SABBATH SILLINESS

What do we do for fun on a Sunday night?  We make bunnies, chicks, unusual somethings, and created unusual, exotic deviled eggs (instead of coloring them).

My purple bunny and yellow chick!

Kiara's chick and blue bunny!

Cody's unusual something!

(He says it's a chick.)

Then the egg creating station.

They used: Mustard, Ranch, Miracle Whip, Syrup, Prickly Pear Syrup, Pickle Relish, Hot Pepper Flakes, Bacon, Garlic, Tomatoes, Sage, Taco Sauce, Celery Salt, Paprika, Tobasco Sauce and many other concoctions.  I tried two of the eggs.  I was not impressed.  But everyone had fun.

This week, Cody has been creating some amazing 3D structures.  Kiara and I have been scrapbooking.  I just thought I'd show you are art area:

And here is Cody's first structure (He's still working on his second structure):

My sister is truly amazing!  She is working on the front lines as a nurse during this pandemic!  Shout out to her!

And I really miss my niece.  She needs to come "home" to Kentucky.

And guess who came home for 2 weeks of quarantine from the Dominican Republic?  My nephew!  He's awesome!  And I'm proud of all he does to serve the Lord.  I love this picture because Tara dressed up for the occasion in her hazmat suit.

And let me end this post with the picture of the cutest kid I know, my grandson:

He gave himself a mohawk when his mother washed his hair.

BAPTISM AND CHURCH STUFF

I love that our Church leaders have been inspired to focus on a home-based, church-supported curriculum this year.  It has made this crazy quarantine business easier in that we are prepared to worship when, where and with who we can.  It has been a spiritually uplifting experience. 
And yesterday, we did gather, in a VERY SMALL group to baptize Shawn.  It was wonderful.  The Spirit of the Lord was so strong.  And Shawn was so happy.  He's a GREAT kid!  I know the Lord has great things in store for him.  What was also amazing was that he was able to receive the priesthood right afterwards.  I'm so grateful he now has the power of God and the Holy Ghost as his guide always.  The gospel is true.  And I am glad to be a part of God's work.

Shawn with us!

Shawn with the missionaries!

I love Sister Missionaries!

They are truly a blessing!

I miss my baby girl - but glad she's a missionary!

These two guys are some of my favorites!

I love Anthony and Blake!

Yesterday, I saw a beautiful sunrise:

I took this picture.

Cody took this adorable picture!

Speaking of worship... My husband assigned me a talk for today.  I was able to choose my own subject.  Here are my thoughts:

HOPE

This week I’ve had to rely a lot on the principle of hope.  With the struggles and problems all around us right now – especially the Corona Virus and Quarantine – I’ve had to rely on this little phrase: There is always hope.  No matter how horrible things appear, no matter how big the problems are in the world, no matter what happens, there is always hope.  Hope is the thing that has kept me going. 

I think of a verse in the song “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet”: “When dark clouds of trouble hang o’er us And threaten our peace to destroy, There is hope smiling brightly before us, And we know that deliverance is nigh.”  Do we really believe that right now?  Do I?

What is hope?  It’s kinda like trying to define faith or love – it’s not easy.  I kinda like to define it as light.  A wise teacher once said, “Happiness can be found in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light.” Hope pierces the darkness of doubt and discouragement.  Another example: We talk about Christ being the light of the world – He is also the hope of the world.  So… maybe… hope is also defined as Christ!?

John H. Groberg, in his BYU devotional said, “A person without hope is like a person without a heart; there is nothing to keep him going.  As the heart gives life to the body, so it seems that hope is an enlivening influence to the spirit – which is the real us.”  Hope is eternal.  Hope is always within us.  It just depends on how brightly we allow it to shine in our lives.  The strength of our hope is in direct proportion to our faith in God and Jesus Christ.  Without our Savior, Jesus Christ, there is no hope.  He is hope.

So the next question is what do we all hope for?  I hope for my family to be safe and happy.  I hope I can get the laundry done in one day.  I suppose Cody hopes he can get good grades at school.  Kiara hopes her son will take long naps.  Katia hopes for more people to teach on her mission.  Scott hopes that the warehouse move will go smoothly.  Spencer hopes for more yogurt bites.  We all hope for different things at different times.  Ultimately, we all hope for the greatest of all gifts – immortality and eternal life.

This week I have noticed that there are some signs that accompany true hope: calmness, optimism, peace and true charity.  And just as discouragement and depression can feed on themselves, so can hope!  Can’t you just hear the Savior saying, “You can do this!  You can make it!  I love you!”  That is the peace of hope… hope in Christ.

