Hopefully your email is working :)

Jan. 31, 2016

Dear Sister Kristina,

I sure hope your email works a bit better this week. That was hard seeing your emails come through and wondering if we had even written you. I felt so bad and it was so weird that I felt like I had no way of contacting you to let you know it was all good. Just sayin, it wasn’t a good feeling.

Well, I hope you had a wonderful weekend!! I saw your Facebook post with Camilo’s kids at the baptism and I was so happy. Tell me all about it, things they said and felt, etc. Did you get a good turnout from the ward? Have they been confirmed too? We’ve been praying for the Fefita family too, especially Nikki. She always remembers them.

My weekend was good and bad, well actually great and just okay. Yesterday was our Stake women’s conference and it was so great. Both speakers, Erika Soelberg and Jon Ashton did an amazing job. I could have listened to Erika for another hour. Her talk was Dare Not to Compare and so many things she shared really hit home with all of us about how we women tend to compare our realistic selves with other’s best selves. She had fun stories to follow up with all her thoughts. I’m going to ask her for a copy of her talk and I’ll share it with you. Jon Ashton spoke on Are We Enough and as a clinical psychologist he said he sees women feeling this way all the time in his practice. He says women are unusually hard on themselves, but we need to realize that Heavenly Father made each of us very different and did so with good reason, so we should embrace what we love to do and are good at and give what we can when we can and know that that will be acceptable to the Lord. He also said that because as women we have natural abilities to nurture, discern, love etc that we also have a too discerning/critical eye when it comes to seeing things in ourselves. We are naturally very hard on ourselves because of that same gift, so we need to be more aware of why we are like that. Of course, they both speakers said things more beautifully than what I described. 

The only bad part of the day was waking up with a stye in my eye. My eye was soooo swollen. I spent two hours before the meeting putting warm compresses on it, then ice to try and take the swelling down, etc. My eye looked like an alien. But I did my best with make up and wore my bangs long on that side, haha, and went on to the meeting. I figured I’d be sitting on the stand and it would be hard to see my eye up there anyway, but it stung the whole time and I was so acutely aware of it. My counselors said you could hardly tell-they are very sweet. :)

We served lunch afterwards which was a build your own gyro sandwich—really tasty food and very Mediterranean. The tables were all set very simply and so many women commented about how much they loved the simplicity of the whole meeting and how powerful the spirit was. Here are a few pics.

The chocolate cake was gluten free and so yummy. Our food chairman has gluten intolerance, so she made sure there was plenty of food for anyone else with the same thing. 

Also this weekend I was very aware that just last year on this same day my mom passed away. I can remember sitting at the computer working on my talk for the women’s conference when I got the call. Susan, Patrice and Maria all took my dad to the cemetery and afterward they went out to lunch. He said it was a lot of fun.

So the just okay part of my weekend was today. I was supposed to go to two ward conferences, but when I woke up, my eye was even worse than yesterday and dad said I really needed to stay home and keep warm compresses on it. I tried again to make it better, but it was not working today so I stayed home. I was so sad to miss two ward conferences, but I knew my counselors could handle it. I sure hope this thing heals quickly so I don’t scare any little children. :0  Dad says sometime styes can last two weeks….uggghh.

The girls said our ward missionary spoke in church today and that he did a great job. Nikki also said that Sis. Bingham gave an awesome lesson in MiaMaids that made her cry, so she wants to make her a treat to say thank you. Nikki also gave a devo this past week in seminary and made little circle brownies for everyone in the class. She said it went with her devo about families are forever. She’s already doing another devo on Tuesday. She loves volunteering. Leah even came out of her class (which is the same hour) to listen to Nikki give her devo. She told Nikki it was good except she needs to speak up, which then led to a little fight of course between the two of them. Leah says she loves speaking in front of groups and knows how to speak up so she was just trying to help Nikki. Nikki didn’t appreciate the constructive criticism. Some things never change around here. 

