Bill went out to the house tonight and caught this picture of the sky! It looks like it's on fire! We've had such different weather this winter! But I LOVE it!!
"I'm not even from your planet lady!" (Katelyn's Letter)
2.27.2023
Hey y'all!
Southern Vocab
Chinese Magnolias: Pink Magnolia trees that are blooming right now and soooo pretty!!
Pictures
Short email kinda haha but trio life is good! I love Stevens Creek and all of the rejection as well lol but seriously, I do love it here.
Seeds of Faith
We had a super good Relief Society lesson on Mathew 11:28-30
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
The woman that taught the lesson had a great thought that I never realized before! We can look at light in vs 30 like the opposite of heavy, but we could also see it as the opposite of dark! I have seen many times how burdens and trials have shown light on what really matters and things that I should be focusing on. Through Christ we can use our trials to shine light on our understanding and growth!
Faith has also been a huge topic in discussions this week. Our friend Ian opened up about not being able to feel that God is there. We read Alma 32 with him which talked about experimenting and only having a desire to believe and then acting to grow that faith. He really liked that and realized that he has to do what is necessary to feel God in his life!
Faith is an action and as such we take the yoke of Christ upon us! It's kinda a paradox because oxen use a yoke to carry heavy loads so why would Christ's yoke be restful!? Well the answer is love. When we do hard things out of love they don't seem like burdens anymore. They become actions of faith and those help us see trials and hard things in a completely different way. We find rest in doing God's will because we love Him!
*INVITATION*
We had a super good Relief Society lesson on Mathew 11:28-30
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
The woman that taught the lesson had a great thought that I never realized before! We can look at light in vs 30 like the opposite of heavy, but we could also see it as the opposite of dark! I have seen many times how burdens and trials have shown light on what really matters and things that I should be focusing on. Through Christ we can use our trials to shine light on our understanding and growth!
Faith has also been a huge topic in discussions this week. Our friend Ian opened up about not being able to feel that God is there. We read Alma 32 with him which talked about experimenting and only having a desire to believe and then acting to grow that faith. He really liked that and realized that he has to do what is necessary to feel God in his life!
Faith is an action and as such we take the yoke of Christ upon us! It's kinda a paradox because oxen use a yoke to carry heavy loads so why would Christ's yoke be restful!? Well the answer is love. When we do hard things out of love they don't seem like burdens anymore. They become actions of faith and those help us see trials and hard things in a completely different way. We find rest in doing God's will because we love Him!
*INVITATION*
What are your burdens shining light on for you? What can loving Christ and having faith in Him help you find rest for right now? It's easy to say but harder to apply so try to do what you need to this week to yoke yourself to Christ!
Pockets of Fun
-We talked to a man outside and asked if he wanted prayers to which he rolled his eyes and responded, "I'm not even from your planet lady!" LOL!
-I tried boiled peanuts for the first time!!! They aren't as bad as I was expecting. They taste like a bean haha idk how else to describe it--kinda weird.
-Helped our friend Stephanie take down her Christmas tree this week. There was so much string tied around it on the walls and vent cuz she didn't want it to fall out of place haha! That was quite the event to get that thing down and detangle it from the lights too!
-Fred (aka the funny doctor) gave us his medical/biography book and signed it--so we gave him a Book of Mormon and signed it haha!
-We went bowling in the Jensen's house again. So so fun!
Gratitude
-Spring! The pollen is starting to cover EVERYTHING here. It's so crazy --our car is now yellowish.
-Members! They help so so much and I love them soooo much holy moly! They feed us everyday too so it always gives us something to look forward to on rough days!
-Air conditioning!
-My tag:) Idk--recently I have just loved especially that I get to wear Christ's name on my chest and in my heart!
Pockets of Fun
-We talked to a man outside and asked if he wanted prayers to which he rolled his eyes and responded, "I'm not even from your planet lady!" LOL!
-I tried boiled peanuts for the first time!!! They aren't as bad as I was expecting. They taste like a bean haha idk how else to describe it--kinda weird.
