IDAHO CHRISTMAS WITH MY FAMILY!!!

Scott and I spent Christmas with my childhood family this year in Middleton, Idaho.  It was so much fun that I forgot to take a lot of pictures.  We visited a lot.  We saw three new homes (and enjoyed my youngest brother's home too.)  We played games and learned a new one: Mariposas.  We ate lots of delicious foods.  We went out to dinner (some of us twice).  We played White Elephant.  We made fudge, dipped chocolates, and baked cherry chocolate cheesecakes.  And we helped mom get on our family share for iTunes - then created playlists for her.  It was a really wonderful 4 1/2 days.  I didn't want to go!  A large part of who I am is in Idaho - my entire family!  And I'm soooo blessed that I actually like all of them!  (They really are my best friends!)

Me - Zane - Ben - GJ
Dad - Mom

Scott & Me - Zane & Tara - Kristi & Ben - GJ & Ken
Dad & Mom

Best Steaks EVER!

But even better company!

The Boys

Scott's Antlers...

Seconds after this picture, GJ and I pulled a "Jeanine!"

Aunt Jeanine used to elbow my dad and uncle in the gut in pictures.

We attempted to capture it on film... instead you see smiles.

Moments later, Zane and Ben were doubled over in pain.

Dad scored at our White Elephant gift exchange.
He got a REAL bear skin.

Scott wanted a picture of this tree across from my sister's and parent's new home.

Aren't my nieces and nephews adorable?!

I love each one of them so darn much!

Scott and I went on a "date" at the airport on our way home.

It was yummy!

Outtake Family Photo?!

YIKES!!!!

I love this crazy bunch!

They humored me by allowing me to take family pictures!

LILLYWHITES IN TEXAS FOR CHRISTMAS

 It was so difficult to not see my grandson for 2 weeks.  His parents took him to see his Grandpa Lillywhite in Texas.  But we face-timed, and saw lots of pictures!  I love and missed him... and his parents!

On the way to Texas...

This is what exhaustion looks like!

Skittles LOVED his cousins!

Looking at lights with dad.

I love these three individuals so dang much!

The entire Lillywhite Clan!

Putting bows on your head is tight!

Skittles is all the gift we need!

His sweet cousin loved playing with him.

And coloring with him!

Cousins at Christmas!

He was super excited to find M&Ms in his stocking from Santa!

Hanging out with Grandpa Lillywhite!

Heading home... He loved having his own seat on the airplane.

SISTER DeGOOYER - 18 MONTHS

This is a FaceBook post Katia made on the 26th:

SISTER DeGOOYER - WEEK 78

This week was weird.

I hope it was the jolliest of weeks for anyone who still reads these emails and everyone else! ;) Merry *belated Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Christmas was fun this year, but as always Christmas on a mission consists of all the weeks leading up to the holiday and then of course, the day. The day was a good one, it was more laid back, which is hard for me. After working in a warehouse for two years, it is hard to slow down. Still we enjoyed spending time with our Zone, calling our families, and visiting our friend: Beth.
I felt exceptionally spoiled! A new water bottle, that I am praying I don't lose (this is water bottle number 8). Jesus sandals. A necklace. Two new books. I got everything I could have ever wanted!

We had zone conference this week, which was incredible! President took us to see "The Forgotten Carols" by Michael McLean. We linked arms in the theater and sang "We can be Together Forever." He had us think of someone who wasn't there with us. I thought of my Sister. :)
After watching the movie we separated and had a zone conference mission style. President used the analogy of the gift card to teach us, and we have taken it to 3 of our people now and have another lesson planned for tonight. We will talk about our Savior and His sacrifice and our options to take it or leave it.
I got to give my departing advice at Zone Conference, I never thought the day would come. For 18 months [12 transfers] I have watched the oldest in the mission share what they have learned, I've taken notes, and this week it was my turn. It was good, but I especially loved hearing my friends give their advice. In our Zone four of us are going home and their testimonies were beautiful, pure, and strong.
We all got an IPM year book and ornament from the Southwards. :)

WE FOUND 6 PEOPLE YESTERDAY! God led us to a whole family, ready to hear our message! It was amazing! We talked about Jesus and temples and trials and grace. This family is so ready! Sister Sifford and I both couldn't contain our joy!

Quotes of the week: "If you want to sleep in a bathtub manger, I won't judge." and "If I had the choice to eat lasagna in the shower or outside of the shower... I would choose neither"

My studies have been so incredibly good! Reading the scriptures is addicting! My newest dream is to become a biblical scholar. I love all of my scriptures, I can't just study one book. My studies this week took me to the Doctrine and Covenants, Mosiah, Moses, Matthew, Isaiah, Daniel, and Genesis! The scriptures are so good, read them, imagine yourself there, and be amazed at what amazing things follow!

