Sunday, November 29, 2015

Thanksgiving Week in Review

Nov. 29, 2015
Dear Sister Kristina,
So how was your Thanksgiving in the mission field? Did you have more than one dinner? Seems like that’s what happened with the boys on their missions. I hope it was an enjoyable day for you. We thought about you often as our numbers were kind of small this year. Next year we should have lots of family!! Please remember Leon in your prayers Monday. That’s when he’s having his brain surgery and it’s 15 hours long. If things go well, he will feel so much better and have such a better quality of life. I’ll keep you posted on that.

We took off for Utah on Tuesday and stopped at Kirk’s. Sarah and Addie had already gone to Canada. Leah and Nikki wanted to spend the night with Kirk, so we dropped their things off and then we headed towards Sandy to have dinner with Alex and Savannah and Grandma and Grandpa and Charmaine. Then Kirk and the girls went to a Samoan poetry reading night at Aunt Kathy’s school. She had contacted Leah earlier and asked her to come. The girls really liked it and said how loud all the Samoans were. haha hmmm imagine that. Dad and I drove on to Steve and Carolina’s.

I’m sending a picture of the view from our suite. Their fixed up home is so beautiful and our room felt so luxurious. We basically had the whole basement to ourselves, so Alex and Savannah decided to pack their bags and stay in one of the rooms downstairs too. Then the next night, Kirk and the girls came back and Kirk stayed in another room. There are four bedrooms and two bathrooms downstairs with a kitchen too. So we used the kitchen to prepare some of the food for Thanksgiving. Savannah made the strawberry pretzel salad which I am still craving. Dad made the mashed potatoes. I made three French Chocolate Pies. Charmaine made the sweet potato casserole, Kassie made a green bean casserole, G &G brought rolls and relishes, Carolina made the turkey and the stuffing, Laura made a bunch of cream pies.

The night before Thanksgiving since we weren’t having a pie night, we decided to go to the BYU basketball game which was a lot of fun, then we went bowling at Fat Cats. That’s where we saw Paul Monson. I saw him behind the counter and he recognized me so I went up to talk with him. He told me he had juts barely put his mission papers in and was very excited about it. I told him where you were and we chatted for a bit, then we started getting our shoes, etc. When I went to pay he said he wanted to give us the Paul Monson special. I asked, What’s that? He said, It’s free ninety-nine. I said, no you can’t do that and he insisted. Then while we were bowling he kept coming over to us because if the head pin is orange, you’re supposed to grab a manager and bowl in front of them and if you get a strike, you get a prize. Well, we kept getting orange head pins and he wanted to come every time. He’d stand around and talk to all of us and even if we didn’t get a strike he said we earned a free drink and would bring us whatever drink we wanted. It was so funny and he really made it a lot of fun for all of us. Chloe, Nash and Keith came too. He and Alex kept talking and then he even asked Alex for his number so they could practice bowling together. Then dad started getting a bunch of strikes and Paul came over cuz he said he wanted to witness a perfect 300 game. After 4 strikes in a row, dad finally didn’t get one but his final score was 189. So Paul made an announcement over the intercom about his friend Harold and what a high score he had and if there was anyone who could beat that score, etc etc. Then as we were leaving he took dad’s picture so he could put it up on the bowling wall of fame. haha We were all laughing so hard. But you know Alex, he’s determined more than ever now to beat dad’s score, so I’m sure he’s going to be calling Paul to practice his bowling. We’ll let you know how that goes.

So in the end, we actually got a turkey that night which was our goal! It may also be our new tradition.

At Thanksgiving, we had our family and only Kassie and Marc came from Steve and Carolina’s this year. But Dakota and Downing really wanted to play greed so we had to have the greed game before dinner so they could be part of things. The big news from the game this year was that Steve gave $200 in one of his envelopes. Dakota got the envelope and Kassie was not happy about it. So now Steve says he’s never doing that again. haha

After dinner we went to the movies and then everyone in the basement played xbox til the wee hours. Alex and Savannah and Chloe and Nikki all went shopping for black Friday around midnight. Kirk had to get home since he was working long hours on Black Friday at Verizon. He’s trying to put in as much overtime as he can while Sarah is gone.

