23 January 2022
VOLUME 10 – NUMBER 436
Harry Potter marathon costumes
Brooke
Making friends as a couple has been a pretty slow process for us since we've been out here in North Carolina. We really enjoyed spending time with the couple we saw Spiderman with a few weeks ago, so we decided to set up a game night with them.
My sister, Kaylie, and her husband Corbin recently moved out here, so they joined, and we also invited another couple in the ward. I was a little nervous because I don't usually host things, but it turned out to be a lot of fun! I was really happy with how smoothly things went and super excited to feel like we're finally making some friends!
A funny thing that happened this week. Ellie loves Encanto and watches it frequently. The other day she was watching it, and during an intense scene, she let out a very high-pitched scream. It surprised me that she reacted that way, especially since she has already seen the movie several times. When I looked at her, she had her hands to cheeks, eyes wide open, and said, "Oh goodness!"
Joanna dressed as Harry Potter’s Umbridge
Veidi
We also went to Sophie's and Bridger's birthday, and we played signs, killer frog, chair soccer, capture the flag, and murder in the dark. I had a blast. I forgot to bring a sweater and it was cold. But I was fine.
Remi came over to our house so that Rima could take things to Jen's house. Endia did a Harry Potter marathon with us, and we were all dressed up asl characters from Harry Potter. I had a blast. I am so grateful that Endia and London did this with us.
Children playing Settlers of Catan
Vanessa
We went to Sophie and Bridger Zimmerman's birthday party. We played killer frog for a little while then we played capture the flag. It was so much fun. I was the only girl on my team, which was a little scary, but I talked to some people on my team.
The people on my team were Me, Carter, Isaac, Jase, Bridger, Sawyer, Christian, Monte, and Aiden. After that we played murder in the dark, and it was so much fun. We played two rounds that took forever, but still fun. We had pizza and ice cream and it was so delightful.
Caleb, Elder Wray eating giant hamburgers
Ashton
Thanks again to everyone who wished me a Happy Birthday this week! On Saturday, I had to work, which sadly meant I would have to leave the Harry Potter marathon going on at the house, but work was really great.
Over the past couple days at work, I felt like in our class, I was missing the mark a little bit. They weren't bad, but it is pretty easy to feel when something is off. I felt like I wasn't putting in as much effort in preparing as the missionaries deserved.
So on Saturday, I made sure to be deliberate in preparing, and also including the Lord in those plans more. It was a really special day and it felt right.
Teaching at the MTC is a unique opportunity. I wouldn't change it for anything, but I will admit that it is not the easiest thing in the world. At times it can take its toll. It feels very similar to teaching as a missionary. There are many times where you feel like there is nothing else you'd rather be doing, and others, where the effort you put in, or lack thereof, really starts to have an effect.
The MTC is unique because if you are doing it right, it is hard to "leave work at work." Much of the missionaries’ development, and the challenges they face is something that is hard to just turn off at the end of a shift.
I was talking with another teacher about these types of slumps that come periodically, and it was a great reminder to remember what a blessing it is to face those slumps! I remembered how good it feels to be constantly progressing in life, and how being stuck and stagnant, at least for me, is something I dread more than any other.
Working in such a special place like the MTC, is a blessing, because I am constantly being pushed to progress, as hard as that might be sometimes.
Harry Potter marathon treats
Alex
After the people from Disneyland came home. We went to a birthday party for the Zimmerman’s. We played a lot of games like capture the flag, murder in the dark, and signs.
We had pizza and ice cream with snacks. Also, one night when Dad came home from work, me, Dad, Isaac, and Kai played a fun game called Mario Party. Dad really liked it! He said that it was a fun team game.
Also, Endia and London planned a Harry Potter marathon with treats that were based off the different Harry Potter movies, and when we got to each part, we would stop and eat the treats that matched what we were seeing in the movie.
We all got dressed up as a character from Harry Potter. I was a person from the Ministry. Also, London made a meal that was so good! It was my favorite. It had noodles and shrimp with seasoning! Shrimp is my favorite food. Thank you, Endia and London for spending all that time to make us happy!
Caleb’s giant hamburger
London
I had a cool experience a couple of weeks ago where someone from my mission texted me that someone from my last area was getting baptized. They said I was on his teaching record and thought that I should know. I didn't recognize the name they told me, so I looked through my mission journal from that area to see if I could find anything about him.
I was there for two transfers, so it took me quite a while to read through all of it. I was only a few days from the end of my mission, and I still hadn't mentioned his name at all.
