Birthdays and January Misc

Alex and the boys got back from their camping trip on Saturday evening, just in time to celebrate Nathan's birthday.  He actually was back at college on his birthday, so we celebrated early.  We had dinner, cake, and opened presents on Saturday night (3rd).  Sunday was fast Sunday, so we didn't eat breakfast.  Nathan, Owen, and Alex participated in ordaining Weston to the office of a priest right after sacrament meeting.  Nathan then took Alex to the airport for a work trip to Brazil.  I made birthday breakfast for Nathan on Monday morning (the 5th), right before he headed out to drive back to BYU. 

Nathan and his friend Devan (also his new roommate) caravanned most of the way back to Provo. We chatted with Jared on Monday while Nathan was driving.  Nathan stayed a night with my aunt and uncle on Monday night and then went the rest of the way on Tuesday.  He started classes again on Wednesday.   

Savannah kicked off the new year with a church activity with the young women making vision boards for the year. 

Unfortunately, one of our older friends passed away in January, so we attended his funeral. It was interesting to hear more about his life from his sons and close friends.  John was assigned to be our home teacher and did that faithfully for several years.  One memorable story about John was one day when he knocked on the door and asked to borrow our car for a little bit.  I handed off the keys, with no questions, and he returned them a little bit later that day.  It wasn't until either that evening or the next day when we realized he had replaced our cracked windshield on the car.  That was so kind of him, and he didn't expect anything in return.  It was just a thoughtful and quiet act of service that he did for us, simply by recognizing a need and taking care of it.   

We had Savannah's friend party in January, which was pizza and a movie.  We had trouble choosing a movie to watch but finally decided on the first Now You See Me movie.  If it was up to Savannah, she would have invited 20 friends, but I only let her invite about 10 friends.  I wasn't very good about taking photos that evening.  I think they probably got enough sugar - cake and ice cream, soda, and candy, along with pizza and popcorn.  

Owen, Savannah, and I went to a USA vs Chile women's soccer game the end of January.  USA won 5-0!

Joshua Tree

Alex and a couple other dads took Weston, Nathan, and a few boys to Joshua Tree National Park and Amboy Crater to ring in the new year. They enjoyed camping for a couple nights and didn't even get rained on (they made it between rain storms).   

 

Mission Update - 18 months

Jared hit his 18-month point in his mission.  After serving in Ciudad del Este with Elder Cuc, he served there 6 weeks with Elder Harper from Lehi, UT.  He was a trainer for Elder Harper, which meant Jared was helping train a new missionary.  In mid-November, he was transferred to Las Lomitas, closer to Asuncion.  He served with Elder Boshard, from Pleasant Grove, UT for 6 weeks before serving with Elder Segundo, from Paraguay.  Elder Segundo is from Chaco Paraguayo, northwestern Paraguay, where a whole town was baptized a while ago.  They speak Nivacle language there, and his companion doesn't know how to read, so Jared has spent extra time with reading and language learning with him. Jared is continuing a second 6 weeks with Elder Segundo, the first time staying with a companion for more than one transfer (6 weeks' time period).  He is still working hard and hasn't lost momentum in the work. I think he has had a total of 23 baptisms for his mission so far.  He has been serving as a District Leader, so that brings some extra leadership responsibilities with the current work.   

In the fall, one challenge Jared had was having a spot removed from his head.  It wasn't a big deal, but it needed to be removed and analyzed to make sure it wasn't cancerous.  Everything was fine and his head healed well, but it was an interesting experience when he got the spot removed.  It was the end of the day on a Friday.  By the time they cut the spot off, they put it in a container which Jared was supposed to give to someone else as he was leaving (maybe someone at the front desk).  That person had already left for the day, so they told Jared to take it home and bring it back in on Monday.  He had to store that skin spot in his fridge over the weekend!  That seems like it would have some impact on the quality of the analysis... but whatever.  

I think it's always a challenge to get around and be places on time.  Jared mentioned having to run home a few times.  Luckily his companion was willing to run with Jared so they could be where they needed to be. They tried to go on an outing one Monday, but their ride broke down before they got there.  I don't remember how they managed to get back home that day.  Jared definitely puts in a lot of miles walking (sometimes running) and lots of Bolt (Uber equivalent) rides.  He seems to be doing well with the food and cooking some new things.  He also tried cooking scalloped potatoes one day, but he didn't have all the ingredients (like cream of chicken soup or sour cream).  Apparently the potatoes still tasted good with just butter and cheese.  He still likes drinking Yerba Mate (which I tried a Costco sample of and didn't like). 

The weather continues to be a challenge, with it being in the hot season again (in the mid to high 90's).  He's adapted pretty well and still plays soccer (or sometimes basketball) on Mondays.  

Here are a few things he shared in his emails about spiritual experiences that I want to highlight:  

"Please read the scriptures!  They're awesome!  If you don't find your answer in the words that are written, you'll learn to recognize the voice of the Lord to be able to receive your answers directly.

'Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again.  We will see miraculous indications that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and glory.  But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost." - "Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives" - Russell M Nelson - April 2018

I hope everyone can learn to invite and recognize the Holy Ghost in your lives."

From another post:  "Sometimes it's easy to find yourself asking what you've gained or received.  However, Jesus showed us how to give.  There's more joy in giving and serving God and your neighbor."

A third post:  "This Friday night, all our plans had fallen, and we were left with nothing still. We sat down, made a few plans, and said a prayer.  Like God already knew we were going to pray (which is entirely true) we opened our eyes and a man turned around the corner.  We talked to him, and he accepted a baptismal date and committed to coming to church.  We got his number and he asked us to call him on Saturday night.  Continuing down the street we felt impressed to talk to another person entering their house.  The people sitting outside told us to come by another time, but another lady came out and told us that of course we could share a message.  She too, and her little sister committed to being baptized.  I know the Lord answers every prayer." 

Jared is continuing to build his testimony in the power of scriptures, service, and prayer.  He's doing great!  He only has about 23 weeks left.  This is like the final lap of running a mile, which he's very familiar with.  He knows that he has to push hard, endure through fatigue, and make his final kick the strongest.  He's finishing strong!

Happy New Year!

We didn't do much to celebrate the New Year.  We had chocolate pie and Martinelli's and watched TV.

Good-bye 2025 and hello 2026!

 

Nathan's book

I spent most of October and November working on a nearly 400-page book about Nathan's childhood, with written history and pictures from 18 years. I gave the book to Nathan for Christmas, and it was my favorite gift to give this year.

Here's a look at some of the pages: