October is flying by...

Oct. 25, 2015

Dear Sister Kristina,

Dad and I just got home from a high priest meeting for the Stake. Pres. Stafford skyped with a few couples who are out in the field and it was so fun seeing them especially Bro and Sis Hosac who are serving in the Manhattan Temple. They live right next door in the heart of New York City and love it. Pres. Stafford talked with all of us about getting ready to serve missions, so we're pretty excited about that. 

We had a good Sabbath. The talks in Sacrament were on obedience, and the Barrick (Eagle 3rd ward) young man who just returned from his mission spoke (sorry I don't know his first name) and our Sunday School was based off a chapter in Romans talking about having faith and works and how it's one continuous round because after we move forward and start living life with faith, our works become more in line with what Heavenly Father would want and when our works are in line with Him, our faith increases and we are blessed with an even greater desire to do good works. 

We also talked about how some people say they don't need any commandments to live life and don't want to have to be obedient to certain rules, but in Romans 4:15 it says, "Because the law worketh wrath; for where no law is, there is no transgression."  So if we had no law, we would never transgress and if we never transgressed we would never have the opportunity to repent, learn and receive love and grace from the Savior's atonement. So laws had to be an integral part of the plan of salvation knowing that we would never be perfect and that we would transgress. I hadn't really thought about the commandments in that light before. I just thought of them as guidelines that when obeyed would bring greater joy, which is also true. 

Then in RS we talked about Pres. Uchtdorf's talk from April conference about being genuine. There was good discussion on what is being genuine and what is putting on a show for others to think we are better than we are. 

Then we made Costa Vida salads for lunch. Yum. I made enough to have it again this week when Kirk and Sarah and Addie are here. They will get here Tuesday night and we are so excited!! I spoke with the Sorensen's tonight and they will be making their usual donuts for Halloween so I told them we would be coming by. Of course, I will be making deadman meatloaf for dinner. haha

Saturday night we had our ward missionaries over for dinner. Here's a pic:

If you look closely, yes, of course it's chicken ole and Mexican rice. I was going to make something different but the girls insisted.. Elder Hatch on the left blessed you in his prayer.

I can't remember if I told you last week, but Lyndee came home from her mission a couple weeks ago. She served for a year, but her depression kind of made things way more difficult, but she is feeling good and served well for that year. Not sure what her plans are yet. Joe is still out and doing awesome. I get the reports from grandpa and he gets the reports from Uncle Dave.

I talked with Sean and Blair yesterday and they are loving Chicago despite all the traffic, etc. They're still exploring everywhere and Sean says they go out with the ward missionaries every week and visit mainly the less actives and help teach too. Sean's pretty awesome that way!!

Kirk is feeling much better now from his appendicitis. Alex and Savannah called tonight and they're always having fun together. Savannah is pretty busy helping direct the Cougarettes and teaching on the side. She's pretty much the bread earner in the family since Alex only works a few hours in the AdLab at BYU.

I made some pumpkin chocolate chip cookies today and dropped them off to a few of the ward Relief Society presidents. Just about each one I went to said they really needed my visit today. I ended up talking with each one about things going on in their wards, some personal matters and one sister said just before I showed up she had just told her husband that she felt like crying because of so many things that had gone on with the sisters in her ward today. Her husband said, then you rang the doorbell. I told her to take my treat into her closet and eat it all herself. haha and gave her a big hug and chatted for a while. Two others even said that my coming was an answer to their prayers. It's wonderful how the spirit works. I just thought it would be a good idea to make something to let them know I was thinking of them. I ended up having all the right ingredients, which is pretty rare on a Sunday. I even made some extra so dad could take them to his home teaching families. But I had only thought it would be something nice, but didn't realize how much it would mean. Don't ever question good thoughts that move you to action, just act if it is something good.

Friday night dad was working so I took the girls to the dollar theater. We saw a movie called The War Room. It was made by a Christian group and it was such a powerful movie. I think you should see it when you get home. Both Nikki and Leah said it was the greatest movie and Leah talked to me about praying afterwards. The woman in the movie used prayer powerfully, she even wrote down her prayers and put them on the wall in her closet. Leah asked if we can pray that same way and I said, of course. That woman was always fighting with her husband but she learns that you should fight for your marriage, fight against Satan who is happy that you're fighting with your husband and you should pray to let Heavenly Father fight your battles, that it does you no good to fight with someone you should be loving cuz that never works. I loved the feeling that the movie left with all of us. I love how it touched the girls the most! It also had a great message about grace that we receive because of what the Savior did. anyway, it turned out to be the most unexpected result of movie going. I had no idea what the movie was going to be about beforehand and it was truly a gift.

