Top 10 Pics of the Week

CALDER!!! This has been the LONGEST week! It honestly feels like you've been gone for a month! I can't believe how different it is around here without you. The weirdest thing is that we have a lot of food left over for dinner...I guess I need to adjust! Here's a run down of the week.... MONDAY: I don't know how Will's comp had the ability to send a picture of you guys together, but we got that shortly after we said goodbye to you at the airport (pic #1). A few hours later I got a texted picture of you in front of a fireplace (pic #2) with no explanation or anything. I assumed it was at the mission home, so I replied and said thank you but nothing. The Lawsons - in true form - brought over a poster board with donuts and rootbeer float stuff (pic #3) and it felt like we were getting asked to a dance..haha. Crumble cookies, caramels, flowers, etc. were all delivered as good neighbors and friends tried to console us. I ate so much sugar and cried that I had a headache by the time it was bedtime! And super fun plus to the day....the basement flooded AGAIN! Ugh! The courts unlimited guys came and USED THE DANG FAUCET BY THE FRONT DOOR and it flooded again. Not exactly what I wanted to be doing on Monday, but it got me up and moving. TUESDAY: Dad and I decided we would keep the same schedule and go to the park as usual, so we woke up at the usual 6:30am and both said "we slept well and cried enough - no more crying today!" But as we left the house, Emma Westwood was just leaving on her bike. We met at the end of the driveway and she said "Where's your missionary?? Did you send him off?" And immediately we got choked up and tried to hold in the tears. We laughed as we walked to the trail and then when we were rounding the corner of the park by the basketball courts, tears were streaming down Dad's face. We paused for a picture (pic #4) and had a beautiful morning talking about all of the blessings in our lives. WEDNESDAY: Was crazy hair day. That's always a stress...you'll be impressed with my Diet Coke can hairdo for Gwen (pic #5) and the LOL doll popping out of Jane's bun (pic #6) THURSDAY: The umbrella stands and white round pillows were delivered for the backyard (pic #7) and the court's unlimited guys came to start the lines on the court. Giovana's Dad was back to paint and slowly, very slowly, things are getting done on our project. FRIDAY: I went to lunch with cute Maddie (pic #8). It was a long, overdue lunch date that we've been planning forever. We shared sob stories of saying goodbye to you and Will. The funnest thing is the only thing they'd heard from will was "I am yet alive" and that's it. Haha. SATURDAY: Was conference. We ate sourdough waffles and listened to the awesome talks. We didn't go to Provo at all because Jay's entire family has COVID - except Anna - so we decided to stay up here. The Gilberts and Simmon's and Grandma did join us in our backyard for the Women's Session on Saturday night and we got the TV to work outside. It was absolutely amazingly fun to watch it around the pool (pic #9) -- swim party 2022 here we come! SUNDAY: Happy Conference (pic #10). We missed you. During the session we went on to the "Jungle Hike" in Draper, which was a lot of fun. Unfortunately, Scout is struggling tonight. I'm not sure if it's because of the hike or what but she's having a hard time putting weight on her back legs. It's breaking my heart to watch her. We definitely need to see the vet tomorrow and see what's going on. In preparation for conference, I've been listening to the April 2020 Conference. I loved listening to Elder Benjamin M. Z Tai's talk. I thought so much about you with this story: "As a young man beginning my missionary service, I boarded an airplane headed to Australia. Feeling very alone, anxious, and inadequate but having committed to serve, I desperately needed reassurance that what I believed in was true. I prayed and read my scriptures earnestly, but as the flight progressed, my self-doubt intensified and my physical condition deteriorated. After I had been struggling for several hours, a flight attendant walked down the aisle and stopped next to my seat. He took the Book of Mormon I was reading from my hands. He looked at the cover and said, “That’s a great book!” then handed the book back to me and kept walking. I never saw him again. While his words echoed in my ears, I distinctly heard and felt in my heart, “I am here, and I know where you are. Just do your best, for I will take care of the rest.” On that airplane above the Pacific Ocean, I received a personal witness through my study of the Book of Mormon and the promptings of the Holy Spirit that my Savior knew who I was and that the gospel was true." Those first few weeks transitioning into the missionary field can be tricky, but just remember that He knows you and He knows where you are. All you need to do is your best and He will take care of the rest. My heart has been overflowing with gratitude this week. I feel like IF Heavenly Father had favorites, than the Horsley Family would probably be it. I just feel like everything that's happened over the past few months, and especially the past 10 weeks, was beautifully orchestrated to give us experiences and opportunities to see his hand in our lives. I never would have picked all the things he blessed us with because I would have just as soon had the regular path BUT I am SO happy that He knew better. He knew what we needed. I hope and pray that He continues to bless you in this manner. Even when things seem like they will be the worst (home MTC), they turn out to be the biggest blessings. It's like having all my babies C-sections seemed like my biggest trial in life, when in reality it was my greatest blessing and it was preserving my life. The Lord knows best. The Lord knows US and He is in control. We are earnestly praying for you, Calder! You're amazing! Hang in there and keep it up. Don't feel the need to write me back. There are so many others who you will need to answer. Have a wonderful week and know that our little family in Draper is praying for you! Love you tons! MOM (Only 3 pictures would load)