You beautiful precious boy! I've been counting down the hours to your letter.  I am so anxious and excited to hear about new companion, area, responsibilities, all of it! 

I try to express gratitude to my Heavenly Father for the blessing of being your mother, but there just aren't words that can express how I really feel, how blessed I am. I love you so much! 

We have still been praying for the Dali investigators. I wish you could hear Seth, it's so cute.  

Is it okay to send you audio recordings? Is that legal?

It has been quite a humbling and blessed week.  Dad has had a little setback with his health, but has been promised in an incredible priesthood blessing that he will get over this. He has been on a lot of medicine and it was too much for his liver, so the liver hasn't been working the best, but he has already improved.  There were several miracles associated with this event.  The first is the nurse said, "We are supposed to periodically check your liver by taking your blood, why don't we do it today?"  It wasn't specifically ordered for that day, but the Spirit guided her. Through this the trouble was discovered in a very timely manner.  There wouldn't have been another way to know until things were in a very bad condition.  He is off all meds and on complete bedrest and doing better. What a glorious and magnificent gift our bodies are!  

The priesthood blessing happened on Thursday night when everyone was here for Joseph's 16th.  Grandpa Raspberry blessed, Grandpa Jello anointed, Grandpa Ruel, Darrell and Drew stood in.  The Spirit was so so strong. No one wanted to leave the room afterward. Everyone stood and testified of the FAMILY and how they could feel the sealing connection between Dad and his father. It was very precious. 

Yesterday morning I was able to go on splits with the missionaries! I stayed with Sister Chinbold and we prepared for the baptism of a 14 year old boy, while Sister Calibalo and another sister went to teach a lesson.  We had time to sit and talk a little. This sweet sister hadn't heard from her family for three months. She is the only member in her family from Mongolia.  When she finally got a letter it was full of anger that she only thinks about church and isn't there helping them pay off their debts.  They berated her for not being there and working to contribute financially. When she did live at home she tended her little sister every day including dinner, homework and bedtime and her parents didn't get home until almost ten at night. She said she is building up the courage to tell her mother that she plans to stay and finish her mission.  So humbling. They are such sweet missionaries.  She is doing so well on the piano after only a few lessons, she wants to learn so badly. We sent that old keyboard home with them and they got permission to practice if they get up early.

WE NAILED LOVER'S LANE ON HALLOWEEN!  I took Joseph and Jake down and they hid in the trees with black wigs on. We piled Spen, Bailey, Kaden, Sham-wow (Kaden and Sham have now kissed, big news), and Annie Abby and Seth in the back of G Raspberry's truck on a mattress. I turned the truck completely off in the darkness and the kids were already saying "No, turn it back on" and then the boys ran out of the trees. IT WAS AWESOME!!!!  In your honor, we nailed Lover's Lane. 

Joseph had a huge bash for his 16th. It was such a great group of kids. We didnt' know he had any friends beside Jake and Avery. (Slight exaggeration but almost true). He had 49 awesome people in the backyard. Campfire, fugitive, capture the flag, we hid a treasure chest of candy in the trees and told people to go find it, dancing, it was super fun. The girl he has been texting a lot, Emily, is super super cute. We got to meet her.  You would have been proud of him. He's doing a lot of finding himself right now. He did very well last night. 

It has been a week full of birthday stuff.  Coy came up for his and we squished him and fed him and sang to him and played some games. He came up again Friday and well went to Fongo Bongo for his official birthday party. He's on his way up again now for all the grandparents coming over for dinner to night. We had Joseph's big birthday dinner Thursday night.

I finished a personal reading of the Book of Mormon this morning.  I cherish that precious book. The principles have helped guide my choices.  It's heroes have inspired me, it's stories have thrilled and taught me, and it's precious truths have fed my soul. It has brought me like Lehi of old to the tree to feel the delicious, sweet and infinite love.  After I finished reading I just looked up some favorite scriptures. I can't imagine my life without the Book of Mormon. Daily the phrase "frankly forgive" comes to mind when things come up. Nephi just rocks. I love Alma 37: 36-37 with it's invitation to counsel with the Lord in all my doings. King Benjamin's teachings about gratitude have been such a key concept for me.I love Mosiah 3:19.  I love 3 Nephi and how the Savior ministered one by one. Lately finishing the book I am so grateful for Mormon and Moroni and their powerful teachings sealed by their very lives laid down for the same.  

I want to give my life to my Heavenly Father, the Savior and the Holy Ghost, and do anything they want me to do.  We are atoned for, ransomed, redeemed, mediated for, advocated for, bought with a price, and .  saved. The only way for the atonement not to work is for us to deny it and walk away from it all, and not try.  I want to make of my life some wonderful picture of gratitude to show my love by the way I live for these incredible gifts.  

I love you Mckay Scott Christensen. I don't understand why I am so blessed to be your Mom. It is one of the best and sweetest gifts to me in time and eternity. Thank you for your love and patience with me. You have brought so much joy to my life. 

Love, Mom