Well, that was my week in a nutshell. I can't wait to hear about yours. Mondays are my favorite days. When I wake up in the morning, I remember that you'll be writing and it makes me soooo happy. I hope your week is full of good works. :)

Love you,

Mom xxoo

It's Your Birthday Week!!

Oct 18, 2015

Dear Sister Kristina,

Well, I sure hope you had a wonderful birthday. We thought about you all day long and it was a weird feeling. Somehow I kept thinking that because it was your birthday, you were going to be calling home so we could facetime you. I mentioned that to Leah and she said she had the same feeling all day long. haha But you didn't call, so we celebrated by having the special plate out at dinner and we made Apple Crisp for dessert with vanilla ice cream. It's definitely starting to feel like fall here.

I hope you got your package from us yesterday so it was in time for your birthday, but if not, it should be coming on Monday. It's so fun to put things in there for you, so I hope you really enjoy it!

Today at church Colin Ray gave his homecoming talk. Can you believe that? It seems like he just left, but he sounded so good and learned so many lessons while on his mission. He started out by speaking with an Australian accent, then said he was just kidding and that he didn't have an accent at all, but actually while he was speaking you could really hear bits of an accent. It was fun. He talked about being very humbled while on his mission and realizing that he needed to pray to find out what Heavenly Father wanted him to do, not pray for Heavenly Father to do things for him. He spoke of so many life lessons and his testimony especially of the Book of Mormon was so strong.  Of course, the whole Ray clan was there…tons of grandkids now. :) The four daughters all sang the musical number.

This has been a bit of a different week for us. Kirk called dad on his birthday, but it wasn't a birthday call. Kirk wasn't feeling well so he was asking dad questions. He had pain in his belly and it didn't seem to get better at all. So he went to an urgent care and they thought it was kidney stones but couldn't see anything on the ultrasound. Kirk was still in pain through the night and dad told him to go back the next morning. They re-tested his urine and still couldn't see anything, so they told him to go to the hospital and get a CTscan in the afternoon. They didn't get the results to the CTscan until 6pm when they told him his appendix was perforated. Dad thought for sure they'd operate on him that night, but the surgeon said he would wait til the morning. Dad was not happy and couldn't get hold of anyone. So in the morning Kirk had his appendix taken out and the surgeon said it was way worse than he had thought so it took quite a while. Sarah said the surgeon said it was a mess in there. (Well, he waited so long to operate, that's why it was a mess…) So they had Kirk stay another night in the hospital. Nicole and Charmaine had to come and help out with Addie since Sarah had to work and also needed to be at the hospital with Kirk. It was so nice that they were there for her. Kirk got to come home Saturday and we talked with him today and he says he's feeling better each day, but it feels like someone punched him in the gut. He's going to go back to work Tuesday.

I don't like being so far when something like that happens. I told Sarah I was only a 45 minute flight away if she needed me there. Of course, I'd jump on the chance to go take care of Addie!! Anyway, we're happy that Kirk is healing and feeling better.

When we talked with them today Kirk said that Addie is starting to throw little tantrums on the floor now. Of course, we think it's cute, but they probably don't. I'm so happy I get to be a Nana in a time when we have facetime. 

For dad's birthday we went to the movies and out to lunch in the middle of the day, which was lots of fun. We gave him some new cologne, some funky socks to wear with his suit or any time and a gift certificate to Williams Sonoma. And it was so fun for him to get a text message from Camilo sending a birthday wish from you!!! That was awesome.And then tonight dad heard from him again. Sounds like he's taking care of you on your birthday. Can't wait to hear the details.

Now we're gearing up for Leah's birthday and she's already published a list. Here it is:

Would you remind me of the name of the perfume that you like that Leah is talking about on her list.

Leah has decided to be a Ninja turtle for Halloween, so she already has a onesie and wore it to Albertson's last night. She posted this pic on Instagram. Nikki can't decide what to be and is starting to panic a little bit. Kirk and Sarah and Addie are all coming here for Halloween week and we're so excited. It will be so fun going trick or treating with Addie and having her in our home. I even have a little basket of fun toys for her to play with in the family room. So Nana of me! I love that Addie says Nana when she sees me now too.

As you can see my little world is totally wrapped up in my family, but I love it and that's really why you're out there teaching others about the great joy the gospel can bring to their families. Keep up the great work, be humble and ask Heavenly Father how you can change to bring about His work. 

