To Katherine, Love Liz

Dear Katherine,

For as long as I have known you I have seen many talents and passions you have. One that often sticks out for me is your love for your siblings. I love to see you with your sisters. What a wonderful family you come from.

Ever since I received your name this year, I knew I wanted to do something for one of your sisters. You live so far away from them and I know you miss them terribly. I didn't know what I would do or which one I would choose, but I had all summer to think about it.

By September I had decided to do something for your sister Anne. She and I are close in age and I knew she had recently been through a divorce and would probably appreciate some help. I don't live near her, so I knew I couldn't do anything to serve her directly. Finally I decided on sending her spiritually uplifting messages in the mail and (hopefully) help her see how much her Heavenly Father loves her.

I was leary at first because I didn't know enough about what was going on in her personal life to feel like I knew what approach to take. But, I let the Holy Ghost guide me in finding what she needed. It took me awhile to find her address (I tried asking my brother but he proved to be very preoccupied with work and family responsibilities -- too busy to help me!) But I finally got it - thanks to Deborah’s help. I told her what I was planning on doing and she encouraged me to go forward with the plan.

So I started sending Anne some talks I found online at LDS.org and hoped for the best. I would send her one a week at first. Then after a few weeks I decided I wanted to incorporate General Conference somehow, so I made some cards with my favorite conference messages. Before I knew it, I had done quite a bit. I decided to make it complete by doing a card for each of the 12 Apostles and the 1st Presidency. In the end, I think I made 20 cards (I’ll be sending you a set in the mail but I didn't get it done in time to send to Hawaii before Christmas).

Throughout the last few months of the year, I made sure to include Anne and her family in my personal prayers, I put her name on the temple rolls each month, and fasted for her regularly. Each time I did these things, I also thought of you and wanted you to be blessed in the same ways.

I hope you  are happy for my choice of service. In closing, I want to give Anne one last message. . .

Dear Anne,

It is my Christmas wish this year to help deliver a message from our loving Heavenly Father who wants you to know how much He loves you. He knows you and has angels working near you to bring you blessings. As you move forward in your life and teach your children the doctrines of the Gospel, you will find peace and joy. My own testimony of this fact has strengthened for myself through this opportunity to serve you and Katherine in this endeavor and I am so thankful for that!

Please enjoy these music videos as my final message to you - they are some of my favorites.

Merry Christmas to Anne and to Katherine! I love you both!

Love, Liz

Merry Christmas to Casey from Alex

2 in  a row! Well Casey, this year I got to know you a little bit better and came up with something I think you would appreciate.

I know you're a fan of Real Salt Lake (at least, according to your Facebook) and having served your mission in London, I know that you have at least a little bit of a traveling spirit within you. So, here is your gift.

Soccer is the worlds most popular sport. Unfortunately for many, they can't afford a standard ball, or even if they can, the only places to play tend to have sharp debris that may ruin any good solid soccer ball. There is group of people who have come together for the purpose of encouraging play in remote 3rd world countries. This group has solved the problem of a poppable ball. It's made from super durable foam, but also behaves just like a standard soccer ball when kicked and hit etc. So even if it hits or rolls into glass or jagged metal, or the mouth of a lion, its the ball that takes a lickin' and keeps on kickin'!

This group has also made it possible to deliver to these incredibly remote areas, and through them I have purchased a ball in Casey's name. So for Christmas somewhere, there is a group of kids that had no ball, but have received a package with Casey's name on it, that will provide a means for these children to have something to play with.

Merry Christmas Casey!

Merry Christmas, Cristina!!! Love, Lauren

This year I had Cristina for the Christmas service and I wanted to do something in her behalf that would really have benefitted her!

What I did was I babysat for free for three different moms with babies, since I knew the coming of sweet Baby Dana brought its own set of trials for Cris.  It was really fun and I know that the moms all appreciated it so much!  Here are some pictures of some of the cute babies on the babysitting days

For Alex-Service 2014

This year has been pretty nuts for me time wise, and I'm hoping Alex, you'll be the first to understand why!  When I first got Alex's name I started to think about what I could do.  I thought about how he was working so hard on fixing up his new home.  I thought maybe I could help someone in the same position with a construction project, but quickly realized that I have zero skills to offer there.  Plus, if I'd had the skills and the time to help someone else with that- I should have been helping Alex!  What else could I do?  Well...Alex would soon be moving into his new home...maybe I could look to help someone else who is moving?  The first opportunity came when I overheard a single sister in our ward say that she had to move classrooms within her school after an addition had been built on.  It's not exactly the same move Alex was making, but a move nonetheless.  I approached her (Lisa) and asked if I could help.
 She was very grateful and so we made a plan.  I met her at the school on a Saturday in August and helped her move into her new classroom.

