4 January 2026
VOLUME 14 – NUMBER 635
Joanna’s baptism
Joanna
This week was my baptism. Kai and I had to go to the church early so that we could get dressed in special clothing. Then Bishop Pettit said hi to us, and we took pictures.
Next we went to the Primary Room and sang I Am a Child of God. Gloria gave a talk about baptism.
Then we went to the Relief Society Room where the font was, and then Mom and I raced to the bathroom. Kai helped me go in the water, and I got baptized. When he dipped me in the water, I felt good.
Children baking with Endia
It was the Holy Ghost. I know because I felt really soft and comfy inside. People also made notes to me when I was getting changed.
I really liked Kai’s note. He said that he was really happy that I chose him to baptize me. Then he said, “I love you.”
Endia and Cougar got me a church bag, Mom got me pink scriptures, and Gloria got me a baptism book. Then we went back home.
Ellie, Mac, Charlie, and I played a lava game with Emma and Quinn. We also watched the movie Mufasa and ate pizza with the family. Endia also took all of us swimming.
It was the best day ever.
Live nativity at Christmas program
Troy
These past couple of weeks have been so awesome and fun because of Christmas and beginning of 2026. A lot of family was here, and having everyone together is always so fun, especially during the holidays. Being surrounded by family made the season feel extra special. I really loved spending so much time together.
I had Quinn for Secret Santa, and I got him a drone. He was so excited and happy, and I was glad I picked the right present for him. I received a Nerf gun and a Nerf target system that automatically resets after the targets are shot down. I also got a weighted blanket, which was awesome because it never gets too hot or too cold.
After Christmas, I ended up getting sick, and the weighted blanket helped a lot. It made resting much more comfortable.
Playing new Catan game
New Year’s was also really fun because most of the family came over for New Year’s Eve. We played the new version of Catan that Isaac, Kai, Dad, and I bought for Endia.
The game took a really long time, but eventually Cougar won. Over the next couple of days, we played PFL (Paper Football League). Ashton created a schedule sheet for all the games so we could decide who would make the playoffs. He also made stat sheets for every game, which I thought was really cool.
Joanna’s baptism was also on Saturday, and it was such a special experience. It marked the beginning of her spiritual journey. I’m so happy she made the decision to make that covenant with God.
Children playing PFL
Kai
The PFL has made yet another comeback! With Ashton improving the stat sheet from last year and more teams entering the season, the league has never been more competitive. Not gonna lie, the Broncos are looking really good, starting the season off 2–0 (that’s me, if you didn’t realize). It’s shaping up to be an exciting year.
I love PFL—it’s so fun. Getting into character and pretending to interview head coaches from other teams is hilarious. It makes the games even more entertaining. The energy and competition just keep getting better.
Going back to Ashton’s stat sheet, he’s made some really cool improvements. He’s added team stats like completion percentages, specific player stats, and league leaders. He also designed a playoff system for after the season ends. That’s a big reason this year feels so competitive, with everyone’s pride on the line.
I’m really excited for the playoffs. I can’t wait to see who’s actually the greatest in the PFL. It’s going to be intense and so much fun.
PFL standings spreadsheet
Gloria
These past couple of weeks, I’ve been wrapping up work. It makes me really sad because I love what I do, and I love the residents and my coworkers. I always look forward to going to work, and thinking about not working there anymore makes me kind of sad. I’ve gotten to know so many people and have made so many new connections and friends.
I’ve also been packing a little bit and getting everything I need ready for my mission. I’m finishing up the mission portal tasks that I need to complete before I leave. Even though there’s a lot to do, I’m getting very excited. I love new adventures, and this adventure will change my life forever.
Opening presents Christmas morning
On Christmas Day, I always look forward to the Christmas program our family does. It’s so cool to see everyone’s talents, and watching everyone dance and sing is always my favorite part. For New Year’s Eve, we stayed up and watched movies together. It was a simple night, but still really fun.
I also went to the movie theater with Endia, and we watched Wicked: For Good. It was actually a really good movie. I really liked it a lot. The songs were great, and I also loved the humor throughout the movie.