Have a great birthday week and enjoy being 20. You're a beautiful 20 year old, inside and out. 

Love you,

Mom xxoo

Last Wedding For Now

Oct. 10, 2015

Dear Sister Kristina,

We got home an hour ago from a wonderful weekend. The girls had their first concert of the year on Thursday night. It was a dinner and an auction and then the concert. The food was from Bodacious Pig here in Eagle, the auction went well and we stayed for the first two songs of the concert so we could take off and drive to Salt Lake that night.

On Friday we went to the temple in the morning and it was great. It was fun seeing all of Carolina's family from Spain outside the temple afterwards too. Isaac was also there and he came up and gave me a huge hug hello. He looked good and he was fun to talk with over with weekend. I told him how much we miss having him live closer.

Then our family went to lunch and then over to Noah's where Dakota and Downing had a ring ceremony so that her Spanish family could attend an event. Devin Durrant (1st counselor Gen. SS presidency…aka Ponderize speaker) did the ring ceremony and he made it very light, fun and was able to speak some of it in Spanish since he served his mission in Spain. It was so fun seeing him again. He was at the temple too, so afterwards I took the family over to meet him. Alex was so funny cuz he didn't believe that I actually knew him, but lo and behold, I did. I became friends with him when he played basketball with Steve at BYU.  He told the family to call him Devin and when I introduced Nikki to him, she actually said, Hey, you're the ponderize guy. 

After the ring ceremony, they served dinner from Magleby's and it was just for family and close friends so they had some time for the parents, grandparents and even Dakota and Downing to say a few words. Their brothers and sisters also spoke (kind of like how we did in Canada), so it was fun getting to know Downing a little better. He is so soft spoken and even his family said he is a man of few words, but has such a large heart. He and Dakota look so happy together. Also it's fun seeing Kassie getting bigger and bigger with her little baby!

Then we just hung out at Noah's until the reception started. During the reception there was dancing and Carolina and her sisters and Dakota all did a little flamenco number that was so fun to watch. It was a long day, so we didn't end up staying until the very end, but it was all wonderful. Dakota's dress was so beautiful. I have never seen anything like her dress before and it's so much prettier in person and it was so Dakota!! She's an angel. I know you've seen these pics before, but thought I'd send them again.

The next day the girls and I picked up Sarah and Addie and went to Mary's baby shower. Sarah was in charge of the games, so we got to play with Addie. We also played with Henry (Patrice's little boy). Here's Nikki with Henry.

Mary is due the first of December and is having a little boy and they are naming him George because it's a family name from Brian's side of the family. Mary's getting very excited. McKenna and Heidi were also at the shower representing our family.

Then we went to the Young's to visit with Paula and Tani and family. Tani ended up coming with us for the evening and he and the girls hung out with Alex for the night. 

Leah is hoping we will take the snake to our home. The Youngs are trying to get rid of it, but I told Leah our dogs would just attack it.

This is a car that Rod worked on for three years without even telling Paula and brought it home last night. It's a 65 Mustang and it's beautiful. I really love the color too.

Savannah was working with the Cougarettes because there was a game that night. We got to have Alex's tickets, which are so awesome, front row!! So dad and I had a little date night…thank you Alex…we needed that little getaway. The game was great and Tanner is really doing well. Everyone loves him. Then he pulled his hamstring and the next quarterback came in and had a tough time and the score got tied. Then late in the 4th quarter, Tanner came back in. Everyone cheered so loud, it was great. With four minutes to go, he took the team all the way down the field to score and only left a few seconds on the clock so the other team couldn't score.

Here's a pic I took while at the game. It was so beautiful I had a hard time watching the game!

We met with Savannah after and Alex came to pick us up and we went to Steve's new place so we could see their finished basement. Their home is gorgous!! Can't wait for you to see it. We visited a while there and said goodbye to everyone. 

Today we went to church with Kirk and Sarah, chased Addie around. haha She is getting so fast and just runs everywhere and thinks it's so funny. She starts to take off away from us, turns around to see if we're looking, smiles and then turns and runs. Leah, with her broken leg, can barely keep up with her. haha Today at church she was running down the hall and Leah was trying to catch up to her and she just reached down and undid her diaper and it fell to the ground and she kept running. We were laughing so hard. I guess she can run faster without her diaper!

Little miss one year old going on 15. :) she even has her own couch.

