December 29, 2024

From Abby - I'm Dreaming of a White Boxing Day

Hello ALL!
Here are the thrilling events of December 23rd-29th!

Currently sitting in my huge tie dye shirt and trying to contemplate what I should eat for breakfast. The ambiance is a cold kitchen light and "Lead Kindly Light" by the tabernacle choir at temple square playing. 

LAST pday
AT Walmart as we literally exited the checkout line and started heading for the door I get a TEXT from walmart stating simply that my film was ready (Get it I guess walmart film). Best believe we made our way over to the electronics section. Film always fills one with anticipation and excitement to behold pictures taken a month ago and remninice on memories: payed $16 USD and got handed a package of 27 printed images and -1 USB, (Karyn mode activated) my heart HARDENED as the empty apologies came from the employees mouth paired with empty promises of the USB coming later. (I've been in customer service too long) #nodigitalphotosforme and no i have not yet recieved a call.
I walked out in somewhat of a fuming fashion and my companion provided -empathy saying "It could be worse." Of course she was right but is it so wrong to want to throw a tantrum and then plot walmarts demise? ()

We visited with our friend Louise and after conversing about the temple and the sacredness of it (She still wants to know all the symbols :D) she decided to show us a bunch of her REALLY cool Native americain beadwork and clothing, she took each item of her closet out and showed us the simple complexities of her creations, I marvelled at the fact that old people have truly lived a LIFE and were even more young and vibrant than they are now. I wish I could meet teenager- young adult version of every old person.  Louise says we wouldn't have been friends but I think we would have got along just fine :) 

Christmas eve was absolutely wonderful 
Sister Heaton and I tornadoed our apartment and CRAMMED our bikes in a back corner so we could put the christmas tree all cute in the middle > of course we celebrated christmas eve at Culvers (awkwardly discovered it was only drivethrough after getting out of the car and standing in front of the Culvers doors) 
We ate at a random park and met this guy whos son is serving in Edmonton Alberta AND hes talking lessons from his son from afar :D  SO  EPIC. Sister Heaton and I visited people in the evening walking from house to house commenting on christmas lights and remniniscing over the last 2 months, feeling the christmas spirit distill on everything, our souls filled with cheer <3
We read Luke 2 and Matthew 2 before we fell asleep which scripture without fail invites the spirit into the room.

"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord"

I love thinking about that sacred picture. Of a newborn babe wrapped in white, the mystified wonder on every person's countenance to behold that Jesus Christ was born. I get to experience that awe and wonder every day because of him!!

Christmas morning was filled with sweetness. to open and unwrap the packages carfully compiled and organized just for me :) I definitely got a bit teary eyed feeling apreciated and loved even from afar.
Hanging out with the zone was so fun as well. the Elder that had me for secret santa MADE me a little tree out of wire and moss, and then Elder Bye wrote a note for EVERONE in the zone which had to be the sweetest thing ever.
We played games and laughed and got much too rambunctious and loud :)

BOXING DAY
I learned is NOT a holiday in the United States of America. Crim. 
anyways Christmas came a day early because it SNOWED. we pulled up to Zdc with Elders creating snowballs and snowmen. I was irrestibly jumping for JOY. For a second I forgot how happy snow makes me, snowball fights, foot prints and crunchy footsteps, snowflakes on lashes and cheeks, ROSY CHEEKS. (I guess thats due to just cold but you get the point) 
Rain is a sad substitute but its still fun to be biking through puddles and hopping off my bike with a COMPLETELY soaked skirt <3 
I love being alive :)

This week I had my last mentor session which was bitter sweet. Theres something so special about being in training. I feel like it creates space for humility in the sense that your literal existence is centered around LEARNING. Progression is one of the most godlike attributes I can think of and being in training allows us to hope for exponential progression! I don't know if that makes sense 
I think this stream of thought comes from the fact that I'm mostly terrified to train...

Biking this week has been AMAZING for cats SPAWNING in our path. Sister Heaton and I were updating something on our phones and Sister Heaton says "SISTER SMITH Look behind you." I turn to see a beautiful white cat trotting right down the middle of the sidewalk toward me. out of No where! I was so happy to give her pats. Similar experiences have happened like 5 times and I'm convinced its god looking out for me.

This week we dropped cookies off to like 20 households, our wrapping is always Ghetto but the thought is what counts and our cookies are always filled with love :)

On sunday Sister Heaton and I had the chance to speak to the Cascade 1st ward. The topic we were given was repentance through Christ which was a gargantuan topic to tackle. Whenever I chose to study a specific topic in the gospel of Jesus Christ I always begin to convince myself that its the most important one XD Because what would we do without repentance?!? But then you think about it a little longer and conclude What would we do without Faith!??! and THEN you think about it longer and realise that every single componant is supposed to fit together like a puzzle and god laughs as you try to wrap your puny brain around his everlasting plan of salvation. 