On Friday we went up to Mary and Brian’s to see their little George. He is sooooo cute and sooooo little. He actually weighs 5 pounds now but it felt like you were only holding a blanket. We all loved holding him!

Then we went to Trolley Square in Salt Lake and then on to Patrice and Jason’s where Toni was and also McKenna and Trevor. We hung out at their house for a little bit then we all decided to go to Temple Square. Toni said she hadn’t been there to see the lights since her kids were little, so I was so glad that they all wanted to go. Patrice’s little boy, Henry, seemed so big compared to George, but he’s is such a cutey and so cuddly. It was very crowded at temple square and so cold, but we made it and it was just fun being with Toni and her kids.

That night the girls spent the night with Alex and Savannah and he made them watch really cheaply made sci-fy shows. haha Dad and I stayed up til one talking with Steve and Carolina (well, I stayed up, but dad slept next to me). We had such a fun conversation about everything. We were laughing so much.

On Saturday we woke up to snow so we got a later start going home. We met Alex and Savannah and the girls at Broadbent’s in Lehi to do some shopping. Then Cole met us there, then Allen and Lisa met us there. It was such a strange meeting spot, but it all worked out beautifully. Then we went to lunch where G&G and Charmaine met us also and we took off from there to go home.

It was really a nice week even though I was so not looking forward to it because Addie would not be there. But in the end, I was able to cuddle with some other little babies so I think that helped. :)  

Church today was nice as usual. I thought they were going to release Kris as my secretary because Denise Frame has accepted the call to be the new secretary, but nothing happened. So Kris is pulling double duty for another week. 

So I’m very excited to hear about your first week training. I know you’ll give us the details but I’ve been thinking of you and I know you’ll be such a great trainer. If I had another daughter just going into the field, I would hope and pray that you’d be the one to train her!!!

We’re back to the grind this next week. Girls back in school, dad working a lot, me running errands and catching up with everything. I have a full week ahead of me. I hope you are doing well, teaching a lot, sharing your testimony often and finding new people to love. Those are the things that will bring true joy…just living the gospel. If only everyone would be open to hearing about that great secret.

Love you so much,

Mom xxoo

















Sunday, November 22, 2015

Gratitude

Nov. 22, 2015
Dear Sister Kristina,
Well, can you believe we are about to celebrate Thanksgiving? There’s something about the favorite time of the year and how it always goes by so quickly, then the cold and dreary time afterwards just drags by. I love the music, the feel, the weather, the generally lifted spirits that seem to prevail this time of year and sure wish it felt that way all year round. Although, warm climate at the beach is a favorite too.

We definitely went to Chicago at the right time. We had such great fall weather and two days after we left, it turned so cold there and has now been snowing. Carolina says it gets so cold in the winter there that she couldn’t even open her mouth because the air hurt her teeth. haha I hope Sean and Blair are prepared for that kind of winter and to think, Blair actually has an outside job working at the ice rink at the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Today I got to play the piano in the primary and Sis. Ray led the music. She’s so funny. They said they might need me to be in there the next few weeks until they find someone for the calling, so I’m more than happy to be in there. It’s always fun in the primary. Today I could tell that the young Peery boy was getting under Sis. Ray’s skin though with his sarcastic remarks. haha

Our ward missionaries came by tonight and wanted to see if I had had any more progress with Marissa, our house cleaner’s daughter. She comes every week now and helps clean the house and we have been having some really nice conversations about life, religion, family, etc. I had given her a pamphlet so they wanted to see what she said about it, but I haven’t asked her yet. I will ask her tomorrow if she read it and what she thinks. 