So what's going on in Northern Cal? By the way, when we got home, Leah got your letter. She cried and brought it in to me so I could read it too. I cried. I told her that you're living very close to the spirit and that you were writing because of strong feelings you have felt. I know it meant a lot to her and it really meant a lot to me too. Had a few hard days in there last week, so I know the spirit has been softening her heart through angels like you. She loves family so much. She is really trying hard and we have awesome talks about life, etc. She has come a long way. I'm proud of her. I really hope she will start praying because I also know the power of prayer. I also know that Heavenly Father knows her heart and her mind and is watching over her. I am so grateful to know He is there because there is no way I could do this by myself without heavenly help. 

How is Camilo doing? Sometimes Word of Wisdom trials are so difficult to get past even though their hearts have been converted. The natural man can be so strong and so stubborn sometimes. Maybe there's a member who joined the church and had similar problems. They could talk with him and give him someone to relate to. Have you been meeting with Brandi again? 

I hope you know that even though we are going to all these family events lately and you aren't there, we always feel your spirit with us. There's such a strength we feel knowing you are serving the Lord by serving His people.  I also feel your prayers. You are always in my heart. I love being a missionary mom!!

Love you so much,

Mom xxoo

Wonderful Conference!!

Oct. 4, 2015

Dear Sister Kristina,

I can't really remember anything else about the week, because conference was so wonderful. So many things I needed to hear, wanted to hear, etc. I'm looking forward to going back and listening to them all over again. I met with my presidency tonight and they all said that the priesthood session was awesome too, so now I have to listen to those talks.

It was also so nice to hear from Bro. Wasden and see a picture he had taken of you and to hear how much it means to him to have you and your companion in his home. I wrote him back a quick note of thank you.

I hope some of your investigators were able to listen to conference. I'm sure they would have loved it. 

We spoke with Alex tonight and he is home from his trip to New York. Sounds like he had such a great time. He met with lots of advertising agencies and was very impressed with them and is hoping to be able to do his internship with one of them next year. Of course, that would mean that he and Savannah would have to move to New York, but I would definitely go there to visit since I have never been there. Alex said he would show me how to get around now that he's a pro. haha

We made honey mustard wings for our conference dinner today and they were soooo good. The girls wanted to eat them all, but I made them leave some for another night. They weren't happy. haha I'm also having them start their piano lessons again tomorrow. Leah is not happy about it, but she really does play well and Sally is good with them. It takes a village and I can use the village these days…

So how is your training coming along? Is there an actual format that you follow to train? Did you receive training on how to train? I really don't know how that works. Just wondering if your companion is feeling trained.

This week we are going to Utah again for Dakota's wedding. The girls are going to miss Friday since her wedding is actually on Friday. The girls have their first fall concert/bbq this Thursday night, so we can't leave until after they perform Thursday night. So we'll be night driving. We're going to have them sing and then immediately leave the stage and get into the car-kind of like the von Trapp family in Sound of Music, haha, then we'll escape as a family over the hills into Utah. We're also going to go to a BYU football game while we're down there. And on Saturday morning, there's a baby shower for Mary. Mary is due in November and having a little boy, so I'll try to find something cute for him this week.

My presidency can't believe how many events I have to go to these past few months, but they said, well, that's because you have 11 brothers and sisters, which is true. All those cousins of yours are now having weddings and babies and I want to be there for as many as I can!

Not much to report from Sean and Blair. They are pretty much moved in and Sean is busy getting his new lab set up. It won't be up and running for another month or so, so he's learning a lot about physically setting up businesses, etc. Blair has been applying for jobs and is waiting to see who gets back to her. I hope she can get something in her field. She'd love to work in the aquarium there. Kirk is doing really well at Verizon (according to Sarah). Kirk never tells me anything, but Sarah says he gets awards from his work and now a manager is training him to become an area manager over the northern Utah area. He's also working on his Masters degree. and of course Addie is the light of all our lives. 

Family is everything. Elder Holland's talk about and to women was one of the most amazing talks ever. It pierced my soul. It was so powerful. I need to read it again and again. I love being a mom, but it's also the hardest thing I have ever done especially now when Nikki and Leah struggle through their teenage years. I have to rely on the spirit soooo much and it's taught me so much, but I need help every single day. I love knowing who I am and whose I am. I also love knowing that each of you are His children and He loves you even more than me (which is so hard to believe), but that's what brings me peace and helps me see those around me as He sees them.

I hope you have a wonderful week. Look over your notes from conference often. I can even print out a talk for you if you'd like one in writing to read and mark. Spread the light of Christ one person at a time.

Love you more than ever,

Mom xxoo