ANYWAYS, the main takeaways from my
studies:
Because Repentance is prefaced by faith we CANNOT repent without faith
Matthew 9:22 (one example) 

But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. 
> "Thy FAITH (Prefaced) hath made thee WHOLE (Repentance, the atonement covering our sins) 
> Faith is the trust and understanding that the Atonement is valid and it covers YOU and YOUR sins trials and afflictions. 
> Kneeling in prayer and asking for forgiveness is a manifestation of us acting on our faith. Faith is an action word. (faith like a seed planted and nurtured.. Alma 32 type beat) 
> God is QUICK to forgive. If you truly desire to be forgiven,and choose to change so that you strive to come closer to Jesus Christ he has already forgiven you. 

Patrick Kearan quote from his April 2024 talk "Gods intent is to bring you home" : 

"God is in relentless pursuit of you. He “wants all of His children to choose to return to Him,” and He employs every possible measure to bring you back.

Theres so much more than that but that's the fast takeaways.

I finished the Book of Mormon this week and wow please read that book. It will bless your life :) 

felt the spirit in so many homes, felt loved by so many families, and molded by so many good people that I'm surrounded with 

As my Grandpa Bruce would say 
"life is good" :)

Have a GREAT WEEK HERE WE COME 2025 

Bye <3

From Mom - Fine Then, Here's Your Email

Dear Sister Smith,

I’m sitting in one of Gma and Gpa’s easy chairs in the corner of their living room. They know I’m writing you an email so I’m off kitchen duty . Gma is puttering in the kitchen; simultaneously making breakfast and her signature “after holidays” turkey stew, quietly talking to herself, haha. Sam is sitting on the floor, scratching Coco. Dad is telling us about the last movie he watched (something about two archaeologists searching for Christmas in Iceland). I love my mom and dad so much! I don’t think I’ve ever met more generous, open-hearted and hard-working people as them although my Dad keeps telling us stories which is making it difficult to focus on writing. I appreciate watching him talk and how he laughs at his own jokes. 

Bruce Family News: 

•Kurri’s divorce from Adam is final. He signed the papers without a peep and Kurri is free. My mom says, “It’s better to be single than in a bad relationship, but it’s better to be in a good relationship than to be single.” So Kurri has decided she is going to love being single … and she is! She invited me to a celebration-of-freedom event. I think we will meet in Calgary and have a girls-day together sometime in January. 

•Mom and Dad spend all their time in the temple because my mother is a family history fanatic. The sibs bought them a new computer and we’re working together to get them a double screen. My parents are busy and happy. (*Actually, Abby, can you send us a few of your favourite memories of Gma and Gpa? I’ll print it out and add it to their memory jar. The idea is that when everyone they’re feeling lonely, they can grab a few out and laugh together.)

•Dave is trying to influence your Dad to go on a canoe trip this summer because it’s Corbin’s last summer home. Dave wants to do a hard one but I don’t think your father is interested … although I might be.  Dave was telling us that the Sundance cabin that Tyler has in his family is the same cabin that Logan (Payton’s husband) has in his family.  Did two Bruce girls from Canada marry two American cousins? Steph and Bowie called in the middle of writing this email and she explained that they are kind of second cousins through marriage, so not blood related but connected through a common family link. Small world story? I think yes!

•Steve was wearing the cheesiest Christmas sweater of all time. He received it as a gift from Ellyn and it’s from the movie Elf with Will Ferrell. The picture on the front is a hologram and changes depending on the angle of your view. Apparently Steve hasn’t taken it off since Dec 25. Still laughing about it. He also introduced us to a free app called “Bank” that is actually a simple group game that has everyone screaming. Add it to your list of things-to-try post-mission. It’s super fun, easy and would be YSA friendly. 

•Everyone else is doing well and nothing else to report besides the traditional dogpile. Todd started it and Claira was in the lead of the mob. Poor Connor!

It’s always so grounding to come home, no matter how old you get! One of my big “gratefuls” of life is my parents and their inclusive love to everyone. I hope I can follow in their footsteps. 

I’ve been spending time going through 2024 photos and pondering about the year. Seriously such an amazing year full of milestones and events! I mean … going to Europe twice? (Dad went seven times.) Abby on a mission, Mia to uni, empty nesters, what?! I have a few fave photos though. 

And now this email will have to suffice because Sam is calling me to show up for eating and maybe more gifts? 

Love you a million, baby girl!

Super proud of you.

We pray for you every day!

Mom