15 December 2024
VOLUME 12 – NUMBER 586
Family after Monte’s endowment
I received my endowment this week! It was a really amazing and spiritual experience. I’m glad that I was able to make more covenants with God. The temple is a beautiful place, and I can’t wait to be able to go back to do proxy work for the dead.
On Saturday, I went on a date with Hazel. We went to breakfast at a place called Dee’s. It was really good, and we talked a lot about work, and stuff like that. Afterwards, we went to Swig, and Hazel got her favorite drink—“The Shark Attack” (Half lemonade, half Sprite, with blue raspberry syrup, and a gummy shark).
Monte ice skating
Then we played another game of chess in the Tesla, and I unfortunately lost again, and we also played the Tesla racing game.
Once we finished playing, we went Christmas shopping for our secret Santas, since I had a secret Santa assignment, and Hazel had one for her family as well.
I helped her pick out a gift for her sister, and she helped me get a gift for mine. I’ll let y’all know what I got on Christmas, cause it was crazy! After the date, I went to the Spanish ward Christmas party and had a blast there.
Cheesy Christmas movie bingo card
In the middle of November, I got a job as a sweeper at Falcon Ridge Elementary. The first week or so I was learning the basics of the job. It was sort of overwhelming because there's kind of a lot to remember.
After a few weeks, I got used to it. I've really enjoyed my job, it's awesome to finally have a consistent income.
I love my job, I've met some really good people, and had some fun experiences! I'm so grateful for my job, and I know this was only possible through God. I know and am grateful that he has answered my prayers!
Quinn, London, Keaton ice skating
This week some of us went to my work party. It was a really fun party. The food was good and the present raffle was fun. Everyone that came got a present.
On Friday, Monte received his endowment, so I stayed with the younger kids and the nieces and nephews. It was fun babysitting and I really do enjoy spending time with them. It was a full house with Natalie and Nate's, Braden and Brooke's kids.
On Saturday, Ashton and Caleb came over and we had a brunch. We also watched all the Santa Clause movies. I fell asleep for most of movies but the last one.
Sunday we went to the Ashton’s ward to hear Mary Ashton's talk, and I had a great time in that ward. Veidi and I had a good time visiting their young woman’s class. It was good. There was a lot of participation. We talked about miracles that we experienced.
Christmas PJs picture
I took Ellie to see Wicked this week. Here is what she had to say about it afterwards:
“We just get in the van, and I buckled myself, and then we drive to Fat Cats to watch Wicked. The movie was good, and my favorite part was when all the people were singing.
“My favorite person in the movie is the princess and the witch. I have fun with Daddy and I want to watch Wicked again with my mommy and daddy.”
Braden watching Wicked with Ellie
This week I started buying Christmas presents for people, it’s crazy how close Christmas is. I helped set up our Secret Santa for the family. I created a spreadsheet where everyone is able to write down ideas for their presents.
Kai and I have also been practicing a duet on the piano for London’s upcoming Christmas program, and it’s sounding pretty good. Hopefully we can finish it in time.
Owen’s Christmas ornament
Endia
I love Yarima’s ornament tradition last week! It was so fun, and Owen surprisingly cooperated perfectly for his little hand print ornament!
I had a bit of a cold and took it easy for the rest of the week. I also took Owen to our ward Christmas party, where we he got to meet Santa. I don’t think Owen has ever met a person that he didn’t instantly like and smile at, but it’s sad to say Santa broke that streak this week! Maybe next year!
Owen with Santa Claus
I think last week and next week are probably going to be the busiest weeks of the year for me. Classes finished on Wednesday, finals started on Friday, and work had two major events this year. It has also been great going home for all the holiday festivities.
On Thursday at the MTC, we had the part time devotionals. This year I was the chair of the Christmas committee, and that meant I was responsible for planning and organizing this event. We had three sessions, with a general authority speaking at each one.
Christmas lights at Temple Square
On Friday we had the full-time event. My favorite message from the week was from Amy Wright. She spoke about the wise men and how they did not return to Herod after visiting Christ. Matthew 2 says, “… they departed into their own country another way.”
She spoke of how this was more than just a different physical route towards their homeland. After their encounter with Christ they went home in a different way spiritually than how they came. When we experience Christ, we are also supposed to return to our lives a different way then how we got there. It was a blessing to hear all the Christmas messages.
Monte was endowed on Friday night. I am so proud of him. I can’t help but remember when I was endowed in that same temple, preparing to serve a mission. I am so grateful for that decision I made, and I can’t believe Monte is at that same stage.
Owen with Santa Claus
We went to Temple Square this week, and it was fun. I love seeing the lights. We also took James and Izzy, and they loved it.
Gloria also had a work Christmas party that some of us went to, and it was so funny because the Grinch was there. He came over to Joanna’s table and she loved it.
Then I was sitting at my table, when the Grinch came over and sat down and gave me flowers. Joanna was watching, and when he left, I was teasing Joanna that she was jealous that the Grinch gave me flowers!
