1/13/19

Dear Brent,

I've appreciated remembering the scripture "With God, nothing shall be impossible" this week in our Come Follow Me study.  Mostly I've applied that to a lot of cleaning up vomit, but always nice how the Lord's help is so personalized haha. We hope it also applies to your visa going through on time! So exciting to have real travel plans--& I'm hoping that means your visa is okay??--or at least on track?!

We had the Shumway younger 4 kids Mon & Tues while their parents were out of town, and as I struggled a bit with feelings of "Life's not fair" this week as the kids passed along stomach bugs -ha!--You'd think I would've outgrown it soon enough w/ Grandpa always answering with, "You're right, Life's not fair!" but it's such a part of human nature! It helped to connect with others--Sis. Hess's brother passed away, so we got together a gift from YW leaders, and Sis. Sandall had surgery, so we dropped off bread & jam; and then POOR Bishop!!!--got his hand chewed up in his snowblower!!!--so we've been praying hard for him, and the Laurels heart attacked his door (& Sis Hess's) for activities.  Then Bishop spoke today in ward council about the funeral for this brother, who had been homeless a lot of his life, and how many homeless people attended the funeral, and I thought, in a different way, "Life's really not fair"--only with a feeling of gratitude.  I was reading through one of my old journals too--during a really hard time of life, and I had written how grateful I was for a talk by Sis Oscarson where she said, "All that is unfair can be made right through the Atonement." It's so true--and so easy to forget, but so true.  

In between stomach bugs and sheet washing (SO GRATEFUL FOR OUR NEW WASHER/DRYER!!!!--THEY WORK SO FABULOUSLY!!!!), we've had the usual: basketball, dance, violin, and met up w/ Blair & his wife/mom at the temple Friday night, then tried a new Japanese place in Brigham City--yummo.  Anne made the robotics club & I took Lucy to another eye doctor this week (her 3rd) to look at vision therapy, and he concluded that her binocular vision was so great from just having had her glasses a few months, that vision therapy would be excessive and unnecessary! Love little miracles like that! Good luck as your time winds down there, and know we love and pray for you always!! Love, Mom

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1/6/19

It’s hard writing when I’m battling my own silly discouragement & feel like I don’t have any light to share.  I just wish I could do better at having enough energy to do more good w/o getting more exhausted or becoming impatient with others. I see so many others’ good examples of implementing “Come Follow Me” & feel so lame & uninspired. Thank goodness this is a Gospel of change!

I do sure love 2 hour church!!!—& I loved in SS the scripture in D&C about all being edified by all & not to covet!—-(I so need to work on that one—it’s one of Satan’s tricks to have me coveting other people’s successes so I feel inferior).  

And I loved studying Mary & Elizabeth to teach with the family tonight & how Elizabeth had prayers answered, but according to God’s timing; while Mary—NOT praying for a child—had to learn humility with God’s will being so different from her expectations—I have such a hard time with that one!—I have a hard time reconciling the idea that we need to be “agents unto ourselves to act & not be acted upon”, but then when things come along to make me switch courses I feel like it’s useless to keep trying to direct my path or that I have it all wrong!—but I love Mary’s brave & humble example & I love that she was blessed with Elizabeth.

