5.31.15

Last day of May! Summer is just around the corner. Yah! I'm ready to be done. 3 more preschool days. School gets out June 12th.

Dance festival was this weekend.  It was so good. I laughed & cried. It was so awesome to see 900 youth all gathered together to have fun that all have the same beliefs. Keagan had fun and did a great job! Sadly, I don't have many pictures of it. He did a ton paso Doble and a swing dance in sailor outfit. That one was so cute! He also sang in the choir.

Friday I got to sub at woodland, pres. Warning is the principal there. I worked with Jennifer tillaman that is in lacey 5 ward. It's a fun school with lots of lds employees and kids that go there.

Big news in the ward.. Bishop Erickson got a job in utah near Ogden.  They will be moving in a couple of weeks!  And Mary Jane had her baby Friday, a boy, Issac. Let the speculation begin for a new bishop.  Haha

We also dog babysat this week. My mom and step dad went on a little vacation to the San Juan islands. It was a little tricky keeping our cat, precious,  and their dog apart. But it was fun. Their dog, patches is really well behaved. She's a perfect old person dog. ;)

We had a great talk today about repentance and the loving arms of our Savior.  I actually wrote down one of the quotes, "Repentance means there is always greater happiness ahead". She really emphasized the Saviors loving arms and that he is always there waiting there for us with outstretched loving arms. We are the ones that don't think we are good enough and thinking bad thoughts, but the Savior never does!

I know, I really shouldn't wait until Sunday nights to write, I feel rushed for time sometimes,  but it seems like the best things happen on Sundays!

Oh, Jc price (who was our missionary and went home in September. . And dated melissa a little bit) got engaged this weekend.  He called me a couple of weeks ago and told me about it. Sorry not sorry. . I talk about "my boys" so much. I love them and love when they call and text me! Especially with such exciting news! :)

I love all of you, too! Keep up the good work!

I will keep you in my prayers!

Love

Sis Shoop

5.24.15

I love a 3 day weekend!  I feel like I can get everything I want in. Work, church, and fun. We always get church in, but sometimes it's a choice between the other two. 

Saturday night we went to my moms house in Shelton.  We took a drive through the country side. It was nice and relaxing.  My step dad drove our car and the 3 Shoop s squished in the back. I enjoyed snuggling up with keagan, too. ;) It was fun conversation and pretty views. (The water pics and deer). And then we went back for brownies and ice cream!

Sunday was another ward conference for me. Lacey 6th ward, Bishop Ostler. He is really a great speaker. Sis. Turner said it best, you can feel his love for his ward by just the way he conducts. He told a sweet story of how last week he was watching a mom and toddler with the sacrament. He was sharing how he was watching this toddler grab onto the tray, both hands.. and then the mom pried one hand away and then he would grab with the other and then when she finally got it away from him, he grabbed a handful and plopped it into his mouth. Haha

But then, the best part, the bishop got all choked up and he said how much love he had for this child and how it made him think of his love for the Savior and love of the sacrament.  How he imagined we all should be, hungering after the sacrament for all that it symbolizes and really we should want and hunger for it and want a whole loaf of bread.  I love when people relate a story that maybe I would laugh at or roll my eyes at and turn it into something so meaningful that I probably wouldn't think of. Another reason to come to your meetings all the time!

He also talked about a time he was weighed down with worry and sadness for several people in his ward. He said, then the sweet thought came to him that he didn't have to have that burden, The Savior Jesus has already taken care of that for us. 

It's funny how some days some songs really hit you. I had two songs today that touched me. A lot of times songs hit me and make me cry, this time it was different.  It made me smile and very happy. It was a song that I'm familiar with,  but had never touched me before, hymn #52, The day dawn is breaking. Especially verse 2 and 4.

Verse 2

 In many a temple the Saints will assemble And labor as saviors of dear ones away. Then happy reunion and sweetest communion We’ll have with our friends in the beautiful day.

I have a special place in my heart for friends and it just made me happy to think of being with all our family and friends! I love stake temple days when you can see so many people you love in the temple!

I also loved today, #105, master the tempest ..