One of Satan’s ultimate weapons is to remove hope from our lives.  He tries to convince us that there is no hope.  Be removing hope, he removes Christ.  Remember that this a lie.  There is always hope.  We can share that hope.  We can encourage each other.  Hope grows when we share it.

Is there anything more universal than a need for hope?  We all do things wrong, we need hope in the Atonement.  We all have problems, we need hope that they will go away.  “I can change; there is always hope” is the message of the gospel.

The scriptures talk about a “perfect brightness of hope.”  Wouldn’t that be awesome?  I would love to never be down or discouraged.  But just like anything else good, hope isn’t always easy.  It does not come without effort.  Satan will try to discourage us if he can.  The Savior will help you increase in hope.

So… how can we build enduring hope?  The scriptures are filled with stories of people who endured.  People who were persecuted, sick or poor.  There stories are all different, but there is one thing that unites them all – an enduring hope in Christ.

And since I love lists… here are three simple ways to build enduring hope in Christ.

1.      We can strengthen our hope by shifting our focus.
It is nearly impossible to build hope if we are focused on negative aspects of our lives.  We need to move our focus to God.  Remember what the Lord declares “…I know the thoughts that I think towards you…thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”  Things won’t always be perfect, but he will comfort us in the midst of our trials.

2.      We can strengthen our hope through consistent prayer.
Prayer is a powerful way to build our hope in Christ.  We are counseled to “pray without ceasing.”  Prayer strengthens us in time of weakness, it provides direction, and gives us peace.  There is not a better way to strengthen our hope in Christ.

3.      We can build up our hope with love and support to our family, friends and neighbors.
We are not alone.  Heavenly Father has made sure we have a support system with our families, our friends, and our fellow church members.  There is comfort in knowing we are not alone in our battles.   We can support one another, pray for one another and help each other grow.

I have hope.  I find peace in the knowledge that we will live through this outbreak.  And I have a lot of hope in the Plan of Salvation and that this life is only a part of our existence.  I am striving to strengthen my hope by shifting my focus to the big picture, prayer and loving others.  And I know that God lives.  Jesus Christ atoned for all of us.  And I’m grateful for HOPE!

HOW WE COPE...

Just before Social Distancing was a thing - we hosted Family Home Evening with our Empty Nesters Group.  We watched "The Butterfly Circus" (which is available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/p98KAEif3bI )  I definitely recommend it!  It's wonderful!  I tried to make the evening special with butterfly treats.  I made the chocolates and cut the cheese into butterfly shapes.

Yummmm!

Colored Chocolate Butterflies!

Cheese and Crackers!

And my sister sent me this picture of my Colorado daughter and my Utah daughter saying goodbye in Colorado.  They both made it safely - and before the entire shutdown of everything.  I miss them both.

Kiera and Sheila

Speaking of my daughters... I gave Sheila her Easter dress early because she was leaving us for a short time.  Isn't she lovely?

Aunn SheShe - as Skittles calls her!

I mowed the lawn for the first time this season.  I was exhausted and filthy.  But it was a good social distancing thing to do.

That is grass under my eyes!

And I really love our Popcorn Tree out in front of our house.  It brings me joy!

So every year in the weeks leading up to Easter, Katia and I have a little tradition of watching Jesus Christ Superstar while eating Zaxbys.  Although we do not agree with all the doctrine of the musical, we do appreciate what Christ did for each of us and we choose to focus on that part of the film.  Well... this year she's in Idaho on her mission.  So Kiara and I continued the tradition without her.  We really missed her, but we were excited to see that dozens of people do the same tradition - we could tell because the line to Zaxby's drive-thru was clear out to the street!  I hope they enjoy their lunch and the story of Easter.  We did.

This picture doesn't do the line justice.

But we are happily waiting for our food.

Time to eat and watch!

This guy also keeps us happy while in quarantine:

Grandma and Grandpa are really in love with Skittles:

SISTER DeGOOYER - WEEK 38 - COVID-19

Day 3 of Isolation

It's not as bad as it sounds, but yes, the Idaho Pocatello Mission has entered a loose isolation. We cannot be face to face with anyone besides our companion, our districts, and of course our mission leaders. Despite those exceptions, our contact with the elision (forgive me if I have used that word out of context), is limited. We can still go outside our apartment, but only for fresh air and exercise. We welcome any opportunity and have gone for a run, a bike ride, and a walk everyday of our "isolation".
We are utilizing our technology and are doing our best to keep contact with those we have been teaching. It has been fun communicating with people over video and voice call. We also are using our social media to the fullest, for those of you who follow me on facebook watch for my daily posts. :)

