2.19.17

I had something else in mind to write tonight, but then something else came up.
One of my first missionary boys that served in the WATac isn't doing to well. Blake Green.
(Here he is on the right when he first came out).

He's in the hospital. Here is what his mom wrote:

Hey everyone.
I just wanted to thank every single one of you who fasted for Blake and had him in your thoughts and prayers. I feel like we are already seeing miracles from all of your faith.
I have some updates on how Blake is doing right now. We talked to the infectious disease team at the hospital today and they gave us some more information about what's going on with Blake. So the official cause of Blake's issues is this thing called "fuso bacterium" or Lemierre's Syndrome. He does not have legionella/Legionnaire's Disease, and that information was miscommunicated by the neurosurgeons. The fuso bacterium is what caused his sore throat in the first place. His throat was so sore at one point that it caused some tearing and the bacteria entered the bloodstream and into the lungs and brain. That bacteria caused the abscess in his brain which messed with his ability to communicate, as well as a tiny little blood clot which made the right side of his body lose movement. Both of those are why Blake needed the surgery on his brain. Because of what the bacteria is, he's already been being treated for it (from the time we brought him to the hospital) and he's already reacting positively to it, and they're planning on taking him off of the unnecessary antibiotics.
He is doing so well already today, given what's been going on, and the fact that he was just in surgery two nights ago.
I could not be more grateful for all of you and I know our families are beyond grateful, too. We have been so blessed. Blake still has a long way to go, and we would all appreciate it if you could keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

So, I would like to ask you for your prayers for him too. He calls me momma Shoop and he means the world to me!

We went to a wedding this weekend of Shantae and Jordan Williamson. (Bishop's oldest son). He looked so happy! He was my first to write missionary letters to. He started my tradition and it kept on through Josh, Logan, and Jesse. And then everyone else when they went out and came home. I'm so grateful for all my "extra kids".
We got to go to a missionary fireside tonight and it made think of all my memories of missionaries! So many firesides and transfer meetings! There was a 2 year stretch or so that I didn't miss one. Sadly for the first time ever, I don't even know who my missionaries are! Eek!


Lacasse came to visit at the missionary fireside.


At the wedding.


Helping with clean up of reception.


Love you all!
Sister shoop
Sent from my iPhone

2.13.17

hope this gets to most of the missionaries in time, I guess if it doesn't, you'll have two next week.

I had an interesting experience this week. I sub a lot at the elementary schools. I never know what my job is going to entail. Sometimes I'm recess duty, sometimes I'm doing small groups, helping kids out. Most of the time it's a lot of fun. Those mornings I go, in my prayers, I ask to be a good example, to be kind to everyone, and have a good day. I've been subbing at 7 oaks a few times lately and there has been this person that works there that I can not tell if they are male or female. (Welcome to Olympia). This week, I worked in the room that this person works in. From what I gathered, this person is a he, but maybe changing into a she.. I don't know. They have a male voice, but woman features. But my point is.. a primary song came into my head,

“Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught.”

I was nice to this person. ( It wasn't hard, they were a really nice person). I could tell that not many people talk to this person, and they had a beautiful smile.
I think it's important to nice to everyone even if you don't agree or understand their lifestyle. Anyways.. it was a good experience.
This week it poured!!! We set a record for rainfall! I heard that Tumwater Falls was overflowing. So, of course, I wanted to go see it. It's one of my favorite places to go anyways. We couldn't make it until Sunday afternoon. It was a beautiful sunny day. It wasn't overflowing anymore, but come down fast and loud! I love the sound of the rushing water.


These are the walls it was spilling over.


We also went to this little scenic park in Tumwater. It's amazing! You can see the Olympic mountains to the left, the water of downtown Olympia and the Capitol in the middle and to the right Mt. Rainier! (You can tell by my directions, I'm not from Utah! Ha! No north, east, from me)


Love ya!
Have a good week!
Sis Shoop
Sent from my iPhone

2.5.17

The excitement of the day.. snow! I know most of you are where there is a lot of snow and are sick of it. Well, I'm a little sick of it and winter, too, but we don't get that much here. It starting snowing/raining this morning. When we were at church, it switched over and hasn't stopped, yet. It's predicted to snow until noonish tomorrow. We just got the text.. no school tomorrow! The make up day is February 21. 

Coming out of church. 

A couple hours later. 

Now 

This weekend Ray and I went to Ocean Shores by ourselves! It was a late birthday present to ourselves. It's the first time Ray has had a Friday off that he wasn't scheduled at Marshalls (his part time 2 night a week job). So, we had to miss out on a couple things, but there is always something! So we decided to go. 

It was cold and rainy. I still loved it. I love the ocean. I'm a true Washingtonian.. I think I prefer it colder than hot. Poor Ray was being a good sport, but didn't love it. He was freezing!!

We got free t shirts from T-mobile. Ray wears this for bedtime and every time, it cracks me up! He got new glasses, too

In Rs, we talked about this talk. https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2016/10/lest-thou-forget?lang=eng&_r=1

One of the comments that stuck out to me was someone saying something like, her husband always says that when you go camping, you take care of your gear and your gear takes care of you. Same thing goes for your spirit. You take care of it by doing all the things you need to do and it will take care of you, too. 

Love you all!

Sister Shoop 

Sent from my iPhon