-Helped our friend Stephanie take down her Christmas tree this week. There was so much string tied around it on the walls and vent cuz she didn't want it to fall out of place haha! That was quite the event to get that thing down and detangle it from the lights too!
-Fred (aka the funny doctor) gave us his medical/biography book and signed it--so we gave him a Book of Mormon and signed it haha!
-We went bowling in the Jensen's house again. So so fun!
Gratitude
-Spring! The pollen is starting to cover EVERYTHING here. It's so crazy --our car is now yellowish.
-Members! They help so so much and I love them soooo much holy moly! They feed us everyday too so it always gives us something to look forward to on rough days!
-Air conditioning!
-My tag:) Idk--recently I have just loved especially that I get to wear Christ's name on my chest and in my heart!
Southern Vocab
Chinese Magnolias: Pink Magnolia trees that are blooming right now and soooo pretty!!
Pictures
Trenches for the Cinder Block Wall!
They FINALLY dug the trenches for the block wall going in. They hit some of Bill's garden pipes, so they had to fix those. They should be pouring the footings sometime this week-- hopefully on Wednesday, if the weather cooperates. It's supposed to rain that day, of course!! 
More Paint Progress...
2.26.2023
We went out to check the progress of the house on a Sunday afternoon drive...they painted the banister! It looks pretty good! Also, they started rolling the master bedroom color and also in some other areas, as well. When I asked the painter why they're not spraying it, he said that they only spray the larger areas that don't have as many windows. It's faster to roll it than to spend all that time prepping so they don't spray on areas they've already finished. Makes sense! It's starting to look SO GOOD!!! Starting to look like HOME!! Lukey Bear got some wheelbarrow rides in the backyard today too! I didn't have my phone (in the car--darn!), so I didn't get any pictures of his gleeful little face when Grandpa was running with him in it! It was so CUTE!!!
Cutest FB Post EVER!!
2.25.2023
Katelyn posted a video compiled of pictures and videos of her first 9 months in the mission field. It was so fun to watch and I LOVE that she posted 9 things she's learned-- one for each month! Here's to the NEXT 9 months! You've got this Katelyn!!!
Treasures...
2.24.2023
While cleaning out a drawer recently I found all these treasures from my girls!! McKenzie made me this ornament when she was 8 years old (7/2002) and the treasure box with shells glued to it in preschool in 1998. The next 2 pictures I thought were all from Megan, but the box full of coupons is actually from McKenzie! I'm not sure how old she was when she gave it to me-- probably around 4th grade to later elementary school judging by her writing. The dolphin figurine was given to me by Megan for Christmas in 2003 when she was 7. The "World's Best Mom" necklace was given to me for Mother's Day when she was 6 and I wore it proudly to church that Sunday! (2002) The bowl-- I think it is a candy dish-- was given to me by Brooke. I wrote her name on it, but it doesn't have a year on it anywhere-- I'm guessing early elementary school and I think it was a Mother's Day gift. (It's some kind of melted plastic!) All of the hearts were from Katelyn! She hand stitched all the pillow hearts from early elementary age, although none of them have dates, and she continued making them into late elementary age. She made these over quite a long period of time! I would periodically find them on my pillow and other places, sometimes with a sweet little note! She found the large rock that is heart-shaped on the beach on some family vacation and gave it to me. She carved the 2 small hearts with a knife out of small rocks she found!! (I can't believe she did this! Probably not too safe! Yikes! Hahaha!) She gave me the little red felt heart. The glass white heart was actually given to her in first grade by the counselor at school. Katelyn was having problems adjusting to 1st grade and being away from me and she missed me during the day. The counselor gave it to her to hold in her hand or put in her pocket and to get out and hold during the school day whenever she felt sad or missed me! She kept this heart for a long time--I must've found it somewhere and held onto it. I'm surprised she didn't eventually lose it! I know it really helped her to adjust and I don't remember the issue lasting too long.
I love all these treasures and they take me back to a simpler time. My girls have always been so sweet, kind and loving, but I really miss when they were little and I was their hero! These sweet little gifts always made me feel so loved and special.
