Mama JOURNAL RESPONSES 1st Area OTTAWA 2-19-

journal response pg 28-30

 Oh sweet abe—that journal entry melted my heart!  Your faith!!! Your BIG faith!  It’s amazing- I mean you are living it- but from the outside looking in- it’s crazy the level of faith this takes and that you need and that you feel—it’s like moving mountains kind of faith- the kind that the Lord is BOUND to respond to—He is- I see it in everything that is happening- It’s like you have these little twists (like Avery on send off day at the airport, like the best MTC district, like the key and Elder Uctforf, like being able to pack, and handling being separated from the group at the airport, to a companion you can love so quickly and then to your placement in an English area (for now), to contacting on the metro,  ALL OF IT KNOWN & ORCHESTRATED BY THE LORD—who knows your name and has called you to do His work!

Thank you for not making me wait until pday to know these details!  It’s so cute you feel like you are on a movie—like the Errand of Angels—and you are—you are an angel on an errand with the Lord—so it’s not that weird—but it will take time to wake up and feel like this is your life.

I wondered how you answered when the mp asked why you decided to serve- and yay for keeping your emotions in check- that is a blessing- I’m glad you had such a nice impression of them initially.  I am sure you will grow to love them- as you were blessed that you would.

Any talk of the mission splitting? Who goes where or how that works? Church news is releasing the newly called MP couples slowly—I remember it took awhile for the Peterson’s name to get announced officially- but I’ll be watching for a Halifax MP couple in case it matters.  Either way, it’s so good that you are “where your feet are” being present and all in whatever that looks like.  I know you are worried about the French- but keep doing you personal language study- you should have that allotted time for it—Emma had 9 months of doing personal study with Italian while in Hawaii and no one else around her learning it or speaking it- and when she had the chance to go- she figured it out and the Lord compensated her weakness with HIS power and blessed her.  He will bless you too- maybe you need this time to settle in missionary mode and gain experience in testifying so that when the language piece is added in bigger measure- you’re ready to grow in that way. 

We’ll have to ask Emma on pday about her first trainer—I remember Emma loved her (later found out she was a little shady on somethings with elders…hahaha but Emma didn’t know that at first) but she was on her last transfer and then I think Emma got another trainer—but just see how it goes—the Lord is going to give you what you need—I keep thinking about that quote—“if He called you to do it, He’s prepared to help you do it” It’s also normal and okay to feel happy and excited and sad at the same time—those urges to cry it out are good too- use that shower time to release it—You’ll probably feel better afterwards!

You look beautiful and happy in your pictures—it looks cold.  I am glad you’ll get to the store- and maybe you can get some boots and a coat—looks like you’ll have snow today!

Oh I love you—you are so fully engaged and all in and the Lord loves you so!  His Soeur Miller has launched!!!!! We are so proud of you.

I am still thinking you can’t see messenger and anxious to know on Pday what that will look like—but we’re all cheering for you and I’m putting the pics on that are on your camera roll.  Dad says, “it’s crazy and wonderful to see her in the field”  ♥ You are setting such a marvelous example for all of us!

Dad said they are staying in a dive motel that smells like sewage Hahaha (I think Zak was in charge of the lodgings so I’m not sure what happened there) but they played a round yesterday and dad and kyle lost by 1—today they are playing 2 rounds (36 holes) probably to see who buys steak dinner so I hope it goes better today.  It’s fun for them to be together—I’ll attach a pic of them to this email so you can see it in case you can’t get to messenger-

I will have Miller this weekend—today is Seth’s bday- if you have time to write a short note and take a pic I’ll find it on your camera roll and take a picture— today they're gonna bring Miller over around noon going to have a couples massage with a gift certificate they have and then they’ll go back to their place and G and I and Lainey will bring Miller to their house in the evening pick up Sadie and Seth and go all of us too Lainey’s  basketball game (officially done with Slam and playing Culture Shock (Steve) and his top team- we’ll see how that goes- Lainey is feeling good about where she’s landed) and then they’re gonna come back over and watch Hawaii Five-0.  Saturday we have Basketball and seth /sadie are going to bring Miller over around four when bball is done and go out to dinner cause I think they initially were going to go to dinner after their massage as part of the birthday Anyway, because of L basketball, they couldn’t do the dinner after the massage so Saturday night they’ll bring Miller over and go on a dinner date and then it was so cute cause she’s like and then Sunday we’re just going to come over for our regular thing like we always do so I’m like yeah yeah that’s all good  But it will be a lot… wonderful but a lot.  I’m so happy to do it though and so glad they are close.  Glad they will let me and glad to be needed ♥ Dad gets back from Arizona Sunday afternoon and we'll celebrate Seth's bday!

