12 February 2023
VOLUME 11 – NUMBER 491
Gloria and Riley’s Sweethearts photo
This week for wrestling we have been working hard for practice. State is coming up soon I have been working on takedowns that I am excellent at. I also have been doing Just Dance for some new dance moves for Saturday.
On Saturday I was on a double date. I went with Riley Davidson (I work with him at the school), Elizabeth Lemon, and Aiden Viehweger for Sweethearts. For our day date, we decorated cookies and then went to the store to get snacks. We went to Nelson's house to watch a movie in their theater. They were all surprised at how nice Amy’s house was when they walked in.
After the movie, we went home to prepare for pictures and dinner. We took our pictures at Loadstone Park and then we went to Elizabeth's house for dinner. Then we went to the dance. Riley and I had a really fun time dancing together and talking. After the dance, we went to Aiden's house and had milkshakes, and watched a little bit of the TV show Psych.
Gloria eating dinner before Sweethearts
This week was pretty uneventful. I mean, there's a lot going on a work, but not a lot of good stuff. We got told to do things that contradicted each other, so whatever one we chose to do we got yelled at. Most of the time the people at the school are awesome and nice, but lately it's been super hard, and they've been getting after us for stuff we didn't do, or in other cases, stuff they say we didn't do and we definitely did (cleaning their classroom).
On Saturday, Gloria got to go to Sweethearts, and I stayed home cause I didn't get asked. I kinda had a "meh” of a day. I played video games in the basement so much that I got sick of them—I didn't even know that was possible! To make yesterday a little bit better we watched the first episode of The Office on VidAngel, and it lightened my mood.
Gloria pinning boutonniere on Riley
Things are a little sad out here lately in NC. Brooke’s parents have recently sold their home and are in the process of moving back out to Utah. Their house has been home base for all the family who lives out here, and we have spent a lot of time over there. In the last couple weeks, the amount of stuff in their house has diminished slowly as it gets packed up.
This week the movers came and packed up 90% of everything, so the house is basically empty. Greg has loved playing Acquire ever since I introduced it to him a couple years ago, and so we made sure that we got one more game in before they had to leave. It was only fitting that he absolutely destroyed all of us!
We’re going to miss Greg and Cherry out here and being able to go over to their house so frequently. We’re sad they’re leaving but hopeful that things will be just as great for them back in Utah as they have been for them here in North Carolina.
Braden and Brooke playing with family
Some of the family got together this week at the temple, I love the temple. President Russell M. Nelson recently taught: "I promise that increased time in the temple will bless your life in ways nothing else can."
As I spend more time in the temple I see more of this. I have received strength beyond my own, and found a deeper more true love for Jesus Christ and my family. The temple has brought peace that seems impossible, but there it is, each time I go. I continually find more joy and strength as I learn to follow The Savior.
Caleb and Elder Miranda at Mirta’s baptism
Mirta got baptized this week! This Sunday was one of the best of my mission, when Mirta got confirmed, Joaquin and Kevin passed the sacrament, the talks were super great, a member invited some of his family to come to church, and really though, the sacrament was a huge strength and blessing for me as well.
We had 24 people at church, actually the chapel was pretty full. And again seven people that attended who aren't members. It's just pure miracles here. The people here are just ready.
We also had transfers, and it turns out Elder Miranda and I will be staying here for at least another six weeks. Also, I'll be a distict leader.
Boys after 5th Ward temple night
This week we went to the temple with the 5th Ward youth. I was kind of nervous because it was a first time going with them to the temple, but it actually ended up being really spiritual.
So we started driving to the temple, and Dad asked Daniel, a young man in our ward, what temple we were going to, so he called an asked one of the leaders, and they said it was at the Jordan River temple, and so we went to the Jordan River temple.
When we got there it was only the boys that were there, and then we found out that the actual temple where they had scheduled an appointment was at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple, and all of the girls had gone to that one! We had all of the baptizers (the priests) at the Jordan River Temple, so there were none at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple.
We decided to do baptisms there anyway, and after that we went to Arctic Circle and got shakes. I had a really fun time, and I can't wait till we go to the temple again.
Danny and Dominic after temple night
Mom had to go to a work meeting early in the morning, and when she left, she said that we wouldn't have to do school. She split us into three groups for the three levels in our house. Quinn, Troy, Monte, and I were all downstairs in the basement. Mom said that Isaac could play on the PS4 until 1:00pm. Me and Monte didn't know what to do in the basement, so we decided to play Super Smash Bros. with Troy and Quinn.
After a while Isaac came down and bargained with us for a little. In the end our offer got us the PS4 at 11:30am, instead of 1:00pm. We played Battlefront II while Troy and Quinn played with Legos.