Owen and Gloria
Quinn
This year, we watched the perfect holiday movie during the day instead of at night. We also watched other movies while Isaac was setting up the cots. I tried to help him, but he said he didn’t need help. So I went back upstairs and had some hot chocolate, which was delicious.
We couldn’t watch Elf, so we watched Jingle All the Way instead. It was really funny. After that, we all fell asleep. In the morning, we went upstairs and had a great time opening gifts and eating together.
Yarima’s Christmas socks
Ashton
The break has been so nice. I’ve loved not having to worry about work or school over the last two weeks. I went back to work on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday this week, but I was right back home for New Year’s Eve. It was a great balance of productivity and rest.
We got to watch a lot of football with several bowl games going on. We also played more PFL together. We’ve been adding new elements to PFL to make it more exciting when we play. We started tracking player stats, which has made for some great commentary during the games.
I’m excited to start my final semester of college this week. It feels weird to be so close to the finish line and to know I only have to take finals one last time. After that, I’m done! BYU is such a special place, and I’ll definitely miss many aspects of it, but I’m ready to move on to the next phase of life.
Children playing PFL
Veidi
Christmas was really fun. We are going to Disneyland, and it was fun figuring out the riddle with a different Disney character in each of our stockings. Each character had a letter or number on the bottom, and after we found more characters around the house, they all spelled: DISNEYLAND JAN 19 – 24.
We also played Crazy Ball, which was really fun. For the Christmas program, we did the Fat Elves, and this time we had a lot of people get up and dance, which was super fun and funny.
That night, I went up to Natalie’s to dog-sit for her. When I got there, Natalie quickly grabbed her things and walked me through what I needed to do. She then left for St. George around 11:00pm. It was a late night, but everything started out fine.
Emmett on Christmas
It was nice to have some time to myself. I was able to get all of the dogs outside, clean up, and relax for a while. Later, when I went to feed one of the puppies, she wasn’t eating, so I told Natalie. She asked me to show her the puppy, and we noticed she wasn’t breathing well.
I tried to suction out her mouth and nose, but not much came out. Natalie did some research and found out the puppy had a virus that can kill puppies within 24 hours of showing symptoms. I was really sad because there was nothing I could do. The next morning, she was gone, and it was really hard to watch her struggle knowing I couldn’t help.
After I told Mom, she called and talked with me for a while. That really helped. I spent the rest of the time trying to distract myself by painting, cleaning, watching TV, and spending time with the animals.
Fat elves dance
Caleb
Christmas was full of regular family competition in the church gym, board games, a few movies, some video games, and sleeping together in the bunkhouse. There was also plenty of delicious cereal and treats. It was busy, loud, and so much fun. Those are the moments that make Christmas special.
I love our family Christmas devotional every year. This year, I played a simple Christmas song on the piano. Boogieing with the fat elves was fun too. Endia and others were really creative with their musical nativity performance and props.
Mom and Dad also announced a Disneyland trip later in January. That was definitely exciting news for everyone. It gave us all something fun to look forward to after the holidays.
Christmas program live nativity
The days after Christmas were a lot of fun as well. We did many of the things you would expect us to do. Gloria, Veidi, Kai, and I bagged pinto beans for service at the Utah Food Bank. Emma Ashton invited several of us to participate, which made it even better.
On New Year’s Eve, Troy and I made cookies. At midnight on New Year’s, Ashton proposed that we run a shirtless mile. Cougar and I decided to join him. It was cold, ridiculous, and pretty memorable.
Joanna’s baptism was so sweet. I loved how Endia asked us to share what baptism means to each of us. Gloria’s talk about the promises we make at baptism was especially meaningful. I also loved the experience she shared about following promptings while visiting the elderly people she works with at the care center.
Volunteering at Utah Food Bank
Monte
My first Christmas on the mission was incredibly special. On Christmas Eve, we stopped by Bryan’s house to wish them a Merry Christmas, and they invited us in. In one of the most humbling experiences of my life, they brought out two plates with spaghetti and wrapped chicken-and-mayonnaise sandwiches, and two cups of Pepsi—the perfect Christmas Eve dinner!
