30 January 2022
VOLUME 10 – NUMBER 437
Baby Israel Justice, born 01/25/2022
Mom / Jenny
Can I just start out by saying that sweet baby James is so stinkin’ cute! And that’s not to take away from the main news. Israel was born on January 25!
I wanted to go out and see him and help Jen and Ian as they add another little one to their family. Jen and she said I could come out on Saturday, but when she realized that she needed a bit more help than anticipated, I headed out on Friday morning.
It was nice because I flew into the Long Beach airport, which I’ve flown in there before. It’s a tiny little airport and it was easy to find my rental car (which was accidentally reserved with Isaac Hill as the driver!).
Jen and Ian live in Carson which is only 15 min from the airport. I drove straight there. When I got there James was only a tiny bit wary for about 10 seconds and then loved to be around me for the whole time I was there. We were roommates in the living room, and it was fun.
Israel had to spend quite a bit of time at the hospital due to very high levels of jaundice, so Jen stayed there and Ian either slept or went to work. It was great to be able to visit with Jen and to help out.
While I was there, I also I worked on making Harry Potter scarves for the children. Endia got everyone started on that kick, so I have learned a stitch that is a cross between crochet and knitting. I loved being able to go out and help Jen and Ian, to meet Israel, and play with James (and Huncho of course)!
Mom with James in California
Dad / Arkin
We were excited to hear about Israel. I couldn’t help myself, and I came up with a couple Dad jokes to go along with his arrival. Here’s one: What will you call some of Jen’s and Ian’s grandchildren? The Children of Israel!
Or what about this one. What is it called when Jen asks Israel to come inside at the end of the day? The Gathering of Israel! Are you laughing yet?
Should I keep going, cuz I can do this all day long! Isaac, how are you and Israel related? Isaac: He’s my nephew? No! You’re his grandfather! Am I a funny guy or what?
Elders Hill and Wray at multizonal
Caleb
Wow this week was super awesome! It also went by crazy fast, but some of the things I did at the beginning of the week feel like forever ago! A weird mix of fast and long, but that's almost how it goes with all things in the mission. There are no words for this experience. It is amazing, and it is the work of God!
Monday was P-day so I got to call home and do some other stuff. That's always amazing and a lot of fun! Tuesday, I had exchanges with the zone leaders! There are some amazing people out here serving missions and that's been one amazing, spectacular blessing of being out here, which is just seeing and feeling how the gospel of Jesus Christ makes people happy and just amazing people!
It's good to feel and see that there are other people from every part of the world that are disciples of Jesus Christ, and that the gospel always works! We just have to let it into our lives and live it!
Wednesday, we had zone conference or “multizonal.” That was a lot of fun to see missionaries and to receive more personal revelation, and a lot of guidance on what to do with our area, in order to heló more people come to Christ. Wednesday afternoon and Thursday we had exchanges with the district leaders so that was good too.
Then Friday was an increíble day! It went by so fast and was just good. It was another blessing to throw on top of this already amazing week. We had lunch at a member’s house who lives in an area called Salta de Laja. They own little cabins and they rent them out like a little hotel. Caleb visiting Salta de Laja out in the countryside of Chile.
Caleb visiting countryside of Chile
It was so pretty, and they live out in the country, so we got to take a bus and see some of the countryside. The “campo” is where it's at! In Chile there are tons and tons of trees, at least where I'm at. It's beautiful and pretty amazing!
While we were waiting for the members to be ready for lunch, we visited a waterfall called Salta de Laja, which was across the street and down a pathway of sorts. It was super cool. A member saw us and gave me some corn, so that was cool too J.
Saturday was good too—another day at the work! We were gonna play soccer with some members and their friends and other people that are being taught, but that fell through because it rained. But it was still a good day!
Sunday, we fasted. It was my companion’s birthday, so we celebrated at night, with cherry pie, ice cream, and Oreos! We also watched some of The Other Side of Heaven in Spanish. It was pretty fun.
Well, that was más o menos my week! Also I spoke Spanish the whole time except for after 10:00pm. My Spanish is coming a long great, and I'm improving and adding on to my ability every day! Thanks to the Holy Ghost no doubt! I love you guys! Have a great week!
Caleb holding some corn a member gave him
Monte
Mom went to California on Friday, and Dad is at work all day, and they put me and Gloria in charge. Grandma Sharon also came over, and she did all sorts of fun things with us. Yarima came later and made dinner for us. Well, that was a lot of my week, so you have a great one yourselves.