After taking down Christmas decorations, we celebrated New Year’s Eve w/ gyoza, cheese balls, & Martinelli’s—Spencer & Emily went to the church dance while Brian joined Maddie over here where we worked on a puzzle (our 4th!).  New Year’s Day we all played ball in the church gym together for a few hours, and by Wed., everyone was back to school/work!—Jane & I enjoyed having Maddie a few more days —& we grabbed Emily for a fun girls lunch on Friday.  I also ran to the temple that morning—at first sad to miss the 9 AM session, but then grateful I was able to see the changes in initiatory & sealings—it was really beautiful & an unexpected joy.  Spencer & Anne started Jr Jazz games Sat (& Dad started reffing) & seemed to have fun!—Spencer has a positive coach this year—(Hooray!)—& it was great watching Anne catch on so quickly on how to improve.  We had a big bacon/hash browns & egg breakfast for Dad & then birthday cake after homemade pizza & presents.  (He still had to spend most of his day on the court, but supposedly he likes it!), & I took Maddie to the train station that night to head back to Provo.  We’re anxious to hear your travel plans!—& I did check multiple times on that package, but they said b/c of all the Christmas rush, it is still possibly stuck in the backlog & to give it a few more days—if you haven’t seen it by tomorrow though, I think I’ll just reorder.  Lots of snow up here this morning!!—Woke up to early church, snowblowing the driveway, & would’ve gotten to my Mtg in time w/ dinner in the crockpot except Lucy came up to tell me how much she had thrown up in her bed & hallway!—poor thing—she seems to be doing better!—just hope that it doesn’t go through the whole house! Sorry to be a downer this week—so so proud of you & all you’re doing & we pray constantly for you—both here in preparation & as you get to Taiwan!—You’ll do amazingly well!!—love how well you’re learning in your genuine humble state! (& wish I could be more that way!)—loved this quote that made me think of you from Bobby Lewis’s talk last week:

As the missionaries experience their “moment of

truth,” the divine miracle begins. Gradually, line upon line, precept upon

precept, through the days, weeks, and months of giving themselves over to faith

and faithfulness, their souls unfold. Spiritual values replace physical and

material values and transcend intellectual and social values. The doctrine of

the priesthood distills upon their souls “as the dews from heaven” (D&C

121:45), and the Holy Ghost becomes their companion. Through their devoted

service the Lord writes his laws and his love into their lives, “written not

with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in

fleshy tables of the heart.” (2 Corinthians 3:3.)

Spiritual Roots of Human Relations by Stephen R. Covey

Your soul is definitely unfolding in beautiful ways️. Have a great week! Love, Mom

12/30/18

Aside from thinking the furnace was broken, we've had a really great holiday time--lots of slow, downtime doing puzzles and playing games together.  The Hess's were sweet to join us for Christmas Eve dinner & Nativity--I think we all behave a lot better with people over ;).  Poor Jane had been so excited all day, she could barely stay awake, but she made a pretty accurate Mary, I thought! Having a baby takes it out of you!  Celebrated Grandpa's birthday with Huevos Rancheros and gelato on Friday-- & after so much home time, we had a  temple trip, bowling and the new McD's playground.  We've seen a lot more of Maddie's Brian too which has been fun.  (I apparently have no patience for dating though!--now that they've seemed to find each other, I just want them to join families and be done with it--haha!)

I was struggling with a lot of negative self-doubt & feelings of worthlessness for a few days, and as I started those temple initiatory ordinances, I was the only one there for the first few names. it felt like the temple workers knew me personally and I was amazed at how much love I felt and how individually it seemed the Lord was letting me know He was aware of me and the good in my life.  I looooove the temple.  Dad found among the temple workers, a Stringham, Farnsworth, Morley, and Stewart down in the baptistry too, so we felt pretty family surrounded ;).  

Loved hearing from Porter Trunnell this week as he gets ready to leave for his mission, & got to visit w/ Dad's Trunnell cousins (13 kids!!!!!!!!) who had come to hear him! Bobby Lewis spoke so well on trying to understand why the simple Primary answers (scriptures, prayer, repentance) are still hard for us to do at times, and brought out what a difference it can make as we strive to LOVE reading, praying,& repenting instead of just doing them.  It was a great lead-in to the Come Follow Me for families/individuals we had a 5th Sunday meeting about (I got a little choked up for every Asian family they showed!).  I love how individualized the Gospel Study is designed to be, to bless people in any circumstance.  The Gospel is amazing how it is organized for all of us, but specific enough to meet our personal needs--just like those temple ordinances that are the same for everyone, but still very individual.  I'm really excited to see this new study take off (though our first effort tonight was far from perfect ;) as Jane left to draw/cut out cards for all of us, saying as she worked, "You know what I'm doing?--Just what Jesus told us to do!"