Leah has Bro. Tanner again, whom she loves. They’ve had some really wonderful talks together and she’s shared a lot of her personal struggles with him. He called on Friday to tell me how much he appreciated a note Leah had written him that day. He said it had been a particularly difficult day and then he got that note. He said he couldn’t even express how much that note meant to him and I could tell he was very touched even on the phone. So I told Leah what he had said and reminded her that she has a gift for knowing when people are in need of a kind word. She’s been very good about writing notes to people and telling them how wonderful they are. I’ve told her that because she suffers from anxieties and depression that she is more apt to recognize that in other people now and to use that lift and help others. 

Isn’t that the truth about all of us? When we go through trials, we’re so much more in tune with others around us who may be experiencing the same thing. I sure feel a bond with so many women now who have children who are struggling, who question the church, who have learning disorders, etc. Dad says he has more compassion at work now too. 

This week Nikki is preparing to take her test for her red belt. That’s where Leah is right now, so they will be at the same place now. It’s good seeing Leah back in Taekwondo and working out. She’s definitely not completely healed yet, but it’s coming along. 

We got to facetime Kirk and Sarah and Addie tonight again. We can’t get enough of Addie. Tonight Sarah made a big bowl of jello and let her take a spoon and go at it. She had never had jello before, so it was so fun to watch. Here’s a cute picture of her making “dinner” for Sarah. Sarah asked her to make her dinner in her little cupboard and so she got out a plastic hamburger bun and carefully prepared it in the pan for Sarah.

I hope you are doing well and feeling well. I ran into Debbie Williams at our conference and if you need anything from Mary Kay, just let me know. She just got back from a road trip taking Alison all the way to Florida for her new job, stopping along the way at Sean and Blair’s. Alison was working with birds in Alaska and now she’ll be working with birds in Florida. Clark made the trip with them.

Other news-Cole is pretty serious with a girl, so we’ll probably be hearing about an engagement soon. Also Kassie had her baby girl last week. Kendall is her name and she weighed 9 lbs 5 oz.  Big little girl and very cute with black hair and Kassie is just so happy to be her mom. She is loving it!

Have a wonderful day and week!!! Krissy Moss and Danielle Bingham both said to say hi. Us missionary moms have a special bond. 

Always in my prayers and Love you very much,

Mom xxoo

On to Women's Conference

Jan. 25, 2016

Dear Sister Kristina,

How are you??? I hope you had a wonderful Sabbath and a great week. We are well here, just plodding along. Each day seems to bring unexpected things, sometimes miracles, sometimes hardships, sometimes just a twist in events, but I try to roll along with each thing. If it was anything else, I would probably be bored. One thing is for sure, I’m not bored.

This past weekend was our Stake Conference. My presidency and I got to prepare and serve dinner for the visiting authority, Elder Sexton. We served about 30 people at dinner. Dad made the tri-tip steak and au jus. We have lots of leftovers so the girls are very happy. Tonight we’ll turn the meat into pulled bbq sandwiches. I think they’ll be happy about that cuz anything with meat and Sweet Baby Rays is always a hit with them. haha

Dad and I ate at the dinner too, so it was nice having dad there with me this time. The Saturday evening meeting was wonderful. I especially loved all the missionary miracles Elder Sexton talked about when he was mission president in Huntington Beach, CA.  He says he definitely learned that there are no coincidences. When we live close to the spirit we are where we need to be, where we should be and people will be placed in our paths for a reason. He had lots of great stories of missionaries listening to the spirit and being led right where they needed to be. It’s my goal to always live my life that way.

