20 February 2022
VOLUME 10 – NUMBER 440
Baptism of José Bascur
Alex
Last weekend Selena moved out, and it was really sad. We did get to go to the aquarium with Natalie's family. My favorite things were getting to touch the stingrays, and the tunnel of sharks and stingrays and huge tortoises. It was so cool and very scary because it was glass, and it could just break. My third favorite was the Penguins. They were so cute and so amusing.
This weekend, to give Mom and Dad a break, we all went to London, Endia, and Ashtons apartments because they planned a Valentine's for Mom and Dad. Me, Vanessa, Veidi and Troy were with London, and the rest were either with Endia or Ashton. Then when we came home, we found out that we had a new dog! Her name is Mabel and she's a Golden retriever!
The corner where Misha and Mable met
Veidi
Endia came over to take all of us to her house and then split us up between Ashton and London. I was in London's group with Vanessa, Alex, and Quinn. She made us popcorn and we watched Encanto. For breakfast she made us mini pancakes.
Then London needed to take a test, so we went to BYU campus, and she gave us a list of things to look for. She said if we found something interesting, to write it down, so she could look for them later. We also went swimming at Endia’s and played games. And we went to London's house to eat dinner.
Ashton and his district at the MTC
Endia
On Monday for Valentine’s Day, I went out to dinner with London and Hannah, and Hannah’s sister Heidi. We ended up trying a new restaurant called CHOM Burgers. The burgers were really delicious, and we watched Princess Diaries afterwards. It was a great Valentine’s Day.
My weekly meals have continued, and I am learning to cook more foods. This week I decided to try to make Lasagna and breadsticks. I haven’t really successfully made bread before, but the breadsticks were delicious, and I loved them. Volleyball afterwards was as fun as always and I am starting to make a lot of really good friends who come every week.
This weekend, London, Ashton, and I wanted to give Mom and Dad a little break—a Valentine’s gift, so Gloria, Joanna, and Isaac came to my house. We went to the Puppy Barn, all got together for a picnic lunch, and then everyone came over to my apartment and we went swimming and had a ton of fun. We played psychiatrist at London’s apartment later and made chicken Croissants.
Gloria and Joanna stayed one more night with me and they also spent Sunday with me. We woke up, and after breakfast went for a walk at a nearby park and then came back and sang some songs together. They both came to church with me and then we headed home and ate dinner at home with everyone else. It was such a fun weekend and I hope Mom and Dad had a fun relaxing time all by themselves for a couple days!
Braden and Brooke at the gym
Brooke
Braden has been working out regularly for several months and has been wanting me to come with him. The gym he goes to had a "bring a buddy for free day". so we decided that would be the day I would finally join him.
Braden had been out of town for work and didn't get home until around 9:00pm, so we went late, but I was fine with that, hoping it would mean there would be fewer people there. Braden told me all the exercises to do, how to use the machines, and how to have the correct form.
It was actually really fun but very tiring—ha ha! It was nice to spend time with Braden, doing something that he enjoys.
Joanna and London playing a game
London
Since my internship this semester was cancelled, I have been planning on extending my schooling through the end of the summer so that I can do an internship somewhere in Latin America during Spring & Summer terms. I figured that this is an amazing opportunity that I want to take advantage of while I'm still here at BYU.
However, as I got close to the interview, I started having more and more doubts about going. I don't have any other options lined up for when I graduate, so it doesn't make any sense that I should pass up this opportunity. I knew that I needed to make a decision before my interview on Thursday, so I decided to really pray about it.
Ashton sent this scripture to me on Tuesday after I'd been thinking about praying: "Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.
As I read those words, the spirit confirmed my thoughts from earlier that I should not go on this internship. I received several other very clear promptings confirming my decision, and Ashton gave me a really beautiful blessing that helped to give me the courage to make this really hard choice.
I still get sad when I think about the opportunity I am passing up, but I have no doubt that God's hand is in my life. It is a rare occasion when I get to feel the spirit prompting me so clearly, so I am grateful that He spoke to me in a way that I would understand and know.
It doesn't make any sense when I try explaining why I made this decision other than the fact that God knows more than I do where I need to be this summer. I am so grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost. Because I have received that gift, I know that I have access to hearing God's voice, which is pretty incredible!
Caleb’s district council meeting
Vanessa
Dad got a game on the Switch for the family called Stardew Valley. It is very fun, and we usually play it on Saturday’s because Dad is home, and he really likes the game.
I like it because it is not like a fighting or much of a thinking game. Usually when we play Switch, I just watch the boys, but Stardew Valley is fun. It is a family game because we only play it when the family is here, at least the people that live at home.
Mom and Dad had an interesting idea. They asked if I wanted to go to North Carolina with Braden and Brooke for a few weeks. They also asked Christian if he would like to go to Hawaii with Uncle Keric and Aunt Rebecca. The reason they did it was because they wanted us to have a break, and a time away from home.