It is interesting to me how quickly situations can escalate. On Tuesday we were told that we were no longer able to knock on doors; on Wednesday we had an inspiring district conference with president; on Thursday Elder Nickel (my DL) had to return home a week early to Canada; and then on Friday we were informed that we could no longer interact face to face with people. On Saturday we got transfer news, and on Sunday I started packing. AND now it's Monday. :P

As crazy as it sounds- and believe me, it IS crazy- life is good! We are learning and growing in different ways because of this quarentine. At our District Conference president shared with us alot of great things, I wish I could write them all down, but I am going to give you one that stuck with me especially. He said, "If I ever went to prison I would come out ten times stronger, smarter, and more spiritual than ever before. Why? Because I would have no distractions." That has stuck with me, and while I may not be in prison, I am going to do my best to follow this creed.

Oh! Transfer news! I am going back to Pocatello, except I will be in the Pocatello Zone, not the Chubbuck Zone. I am excited to serve, back in a place that feels so much like home. I am sad to leave Kimberly without a proper goodbye to the friends I have made here, but I know that God has a plan! :)

"These are dark times we live in," but I know that if we only remember "to turn on the light" we will make it through. Ten points to Gryffindor for anyone who can guess what I was quoting/referencing! ;)

Turn to the scriptures. Pray. Hear Him this week! I love y'all, and please, please, be safe!

Sister DeGooyer 

One of our best friends here brought us a "sunshine" gift basket with flowers. 

Stuck inside 

Goin for our run 

We're optimistic for the future 

Goodbye to Elder Nickel

PLOT TWIST: we just got a call from the APs, I am staying in Kimberly and training,  again.... 

Sister Soto is going to Jerome to be a Spanish missionary

WE ARE OK

The world has changed.  And it has changed quickly.  Most people who read my blog don't need me to explain all that has changed it the world.  Suffice it to say - we are quarantined because of the Covid-19 virus.  People are scared.  There are shortages (short-term) of toilet paper, bread, milk, etc.  Luckily I followed the prophet and had a food storage.  I'm not afraid.  I'm unsettled, but not scared.  My thoughts (if anyone want to know) is that the economics is going to be worse than the disease.  And I am afraid that the government is using "security" and "safety" to take away our freedoms.  But enough about that.
The past few weeks have been eventful in many ways.  Before the quarantine, my grandson went to the doctor.  He couldn't breathe.  Apparently he had the croup.  They gave him a neb treatment.  He is feeling a lot better now.  But I adored the smiling pictures Kiara sent me from the doctor's office.  Even when Skittles is sick, he's a happy boy!

Skittles waiting for the doctor.

Waiting for the Neb Treatment.

My sweet "adopted" girl, Kiera Cook, felt prompted to go back to Utah with her family NOW.  So I spent this week helping her prepare.  Sheila, my other daughter, decided she needed to go home to see her Colorado mom too.  So they left together.  Yesterday.  I already miss them both so much!  They are fugitives of the Corona Virus... trying to get home quickly.  I loved that Sheila called their exodus an "adventure!"

MY daughters... off on their adventure!

I claim all three girls!

Believe it or not, they are not related... they just look related.

Sheila, Kiera & Marmalade

So what have I been doing for the past week?  I have been preparing/organizing my food storage for Scott, Cody, Kiara, Skittles and me.  I have also been cutting LOTS of tubes for Scott's work.  His warehouse is booming, for the time being, because everyone wants bottles for hand sanitizer and soap.

Skittles LOVES the tubes!

This is the sight I am greeted with every time I cut tubes!

Sneaking in....

Playing in the tubes is more fun than monkeys!

These are his favorite toys!

Katia called last night at 11:00 PM (9:00 her time).  She is quarantined to her apartment.  She is safe.  And she was allowed to call and let us know the situation.  I trust God to take care of her.  She's in good hands.
Skittles keeps me happy and grounded the last week....

He loves books.

He wiggled his way across the room to get his favorite book.

He also loves watching Animusic.

He naps best with Grandma!

St. Patrick's Day with mommy!

I'm also grateful for the beauty around me.  This was a sunrise three days ago outside my home:

And I enjoyed the fresh air and beauty with my Kentucky family on a walk yesterday:

Everyone but Scott and Cody

MY kids: Jelly Bean, Apple Pie and Raisin

I'm really not afraid.  I have peace in Christ.  I am grateful for my knowledge of the Plan of Salvation.  I'm grateful my husband holds the priesthood.  God has always looked after me and my small family.  I'm truly blessed.  And I continue to watch the happenings going on around me with awe, but also peace.  I pray that all of my friends and family also have that peace.