missionary letters: 9.23.18

It’s been a good week. I feel like I’m finally getting into a routine.. mostly. The boy I work with- A, was gone a day this week and we just started going to groups during the day, so we’re almost on a routine. A is fun to be around so I’m pretty grateful to get to hang out with him. He needs a one on one because of medical problems. He has a g-tube that I need to go take him to the nurses office twice a day for his feeding. It takes about 15-20 mins each time. So, unfortunately he’s missing out on class time any time that happens. His family speaks Spanish and sometimes he doesn’t quite understand English. He couldn’t understand a phrase that a book said- green lit. He was thinking it was lit, like legit- the slang for cool. Not lit up as in a light. Hahaha

I got 75 lbs of apples and made and canned applesauce yesterday. I think we counted 39 quarts. I have an attachment for my kitchen aid, so it makes it a lot easier, but it’s still a lot of work! I just cut the apples in 4s and boil them and put it in the attachment and push it through with a spoon thing and one side comes out the applesauce and the other the seeds and peels. And then I add just a little sugar. Yum!

Today was super emotional. But that’s how I am, too. First we went to Macey Adams homecoming talk. She did a great job. The youth speakers were great, too. It’s been fun hearing so many peoples thoughts on the prophet coming. I love how everyone hears something different. The Holy Ghost is amazing!

One youth talked about how President Nelson said, I plead with you to read it (The Book of Mormon) every day,

you will be immunized against the evils of the day and be drawn closer to the Lord.”

This was one of my favorite quotes. The youth speaker told about his sister how she had to go get some shots- some immunizations- and afterwards the nurse gave her a pink bandage, she was wearing it around so proudly and showing it off, he compared the pink bandage to The Book of Mormon, we should be proudly showing off the Book of Mormon, too.

The next youth told of how everyone was talking about praying and having a question in mind to have answered, she said she kind of thought about it, but not too much. When she got there she realized she didn’t really pray about anything, and felt a little bad. She was listening intently though and felt the spirit and heard President Nelson say, the Lord likes effort! And that she was going to get to work and put more effort into it.

Macey did a great job, too and talked about how the ball is in our court. Heavenly Father and our Savior are always there for us, we need to reach out to them.

Elder Gessel of the area authority seventy was there, too. He only had a couple minutes, but talked about all the requests people had to meet with President Nelson and how badly he felt that he didn’t have time to do so. He said that he only met with one family that their story was near and dear to his heart. President Nelson’s daughter (I hope I get most of these facts straight..) had five daughters when she had cancer and passed away. The family he met with had 6 childeren, the Mom just had her 6th baby and had brain cancer and wasn’t expected to live much longer. President Nelson felt a special kinship with that family.

We found out that Melissa and Hazel might not be able to come this week. I totally understand why and I’m not going to get into The why’s, but needless to say I was sad about us not all being together before Keagan leaves. I think too that I had been holding it in all week and it all came tumbling out at the end of Oly 1st ward. The spirit was strong, too, so that helped..

Luckily I had a couple hours until our ward started to get myself together and get my eyes less puffy!

Our opening song made me a little weepy, but for a different reason. “Where can I turn for Peace”. It is one of my favorite songs. And I felt a tender mercy that my Heavenly Father is aware of me and loves me.

I don’t think I even cried during Keagan’s talk! He kept looking at me and I knew I had to sit there and smile! It’s when Bishop got up and ended the meeting saying how he’s known Keagan his whole life and how well he would do that I was just a little misty eyed again. And Keagan did a great job on his talk. He talked about the attributes of Christ from Preach my gospel. Gah I love that kid!!

We felt so loved by all our family and friends there and I know many more were there in spirit! Thanks for all your love and support.

Keagan leaves next week, Tuesday October 2. He’s being set apart Monday evening. Wish me luck this week!

We are going to the beach Thursday and Friday night. I’m really looking forward to it.