Family at ice skating activity
When the Grinch was leaving, Joanna held his had for a few seconds like she did not want to let it go. I told Monte, Gloria, and Riley, and they started laughing, I am pretty sure that Joanna has a crush on the Grinch! She keeps denying it, but I know she does!
We also went ice skating. I have been a few times before, and I am not good at it, but after doing it a couple of times I felt that I have accomplished something.
After we went home and got ready to watch The Grinch, I told Joanna that we are going to watch her boyfriend. She covered her face, trying not to laugh, but since I was laughing, she started to laugh too.
Family visiting Temple Square
On Sunday we went to Mary Ashton’s talk and it was a really good talk. After sacrament meeting was over Mom and Dad said that we were going to classes in the Ashton’s ward, and at first I was terrified. I did not want to go, but i did and It was actually really good.
I was in the same Sunday school as Gloria and everyone was so welcoming and really easy to talk to. I am glad that I went.
London, Israel, Mom ice skating
This week I went ice skating with the family. We had James, Izzy, Kai, Isaac, Quinn, Joanna, London, Keaton, Gloria and Veidi. Last time I went, I was so bad that I had to have a buddy and I only went around once around the ring,
This time I did much better. I went around six times, and I have improved a lot, but I still fell too many times. It hurt, especially my feet. The skates were a little to small. Also, my arm still hurts from catching myself on the ice. Afterward, we watched “the…the…the” The Grinch! We also had pudding.
On Saturday, we also watched all three Santa Clause movies. After finishing the first two, we went in the front yard and tried hitting the street sign in our yard with snowballs. I hit it two times before Caleb and Ashton did. Then the three of us had a snowball fight.
Troy ice skating
Classes finished up this week; now, I've been grinding on some overdue assignments and final projects!
I had my final physical science lecture, and the main takeaway that I got is to be grateful for how perfectly everything lines up in the universe to give us a beautiful, growing experience for our lives.
I would take that class again; I loved everything I learned. I see the world so differently now, and mostly, it all just strengthens my belief that God is so much deeper and wonderful than I can comprehend.
I'm grateful for my life, for this earth, for my family, and for the so many little things that I don't even know about that make all of that possible—there's always something to be grateful for. and the more I learn, the more I feel that way.
James, Isaac, Mom ice skating
All my classes were so amazing. My American Heritage class helped me feel more connected to my country, learn from the good and the bad of the past, and apply those lessons to the future. It also made me feel like a more capable citizen.
I'm also grateful for the career exploration class. It helped me to discover so much more about myself and my interests! Thanks to this class, the following semester I'll be taking a few introductory classes in family sciences, exercise science, psychology, and maybe interior design.
All my classes got me to do things that I would have never done on my own. School is an amazing support, guide, pusher, and nurturer.
Keaton, Quinn, Monte ice skating
I think I’ve mentioned this before, but after five or six very successful and busy months at MyPack, revenue for this fall has slowed down. It’s been especially hard the last few weeks, as our income has dropped quite a bit.
After almost losing my BYU teaching contract this summer, I pursued a different option for employment—seminary teaching. For months, this just felt like it was going to be the answer for us. I would go back to a more traditional job, which would provide a more steady income and greater stability. We figured that we could then do MyPack as a side income.
On November 20, I was informed that I was not selected to teach seminary. To be honest, this was a hard hit for me. Not only have I twice been rejected (the first time was nearly 30 years ago!) for a seminary teaching job that I have often imagined as my ideal job, but now it’s back to the drawing board for employment and retirement.
Quinn and Joanna ice skating
And when this news came at the same time we have been struggling to pay our bills, it was extra difficult for me.
As I was driving to work one morning this week, a clear thought seemed to pop into my head. First, I was reminded that a year and a half ago I had felt promoted to adjust my employment and to shift over to growing MyPack.
Based on that and other promptings, I had quit my job and started to teach at BYU while also spending more time with MyPack. However, when things become challenging and difficult with MyPack, I have often been tempted to look at other options.
Charlie holding Ava
As I was driving to work, I was reminded of the historical account of Hernán Cortes. When he arrived in the new world with 600 conquistadores, he ordered his ships to be sunk to give his men no choice but to move forward—he removed any chance of retreat.
During this drive to work, I began to feel like my seminary rejection was the equivalent of Heavenly Father sinking the ships. I felt like I needed to continue to push forward with the original plan, even if it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. If I can eventually make MyPack a commercial success, this rejection would be seen as an incredible blessing in disguise.
So that’s what I am going to do. I spent my time this week working on improving our social media and marketing for MyPack. Jenny has created an amazing service that our clients love. I need to do a better job helping to make more people aware of that service.
I’m still kind of nervous and stressed. I still long for a day of greater financial security, but I also know that God is with us. Just when things seem most difficult, a miracle always happens. We’ll get a couple trainings out of nowhere, and we inch along. I hope that someday I’ll read this article and smile. wondering why I could have been so nervous!
Arkin resting in Christmas PJs