/Priesthood mtg today the Bishop taught and I learned something about praying for things. It was a talk by Elder Bednar that he based his lesson and I'll send you a copy of that talk, it's awesome. But the part that stuck out to me was when Nephi was praying in 1 Nep 7:17 and he said this and then Elder Bednar commented on it:

O Lord, according to my faith which is in thee, wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my brethren; yea, even give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound.

"Now brothers and sisters, do you know what I likely would have prayed for if I had been tied up by my brothers? My prayer would have included a request for something bad to happen to my brothers and ended with the phrase "wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my brethren" or, in other words, "Please get me out of this mess, NOW!" It is especially interesting to me that Nephi did not pray, as I probably would have prayed, to have his circumstances changed. Rather, he prayed for the strength to change his circumstances. And may I suggest that he prayed in this manner precisely because he knew and understood and had experienced the enabling power of the atonement of the Savior."

"I personally do not believe the bands with which Nephi was bound just magically fell from his hands and wrists. Rather, I suspect he was blessed with both persistence and personal strength beyond his natural capacity, that he then "in the strength of the Lord" (Mosiah 9:17) worked and twisted and tugged on the cords and ultimately and literally was enabled to break the bands."

"Brothers and sisters, the implication of this episode for each of us is quite straightforward. As you and I come to understand and employ the enabling power of the atonement in our personal lives, we will pray and seek for strength to change our circumstances rather than praying for our circumstances to be changed. We will become agents who act rather than objects that are acted upon" (2 Nephi 2:14).

I love that last line about us becoming agents who act rather than objects that are acted upon. Nephi truly understood the power of the atonement because of how and what he asked for in his prayer and how Christ could help him have strength to change his circumstances, not for the circumstances to be changed. I will remember that in my prayers from now on. It really made an impression on me today.

After church the missionaries asked if they could come over. One of them, Elder Morgan, is getting transferred so he wanted to top by. They had two dinner appointments later  tonight, but when they smelled our house, they still wanted to have some of our leftover dinner. We made fried chicken and waffles today! It was good and Elder Leunga (Samoan) said he was so excited to eat that, it was one of his favorite things to eat. Then they took on the girls in a big foosball game.

Then the home teachers came over and now we're getting ready to Facetime with Sean and Blair!! They want to tell the girls their big news. I'm so happy for them.

I was hoping to hear from Kirk and Sarah today from Canada, hoping to Facetime with them. I need to see Addie every so often and I'm really missing her. I'm going down to Utah on the 10th, so I get to see her in person then!

I forgot to tell you last week that I'm now visiting teacher for Sarah Wood. Dawn Bryson and I go see her, so it's fun getting to know her a little better. She asks about you and wants to know how you're doing, etc.

Also at church today they announced that Elder Oaks is coming to Eagle and will be holding a special fireside for adults on June 13th for the Eagle Stake, Star Stake and Meridian North Stake at the Park Lane building. He's also going to be speaking to all the priests and laurels the next morning. Very exciting!

So I went to an aesthetician this week. thought about you the whole time of course. I didn't go to my usual one, I went to one that's closer and she works with Dr. Kerr who is in the Eagle 2nd ward. Here's a crazy story that she told me while she was zapping my face. haha We started talking and told her about our family and told her about Nikki and Leah and said I had always wanted to adopt since I was adopted and then she told me that she was adopted too. Then she asked if I had found my birth mom and I told her I had and asked her the same. She said she did too. She said she was put up for adoption through the LDS Social Services and found out her birth mom had gotten pregnant while she was attending BYU and then put her up for adoption since she wasn't married. A few years ago she wanted to find her birth mom, so she started searching online since she knew her name and she kept coming up with the name Matt Bingham, but he had nothing to do with her birth mom's name. After a few days, she felt strongly that she should contact Matt and ask if he knew a Janet Bingham and told him her story. Matt answered back and said Janet was his aunt and that she definitely would love to hear from her. Well, as it turns out, Matt is Bishop and Danielle's son. Her birth mom is Bishop Bingham's sister. So when she found out Matt and his family were right in Eagle, the Binghams decided to have her over and meet her birth mom at their house. I told her that I live right down the street from them. She said she felt so blessed to have such a wonderful family heritage, but the one bad thing and it's a big bad thing is when her mom found out she was meeting her birth mom, her mom stopped talking to her, completely. She has not spoken to her mom now in four years all because she found her birth mom and she explained to her mom that her birth mom means nothing to her, she's just a lady, but her mom will not budge on this and I think that's soooo sad. she said when she went to get the job at Dr. Kerr's office, he mentioned he lived in Eagle so she asked him if he knew Mike Bingham and Dr. Kerr told her that he goes fishing with him all the time. Of course, she got the job and loves being an aesthetician.