I love all these treasures and they take me back to a simpler time. My girls have always been so sweet, kind and loving, but I really miss when they were little and I was their hero! These sweet little gifts always made me feel so loved and special.
Allison's Closing!
2.22.2023
I went with Anna this morning to do a walk-through for Allison of her house she's buying here in Peoria. Everything looks great! Anna insisted on this picture so we could show Allison and to get her excited and celebrate the official closing on her home! Yay!!
It's Not Cookie Cutter Perfection Y'all (#9MONTHS) (Katelyn's Letter)
2.20.2023
Hey y'allllll!
SO MUCH HAPPENED THIS WEEK!!! First of all I'm in a trio now and still in Stevens Creek with Sister McCullough and Sister Wilkinson!! I'm unfortunately not training y'all. Sorry it was a false alarm last week haha but I still love the trio vibes! We also went to the temple on Valentines Day and I saw a ton of my absolute FAV PEOPLE!!! We brought our teenage recent converts Bella, Quintin, Lily, and Anthony to it and it was a PARTY. I got to see Sister Knutson and Thompson again before they went home at transfers:,) and lots of my Spanish friends from Nexton let's goooooo. Fun fact--Sister Wilkinson will be my only comp still alive in the mission after this transfer lol. Pretty crazy but I'm happy to stay with Cola for her last transfer. I just love the mission so much y'all! It's life changing.
Seeds of Faith
Our friend Stephanie came to church with her son and significant other/friend?!!! Then a member with a British accent gave her and Ian (the friend/idk what their relationship is right now lol) a tour of all the church paintings. I felt like I was on an actual museum tour. It was awesome and Stephanie and Ian loved it too haha. The man then asked if they were down to be baptized and they said yes!!! But we have to talk to them more about it because we aren't sure that they understand it completely yet but it's so exciting! I love Stephanie, Ian and her son Isaiah so much. As I have thought back to all of the people I have gotten to meet on my mission and lifelong friends I have made, I have realized something. We are obviously all so different. We have different personalities. Different experiences. Different looks and perspectives. Different ways of speaking. Different lights. And due to these many different people that I love soooo much I have realized that perfection will look different for all of us too. It ain't cookie cutter perfection. It will be unique and beautiful for all of us! So why strive for someone else's perfection? God holds in His hands what we need to become perfect... eventually. And the amazing thing is that all of us will look different and be different as we achieve perfection but we will all be one in Christ! As long as we are seeking the Father's will we will become who we need to be no doubt about it!
2 Nephi 28:30
For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, we have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.
*INVITATION*
Focus on your personal perfection through becoming one with God. It doesn't happen in a day so don't be too hard on yourself like I am a lot of times lol. Focus on each line and precept! It's not cookie cutter just remember your journey is unique and necessary for you! I love y'all. Keep trusting God's will:))
Pockets of Fun
-An iconic Southern thing happened at Walmart while we were shopping. This older lady was shouting on the phone about how she can never make dem yellow grits dagum it bahaha! Love people's Southern charmmm!
-We donated blood. It was so fun!
-I love being back in a trio. Wilky is the sweetest and loves to laugh at Cola and my craziness baha!
-At the temple night my Spanish friend Axel from Charleston gave me a chocolate valentine box (it's not what y'all think. He got a bunch of peeps valentines lol but it was cute). Anyway, I had it in the car and after the temple we went to the drive through at Wendy's and a super grumpy, funny guy was our server. After ordering 70 dollars worth of Wendy's food for our whole group lol, we got talking to the guy and he said how it's been a rough night having to work so much and on valentines day:( We eventually gave him said valentine I got at the temple baha and it MADE HIS NIGHT. He kept thanking us for it! So cute!! (even if I did regift it lol...)
-I HIT MY 9 MONTHS WHATTTTTT? CRAZY CRAZY CRAZY I'M NOT OK
-I'm making a video for my 9 months to post on Facebook so stay tuned:))
-We went to the Savannah River for pday today and it was soooo fun!