It was great to have Miles home last weekend—he was kind of sick so we didn’t do a lot, but it was also nice that he was home feeling like that so he could be taken care of and recuperate a little.  He was feeling better (not awesome) Monday heading back.  I  think Miles might have had a date this week—one with a girl from the app he wasn’t that hyped on and the other one is kind of a set up date--Do you remember a girl name? Name  Do you remember Gracie husky from Skyview- anyway, Jefferson was over here doing trees and he mentioned that he knew the best girl home from her mission. Maybe six months. Just an awesome girl and thought that Miles should take her out, so Miles kind of got backed into the corner on that one and I don’t know that he’ll be interested. She was on the frosh team when Emma was a senior, I think. Anyway, he wasn’t super excited about that one either. But at least he’s got some things on the social calendar. Emma said they went to cousin dinner last night at Kenedee’s. I don’t think that Emma is usually invited to though so she was glad to go and Maggie was there so it was Nate boys and Miles and Emma and Noah and Maggie. She said it was super disappointing. The whole thing was kind of like a bag fast on everyone else. And just the caliber isn’t the best. I asked her how Miles held himself in that situation in that peer group and she said it was cool to see because he kind of checks out when he needs to like when they go down the road of things that aren’t kind or not appropriate, and he leads out as needed, like if the subject needs to be changed or Whatever. But it makes me glad that he’s not living with Nates boys. I think cache is a little bit easier to be let along outside of that Group.  Emma got a jersey from Lainey and had a great second game (no falling this time) and they won game 2.  Both Miles and Noah and Emma and Liv play this coming Wed night.  I’m glad they are doing it.

So there’s a little recap 😊  We all love you so much!

Elder Kearon gave a talk snippet from a come follow me video, Elder Kearon  said that the way to avoid the trap of feeling like we’re falling short is to” remember that the whole purpose is to draw us closer to God.  Se need to rely on Jesus Christ and remember that the purpose of covenants is to help us, not hinder us-He’s not putting up obstacles, and we’re meant to find the way and enjoy our time”

Hope you have a wonderful first few days.  Give yourself grace—BECOME  a little bit every day. Tell your companion we love her and thank her for taking care of you!!! Xoxo Mama

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2/2//26

Hi Sweet Missionary of mine

 

Thank you for all the great pictures!  It’s so fun!

I just got back from helping at Dad’s office with an emergency extraction—I wish I was a better assistant when he needs me to be but he’s super patient with me—I’m mostly just there so he’s not alone with a patient. 😊 I mean I hold the suction, but that’s about it.  Lainey has a tournament this weekend  and McCall Mayhem is part of it which is a joke bc they can’t compete- last week their closest game was v Premier 10-90)  so you get the drift.  I think we play them tomorrow morning the Sat 8am game ooof—8 am on a Saturday and McCall Mayhem?  Anyway—I am not sure of the team they play tonight- but if they beat them- then I think a championship medal is pretty much a given tomorrow.

 

I talked to Emma today and we worked out her work schedule when she’s living here- in June anyway when they get back from Bali—and hooray!  She’s going to teach swim!  Yay!  I was stressed about that—it’s good for Little Fish Swim School, good for dad bc he can fill her schedule easier w/out her being full time, and good for Emma bc it allows her to start up slowly just out of school- so she’ll do swim 9:30, 10:30, & 11:30 and then get showered and eat and then go Alliance and do hygiene from 2-5.  She can make more teaching swim than hygiene, but not as many hours—so this is a good set up for everyone! Also makes me feel better about Lainey’s first year just having Emma in the pool too.

 

Sadie and Seth will come over tomorrow afternoon, Dad and the kids will do baptisms, Saide and Seth haven’t been to the temple in a long time, so they will do an endowment and I’ll watch miller.  Then I think they’ll come back over for dinner and a lakers/warriors game and then Hawaii 5-0—they are on the last season now!

