1.11.15

This week was a busy and exhausting week. We were spoiled with sleeping in and not doing much. Monday was a harsh awaking to reality! But it was a good week, too! The picture that is purple is what made my week! As Missionaries, I’m sure you know the importance and love of “snail” mail. Below is what I posted on Facebook about it.

I got this card in the mail today with no signature or return address that says, "Thank you for all you do. I hope you have a great day. Know that you are loved by many."
It made my day..week. .year! I'll save it! Thanks to whoever did this! Now time to figure out something to pay it forward!

Isn’t that awesome! I was really touched by this and then even more grateful and feeling blessed that I knew of a few people who it could have been!

I know.. I’m on Facebook too much... but anyways.. on Friday I saw that Adam Chichoski posted a picture of the Portland temple. I was confused since Melissa was just visiting with him since he just came to Provo to go to UVU in January. So, between several messages, I figured out that he came for his cousins wedding and was there. We were going to Eugene and were planning on stopping in Portland for a couple of hours, so we made arrangements to see him and go out to lunch with him. So fun and so unexpected! (Adam Chichoski served in our ward as a missionary last year & last Christmas ‘12 – the elders had spent all day with us. He went home this past summer to Vegas.)

So on to our fun news! We left Sat. morning, had lunch with Chichoski and then made it just in the nick of time for Jason’s baptism. I was sweating it a little. We had also stopped at the outlet stores and our gps told us we were to get there at 4:56 when it started at 5. It was an awesome experience! The room was full with people supporting him! His mom, gma, and brother were able to come also. They are very supportive and his older brother even mentioned that he is going to start looking into our religion. They said they were proud of him! So, that’s pretty awesome! Jason asked to bear his testimony at the end! Who does that?! He is so excited to be a member. It’s really awesome!!

Keagan, Bro. Shoop, and I spent the night in a hotel. That is pretty exciting stuff right there and a treat. They had flat screen tvs which was awesome because we are serious Seahawk fans and the game was on! We sacrificed a little of it for Jason’s baptism. 

Today, Sunday, was good also. We went to the YSA ward!!! hahaha   to see Jason’s confirmation. Of course it was wonderful! We were laughing at being in a ysa ward, though! The bulletin cracked us up, too. On the inside listed the callings, FHE specialist, housing coordinator, it seems like there was some more, too, that I cant remember. And of course, it was sooo quiet in there! No screaming babies. They meet in a institute building near the campus.

Big news, again, for Melissa. I figure at this time of life that happens often. She was all set to go to UVU in provo. She had set up her classes and was getting everything ready. But not everything was falling into place. She was wondering what was going on. Then, she got 2 letters of acceptance to 2 different colleges. Utah state in Logan and University of Utah (I think that is what its called.. ) in SLC. So, she has decided to choose one of them instead. She hasn’t made any choices yet, but will decide soon. She has several pluses and minus for both... so we’ll see. She said she wants to look and see what kind of programs they have to offer, which is better for what she wants to major in. (Sports marketing or marketing). The other good news was that she finally got a job! I laughed so much because she is not a morning person and it starts at 5 or 6 A.M.!!!!! It is at a sandwich shop called Kneaders. She said it is a lot like Panera. She does drive through and fixing smoothies and coffees.

One of the other fun things we did today.. Keagan thought it would be hilarious (and I think so, too) to go around to the different Oregon Ducks signs and Oregon signs and take his picture with them wearing his UW hoodie. oh my goodness.. that kid! oh, and another funny he said today while we were talking to Melissa... He was telling her about competing in DECA this coming week and what category he was going to compete in. He told her and then said, well, If, I were competing in picking up girls.... I could go to Nationals! hahahahahaha And in case you wanted to know.. he’s still texting that girl, Morgan.

The last picture is of our little family with out Miss, with Elder Pyne. He just got transferred to Silverdale. It was kind of funny because he stopped by to say goodbye and the boys in our family had already changed for the evening and I was still in my dress.

I love you all!!! So much! And you’re always in my prayers. Keep up the good works!

Love,

Sis. Shoop