May 4, 2025
From Abby - May the force
Hi ALL!
I think this is the third time I've missed writing my weekly due to circumstances that I probably could have handled better.. This email will cover April 28th- May4th
I think this is the third time I've missed writing my weekly due to circumstances that I probably could have handled better.. This email will cover April 28th- May4th
This morning (May 5th) I had a vial experience that I would like to share.
per the usual on a Pday morning I walked through our living room/kitchen to begin my load of laundry and as I walk I feel something on the bottom of my foot (I was wearing socks don't stress) that stuck and felt as though I had stepped on something slightly sticky or a piece of lint.. as one does I brushed it off from the bottom of my foot only to discover a GARGANTUAN SPIDER!??! And he wasnt even squished. post landing on the floor he scurried under the counter.
He has since been murdured by sister Orton and for that I am grateful
per the usual on a Pday morning I walked through our living room/kitchen to begin my load of laundry and as I walk I feel something on the bottom of my foot (I was wearing socks don't stress) that stuck and felt as though I had stepped on something slightly sticky or a piece of lint.. as one does I brushed it off from the bottom of my foot only to discover a GARGANTUAN SPIDER!??! And he wasnt even squished. post landing on the floor he scurried under the counter.
He has since been murdured by sister Orton and for that I am grateful
I wish I could understand the mind of that spider, why would he exit the safe space of under the counter when he almost got TRAMPLED?! Theres probably a life lesson in there somewhere
ANYWAYS
Last pday was strange.. we were going to play pickleball and then it was raining so we played codenames inside.. Elder Stansel played and one of the clues he gave was "Slay" for the cards "Lion" and "Server" Sister Dimitrov (His hint reader) Didn't choose server and was confused as to why the hint Slay would go with the card Server.. Elder Stansel explained "Sister Dimitrov, obviously when you slay you also serve, like Serving looks" I was IMPRESSED and a little dissapointed that none of us saw it XD
We love sweet Elders
He played with us even though he wanted to play basketball, when he saw us alone in the corner he joined without hesitation.
ANYWAYS
Last pday was strange.. we were going to play pickleball and then it was raining so we played codenames inside.. Elder Stansel played and one of the clues he gave was "Slay" for the cards "Lion" and "Server" Sister Dimitrov (His hint reader) Didn't choose server and was confused as to why the hint Slay would go with the card Server.. Elder Stansel explained "Sister Dimitrov, obviously when you slay you also serve, like Serving looks" I was IMPRESSED and a little dissapointed that none of us saw it XD
We love sweet Elders
He played with us even though he wanted to play basketball, when he saw us alone in the corner he joined without hesitation.
This is how it should be :)
We also had president interviews and sitting in that mans office is the scariest and also most comforting event.
There's always a great conversation and also always something that I never say because i'm too scared that its my pride. I'm sitting accross from him and all I want to say is "PUT ME IN LEADERSHIP" or "Give me a companion who REALLY cares about the work.. and has some experience (Love you sister Atwood.)" but I don't ever ask because again.. Pride.
But whats the balance of the prioritization of humility and also the push for excellence.. Don't ask me I wish I knew.
Monday evening we get a text from this older couple which essentially says "Are you coming for breakfast tomorrow? We're planning on it!" And Sister Orton and I were like "BET." So we show up at their place at 9:00 AM and devour some waffles while listening to their conversion stories. She was elect, and SEARCHING. He saw a sign that said "Free book, the missionaries will deliver it to you"
He had a boston accent and she gave us a pamphlet that the missionaried gave her from the 1990's.
I love these spontaneous situations I find myself in as a missionary
We also had president interviews and sitting in that mans office is the scariest and also most comforting event.
There's always a great conversation and also always something that I never say because i'm too scared that its my pride. I'm sitting accross from him and all I want to say is "PUT ME IN LEADERSHIP" or "Give me a companion who REALLY cares about the work.. and has some experience (Love you sister Atwood.)" but I don't ever ask because again.. Pride.
But whats the balance of the prioritization of humility and also the push for excellence.. Don't ask me I wish I knew.
Monday evening we get a text from this older couple which essentially says "Are you coming for breakfast tomorrow? We're planning on it!" And Sister Orton and I were like "BET." So we show up at their place at 9:00 AM and devour some waffles while listening to their conversion stories. She was elect, and SEARCHING. He saw a sign that said "Free book, the missionaries will deliver it to you"
He had a boston accent and she gave us a pamphlet that the missionaried gave her from the 1990's.