Hopefully you’ve had an email from Miles—The roundabout update as I perceive it is that she was really nice—she knew you and Emma—but I don’t think Miles was totally feeing it- which is a bummer bc she’s from here, they had lots in common, she’s not obnoxious, not high maintenance, a good girl, good missionary- good family- but just not a total click.  Trying to just let Miles navigate that- trusting that he knows how to weigh light v looks, or the vibe with all the most important parts—and it’s okay for him to want to feel excited about someone—I am glad (and grateful he would take her out) and I wish there had been some sparks—but I think prob not—although she did small talk text him after?  One thing that was AWKARD about it that crazily, Liv and her roommates were at the same ice cream place eating ice cream during the date- and Liv knows Gracie bc Gracie’s mom was Liv’s YW president- If I didn’t know better, it’s like operation spy date but I think it was just a random coincidence- but I think that made it a little weird for Miels—they talked to them and everything- but just might’ve been easier without that going on simultaneously- so not a total done deal, but probably.

 

I hope you loved Zone Conference today and had a chance to get to know other missionaries as well as your MP and wife a little more.  They are so lucky to have you.  I love that you are enjoying your trainer—seems like she is a hard worker and fun while doing it which is a great combo—she scored big time with a greenie like you

 

So to your journal:

Page 31 Hopefully you are slowly getting to know your district better—it will take awhile and that’s okay! They will love you as they get to know you.

I love that day one you had an opportunity to testify!  So powerful- that you can and that you did!

Page 32 It’s so nice that your days feel both busy and productive.  What a sweet service opportunity to help with the bishop’s storehouse—I bet that would be so humbling and it’s cool you helped them with those needs in a way that helped them feel dignity in it.  I love how it all works—it makes you look at things like fast offerings that you’ll do after your mission in a whole different light.

Glad you survived the new year potluck—I get a kick out of thinking of you in missionary mode at those things bc I know at home you (and me if I’m honest) dreaded those functions and would want to be the first to leave—although you’d always stay to help clean up or be there early to set up—sometimes it’s just hard to get there—I bet it meant a lot to those members to gather and have it be a theme they loved

Page 33 I bet your first missionary Sunday was interesting- and made this all feel real!  That’s great you had 4 friends there—how awesome.

Off topic Relief Society lessons are not that rare which is unfortunate—with my new calling that’s going to get a lot more interesting for me—ugh.  Gently redirecting- finding a way to make a comment that brings it back. We’ve set it up so pretty much every RS Sunday I’ll be in a different ward visiting—I think it’s the best way to get to know the sisters and the presidencies, just to be more visible to them, love them and see them. But I am not looking forward to weedy lessons or weird comments – or being given “some time for our Stake RS president” to share thoughts—I am not good off the cuff!  Someone told me I should keep a tally of the talks I give—and then they guessed that in 5 years of this calling it’d probably get me to 100 talks== what?????? I hope not. 1 so far!  Hahaha! (maybe if I count talks and lessons) yikes.

I am so glad that your piano playing at the baptism went well; my guess is that you did better than you think you did and I love that you have all kinds of markers to measure your blessings- and that you felt a fulfillment in those areas just as you needed to.  If it matters to you it matters to me…😊

Page 34 RIP (hahaha)  pdays—we want it to be all the good things!!  I am sorry it ended that way though—I totally was saying good bye to the group waiting to say goodbye and love you to just you—I’ll always be the very last to hangup – I promise!

It’s a pretty powerful thing that you feel as scared as you do or that you wake up with a pit in your stomach but you still go and do—it’s a wonderful example to me of being all in and trusting in the Lord;  there will always be parts of it that are scary or not your favorite- but when you consider all of it- the Lord’s time, on His errand- it’s neat to think what that consecration can call down- blessings and miracles!

Sweet Sister mcRae—you’ve just got to love members that feed missionaries- even if it is sus.. I’m thinking Janice vibes—edible but sus.

I love the positive self talk, “I’m progressing” “I’m getting the hang of this” Yes girl!  You will get more settled in it as you go- btu that you launch where you are is beautiful!

Sounds like Samuel needs a lot of love and support and it’s okay to lead him along a little ways until he feels more steady—spiritually and temporally and YES the Lord will provide—I hope you are correlating with a ward mission leader/bishop so they are mindful of the needs.

Page 36 It’s good to be exhausted in this work. That means you are giving your best! I am worried about the boots situation- we’ll talk about it on pday- I just don’t’ want you to ruin your other ones!

Thank you for sharing your journal with me.  I love it—It will always be a safe space for all things—so let it loose and let it go!