The girls are out of school this next week but we aren’t leaving for Salt Lake until Tuesday after dad does his shift tomorrow. I’m still so sad that Addie and Sarah won’t be there. I’ve got to work on my attitude so that it will be a fun Thanksgiving, but I didn’t realize how much just seeing Addie makes everything all better. We’re going to have to Facetime with her. They’re already up in Canada.

Today I also went visit teaching right after church because the sister I visit is a teacher at NorthStar school, Angela Woch. They’re new in the ward and they have two on a mission right now, a daughter in Montana and a son in Mexico City. I really enjoyed our visit today and we got to know her so much better. They live in a new subdivision that’s in our ward. Our ward has really been growing lately, so many new families and I feel like I hardly know any of them. I was going to invite one of them over today for dinner, but decided at the last minute to invite Myles McKell over. Myles said he had just been thinking about us and was so happy when I asked him to come to dinner. He stayed quite a while and we chatted about life, Brian Regan (who he can imitate beautifully)-I was laughing so hard, and how he’s going to move on with his life now that his divorce is official. 

Dad said to tell you thank you for the package you sent. Nikki wants to know if she can wear your beanie. Did you get the package we sent you? I could not find the email you sent where you asked for certain things from home. I mean I looked everywhere, where could it have gone? It’s somewhere in cyberspace. So I just tried to remember, so if there’s something we forgot, would you just remind me and we’ll send it in the next package.

I’ve been praying this week about submitting a name to replace Kris as my secretary.Last week while we were walking around Sean and Blair’s neighborhood, Pres. Shaw called me and said the Eagle 2nd ward Bishop had asked for Kris to be their next RS president. That was a shock to me and I have absolutely loved having Kris in my presidency and having her as my friend. But on the bright side, I will still be working with her since I work with all the RS presidents. In fact, I have already gone over to her house and oriented her for her new calling. She will be awesome and I know all the sisters in her ward just love her. This will be a wonderful experience for Kris and for those sisters. Dad and I went to the temple on Friday so I could think about some sisters I might like to call. Pres. Shaw just happened to be in that session, so I was able to ask him about a couple sisters while we were in the celestial room. That helped.

Leah had her second surgery this past Tuesday and everything went well. They took two screws out of her leg hoping it would cause her bones to work harder and to heal faster. Leah only had to miss one day of school which was great and she hasn’t been in too much pain this week. Also, she has to give up her little scooter that she’s been using. She’s worried about that, but I think it will be better for her. I’m also not waiting on her hand and foot cuz now I can use the excuse that the Dr. wants her to move around more and heal faster. She’s kind of gotten into the bad habit of asking everyone around her to do everything for her. Nikki’s practically her slave, so now we’ve got to stop that and make her work. So far, she hasn’t been too happy about that. haha Emotionally, she seems to be doing a lot better. She has a few down moments, but she quickly talks with me about them and does something to pull herself out of depression. Her medications have really helped with that and also she now takes focus medicine and is so happy about taking that because she can really tell a difference at school, and I can tell a huge difference too.

