19 January 2025
VOLUME 13 – NUMBER 591
Children visiting Six Flags in California
This week I have been packing for California. I've been trying to make sure my classes are ahead. I also tried not to spend too much, so I have enough money to spend on the trip.
On Thursday night, Braden picked Isaac and me up. We waited for the others to come to Braden's place, and at midnight we started to drive. We made a few stops, and then we finally made it to California.
Once we had breakfast and got ready, we headed to Six Flags amusement park. The rollercoaster's there were so fun, and I had butterflies on every ride we went on.
Ashton, Isaac, and Caleb at the beach
Some of the rides made me scared, but it was worth going on every one. There was one ride that is called Drop of Doom. It carries you up 415 feet in the air and drops so fast! We decided to go again.
After the park, we had dinner and went to the Airbnb. On Saturday we went to the beach. We didn’t get in the water, we just dug really big holes. We had a contest to see who can get up to their neck.
After the beach, we went back to change.
Then we went to BJ’s for dinner. The food was really good. We also stared watching Haunting of Hill House. We watched five episodes.
On Sunday, we went to church. The person playing the piano there was so intense, but the music sounded great.
Children at church in California
This week Braden, London, Ashton, Caleb, Gloria, and I all went to California for five days. It was a lot of fun! We went the beach, Six Flags, BJ’s, church, The Newport Pier, and a delicious taco place.
One of my favorite parts of the trip was Six Flags. It was a lot of fun. We went on lots of rides, and they were exhilarating. My three favorite were called Tatsu, Drop of Doom, and CraZanity.
On Tatsu, you get on the ride and the it tilts you so your back is facing the sky and your stomach is facing the ground. It was a crazy ride!
Eating tacos in California
CraZanity is one where there’s a big circle of people, and it spins you around and swings you back and forth. That one was also really fun!
I think my favorite ride was the Drop of Doom! It slowly takes you 415 feet up in the air, and then drops you! We went on that one twice in a row, and both times were so fun.
Once you get to the top you can see everything and it’s really cool, but then all of a sudden really scary, cause you fall. It was a really fun trip and I would totally do it again!
Children digging holes at the beach
Sophie and Bridger’s birthday was this Saturday. We started by playing pickleball. Monte and I were on a team while Kade and Bridger were on the other. We played best of three, and Monte and I won. Afterwards, we decided to play some Revenge.
Lunch was amazing, Sister Zimmerman made turkey sandwiches with pickles and mustard. After lunch we sat and talked for a while. Once we finished talking, we started playing Murder in the Dark. I had such a great time hanging out with friends!
Ellie and Joanna playing together
I like to play princesses and monsters with Ellie and Charlie. I like the part when me and my monster go on a boat ride where Ellie is the monster. She is a cheetah.
I like making food and giving food to Ellie. I also like to play run away from the bee, where I am the bee. I can say “bzzz,” and Charlie is trying to run away from me, and if I catch her then she pretends to fall asleep for five minutes. Then they keep running away from me.
I also like to play Hide and Seek and Duck, Duck, Goose. I love to hide behind my clothes in my closet and in the bathroom. I like to play Duck, Duck, Goose because when I get picked I get to run around and around.
Children eating at Six Flags
On Thursday, I went to the Jordan River Temple, and was set apart as an ordinance worker. I am really excited for this opportunity to serve in the temple, and learn more about Jesus Christ while I do. I start next week on Tuesday, so I can’t wait for that.
On another note, I did not receive my mission call this week, which was expected. I’m hoping that next week is the week. I just want to know where I’m going to serve for the next two years of my life! The suspense is killing me! If I don’t get it next week, that’ll be alright, but I would be very happy if I didn’t have to wait a full extra week.
Ashton and Caleb at BJ’s
For our youth activity this week, we went ice skating. I am not really good. I fell so many times, but I remembered what Dad said the last time I went ice skating. He said that it is okay to fall when ice skating, because that is just a part of it. That helped me feel better, and I had a lot of fun.
On Thursday, me and Monte went to stake sports, and I did Nine Square. It was really fun. I got in the king's spot a lot without touching the ball or at least touching it once. At the end, I did basketball, and I had a fun time.
We went to Sophie and Bridger’s birthday party on Saturday. We played Revenge, volleyball, and Murder in the Dark.
Murder in the Dark was so fun but also scary because Monte and Bridger would pop out of nowhere, and for most of it, Monte would follow me! I got so scared because he played some music from Haunting of Hill House, and it made it so much more scarier. I had a fun week.
Veidi and Troy at new dog duty chart
Last week has been pretty tough because I have been going on so many dog walks everyday. I go on at least two to three walks. Me and Veidi have been taking the Milch’s dogs, Libby and Gunther, on a six-lap (three-mile) walk everyday, and we have to take Capone and Zeus in the morning and evening.
Also, Misha, Max and Rocco need two laps once a day. I am tired but at least we are getting paid for it. We also have to crate train Zeus, and we have had some long nights with barking dogs.
Luckily I am ahead in school, because half my day is walking dogs. Well I guess I have PE, and I get hours for walking dogs, and so that is good at least. I will have to get use to it because it is going to be my life.
Ellie’s Cheerio eyes
I just recently was able to switch my work schedule from the afternoon and evening hours to the morning, and it has helped me so much. By working in the morning I am out of bed and productive at a much earlier hour. There is a lot more sunshine and a lot less late nights.
All these things work in my favor. I've made it to the gym more often, we have done family scripture study much more regularly, and in general I have been much more present and happy.
As we study the Doctrine and Covenants this year, I am reminded of the great faith of the early members of the church. I do know that Joseph Smith was called to be a prophet, and this knowledge has led me to follow my savior, Jesus Christ.
When I am aligned with the Lord's will, I find more peace, more joy, and I feel more confident to face the unknown. I know that as we study and read the scriptures, the windows of Heaven are opened, and we are indeed blessed.
Children driving to California
Me and Troy played football with one of the training dogs. We would throw the football, and he would chase it. Then we would kick a ball and he would chase it too. He was so fast!
Sometimes we would throw the ball in the air. and then we would try and catch it before he got it. We would run around and he would chase us.
Braden, Caleb, and Ashton at Six Flags
For over a year, I have been trying to get to the point of starting to film our dog training Apples 4 Apples videos. This week, Jenny and I finally recorded the first video footage for our videos. I am so excited to finally get this going!
These videos will help us put together a do-it-yourself dog training product that we hope we can sell, which will allow us to increase our dog business revenue without having to train more dogs.
London, Isaac, and Gloria at Six Flags
When the children were at the youth activity this week, Gloria noticed one of the young young men, Max Smith, who was kind of by himself struggling to get the hang of ice skating. I was so pleased to hear that she went over and took his hand, and went around the skating rink with him to help him.
I told Gloria later that she may forget this experience in the future, but I promised her that Max is going to remember it for the rest of his life—the night a beautiful, 18-year-old young woman named Gloria held his hand and helped him ice skate. Why do I know this? I was once a young, insecure deacon like Max Smith!
A couple weeks later, Max approached Gloria after sacrament meeting, and gave her some brownies that he made for her as a thank you for her. Thank you, Gloria for serving Max the same way Jesus Christ would have done if He were here. That’s what life is really all about!
Children having shakes in California