So many great hymns!

Another highlight this week,  I had a couple of phone calls and text messages from my rms. I just love those guys and they often make my day! I'm sure you all have some great members there, too. I love my missionaries,  and when they go home, it doesn't change. Thank goodness for modern technology and cell phones to keep in touch!

Love you all! We pray for you individually by name often! 

Sister shoop

5.17.15

Hi Everyone!

Pictures explanation first: My Mother’s day gifts. Bro. Shoop contacted Lauren Pace (Falter) to draw/paint those pictures for me. (Melissa gave him the idea). He is usually not to good at surprising me, but he pulled it off and surprised me! I love them. At first I wasn’t too sure of the faceless people.. but then I look in the mirror and see wrinkles.. and pimples (I never thought that when you were an adult 40+ years that you would still be getting pimples...) they faceless pictures aren’t soo bad! 

In preschool, we had had day. I had all the children bring hats and try on this lovely hat we have at our house. I have so many hats. It is a fun preschool day! Me, in the big Sombrero (that we got at goodwill.. I love it!)

And Transfer mtg, saying goodbye to Elder Oliphant. It was a very bittersweet goodbye.

Transfer mtg was Tuesday. “Only” 7 missionaries went home this time. The last few meetings that we went to there were 20+ going home. They have all the departing missionaries give their testimonies, so these meetings can get very long! 3+ hours. I thought since there were only 7 going home that this one would be shorter. It was, but it was still long for only 7 missionaries. 2 Hours. They had more musical numbers than usual. And they have these little skit things they do to welcome the new missionaries in.. they seem like they are getting more elaborate and lengthy... In fact, Sis. Blotter, the mission president’s wife, said,” I’m not sure if we have raised the bar or lowered the bar..” The testimonies and musical numbers were great! And I did get teary eyed! I have loved being around Elder Oliphant so much! He is one of the few that I have the opportunity to stay in contact with quite a while. We got to know him pretty well while he served in our area for 6 months, but then we got to still see him on occasion in other areas at various missionary events. Because he played the violin & borrowed Melissa’s violin, we got to see him and talk to him more often. Then, the last 2 transfers he has been in Lacey 3rd ward and we have got to see him more often. I think we became even closer to him while he was in Lacey 3. It has been a great experience!

I got to “talk” (Facebook message) with him last night. He is doing well! I was messaging him and then a couple of my other rms. It just made me feel so blessed by these Young men that have served in our area. They call me “Mama Shoop” And last night (and often), I was just feeling almost overwhelmed by the love I have for them & the love I feel from them & all of you serving missions. All of you are so awesome! I’m very proud of you serving the Lord by being obedient and serving a mission!

This week I subbed in a developmentally delayed preschool class. It is fun.. but sure busy. These kids need constant gentle reminders. I’m exhausted at the end of those days. Sometimes when they are naughty, I have a hard time not laughing. There was this petite little girl at the sensory table...  The sensory table had dry beans in it and then some toys and plastic insects. She would pick up the insects and very loudly say, “What the heck!?” She would say it over and over and over... Well one time, she said the other way.. you know .. not heck.. and I had to stifle my laugh!!! Oh my goodness! So, she says it once and I just ignore her, she goes on with the “What the heck” over and over, and then says the other way.. H.e...(trying to keep it rated G for you missionaries...) So, I just say to her, we say, “What the heck” and she just nods, and says “What the heck” and I don’t hear the other again. Wheww..  I’m glad that was an easy correction! haha

The Houskeepers came home from their mission in Florida recently. They spoke today. They did a great job. It was very interesting, too. I hope that Ray and I can go on a mission when we are older! All the older couples that go that I’ve heard about sound great. Don’t get me wrong, they sound like a lot of work, but great, too.

Keagan is done with driver’s ed! Can you believe it?! I can’t! So, now if he wants to or we want him to, he could get his license on his 16th bday, July 15. (He prob. won’t) He’s really glad it is over!

