Joy in the Journey (07/28/2014)

Hi Mom! Hi Jim!
Sorry I didn't get to send a Goodbye email this past week. We ran out of time super fast and had to get to a Relief Society sisters' activity 10 minutes away that we were already late to...... oops. But it all turned out well because everyone was late or hadn't picked out their pottery yet. It was a super fun activity! I painted a pretty circular box with a sun (like in Tangled) as the lid...which was also charged to your card hehehe. Oh! And it also had a face on it. Not quite sure how it's gonna turn out, but it'll certainly be colorful :)  It's your gift so I hope you'll like it :)
Nope, I don't need anything else. I'm really liking the post-it's and stationary you sent. You will be getting two (maybe three) letters in the mail this week. Well one of them will actually be pictures and a note, but a picture is worth a thousand words, right ;)
I only have one pair of shoes that are a bit worse for the wear, but they are the black ones I've had for years so it's about time they lost their "souls" hehehe get it? Souls like a....Well yeah you get it :P
That dessert (Peanut Butter Mousse Pie) sounds SO good! Oh my goodness and SO rich and addicting and wonderful. Hahaha Mara would hate it, since it's got so much peanut butter. You should totally send the recipe to Josh!
Do the Greene missionaries have any investigators coming to church? I'd love to pray for them.
My MTC (Mission Training Center) Sisters back together again! This was such a great thing! We were squealing and everything. They are all doing great in their areas. All three of them are training a new sister missionary and since all the new missionaries first come here to Eugene I got to see them. I sent the pic to our MTC Elders in Canada too and they were so jealous. MTC was good times.

Mini-Reunion of MTC Sisters: Slater, Fletcher, McCleary, Duenas

This is Darryl, our investigator, who will be getting baptized soon. He is a crazy old man and we just love him :) He's like Grandpa just with a little less history knowledge and more silliness. He is wearing a funny werewolf mask he had from Halloween. We were eating dinner with his family and he just came into the kitchen/dining room with it on to be silly. He is really tall so it worked pretty good. It was so good, I just had to take a picture of it :)

The missionaries volunteered at the World Junior Championships here in Eugene! It was so fun! We even participated in the flag ceremony.

The last picture is of Pauline. She is Eugene's own 'Betsy Ross'. Well kind of. She sews all the time and got asked to fix this flag for the 4th of July. It was HUGE!

I am still so excited at having been able to go to the temple the other week. The Portland Temple is BEAUTIFUL! I want to go do baptisms and other ordinances there again with you so you can know personally how great it is. When we were there, 3 couples were getting sealed! One young couple, one just a bit older and then a couple in their 40's or 50's. All of them were absolutely glowing. I can't wait for when it's my turn! Haha don't worry it'll be quite a few years before my turn comes up. But seriously, I can't wait!
The Gwynn's visited?! Oh I love Sister Gwynn, tell her I miss her :) Can't wait for her letter. She has been a great influence (of many other women) for me on my mission. I hope they are doing well.
You are just a busy little bee aren't you? :)
How many times have you fed the Elders now? A bazillion? And so many church activities too! No wonder I'm seeing so many blessings :)
Gotta go play Capture the Title of Liberty now with the Zone! Wish me victory!!
Love you!
xoxoxoxoxooooooooooo
Pooks