First I was so excited for her to have the Bingham genes, haha, then when I heard what her mom did, I was so sad for her. I'm so glad my mom didn't react that way, in fact she even helped me meet up with my birth mom. 

Anyway, I thought that was quite the story from my aesthetician. I'll be going back to her. I feel a bond now. haha

The girls only have three more days of school, so hard to believe that Leah is done with 9th grade and NIkki will be going to high school. Nikki says she's most excited about taking choir. Leah said she'll actually stick with choir at least one more year. I hope she sticks with it all four years. We'll see.

I hope you've had a great week and that the work is going well for you. Looks like we'll be busy here this summer now getting things ready for Sean and Blair. Fun times. 

Mallory is writing me right now and asking me to change her email address to her new missionary address so she can still get your letters. Her new email is: mmoss@myldsmail.net I'll make sure she gets your letters.

Have a wonderful week and never let a day go by without remembering that we are all praying for you here! Share your light with all you come in contact with.

Love you,

Mom xxoo

In California

May 23,2015
Dear Sister Kristina,
So here I am sitting in my king bed in embassy suites. Alex and Savannah are laying on my bed too cuz they say it's more comfortable than their sofa bed. Ha ha we're watching tv together then they'll go get in their bed later.

We're all pretty tired because we spent the day at grandpa's, went to church with him, hung out and helped a little with the wedding prep, then went next door for Hannah's wedding. The yard looked amazing.I'll send a few pics. The ceremony was nice, the food was good and the company was wonderful. It's always fun seeing everyone.
We're leaving early in the morning to go back to Utah then I'll drive home from there, after I get my play time in with Addie. Not looking forward to the drive home all alone.
Yesterday me, Alex and Savannah got up early and went to the big swap meet here. It was great! We had so much fun and bought some fun things. Then of course we had lunch at el pollo loco, then went to balboa island to look around. It was a beautiful day and I love the smell of the ocean. Then off to the big quilt store. We had dinner with the gang that was at grandpa's. They all say hi.

Last week was Leah's end of the year concert and it was really nice. I'll send you a copy of the program.

Also this week when I was doing our lesson with Marcela, she told me while they were in Miami they ran into the missionaries and started talking to them. The one said he was from Idaho, she asked where, he said Boise, she said where, he said eagle. She said no way! Then she asked if he knew you and he said yes. It was Elder Johns. Small world.

So I go home tomorrow, but then on Tuesday I go up to academies on Tuesday. So life feels a bit busy lately, but fun.

How are you doing?  It's kind of hard writing you from my phone, so sorry if it sounds choppy.

Dad stayed home this weekend and had to work a shift.Wish he came with me. Sounds like he had fun with the girls, movies, outings and food.

I'll probably be back in Utah by the time you read this, so I'll give Addie a big hug for you. Your pics from the Oakland temple were fun. You look great and I love that you color coordinated with your comp.

Leah went to Mallory's farewell this morning.she said it was good. I know she'll be a wonderful missionary.

Well, it's getting late and Alex and Savannah are back in their own bed.ha ha I hope you're enjoying the work and that you're doing well. Even though we're in the same state, it still feels like you're on the other side of the world. Stay positive and remember how powerful just your smile can be for people in softening their hearts.
I love you!!
Mom xoxoxoxo

Sweet Sabbath

May 17, 2015

Dear Sister Kristina,

I know you aren't officially having your p-day until Wednesday, but I wanted to still get a letter to you in case you get a chance to read it. It will be fun to hear about your trip to the Oakland temple. How many in your mission get to go? What work do you get to do there?

We are having a lovely Sabbath. Dad is at work though, so I miss him being here. The girls have been very sweet today. Leah has felt wonderful all day, had a great lesson in YW (the patriarch came and spoke to them) and she wants to prepare for her blessing. She said she can remember you saying that you were preparing for yours, so she wanted to know what she should be doing. I had a nice talk with her about her faith in God, showing that faith by praying every day and reading her scriptures. Those are two things she's not doing now, so I didn't want to overload her with too many changes in life and she's very willing right now. She said she will start praying every day…I really hope she keeps it up and makes it a habit for life. Prayer is really the key to our happiness, to our faith, to our hope and to our ability to receive and act upon revelations. I want her to have that so much that it makes me cry just to think about it. We'll take it one day at a time, but thank you for setting a good example that she is now remembering.