I was thinking about you today wondering if you were getting transferred and how hard that might be especially the week of Thanksgiving, but if you do have to change, at least you will probably get to know a number of families very quickly as you visit and eat with them this week. I am so grateful for families who help me by watching over you, feeding you not only physically but emotionally and spiritually. I am grateful for a mission president and his wife who have given 3 years of their lives to be with you, to teach you, to love you and to guide you. They are away from their families a really long time. I am grateful for the Holy Ghost who guides you and inspires you daily and even watches over you as travel and search for those who are prepared and those who need help in becoming prepared. I am grateful for the scriptures and the prophets who wrote them for how truly inspired they are, written so long ago yet they are exactly what we need to hear in this day and age and how it was our Savior who inspired these prophets in what they should write down. I am so grateful for a loving, living Father in Heaven who knows each one of us personally as His child and loves us so much that He wants us back to be with Him eternally and even though He has laws He must follow as a just God, He found a way to give us the mercy we would need to make it back to Him despite our imperfections. And lastly, I have been thinking so much lately about the incredible gift of a Messiah, a Savior, a Redeemer who also chose to follow His Father’s plan by coming to earth at a time when He would be mocked and persecuted, but knew it would be the only way to atone for our sins so that we could all be back together again some day. I am grateful He is my mediator and love getting to know Him through His tender mercies I feel every day, and am grateful to know that as I repent often, He will be there in my behalf. I am grateful to be a daughter, to have amazing and wonderful parents, to be a wife and to have the best husband in the world by my side, to be a mom and now a nana and to know how unconditional love feels-it’s the most awesome feeling. And I’m so incredibly grateful for you, my missionary daughter, who felt the sweet urgings of the spirit and responded to the call to leave the comforts of home for a short time and give your love, knowledge and testimony to people who will now become lifelong friends in the gospel with lives forever changed. 

I hope your journal this week in particular is full of gratitude and ask each home you enter to share the things they are grateful for also. Have a great Thanksgiving!!!!

Love you,

Mom xxoo
Here's a couple pics I thought you might enjoy!!


Saturday, November 21, 2015

Chicago!

Nov. 15, 2015
Dear sister Kristina,
Even though you only wrote a few days ago, dad and I have done tons of things. First off, Chicago is really a fun city. It's beautiful and there's so much to do and believe me, we have walked all over. My step counter said over 20,000 steps each day. I loved it.
Sean and Blair's apt is in a cute old suburb of Chicago where there's lots of beautiful old homes, craftsman homes, a fun downtown area, etc. We walked around their area today after church. The weather was gorgeous today, so it was perfect walking weather. We even walked by Frank Lloyd Wright's home.
I loved their ward, very diverse backgrounds, ages, etc. Both Sunday school and relief society were awesome meetings. Then Sean and Blair made tacos for dinner kind of like taco bar used to make. After our walk, we played games and had grilled cheese and tomato soup and ice cream for dinner. It was a perfect day. Dad and I just ride the subway to and from their house. It was so easy. When you go to visit them, I'll go with you. :)
Friday and Saturday we toured all around downtown Chicago. I even braved the top of a 94 story building to see the awesome view of the city. We went at sunset and it was gorgeous. Blair took us through an art museum, we ate at some really fun places and Sean says we had to eat the things that Chicago is famous for: hot dogs and pizza. I was pretty amazed that the hot dogs tasted so good and we went to this out of the way place for dinner to have great pizza.
The shopping was a lot of fun. There's a street called the magnificent mile, and it's actually a mile long, that is full of fun places to shop. I didn't think I'd like that since I'm not a great shopper, but it was great.
Dad and I are staying in a hotel that is right downtown and has a great view, called The Wit. We have one more day here, Monday, then we fly home tomorrow night.
I think the girls have done well. Leah says Eddie is a mess, but I kind of expected that.Ha ha
This Tuesday Leah will be having her surgery where they will take out two screws hoping that it will help her bones heal faster. I really hope it works.
Today in eagle Trevor Patee gave his farewell talk. Brock grieve is also leaving this Wednesday as well as ellery Andrew. Also Tanner yorgason got married over the weekend. That's all the news I can think of.
How was your weekend? I love that you're having a good sized teaching pool. Sean and Blair go out with the missionaries in their ward and help teach and visit the less actives. They love it. Blair has become really close to a couple young girls in one family and they get dropped off each Sunday now so the girls can attend church. One of them sat with us today.
When you get a chance, make sure to write Sean and Blair. They said they haven't heard anything from you personally and they wrote you a while back. Also Kirk and Sarah said they hadn't heard from you and wanted to make sure you got the news about their pregnancy. That's what you get for being part of a big family. :) :) :) so many people to keep in touch with.
I just about forgot to tell you that Mary and Brian had a baby yesterday. They named him George and he was only 4lbs 14 oz. Very small and they had to induce Mary because the baby wasn't growing at the rate they thought he should, so he was born three weeks early. I saw his picture and he looks very cute. Can't wait to see him.
We had a great lesson in RS today about "feed my sheep" and we had such a great discussion about helping keep the sheep in the fold so they never get lost. It was really a motivating lesson and made me want to try harder to be more friendly and welcoming and loving especially to sisters in the ward and always watching out for the one and being a better visiting teacher. You've always been so good at that just naturally!
I'm sending some pics too of our weekend. I hope you've been able to meet with the Samoan family you're teaching and camilo's family.
I love you and love the hard work you're willing to do for the savior. It's very motivating for me.
Have a beautiful week!
Love you very much,
Mom

