9 October 2022
VOLUME 10 – NUMBER 473
Dad at stake conference
Dad / Arkin
One more busy weekend! Jenny’s bother, David is the stake technology specialist, he was not able to be there, so Brother Bell, the stake executive secretary, and I pitched in to help set up and maintain all the technology for stake conference.
This meant two full days of work for me. I started early on Saturday, and finished Sunday at 2:00pm. However, this time, unlike past conferences, everything went off without a hitch. I am grateful we were spared technical difficulties!
Kai, Braden, Dad playing Scum
Veidi
This week was stake conference and I was singing in the choir. I sang in front of the chapel, and it was scary. Before that, on Saturday we sang in the adult section, and my singing buddy was Isabelle Pei. Afterwards, I asked Mom and Dad if we could get chips (Doritos in the purple bag). They said yes! So, after the adult section we went to the store.
Yarima
I went and had lunch with Natalie and the kiddos on a break from work. It was good to see them. We also went to visit Aura and the girls. At work we have been getting crafty making a hocus pocus theme for a door decorating competition.
Braden and Brooke at the temple
Brooke
This Saturday was a busy one! After general conference, Braden and I felt impressed to go to the temple. We really wanted to go one more time before the baby comes.
It was kind of last minute, so there wasn't a lot of availability left, but we were able to schedule a sealing appointment for Saturday at 8:30am at the Raleigh temple.
Raleigh is about 2.5 hours away from us, so we had to leave by 5:30am. It was hard to get up and going since it's been a while since I've had to wake up that early, but it was so worth it to be able to be in the temple!
It's hard living far away from the temple, especially after being spoiled by having so many temples nearby when we were in Utah, but it has taught me a lot about sacrifice and the importance of the temples. It was also fun to have some
one-on-one time with Braden and to talk and laugh with him as we were traveling.
Later that night, my friend threw a party for her 30th birthday. She went all out! It was black and gold themed prom, so we got all dressed up. There was food, a DJ, and a dance party. It was fun! I'm grateful for the friends I have made since being here!
Brooke and friends at prom party
Endia
I wasn’t able to watch a lot of conference last week, but there was one talk that I listened to that I really loved. I would like to share a little bit.
Elder Gérald Caussé said, “Our interactions with the beauties of nature around us can produce some of the most inspiring and delightful experiences in life. The emotions we feel kindle within us a deep sense of gratitude for our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, who created this magnificent earth—with its mountains and streams, plants and animals."
On Saturday we got together with London and Ashton to watch the BYU football game. It was looking pretty bleak at first, but it was so exciting to see them fight back and have some really amazing plays. Even though they didn’t win it was a fun game to watch, and pizza with family is always a good time.
On Sunday it was really fun to head up to West Jordan for the evening and eat some ñioquis! Classic! I also had such a fun time playing a laughing game that Ashton taught all of us. We sat in a circle and tried not to laugh while we made noises at each other. I don’t think I ever held out past the first noise! It was good to laugh so hard with everyone.
Children doing school
Monte
This week wasn't very eventful (that I can remember, but don't quote me on that). I did school and went to the library a lot. I think my favorite part of the week was seminary.
I share a class with Gloria, and Isaac. I really enjoy the lessons taught by our seminary teacher. He has this light in him that makes learning about Christ and his prophets enjoyable and fun, without even doing any crazy fun games! I feel like I'm getting to know my class a lot better. Oh, and they all found out Isaac is a 14-year-old junior, so that is pretty funny.
I also got to sing in the stake choir for stake conference with Isaac, Veidi, Aiden, and my friend Jack Haymond (from work). Let’s just say you know when you're good when you make an area seventy cry, but in all seriousness, I really felt the spirit when we sang the last hymn, "How Firm a Foundation." I like that I have friends and siblings that will do stuff like that with me.
Mom making chicken pot pies
London
Hanna invited me to attend this event with her. She was told that it would be a banquet, a reception for this non-profit that based in England called AMAR. The church has worked with them on some of their projects, and Hannah was hoping to be able to network and meet some awesome people that might help her get into the non-profit world working with refugees.