I love these spontaneous situations I find myself in as a missionary
9:05 AM ^ pre breakfast!
I learned an awesome biking sister lifehack where you reach inbetween your legs, grab the back of your dress and pin it RIGHT to the front (Like where the belly button is :)) Its honestly flattering and gives nothing less than genie pants/Diaper
#Humbleddaily
We had another lesson with our darling 10 year old friend Georgia.. Instead of mikes friend James, we had an encounter with Natalia (A woman that's staying with Mike and Georgia) upon asking her about her beliefs she plunges into this casual explenation about satanic beliefs and multiple gods and SKETCH stuff I don't care to understand enough to explain
We also lead this YW activity and per the usual you feel as though they all to some degree think you're lame :D
One question they asked was something along the lines of "Who created God?" Or "What was before god" I thought of these verses in Doctrine and Covenants where we learn that we can't really place a limit on the timeline of god
#Humbleddaily
We had another lesson with our darling 10 year old friend Georgia.. Instead of mikes friend James, we had an encounter with Natalia (A woman that's staying with Mike and Georgia) upon asking her about her beliefs she plunges into this casual explenation about satanic beliefs and multiple gods and SKETCH stuff I don't care to understand enough to explain
We also lead this YW activity and per the usual you feel as though they all to some degree think you're lame :D
One question they asked was something along the lines of "Who created God?" Or "What was before god" I thought of these verses in Doctrine and Covenants where we learn that we can't really place a limit on the timeline of god
In D&C 29:31-33
He first talkes about how theres a "beginning" and a "Last" of his work and then in vs 33 he says
"Speaking unto you that you may naturally understand; but unto myself my works have no end, neither beginning; but it is given unto you that ye may understand, because ye have asked it of me and are agreed."
He first talkes about how theres a "beginning" and a "Last" of his work and then in vs 33 he says
"Speaking unto you that you may naturally understand; but unto myself my works have no end, neither beginning; but it is given unto you that ye may understand, because ye have asked it of me and are agreed."
I think it's so funny that hes like "yes.. I explained it as if it has a beginning and end.. but that's just because your brain is too small to understand :) just wanted to let you know."
We shared a message with this wonderful older sister named Nancy, when we came into her living room we discovered her husband who looked ROUGH (As in around the edges.. not sickly) as we visit and share a scripture it becomes VERY apperant that he is less active. He mentioned that he goes to the bar everyday, and she mentioned that he doesn't go to the temple with her... ETC yet for the closing and opening prayer he decided who said it?! King.
Mayb that's normal but It felt strange
We shared a message with this wonderful older sister named Nancy, when we came into her living room we discovered her husband who looked ROUGH (As in around the edges.. not sickly) as we visit and share a scripture it becomes VERY apperant that he is less active. He mentioned that he goes to the bar everyday, and she mentioned that he doesn't go to the temple with her... ETC yet for the closing and opening prayer he decided who said it?! King.
Mayb that's normal but It felt strange
my good sir you are not a worthy priesthood holder. (With all the love in my heart)
We were out with Sister Sperry this week (One of our service missionaries) and its like 8:45PM wednesday night and we decided to knock this house thats Semi sketch (Possibly vacant)
when there was a definite no answer we turn to go and theres this single man walking up the path towards us :D I'm like "Oh Heyy do you live here?" and he's like "no..*sketchy vibes* I live next door" he explains to us that the house IS in fact vacant and we start making small talk.. Short story long we ended up sharing a message with him and he invited us into our house. TELL ME WHY I was worried that he would lock the door and why was I intimidated by the chisel that was on the arm of his couch.. and thus it is with being a woman. CRIM
Sister Orton and I recieved a text from our District Leader earlier in the week (Slay elder Brown) with the inquiry of giving a training. Isn't this conversation thrilling?
