16 October 2022
VOLUME 10 – NUMBER 474
Kai’s birthday celebration
Veidi
This week was Kai's birthday. We went to Aunt Amy's house and we swam and rode bikes. Emma, Mckay, Brigham, Mateo, and Itzel were with us, and it was really fun having them over for the week.
For a youth activity, me, Gloria, Issac, Monte, and Kai went to Ashton Gardens. It was very spiritual because the leaders gave all of the youth a paper about the different statues of Christ that were found in the gardens, and we wrote how they are related to us and what it means. I really liked it because it was quiet, and I felt really peaceful—just looking at them and trying to relate my different experiences I have had.
Kai’s birthday presents
Monte
Happy Birthday Kaizer! Holy Cow! You’re 13! Now I feel old. You are a teenager now. We had Panda Express for Kai’s birthday dinner, and we watched the all-time best Star Wars movie in the world, Rogue One.
For his present, I helped pitch in for two foam battle axes. I think he enjoyed them. I also took advantage of the situation to buy a few other props for my Halloween costume. Happy Birthday Kai!
Quinn
This week I was doing school. Math has been a little hard for me lately. We also had Emma, Brigham, Mac and Mateo for the week, and I was able to take some breaks and play with them. I had a fun time playing kitchen and watching movies with them. The last meal I had with them was cornbread and chili.
Caleb saying goodbye to Elder Miranda
Caleb
On Tuesday we got transfers taken care of, and I said goodbye to Elder Miranda. It was a good time spent with him. Then I met my new companion. His name is Elder Arancibia. He's from Chile but learned English when he was 10 by playing video games in English and using Google translate. This is his last transfer.
I've been learning a bunch this last week. I’ve had to deal with a little bit of health problems, but everything’s getting resolved. All I'm left with is that my left ear is somewhat clogged, and I can't really hear too much out of it. I’m also coughing a bit—every five to ten minutes or so, day and night—ja ja J. But here we are! Trying to make the most of what I've got!
Caleb’s new companion, Elder Arancibia
I'd like to add a little thought on repentance. Repentance is really amazing. First, you've got to realize what you've done wrong. Second, feel bad for it, feel remorse. Third, confess it, confess it to God, the person you did wrong, and sometimes to a líder, a loved one that can help you, like a parent. Fourth, restore it. Whether you feel like you can or can't, do what it takes to do your part, Heavenly Father will help you. Fifth, don't return to do it again. If you make a mistake and do it again, and you probably will, just try again.
So, if you need to repent (and we all do), take a deep breath, focus on Christs example and he'll help you. You'll feel more fulfilled and satisfied by repentance than any other action or thing you can do. And you'll improve and progress!
Caleb and Elder Miranda with friend
Ashton
In my newsletter article last week, I forgot to mention a hike that me and London went on. It was a great hike, but as we were walking, we started reminiscing about Disneyland, which led to us tentatively planning another trip, so that is on the horizon, which I am really excited for!
On Saturday, I went to the BYU vs. Arkansas game. They didn't win, but it was still a really enjoyable experience. I got to go with a couple of my roommates, which made it better than going alone for sure!
It's so interesting and kind of crazy how much BYU athletics can affect the entire feeling around Provo in the weeks that follow the games. When BYU wins big games, it seems like everyone is more upbeat and excited, including professors.
Braden and Ellie watching BYU game
When we lose, the reality of school struggle seems to set in a bit more! Maybe that's just me, but it seems to have been that way so far throughout the season. We don't have many big games left, but hopefully we can finish strong!
I also got to play in our flag football game this week. It was crazy! We were pretty close the whole time, but in the second half, we were down one, and we forced a safety, which gave us two points. Now we were up by one.
We did really good at stopping them, but on the last play of the game, they are like halfway down the field, and they just throw this Hail Mary to the endzone, which we tipped, and it fell and landed in the lap of their guy who fell down in the endzone! It was disappointing but still really fun. We had a good time!
Yarima and Selvin in Wisconsin
Yarima
Selvin and I decided to have a mini reception in Wisconsin to celebrate with his friends and family who were not able to make it to our wedding in Utah. My dad joined as well. We left with two friends on Thursday and got there Friday.
