SISTER DeGOOYER - WEEK 30

Two weeks later...

I am still alive. 

A lot has happened. 

First, Sister Hulet broke her ankle by slipping on some ice into a pothole. She broke it in 3 places, and it was decided that the recovery would take too long and so we attended her funeral on Thursday night. She had 8 weeks of her mission left. We lost a truly great missionary, I was blessed to know and learn from her. As Elder Wilson said "We lost a great missionary, a great wombat, but most importantly a great Texan."

On Friday, January 24th, Sister Gilson's 20th Birthday, we sang "God Be With You Till We Meet Again" as Sister Hulet rode off to surgery. Sister Gilson, right then, officially become our companion. And then there were three...

I wish it was under better circumstances, but I honestly was so happy to get Sister Gilson as a companion. We came out together. My "greenie breaker" was her trainer (Sister Done). Sister Gilson is from Arizona, she is a convert, and she has been out for 7 months.  She is 20 years old, and she is almost a phlebotomist. Haha, she is pretty great! 

We have begun teaching a lady named Michelle, she is in the Elders area so we are going to try and turn her over to them. She seems like she could really be receptive, she has been through a lot, but it has been her faith in God that has helped her through. I can imagine how happy she'll be when she is told about the restoration and God's plan for her! 

We went to the local highschool basketball game to catch a family we have been trying to teach. It was a first for me, and my goodness it was sooo much fun! We were able to make a lot of really good contacts and watch an awesome game. If you haven't been to a highschool basketball game, go, it's worth it. And while you're there, talk to people about Jesus, it goes a long way! 

Sooo, we now cover 5 wards for at least 3 weeks. Twin Falls 19th, Kimberly 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 7th. We have a car now, with a lot of miles so, hooray!! Our teaching pool has doubled and we are working hard to balance our time in each ward. It's an adventure, but it's fun! 

Alright, so, this week I started something new! I was praying and thinking about how to act on the prophet's invitation to embrace the restoration. I don't want to miss this wonderful opportunity to feel the Spirit, to gain a stronger testimony, and to receive guidance for my life. So, I have determined that as part of my preparation for the April General Conference, I am going to read JS-H 1-20 everyday during personal study. I started this on Tuesday, and goodness it has been incredibly neat! My testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith has grown so much! I encourage y'all to study it for yourself and then pair it with your reading of the Book of Mormon, miracles will happen as you do so! 

Love y'all! Have a great week! Until next time! Ate logo! 

Sister DeGooyer 

Contacting in the Country 

Pday fun (last)

The trio 

Goodbye Sister Hulet 

Basketball Game 

Hulet's Funeral 

Goodbyes

ALL THINGS CONSIDERED

Life never slows down.  And I always seem to be apologizing for not blogging as often as I wish I could.  But we have been busy.  I've started back to work.  Scott is on a business trip to Idaho.  I've been deep cleaning and trying to keep up with ALL of my New Year's Resolutions.  (So far so good.)
However, we have had some enjoyable, fun times the past three weeks:
A few Sundays ago, I decided we needed a family craft project.  Scott has an obsession with gnomes.  So.... we made gnomes.  It was really fun.  And everyone was so creative:

My Gnomies!

Scott's shirt says, "I'm Sexy and I Gnome It!"

Cody's "Shoulder Gnome" kinda like a "Shoulder Angel?!"

I love this amazing smile!  Her smile makes everyone around her smile!

Creativity is oozing from Sheila!

Cody's Gnome also sported a man bun.  Yikes!

But Skittles liked it!

Then I still had a week off before I started back to work, so I kidnapped some of Amy's kids.  First I kidnapped Raisin and Jelly Bean.  We bought toys, ate DQ blizzards, and watched Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. 

Me and Raisin and Jelly Bean

Raisin loves her Pretty Pony!

And Jelly Bean was so excited for his Etch-a-sketch

and football bomb!

The next day I kidnapped Apple Pie, Marmalade and Nuts.  (I forgot to get a picture.)  But we went to see the new Jumangi: The Next Level movie.  It was so funny.  And I think Amy's kids felt loved!  At least I hope so.
Last week, Scott and I went to Lowe's for our Friday night date.  We had saved a few hundred dollars for a new range and microwave.  I LOVE the white.  It brightens up the kitchen and makes everything look so clean and happy!  Scott installed all of the appliances on Saturday while I was subbing at the temple.

And the best thing about being a grandma right now is Skittles!  Look how adorable he is:

First time playing with Legos.

Wow!  Fish!

Teaching my grandson to love musicals early!

Love that smile!

Scott LOVES being a grandpa...

almost as much as I LOVE being a grandma!

He is sometimes so thoughtful.

Daddy is teaching his son to love games!

I honestly can't believe how blessed we are with this little guy!

SISTER DeGOOYER - WEEK 28

Hold onto your seats, because I plan on writing this email, and by writing this email, I mean typing this email. If you happen to be standing while reading this, I am not going to tell you what to hold onto... but it might be a good idea to find something.

We had interviews this week. President asked us to come prepared with a "protection scripture." Which is basically a scripture that will help you if your testimony is wavering; or if you feel spiritually week; or inadequate; or any negative feeling that has the capability to destroy you (that sounded cheerful). The scripture I chose was Alma 26:12. I picked this scripture because it talks about strength, and the real source of strength, which is God. Since then we've invited a couple people to pick their protection scripture, so I informally invite whomever may be reading this to identify and and choose a protection scripture.

We had Zone Conference this week. A lot of things were discussed, and I left feeling a great desire to "baptize nations." It was so good. We talked about our purpose and all that it entails. We are to not only teach others about Jesus Christ, but to also show them the way back to Him and our Heavenly Father; which is baptism. I love it! I pray everyday that we and the missionaries around the world will find those being prepared, the elect! 

This week we walked in the snow, we ventured into the unknown, and had quite a few people say that we could come back. Blessings are happening, and the work is rolling forward! The members here are so good, we've been picked up out of the cold multiple times this week. Even if it is just to drive us around the corner, they help us. We got to attend two baptisms this week, which was so uplifting! -I love being a missionary!

Oh! I have to tell you about my new companion!  Her name is Sister Soto. She is a convert of about 7 years. She is from Reading, Pennsylvania. (It's on the Monopoly board) She is not use to the cold. She has one of the strongest testimonies I've ever heard! Her favorite color is yellow and her favorite animal is an alpaca. She's a city girl, and she knows how to cook really good beans and rice. 

Side tangent: One of our recent converts wants to make us Indian beans and rice (she is from India). Sister Soto wants to make her, spanish rice and beans. I volunteered to make them american rice and beans, neither one seemed too enthused. 

Being a missionary is a struggle sometimes, but at other times it is so good! I honestly love it! I don't want to sugar coat it, but I will say with my whole heart that I love it. We had the chance to talk to someone who is contemplating serving a mission. She asked some really good questions, and I answered honestly. Missions are HARD, but, dang it, they are so good! 

Love y'all! Have a great week! Pray for your missionaries, pray for missionary opportunities, just pray. 

Sister DeGooyer 

Sister Hulet and I at Zone Conference 

Trying to take a picture in the snow...

Service at Ceal's :)

When your companion gets a BIG box of cleaning supplies 

Idaho Sunsets 

The sun blinding us 

SISTER DeGOOYER - WEEK 27

Happy New Year! My companion is awesome, her name is sister Soto- more on her next week. My name is still Sister DeGooyer, but now I pronounce it like the mother country because it is easier. We found a man named Bill this week! We promised him that we could show him how to answer all of his questions and that we would take one of his and answer it. He asked: "Where is heaven?" We go back to tell him tomorrow.  Zone Conference and Interview with President are this week, so look forward to a long and detailed email NEXT week!

I finished setting my goals and I have done well on them so far! Goals are so important y'all! They give us something to strive for, and something to reach for! They keep our focus on what it needs to be on: growth. True growth only comes in and through our Savior. Sooooo, I invite y'all to look to Him as you make and keep your goals this year. 

Love y'all! 

Sister DeGooyer (De *insert cough* er) 

Goodbye Sister Osborne!

Hello, Sister Soto!

With members...

MY GRANDSON IS ADORABLE!!!

Smiles with a binky are contagious!

Fascinated by bubbles!

Like Father like Son!

Love the matching shirts!

Skittles loves to look outside!

"Come see with me!"

Grandpa shenanigans!

"I know I'm cute, grandpa!"

Shhh!  Baby sleeping!

Reading about Dinosaurs with Grandpa!

"I'm a big boy!"

"I love to see the temple!

I'll go inside someday!"

Soooo excited about food!

Food is happy!