We were out with Sister Sperry this week (One of our service missionaries) and its like 8:45PM wednesday night and we decided to knock this house thats Semi sketch (Possibly vacant)
when there was a definite no answer we turn to go and theres this single man walking up the path towards us :D I'm like "Oh Heyy do you live here?" and he's like "no..*sketchy vibes* I live next door" he explains to us that the house IS in fact vacant and we start making small talk.. Short story long we ended up sharing a message with him and he invited us into our house. TELL ME WHY I was worried that he would lock the door and why was I intimidated by the chisel that was on the arm of his couch.. and thus it is with being a woman. CRIM
Sister Orton and I recieved a text from our District Leader earlier in the week (Slay elder Brown) with the inquiry of giving a training. Isn't this conversation thrilling?
anyways for some reason prayer has been sticking out to both of us so we SLAYED a prayer training!! As part of the training I thought it would be fun to talk about intention with our prayers by inviting everyone to attempt writing a Hai Ku. The premis was about your relationship with God, or missionary work, or christ centered ETC just something thats applicable to being a disciple of Jesus Christ
Here were some of the outcomes! I thought it was so cool.
Here were some of the outcomes! I thought it was so cool.
Mine:
My god is my life
I will sing praises to him
As long as I live
Cease:
I pray to Father
Desires, fears, and questions
I wait and receive
Lowry:
Temple covenants
Sealed to those I love for good
Boy I cannot wait
Brown!
Heavenly Father
I want to commune with you
And recieve your light
Poetry is so cool.
its fun to give trainings I'm so thankful when i'm given the opportunity to stretch :)
I was able to go on exchanges with Sister Peterson this week which was SO FUN. Our morning companionship study was probably one of the most abstract conversations I've had in a while..It spurred from me reading Doctrine and Covenants 93 which talks about Intelligences!?!? (my mortal brain can't wrap its head around it)
its fun to give trainings I'm so thankful when i'm given the opportunity to stretch :)
I was able to go on exchanges with Sister Peterson this week which was SO FUN. Our morning companionship study was probably one of the most abstract conversations I've had in a while..It spurred from me reading Doctrine and Covenants 93 which talks about Intelligences!?!? (my mortal brain can't wrap its head around it)
Vs 29:
"Man was also in the beginning with God, Intelligence, or the light of truth, was not created or made, neither indeed can be"
Essentially man can't just be poofed on the earth.. We're much more divine, and light to be just another one of gods creatures. Does that mean we've been fully formed spirits this whole time? I don't know if that's necisarily either. anyways this section launched us into a plathora of topics... Heres a few:
- Translation vs transfiguration
-Damnation vs Hell
-Spiritually of Animals
-Jehova: Premortal life Jesus
-Jehova: Premortal life Jesus
-Nature of Millenium
-OTHER SHEEP? ETC
Anyways I hope an inkling of this makes sense
Anyways I hope an inkling of this makes sense
We went knocking with a service missionary at the end of the week and one of the doors we knocked answered with "Come in!!" When we opened the door we found an older gentleman sitting by himself munching some rice! We sit and start to visit with him and he explains that he has had a TERRIBLE day. He got in a car accident in the morning and he called his children to help him figure out insurance with NO ANSWER?! He said that he's terribly lonely and that no one has come to help him. Tears slipped down his cheeks in the most HEARTBREAKING manner. We learned his name is Robert and we shared a scripture and prayed with him.. He said "You are angels sent to me" IT WAS SO SWEET
I love being led by the spirit
Sister Dimitrov got a BUNCH of missionary made music and one of the songs starts with someone speaking an entire phrase in Tagalog and Sister Orton and I have been DYING laughing trying to learn it. To the point where it probably was disrespectful how wrong I was saying it.. At least we giggled :)
End of week, one of our fellowshippers Sister Kemp called us for basically an emergency meeting at her house...
Sister Dimitrov got a BUNCH of missionary made music and one of the songs starts with someone speaking an entire phrase in Tagalog and Sister Orton and I have been DYING laughing trying to learn it. To the point where it probably was disrespectful how wrong I was saying it.. At least we giggled :)
End of week, one of our fellowshippers Sister Kemp called us for basically an emergency meeting at her house...
We show up to ALL of her extended family crowded in, they directed us to the back where she was flipping paddies at the grill.. We're like "Heyy Sister Kemp!!" and she's like "Oh heyyy!!" And proceeds to drop the most Egregious news about someone we're teaching.. Mike apperently is a DRUG DEALER and possibly matches a description of someone who takes in women, helps them get on their feet and then weird stuff goes down...
We also had a lesson in the Cottages (Or.. Shady Oaks where they live) where this old man was STARING at Georgia (10 year old we're teaching) and her friend Mackenzie (11) THE WHOLE LESSON. We come to learn by someone else in the area that he is on the registry as a child sex offender?!
