I don't feel like we know Elder Stoddard very well. I'd love a few more lines about him. Would he be willing to share his letter with us? What is his personality like? What about his family?
How are your zone responsibilities coming along?
Is there anything you want for Christmas par tick u lar ly?
Oh Mook I just want to wrap my arms around you and hug your socks right off. I'm so grateful, happy, blessed, in constant awe that I get to be a part of your life. You are absolute joy.
We've had a hard and tender week. We lost Ron Simmons this week. Ron and Stephanie Simmons were our best favorite friends in Florida. Remember Stephanie Simmons? Angel Rylan who never spoke? Ron was taken by leukemia. It's so hard.
I learned a lot at his funeral. He was the last speaker at his own funeral. He asked for faith and prayers, hoping to be healed, but in the end he said "I don't know what the Lord has in store for me, but I am ready to accept his will." Just like the Savior, he pled for the bitter cup of death to pass, but in the end he then was asked to give up his life, and he was willing.
It is such a gift just to be alive, to be able to walk, breath, see, feel the sun warm our faces and hug someone. Life is such a precious precious gift.
It is so easy to not notice and recognize the gifts we enjoy second by second because they seem so ordinary and they are so universal.
I've been thinking a lot about our "sense of entitlement", in other words, what we believe is our due our what is owed to us. I feel that where we place that line makes nearly all the difference. So many walk away from the church because they feel they were owed something they didn't receive. Brigham Young taught that all any of us deserve is to be cast into hell. In that light, every single breath, blink and step is just a big giant gift.
I went up to see Stephanie. She is so incredible. She is in so much sorrow and pain but she said "It is like the Lord gave me a million dollars, letting me be married with him for all those years. How can I turn around and be mad that I didn't get more money?"
We had Annie and Seth with us and they asked us to buy a hamburger for a beggar. The guy looked like he really needed it. It was so cold outside.
Family is doing great. Dad is doing so much better. I love that man so much. He is my best boyfriend. We had a lot of fun this week putting up Christmas and watching Claymation, little cutie Christmas babies. We are not going to Mexico this year, so we're hoping to do a lot of service here.
Friday we were able to go help Grandma Carol. I don't know if we told you that she suffered the loss of her home to a fire. Her unit didn't actually burn, but 8 of the 10 on her row did and everything in her home is destroyed. We removed and boxed things and got the furniture ready to go. It was quite sobering for the kids to see it.
Friday night we played games with Krista. She was hilarious! John was there and when she found out he hadn't received his endowments she told him not to worry about it, he'd have his garments on in no time. She told everyone how old she was and said "and i"ve never died my hair, never will." She made up hand actions to "Let it Snow" and told us she made them up on the spot and had never done that before in her life.
SILVERRUSH!! Childhood cancer for 7 specific families in our area. The kids are coming to the school. The kids are so excited about it. pen is doing Battle of the Bands this Friday. Joseph needs a haircut so bad and wants to go get his license. Joseph did odd jobs this wee.
I shared m
Has the Light the World initiative reached you in Taiwansiepooks? It is AWESOME! 25 ways in 25 days, light the world with His Love!
I shared my testimony today. It was so cool because right before I went up I was so filled with the Spirit my feet were actually tingling. I was ringing head to toe. I love the Spirit so much. I just expressed my awe and gratitude for God's love, and how he never gives up on anybody.
How is Kirsten's Mom doing?
I love you my boy. Please be careful and take good care of yourself.
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