9 November 2025
VOLUME 13 – NUMBER 631
Family murder mystery activity
Braden and Brooke planned a murder mystery activity, and it was super fun—but I was also the murderer! I really liked how we all went all out with our costumes.
The theme was western, and I was the piano player. We had to go around, gather information, and figure out who the murderer was. I loved it because everyone got out of their comfort zones and participated.
Gloria and Caleb at family activity
This week we also watched the football game, and BYU won! Then the boys went to see Christmas lights while I went with Mom to a dog client’s house. The dog, Koda, was really difficult, so it took us a few hours to work with him.
When we finished, we went to get Chick-fil-A and watched a show for some down time after that long training session. It was probably the longest one we’ve had. But I am grateful that I get to learn new techniques and that I get to go with Mom on home visits.
Selvin (cantinero), Yarima, Yaretzie
I’ve been reading a book recently by Brandon Sanderson, and I was able to finish it this week on my way back to West Jordan. I got a ride with someone through the BYU-I rideshare program.
It wasn’t too bad of a drive, but the driver was listening to music the whole time, and it was super crammed. My lower back was killing me during the last half of the ride, but other than that, it was great!
It was also really cool once I got to the house and saw that everyone was dressed in old western clothes. Everyone in character was so fun and creative. I already can’t wait to come back up for Thanksgiving!
Family murder mystery activity
We were all getting ready for the western murder mystery event, so we spent about an hour buying all the supplies. It ended up costing a lot of money! The next day, the front room was filled with packages because it was finally the day of the murder mystery.
That night, we had pizza, but all the little kids—including me—had to go upstairs to watch Coco, Bolt, and Mulan. It was kind of hard to get all the kids to come back downstairs because they were jumping all over me.
When the movie was done, we all went down and ate all the food. We had fake beer, crackers, and lots of other treats and sweets. It was so much fun playing with the toy guns, being in “prison,” and catching the buffalo, who was Keaton. Eventually, we all had to go to bed.
Children in saloon jail
Keaton and I had been planning on going canyoneering with some friends for Halloween weekend. But one thing I've learned with young adults is that they tend to bail all the time. And of course, everyone bailed last minute, and I was a little nervous about how my body would handle canyoneering anyway.
We decided that we'd just go camping instead. We were a little nervous about it being too cold, but we brought tons of blankets and it ended up being just fine! It was nice to get away and outside and enjoy a campfire and an escape room board game in the tent.
Ashton the prospector
We pretty much went back first thing in the morning and then went rock climbing up Rock Canyon with some friends. Overall, I'd say it was quite a successful weekend, even though our original plans fell through.
I also had a ton of fun dressing up and participating in the murder mystery party. I was super impressed by everyone's outfits and how they really got into character. Endia and everyone at home did a fantastic job with the decorations!
Family murder mystery activity
Braden and Brooke set up a family murder mystery party, and let me tell you, we may have splurged on our outfits. The theme was wild west, and I had a great time getting into character. The story was awesome!
Unfortunately, I didn’t select the correct murderer, but I’ll get ’em next time. Thanks so much, Brooke and Braden, for setting all of this up!
Family murder mystery activity
This week, Braden and Brooke hosted a murder mystery activity. He gave us all identities that we dressed up as and acted out at the party. It was very fun because the theme was western.
The day before the party, Dad ordered the costumes and had to make sure they would arrive on time. It was such a fun party. The murderer turned out to be Veidi!
This past week, Dad also took me out to lunch at Mo’Bettahs, which was very delicious. The portions were huge—I didn’t even eat my salad at first because I was so full, and I usually always eat my salad.
Dad and Troy eating at Mo’Bettah’s
For work, I am right in the middle of our busy season. We have to work—or at least be available—for 50 hours a week instead of 40.
Honestly, my workload doesn’t increase that much, and I can get my tasks done in my regular time. The part that’s hard for me is that now, as a senior, the way they structure my weeks during busy season is different.
Typically, we get one week of calls with clients, followed by a week to document, and then we start the next week of client calls.
Endia with her saloon decorations
However, during busy season, I am on calls with clients every week. My workload for documentation goes down, but I am rapidly moving from one client to the next, and it gets very draining.