So—better wrap this up soon…

I was just looking at our cruise and that Monday how it will work for that pday—we go to Turks & Caicos Island that day- we’ve rented a golf cart to tour around different beaches—I was hoping it was a sea day bc then we could have talked long—but maybe we can talk first thing in the morning and I’ll be sure big kids are aware to try to be more available.  Okay this is important Abe-- Let’s get something straight—none of us are ever  worried about how long you want to talk on pday—the bigs get it bc  they’ve been there- and I love it and want to be on as long as possible—so when we ask you about timeframes- we are just planning our day around yours—so don’t let that worry you in the slightest--- having said that, on that Monday March 16- Emma has her board exam- not sure if that will be a morning thing or a big part of the day or not- but I’m sure she’ll hop on as soon as she can and we’ll be on the island without internet for a good part of that day- so I’ll make sure Miles and Sadie esp are aware.  Maybe you can push for a fun adventure checking out some sight seeing thing in Ottawa that day that takes longer—when you are planning out p-days—try to plan something awesome for March 16^th

On a personal note- Barbara Skovensky while I love her- is slowly driving me crazy- she has the best intentions but consistently oversteps her role—I know she just wants to help but I am struggling a little with how to reign her in—Stay in your lane barb—she shouldn’t try to initiate things with wards without us counseling about it. Today after one such effort I tried to be so kind- but I just said, It’s important that we run things up the channels before sharing with the ward level—we need to counsel as a presidency and often times I need to get clarification on what President Tripple would like up to implement and prioritize—I think she got the drift and seemed okay but I needed to get the message across…( she was trying to figure out how to encourage sisters to get back to the temple who have expired recommends- and that information is pretty delicate sometimes as to why someone hasn’t renewed their recommend—so sometimes RS presidents aren’t privy to that—and it was just kind of something she was communicating with secretaries about with out running by me- and if she had I wouldn’t have green lit it--  she’s so fabulous at organizing loose ends, arranging visits, and assignments and keeping track of what is needful- but wow…. That’s a big enough job Barb—Sorry just needed to vent- I love her and appreciate all of her intentions- I tried to be clear about it and show love after- hope it came across that way.

I had a good dinner date with Lisa and Michelle last night—fun to catch up. Lisa is pretty serious with a guy in Reno Nevada- He’s a rancher (hallmark-Esque kind of storyline—divorcee meets rancher) seems like a great guy but not a member—supportive of her though in it—I’m happy for her—likely means she’ll be moving to Nevada though- and getting married.  I’ll miss her but wish her happiness.  Hopefully he can be open to learning about her faith because I know it’s so important to her- I hope she can maintain it on her own if that’s where this goes with her marrying him.  That’s not public news-ll don’t know how to say that word)- 

I have loved reading about Abraham and Isaac and Haggar and her son and Lot and his wife this week in come follow me—so many good lessons in there. I just kept being reminded that our God is a good that sees.  IT’s a section about a God that provided for a mother—and that’s tender to me-- I loved in Genesis 21- how it says in v 17: that “God heard the voice… where he is”- that was so meaning ful to me because a tender part of my testimony is knowing that our Heavenly Father is willing to meet us where we are.  When I read verse 22 I thought of you “ God is with you thee in all that thou doest” So true—I hope you feel in in abundance every day, every door, every effort to be a light in Ottawa! 

I love you with all my heart- You are doing better than you think you are.  We are so proud of you.  Xoxo Mama  

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3/3/26 Hi Love

Looks like sweet girls you are doing exchanges with from the pictures—I hope so. I am sure you’ll be glad to get back to your bed tonight!

Journal responses:

Page 36 Glad you enjoyed Zone Conference and that you were able to feel the spirit.  I think it’s probably fair to not feel a tight connection to your MP at first—I mean it takes time to build a relationship—and he can probably tell easily and quickly and discern by the spirit also what kind of missionary you are!

Page 37: What a sweet experience at Starbucks—I love that needed and instant guidance from the spirit that you got—even just at a Starbucks in a bathroom—the Lord sends what you need.  Such a sweet inspiration- Do your best and I’ll take care of the rest—that’s good counsel for the rest of your life; and I’m so glad you were impressed with that message at that moment you needed it.  I’m glad you were able to move along and out of Starbucks—the Lord works it out!!!

Page 38: I am so excited to find out about the splitting up and assignments in May for your mission—that’s a big game changer- keep trusting that the Lord needs you where he sends you—you are called as his missionary more than called to a place!  Called to find certain people—and His plan is perfect=  But it will be nice to just know and move forward.

It was so fun to hear about Elder Anderson’s email from you on pday.  It was cute!  Fun stuff- just keep it in its box in your thoughts and move forward—the Lord will bless you with all the things when it’s time.

