Week 5

Monday was Doug's birthday. It was wonderful to celebrate his life here on my mission. It was an incredibly long but very sweet day. As I've mentioned, I joined the mission choir. Monday we had the mission devotional, which we have every Monday, at 7:30 am. We have to be there by 6:10 so of course that requires getting up an hour earlier. This day was unique because we also had a mission conference in the evening. It included a nice dinner at the Conference Center, followed by a mission picture on the steps outside, and then the conference on the Book of Mormon led by the president and his wife in the Assembly Hall. Because of the choir number, we had to go early to the dinner, walk across the street to the Assembly Hall for rehearsal and warm-up, walk back to the Conference Center for the picture, and back to the Assembly Hall for the conference - and then back to my apartment. A LOT of walking. I debated all day whether or not to sing with the choir for the evening meeting. I just didn't think I could manage all that walking; but I felt pretty good during the day so I decided to go for it. I'm so glad I did. It was a wonderful experience even though difficult. At some point during the evening I realized how much Doug was able to accomplish without ever giving in to his physical pains. I need to remember that more as I serve. Life doesn't come without challenges and pain; and if we expect to get the most out of life and every experience, we need to push through and carry on in spite of any obstacle.

We have to wear white blouses and this lovely rose. 🙄

Do I really have to include a "laugh at myself" paragraph every week? Well, maybe one more. So I'm sitting in my recliner after this very long day wearing my jammies of course. It's 9:00 pm. Camille sends me a text - (C) Are you home? (Me) Yup. (C) You're getting a delivery in a few - just didn't want you to be nervous if there is a strange man at your door 😊 (Me) Well I'm in my jammies! (C) Robe? (Me) He won't get in without a key - who is it? (C) 🤔 Cookie delivery guy :) Guess I should've planned that one better - I just assumed you had a door! (Me) With a gate and two locks! Does he have my phone number? (C) He has mine - says ETA is 8 minutes. 

Anyway, I get dressed and wait at the gate for him and try to flag him down after he finally drives up and seems very confused. After about five more minutes he brings me a box of Crumbl Cookies - warm and very delicious after a very long day. Thanks Camille & Family! 

Wednesday night was Coray's birthday. It was fun to celebrate with him and the family this year! Love you Coray! This picture is with the tie that Abby knitted for his birthday. Good job Abby!! 

As I said last week, my days are so similar. I'm thoroughly enjoying the work I'm doing, and able to do more new things and catch on easily. I'm feeling appreciated and needed. It's great to be able to serve here! I was able to go to the temple twice this week - Friday night with friend Jenna. I'm so grateful for the peace there and the blessing of my eternal family.

Saturday night was super fun to sit in less rain than was expected and watch Jonathan play football at Weber State! He got in some great plays and they won! Yay #89! 

I read the Book of Mormon every night, and I finished it again Friday night. It is the sweetest end to my day. I'm always just a little bit sad for Moroni as I picture him alone, traveling with precious records, to bury them for the later delivery to Joseph Smith on the Hill Cumorah. I'm so grateful for my testimony of its truthfulness and the second witness of Jesus Christ, His gospel and resurrection. Here is Moroni's closing message to all of us (Moroni 10:32-34):

"Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God. And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot. And now, I bid unto all, farewell. . . ."