8.28.16

Hi! This week was a blur, but that's ok because the weekend is most important!
Stake conference was awesome!!!
We had two general authorities come to re organize our stake presidency. When they released them, it was so spiritual! The spirit was so amazing, I don't even have words.. Elder Murray read part of a letter from the first presidency talking about their honorable release and how they are loved and appreciated. Elder Murray went over how it is Heavenly Father and the Savior deciding not any man. It was truly a great a revelatory experience! Our new stake president is Pres Esquibel (Lacey 1 bishop) 1st counselor, Dale Ossler(Lacey 6 bishop), and Carter Hyatt, from McKenna (he was the bishop a year or two ago there) and is the brother of Brother Hyatt- Wade from Lacey 3 who was Melissa's seminary teacher. Such great men! One of my blessings of having a stake calling is that I have heard these great men speak and I know they are men of God. Isn't the church wonderful! I am so grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost that testifies of the truths of the gospel!
And now.. We are so excited and happy to go to Utah, leaving Tuesday- so next week there will be an overload of cute Hazel pics and pics of my rms!
And my friend Darri Guinto and her family will be on Utah and I'm going to see her! So happy!
Love you all!
Sis Shoop
Some cute Hazel pics to hold you over.

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8.21.16

In Sunday school today, we talked about the 2000 stripling warriors. Here are some of the things that were listed on the board about them:

2000 stripling warriors

Alma 53-63. 56:46-48

Valiant

Obedient

True

Knowledge 

Strong in faith

Covenant 

Fearless 

Protect

Keep commandments 

Strong family foundation 

Innocent

Brave

As we were talking about the stripling warriors, it reminded me of my missionaries. Those that have served and are serving. Those characteristics remind me of you! And I feel the affection for you all like Helaman felt for his warriors!

President Benson said,

"You have been born at this time for a sacred and glorious purpose. It is not by chance that you have been reserved to come to earth in this last dispensation of the fulness of times. Your birth at this particular time was foreordained in the eternities.

“You are to be the royal army of the Lord in the last days. …

“In the spiritual battles you are waging, I see you as today’s sons of Helaman. Remember well the Book of Mormon account of Helaman’s two thousand stripling warriors” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1986, 55; or Ensign, May 1986, 43; note that stripling means young man).

Earlier this summer we had planned this past week to go on vacation with my mom and Thom. We didn't plan what we were going to do, but had the dates blocked out. Well.. We didn't ever get anything set up, so we decided to take day trips. 

Monday, we went to Mt. Rainier

Tuesday we went to the ape caves at Mt. St. Helens.

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It was dark and cold in there, but beautiful! Keagan andAurora went on to the longer trail. 

The south side of Mt. St. Helens. 

On Wednesday, we started out later and went in the boat with my mom and Thom. It was lots of fun!

Keagan even caught a fish. He was pretty funny about not wanting to touch it!!

Thursday, we took a break. Keagan had to go to the school, too, for orientation stuff. 

Friday our youth had the 4 stake youth dance at the beach. Ray and I took keagan and a date to ocean shores. It was so hot in Lacey! In the high 90s! The beach was so refreshing! It was 80 at the beach, which is unheard of for our beaches! 

Keagan and his date, Sarah bagnall. (Sp?)

Love you all! Have a great week!

Sis. Shoop

8.14.16

Today has been a great day! It has been what I fee my life has been like the past several years. We went to Austin Falter's mission farewell and David Wolfs missionary homecoming. Oly 1st ward 9-12 and then Lacey 3 sacrament at 1. And then to the Falter's for an open house.
I love the youth and young adults so much. They (you) have to go through so many things and are so strong! The spirit was amazing at sacrament meeting!

Most of the week we have been lucky to have Cichoski and Pederson stay with us. Such fun rms and I'm grateful anytime any of my rms come and stay with us!


We took them to Tumwater Falls. We enjoyed the scenery.. And the Pokemon!

One thing that we have been trying to do more of lately is to go driving and discover new spots. This week we went to the Skookumchuck river. (Isn't that a fun name?!) and the Tenino rock quarry.


Also, this week was the youth run to the temple activity. Here is our ward youth at the temple.
Poor kids, they were the first session for baptisms, so they had to be there by 445 am. Keagan was home by 10. They had a great time and felt the spirit!
And the Seahawks played their first preseason game. Hazel (as always) looked so cute dressed up for it.

Love you all!
Sis Shoop