Libby, Spencer and Erik were kind enough to come along with me.  Spencer moved boxes, Erik hung clocks and bulletin boards on the wall while Libby and I unloaded boxes onto shelves and into cupboards.  We alphabetized her books in her classroom library, sorted and organized her art supplies and stapled things to the wall.  We made a major dent in the project after the afternoon was done.  She still had to go back the next few days, but had a lot of it done for her.  

Two months later Lisa announced that she was moving out of the ward.  Once again I had the opportunity to serve her and this time at least she was moving houses like Alex was moving!  I went in on another Saturday this fall and helped her pack up her fragile things and books.  I had saved some moving boxes for her and brought those along.  We got most of her bedroom and front moved packed up that day.  The next day the Elder's Quorum arrived to help her move and I went in with cleaning supplies behind them to clean up each room.  I kept hoping that someone was doing this for Cindy because I know what a wreck things can look like when all your stuff is out!  

I'm so happy for Cindy and Alex and their beautiful new home!  I wish I'd had more time to help them on their project, but was happy I could serve someone else in a like manner.  Merry Christmas Alex!  I love you!

Merry Christmas David! Love, Laura

Dear David,

It has been a pleasure to serve you this year.  I decided I wanted to type up your journals and share them with the family as my service project.  I have felt you closer to me as I read each entry.  

You make me laugh with so many of the stories you tell—your extravagant dates at the ranch, and screaming about bugs your first weeks in Mexico.  You did a great job capturing a lot of who you really are in your journal entries.   Jumping around from one topic to another, sharing some of your deepest thoughts, I can almost hear your voice talking to me through the pages.  Sometimes it has made me miss you so much, I’ve had to take a little break from typing them every now and then. 

You started keeping a journal in the fall of 1993 just before your 14^th birthday.   

Here is an idea of what many of the entries are like:

September 1993I can't believe it's been a week. It's gone by quickly. I have had a nice time at school and today I was ordained president of the Deacons quorum. There is a lot of responsibility in that. I'm doing nicely in my classes and today Brian, (Liz's boyfriend) and Brian's parents will be joining us for dinner. Sorry there wasn't much to say, bye.

----Sorry that last week wasn't very exciting but I can't think of what to really say. Booooring!!!! There really isn't anything to talk about except for I made some progress on my Eagle Scout project which is making three rocking horses and rocking chairs for two hospitals and one homeless shelter.

---This week I finished learning the alphabet in keyboarding and completed my Eagle project and now all I have to do for my eagle is have a board of review.
This week I really started to realize how much the Scriptures help me. I might be thinking too highly of myself but at the time being life is great. I'm the Deacons president, I've all but got my Eagle, doing great in all my classes except PE and I've got a great family.
I'm thankful for my Heavenly Father and I'm gaining a testimony that he loves me and at the church and scriptures are true. I'm thankful for my family, friends, Scout troop, deacons and deacon’s leaders and church leaders. Now I've just got to work on some self-esteem issues. Nothing to worry about.

Because you were so good at keeping a personal history, 

(with 7 journals) this project has taken longer than anticipated.  Of course your wonderful handwriting didn’t slow things down a bit either.  (ahhhh…..note to self, type up my own journals so my posterity doesn’t have to decipher my handwriting at a later date…) 

I’m sorry to say that I’ve only made it through the first two journals which cover the high school years through the first 2 months on your mission.  There are so many great stories and treasures of testimony that I look forward to reading and typing up the rest of the journals soon. 