12/24/18

Merry Christmas Eve!!! So excited for this cozy time, but so strange not having you with us--Skype is all up and ready to go, and I have you added to our contacts, so we'll be ready!! Life's not perfect when everyone's together, but it's still what I long for!--all of our family here, and missing my brothers, Grandma, and their families! Just keeps me motivated for Heaven!

Singing the Christmas program with the choir is always one of my favorite things, and as the whole chapel joined us with, "Yea Lord, we greet Thee, Born this happy morning.  Jesus, to Thee be all glory given!....O come let us adore Him," and the words of Christ's birth meld into the joy of Him coming again, I was in awe of what an all-encompassing effect our Savior has on the whole earth! And as I stood next to Sister Leichty after we survived our flute duet without catastrophe, I was amazed also about how individual the miracles of the Savior are. I felt out of breath and missed 2 measures, but it's not a big deal to me, being as used to mistakes/embarrassment as I am.  She however, had never even let her husband hear her play in the almost 20 years they've been married & hadn't played the flute in years because of anxiety in front of people! I convinced her to do a simple duet with me in RS a couple of years ago, and when she froze part-way  during the performance (again, no big deal to me!)-she was pretty sure she'd never play again! So to have her get through the music with no problems and feel Christ's love in a way that mattered to her was a personal miracle.   I love how magnificent and personalized the scope of His love is.  

For YW, we visited the widows/older sisters in the ward (since we have over 20), and watching how simple it was---pairing girls together with people they may not normally get along with to visit people they barely know, and ending with everyone warmed in love--because of these older sister's great spirits and gratitude, and taking a minute to show love--it was sweet watching simple things have such great effect.

The girls did a violin concert for the nursing home the same night as Spencer's band concert--I wept through a duet of "Away in a Manger", Emily had a piano recital for her students, and we ended the week with a trip to the Nutcracker--a few more tears at how beautiful the music/dancing/ scenery was! Had a WONDERFUL Duncan day with our annual gingerbread-housing.  I love that Nate nudged us into that tradition--and that it reminds us of something Grandma Duncan used to do.  We had a great time together, including Maddie's Brian who stayed for a good visit.  They're pretty darn happy together! Family is SUCH a blessing! Know how much we love you and pray for you and are forefront in our hearts! Can't wait to see your face for a bit! Love you SO MUCH!! Love, Mom

p.s. 

Best quotes of the week:

Dad: "Jane where's the other Jane?"

Jane: "You mean the mean one?--she passed away"

Dad:"I'm done with the game Spencer; Good Night"

Spencer: "You gonna go kiss my momma?"

Jane, on hearing the girls getting "dressed up in Christmas clothes" got the crazy idea that she wanted to be a snowman--put on her white dress, gloves, scarf, hat, and literally walked around with a carrot in her mouth until her lips had that orange stain.  Bit of a tantrum at church when we wouldn't let her keep the carrot or hat on.  She grumbled, "I don't look cute!! I don't even look like ANYTHING!!--i JUST LOOK LIKE THE AIR OR A BORING PIECE OF WOOD!" She was happy to find 2 sticks on the way home to use as hands--what a girl!

12/16/18

Dad ministers to the Leichty's now, and Sis. Leichty had asked if he could give her a blessing (her husband is stepped away from the church right now)  to help her be able to play a flute duet in church (performance really causes her anxiety--or maybe it's me--I'm a little nuts ).  She told me as we practiced this week that Spencer had been practicing the piano when she came over, and as she sat waiting for Dad, she noticed that Spencer would mess up, but keep on going.  She said it was like a little epiphany for her because messing up is what throws her off and makes her freeze, and it dawned on her that she could just tell herself to keep going (so we practiced doing that).  She was sincerely grateful for that little moment from her ministering Teacher! I kind of laughed, "Oh, if messing up helps anyone, we're ALL service around here!" She had decided this year though, that she wanted to do something uncomfortable that was good.  She thought she was doing that by joining the choir, but when the director asked her to play her flute, she REALLY felt stretched!--and said yes! I think I still avoid stretching as much as possible, but I love her example, and the reminder of how, even in our imperfections, we can lift each other.