Well...we showed up expecting a big reception, but it turns out we were just invited to mingle with everyone after their board meeting. We were way overdressed, and we felt so out of place since no one else was there other than the board and us. Yeah, we laughed a lot about it afterwards. It was really cool to meet Baroness Nicholson and Jean Bingham, which was probably the highlight of a really awkward night.
London and Hannah
Natalie
Oh goodness! What a week. We have been very sleep deprived, and you'll see why with what happened. On Sunday, we were gone all day and we came home to an unexpected litter! Let me back up a little bit. A couple weeks ago we found out that Bella was actually impregnated by one of our friend's dogs! Luckily it was another bulldog, so that was a bit of a relief.
Anyways, back to Sunday... As I said we were gone all day, and when we got back, Nate went out back and found that our dog had not only given birth, but she had buried her pups in the dirt in the freezing cold! We got them all out and started to try and warm them up. Luckily, they all survived, except for one, but we think that one may have passed away during birth, not because of the burial. So that was the highlight/craziness of this week.
Also, I just have to say, that I didn't think it was possible, but Ashton is actually better this week than he was last week. Just when I thought he couldn't get more awesome, he did. Don't know how he does it, but he never ceases to impress me. I'll be forever indebted to him!
[Editor’s warning: Ashton transcribed this article from a recording from Natalie, so this last paragraph may or may not have actually been written by Natalie]
Mckay and Quinn dressed as fat elves
Ashton
Not too much happened this week—lots of school and midterm type assignments—but nothing too crazy. On Thursday, it was my friend Zach's birthday, and he suggested a group of us go to a place in Orem called "Holy Taco." We've been there before, but it was good to go back and have some good Mexican food.
Ha ha—it made me miss the trip to Mexico we took last year, especially the horchata I had with every meal, and all around just delicious food!
Hopefully we can take a trip like that again in the future. I've just got to be more disciplined now to save up. I just have to tell myself, "the less Holy Taco here, the better the chances of holier tacos in Mexico!"
Caleb and Elder Miranda giving service
Caleb
This last week was super great. We played some soccer with some amigos of one of the members and later met up with them again and taught a lesson. We also threw together a karaoke night with the branch.
We've done a lot of investigation-type stuff. For example, we looked for people with lists. We call “lists of gold.” They are lists of people who have family members who aren't all members of the church. We followed the trail of information and have found a lot of people!
Sunday was super amazing! we had a family of four come to church with us! The branch was super amazing and did a great job helping them feel welcomed and loved. All the testimonies were super special.
When I first got here, the relationship between the leaders of the ward and the missionaries wasn't too great, and generally the branch has been super slow and didn't have too much life, but this last Sunday something was super different and there was a different type of excitement!
We also got transfers. My companion, Elder Miranda, is headed to Temuco and I'll get to meet my new companion tomorrow! The time keeps flying and I keep trying to grow and learn. Travels, sushi night, service, and member friends, cows, and someone robbed our fence.
Caleb, Elder Miranda, and cow
Gloria
This week for our activity at the 5th Ward we were able to carve some pumpkins, which was enjoyable. On Wednesday, Mom, Monte, Isaac, and I went to the morning side and heard from Bradley R. Wilcox. I enjoyed hearing from him.
Seminary has been good. I am liking the people more, and I am also talking to them a little, still trying to get to know them.
I was also asked to give a prayer for stake conference for the youth session. I was a little nervous about giving it, but then I was back to normal. I really liked the talks that were given.
Joanna at park
Isaac
This week was stake conference. Monte, Veidi, and I all sang in the choir. It was really fun. The music was so good. My favorite song was either Nearer Dear Savior to Thee or Arise and Shine, but all of the songs I loved. For the final song we sang How Firm a Foundation. At the end I reached down to grab my folder that held my music and I hit my head on the edge of the organ!
As the prayer started, I tried so hard not to laugh, as I was feeling pain because I hit my head, and also, because right before the prayer started, someone did a really loud and quick sneeze! To add on to my pain I couldn't hold in my laugh. Thankfully, the only thing that came out was a little giggle, but then I was able to pull myself together and be quiet.
Stake conference was really good. All of the talks were very well put together. This was one of my favorite stake conferences.
New dog kennel