Praying For Ukraine

Whoa! What a week.... I've been thinking so much about you and praying that you will be at peace. I'm guessing you don't have a lot of information but enough that you are feeling all sorts of emotions. Let me just say that you would be so proud of the Ukrainian people. They have shown so much strength, perseverance, determination, courage, and moxie. They bring us to tears. President Zelenskyy is shocking the US with his leadership. He's making Biden and so many others look bad because we have such wimps serving our country. Zelenskyy is a huge factor behind the success of this resistance. He is tough. I love how he closes his messages "Glory to Ukraine!" The US tried to get him to leave Ukraine and offered to get him out. Zelenskyy said "The fight is here. I need ammunition, not a ride." I just read a post today that listed the things America is doing without sending troops. Putin is literally gone mad. There is horrible destruction and loss of life. War is awful and we are praying for peace. Apparently the Russian soldiers have been fed so many lies that when some are learning what is really going on, they are setting their tanks on fire and surrendering to the Ukrainian fighters. There's a lot that we will learn once this is all over. I just pray that it ends quickly. So I guess I didn't take many pictures this week. I'm sending three pictures that basically all look the same. Christine's birthday was on Feb 24th and we got the stars to align for the three sisters to go skiing. It was really fun! We skied at Deer Valley...my first ever. The resort was beautiful! But I think the reason people love Deer Valley is the food! We weren't going to stop for food because we just wanted to ski but just before we left the mountain, we ran in and ate grilled cheese, chili and Pho. Yum! The snow was icy! And the day was chilly but we had such a great time. Christine invited us to her 80th ski birthday party. Not going to lie...I haven't totally imagined that I'd be a skier at age 78....but I guess that's my long term goal. If you can ski when you are 78...you are doing pretty good in my opinion. Take President Nelson for example! He was skiing at 90! Dad said he'd probably be too confused when he's 78, but he'd try to join us. Jane is sitting by me right now eating breakfast. She's been sick for the last few days. We've had lots of time together but it's been fun. Corner Canyon is in State finals and it's looking like we will lose in the semi finals to Bingham but we are hopeful. We had a fun weekend. Friday night we went to dinner with Tim and Amber Freiss. This Ukraine situation has been really difficult for her as you can imagine. Her eyes were swollen and red when she arrived at dinner. All the cities that are most under attack she served in. They asked all about you. The Montagues invited us over on Saturday night. It was so fun to be with them. Savannah is just finishing up her time in the Mexico MTC and heading to McCall TX. We love the Texas missions! Tonight for YWs I am taking the oldest class skiing at Brighton...another resort that I haven't skied at in Utah. I am really excited and nervous. Our group is 10 - 3 leaders and 7 girls. 2 girls who have never skied before. It looks like it will be great weather for night skiing. Wish me luck! The girls are trying to go out of their comfort zone and do hard things. Not that skiing is hard, but it's just more adventurous and makes some of them nervous. I just feel very strongly that we need to push the girls to do more. This is a fun one but I do think it's making people like Nikki Harris feel nervous. It's good for her to have to work through that. We are SO looking forward to talking to you tonight, We are praying for you and for the Ukrainian people. We don't know exactly how things will turn out, but we know that - as you've said before - the Lord is at the helm. There's no doubt in my mind that Ukraine is a very special place. I believe this is the first war in a country with a temple. I believe there are legions of angels surrounding the temple and that the light is shining through the darkness and reminding the good people that there is great hope. Hang in there with everything. My heart is very tender for you at this time. I love you so much. This has definitely been an adventure. Thank goodness you are always up for an adventure. Love you tons! Mom