After MONTHS of counting down, Jane finally turned 5 on Tuesday!! I took her with me down to Syracuse to visit Becky Morrill, whose husband just passed away suddenly last Sunday, and though Jane asked at first why we had to do something she didn't want to do when it was HER birthday, she, of COURSE, loved Sister Morrill (and her cute dog!).  It was good to hug her and be with her for a minute--and of course, though in a daze and sad, she could already recognize God's hand in so many details of what had happened--just like we all did when Dad died unexpectedly.  I got Jane a kids meal & let her play at McDonald's for lunch. Once we got home, we were decorating a unicorn cake (it took a lot of extra frosting, since I flipped one layer out of the pan as I took it out of the oven!) and making a pinata.  Jane had so many specific details she wanted: a surprise INSIDE her cake (I wrapped a butterfly eraser in a plastic bag and stuffed it in as I frosted!), a cake AND cupcakes--and the cupcakes HAD to have rings on them, a minnie mouse pinata--and a BIG one!, and meatballs and pot stickers for dinner ---no rice! I think she had fun--getting playdo, calico critters, and new moonsand, but I was exhausted by the end of the day!

I gave blood and we started an anonymous  "12 Days of Christmas" for a couple of neighbors to "Light the World."  Wednesday, we woke up to snow, and I had watched youtube videos on how to get our snowblower to start (every beginning of season, we have this problem!).  I went out to take things apart, and work on cleaning the carburetor, etc., and it STILL WOULDN'T START?!! Just as I was putting things back together, there comes Kelly Harris shoveling the sidewalks! I thought he'd move right along--already a block from his own home--since I DID have my snowblower out, but he kept shoveling up the driveway until he could ask me what was wrong with it.  I told him what I'd done, and as he is apparently a small engine expert(!!), he could tell immediately the fuel line was plugged, and quickly found the one clogged space in the carburetor I hadn't reached, and showed me how to clean it out w/ a safety pin.  He also gave me the HUGE tip of buying ethanol-free gas, since he has tons of equipment on their farm land he has to keep up.  I thought I saw wings as he walked home, it was SUCH a sweet rescue to me in a small, but impossible problem.  As he started working, I assured him he didn't need to spend his day helping me--that we could take it to the shop or I could keep trying--I know he has plenty to keep busy with, but he just mentioned all the hours I'd spent with Brooklyn in Laurels, and acted like he had all the time in the world.  SO GRATEFUL!!! I took the time to also clean out the lawnmower engine after he left to avoid the same problem next spring, and cleaned the garage out a little.  Wednesdays are always so short though, and before I knew it the kids were getting home for violin and allergy shots, and by the time I got dinner on the table & treats ready for our activity, I knew I would NOT be showering before YW!! I went in my gucky sweats to our activity, and of course, had fun once I got there.  Rachel even showed up for a minute, home from college, which warned my heart.  I was reminded of Rebecca's little lesson of the ability to serve, even in our imperfections (or sweaty, smelly clothes).  