I actually got a pretty good night’s sleep that night even though I was speaking the next day. Here’s the order of who spoke on Sunday-first Pres. Stafford, Pres. Shaw, myself, then they called Bro. Cameron unexpectedly up out of the audience to bare his testimony, then the temple matron, then the president of the Boise temple, then the rest of the meeting was for Elder Sexton. Elder Sexton had assigned 3 of us to speak about keeping the Sabbath day holy. On Saturday night, Pres. Jeppeson of our Stk Presidency spoke on it, then Pres. Shaw and I both spoke on it the next day. I have to say, I was a little worried about so many of us speaking on the same subject. Pres. Shaw and I even told each other what some of the details were in our talks so we could make sure they were different. But each one of us had such a different take on it. Then I understood why we were all asked to speak on the same thing. In Elder Sexton’s talk on Sunday, he told us about his meeting last year with the first presidency and the 12 apostles. He said it was a training meeting and 11 apostles were all asked to speak at it and all 11 apostles spoke on keeping the Sabbath day holy. Elder Sexton said that really made an impact on him, so he felt he needed to get that same message out to us.

Once I spoke, it was a very relaxing meeting. You know how that goes. Dad and the girls managed to actually get seats in the chapel, so it was nice seeing them there. It was an odd feeling to look out and see the entire room filled all the way back to the stage and to see the little camera there also that reminded me there were two other buildings filled and listening. I’ll send you a copy of my talk. The hardest thing was trying to keep it around 8 minutes and still make it interesting.

After church we invited Myles Mckell over for dinner and we had breakfast for dinner. It was so relaxing and waffles never tasted so good. We also got to facetime Kirk, Sarah and Addie last night which is soooo fun. I could sit there and just watch Addie for hours. She is so funny and changing so fast. Her hair has soft curls in the back now, she’s trying to say new words all the time and I can always make her laugh just by pretending to sneeze and throwing my head back and forth to make my hair go wild. She then mimics me by sneezing and throwing her hair around. Simple joys are the best!!

Sean called me last night and he’s been super busy getting two stores ready to open and his lab. Not only is he learning how to make eyeglass lenses, but he’s also learning all about building. Blair is only working two days a week at the zoo, so she’s really hoping to find a job that will keep her busier. 

Over the weekend, Alex called and asked if I would help him with his website. He’s getting ready for his big interviews this next week with advertising agencies around the country. They are all coming to BYU to interview the seniors and he needs to have a website for them to look at. So I enjoyed helping Alex with that. I know he’s going to do great with his interviews, and it will be fun to hear where he gets an offer and where they will be moving.

Leah and Nikki both had finals last week. Nikki said she thinks she did well and tends to get all A’s and B’s now. I’m very proud of her and her efforts. She’s struggling a bit with some anger issues, but I’m trying to help her through that. I think she’s learning some of her habits from her sister, but she loves the gospel, still loves cooking and food, and all her leaders just love being around her. Leah didn’t seem to really care how she did on her finals, but she gets help all along the way from all her teachers, so I’m sure they’ll get her passed from each class. Some days, Leah gets very motivated to do well, makes plans and organizes everything and I see where her heart is, but she just has a hard time carrying it through. I feel for her and her struggles. I am learning so much in trying to help her, but I also realize there are so many things I cannot help with or change. I look forward to our meetings with the psychiatrists so I can get help too. This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done and rely on my faith, my Savior, my Father, dad, my family soooo much. Thank you again for prayers.

I’m excited to plan for our Women’s Conference this weekend. I’m really looking forward to attending and hearing the speakers. I’m not really worried about the little details because I know all the men and women we’ve asked to help out will do a great job. We have such awesome talent in this stake. I know I’ve sent you the flyer for our conference, but here’s a handout we made with a little more info:

So how was your week? Did you have investigators come to church? I’m anxious to hear how Camilo’s kids are doing and if the Fefita family has made any progress. I think it’s always hard to understand the Lord’s timing especially when it seems like someone should join the church right now so they can start receiving the blessings of a changed life and heart, but I also learned from our Stake Conference that we need to remember that our final chapters of our lives will not be written here on earth, that there is still another chapter coming and some people will make awesome changes in that final chapter because they will be free from some of the heavy burdens of this life. This was really good counsel also for parents who struggle with wayward children.

Sorry, I don’t mean to sound preachy…maybe I’m still in the talk writing mode. haha but I love to share what I learn sometimes.