Xoxoxoxo
Eating at a famous hot Dog place
Under the subway called the"L"
Chicaco skyline from Wendetta architecture boat tour
Sean and Blair's apt
Working on a puzzle









In front of the "bean"
The corn cob buildings

Hershey's building
Skyline from the Hancock building








Wednesday, November 11, 2015

One Sleep Til Chicago

Nov. 11, 2015
Dear Sister Kristina,
Ok, I officially don’t like not getting a letter from you on Monday. This seemed like forever to wait. I hope you had a wonderful week and a half, a great trip to the temple, etc. etc. Dad got a thank you from Camilo for his pin. Keep us posted on how he’s doing in the ward, what calling he gets, etc. I couldn’t believe how different he looked when he cut his beard and hair. That was amazing and it just showed his commitment to the decision he made. He looked so much younger too! haha

Dad and I are getting ready for our big trip to Chicago tomorrow. Sean wrote us tonight and said they are having a huge thunderstorm, which I usually love, but then he said the tornado sirens are on. That, I don’t love. I told him to make sure the storm is over by tomorrow night when we get there. haha Both he and Blair have lots of fun things planned for us so I’m excited to get there and go on little adventures with them. Kris Grigg’s daughter Mariah will be staying here at the house with the girls and the dogs. I hope it doesn’t get too crazy for her, especially with our crazy dogs. haha

I had my big annual stake training meeting last week and dad made tri-tip steak in our Traeger grill and an au jus that was sooo good, Susan Lamb made these scrumptious roasted potatoes, Diane Bryson made a lettuce free salad that was so tasty, Kris Grigg made a pull apart pumpkin carmel bread dessert. Nikki, Leah and Allison Bryson served. They had a lot of fun and did a good job.

During dessert I spoke to all of them, then we broke into our smaller groups. I absolutely loved meeting with all the ward presidents. They are such amazing women and they do so much for all their sisters. They have their own families to care for too, but I know for a fact that they are strengthened by the Lord and given extra strength and endurance and abilities to accomplish the work they’ve been called to do. I felt that same thing when I was called to be a ward president. I remember right before I was called I had been feeling a little low on energy and when I got called I thought, how will I be able to do all of this. But it was a beautiful miracle that I was able to feel such energy and spiritual strength even though we were in the middle of building a home and in the middle of putting in our paper work for adopting the girls. The Lord definitely qualifies those whom He calls.

Leah’s 16th birthday was on Monday. It’s so hard to believe she’s 16 now. Tonight she got a text asking her to attend a YCL meeting for camp next year. She’s very excited. She got her phone upgraded to an iphone 5s, so now she and Nikki have the same type phone, thank goodness, because that was certainly a source of contention when Nikki got Sean’s old phone. Today they didn’t have school for Veteran’s Day so Leah and I went and got manicures. Leah got the coolest gel polish. It changes color in different temperatures and the color change is very dramatic and looks so cool. She was very happy with it, plus we got half off since it was her birthday!! Last night, since it wasn’t a school night, Leah had a bunch of friends over to watch Lion King and play games. I heard her laughing the whole time and that made me so happy. She said she had a great time and it was a different bunch of kids than she normally hangs out with…Maddie Tanner came, Brooklyn Bingham, Fisher Erickson and some others you may not know.

