Week Two....let's gooooo, as Ethan says!

So....I'm a little stressed about your apartment being broke into twice. Who isn't locking the door? You know that you need to put your important things and money in a safe place...but obviously, I don't need to tell you that, right?? How goes the white washing?? Any bites? I saw that you had the opportunity to go to Zone Conference and I cannot wait to hear about it. MONDAY: Is now my favorite day because we get to talk to you! Highlight of the week (pic 1). We also got Scout back and after a couple of days of paralysis, she is finally walking normal....such a relief. It was seriously so sad to watch her trip all over and have to carry her outside to go to the bathroom! TUESDAY: I went to dinner with my high school friends, which was so fun! Between the six of us there, we have four missionaries currently serving - Colorado, California, Independence and TEXAS! WEDNESDAY: When your sister shows up and you are dressed like twinners (pic 2). I was throwing away YOUR MOUNTAIN OF GARBAGE (stinker!) when she came. We walked upstairs and both agreed that your room has a very special spirit in it. Later that night McKay was asked to two dances (pic 3-5). It was a good day for McKay. He had been really down and tired on Monday and Tuesday. He hadn't been riding his bike and was just kind of giving up on the season. Finally on Monday he tested on the bike and killed it. Nothing does more for that guy than doing well on his biking test. That, coupled with the date dance asks, really boosted his spirit. I really like the happy McKay. It's nice to have him back! THURSDAY: I went on a hike to the suspension bridge with Cec. It was so much fun. We also hiked around up there...we also did a trail called "bear..." ...something. The leaves were beautiful and it was so fun to catch up. We were hiking behind two girls and offered to take their pictures at the bridge...little did we know that they were a lesbian couple, and poised so we'd know it. And then the kind of strange looking girl opened her mouth and she was for sure a guy at some point in her/his life and it was all very exciting for our little hike together. So we call our suspension bridge picture our lesbian pic (pic 6). I thought so much about you up on those trails! FRIDAY: Was the funnest! Dad and I left the kids in charge and stayed over at the Grand for our anniversary. I woke up at 3:30am and kind of freaked out that we actually did it, but everything worked out and it was a much needed get away for the two of us. 22 years of marriage, which is crazy! I've almost been married as long as I was single...I got married when I was 23. We rode scooters around downtown (pic 7), ate sushi, got massages, hiked Ensign peak, tried to watch a movie and the Lakers/Heat game and just had a great time. SATURDAY: The girls showered us with notes and love when we returned home, as usual. They made us this cute banner hanging over our bed (pic 8). The boys had already mowed the lawn and you can only imagine how thrilled Dad was to pull up and see it done! SUNDAY: Was full of meetings. We don't quite have our stamina back yet for so many meetings, so Dad and I are pretty tired tonight! I bore my testimony today. It felt really good after such a long drought. There's a conference address from April 2020 called "Spiritual Defining Memories" by Neil A Anderson that I just love. In it, Elder Anderson talks about the message of the restoration and when the prophet Joseph Smith said "I knew that God knew that I knew the church was true and how could I deny?" I've thought a lot about that statement and the examples that Elder Anderson gave in the talk of moments when everyday people received the same witness. When I bore my testimony, I talked about how the home MTC was another spiritual defining memory for me and that I know that God knows that I know that it's true and I cannot deny it. I spoke of the many tender mercies our family has experienced and how I can see the hand of the Lord throughout the last few months. I'm so grateful that I have this knowledge and firm foundation to stand upon. Dad also bore his testimony. He always gives such a strong testimony of the Savior and he also spoke of you. Christian Riser was in the audience and has started the home MTC. It was so awesome to see him and he's doing great. When Dad was bearing his testimony, Jane turned to me and asked why everyone was going up there and if she had to do it too.... We have fall break ahead of us this week. We still don't know our plan. McKay really wants to go to St George so he can prepare for the state race. We have a doctor's appointment on Wednesday to find out if he can race. It's 50/50. He's going to be so disappointed if he doesn't get to race. I hope it all works out. We had a little run in this week with Henry over grades...maybe it was the D+ in chemistry that kind of set us off...or was it the C- in math? Not good. Nothing gets Henry going like a knock down, blow up. It wasn't great. Things are tricky with him sometimes. I love him to death, but I just can't figure out how to parent him the way he needs me to. It's hard to feel like you're doing your best and failing. But, we just keep trying and praying and doing our best in these situations...right? Missing you like crazy. Your happy spirit is noticeably absent. I've thought.a lot about your comp and can see some wisdom in the mission president putting you guys together. I know I didn't interact with him much, but I can tell that you are a lot more dynamic than he is and it would be hard to have two duds together. I think the challenge is like our wise friend Todd Williams said before you left...look for the ONE redeeming quality of Elder Lenardson. I'd love to know what it is when you find it. And my sister Kimberly told me that she doesn't think you ever get a new companion until you become friends with whoever you are orginally with...so...that's incentive! Love you tons. I'm praying my guts out for you. Hang in there and keep being obedient. The Lord will bless you. We fasted in your behalf today...not necessarily that you won't be comps with Elder Leonardson, but that you'd be able to bear your burdens and they'd be lighter on your back. Also for the people of Dallas West and Ukraine. Do your best in the situation you're given and don't have any regrets. And just keep trying and praying...that's what we do when we don't know what else to do, right? And never forget that a little family in Draper is praying for you! Love ya tons! MOM **GREEN THINGS GROW*** (pic 9) meme culture

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