8 October 2023
VOLUME 11 – NUMBER 524
Isaac driving after getting learners permit
This week I finally got my learner's permit. I was originally planning on getting when I first turned fifteen, but I procrastinated—as usual—and didn't get it as early as I thought I would. A couple months passed, and a lot of people my age started to get their permits, so I decided that it was about time that I took the test to get it.
I set up an appointment, and went to the DMV to take the test. I passed the test on my first try, and went driving that day!
Also, I got accepted to perform at Hale Center Theater Orem in the youth edition of A Christmas Carol. Come and see me perform!
Isaac with his learners permit
This week Cougar and I went to our niece’s baptism. Her name is Remi and she just turned eight last month. She is the oldest grandchild on Cougar’s side of the family so everyone was really excited. It was so amazing!
My favorite part was that Remi wanted to perform a song for everyone. She wanted to sing When I am Baptized, and she invited all of her cousins and some friends to come up and sing it with her.
She did so beautifully and it made me cry to hear her sing about how she felt about being baptized. We love her so much!
Caleb and companion Elder Millard
I know that Jesus lives, and that He died for our sins. If we are his disciples, then he will let us live with Him in heaven.
I also know that if we try to be like Jesus Christ, but we aren't perfect about it, it's okay because he doesn't expect us to be perfect. If we try really hard, then he will still love us.
Charlie and Ellie at grocery store
This week I finally have all my classes in the green and with good grades. Work has been rally good because we got a new head custodian I think his name is Steve. The school had parent teacher conference which made it a little difficult for us to clean the classes rooms.
On Friday I was able to go driving for a while. Isaac also drove for the first time. I drove to Costco for some things Mom needed for her work.
After we went home, I went to hangout with Riley. We watched Band Slam and played some games. I played a game called Forza for the first time and Riley was just laughing at me because I kept crashing and going of road. Then we had dinner and jumped on the trampoline.
Grandma Arlene with siblings and spouses
On Saturday I went to the haunted forest with Riley and his uncle Josh and his wife. We had J-Dawgs for dinner at Thanksgiving Point. After we had dinner we went to go charge his Tesla and waited until the forest opened.
When we got to the forest we waited in line. When we entered, Josh kept scaring us more then the people that worked there! It took an hour to make it all the way through.
Mom snuggling children and dogs
Me, Kai, Gloria, Isaac, and Monte went to the temple. It was a good experience. I like going to the temple, even though it is early, and afterwards, we always get donuts.
This week was pretty busy because we had a lot of dogs, and we were watching Brother Milch for one day while they remodeled his bathroom. He just hung out in the family room and watched TV while he was here.
Braden singing bedtime songs to the girls
Stake Conference was this week, and it was time for our choir to sing to the entire stake. I always get super excited about it. I love to sing, especially the songs the Brother Tomer picks out for the choir to sing.
I can always feel the spirit while I sing with the choir. We have this power behind us, in a way that I don't really know how to explain it.
Now that it's over, I can't wait till the Christmas choir starts so I can sing in that, and hopefully Aiden will have time to join me this time.
Quinn at Utah Foster Care activity
Last week Arkin and I went to Heber City to the Zermatt Resort for a Utah Foster Care Cluster Facilitator retreat. There was a great training from an organization called Addict to Athlete. Look into it—it’s a great organization to support.
Arkin stayed up there with me, and then commuted down Provo Canyon each day to teach. We had fun!
This week there was a Halloween activity for Utah Foster Care called A Kids’ Night Out. Parents could drop their children off for the evening so the kiddos could have fun, while parents got a break.
I took Troy, Quinn, and Joanna with me while I helped staff the event. They had a blast running and playing, and I was grateful that they were able to work out their wiggles!
Caleb with Elder’s Lohner and Millard
We went to the temple, and afterwards we had donuts. For lunch we had grilled cheese sandwiches, with tomato soup. Mom added milk instead of water to our tomato soup this time, and it was pretty scrumptious!
I mostly worked on school this week. It’s been pretty stressful, because I'm constantly getting sidetracked and falling behind. Hopefully I can get caught up soon!
Ellie and Charlie in cow suits
Up until the end of August, I had been doing pretty well with keeping up on the newsletters. I think I was only caught up for a few weeks or months, but then school started in early September when I started teaching my first two classes back at the Marriott School at BYU, and since then, life has been a whirlwind!
The original goal was to spend about half my time working on BYU stuff, and the other half focusing on MyPack Dog Training, but for this first semester back teaching, it’s taken me 40 to 50 hours a week just to get everything prepared for class!
I half to work out my own curriculum. I have a template class to guide me but there is still a lot of work to do. I am also grading papers, and working out grammar quizzes, all while trying to pretend that I actually know what I’m doing!
I’ve probably said this before, but I am looking forward to getting through this first semester, in the hopes that things will calm down once I know the curriculum better and have all my class lectures, assignments, and quizzes worked out.
Charlie and Ellie playing
This week we had exchanges with the assistants. I had a pretty good time. It’s always awesome to spend time with such awesome people and learn from them.
We were in a trio for the day so I was with Elder Lohner and my companion, Elder Millard. It was fun to teach in a trio! We were all synchronized, and it was powerful when we taught. I love teaching and helping people get closer to Christ.
Caleb with other missionaries