APPAULING.We decided that it would be better and safer if we do lessons at Sister Kemps house. It was such a chaotic BBQ meeting but honestly one of the most productive meetings I've been apart of XD I love sister Kemp and her literal detective friend that can look up stuff like that.
Theres a lady in our area named Susanne Seegmiller. We had helped her weed her garden last week and scheduled a time to come back on saturday.. She wasn't there when we came (I wasn't shocked)
on sunday we decided to stop by and invite her to church!! I won't lie I knocked with fear because bro just stood us up AND less active and we're about to invite her to church?? She answers and after we invite her shes says in the most snake like voice
"Oh! Ladies.. I already went to church :)"
Upon our request as to what she believes she COLDLY says "Why does it matter what I believe.." GIRL. When I asked her ANY question she would STOP me and say "I sense that you're trying to lure me back into the mormon church.." Which I mean fair, but I can't just inquire about your believes??
you can't just say your'e a "reborn mormon" without explaining what the heck that entails..
you can't just say your'e a "reborn mormon" without explaining what the heck that entails..
She contradicted herself MANY times
-Believes in the bible but HATES the idea of prophets (the Bible is prophets.. also she took the lords name in vain like 10 times)
-Believes in rebirth and living life multiple times but also claimed "I'm going STRAIGHT to the celestial kingdom. I'm saved girls. I don't believe in your exclusive little club" First of all the DRAMA second of all.. How can you believe in a definite end but also an endless loop?!
ANYWAYS we were flamed for an hour and at the end agreed to do service for her at a later time because that's what Jesus Christ would do. And then we biked to church feeling deflated.
CRIM
Met a guy who deals poker for a living! That was cool
ANYWAYS we were flamed for an hour and at the end agreed to do service for her at a later time because that's what Jesus Christ would do. And then we biked to church feeling deflated.
CRIM
Met a guy who deals poker for a living! That was cool
ZLs brought us cookies
Also visited with one of our recent converts whos from the Congo and speaks fluent french, it was really fun to visit with a translator.
I was very sad I couldn't speak french.
I'm gonna stop typing now
STAY TUNED FOR EMAIL NUMBER TWO OKAYYYYY
I was very sad I couldn't speak french.
I'm gonna stop typing now
STAY TUNED FOR EMAIL NUMBER TWO OKAYYYYY
Bye :))))
From Dad - Stuff
Dear Abby,
It has been a really good week here at home (we need to name our place, I think...e.g. Smithville or Smith Acres or something).
Mia has had the joyful opportunity to experience the highs and lows of looking for a job. The week started off with an interview at Wizard lake campground and a flurry of resume drop offs and networking. She sent off an acceptance of the Wizard Lake job as long as they respect her condition of not working Sunday. We'll see what the response is hopefully tomorrow. She was a lot more at peace with it after a good Fast Sunday and choosing a direction. Life is full of chances like this to grow and learn.
Ice bucket challenge, eh? I had a trembling moment waiting to see if I was on your challenge list :)
Yesterday Mia and I carried on the tradition of doing the Highway cleanup with the ward. This year there were so many people we only had to do one stretch of highway. I really enjoyed connecting with my Devon ward family. Josh and Madison came out for a couple of hours in the afternoon and Josh did a thorough window washing on the house. Looks so good.
Mom felt a prompting to go to Sparwood to see her Auntie Nancy and help her Mom and Dad as they prepare the Sparwood house for sale. So Mia and I have been holding down the fort. The other day I came home to see Mia and Emma decked out in Oilers colors watching the play off game. Mia's becoming a playoff Oiler fan. The Oilers made it past the first round by a miracle or two so the saga continues for now.
I've started chipping away at building a greenhouse and got some foundation pieces in place. May is here and lots of projects in mind to do this year from the driveway to the greenhouse to the basketball court.
I prayed my way to Hinton today in the green car. It's been acting its age but with Mom gone and Mia going to Church here, I needed a way out there. It ran well, thankfully. One of these times it's going to give up the ghost but today was not that day !
Mom and I got the chance to go to the temple on Thursday. It was nice to be in the house of the Lord together. Mia is feeling the call to prepare for and go to the temple soon. Thankful for her humility and faithfulness. I've been grateful to have her as a house mate with mom away.
I enjoyed the Come Follow Me sections this week, and was reminded how thankful I am for your Mom. This verse resonated with me:
I hope I can truly cleave to her for the rest of eternity along with each one of our children.
Love you lots,
Dad.
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