Nikki worked on her Personal Progress today and she's getting fairly close (within a year) to having it all complete. I'm very proud of who she's becoming and how she's willing to change when needed. She was almost failing one of her classes last week. She had just given up basically and was getting F's on everything. I had a talk with her. She was mad at first, but later came to me with a plan for making a better grade. She followed through with everything she talked about last week and even aced a test at the end of the week because she studied for it every day and she did everything without me pushing her at all. Her grade came up dramatically and she had so much more pride in herself because of it. I hope she remembers the feeling and has that desire from now on.

It was so nice not to have to speak in church today and just sit and relax and listen to the seniors speak. There aren't very many of them this year, but they did a good job. The Peery's were out of town, gone to Fiji to pick up their son. Sister Peery's sister was here staying with the kids. She looks so much like Teresa, it was fun to see.

We had a great lesson on the Book of Mormon in Relief Society today. The spirit once again (for the thousandth time) bore witness to me of its truthfulness. I love that I continually get that witness. It means everything to me and it always happens when we're talking about the Book of Mormon. It's a powerful book. We watched a little bit of Elder Holland's video called "Elder Holland's Testimony;The Book of Mormon is the Word of God" from Youtube. If you get a chance, you should watch it. It's so powerful. It would be wonderful to show to someone who has left the church, less active, etc. You could just show the part where he is talking about Joseph Smith in Carthage Jail. I'm using it for a family night lesson tomorrow night.

I saw some really pretty pics of the Cordoba temple on instagram today. It's being dedicated this weekend. It's beautiful and Pres. Uchtdorf said "It brings a light to the city." I know that's really got to be true. I'll be talking with Marcela this week, so I'll get the whole story.

We got a lot of work done in the back yard yesterday, weeding and planting the garden. It's rained so much here that everything looks beautiful and green. We had a great lightning storm the other night and we all sat out on the porch and watched. Dad's trying a new method for the garden this year. We're planting in straw bales. I know it sounds weird, but I'll try to send pics next time so you can see. 

Here's a little something Nikki made for me in her cooking class this week. It was yummy and so pretty.

And here's the quilt top I made this week. I'll be taking it over to Tracey's to machine quilt it. I love using my scraps! 

And then of course, here's a few cute shots Sarah sent me this week. Let me know if she sends them to you too. Brownies after dinner, feeling better at church once her dress is off so she can crawl around better, and getting into Kirk's nightstand. haha 

I'm only here a few days this week, then I take off with Alex and Savannah to go to SoCal for Hannah's wedding. I'll give Hannah your info when I see her. She'll be so happy to hear that you're kind of close to her. 

I hope you have a great week. Here are a couple little missionary tips for you:

1. Companions are Siamese twins joined at the Spirit.

2. Sing "If You Could Hie to Kolob" in district meetings.

3. Take photos of the common, everyday scenes from each area you serve (laundromat, supermarket, apartment, etc)

I forgot to tell you that I finally heard from Bro. Monson and got a copy of you singing your song in the MTC. I loved it! Remember my heart is always with you and I look forward to hearing from you every week!

Love you so much,

Mom xxoo

lymtyk

Great Mother's Day!

May 10, 2015

Dear Sister Kristina,

That was just too fun being able to talk with you and see you. Seems like you were right here with us for just a brief period of time. It was a great Mother's Day present. You looked so pretty and sounded wonderful. I'm so proud of you and how you are just stepping right up and serving with your whole heart. I particularly appreciate the positive example you set for your sisters…not just your sisters, but all of us. Life is much sweeter when we see it through Heavenly Father's eyes.

As I told you, we are well here. Leah did a great job with her talk today. In fact, I'll send you a copy of all 3 of our talks. Leah had Nikki help her write it, so they ended up both writing the talk. I never helped one bit because Leah was asked to talk about me and that would be weird for me to write about myself. haha Leah was so nervous before her talk, she was physically shaking up on the stand and I was trying my best to calm her. After her talk, she was so calm and very proud of herself.

Dad did a great job with his talk speaking about all the different "moms" in his life, women who have made an impact in his life and told a little background story of each. It was great and he was very emotional telling the stories. Your dad has a tender heart.

Hey, did you ever get a chance to do a service project there in Santa Rosa over the weekend? I meant to ask you because remember I saw that project where they needed missionaries to help volunteer in Santa Rosa on the justserve.org website. Just curious. I'm on the stake committee here to help that get up and running in our area. We have to go around to local businesses and talk with them about posting on the site. I hope all they want to take advantage of this website. It would be great.