I feel like there was more I wanted to tell you, but my mind has blanked. I hope everyone has a Happy New Year! Set some goals! I had a little epiphany about goals the other day. I try really hard to keep my goals, but sometimes [most times] I fall short. Still, I cannot not make goals, Elder Ballard's instructions speak too loud for me to ignore: "I am so thoroughly convinced, that if we don't set goals in our life and learn how to master the techniques of living to reach our goals, we can reach a ripe old age and look back on life only to see that we reached but a small part of our full potential. When one learns to master the principals of setting a goal, he will then be able to make a difference in the results he attains in this life." I think making and setting New Years Resolutions is a grand time to align our will with Gods! It's a wonderful opportunity to seek and receive personal revelation. So, I challenge each of you to set one new years goal this year. Don't pick your area of work lightly. Ponder and consider how you can become a better instrument and then go to work!

Muchas love, 
Sister DeGooyer 

Christmas Jingle Jam. I destroyed them all in basketball. Hahaha, just kidding, Sifford did. 

Mission Conference 

Stichart and I-- MTC comps 

We made a thing! 

SISTER DeGOOYER - WEEK 77

 Another week for the books! I hope everyone had a fantastic "before Christmas" week! This is truly one of the best times of the year, right up there with General Conference time! 

We started off the week with an exchange. I got to again visit Poky West, but this time with Sister Thalman- who is an incredible missionary. 

We went caroling twice in one day! First, we went to an old folks home. Later we went with the youth in our ward, to a couple families in our ward. Both times were incredibly fun and uplifting. I didn't think the first one would happen, but after making lots of calls we got an appointment and almost the entire zone showed up which was heart warming for both me and the people we sang to. We met an older gentlemen named Noel, who sang every word with us and let me tell you, Noel could sing! He led our little choir and requested we sing "The First Noel" as our last song. :) We had a blast with the youth, they are some incredible people and even better friends. 

We found 6 new people to teach this week, with a potential of 6 more in the coming weeks! It was neat to see how God truly led our path-- He knows where his sheep are!

Sister Sifford and I have been gearing up for Christmas, it was amazing to see the turnout for Christmas Sunday. The programs were incredible, and the musical numbers fantastic! Both of our Bishop's spoke and got me pumped for 2021! It's going to be an amazing year. 

My family has a tradition that I absolutley love, every year we give a gift to Jesus- it is something that we determine to do next year. I have decided that my focus for 2021 is going to be: gratitude, forgiveness, and repentance. I am so excited to ponder more on this plan and set my goal this week on December 24th! 

We had a lot of highlights this week, but the greatest hightlight of all was attending a baptism yesterday! We got to attend Elder Morel and Elder McGee's baptism. The spirit was so strong. I got to witness for the first time in my life- which was so powerful. Sister Sifford and I went up to congratulate her after and we asked her how she felt. She said she felt incredibly light, as if she could float away. She told us that her hands that always hurt, weren't hurting anymore. She was radiant! It was an incredible experiance to be a witness of. She had been waiting so long for this message and she was and is most definitely one of God's elect! 

I hope everyone has a merry Christmas! I hope that we can each take a little bit of time to ponder on the significance of Christ's birth; ponder on the wonder and majesty of that humble beginning and everything that has and will follow. Ponder on this upcoming year and who God wants you to become? What will He ask of you this year? How will you become a better follower and disciple of Christ. What parts of you will he heal or break down so that you can be built up in the perfect way? We're almost rid of 2020, what have you become because of the struggles and challenges and hardships that you faced--- what will you continue to become? 

I love you all infinitely more than I can express-- now take that love and triple it by a billion and eternity and think of your Heavenly Father. He loves you with a love that is always reaching out. Let Him change you through His firstborn's sacrifice. Merry Christmas!

Sister DeGooyer 

P.S. I got to see my three Gaydra's this week! I love them so much! Thank you for coming! 

P.S.S. An explanation of the title is necessary. We were trying to visit people and we had set a pretty lofty goal. It was 7 at night and no one was letting us in. So we parked the car and I started singing another one bites the dust and it came to me! God loved that we had set a goal, but in our heartfelt, sincere, earnest prayers, we were forgetting one thing: "Thy will be done." So, we said another prayer, this time praying specifically for our goals and then turning it to Him, awknowledging our good desires, but stating that He knows best. We knocked on the next door, we got a phone number and return appointment. God is so good! 

P.S.S.S. Sister Sifford almost ran over a squirrel this week..... I screamed, she screamed, it was one of the best moments of our companionship. 

Lunch with Sister Macbeth 

Our relationship in a picture 

random picture of us being hungry 

rando pictures of me dancing........ haha..... your welcome

We wanted to jump in the snow bank.... 4 days after it snowed.... ouch