I said I wanted to go, I thought that this would be fun. I can't wait to hang out with Braden, Brooke, and Ellie! They are going to be here in Utah on March 1, and then I can fly home with them and spend a few weeks there.
Stardew Valley video game
Ashton
Lots of volleyball this week! I am on an intramural walleyball team, which is really just volleyball, but you can play off the side walls. We're not very good, but still, it's fun!
Then, on Thursday's, Endia's ward plays volleyball, and London, Yarima, Selvin, and I go. Honestly, it's one of the highlights of the week! It is such a fun group to play with, because no one is super competitive, but we still have enough good players to actually have some good rallies (hitting the ball back and forth between teams several times).
There was this one play, where this guy, who is really good, went up for a monster spike, and this girl, who probably weighs half as much as him, goes up, and somehow blocked it, and it was a crazy powerful block too! The whole gym erupted in cheers and celebration! It was crazy, and the kid who got blocked was shocked and congratulated her too. Just an example of the type of games that are played.
School is going great, and I am especially loving my American Heritage class. I feel like I leave motivated to change and be better every time.
Caleb with P-Day pizza
Caleb
We have been working with José, who has been preparing to get baptized. We had to help him stop smoking. He's got some amazing faith. We actually "robbed" him of his cigarettes, but we found out that somehow, he had more, but we kept working with him... despite that he has made incredible progress!
The promise in the scriptures is so true (Alma 12:10)! The promise is that when the people have faith, and their hearts are softened, they hear and learn the greater part of the words.
People with hardened hearts can't see past the little things, therefore they don't get to see and feel the true power in the words of the scriptures, and they don't progress and aren't as happy as they truly could be.
Other people we talk to, it's just so hard for them to get it and to progress. But it's a comfort to know that what we are saying and teaching is sufficient, and when they are willing there is the spirit and that's who does all of the real teaching. I'm excited for this man, he's made so much progress!
And then…this week José Bascur was baptized! You guys don't know how amazing that is! Because he was baptized, he can now repent and be clean and freed from the chains of sin! He now has the Holy Ghost, who comforts, guides, helps us to learn, feel joy deeper and more truthfully. He helps us to know the truth of ALL THINGS (Moroni 10:5)!
Caleb holding Libros de Mormón
You cannot tell me that the Holy Ghost isn't real and powerful! I love him and am grateful for his constant guidance! He is sacred and amazing to me! I hope you guys will all read your scriptures and PRAY every day, every day, every day and invite him into your life more abundantly!
Please read your scriptures and ponder on the words of Christ, the person who literally created the universe with the power of his voice!
Also, José is now on the path of happiness. He can progress now, and not be damned in his progress! He can repent over and over again for every sin that he makes, and be forgiven and cleaned, always! And finally, after his labor of this life is over, he will be able to rest in a state of incomprehensible happiness forever, in the Celestial kingdom with our merciful, Savior, Jesus Christ! I can't wait for that day. I know it will come!
But today is the day to labor and work. I do feel joy from laboring and doing the will of the Father! You guys can too! Follow the promptings and commandments from God though his prophet, Russel M. Nelson, and through the Holy Ghost! There always a way to follow and do His will (3 Nephi 3:7)!
I can testify because I see it in my life, every second, and in the lives of my family members. As we try honestly to do the will of the Father we are blessed!
Ellie and her stuffed animal named “Minnie”
Gloria
This weekend was able to spend more time with Endia because I was able to stay an extra day. On Friday night we went up to Provo with Endia, London and Ashton, While Mom and Dad stayed at home all by themselves. We had chimichangas for dinner at London’s house. Then we played psychiatrist a few times. Isacc, Joanna and I spent the night at Endia’s apartment.
On Saturday we went to the puppy store. After that we went to BYU campus and walked around with the others, While London was taking a test. Later we went swimming for a few hours. Joanna and I went back to Endia’s for another night. On Sunday we had an egg breakfast with candy eggs and real eggs. Later, we went to the park and rode the swings.
Christian, Monte, and Troy
Kai
Dad bought a new farming game on the Nintendo Switch. It's called Stardew Valley. I like the new game. It's really cool, because you get to design how you want your farm to look like, you get to decide what seeds you get to plant, and you get to choose what places you want to build. I like it when we get together as a family and play Stardew Valley.
Troy
Last week we bought Stardew Valley on the switch. This is a game that Mom and Dad liked to play in the Tesla. It was fun to watch Dad play, and Dad figured out how to have two people play at the same time. We each play four days and then switch.
Joanna sleeping (01/09/2022)
Isaac
This week we all played a lot outside. Mainly chair soccer. It was super fun because we did teams some of the times, and it was cool to see Both if the teams work together and see who won. Thanks, Mom, for letting us take a break from school and letting us play outside so much this week.
Dad / Arkin
What a wonderful gift Endia and the others gave to us. Jenny and I needed a little break. We had a wonderful weekend together. We also got Christian and Vanessa set up for their “super trips.” We are excited to give them a chance to get away from everything for a few weeks, and have an adventure away from home!
Ellie and younger Braden scowls