One of my favorite parts of your High School journal is reading about your summers at the Ranch.  It has been fun to see it through your eyes and feel of the love you have for that beautiful place (and all the girls in Orderville).  I know it was a major part of your life and you loved growing closer to your Aunts, Grandparents and Cousins there:

August 6, 1996
Today is fast Sunday and my last day here at the ranch. How depressing. The activity on Tuesday was a major hit. It was spectacular. We talked Mike B into letting us use his speakers and we use Dixie's stereo and we had a great sound system up there. We had to plug it into a noisy old generator we drug up there with a quad but it was okay because we could hear the music over its noisy engine. And there was swimming, boating, volleyball, dancing and eating. Both words were up there. There was probably me, 6 other guys and about 35 other girls! Yes!

6/30/1997
Last night me and Julia Hicks were the only ones on the entire ranch!  We were really scared of ghosts and stuff, which made it lots of fun up in our barn.  After watching Titanic we talked for 4 hours about problems and spiritual experiences.  It was really deep and awesome.  I probably spent 2 hours talking about advice for High School, how to make friends and to always smile and say "hi".  It was the most detailed I had ever talked to someone about my theories on socialism.
We also talked about how cool it would be when all of the cousins kids (like mine and Julia's) were as close as me and my cousins.  So that all of my kids, Jake's kids, Johnny's kids, Laura's kids, Ben's kids--everyone--being first and second cousins alike, would know and love each other like I know and love my 1st cousins.  And how awesome it will be when all 250 of us have reunions at Clear Creek Ranch, the world famous family reunion get away resort.  And how us, the owners, will hold our own reunions there, how big our talent shows would be, and how at every testimony meeting we would talk about how grateful we were for Jim Bodell and his hard work, and Maydene Bodell and her loving spirit, and how none of this would be possible if it weren't for them. 

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It was great to read more about your spiritual side on your mission.  Lots of entries about your testimony and how it was growing, (and lots about how much you missed Amber Judkins…)  I especially love how you ended that journal with this funny story and then your brief testimony.  I’ll let your entry be the final words of this post, but know that I love you so much, I’m grateful for your example of being an awesome journal writer, and I want to be just like you!!

Merry Christmas David,

I love you,

Laura

You had been in Mexico for 11 days when you wrote this:

 2/20/1999
It’s only between 6:00 or 6:30 in the morning right now, but I’m too scared to use the bathroom right now.  I’ll tell you why in a second, so I’m writing in my journal.
Last night, I had a funny experience, that I know will never be as funny when I try to re-tell it or write it down as when it really happened, but I’m gonna write it anyway.  I was in the process of changing into my PJs in my room, when all of the sudden there’s this huge cockroach sitting on my floor.  Now, I hate cockroaches.  I don’t know why, I’ve probably only ever seen 2 in the USA my whole life—maybe just from the movies, like Men in Black—is from where I’m scared.
Right at this moment, this crazy song starts playing on Elder Ramirez’s stereo.  He has this tape of Hymns we listen to, and I don’t know why, but there’s this zany circus like song in the middle, and it came on.  Then, the chase began.  I felt too mean to squish him, so I wanted to capture him and take him outside.  So, I found a box, and with the circus music accompanying us, chased him around my room, through my stuff and luggage.  I caught him 3-4 times, but he was too quick and I couldn’t shut the lid on him.  But finally he wasn’t quick enough, and BAM! He was mine!
I realized that my box had multiple holes big enough from him to easily slide through, and while I was holding it, all I could do was imagine him making his way out of the box, up my arm, and into my shirt.  I seriously would have died right there, and the obituary and ads in the Tribune would be pretty embarrassing for my family.
So I decided I needed to get rid of this box quick.  So I started running around in circles in the kitchen, circus music playing along trying to decide where to take the box.  It took me a second to realize the only logical answer and the whole purpose of my conquest-outside!
So I dart for the front door, forgetting everything my companion told me about staying in your room while in garments—so the outside world won’t see them.  So I get 5 feet from the door, box in hand ready to throw, when I remember the huge fiesta that’s going on literally right outside our front door.  That’s when I remember I was only half way through getting changed into PJs before this extravaganza began, and looked up to see out our front window-- all the people, and I don’t know how many were looking right back.  Doh!
Well, images of a tickling sensation of something up my arm and into my shirt didn’t leave me standing dumbfounded in my underwear in full light in front of my audience for one more second.  I darted back for the only other option—the back door!  Upon reaching it, I remembered one problem—how difficult it is to open, even when both hands are free, and seeing that I only had one, I couldn’t imagine how I could possibly get it ajar, just cause it was such a tight fit with the lock and usually took me quite a while of jiggling and pulling to open it.
So I started panicking, running in circles in our kitchen again, handling the box like a hot potato, with the circus song still going.  I started thinking about how ugly the critter was, with his long antennas, and was suddenly motivated to do something fast.  For a second, I thought the front door with all those people watching would have to do.  But when I got halfway there, I couldn’t bear the thought of all those people watching me, in my underwear, burst out of the front door, screaming like a little girl, as if the house were on fire, and through away a single little harmless cockroach.  I knew by this time that my cockroach must soon be finding one of the holes, so I hurriedly ran to the back door, and with all the adrenaline pumping through my blood, single handedly yanked open the door in one pull.  I quickly opened my box to toss my victim into the weeds, but he wasn’t there!  As you can imagine, my imagination started running wild with all the places he could be right now, paying close attention to all the places where I really didn’t want him to be.
I did a quick body check, and when I found I was clean, I decided to would go back and finish changing.  On the way to the room—augh---there he was--in the kitchen!  And with my circus music our chase continued.  Eventually I ended up sweeping him out the back door, with the box rather than using it to pick him up.  It was safer that way.  And as soon as he was out, I took a deep breath, and the song ended.  Just as if it was out of a movie.
I went to bed last night feeling pretty good about myself and my accomplishment, thinking I had just rid the world of cockroaches, but as I would find out later this morning, well, let’s just say I wasn’t as successful as I had thought…..(to be continued)……
I woke up this morning to the rooster’s cock-a-doodle-doo next door, well, it was actually my alarm clock, but the roosters were cock-a-doodle-dooing also.  I said my prayer and did my pushups, and headed for the bathroom.  I drowsily flipped on the light (which only works when it wants to, about half the time) and beheld a scene from straight out of an Indian Jones movie.  No more than 2 inches from where my fingers had just flipped the switch, perched about 15 black cockroaches, varying from the size of my friend the night before, up to the length of 4 inches long.  I was frozen with fear, and literally didn’t move for at least 5-7 minutes, standing in the doorway, clueless as to what I should do.   Eventually I slowly backed away, and started writing in my journal about last night, waiting for Elder Ramirez to wake up and do something about it.  After writing for a while, I started thinking about how foolish I was acting, and that I should go do something about it myself.  So I headed back to the bathroom, thinking about what I would do.  There was no way I was going to have a 15 minute chase with each one like last night and save their lives, but the thought of their 3D corpses crunching under my shoe was unbearable.  Maybe, I thought, I’d be inspired what to do when I got there.  Upon arriving, I saw a cockroach crawling up the door, so I swatted him off.  No sooner had I swatted him off, than he opened a huge pair of wings and flew straight at my face!  I think I screamed and woke up Elder Ramirez.  After that, there was no way I was going to do anything about it, so I whined and cried until Elder Ramirez went and torched them with his spray and lighter.  Oh yeah, he cooked em’ good.  And once again, I thought we had seen the end of “las cucarachas”.  But once again, I had a surprise waiting for me…..(to be continued)…….
So later today, I went to go to the bathroom.  While in the bathroom, I heard this faint scratching sound.  Well, I thought it was Elder Ramirez since he had been teasing me about the cockroaches all day, ever since this morning.  I was going to yell something to him, like “ya, really funny!” when all of the sudden out of a tiny, hole in the wall next to me, emerged 5-6 tiny white cockroaches!  Oh no!  There’s a nest, and they’re starting to hatch!  Once again, I was wrong when I thought the world had been saved from the ugly crunchy critters, but I found out that our problems were just beginning.  Apparently our wall is  some kinda new breeding ground for ‘em, and it’s full of babies, larva, and who knows what else.  My hero once again torched all that were in full view, but I have this funny feeling there’s many more surprises hiding inside our bathroom wall.  Elder Ramirez says we need to buy some kind of poison for them.  I’ll let you know how it goes…
Let me close this book with a few thoughts.  My life really is great.  All though I myself am far from perfect, I dare say that my life is pretty darn close to being perfect.  Everything is exactly how and where I want it right now.  I don’t have any major problems, or anything.  I love the mission field.  I’m still adjusting to the people, language, food, lifestyle, schedule, companion and what not, but I know everything is going to be just perfect.  I also know that any hard times I do go through, will just be the Lord smoothing out my rough spots, turning me into a smooth, slick, polished rock.  It’ll all be for my own good.  Besides, it’s like something said to me recently, which hit me hard, and it’s also something that I’m constantly reminded of here in Campeche, because all the little boys here are constantly flying their kites they make out of garbage.  What I was told was “Remember, a kite only flies against the wind.”