They hadn’t even planned on eating with us, but they willingly gave us a portion of their meal so we wouldn’t be alone this Christmas. Afterward, we sang Christmas hymns together until it was time to head home. Singing about the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was truly beautiful. It was a moment I’ll always treasure.
On Christmas Day, I called my family and watched as they opened their presents. It felt different not being there in person, but it was good to see everyone smiling. I also found out they’re going to Disneyland next month—bruh! It’s all good, though, because I’m in México serving a mission, and I truly wouldn’t change a thing.
Eating homemade Mexican empanadas
After the call, we spent time with the zone at the church and did another white elephant gift exchange. I ended up with a little penguin bin and a Tinker Toy for stress. Honestly, pretty great, not gonna lie. We then played games, ate pizza, and enjoyed each other’s company for the rest of the day.
We had a full P-day for Christmas, which was such a blessing. I know a lot of you former missionaries might hate me for this, but we had Monday P-day, Thursday Christmas P-day, and today as P-day too! I feel very blessed to be in the best mission in the world.
Now for a little update on our friends. Lili came to church again this week and even participated in the sacrament. She is amazing. We also met her “husband” this week, and he was so nice and excited to meet us.
Monte and Elder Allred
They invited us over for dinner, and they made some pretty amazing pizza. We talked with Lili about eternal families. She seemed to really like that message, so we’ll see where things go. They are such awesome people.
Lately we've been having a little trouble finding new people, and I was completely out of ideas, but then we had intercambios with the zone leaders. We learned so much, and now have a new plan of action...to talk to literally everyone that we see! It's actually been working for us really well!
Also, Lili is actually married! We thought she wasn’t, but then she casually dropped that she got married by law, but not in a church!
Owen’s birthday celebration
I literally almost cried tears of joy when I heard this. Getting people married is one of the hardest things to do on the mission (if you remember Jesús and Laura at all you already know). Miracles exist everyone, remember that.
Also, we may or may not have been chased home by a drunk man on Sunday night, so that was pretty fun/absolutely terrifying! And while we were running, I almost ran straight through a massive spider web, with a massive spider in the dead center. Miracles exist... again, remember that!
Well, I love you all, and remember how great and merciful our loving Heavenly Father really is!
Owen’s birthday celebration
Endia
Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Owen! It is a crazy week, but Owen is now two and I think he enjoyed his little birthday dinner.
He is so much fun and it is crazy how quickly he is growing and learning. He is talking to us all the time now and learning now words and ideas every day.
He loves Spider-Man and dinosaurs, knows everyone’s names and is the cleanest baby you will ever meet! We love him so much and are excited for the “terrific twos”!
To celebrate Owen’s birthday we went to watch Zootopia in theaters this week, and Owen loved all the animals. When the credit song started, he stood up in the isle and danced for the entire song, then played outside for a bit and got some ice cream!
Pope’s movie and ice cream activity
Dad / Arkin
Joanna, we are so happy for you! You may not fully understand yet, but baptism is the gateway to the covenant path. Your willingness to be baptized has placed you on that path, and now you have a special relationship with God. As long as you strive to keep your covenants and continue to make new ones, God will always watch over you and protect you.
What a wonderful holiday season. It has been so nice to do so many wonderful things with all of you! I would list all the amazing activities many of you put together, but I worry I would forget one or two, and I just want to thank you all for great Christmas family traditions!
I have also enjoyed having almost four weeks off from teaching. I have used that time to work on many projects. The biggest of those is probably the catching up of family newsletters, and then moving on to family videos. It’s been almost seven years since I last completed a family video, but I have decided to get caught up, even though I think I am behind by at least 12 family videos!
SWIRLYCONE YOUTUBE CHANNEL:
To watch family videos on YouTube, visit: https://www.youtube.com/@swirlyconefamily
Owen and Mattias’s matching Spidey sweats