Following Family and Friends: 28 April 2013

Thanks to [Jesus Christ], wounded souls may be healed and broken hearts may be mended. There is no burden that He cannot ease or remove. He knows about our infirmities and sicknesses. I promise and testify to you that when all doors seem to be closed, when everything else seems to fail, He will not fail you. -Elder Walter F. González

Everyone is a genius. But is you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. -Albert Einstein

Events
30 April Magdalyn (Trent's) 2003
1 May Caden 2001
2 May Erik
5 May Cara and Barry were married in 2000 (Salt Lake Temple if I read Mom's handwriting right)

Missionary updates-

Cameron-have been teaching a couple about how getting married is part of the repentance process in preparation for getting baptized. A day after talking to them, ..."I got a text from Roger asking when Elder Black was going to get transferred, so I said when, and they texted back that they were going to get married right before he leaves. I was so happy I jumped in the air with my arms up and shouted right in the middle of someone talking. They all looked at me like I was nuts, but I told them what it was and everyone was cool with it. So now we are sort of planning a wedding along with everything else. Things are great here and I love this mission."

Liam- is having success with many investigators, helping them feel the spirit. He is being transferred after being in 67h for 6 months. A bittersweet time!
Finally, he writes, "So we watched conference this weekend and it was awesome! I loved it! It was so perfect. I received a ton of answers to prayers and solutions. What a blessing it is to have modern day prophets."

Robbie has to run into the most bizarre folks I have ever heard of, this week, telling of an interesting woman whose son is a "chicken whisperer." He sure has run into some weird people! He also had a baptism this week and is hoping for another one, helping a woman kick the smoking habit.

Easton's letter this week kept making me smile! Here is a rather long quote (sorry) that covers two topics....
Mark (an investigator) has decided that it is time to get married and that he won't stand in the way. This has been the problem since day one. We had a plan to teach about prophets and some other commandments but I felt inspired to teach the Plan of Salvation. As we taught, I think the reality of the plan sunk in for Mark. That Linda couldn't get baptized until they were married and that if she isn't baptized she can't progress in this life. He stopped us mid lesson, out of the blue and said "You know what boys, I'm ready. I'm not going to stand in the way anymore. Linda, I will marry you."
I was shocked. Ladies and Gentlemen. Miracles happen.

I am doing well, loving mission life and really enjoying my studies. I recently finished the Book of Mormon and decided that this time as I read through that I would really study it. I have been reading a chapter a day and I have been astounded at the amount of things I am learning. There are stories and principles in the first five chapters I swear weren't there before. They have taught me a ton about leadership and how to help others to be obedient. It has been great."

Katie sent me an email that should be of pretty great interest to most of you. Here it is in it's entirety..
One time a few years ago (maybe in 2007 or so when I was newly married), I decided to ask Grandma about some "life lessons" she'd learned throughout her life--some advice I could just take note of. Each time I visited, I'd jot down a few more quotes of things she shared. I ended up not doing this very many times, but the things she shared really stuck with me so I wanted to share them.

Marriage

1. Never ever ever ever say negative things about your husband in a group--even good-naturedly.

2. Never say things that are so hurtful to your husband that you'll wish later you hadn't said them. Conduct quarrels in a way that you don't have to hurt.

Money

1. Don't insist your husband spend money you don't have. If he's careful enough to not want debt, support him. If you can't afford it, you can't afford it.

2. Don't marry a guy who you know can't afford to keep you.

Education

1. Encourage kids to get as much education as they possibly can. It's one of the most important things you can give your children; that is, the desire for education.

Raising kids

1. Don't yell as much.

2. You can't treat all kids alike. They're not alike--they're different.

3. Kids need to learn how to work and to have jobs assigned so they learn how to do different things. Rotate so they learn how to do everything.

4. They jobs that have to be done now, do yourself--not the kids. For example, you do the dishwasher emptying, but let the kids to the vacuuming.

Cara's blog entry was funnies that her kids have said. Here are a few of my favorites...

Ami: Can I have my own room?
Mom: Nope! Sorry!
Ami: But Hyrum has his own room! It's not fair!
Ami starts muttering under her breath: Murder...murder...murder...

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Hallie's thoughts on a nursing baby: Mom, you are Hyrum's portable drinking fountain.

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Ami: I'm a superhero! I can fly!
Mom: Awesome. What sorts of things would make you need to fly?
Ami: If I needed to save a bird...that had a knife in its chest.
Mom: Wow. What else do you do?
Ami: Well, if someones leaves a balloon...or a knife...laying around, I can run really fast and get it before Hyrum does.
Mom: Whoa. What else?
Ami: If there is a knife on a wire, I can get it super fast.
Mom: Interesting.
Ami: And if someone chops off my head...with a knife...I can still see. I'm amazing.

Last week was BYU's graduation. Last week, I left off that Rachel's husband, Greg was graduating as well. Here are some pictures from all the graduates.

Greg-- Chemical Engineering

Skjelse--Political Science

Kenny--Geographic Information Systems

Finally, Ole received his award. A lot of family attended. I wish I could have come. Natalie said that she wore a bunch of Mom's jewelry, so that Mom could attend in spirit. :o)

the siblings that could attend....