Kai
Mom went to California because Jen needed help with her baby. She left on a plane. Monte was in charge while Mom was gone. I had a great time while Monte was in charge.
Dad cooking “McGonagall & Cheese”
Endia
This week I decided that I needed to change things up where I work. I have been on an evening shift at the residential treatment center where I work for the past two and a half years. I wanted to switch to a morning shift with some more flexible hours and I just made the change.
I won’t be a supervisor anymore, but I will be able to piece together my own schedule each week and I won’t have to work in the evenings. That means I got to go to my ward FHE for the first time in two years and I will be able to keep a better sleep and social schedule!
This week was also the second half of our Harry Potter marathon. I dressed up as Molly Weasley for this one (I was Luna Lovegood last week). We played some games, watched some movies and ate some yummy, themed snacks.
Whenever I do finish Harry Potter, either the movies or the books the main thing I think about is when am I going to start them again!
Mckay, Emma, Mateo, and Brigham
Troy
This week Mom left on Friday to go to California to help Jen after she had her baby, and Grandma Sharon came over and we had lots of fun. Me and Kai played a game where I got my Rival Nerf gun and we had to put our guys on the field and try to hit them down.
Also, Grandma let us make treats with the things that she brought. Alex and I made brownies, Veidi and Grandma made popcorn balls using Jello powder and marshmallows. Vanessa made cookies.
Isaac
This week I went to Natalie's with Troy, Quinn, Joanna, and Veidi. When we got there, we went downstairs and played with Emma, Mackay, and Brigham. I watched Mateo and he was so cute. He would make really cute noises and they were so fun to listen to.
Afterwards, Mom helped train Natalie's dog. Then I had some really good chicken nuggets. Thanks, Mom for taking us to Natalie's, and thanks, Natalie for making it such a good time while we were there!
Ellie with her friend Everett
Alex
This week Mom left to go help Jen with her babies because she was having a little bit of a hard time with all of them. Mom went on Thursday to California. We stayed home with Grandma. She was so amazing, she made desserts with us! But instead of her making it all for us she had us make ourselves.
I had some conversations with her. She also told us that if we were to finish a puzzle that showed donuts, she would get us donuts. Also, Yarima made dinner for us. It was delightful!! Thanks, Grandma, for taking care of us, and love you MOM!
Veidi
Mom cut my hair and I kinda like it! Me, Isaac, Troy, Quinn, Joanna went with Mom to go help Natalie with what she needed and to help train her new dog named Hazel.
Also, Grandma Sharon came over to watch us while Mom left to go with Jen to help her out. We did some kids yoga and we did a puzzle.
Grandma also showed me how to make popcorn pops. They are delicious! At the end of the day, Luis, Emma, and Yarima came over to play games with us.
Veidi with her hair after her haircut
Brooke
This week a friend in our ward invited Ellie and me (Brooke) to an indoor playground with her and her young kids. The playground was about an hour away, but worth the drive! It reminded me of the play areas in fast food restaurants but a lot bigger and it didn't smell like stinky feet. There was a jungle gym, a ball pit, little obstacle courses, and big slides.
Ellie was in heaven! She was very nervous to go down the big slide. Her face looked terrified when we slid down, but when we got to the bottom, she kept saying, "Again!" It was fun to see Ellie playing and having such a good time. She wasn't happy when it was time to leave, but a promise of cookies got her out the door.
Ellie playing at the ball pit
Vanessa
We have been home while Mom is in California with Jen. While Mom was gone, Yarima, Luis and Emma came over, and it was so much fun to be with them. Yarima made nachos and they were so good! I loved them. The girls painted their nails with Emma Grappendorf. It's a jell nail polish.
Me, Emma, Selena. and Ashton played my game I made up which I call Crazy five. It is where you have five cards, and you flip one each tern and then if another person matches and has the same number you go for their card and yours. It was a lot of fun to play and hang out with each other. The game gets really crazy when you have a lot of people playing.
Panda Express gift from the Ashton family
Gloria
I have been doing really well at work. I am able to talk to the people I work with. It is really cool because I never used to talk to them and now I do, and also laugh with them and prank them. I also went to Aiden Viehweger’s house with Monte, and hung out for a few hours. We played a few games.
I have also been doing well in school, and I was able to get ahead before Mom left for California. And on Friday Grandma Sharon came over and played games with some of the kids. On Saturday, we were able to have the other half of the Harry Potter Marathon and it was really fun . For a few of the movies I did not watch because I was not feeling good, but for the end of it I felt a little better.
Caleb at multizona