Just when I thought that I hadn't written about him, I found his name. There was a man that I taught (I think just once or twice) who lived in a very small trailer and had 8 dogs. They were all over the place during the lesson, and at one point I had to grab one of their tails because he was climbing up on the couch, and his tail was whipping me in the face.
Joanna
It was kind of a funny experience, but I remember Edwin having a really good understanding of the Book of Mormon already, and he had such a great desire to follow God. I never felt like I played a role in his conversion, but I am happy that I chose to spend my time that evening with him, talking about Jesus Christ.
Since coming home from my mission, none of the people I taught that were baptized are active in the church, and it is sometimes easy to feel like I didn't make a difference. It is the small things like Edwin's baptism that remind me that I was doing exactly what God needed me to while I was in Texas, and his plan is so much greater that what I can see now.
I'm so grateful that I don't have to do everything on my own. I feel God magnifying my efforts every time I try serving Him and His children.
London preparing dinner
Selena
This week Endia and London put together a Harry Potter marathon. It’s amazing how much though and effort they put in it. I know everyone loved it! This week I also hung out with Emma. We went shopping and to the library. Emma was looking for paint brushes. She is really artistic. We also went to Ikea it was so fun to look around at all the furniture.
Emma was looking at her dream home furniture. We also had In-and-Out. Also, another thing Emma and I have been doing at work is putting up a quote everyday on our white board. The one we put up this week said, “Smile and let everyone know that today you’re a lot stronger than you were yesterday.”
Caleb and Elder Wray out of money
Isaac
Sophie Zimmerman had her birthday this week and the whole family went. When we got there, we started playing signs. After we played chair soccer, crazy ball, capture the flag, and then murder in the dark. I think everyone had a fun time and I am so happy that the Zimmerman's invited us.
When we played murder in the dark, I went into a group with Sophie and her cousin Marcus. We were hiding in rooms and trying to blend in with walls and the floors so people couldn't see us.
Then after a couple of rounds Marcus and I happened to both pull the murders and we were both in the same group. It was really fun, until I got caught. I felt like I was doing a good job. We got so close to winning. We had two people left to kill! It was so fun. I can't wait until we hang out with the Zimmerman's again.
Quinn and Joanna eating a long apple peel
Gloria
I am doing really well on my grades and the pacing is really good. I really enjoy doing food and nutrition and child development. We also did an online seminary, and it was a
30-minute lesson. Mom, Christian, Monte, Vanessa, and I were able to work on Thursday at Vivint Arena for a solar company awards. It was really easy because we each got an assignment for food to serve. I had salad and rolls and made sure the desserts were stocked. Everyone except Vanessa worked the Jazz games the next day.
3D rendering of new living room
Dad / Arkin
Bad news. Within a week of setting up our new inflatable furniture in the new Bunkhouse Theatre, we started to get leaks, so we sent them all back, which left our theater room empty.
However, when the girls showed up for a Harry Potter marathon, we had to act fast! Mom and the children moved the sectional furniture from the living room to the basement, and we were surprised by how well they worked in the Bunkhouse.
We are also starting the process of redoing cabinets, flooring and paint in the house (a long-needed upgrade), and with the older sectionals working so well in the basement, we realized we should look at buying new furniture for the upstairs living room.
3D rendering of new living room
So, I recruited Troy, Monte, Gloria, and Veidi, and they helped me map out the living room, and enter it into a 3D architecture program, so we could look at different furniture options for that area. It was a lot of fun working with my team of junior architects, and once we were finished, the children were amazed at how much the virtual version actually looked like our house.
Our final renderings were impressive, and I think Mom is excited at the possibilities for making our home feel new again.
Ellie after her bath
Kai
We are doing a Harry Potter Marathon. So far, we have watched the first four and next Saturday, we will be watching the last four. Endia and London planned it with treats that were tied into the movie, it was really cool. For example, they took gummy frogs, covered the top with chocolate and called them Chocolate Frogs from the movie.
They asked us to make a costume for the marathon, and I was Seamus Finnigan. I can't wait until next Saturday to watch the next four.
Endia eating breakfast in the hotel
Troy
On Saturday, Endia and London came over for a Harry Potter marathon. At the end of each movie there was a quiz. Each of us had to go to our Hogwarts houses. There were questions for 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 points. We also had little snacks during the movie. It was also Ashton’s birthday.
Braden and Ellie