At Stake Conference Sis. Steele came up to me and told me that she and Sis. Wright grew up together and she is a good friend of hers and just loves her. She was excited to know you were in her mission and wants you to say hi to her for her. Also Breck is coming home from her mission in just 3 months. I can’t believe that. Seems like she just left. Sis. Steele said she’s going to be so lonely when she comes home because all her friends are still out on missions.

Here are a couple more pics from Sarah this week.

I love this one of both of them getting pedicures!! It makes me happy.

I hope you’re having a wonderful day. I’m sure if we go to Wal-Mart today we’ll get to see all the missionaries from the area and I love it. Thinking of your during my day always brings a smile to my heart. Keep up the good work. You have an awesome light about you, just share some of the light with everyone you meet, help them smile, lighten their burdens and your day will be even more joyful.

Let me know if you need anything. 

Love you, love you, love you,

Mom xxoo

Day off

Jan. 18, 2016

Dear Sister Kristina,

So I guess it’s another holiday. I’ve decided when you’re a stay at home mom, you don’t fully appreciate these holidays. Unless it’s Sunday, sometimes I don’t really think about what day it is. haha All I know is the girls are sleeping in for a bit today. That’s what they want to do most on their day off.

Dad is home today too, so I think we’ll get some projects done around the house, make some trips to DI and clean things out. When it’s so cold outside, we get a lot more done on the inside (which I really like). He’s also going to go to West Valley Medical Center this afternoon. Remember that’s the place in Caldwell he used to work when we first moved here. Then the hospital decided they wanted a different group of ER doctors to cover their ER cuz they thought they could get a cheaper group. Well, when they brought in the cheaper group, they’ve been very unhappy with them and of course, now they are getting rid of that group and a new group has contacted dad to see if he would like to work there. Oh brother…is all I can say. What goes around, comes around. They are offering a lot of money, but dad isn’t sure he wants to go back there, so this afternoon he’s meeting with them to see what they’re offering, what the ER looks like now, etc. He’s pretty happy just working in Emmett, Mtn. Home and sometimes at the VA here in Boise, so we’ll see.

We got to facetime Kirk and Sarah last night and they had Brian and Mary and their baby, George, over. Here’s some pics of baby George. He was only 4 pounds when he was born and they are having so much fun with him. I think he looks like a little man. :)

So how was your week? I hope all your investigators are coming along. Leah has really enjoyed hearing from Fusi every so often. We had our missionaries over for dinner again this past week. They all tell us that Eagle is such a tough area to be a missionary in, but I’m glad they come into our homes and give us messages.

Yesterday was another ward conference for me, well, in fact I went to two, Eagle 2nd and Eagle 5th, so it was a long church day for me. I spoke in both wards and really enjoyed meeting with them. In Eagle 2nd, Kris Grigg is the new ward RS president so it was so fun just being with her again and this time, she got to speak. As my secretary, she never had to speak in ward conferences. She did a great job. I miss having her around all the time, but she is so loved in her ward and very needed. Her son Jordan is now engaged and they’re getting married in a few months and she’s excited about that.

This week I’m going to be preparing for Stake Conference where my subject is Sabbath Day. I’m speaking at the Sunday session. We’re also serving dinner on Saturday night to the visiting authority, but they’ve asked dad and I to attend the dinner, so now the rest of my presidency will be serving us, which will feel weird. But dad is making the tri-tip steak before. It will be yummy. We serve it between the 4pm priesthood session on Saturday and the 7pm session for the adults. So there’s about an hour or less. It’s kind of a rushed meal and then we clean up during the opening song and prayer of the 7pm session. All our husbands come in and help us so we can get it all done quicker. Lots to do this weekend. I’ll be so happy next Monday!!!

Also this week, Thursday, Sarah is going in for her big ultrasound where they take a really good look at the baby and we get to find out if it’s a boy or a girl. So exciting. They also do measurements, look at all the organs, etc so it’s a pretty big deal. I know Sarah will be nervous about it, but Kirk has the morning off and will be with her. I’ll tell them to send you the news!