I love having weeks in between to decompress, focus, and do my work independently without much interaction with others. I don’t get that during busy season, and it’s becoming mentally exhausting.
Family murder mystery activity
Thanksgiving break is a week and a half away and the four-day weekend could not come soon enough. After that it’s just a few more weeks before our company Christmas break and I took two extra days on the front end so I will have 14 straight days of no work. I am looking forward to it so much.
And it was also a lot of fun putting together the murder mystery activity for the family. It turned out so well, and we had almost everyone there!
Braden, Jenn, Brooke at murder mystery
It’s crazy that so many people are searching for something in their lives, and we can show them exactly what they’re looking for. When you find someone who genuinely wants to learn, it feels like Christmas Day. Well, let’s just say that it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas—especially now that Halloween is over!
Speaking of Halloween, last week Elder Gutierrez and I went to our ward’s Día de Los Muertos activity, where you could place a photo of an ancestor on the ofrenda, and then share a memory of them. We also brought six of our friends to the activity, which was absolutely awesome! Afterward, Elder Gutierrez and I ate some candy we had bought earlier in the day to celebrate our own little Halloween.
Monte and Elder Gutierrez
We have a nine year old named Mateo who is scheduled to be baptized. His mom, Hermana Mercedes, is a recent convert of 11 months. Mateo is just the GOAT (greatest of all time), but his mom, is slowly turning into a Testigo de Jehová (Jehovah’s Witness).
On Tuesday, we went to Mateo’s house to prepare him for baptism, but Testigo was in the house talking with Hermana Mercedes. What did we do? We walked right in and hyped Mateo up for his baptism, mid-Testigo session. The Testigo, who has been slowly pulling Hermana Mercedes away from the Church, was absolutely furious.
Elders Hill and Gutierrez eating with family
Then on Sunday, we helped someone who is interested in the Church move dirt to the inside of her dog shelter to help level the ground. It was a lot of dirt, and my body aches like crazy!
Also, this transfer, I am going to be leaving Cozumel. It’s sad, but also incredibly exciting. I will be going to Tizimín! Not only that, but I’m going to be training a new missionary this upcoming transfer. Pretty scary!
Elders Hill and Gutierrez with dog
Okay, now a little bit about the week. It was a bit of a bumpy ride. On Friday night, we received a call from the bishop telling us that Mateo’s dad was furious. Mateo’s dad? We had been told several times that he wasn’t involved anymore. We called to talk with him, but he never called back.
Saturday morning rolled around, and we had been praying our hearts out for a miracle. Then we got a call from Mateo’s dad’s girlfriend, and she told us that Orlando was still very upset, but at this point, he just didn’t care. She told us to go ahead with the baptism. Miracles exist—they really do.
Monte and Elder Gutierrez with family
Now, time for a crazy story! While eating with a member, she told us she rents the top floor of her house as an Airbnb, and casually mentioned that a renter was murdered in the very room we were in by her crazy, Satanic worshipping husband. We were kind of freaking out!
Well, now, I’m getting ready to go baptize Jhoan and then make my way over to Playa del Carmen to say goodbye to Cozumel for a long time. I’m sad, but I’m excited for what’s to come!
Selvin and Yarima at family activity
Caleb
Yarima offered to help me make some fajitas and some good chicken, beans, and rice for meal prep. I drove up to her house with all the ingredients and we made some food! Itzel wanted a ride on my Navi so I gave her one. Yarima also made some dinner, and that was good.
Then on Friday. Braden and Brooke did an old western murder mystery party in West Jordan at Mom and Dad's. My character was a classy gambler. It was so fun to see everyone in character and dressed up!
Mom and Dad at murder mystery activity
Thank you, Braden and Brooke, and to all of you for participating in such a fun family activity. Endia, Mom, and many of the other children spend all day decorating the “saloon.”
Kai was also right when he said that we went a little overboard on costumes. When Mom said to me, “We need to go all out for this one,” it was as if the floodgates of irresponsible spending were opened, and “Uncle Woody” was fully unleashed!
Let’s just say that we hope to sell at least some of the costume items back on eBay after the activity concluded. Everyone looked amazing, and all played their parts magnificently. Troy’s Texan accent was especially good, and Selvin was our cantinero (bartender) for the evening!
Hill house in autumn