SISTER DeGOOYER - WEEK 34

Sooooooooooooooo, too much happened this week to even think about. 

I wish I could just transfer my brain onto this email. Miracles, it was a week of miracles! And why: prayer, hard work, and fasting. 

We found 3 new people this week!!!

We taught over 4 lessons every day this week as well.

We had a Zone Return and Report/ 3 Day Facebook Fast

*President came for the return and brought frosty's. We literally have the best Mission President! We were only with him for less than an hour and yet we could feel his love so strong. 

We now have bikes... and I am so dang sore :) ...but I love it!

I made some disgusting edible cookie dough. 

We popped the tire of the car... five minutes after we got it. 

*No, we don't have a car. We are doing a car share, because the other sisters are saints.

It was 15 minutes until our curfew at 9pm, 27F outside, pitch black, and we were in the middle of nowhere. Luckily we knew that the Harmon's lived just down the road. So we walked through the field to their house.

We painted sets for the high school play: the music man. 

We got to listen to Elder Cook speak!! 

*It wasn't in person, it was a broadcast for 6 stakes in the Twin area

It was so incredible! It's one thing to see them at General Conference, but when they speak in person you get to know them a bit better. Elder Cook is so humble, and yet so funny. He shared a lot with us, and I wish I could just write down everything that he said. He encouraged us to make the Sabbath a delight! He said we don't have to sit in our suits and dresses all day long, rather we should fill our sabbath days with distinct and fun spiritual moments. Have fun with your family, as you study the gospel. Sing the Isaiah verses together, act out the stories, have fun, be joyful, and make it your own! 

He gave us 3 steps to follow: 1) Build Zion in your hearts and in your homes 2) You need to live your life so that are an example to others- don't be in camouflage 3) Make the temple the goal and aspiration 

I encourage y'all to do this. This was a meeting for parents only, where they talked about what they can do to strengthen their families and this is the advice that a prophet of God gave to them. For all of you who are reading this, whether you are parents or not- but especially the parents- please take Elder Cooks council. He is a prophet of God and he knows what we need in this crazy world we live in. 

It was such a good week! I wish I could tell you more, but I am running out of time. Love y'all! 

Sister DeGooyer 

P.S. In reference to Lehi's dream of the tree of life and the desirable fruit: "If you don't partake of the fruit everyday, you are bound to get a little hangry." -Sister Barrott, in Relief Society 

On our bikes 

Randomness 

I match the mat ... 

2 minutes after I knocked the stupid cup over and lost my lemon 

We are the cutest 

SUNDAES (& GOODBYES) ON SUNDAY WITH SUNDY

Scott and I truly love our YSAs!  They all are totally AWESOME!  Last night we had our monthly Sundaes on Sunday at our home.  All that showed up shared their musical talents and played music together.  It was truly so much fun!  And I count myself so blessed to have each of these amazing kids in my life!

Anthony, the best dresser ever!

Matt - played an original piece written on his mission!

Sheila-la-la sang "You Raise Me Up!" and nailed it!

Kali jammed, al-be-it quickly, on her uke!

Kiera's voice sounded like an angel!

Sister Blotter and Sister Davis

They sang my favorite hymn...

And Sister Blotter even tried her hand at the dulcimer.

Nick really rocks out on his grandpa's guitar!

Chelsea has another GORGEOUS singing voice!

Jazzmine loved the swinging drum!

Scott showed off his nose-flute talent!

And "Amazing Grace" was BEAUTIFUL!

Best Sundae Award

Congrats, Anthony!

We also had to say goodbye to two of our YSAs.  Nick is moving next week.  This guy has promised that I get to be an honorary grandmother to his children someday.  I'm hoping he find's that certain someone soon so I can hold him to his promise!  He would be a fantastic catch, ladies!

Good luck, Nick!  We will really miss you!

And we had to say goodbye to Sister Blotter.  She is going home to Utah this Wednesday.  Scott and I love and will miss her so much!  She is fun, brilliant and deeply thoughtful.  Her testimony is "on point!"  She's gorgeous - inside and out!

Sister Blotter, Sheila, and Sister Davis

We love you, Sister Blotter!

Best wishes!
And I got to meet a new YSA friend!  (Actually, I've met him before... but I got to know him better last night.)  He's a really talented, good guy!

Matt

SISTER DeGOOYER - WEEK 33

Hello, friends, family, and... undecided...

This is me, writing a weekly. Except that this should technically be called a two weekly, because I forgot to write last week. My bad. As our Zone Leader, Elder Hineman, would say "That's okay!"