Page 39:I hope things look up for Samuel soon—the Lord sees him whether he is on or off date!  It’s cute that Joe Steve made the salt joke—it means on some deeper level that he gets that he needs to apply the scriptures to himself, even in fun.  I like that your comp is fun with friends like that—not too buttoned up—it’s serious stuff- but it’s also okay to have fun along the way—not all missionaries know how to do both at the same time.

How cool about sharing a testimony of that boy with disabilities… if he can see God’s goodness, surely, we can.  I love that story.  Who went up and shared it? It’s neat his Dad would ask you to do that. ♥

Things here— got the garage repaired—grateful!

Dogs got groomed today—Copper J was weird getting in and out of the travel kennel—I put him in the soft sided one which seemed to be better than the hard one that feels like an impenetrable den to him.  Anyway- it was time and they don’t look as weird as they sometimes do post grooming—maybe she didn’t go as short idk

Tomorrow the kids don’t have school so it’ll be a low-key day and we’ll leave way early for the airport so we can have time to circle around and practice the how you leave the airport drive—just make the loop back on to the freeway once so Graham is comfortable.

Lainey ahs been having a lot of highs and lows and I am worried about leaving her-  I think she needs a soft landing and since you aren’t here- I try to be that for her—sometimes I am probably not as patient as I could be- but I try.  So it’ll be a long weekend for her.  NO basketball though which will be a good break for her knees.

I am really having mixed feelings about my trip—hope it is productive—I am prepping mentally to know I won’t sleep/eat well- and it might just be exhausting physically and emotionally but hopefully some things will come together- Gray’s mission farewell is Sunday and I’ll get to be there and then right to the airport…so that’ll be good. I think Max is the youth speaker too ♥ I am sure Gray is ready to get the party started.. prob will do home MTC for a week in Uncle Dave’s man cave!

Here is a power quote about your missionary commission from Bruce R McConkie to end one… powerful stuff

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3/12/26

I just wanted to write quick to tell you how much I love you.  Nothing about this cruise will be as awesome without you ♥  I will be thinking of you the entire time—everyone will prob judge us as one of those couples with a his and hers, two kids- a boy and a girl—I feel like I should carry a sign around that says, I really have 6 kids and 2 sons in law, and a grandson—this part of four is just a snapshot of our family!! 

Lainey played in her bball game with the staff- it actually went into overtime—she had a sweet euro—played with the boys (coach steve’s son Zak and Aiden Miles who were ball hogs—anyway- it was fun to watch and she mostly enjoyed playing with Burns.  She looks good on Rocky’s court!! It made me miss you! 

I loved that you left me a journal to read about your two days since pday…

It was fun to read about how plans for your topic adjusting to missionary life—I am sure you’ll make it fun and applicable and powerful because I know you prepare by the spirit.

Freezing rain sounds like it would make the roads very slippery—please be careful!

That was a cool impression you had about choosing Christ and understanding that our entire process allows our Father in Heaven to bless us.  (Mosiah 27)

What kind of therapy does your comp have?  Yay for being able to direct a lesson—I think that says a lot about the kind of missionary you already are that you are willing and capable of doing that on your own as needed… pretty awesome.

The salad and rice did look interesting- but like you said, when you see their offering, you have to eat it and eat it  the second scoop—it’s so sweet how people serve missionaries that way especially when it requires much of them in cost or prep, or just their obvious awareness and desire to serve you.

Yay for connecting with Ben and I love how you said, “I found myself asking him if he would pray to ask if he should be baptized”  I love that you are so clearly led by the spirit- you didn’t plan it out exactly or check boxes like a robot—you “found” yourself speaking the invitation the Lord wanted to extend—because you know how to hear the spirit, it can work seamlessly in you- I hope you see that as powerful as an example as it is! 

I hope his lesson goes great on Friday!  I’ll pray for him by name!

Sorry this is so short—I need to be Lainey’s personal assistant right now—paint her nails, braid her hair, mend a dress for our trip—it’s nice to be needed- and pretty soon she won't "need" me to do any of these things- so I'm all about it...but it’s 11pm so I’d better get to it. 

We are all so proud of you—we will do our best to make Monday morning work—I hope it does!  I love you so much!  Also, I’m going to attach a picture of the dogs so you can show Papi’s mom!!

Love you

ps. Tomorrow is Watson's 8th birthday! We'll celebrate when we get back!  Sadie and Seth will be here (mostly) with the dogs while they are gone-- I hope that works out well