December 28, 2014 from Mom

Hello my wonderful son!  What a crazy week we had.  Christmas day was the most wonderful day for so many reasons but mostly because we got to talk to you!  I could have talked with you for many more hours. How are you doing?  I had a tough week!  Its like seeing you made me miss you even more.  But I'm so happy we were able to see and talk to you… even if it made for a tough week.  I hope you are doing better.  I pray every morning and night that you are feeling our love but not feeling too homesick.  I heard something at church today and I wanted to remind you of it.  Read Alma 34:18-27  Here it is:

18 Yea, cry unto him for mercy; for he is mighty to save.

 19 Yea, humble yourselves, and continue in prayer unto him.

 20 Cry unto him when ye are in your fields, yea, over all your flocks.

 21 Cry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening.

 22 Yea, cry unto him against the power of your enemies.

 23 Yea, cry unto him against the devil, who is an enemy to allrighteousness.

 24 Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them.

 25 Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase.

 26 But this is not all; ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness.

 27 Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your heartsbe full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for yourwelfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you.

This scripture reminds me of how many times in the past 4 months the Lord has blessed you and answered your prayers because you have poured out your heart to him.  I know if you do this and ask for his help to feel more peace there in Guatemala, he is "mighty to save" and will answer your prayers by giving you comfort. This comfort comes through the power of the atonement… when he suffered not only for our sins but for our sorrows and infirmities… Call upon Him through the power of the Atonement for His help.  His atonement is individual and personal to you because he felt the "exact" way you have felt.  He knows how to succor his people.  This is how you put this promise into action.  One of the Lords greatest promises is in Matt 11:28-30.  “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

We had a good week!  It was great to have Noelle's family here.  They are leaving Tuesday.  Erik took all the kids ice skating on Saturday which was pretty fun.  It's gonna be quiet around here when they leave.  We learned a new card came tonight called "SCUM" that is so fun!  I can't wait to play it with you when you get home.  It's a little competitive… right up your ally.  Do you remember when we were playing a game (can't remember which one) in our Flomo house and we were both running to get something and you kneed me (in your excitement to beat me) in the thigh and I had a huge bruise for about 10 days?  Ya, this game is like that:)

So Karlee Winters is going out with Cade Neilsen… however, he leaves for his mission if February, so I'm sure its just a fun thing before he leaves.  haha

I think you'd be proud to know that Dad and Gray went home teaching for the first time in years tonight!  That is on you!  I have tried to gently ask dad to make sure he does his home teaching and then not so gently asked him to do it… but I've never had success.  However, you have pushed him to do the right thing!  Thank you so much for your great example!  It will really help Gray too.  Success! xoxo

So what do I do?  All of these people from Guatemala are trying to friend me once I became friends with Dany and Diana.  Should I accept them?  What do you want me to do?  I put all your pics on you FB in an album.  I love looking at all of them!  You look so great!  So happy!  Truly, I'm so thankful for Dany and Diana.  I try to tell them but I know there is a language barrier.  Will you please tell them how grateful I am to them for taking such good care of my son!  

Did you get the other package I sent you… with the Raisin Bran?  I was thinking about some food I could send you.  Can you get protein bars there?  Have you thought of getting a hot plate?  If it is under $30, I'd be happy to donate it to the Limon apt.  You don't have to take it with you.  If you had that and one pan, you could have some more options for vegetables… sauté up some diced potatoes and broccoli or something…a grilled cheese sandwich…  What did you decide to do about that?  Does Guatemala celebrate New Years?  What will you do?  Will you set some goals? 

I love you sweet boy!  So very much!  My heart is in Guatemala.  Take good care of it:)  I miss you like crazy and am so incredibly proud of all you are doing.  I think you are an amazing missionary… the best I've ever known.  Keep working and serving those sweet people.  I love you infinity + infinity and even more than that!

Momma

p.s. What does "pilas" mean?