Goodness, I was so excited to write this email and now I have found myself sitting here not remembering what I wanted to write down........ hahaha, this is what it is like to live in my brain folks. 

We got transfer news week before last. I am staying with Sister Soto!! We are determined that this is going to be a good transfer and we have pledged that we will make it happen. She is honestly the best, and I am excited to spend another six weeks together. I've already learned SO much from this companionship and have been truly humbled by it. Last transfer was not the easiest for me, however I have made the necessary, albeit painful, adjustments to make this transfer and all of the next transfers the best of my mission! 

I was lying in bed one night, and I had a thought. (I have learned that on my mission, this is the time when I often receive the most insight and inspiration regarding my life and the work. #personal revelation) 

I thought to myself, "Just because you have found your way out of the cave this time, doesn't mean that you won't find yourself lost in it again." At first, I was thinking "Dang, I don't want to go through all of that again." And then I had a thought, and I have learned that when thoughts come to me that are a little too wise, they are not from myself, "You are going to go through this again and again throughout your life, it is not to make you miserable, but to make you strong; so that when the day comes that you must decide where you stand or what you are going to do it will be so totally ingrained within you to choose the happier path." It was an amazing revelation to me, and it made everything seem okay. Yes, sometimes I miss home (heaven) so dreadfully, but I want to be able to return someday to my Father's presence having tried my best, allowing the Atonement to work in me, so that I can say I know how to most effectively rely on my Savior and I am ready to learn more.

Goodness, that got deep. I just want to let you all know, that though we have struggles in this life it will all be worth it. Every single thing will be worth it. The times where we completely miss the mark and we think there is no coming back; this is a lie. We have a God who loves us so much! Not because we deserve it, not because we earn it; but because we are his children and his whole desire is to see us come back. We will fall, it is a part of our mortal existence to struggle, to fail, to hurt, to wish that we could just stop hurting. However, it is also a part of our existence, because of the great plan of redemption, that we have the great opportunity to get back up again. 

Rant over, but all of this to say that my mission has been hard in ways that I would never have imagined. I have learned that life is better when we put our whole focus on Christ, and dance along the way. :) 

I love y'all! Have a blessed week. 2 Nephi 10:25 

Sister DeGooyer 

P.S. Communication is key. Change should be for the better. No one has perfected walking. Let go of all expectations, both the good and the bad. Sometimes we just think we're sticks with thorns. War and Peace. Anything worthwhile in this life takes work. Perspective and proportions. TOAST. Psalm 23. 

Hermana Reade, Sister Soto, and I, at Baco Tell 

Sister Done is on this side of the mission

Being a missionary is exhausting 

Valentines Day RS Activity 

Talk "Know, Grow, Love"

Talk "This is Salvation!" 

A WHOLE LOTTA LOVE TO GIVE

I love Valentine's Day.  I really love all holidays.  And V-Day is no different.  I love my sweet husband!  I love my children!  I love my grandson!  I love my mom!  I love my dad!  I love my sister!  I love my brothers!  I love my bestie!  I love my bestie's children!  And I love my YSAs!  Soooooo...  I get to love so many people that I am so grateful for a holiday in which I can express it!
My #1 love is my husband!  He is so good to me.  And as we've grown older, our time together is even more valuable.  We truly like each other.  And I'm grateful for him!  And I love my orchids!

This young man made my love list this year.  Being a grandma is AWESOME!  And Skittles has been my Valentine ALL week since his parents were on their honeymoon. 

Skittles even joined us for Qdoba!

I also spent some of my V-Day teaching Amy's kids how to make gnomes.  We had so much fun!  And they turned out so individual... just like her children!  I sure love each and everyone of them.

Raisin

Jelly Bean

Apple Pie

Marmalade

Nuts

Jacob

Some of "MY" Valentines!

I'm super blessed with a "whole lotta love to give!"
Oh... and bonus pictures... we went to Braulio's baptism last week.  Braulio is from Lima, Peru.  And he's in the States to learn to speak English better.  He also learned about the Church!  He's such a great kid!  Congratulations!

Isn't he handsome?

And here are some cute pics of Skittles while I babysat this week...  I LOVED spending 24/7 with him!  But I am looking forward to sleeping through the night tonight.

Day 1 of babysitting!

Working hard.

Look!  Grandpa is teaching me computer skills!

Sheila is the BEST babysitter EVER!

Best Friends!

Skittles

Starburst

Time with Grandma!

I know I'm cute.

Stealing hearts!