Here’s a little missionary report from our stake. Kade Anderson came home last week and reported yesterday. Dad said he looks the same, but really learned a lot from his mission-life lessons. He’s getting a job for a couple of months, then will head back to BYU-I for spring semester. Our stake now has 114 full time missionaries out in the field. Most wards have 10-16 out. It’s pretty amazing. Pres. Stafford said this is the most our stake has ever had out. 

Uncle Steve said that Paul Monson had his farewell yesterday and yes, his grandpa came to hear it. I’m so jealous. Steve said Pres. Monson came in just before the sacrament and then left after Paul spoke, but he waved to everyone. Steve said he talked with Clark, Pres. Monson’s son and he said his dad really has not been feeling well, so remember the prophet in your prayers.

Leah had her first date this past weekend and she had a great time. She actually planned the whole thing, coordinated it, etc. She wanted to have a date so she could say she’s been out on a date. She doubled with Carrie Iverson who asked out Ren Hansen. Leah went with Nick Heideman, a senior who is quite popular. Tracey was worried that she had asked him out since he’s so popular and he knows it, so then I was worried for Leah. Another girl told Leah that she had also gone out with Nick, but that he was so rude the whole time and always on his phone. So I tried to prepare her for the worst case scenario, but as it turned out, she said he was nice the whole time and going to the hockey game was a blast. They sat right behind the players and Leah asked them for a puck and they actually gave her one. Then they went to Merritt’s afterwards, which is always a hit. When she came in the house that night, she was so happy. It’s not that she likes Nick, in fact he was her third choice, so I think that helped relieve any pressure you tend to feel when you really like the guy. Phew! So we made it through her first date. She keeps talking about asking other guys out, but I’m trying to calm her a little. Wish you were here to talk with her about these things. Hopefully, she’ll just run out of money. She saw how expensive it was just to go on one date. haha

Here’s a pic that Leah took from their seats. Very close to the players and the ice!!

Addie got some bath crayons for Christmas.

Leah’s front two teeth are super sensitive! So she had to get fitted for a mouth guard that she has to wear every night that has floride in it. It’s supposed to help relieve the sensitivity. We’ll see. For now she can only drink through a straw, so we have straws all over the house and all over the car and in my purse just in case she needs a drink. 

Can’t wait to hear about the Fifita’s, Camilo’s kids and JoAnne and especially how your week went with Pres. Wright’s daughter. That’s really nice that he wanted her to be with you and your companion and that he trusts you and knows you would set a great example for her. I hope it was a great week for you. Keep working hard, be obedient so the spirit can work through you. It’s when you are obedient that the entire Godhead can bless you.

Love you,

Mom xxoo

ps make sure to let me know, if you can, if there’s any major purchases you need from your acct. I don’t check it often, so I only get a notice if you’ve overdrawn, which means it was too late. Let us know if there’s ever anything we can send from our end too.  xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Back to real life

Jan. 10, 2016

Dear Sister Kristina,

Well, it’s back to real life now. All the visitors have gone, the decorations are down, the house looks bare, etc etc We started ward conferences today so it was fun. I went to the 1st ward and to our ward today. The girls said that the youth council did a good job and they enjoyed it. Pres. Stafford came into Relief Society and spoke to the women, so that’s always a treat for us. The theme as I’ve said before is Personal Righteousness and everyone that spoke on that had wonderful insight. I’ll be speaking next week. We learned today that if you would just make a decision to obey (someone who is trying to find out if the church is true), be obedient to the commandments, then all three members of the Godhead can work together to help in the conversion process. We can’t convert people, we can only teach them principles, but they must decide on their own if they want to try to be obedient to the commandments and that’s when they can be taught spiritually. As you well know, sometimes investigators get converted to the missionaries or to a program of the church but have not really committed to being obedient and they are the ones who soon leave the church. The ones who decide to be obedient are taught and receive a deep conversion through members of the Godhead. 