Hopefully, Kat is writing you today to tell you her mission news. She told me she wanted to tell you herself, so I couldn't say anything on facetime today. :(  but believe me I wanted to. :)

The girls are winding down at school which just means they are watching a lot of movies in class. Nikki has to take daily math next year like Leah does this year which I think will be really helpful for her, but she's not real happy about it because that means she gives up an elective which was going to be photography. Besides cooking, that's her second love. But she will be taking choir and is very excited about it. We're hoping to get her ears fixed this summer and that should help her be able to hear herself and her tone and pitch much better. I'm really happy that Leah has decided on her own that she wants to stick with choir for another year.

Leah is still struggling with the same things, but this past week she agreed to see a psychiatrist and we're really happy she did. He gave her a lot of hope, prescribed some medicine that should help her moods which she was happy about and told her she needs to start talking with a counselor because it will really help her learn how to deal with how she feels during the day. Leah is totally okay with all of this because she told me she's so tired of feeling depressed, blah and getting angry all the time. It meant a lot that she made that decision herself, because that's half the battle. I'll keep you posted on her progress.

I'm getting ready for Living the Legacy. Our presidency is going up again the end of this month, so we're meeting this week to go over what we're going to talk about, what game to play, what handout to give, etc. It was so fun having you and your friends there last year. I'm afraid I won't know very many of the girls this year.

We've been having such beautiful weather here lately. Dad and I sit out on the back porch, play games and talk and listen to the big frog in the fountain. I can still hear the frog right now as I type. haha I wonder if it's the same frog every year.

Have a great p-day. Take lots of pictures cuz I love seeing them and seeing where you are so I can picture it all when you write about it. 

Have a wonderful week and remember the blessings and privileges of being 'set apart' as a special disciple of Jesus Christ. I will be reading my patriarchal blessing every day this week.

Love you so much,

Mom xxoo

It's May :)

May 3, 2015

Dear Sister Kristina,

I'm so excited to hear from you. I know there have to be so many things that have happened to you this past week, so many new things, new people, etc. It's Sunday evening now and the girls have just gone to bed. It was a good Sunday, but it was fast Sunday, so it was hard as usual for the girls, but they were handsomely rewarded with smoked ribs today. Dad bought a new bbq that smokes the meat and the ribs were on sale, so… I also made some bbq beans, onion cheddar loaf bread and banana pudding. yum, yum

Church was wonderful as usual-good testimonies, good Sunday School lesson about loving our neighbors and Sister Barker gave a great lesson on not judging others. I sat in the back with Ali and Emily. Emily showed me a picture she got from her cousin who is a trainer in the MTC, a picture with you in it. It was so fun to see and Emily said she was so surprised when she got it and so happy. Michelle Ray told me her sister has already seen your picture up at the mission home, so no matter where you go, there's always going to be someone there to help you feel loved.

Dad has been working hard as usual and we're trying to make some decisions that will help him not have to work so many shifts and so many Sundays. It was great having him by my side at church today.

This past week I've been fairly busy too. There's a new RS president in the 5th ward, so I got to go over to her house and orient her. That's one of my favorite parts of this calling, the one on one in their home meetings. Also the YM/YW had their big auction dinner on Tuesday night. This year it was like Costa Vida food. Here's a pic of what Leah wanted to make for the live auction. I told her they looked too hard, but she insisted so we spent all Monday night making them and they actually turned out pretty cute. They are Mexican Maraca cookie shakers. We put Nerds inside to make the shaking sound. They sold for $75 at the auction.

On Saturday, Nikki tested for her high green belt and did awesome. You can tell she's really getting so much better than in the beginning.

Also I've started helping Marcela with her Pathways class this week. We skype once a week and this week we were supposed to just chat and get to know each other. haha Then we were supposed to discuss how faith helps in making decisions. Anyway, it's always fun chatting with her and now we get to do it on purpose and hopefully she'll get an A in the class. She said Bruno will be coming to America in the winter of 2016, but for now he's studying in college there in Buenos Aires.

I also met with my Material Girls this week. I showed my scrap quilt I made a couple months ago. Now I'm making another one with those colors we picked out…purple, yellow, blue and orange.  I'm almost done and I love it!

The elders in our ward bore their testimonies today. The new Elder who is Samoan has such a great spirit about him. The girls were even hugging each other after his testimony, so I knew he touched them. Leah has been doing really well since her wonderful experience in seminary. She's got a lightness about her that I hope will stay forever.

In RS we talked about the power of the Book of Mormon in our lives and it really is because it's a book that was authored and put together and protected by the Savior and saved for us in these latter days. Trust in it's power. It will soften hearts, instill a desire for forgiveness and repentance and bring about that mighty change of heart. Thank you for listening to your promptings and responding and serving. It blesses us here, blesses you and best of all it blesses those you come in contact with. 

Have a great week and remember who you are, a set apart missionary for the Savior (and my daughter! :)

Love you so much,

Mom xxoo