See what happens at my house while I'm gone to a YC meeting on Sunday afternoon.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Natalie's Birthday Party
We celebrated Natalie's birthday on Monday night even though her real birthday is on Wednesday. Wynn and I will be out of town so we opted to celebrate it early this year.
We planned to have a good old fashioned BBQ but it SNOWED most of the day. We still cooked burgers outside and ate inside. It was fun to get together with everyone and enjoyed their company.
I made up a "How well do you know Natalie" game. I think everyone did a pretty good job of answering the questions.
Justin and Emily had a blast playing together.
Even Camden got to wear the birthday hat!
What a cute pair!
The cake with one candle?
Natalie's gift from Steven & Brooke. Notice the
cute wrapping paper decorated by Emily!
She got so many nice gifts!
We love you Natalie! Hope you have a great day on Wednesday. You have always been an important part of our family and we love you to pieces! Best wishes in all that you do and always know that we love you. Always smile and be happy, you are so beautiful that way!
Matt's letter on Monday, March 28th
Hi Family!
I'm glad you liked the letter. I just needed to write! Things are pretty good here. We had exchanges on saturday. I stayed in Carp with elder Stoecker. He's was born in Germany, raised in the UK, and lived in Virginia for the last 8 yrs. He has a really cool accent! You would love it mom! We had a great day! We went to a baptism in Goleta of a bro and sis (8 and 9 yrs old) and it was so fun! The dad had to work on some things so that's why the girl waited. He held her under water until she started squirming! haha he was so nervous that he was sweating. It was so cute! Then we had lunch with our Ward mission leader then had an appt with James Placensia and his family. I think i told you about him? He's in some "shady" work... I'll leave it at that. Thay said it was the best lesson they have had! Two of his sons, Anthiny and Xavier came to church, and thaey said they will come to conference! WOO!!!!!! I think anthony and xavier are gold.. Hopefully we can help them overcome their problems:)
Mom, i love getting my friends letters. Please keep doing that!!!!! And is Andy Johnson back out??? Will you find our for me?? Bridger said he "likes his new companion, but teaches come crazy people," so I don't know of hes out or married? :)
One quick story:
A girl in Santa Barbara grew up with a member famuily as friends. She had a bad experience and kinda pushed the church away, until she went to UCSB (the biggest party school on the west coast - She was going to go to BYU, but denied the acceptance after being offended) decided it was best for her. She started meeting with the missionaries because she was embarrased to tell the family that she was wrong, sorta thing. She tried to get re-accepted to byu, but got denied and felt really poorly. She got invited to a dinner with some people and Jeffery R, Holland (I dont remember how it happened), and she said how great it was! After the dinner, he asked her if he could speak with her privately. They went in the other room, and he put his hands on her face, and said,"Don't you worry about BYU. I'll make sure you get in, don't you worry." Then he proceeded to tell her,"Please, don't be afraid to join the church. I will clear my calendar so that I can be at your baptism." An older couple in the mission - Bro and sis Tate - told us that story. Needless to say, she is getting baptized! Hehe, but i think it's a pretty low key thing. How cool!!!
Well, i'm out of time. Mom, will you look for a quote by C.S. Lewis for me? It's talks about how we picture ourselves as a cottage, but the Lord has a different idea for us. He comes in and makes some changes that hurt really bad and we find out that He has a quite dofferent idea for us. He intends us to be a castle where he could come and live. I know that's vague, but i love that quote and i need it! If you absolutely cannot find it on the internet, it's written on an index card in an old journal that i put in a box of stuff in my room - perhaps the flag box? Maybe in my drawer... Haha! But please, no need to read my journal! :) Haha but i trust you! :)
Well i love you all dearly. Expect a package this week. Dad, i would love to hear some mission stories! ;) Love you all and Godspeed!
Elder MOnk
I'm glad you liked the letter. I just needed to write! Things are pretty good here. We had exchanges on saturday. I stayed in Carp with elder Stoecker. He's was born in Germany, raised in the UK, and lived in Virginia for the last 8 yrs. He has a really cool accent! You would love it mom! We had a great day! We went to a baptism in Goleta of a bro and sis (8 and 9 yrs old) and it was so fun! The dad had to work on some things so that's why the girl waited. He held her under water until she started squirming! haha he was so nervous that he was sweating. It was so cute! Then we had lunch with our Ward mission leader then had an appt with James Placensia and his family. I think i told you about him? He's in some "shady" work... I'll leave it at that. Thay said it was the best lesson they have had! Two of his sons, Anthiny and Xavier came to church, and thaey said they will come to conference! WOO!!!!!! I think anthony and xavier are gold.. Hopefully we can help them overcome their problems:)
Mom, i love getting my friends letters. Please keep doing that!!!!! And is Andy Johnson back out??? Will you find our for me?? Bridger said he "likes his new companion, but teaches come crazy people," so I don't know of hes out or married? :)
One quick story:
A girl in Santa Barbara grew up with a member famuily as friends. She had a bad experience and kinda pushed the church away, until she went to UCSB (the biggest party school on the west coast - She was going to go to BYU, but denied the acceptance after being offended) decided it was best for her. She started meeting with the missionaries because she was embarrased to tell the family that she was wrong, sorta thing. She tried to get re-accepted to byu, but got denied and felt really poorly. She got invited to a dinner with some people and Jeffery R, Holland (I dont remember how it happened), and she said how great it was! After the dinner, he asked her if he could speak with her privately. They went in the other room, and he put his hands on her face, and said,"Don't you worry about BYU. I'll make sure you get in, don't you worry." Then he proceeded to tell her,"Please, don't be afraid to join the church. I will clear my calendar so that I can be at your baptism." An older couple in the mission - Bro and sis Tate - told us that story. Needless to say, she is getting baptized! Hehe, but i think it's a pretty low key thing. How cool!!!