We attended Stewart Morrill's viewing for date night Friday, and LOVED getting to visit with so many dear Syracuse friends like Hardman's, Gower's, Bodily's, Gerlach's, Francis's, and Linder's.  We thought of going to SLC to see if there were any standby tickets for the Tabernacle Christmas Concert (I LOVE Kristin Chenoweth!!!), but I wasn't sorry we had that time w/ dear people instead.  I took Spencer & Emily on a quick temple trip while Dad finished up some Christmas shopping in Brigham Saturday after their piano recital and a Youth planning breakfast that morning.  LOTS of excitement with all of the youth changes in the church! (Anne is cursing me that she wasn't born 24 days sooner to be a Beehive next month).  It's incredible watching the revelation just keep rolling out.  Even with all the blessings, I felt uninspired at BYC next to other great leaders, I had to REALLY repent of so much coveting every time I heard of someone who got to go to that concert , FORGOT to hand out the YW Christmas gifts I had brought in the car, AND  I was feeling almost resentful/overwhelmed the new curriculum changes where Mothers are to be in charge of gospel teaching, when I'm already in charge of dinner and cleanup and meetings, etc.,--I just wasn't having the best attitude.  I came home from church, and prayed out my dumb problems, then felt like delivering as many YW gifts as I could before dinner (we have 40 YW).  It was such a blessing to have something to take my mind off myself--it didn't cure all of my concerns, but it stemmed my bitterness. I was pleading as we sang in choir, "Be near me Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay close by me forever and love me I pray," because I hate battling all of these mortal pulls.  After Jane went to bed, I took the other 3 girls to a local Messiah singalong over at the beautiful Garland Tabernacle. Lucy and Anne were goofing off like toddlers, but to stand and sing to a live orchestra  that Hallelujah chorus just melted my heart! Silly wiggly girls digging treats out of my purse, and making me wonder why we came, and then that anthem to our Savior.  It was an imperfect, pesky moment that shifted to a minute of Heaven, and that happens SO often! It seems like the Lord is intent on teaching me that there is a need for and beauty in that opposition in all things.  

As I struggle and try to be excited about this new Gospel learning in the home (most days I am!), I loved this quote from Pres. Eyring's talk in our Laurel lesson today:

Life in families will test us. That is one of God’s purposes in giving us the gift of mortality—to strengthen us by passing through tests. That will be especially true in family life, where we will find great joy and great sorrow and challenges which may at times seem beyond our power to endure them.

President George Q. Cannon said this about how God has prepared you and me and our children for the tests we will face: “There is not one of us but what God’s love has been expended upon. There is not one of us that He has not cared for and caressed. There is not one of us that He has not desired to save, and that He has not devised means to save. There is not one of us that He has not given His angels charge concerning. We may be insignificant and contemptible in our own eyes, and in the eyes of others, but the truth remains that we are the children of God, and that He has actually given His angels—invisible beings of power and might—charge concerning us, and they watch over us and have us in their keeping.”

He finishes by promising:"to all of us trying to forge eternal families,...there is joy guaranteed for the faithful."

Awesome that you get to share that joy with so many--Love you so much and pray for you every day!!! Love, Charlotte

12/9/18

 Hope you're feeling better by now! Sickness has moved its way around the house here--Emily & Spencer both missed a day of school this week w/ fevers/colds, but hoping we're through it all in time for Christmas! We had an elementary art show Monday night (read: mobs of people from multiple schools stuff themselves into a cafeteria to see children's artwork spread out on tables-ha!), celebrated Emily's birthday with chicken pillows and cookie dough cheesecake Tues, and shared dinner leftovers with a few families that were sick on Wed.  The ward Christmas Dinner was Thurs, and my nativity costume box was FULLY utilized by all the Primary kids!

Love what a service-focused time Christmas is! We decided to donate old cell phones for our Light the World focus, shared some food with sick neighbors (Emily had a great Birthday feast Tues!), helped a little with the Ward Christmas Dinner, and cleaned at the temple Friday night (would you believe they even had holiday scent in their vacuums?!).  I loved the focus on service, but when I got pulled over after dropping the girls off to school, I had the fleeting thought, "How could this happen when we're trying to help others!"--followed by the sense that opposition is in ALL things.  My knee sat there quivering as I wondered what possible infraction I could've had in the one block journey--& tried to have Jane sit still out of her carseat.  Turns out our registration was expired (since August--eek!)--& having never seen the renewal reminder, I had NO idea!! I didn't have my license with me either (again, short trip!!), so I was all kinds of worry over what the consequences would be.  That nervous feeling of darkness and worry is such a contrast to the hope and light to service, BUT after they ran my information, they came back and simply said, "Charlotte, everybody has days--or even months--like this--get it home and taken care of quickly, because it could get really expensive if you get impounded or anything--too bad you can't blame it on Brian."  SCHWEW!!! Such exhale!--probably because they knew Brian, but also because they knew mercy! That feeling of relief was SO sweet--and ch 22 in 3 Nephi that I had just read the day before came to mind: "my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.  O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest and not comforted! ....(after homes and streets of jewels), thou shalt be far from oppression for thou shalt not fear, and from terror, for it shall not come near thee;...whosoever shall gather against thee shall fall for thy sake...no weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper...This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord."  It was just a little thing, and a ticket would not have been the end of the world by any means, but I still SO grateful!!

The girls' dance recital was Saturday morning, and though, at first I was mentally beating myself up for being late (again!--even if it was for Anne's lost shoes), I tried to practice better mercy to myself, knowing the Spirit doesn't work in berating us.  Then, I was just filled with gratitude for good wholesome people and the beautiful things this world has to offer.  Breely LOVES teaching dance and all the girls there can tell and just love HER, and to be able to have Anne & Lucy experience the beauty of musical expression in such an uplifting environment, while so much of the world is brought down w/ sensuality/vanity, etc., meant SO much to me!--Also grateful for the dark lighting to cover my tears!

Wonderful talk today from High Counselor Chournos today on Christ as the Good Shepherd (he comes from generations of sheep-farming---& that made me think of our great-great-Grandpa Priday that raised all those sheep!):  That shepherds stand watch at the gate to protect their flock w/ their staff and rod (rod is to beat predators); Psalm 23:4-5  And because sheep have no defense for their heads/faces, they are often afflicted with bugbites/stings, and then further injure themselves rubbing against treebark/rocks to seek comfort, and SHEPHERDS, as part of their care, would use olive oil to help heal their wounds, repel bugs, and ease suffering.  Getting out of a ticket or being late to a recital may be as significant as a bugbite in the grand scheme of things, but it is pretty amazing, that Christ cares to help us even in those little troubles.  God definitely loves us! So proud of all you're doing! One brother caught me before Sacrament Mtg today to say how much he loved your visits for shut-ins, what a sharp dresser  and great young man you are!  Love you so much! Love, Mom

Emily's FBLA awards!!

12/2/18

So our week started out with the (oldest) car not starting.  I tried to keep from panicking as we had it towed to the shop by assuring myself it was nothing major.  Brian came home from work saying they had called to tell him the timing was all off, and it would likely be $600--800 to repair, which for a $2500 car is almost as much as it's worth in the first place! We stewed and considered whether to repair it or just replace it (or both), and as I thought of the year's coming expenses (on top of Christmas shopping) w/ Lucy's vision therapy, Anne's allergy shots, Spencer's braces, possible wedding, Emily's senior trip, & a TN family reunion, I tried to not be overwhelmed.  We had saved for a while, knowing this stage of life could get spendy, but it's still not fun taking from, instead of adding to, savings.  

I had things to stay busy with though--our sweet friends the Shearman's were moving on Wed, so they dropped by Mon & Tues with their little ones to get them out of the movers' way, and after pickleball Wed morning, I could tell a friend was struggling, and wanted to drop by with some lunch.  I didn't have awesome leftovers (just weird lentil soup and a few slices of homemade bread), but I knew I wouldn't make it if I tried getting too fancy since I also needed to get ready for a YM/YW trip to Temple Square that night.  She laughed at my embarrassment over foil-wrapped bread, but we had a good visit, and it lifted my spirits to be with her.  I ran home to get the girls to violin and allergy shots, and then to get cocoa and donuts loaded into the van for mutual.  I was feeling rushed and a little crazy as I thought of what a long night it would be, and as I was hurrying Anne to dance before meeting at the church, the giant cooler of cocoa tipped over in the back of the van, the lid came off, and started to spill on top of the 5 dozen donuts! I pulled over to try and straighten things out, but with the stress I had been feeling that week already, on top of trying to ready everything for Christmas made me want to burst into tears.  BUT!!!--this is where my miracle came! I saw 10yo Anne sitting there in the van, who had helped a ton loading things in the van, checking the cocoa, getting ready for dance early, and was calm and unworried, and I thought, "THIS IS NOT THAT BAD!! SPILLED COCOA IS NO EMERGENCY!!--and money and youth activities are in the Lord's hands, and I KNOW the Lord is aware of me and so I can try being BRAVE, even in my little crisis moment.  I didn't FEEL a whole lot better, but I calmed down, and prayed out loud on the way to the Church for greater strength and the ability to remember who I was & God's power in my life.  I kept thinking (this is probably going to be such an amazing activity after this adversity--I just need to hang in there).  