Leah is anxiously awaiting a reply from a guy she has asked out for this weekend. She and Carrie Iverson want to do a double date and they got tickets from Bro. Grieve for the Steelhead hockey game. It should be fun, but Leah asked a senior and he kind of himhawed when she asked him and didn’t really give her an answer, at least she said she didn’t really understand what he was saying, so now she has to get in touch with him again and see if he can go. Awkward. I feel for her. I just hope he answers her one way or the other and quickly. She just wants to be able to say she’s been out on a date.

Leah tells me she wrote you this week and shared her experience with you. I don’t know all of what she shared, but it was a hard night and basically our prayers were answered because I wasn’t with her when she was feeling so down. Heavenly Father answered all our prayers in a very personal and miraculous way and it really made an impact on Leah. She was a different person afterwards, lighter and happier and she said she knows for sure that there is a Heavenly Father and that He loves her. When I got home and she shared her experience I was just crying because it was an answer to my prayers too especially knowing that I couldn’t be there with her when she needed help. I told Leah she needs to always remember this, write it down and move forward now with faith. We’ll see how she does. Depression is an ugly beast, but she’s so open to always talk with me and I cherish that. I’m friends with a mom who has a daughter the same age who is suffering from the same type thing, but her daughter won’t even talk to her. It breaks my heart.Thanks for all your prayers. 

Nikki was quite the busy bee yesterday and today. Her new thing she is in charge of in her Sunday School class is treats. She’s supposed to delegate it and organize it. So she thought she’d start it off and yesterday she made lemon cupcakes from scratch and today made a luxurious frosting and piped it on top. They really tasted good. This is totally a calling for her. I just hope she actually delegates it out each week. I know she’d be perfectly happy if she had to make treats each week. :)

Sarah will find out what their baby is in a couple weeks. We are all very excited. She says she has no idea and would love a boy or a girl. She had a regular appointment this past week and they let Addie put the goop on her belly so they could listen to the heartbeat. So cute!!

Kirk and Sarah and Addie and Nicole all returned home after their visit to Canada this past week. Nicole drove straight to school, but Kirk and Sarah stayed overnight and left the next night. It was so fun having them here. We opened more Christmas presents, played, ate at Carl's (Addie played in the play place), shopped, watched TV. I sure wish they lived closer.

So fun having them in our home.

Playing with Nana’s toys.

She wanted to sit with me and watch TV, so I put my hand out and she put her hand in mine….oooooh!

She has the cutest boots and it’s so fun watching her walk around in them.

Kirk came in and took this pic. We’re working on our duet!!

So the girls are back in school. They have one more week until finals. Nikki is a little worried because she says she doesn’t really know what finals are, but she is really doing well in school and has good grades. Leah says she’s not worried. hmmm  

How was your week? Leah really enjoyed hearing from Fusi, that’s been fun. Leah would love to see a picture of her. Also, the girls have been so happy about receiving a letter from their birth parents and the letter was amazing. Let me know if you’d like to read a copy of it. Leah asked them tons of questions about why they did what they did and they answered each one. It’s hard to believe they have 7 other brothers and sisters on the other side of the world. Some day we will meet them all.

I hope you have a miraculous week!! Stay close to the spirit and always be on the Lord’s errand because that’s when the miracles happen. I am so grateful for the miracles in my life and I know where they have come from.

Love you,

Mom xxoo

New Year!!

Jan. 4, 2015

Dear Sister Kristina,

Well, here we are in 2016. I hope 2015 was a most wonderful year for you, serving a mission for most of it. I look back on some of your letters and pictures and you have had so many experiences and met so many new people. I hope you realize how enriched your life has become. I had the greatest feeling when you called and told me you wanted to serve and it’s been awesome ever since.

We rang in the new year with Alex, Savannah and Chloe. Well, actually they all rang it in while I watched from my warm bedroom window. (It has been below freezing every day for over a week now) They all set off fireworks from the back porch. Dad was at work, so I gave him a cyber kiss, Eddy was hiding from the sounds of the fireworks and Roxy was on my bed right next to me. Earlier in the day we had gone to the movies and played games. The usual New Years Eve stuff.