I met with Pres. Stafford last night for my monthly meeting. He had just been at a training meeting with the area authority for 6 hours, so he was excited to share a lot of the things he learned and heard there. I love that he wants me to know all these things and I actually love learning about how the church works at that level. He also told me that Pres. Monson is now in a wheelchair because of his diabetes complications. That makes me sad, but I could see that coming after his talk this last conference. He said that sometimes he doesn’t use it, but for the most part, he does. Pres. Stafford also told me that they will be putting Angel Moroni on our new temple very soon, but that they will probably just put it up and not tell anybody because there’s no place to park around there to see it, but they’re concerned because they know how fast social media gets the word out. I will just have to drive by every day now cuz I want to see it happen!

Well, I better get back to packing. My next letter I write you will be from Chicago!!! Dad and I are staying in a nice hotel in downtown Chicago and we’re taking the subway everywhere and walking. I’m looking forward to that, except for the bad weather part. So if you want anything from Chicago, let me know. :)

I hope you are doing well. Kirk got the flu last week, then the next day poor little Addie got it and she was throwing up in her crib. Then today Sarah got it and had to miss another day of work. She’s afraid she’s not going to be able to keep her job there for long because she’s missed so much and now her dad is having a serious operation on his brain to place an implant that will slow down his Parkinson’s, but the brain surgery is kind of scary and Sarah’s mom has asked the kids to be there with her. He’s having it the Monday after Thanksgiving, so Sarah and Nicole and Addie will go up to Canada the week of Thanksgiving to be with her and that means she will be missing even more work. And we are so sad that Addie won’t even be there for Thanksgiving. Kirk said that he’d still be there, but sorry Kirk, you’re not quite as cute as little Addie. haha But I know Sarah needs to be with her mom during that time. I’ll keep you posted about that.

Have a wonderful week. Continue to work hard, persevere and wait upon the Lord and ask members to go with you often. I love hearing about the joy you’re feeling doing the work of the Lord. There’s nothing better…well, it’s right up there with getting married and having a baby. :) Lots more joy to look forward to in life.

Love you like crazy!!!

Mom xxoo

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Monday

Nov. 8, 2015
Dear Sister Kristina,
I remembered that you won’t be able to write us til later this week, but I thought I’d send off a quick note to let you know we are doing well and I hope you enjoy your temple trip. In Sunday School today we talked about traits of a missionary so of course, I thought of you the whole time. They are all wonderful traits and you have all of them…courage, knowledge, faith, love, patience, hope, etc.

Monday is Leah’s birthday and she can’t stop reminding us all of that! haha I hope she has a good day and enjoys turning 16. She’s afraid of growing up because of all the responsibility that comes along with it, but I’ve assured her that 16 is definitely not very old and she’s still a young woman. 

I had a great week including my stake training meeting which was wonderful. I’ll tell you more about it in my longer letter which I’ll write so you can get it on Thursday. This year dad (my 4th counselor) helped cook the meat for the dinner and Leah, Nikki and Allison Bryson all served. I remember fondly those days when you helped serve at those meetings. The girls did a great job.

This week we’re getting ready not only for Leah’s birthday, but also getting ready for our trip to Chicago on Thursday. Sean says he has so many things for us to do when we get there! It will be fun exploring a new city. 