To Liz From Cristina

This year I got Liz' name. Honestly this year it's been a hard one and between going to pregnancy and  having a baby and all the problems I had after I didn't really have time to serve others but I was blessed to be served by many angels here on earth and on the other side. I just want Liz to know how much I love her and much I admire her. I know everybody has trials and to me her trials are being well taking care of by her, her strength and attitude amazes me. Last time I had a deep chat with her was when I was at the hospital and she was there with me. We talked and I was so happy she was there for me. She was serving me by bringing some comfort and strength when I most needed. Every time I will see on tv how moms home school their kids it will make me think on her. She has a big heart and so much love for her kids that she is doing what is best for them and I admire that. So this year she also help me with my depression and anxiety by telling me what she does to keep her mind busy. She showed me her folder with things she does, like reading the scripture and more. I have my own notebook and I do the same. So thank you Liz for serving me and teaching me that I am not alone and I can count on you. I love you and I am glad I am part of your family.

Although we were told who we should serve I also wanted to serve my husband Dave. This year I felt him so close to me and he was able to give me some messages for my kids and even when each Christmas gets harder I also decided to smile and think about him and enjoy my new family because I know he wants me to be happy. When I hold my baby makes me love him more because I know that those 2 were good friends before she came to earth. This year I was able to get over my fear with ambulances and hospital as I was the one in need and a week ago, wes and I help a young boy that was in a very bad car accident. I saw how much the paramedics did for me and it brought closure to me. I know that my Dave was in good hands and they did all they could to save him.  I love him and I feel honored he chose me to be his eternal companion and I can't wait to the day I get to see him and be in his arms again! Merry Christmas!

To Wes - from Issaquah, Washington Love, Mom

Wes, Wes Wes - from Issaquah, Washington

How do I love thee

Let me count the ways

A good husband

A daddy

A son

All came to us thru tragedy

But as a blessing in disguise

Your smile

Your hugs

Your words of reassurance

I looked for opportunities

To do kindness

To catch a person in need

Maybe earthly

Or maybe in spirit

Your smile

Your hugs

Your words of reassurance

A Primary President wanting to make copies

Of conference activities for the children

The price was too dear

So I asked her to let me pay

Your smile

Your hugs

Your words of reassurance

An opportunity to make a difference

In the life of someone not blessed

With the means to attend a conference

So I paid with no regrets

Your smile

Your hugs

Your words of reassurance

During the summer

A shopping trip

For a few that would love something new

To wear to school the first day back

Your smile

Your hugs

Your words of reassurance

Fall came and a new opportunity

To grow and become more humble

Through service at the Humanitarian Center

Brought new insights to me

Your smile

Your hugs

Your words of reassurance

Later in the year

As the holidays approached

A little girl here as a refugee from Senegal

Tried to tell her mother they needed a turkey

Your smile

Your hugs

Your words of reassurance

Another sister with challenges

Her physical body did not allow

Her the  privelage of working hard

So medication was almost impossible

You smile

Your hugs

Your words of reassurance

The Christmas wish  of the little girl from Senegal

Was a baby doll with a dress

And oh, dear Santa, make her black like me

In this new world in which we live

Your smile

Your hugs

Your words of reassurance

As may be gathered from the notes above

All of these acts required money

Not huge amounts - but just enough

That I could act in your stead

Instead of your smile

Your hugs

Your words of reassurance

I was in a position to help

Another in their time of need

And now, our Wes from Issaquah

We are far from our home

As we are serving our fellowmen

Not far from your Issaquah

For

Your smile

Your hugs

Your words of reassurance

Thank you

Love, Mom