When we got there it was snowing! We went to go buy a pig as that was going to be our main food. We picked our pig, then watched the whole process from where they killed it to them cleaning it and having it ready for us to take. It was an experience that I would be okay not doing again!
We went to see my dad on the farm, and he gave the guys a tour. Then my dad took us to the The Dead End Haunted Hayride. We went in a hayride for the first 20 minutes and then they got us off and made us walk through the haunted house! I was scared, but it was really fun.
The next day we prepared the pig and food we were going to serve, and we celebrated with Selvin’s family and friends. It was so fun to see how happy he was with their company and having their support! We spent a lot of time with his family the next few days, and we enjoyed our time there! We headed back Monday afternoon and got hit by a deer, but we made it home!
Yarima and Selvin on hayride
Troy
On Wednesday Emma, Mac, Brigham and Mateo came over and we watched the TV show Bluey. It was a blast. On Wednesday we went to Aunt Amy's. We went swimming and we even got to play on the electric bikes. It was so awesome.
When we got home, we had ñioquis for dinner and it was so delicious. For Kai’s birthday, he got two axes from Isaac and Monte, and he got his slippers with his birthday money. Instead of cake, he wanted donuts. It was yummy.
Then we watched Star Wars Rebels and it was fun. On Saturday Kai, Isaac, Veidi Gloria and Monte went to Ashton Gardens and while they were gone, me, Mom and Dad played Stardew Valley. Then Emma, Mac, and Brigham left at 8:30pm.
Endia and Cougar at Canyonlands
Cougar
We had a lot of good food this week! First, we went to Texas Roadhouse, using a gift card my dad gave us, it was awesome! We even had a picnic with the leftovers.
Then London invited us and Ashton over for some delicious biscuits and gravy. Ashton’s assignments in his foods class have made for some very delicious meals. London made the gravy and beignets. We helped by cutting the fruit!
Since Endia didn’t work this weekend, we decided to take a little trip down to Canyonlands National Park. While we were there, we saw the amazing landscapes. We also marveled at the stars and all the fall colors, and we threw some rocks down the canyon!
Canyonlands National Park
Gloria
This week for seminary, we learned about Jeremiah and his faith in being a prophet. We also learned that God knew he would be a prophet from the very beginning, and that teaches me that God knows everyone and what they are going to be. I just have to have faith in every footstep that I take to get where God wants me to be.
I also really like going to the library after seminary. We usually get to spend about an hour there. It’s a fun new tradition we have as a family.
Mom, Monte, Isaac, and I worked the Jazz game this Tuesday. I really liked working it because I was able to meet new people and old friends. Afterwards, Mom said we probably weren’t going to work there again because management has changed a lot, and the environment is more stressful than it used to be.
We also celebrated Kai's birthday and went to Aunt Amy's house to swim. We also had Emma, Mac, Brigham, and Mateo for the week and I really liked having them with us.
Arkin at AtlasRTX conference
Dad / Arkin
You’ve probably heard a bit of whining from me about how busy the last six weeks have been. Ever since Mom and I went on the AtlasRTX company cruise the first weekend in September, it’s been kind of crazy.
As you know, we had two weddings, Aura’s sad announcement about her cancer returning, the departure of three of our children, service projects helping with Nate and Natalie’s home remodeling project, general conference, stake conference, and now we get to the last event that was keeping me stressed and looking forward to the end of this crazy pace.
For nearly a year, my company has been planning a client appreciation event. For the first three months of the year, I helped the operations team quite a bit as we worked to plan.
Arkin at AtlasRTX conference
After I moved to the product team my role was reduced, but we still had weekly meetings. For the past few weeks, I’ve been a little stressed about our team’s final preparations for the event.
And how did it go? It was a huge success! Everything seemed to run so smoothly. It was a lot of work arriving earlier than usual in the morning and staying late in the evening, and networking is always a little uncomfortable for an introvert like me, but everything went very well
Most importantly for me, now things have slowed down just a little. It was nice to finally have a free weekend! However, it was kind of strange that when I finally had a free Saturday, I kind of didn’t know what to do! Now I’m a little worried. I think I have actually forgotten how to have fun!
Arkin at AtlasRTX conference