11 August 2024
VOLUME 12 – NUMBER 568
Yaretzie and Aura with Itzel at her baptism
I really enjoyed going to Itzel's baptism. I liked how there was a lot of people who went and supported her. Also, before we went to the baptism we had Mattias stay with us for the day. I had him for the most of the time. I really enjoyed having him over.
Thursday we went to the temple. I really enjoy feeling the Holy Ghost while I'm there. I do like going and doing the work for those who didn't have the opportunity to on earth.
Dad’s birthday party at the Nelson’s house
Later that night Riley, and I went and to hang out with Tray and Ian at there house. We did some night swimming and watched the sunset. I had a really fun time.
Taylor Riley's sister invited me to go to her gymnastics bring a friend. It was really cool seeing what types of things she does. I had fun learning new tricks from her and seeing how good he is at gymnastics.
It was also Dad's birthday on Saturday. Monte and I went to the store to get stuff for the party. I really had a fun time swimming with Owen and relaxing in the hot tub.
Veidi, Gloria, Monte, Keaton, London
I am so grateful for the opportunity to receive my patriarchal blessing. Sometimes I feel like a lot of the world sees patriarchal blessings as a fortune, or seeing into your future, but that really isn't the case at all.
I like how Dad compares it to be more like a map. A map is used to help us find our direction, and place in the world. It is also very useful if you are lost, and need to find your way. Having a very similar purpose, a patriarchal blessing is there for you when you are lost emotionally and spiritually when you can't seem to find your purpose or "direction" in life.
When I walked into Brother Bingham's house, there was just another level of the spirit. It was where God has repeatedly given his children personal blessings through one of his patriarchs.
Monte and patriarch after blessing
I obviously won't talk about what was said in my patriarchal blessing, but what I will say is, it was extremely personal, and just another testament that God is real, and that he really does care for me personally.
I had never met our new stake patriarch, Brother Bingham, before, but the things he said in my blessing were 100% answers to questions that I had had for a very long time, and that could only have come from God.
I will cherish my patriarchal blessing for the rest of my life, and I know that whenever I do feel lost, or I don't quite see my purpose in all this, then I can go back and read my personal revelation, given to me from God, and it will help me in ways that I can't even imagine.
Monte on 5th Ward temple trip
This week, Kai and I were able to play some pickleball with the Zimmerman's. We have a lot of fun, whenever we hangout with the Zimmerman's, and sometimes play for five hours. Sometimes whenever we're done playing, we head back to the Zimmerman's eat dinner, and either play some board games or watch a movie.
Kai also bought some pickleball paddles, so now we have our own, and can bring them whenever we play, and not have to worry if there will be enough extra ones for us to use, so that's really exciting. I also think I'm getting better at pickleball—hopefully—and I really enjoy playing it.
Family at Dad’s birthday party
This week Itsel got baptized. I am so happy that she is making that first covenant and coming closer to her Heavenly Father. It was also Dad's birthday. We had a party at Aunt Amy's house. It was really enjoyable, and the food was delicious. I loved swimming and being in the hot tub. It was good to be with family and friends.
After youth night, we played crazyball with friends. It is always so fun and intense because we are all pretty good at it. We also invited friends that wouldn't get mad if they lost.
We invited Taylor Danielson and Eisley Horner to play, and they ended up being really fast, and really good for only their first time playing. I am so grateful for my friends and how they are good examples to everyone.
Natalie, Yarima, Carol Zimmerman at party
Itzel's baptism was this week. It was really fun to see Itzel get baptized. I know I felt the spirit, and I am so glad that she is coming closer to Christ. It was fun to hang out with everyone and eat refreshments. The cookies and no-bakes were delicious!
Ashton dueling with Quinn at party
It was Itzel's baptism on Tuesday and went. I felt excited for her to make the right choice. When we got there it was a nice building, and it was really cool watching Itzel get baptized.
Afterwards, we had refreshments. They were delicious! We all talked to each other, and we played Red Light, Green Light and Hide and Seek.
Family at Dad’s birthday party
I was talking to Itzel before her baptism, and Itzel brought up how she wanted to be closer to God. She also said that she wanted to be a part of Him, and she understood that when you are baptized, you become part of him.
I thought that was super deep. I know Itzel has been going through a lot, and has some hard things in her life, but her example of turning to God for strength—turning to the gospel for strength—is really inspiring and comforting. It does work for everyone.
I’m grateful for Itzel’s example, and for Jesus Christ’s teachings. I’m grateful for my family. It was really awesome to see everyone at Itzel’s baptism. A lot of people were able to make it.
Dennis and Namari at birthday party
Thank you, family, for a wonderful birthday party this past weekend! It was so nice to have an excuse to get so many of you together!
It was nice see Dennis Jr. again after so long, and to get to know Keaton, London’s boyfriend, a little better as well. It was also great to have Dennis Sr. there with us. He has been such a great help to Aura, as he has stayed in her home to take care of her.
Unfortunately, Mom and Natalie had to share some bad news about Aura that they had found out that day. We gathered in a circle, and Mom shared that Aura has experienced what the doctors call a rupture, which means that the cancer is spreading uncontrollably in her body with nothing else that can be done. She tearfully explained that Aura is probably in her last few weeks of life.
I am grateful that we were all there, for shoulders to cry on and opportunities to comfort each other. It is so hard for us to contemplate seeing Aura go, but it is also so hard to see her in so much pain.
Natalie and Sophia at birthday party
On another sad note, a couple weeks ago a good friend of mine was taken to the hospital, and now it looks like he probably isn’t going to make it.
Of all the church callings I’ve had, I miss being a scoutmaster the most. I served from 2009 through the first half of 2012. And during that time, I never had as much fun and felt so much joy and satisfaction in any church calling as I did when Ti Milch was my assistant scoutmaster.
Ti was 20 years old at the time. We had so much fun together, and he was willing to follow me to whatever crazy place I decided to take our boys.
Ti Milch in the hospital
Late Sunday night at the hospital, I visited Ti and his sister Emily, who was there visiting Ti. At their requests, I gave each a blessing. Ti had been mostly unconscious for days, and he was in pretty bad shape, but that night, he was lucid, and we shared a couple minutes together.
I told him I had just come back from a couple river trips, and that I always think of him when I’m on the river. Ti was even able to laugh a little through all of his tubes and masks as we reminisced about good times on the river, and the legend of the “River Babe” (ask me about that one later!).
I consider it a small miracle that Ti was able to converse for that short time. His family tells me that those moments are rare. I’m grateful we had what might end up being our last moment together—two former scoutmasters remembering good times…
Dad and Ti Milch (2010)