September 18- October 9, 2018
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| The colors are just starting here |
We've had a wonderful few weeks since last we posted. It's such a blessing that Senior couples get to go home for special family events! We taught our second institute class on Wed September 18th then headed home too pack, get a couple hours sleep then off to the airport to head home for Jacob's wedding!
As soon as we landed on Thursday afternoon, we ran a bunch of errands, dropped our stuff then Ned headed back to the airport to pick up Daniel, Sonina, and Aira. He was supposed to get Jonathan, Kelsey, and Riley, but they were stranded in Denver and ended up not getting in till late the next morning.
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| Aria is so excited to see everyone! |
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| Riley loved her suitcase |
Friday we helped set up, for the reception, and then we had a lovely Wedding dinner with the two families.
Natalie and Jacob did such a great job getting everything prepared and ready. Her mom sewed all the dresses, and her Dad and Josh did ALL the decorating and food prep! They were amazing!
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| Such beautiful decorations |
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| We were served by Olive Garden (Yum!) and had a great time! |
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| Our Friends and next door neighbors came for the sealing. Couldn't find pictures of Daniel and Bailey, Packer or of Michael Theurer (cousins) but we were so grateful for the sacrifices they made to come. |
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| Ned's sister and her daughter |
And the reception later that evening went off without a hitch. So much fun!
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| They had a ring ceremony before the reception |
They took off and the rest of us partied! We all got together at Eriks on Sunday then Jonathan and Daniel had to head back home to work and school.
Then we headed down to Bunkerville to prepare for the Open House.
We are so grateful for all the wonderful friends and neighbors who made that all happen. We could never have done it being so far away. And this is the second time that these wonderful people have made our mission blessing possible. It was beautiful and so much fun.. were also grateful for all those who came to meet our beautiful Natalie and to share in our joy.
Friday while were were working getting things ready, our third mission blessing began. (The first was our sweet Aria being born, the second was the wedding) Erik called and said they were in the hospital waiting for their little one to be born.
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| Welcome to Earth Mads Forest Mikkelsen |
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| This was Aria's first FaceTime visit her new cousin |
He didn't come till Saturday morning, but he came healthy, happy, and handsome!
We were able to change our flight so we could meet him before we had to leave.
So blessed to be with our family! And we have been blessed with the BEST family!
We arrived back in Canada late Tuesday night, hit the sheets and were up early to get prepared for Institute Wednesday night. We finally felt a little better about that lesson. One of our students helped to teach it. What a sweet testimony she has. We've struggled a little finding that balance to where the teachers are the students and the spirit and we are just the facilitators. We've got a ways to go but we have lots of great help. Our students are as amazing as our children. We have learned so much from them already.
The rest of the week was all mission work.
Thursday, District Council- We learned that the action verbs of Missionary work are to :
Invite, Help, Love, Serve, and Teach. We were challenged to Give out a Book of Mormon, visit a less-active member, pray for specific people, and to welcome and love those we teach. Sister Carroll and Sister Wilkins did such a great job.
Friday was Zone Conference. The Mission President and his wife usually come to this meeting. Using Alma chapter 18 they taught us the importance of asking inspired questions, listening, discerning needs by following the promptings of the spirit and teaching doctrines with short, powerful, statements of truth, that we need to pray for the gift of Charity and, much, much more. Two of my favorite scriptures they used to teach were:
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will,
and it shall be done unto you.
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit;
so shall ye be my disciples.
9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you:
continue ye in my love.
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love;
even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
12 This is my commandment,
That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
John 17:7-12
14 Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the light of this people.
A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.
15 Behold, do men light a candle and put it under a bushel?
Nay, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light to all that are in the house;
16 Therefore let your light so shine before this people,
they may see your good works
and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Saturday we helped at the Bishops Storehouse, which is always a wonderful experience, then spent the rest of the day at the church with the members enjoying General Conference. I LOVE Conference! That night we went, with a group of women from the ward, to one of the sister's house for the General Women's session. She was so cute! She fixed grilled cheese sandwiches (Who doesn't love grilled cheese sandwiches, and they were really good too) and everyone brought a snack, and we listened to those inspired wonderful messages together.
Sunday more inspiration from our leaders and a wonderful lunch with the Riverside Ward. One couple made enough Shepherds pie and pumpkin pie (Today was Thanksgiving in Canada) for an Army!
Now that we've been inspired, we hope were ready to attack another week
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| Our geese have been practicing their touch-and-gos and other flying south maneuvers for the last few weeks. all summer they've hardly been seen and rarely heard, but now they are alive and it's been delightful to watch. |
So what have we learned in the last few weeks? I think mostly we have learned the importance- the necessity, of living so we can have the guidance of the Holy Ghost.
President Nelson said:
I promise you that if you will sincerely and persistently do the spiritual work needed to develop the crucial, spiritual skill of learning how to hear the whisperings of the Holy Ghost, you will have all the direction you will ever need in your life. You will be given answers to your questions in the Lord’s own way and in His own time. And don’t forget the counsel of your parents and Church leaders. They are also seeking revelation in your behalf.
Love to you all Elder and Sister Mikkelsen