-We held a funeral for Sister Peterson on Tuesday before she went home. The pic's pretty funny.
Gratitude
-THE TEMPLE--WHAT AN AMAZINGGGG PLACE! Every time I go I feel the spirit so so strong now!
-Repentance and change and how God forgives and forgets as we should strive to do too!
-The New Testament! I have LOVED studying it more. I want to get the version with all of the things Jesus says in red. Those are so cool. Cola found one at the DOLLAR STORE haha! Only in the South!
-WARM WEATHER YAYAYAY! It's finally warming upppp!!
Southern Vocab
Dem: them (haha I know that was a lame one but I'm running out y'all)
Our friend Stephanie came to church with her son and significant other/friend?!!! Then a member with a British accent gave her and Ian (the friend/idk what their relationship is right now lol) a tour of all the church paintings. I felt like I was on an actual museum tour. It was awesome and Stephanie and Ian loved it too haha. The man then asked if they were down to be baptized and they said yes!!! But we have to talk to them more about it because we aren't sure that they understand it completely yet but it's so exciting! I love Stephanie, Ian and her son Isaiah so much. As I have thought back to all of the people I have gotten to meet on my mission and lifelong friends I have made, I have realized something. We are obviously all so different. We have different personalities. Different experiences. Different looks and perspectives. Different ways of speaking. Different lights. And due to these many different people that I love soooo much I have realized that perfection will look different for all of us too. It ain't cookie cutter perfection. It will be unique and beautiful for all of us! So why strive for someone else's perfection? God holds in His hands what we need to become perfect... eventually. And the amazing thing is that all of us will look different and be different as we achieve perfection but we will all be one in Christ! As long as we are seeking the Father's will we will become who we need to be no doubt about it!
2 Nephi 28:30
For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, we have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.
*INVITATION*
Focus on your personal perfection through becoming one with God. It doesn't happen in a day so don't be too hard on yourself like I am a lot of times lol. Focus on each line and precept! It's not cookie cutter just remember your journey is unique and necessary for you! I love y'all. Keep trusting God's will:))
Pockets of Fun
-An iconic Southern thing happened at Walmart while we were shopping. This older lady was shouting on the phone about how she can never make dem yellow grits dagum it bahaha! Love people's Southern charmmm!
-We donated blood. It was so fun!
-I love being back in a trio. Wilky is the sweetest and loves to laugh at Cola and my craziness baha!
-At the temple night my Spanish friend Axel from Charleston gave me a chocolate valentine box (it's not what y'all think. He got a bunch of peeps valentines lol but it was cute). Anyway, I had it in the car and after the temple we went to the drive through at Wendy's and a super grumpy, funny guy was our server. After ordering 70 dollars worth of Wendy's food for our whole group lol, we got talking to the guy and he said how it's been a rough night having to work so much and on valentines day:( We eventually gave him said valentine I got at the temple baha and it MADE HIS NIGHT. He kept thanking us for it! So cute!! (even if I did regift it lol...)
-I HIT MY 9 MONTHS WHATTTTTT? CRAZY CRAZY CRAZY I'M NOT OK
-I'm making a video for my 9 months to post on Facebook so stay tuned:))
-We went to the Savannah River for pday today and it was soooo fun!
-We held a funeral for Sister Peterson on Tuesday before she went home. The pic's pretty funny.
Gratitude
-THE TEMPLE--WHAT AN AMAZINGGGG PLACE! Every time I go I feel the spirit so so strong now!
-Repentance and change and how God forgives and forgets as we should strive to do too!
-The New Testament! I have LOVED studying it more. I want to get the version with all of the things Jesus says in red. Those are so cool. Cola found one at the DOLLAR STORE haha! Only in the South!
-WARM WEATHER YAYAYAY! It's finally warming upppp!!
Southern Vocab
Dem: them (haha I know that was a lame one but I'm running out y'all)
Pictures
Secret Passageway-- CHECK!!
2.16.2023
They finally trimmed out the doors for the secret passageway today! We'll see which grandchild discovers it first! 
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