LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU SO MUCH WITH ALL OF MY HEART FOREVER! YOU ARE SO SO PRECIOUS TO ME!  

I went to college for four years and got a double degree in psychology and reverse psychology. I learned nothing.  HA~~!!

I love praying for your investigators. How has your week been?  How are you doing/feeling?  How are they doing/feeling? Can't wait for all your news.  

I had an interview with the Bishop today to check up on primary. He talked about all the missionaries coming home this summer, Preston Crapo this Wednesday, Elder Christensen July 5, Elder Shannon July 25, Elder Hunt July 28, Jens August 1st and Rufus August 19th.  He said "I don't know if it's sitting in this chair or just that I love these boys, but I just can't wait for all of them to come home this summer!" It was so sweet.  

Tanner Garner came forward in Sacrament meeting today and announced his mission call to Colombus, Ohio!  His mission includes Kirtland.  We expect to send Tanner, Spencer, Tanner Ayre, Jonathan Crapo and Hans Olsen out this summer!  It's pretty fantastic!  Tanner leaves July 19th! 

We had the sister missionaries here to share lunch with us yesterday. One is from Australia and finishes in July, the second has just been out a week from California. They gave Spence some getting ready advice including memorizing the teaching tips from chapter 10 and memorizing Joseph Smith's account of the First Vision. It was just so fun to have them here. They shared the Restoration message and prayed with us.  

It is spring here. It has been so warm. Joseph and I cleaned out the ditches this week for the watering turn to start. I am just so in awe at the beauty of this world. It is so deliciously gorgeous.  Days in the sun surrounded by green are heavenly. Fun times. 

We had the cup lesson in Mission Prep  and heard again the story of the little old lady with three religion based degrees in Germany, the story of the Stephensons and many others. We were driving the kids to mission prep and I was just asking questions.  I asked about what natural wonders God has created that they think are the most beautiful and Jake Hunt said "girls'. At least he's honest!  :). 

We had an awesome family night. I invited the kids to choose a principle from chapter three of PMG and teach it in just a few sentences. It is amazing how the Spirit enters and blesses us with that sweet feeling of joy when truth is taught. 

Saturday Joseph took Annie to her school prom/formal dance event. Very darling. I'll send pictures. 

We had a rocking campfire Friday night. Night games, ukelele, Cat lady. (She didn't come, we just talked about her). Life is good :). 

We've been sharing one roll of toilet paper for days until sweet Dad went to Costco.  Spencer called for toilet paper and Joseph said "I'm not helping you kid! Pull your pants up!" I'm sure you have really missed us.  :).  

Morning scripture study has been pretty great lately. Spen is especially tired.  "fortifications" become "fornications".  I hope enough truth is getting through :).  

Coy and Haven finished finals and recovered from the play, Spencer fasted about his eligibility date, Joseph played two soccer games and went to a birthday party of a girl because he thought very few would be there, Annie loves to hang out with friends (some new boys moved in the neighborhood) Seth wants to sign up for cross country, archery, and MMA fighting. He is so darling. Dad is doing better, feeling better. 

Monique Welker told a story from a mission homecoming she attended recently. The sister giving her mission report told of a day where they knocked on every door in every apartment complex, no one would listen, but something didn't feel quite right. They realized they had missed one door. In true fourth floor last door style, they went back to it. A woman answered who was flustered and packing up her things. The kids were running around kind of crazy. The sisters asked her if she had ever wondered who she was, why she was here, where she was going and what the purpose of life is. She told them she asked herself those questions every day. They were Spanish missionaries and they had to turn her over to the English elders. As the missionary was going home an Elder told her that that day that woman was packing because she was planning to take her own life, and instead is now attending church.   

I want you to know, Elder Christensen, on this beautiful fast and testimony day that I cherish my knowledge of God's unending love and interest in even the tiniest details of our lives. How humbling that he loves, how wonderous that he cares.  I know this is His church, President Monson is His prophet, the Book of Mormon his truth and Joseph Smith His instrument.  I yearn to come closer to Him, and to come closer to be like Him.  By the grace of God go I, day by day, hour by hour.  

Linda K. Burton learned a phrase in Africa she just loves; slowly by slowly, small by small.  I also love "life by the inch it's a cinch, by the yard it's hard." It's okay to just keep moving forward and enjoy the incredible miracles when they come, and love the wondrous ordinary and every day as well.  Every day is a gift.  Every breath, every person, every sunrise. Thank you for your patient, faithful optimism always.  

Here's a parting thought that I love so much about prayer from President Kimball:

As I share the following questions that President Spencer W. Kimball asked a group similar to this, consider your own humility and the sincerity of your own prayers: “Do you want guidance? Have you prayed to the Lord for inspiration? Do you want to do right or do you want to do what you want to do whether or not it is right? Do you want to do what is best for you in the long run or what seems more desirable for the moment? Have you prayed? How much have you prayed? How did you pray? Have you prayed as did the Savior … or did you ask for what you want regardless of its being proper?”

President Kimball then continued: “Do you say in your prayers: ‘Thy will be done’? Did you say, ‘Heavenly Father, if you will inspire and impress me with the right, I will do that right’? … Did you say, ‘Father in Heaven, I love you, I believe in you, I know you are omniscient. I am honest. I am sincerely desirous of doing right. I know you can see the end from the beginning. You can see the future. You can discern if under this situation I present, I will have peace or turmoil, happiness or sorrow, success or failure. Tell me, please, loved Heavenly Father, and I promise to do what you tell me to do.’ Have you prayed that way? Don’t you think it might be wise? Are you courageous enough to pray that prayer?”⁹

Thank you for not just praying that prayer, but living that prayer every day. You teach me so much.

I love you forever and ever. May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Love your mama