I hope you are doing well. I love you sooooo much and I love hearing from you. Your words fill my heart and lift my week! 
You’re always in my prayers. Have a great day.
Love you,

Mom xxoo

Sunday, November 1, 2015

post Halloween, post Addie :(

Nov. 1, 2015
Dear Sister Kristina,
How did time fly by so fast in October? We just had a wonderful week with Kirk and Sarah and Addie here in our home. Man, it was so fun having Addie here. Just having her here walking around our house, checking out everything, jumping on my bed, playing ball with Roxy, running away from us, going on walks, going trick or treating with her as a little bumblebee, giving kisses, etc etc. They leave in the morning and our house is going to feel soooo empty. We’ll probably just sit around and stare at each other.

Here are some pics from the week-there a lot of them-hope you don’t mind:
Nikki needs a bit of shaving practice

We made sock snowmen one night. They were so easy and lots of fun

Nikki tested for her high blue belt over the weekend

I put vinyls on the windows so Addie could play with them

Addie loves playing duets

Addie had to have her passport pic taken. She refused to smile. haha

Getting ready to go trick or treating

Visiting with Blaine and Jean Sorensen with their homemade donuts on Halloween

Great, great Aunt Nancy reading to Addie

Savannah sent us this picture of the corn rows she did in Alex's hair


When we say it's time to pray, this is what Addie does. So cute!

Pumpkin carving

Kirk and Sarah's new minivan

Playing in the backyard

Kirk and his funny shirts


Fun at Linder Farm

Feeding the animals at Linder Farm

Linder Farm

Riding the ponies at Linder Farm

Linder Farm fun

The slide at Linder Farm

Our lame attempt at a selfie

A fun dessert that Sarah made for all of us

Deadman meatloaf dinner

Deadman meatloaf for our Halloween tradition

So how was Camilo’s baptism?? I can’t wait to hear. I prayed for him every night this past week because I know how hard Satan will try to stop baptisms. I hope everything went well and that he feels very at home in his new ward. Do you have a good Bishop that will watch over him for a while? 

Church was fun today with Addie but I don’t think I heard a complete testimony at all. I forget how much work it is to have a toddler in church. There’s a few years there when you’re raising small children that you don’t hear much at all in church. Kirk took her to priesthood so Sarah and I could go to Relief Society, but I could hear Addie out in the halls saying Nana, Nana. Sarah and I were laughing.

We had a really fun visit at Bill and Nancy’s on Halloween night. Addie got to go up to Nancy’s grandchild room and see all her beanie babies, remember that room? Uncle Bill let Addie pick two beanie babies to take home. I just love both of them.

One night Kirk and Sarah went out on a date which they haven’t been able to do for a long time, so that was really nice for them. They went out to dinner-Sarah was craving steak, haha and then to a movie at the Village. Me and the girls babysat and had a lot of fun. She’s such a good little girl and has such a cute personality. She likes to tease too.

I hope you had a wonderful week, I know you must have with Camilo’s baptism. “How great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father.” We can’t wait to meet him one day. 

We are well here, just plodding along. Dad is still working hard. On Friday night I went with Kirk and Sarah and Addie to his hospital in Emmett and Sarah got to see her little baby with his ultrasound machine. We could even see the tiny heart beating, very fun. Nikki is doing well in school and has really started to work hard and getting good grades has become more important to her. Leah is trying to find some new friends now that Dixie is gone, but I had a good talk with her the other day and told her to think only about what she does have and what she does know and not to dwell on what she doesn’t have and what she’s not so sure about in life and in the church. Sometimes she dwells on the negative and that really gets you nowhere. I reminded her that what she does have is a great family who all love her very much and we will always be there for her. Friends come and go. I also told her to remember that when she doubts things in the church to turn that around and think about what she does know and that is that she’s loved and families are forever. It’s just baby steps for her, but this life is not a race, it’s just helping each other getting turned in the right direction. It’s where we’re facing that matters. I have a good relationship with Leah and that means a lot to me. I love her so much. Thank you for your letters. She loves them!

I hope you are happy, healthy and living close to the spirit. I know you are guided each day and that means a lot to me. Send my love to your companion and your roommates. You all seem so happy together. Have a great week.

Love you,
Mom xxoo