Dance festival is in a couple of weeks. He has been busy with that. He is in one of the “specialty” dances, the swing dance, so it he has been having practice every Saturday for quite a while. This past Saturday he had dance practices from 9-11:30 and 12-2! They perform Sat., May 30th at St. Martin’s college. It will be fun to watch! There are 5 stakes involved, Lacey, Lakewood, Centralia, Elma, and Olympia.

I hope you have a great week!

Love you!

Sis Shoop

5.10.15 Happy Mother's Day

I can't believe I almost forgot my letter!! Today had been one of those crazy, but good days.

Keagan made me breakfast.. with a little instruction. And then we went early to lacey 3 ward to elder Oliphant speak. He is going home on Wednesday. He gave a great talk and it was really nice to see several people when love in that ward.

We went to our ward and it was good, too. I subbed for primary,  the Val 8 class. They're a pretty fun group. And then Rs, the priesthood brought us in cake or fruit for the people who wanted it. 

And then we drove out to my moms in shelton. The Missionaries were just leaving.  It was a fun visit, too. We always stay just a little bit later than we want...

Last night keagan went to the elma stake dance. Oh, brother! He's all bragging, I got 3 girls #s. Oh that boy! He is sooooo girl crazy!!!

Ray and I went and visited my dad who lives in Elma while the dance was going on. My dad... he is so .. interesting!  He is not a member.  He drinks, smokes, and curses! Sometimes a lot.  But he has the sweetest and kindest heart. He wanted to watch a movie when we were there. One of the movies he thought about watching was rated R. I asked him if we could watch another movie not rated R. He was a little surprised,  but luckily did. Sometimes he's onery about things like that. So im glad he did!

He teased me a little about it the rest of the night. See even when you're old there's peer pressure! 

Well, it's late, so I need to go! Love you all so much! And I can't wait to hear about you talking with your families!!!

Love, 

Sis Shoop

The picture Melissa posted of us on Facebook to wish me a Happy Mother's Day. And just so you know...it was before RS started.  And me and my mom when I was little.. many moons ago.

5.3.15

How can it be May already? The rest of our week went better. Nothing too scary or exciting.

Saturday was busy. I had stake children of record baptisms. I really love these! Bro. Alexander used to ,say when he was the high counselor in charge, something to the effect that when you are making covenants and witnessing them, the spirit is always strong. I loved listening to him bear his testimony about it, he would always get a little choked up about it, too. It was nice for our ward, we had Caleb Hopkins and Kia Kinney & then the Houskeeper twins.

Keagan had dance festival practice from 10-2! 2 hours for the paso and 2 for the swing speciality dance he's in. The dance festival is coming up soon and will be fun! It is going to be at st. Martin's the 30th of may. It is 5 stakes, the usual 4 - lacey, oly, elma, Centralia,  and lakewood.

While he was at dance practice,  we went and got elder Oliphant and his companion and took them out to lunch at casa Mia to say goodbye.  He is going home in 10 days. . 9 now.

Sorry josh.. we were joking (your parents included) about some of your pictures on Facebook with Issac.  Issac is usually front and center and then the missionaries.  I told the williamsons that I would get a pic of me and Oliphant like that.. that's the pic of him and I. (Really,  I love seeing the pics of Elder Josh williamson! )

As always, it was fun visiting with the missionaries and hearing his plans for when he goes home.

After that we dropped them off and drove to the temple.  It was terrible traffic getting there! But as always, so nice to be in the temple.  We were on sealing teams. It was great to hear those promises and blessings for forever families and be there with my awesome husband and think back on our special day. :) We were married in the wa DC temple. It was a great day, but a little sad, too. I didn't have any family or friends there for me. It was all Rays side. I did have a tender mercy that day, though. ( Im sure more than one!) But, one of my friends from college just happened to be there visiting and had just decided that she wanted to drive by the temple to see it. She was only on the temple grounds 5 mins or so, but "just happened" to be there when we walked out! We were both surprised to see each other and that was the hug I needed! I wish I knew where she was now! Maybe I'll have to do a little investigating. . Starting with her last name...

Have a good week!  I can't wait to hear all about your Skyping home! I'm so excited for everyone! !!

Love you!

Sister shoop

And a pic of keagan while he was babysitting!  :)