The night before we had our New Year’s Adam party. The Elders came over for the first part which was the dinner and the Larsens came too. We had so much fun with the Larsens and played games all night. We have a couple new games now thanks to Alex and Savannah, so we’ve been having fun getting addicted. The family game we got for Christmas is Rummikub and everyone loves that one. So we’ve been quite the game playing family these last few days, and you know me, that’s what I love to do!

Here’s some pics:

Alex, Savannah and Chloe at Mtn. Home visiting dad on their way to our house.

Savannah braided Alex’s hair while watching a movie. He got his haircut a day later. Phew

Out to lunch with Cameron, his wife and baby

Steelhead hockey game. Lots of fun!

Wearing the masks you sent.

Visiting Frances Transtrum-Alex sang O Holy Night

 

All of us took turns playing the piano for her including me. Savannah even did some dance turns for her in her kitchen.

New Year’s Adam. Sally is taking the pic. The guy in the middle is her cousin.

This last Saturday we went bowling at Wahoo’s and that night we went to a Steelhead hockey game which turned out to be a lot of fun. Chloe and Savannah had never been to a hockey game. Leah liked it so much that she’s decided she wants to go on a double date there, so she’s busy working on that. She hasn’t gone out on a date yet, but has no problem asking someone out. She said she’s going to double with Alisha Leifson. I’ll keep you posted. Ryan (cousin) says he can get us tickets for those games any time, so I think that’s what Leah will do. Kirk got tickets from them one time for a date and said they were the best seats.

On Friday we went to the new Rocky movie (Rocky is that boxing movie from the 70’s). We all loved it and afterward Leah said she’s decided she wants to take up boxing now. haha It’s kind of funny cuz after the hockey game, she also announced that she was going to start playing hockey. She tends to like the violent sports. First things first though, she has to get her leg healed. We went to the Dr last week and she got an x-ray. Still healing slowly, but he said she could start doing TaeKwonDo and just not jump or kick things with that leg. She’s excited to get back to class and I’m really excited for her to get back into it. She’s literally been laying around for six months now.

The girls are back in school today. Aaaah. I like routine and I get so much more done when they’re at school and they don’t complain about having nothing to do, so it’s all good. It was so good for them both to have Alex and Savannah and Chloe here all last week.

It was also great being able to meet your Bishop, his wife and daughters from Petaluma last week. They love you. I gave his wife a hug to give to you. Hope you got it!!

So how was your week?  Did you have a baptism on Saturday? I’m anxious to hear about that and what’s going on with the Fefita family and Camilo’s family, etc. 

Tonight we’re picking up Kirk and Sarah and Addie and Nicole from the airport. They’re coming home from Canada today. Nicole is going to go straight back to Provo, but Kirk and Sarah will stay with us tonight and tomorrow and leave tomorrow afternoon. We’re all so excited to have them here especially Addie. Sarah posted a cute little video of her this morning so I’ll ask her to send it to you.

I’m back in full swing with my calling. We start ward conferences next week, so I have six hours of church each Sunday. I haven’t completed my talk yet, but I really appreciate what you sent me last week. I had totally forgotten about Daughters in My Kingdom and how it talks about personal righteousness in there. I love that book!! I’m also starting to compile my notes for my talk at Stake Conference on Making the Sabbath a Delight. I’m having a presidency mtg Wed so we can ready for preparing a meal for the visiting authority for Stk Conference and also to get ready for our Women’s Conference. Here’s the poster we put up for our conference this year. I just love it and can’t wait for it.

Well, I better get going. I’ve got to pay the bills. Fun fun. Hope you are well. Nikki came home with a cough and cold and now it’s going through the whole family. When I think of what you’re doing this is the scripture that comes to mind:

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” 3 John 1:4 Every parent can relate to those words and they truly say what I feel. Keep up the great work, be bold in your testimony, continue to make your days count because the Lord is by your side. This is His work, His gospel and He knows those who are ready to receive covenants. Trust Him. 

Love you soooo much,

Mom xxoo