The activity was not too amazing (to me).  We did have a remarkable turnout of 40 youth--the first time we've EVER been short on drivers!! (stress)--and we had 6 less-active girls/non-members--most of which had never seen the lights at Temple square, but it was chaotic and the roads were barely visible in dark rain, and everything took 10X longer than normal trying to herd so many people between crowds.  A few girls complained about the lack of organization and how late it was, & I almost lost a few Teachers in the Nordstrum's downstairs bathroom as they were closing & shutting down the elevators, and I was so embarrassed bringing home kids at 10:30 PM on a school night.  I came home exhausted with my shoulders & neck tight, and thought, "Boy, that was not the miracle I thought might come!--but at least I chose courage, and maybe youth were touched that I couldn't see." 

And the next morning, I did have a feeling of peace. I was so grateful for all of the support of so many leaders (who had lots of good feedback about the night), and that we had been safe, and that I was ABLE to be a part of the youth. Then Dad brought the car home, and the bill was $300--only half what they had predicted, which did feel like a personalized miracle! I caught a cold Friday (I'm sure from the late night+stress), but Dad & I still fit in some temple sealings--where we saw (no coincidences!) Costa's parents, who's been out almost the same time as you--they remembered you fondly!--, and as I read 3 Nephi 5:20, I LOVED how Mormon stated simply, "I have REASON to bless my God and my Savior Jesus Christ."

 

What an understatement! Boy, do I have reason! Pres. Nelson promised as we accepted this Book of Mormon challenge that the Heavens would open, we would be brought closer to the Savior, and change, even miracles would begin to happen.  I felt that change and that help from Heaven as added strength in the face of my little adversities.  Reading Saints about people being forced from their homes in the dead of winter makes it easier to laugh at spilled cocoa.  And there really is an added spirit to having a missionary in our family.  Loved the Christmas Devotional tonight--Sister Eubank is the best, and when Pres. Nelson talks about how we're preparing for the Millenium, I believe him! 

I want to love better, and I love opportunities to practice--with family and callings and neighbors.  I'm grateful for the times I remember the picture perfect meal is not as meaningful as time spent together, and that serving isn't always fun or convenient, but it's always good, and having courage can keep me from missing those opportunities.  With the Light the World focus, and just thinking of families we could surprise w/ the 12 Days of Christmas, I already feel MUCH better than I have trying to finish online shopping, or get all the decorations out.  This is a wonderful time of year, because anything that gives us REASON to bless our Savior is wonderful.  

Bro. Christensen--sweetest, humblest man!--gave the opening prayer in Sac. Mtg today, and specifically prayed for all of the missionaries--BY NAME, and touched my heart! Then Bro. Brough, in his testimony, spoke about coming to help with that Thanksgiving Service project (where he miraculously saw you!), and the distinct impression he had that he was face to face with God's Army.  He shared how the CEO of this Charity organization was converted to the Gospel after having spent Thanksgivings in the MTC, and the powerful spirit he felt there that made him keep wanting to come back and bring his family, and finally to read the Book of Mormon when he was given one (by an Uber driver haha!).  

Love all the good you are doing!--you are definitely a huge part of my Reason to bless my God! Love, Mom

Thanksgiving 2018

Not only did we get feasting & family time, but pictures of you!!!!—& sweet, no coincidence tender mercy that the Brough’s were over the table you worked if all those 1600 missionaries!!-there’s lots that’s not perfect, but still overwhelmed with how blessed we are —especially to be surrounded by so many loved ones—veil seems a lot thinner with a missionary in the family. Nice job feeding the hungry (in more ways than one).  Love you so so much!