I am super good at Battlefront (a Star Wars game), where you basically have to take out droids and their command points. I would even say that I'm better than Monte and Isaac. At about 12:00pm, Veidi called us up for lunch, and I had two grilled cheese sandwiches. They were delicious! After lunch, we went back downstairs to play some more.
The next day, Mom and Dad went to the temple with all of the adults. We basically did the same thing, except we weren't split up into groups. Veidi and Troy were in the basement playing Stardew Valley, while Monte, Isaac, and I were in the living room playing Battlefront.
When Mom and Dad came back, Joanna, Quinn, Troy, Isaac and I went to Aunt Amy's. We played football in their backyard with Ethan, then Dad's phone broke/short-circuited, so he went to a lot of different stores to try and get it fixed. Later that night, Dad subscribed to VidAngel so we could edit the first episode of The Office. It is such a funny TV series.
Riley, Gloria, Elizabeth, and Aiden
This week me and Isaac helped Mom train two adorable Australian shepherds. We were each in charge of one. I was in charge of Blu and Isaac was in charge of Bean. Blu had blue eyes—well, one of his eyes was half blue and half brown. It was so cute. Isaac was in charge of Bean and he looked like smores.
At first, they were both shy and nervous, but after a few days, they started to be more confident. We had to keep them separated because we don't want them to have “litter-mate syndrome”. When they went home, Mom gave them a few things to work on and to keep them separated until they are about six months.
We went to the temple with all the youth. We were separated into groups, so all of the girls went with Kayley (our cousin who is a counselor in the young women’s presidency in the 5th Ward). We had an appointment at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple, and all of the young women went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple, but the rest of the group accidentally went to the Jordan River Temple, so we just ended up doing the baptism at separate places.
Caleb and Elder Miranda with others
I went to Primary on Sunday! I got a donut and a lollipop from my teachers! Mom also let me draw on my coloring book during sacrament meeting. After church I took a nap, and then we had lunch, which was a snack! I drive in Dad's car. It’s got seat warmers, and it's nice! We had pancakes for dinner. I like milk, pancakes, and syrup! In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!
Gloria and Dad preparing dinner (11/24/22)
On Wednesday, me and Troy went to our church activity. The teacher told us that in two weeks, me and Troy will serve Mom a Valentine's dinner, I am super excited for that! I helped make the pancakes on Sunday, because Mom wanted some. Gloria and Veidi made Mickey Mouse pancakes with chocolate chips, and Joanna really wanted one, so we made one for her.
Then she was complaining, because she didn't get the big one, so Gloria and Veidi said that me and Joanna will not get a Mickey Mouse pancake. I was sad, but I got over it, because I still got to have pancakes.
Me and Troy got our church rings. They told us to choose what color we wanted. I got black, and Troy got white. I really like my ring, it's super awesome!
Emma ready for church (12/18/22)
On Friday Mom went to work, and Monte Isaac and Kai were in the middle floor. Gloria and Joanna were in Mom's room and they did Just Dance on the TV. Monte Issac and Kai were taking turns on the PS4 doing Battlefront. Veidi me and Quinn were about to do Mario Kart on the Switch, and then Joanna came down and we played four races and it was fun.
Then we did Stardew Valley on Veidi's farm. I was the miner, Quinn was the love guy, and Veidi was the wood girl and the money maker and the animal care. Then we played on Gloria"s farm when she came down, and then switched back to Veidi's farm and then Mom came back and we went to bed.
Endia and Israel at family party (12/18/22)
MyPack is going swimmingly, or should I say doggily? My schedule has been filled consistently and I feel like I am getting better and better at what I am doing.
This week we have two mini-aussi puppies named Bean and Blu. Isaac and Veidi are doing all of the nighttime work for house training, and they shadow me as I do the other training.
I am also getting more and more comfortable with my role at Utah Foster Care Foundation. It has been great to continue my education and get paid for it while I am working. I have read several books in the last few months and they are helping me as a parent as well.
Gloria gets to go to state in wrestling! I think she was excited to be finished and just attend the state tournament, but I think she is also excited that she gets this opportunity
Last week Arkin and I also met with Yarima and Selvin to hopefully repair relationships and make the family better. We sure love all our family.
Caleb at church with members
This week I had the chance to go out for one of our “Christian” lunches, where Christian Larsen (Braden’s friend and one of my old young men) gets together with some of his old church leaders.
As usual, we had a great time, but after we ate I discovered that one of the Tesla tires was flat! After waiting around for a couple of hours, I finally got it switched out (Tesla’s don’t have spare tires, so they send someone out to fix it) and then I was headed home.
However, through this process we will end up having to replace all four tires, since they were getting close to needing a change anyway. I realized that I have driven 35,000 miles on tires that normally last between 10,000 and 20.000 miles!
Dad at “Christian lunch” with friends