Well, i'm out of time. Mom, will you look for a quote by C.S. Lewis for me? It's talks about how we picture ourselves as a cottage, but the Lord has a different idea for us. He comes in and makes some changes that hurt really bad and we find out that He has a quite dofferent idea for us. He intends us to be a castle where he could come and live. I know that's vague, but i love that quote and i need it! If you absolutely cannot find it on the internet, it's written on an index card in an old journal that i put in a box of stuff in my room - perhaps the flag box? Maybe in my drawer... Haha! But please, no need to read my journal! :) Haha but i trust you! :)
Well i love you all dearly. Expect a package this week. Dad, i would love to hear some mission stories! ;) Love you all and Godspeed!
Elder MOnk
A Princess Party
On Saturday, March 26th, Brooke and I took Emily and Camden to a Princess Party at the Paul Mitchell Beauty College in Rexburg. Oh, so much fun! Some of the students dressed as a princess and some made the little girls into princesses. Emily was a little shy or maybe a little over whelmed but if Brooke stayed right by her she did very well.
She got to color a princess picture, have her nails done, beautiful make-up, her hair all curled and then show it all off with pictures.
It was a fun morning! We then went to Rigby and picked-up G.G. and went to lunch. It was a real girls day out. Thank heaven's for little girls!
n
nWednesday, March 23, 2011
Missionary Poem
I don’t know who wrote the following poem, but it might help the family to better understand the heart and mind of a missionary as he passes through the phases of a mission experience. Think about his shifting emotions as you read this description from an unknown missionary.
Today I am frightened.
My heart is beating a silent fury.
Before me are my family and friends
I love so much and must leave behind.
Pray that I might have courage.
Today I am studying.
With all my intellect I am diligently preparing.
Preparing for the days ahead,
That I might be an effective tool in the hands of God.
Pray that my mind might be clear and alert.
Today I am homesick.
The memories of fun, school, family crowd my mind.
I almost long to return to the carefree days of my youth.
Pray that I might feel the spirit of love.
Today I am successful.
The doors of those seeking truth open to me.
They are receptive to the word.
They will be baptized!
Pray that I might be humble.
Today I am discouraged.
Lowly I trudge home through the rain.
Pondering the slammed door,
The cruel hasty words, the laughing jeers.
Pray that I might have faith.
Today I am happy.
The light shines in my eyes.
From within me I have found joy.
Today I have lived close to the spirit.
Pray that I might always find this joy.
Today I am sad.
Reluctantly and with tears in my eyes
I must someday leave this country and the people
I have taken into my heart and loved.
Pray that I might always remember.
Today I am full of love.
Love for the Lord who called me on this mission.
Love for my family who supports me.
Love for the friends who installed the desire within.
Love for those who had faith in me.
Love for those who prayed for me.
But remember today, today,
I miss you. I love you. I need you.
Pray for me always.
I am your missionary.
Missing Matt
Yesterday I went over to Skyline with the 5th grade to practice for the Patriotic program. We were in the gym for a long time, from 9:30 - 1:30. It was a long day. But, as I sat there in the gym, I couldn't help but think of Matt. Oh, how he loved Skyline, he was so loyal. He loved his Student Government class. He loved serving the students there. I couldn't help but think of all the things we attended in that gym. Oh, how I truly miss that boy. A few tears were shed and it was a hard day after that. It's hard sending a son on a mission. "Party in the USA," was my ring tone for when Matt called me. Before he left, he changed it so it was just my regular ring tone. Needless to say, whenever my phone rings, my heart drops!
I do love having a missionary son but I DO miss him too. Sometimes my heart just breaks and I have a good cry and then I'm okay for awhile again. He's been gone for almost three months and it sure feels like it has been longer than that. Only 21 more months to go!
Some of my favorite people!
Just had to share some photo's of some of my favorite people! On Monday, we had an Emily and Grandma Monk day. She came and spent the afternoon with me. We had so much fun. We played with all my Beanie Babies, did puzzles and I even got out some of our old books that my kids had when they were little. It was such a fun afternoon. Oh, I almost forgot, the highlight was our tea party! You can't spend too much time with Emily without having a tea party. We had crackers and water. . . What a combo! Brooke came later and that is when I took the pictures of Camden and Wynn. Oh, don't they make a cute bunch?
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