First full week of being a zone leader...

Our email came later this week and also a surprise about our Monday night phone call.  We are a little a little bummed to hear that we can no longer do our 7pm, 1.5 hour call.  We have been spoiled for the last year plus.  We are going to revamp things a bit so we all get to chat with him.  Joey and I will take our turns first thing in the morning and then the kids get a little time to chat with him when they get home from school.  I am not going to complain though because we get to hear from him each week.  Even if the call is shorter, we can know each week that he is alive and well.

This week for him was so crazy.  He if figuring out how to fit normal missionary work in with all of the zone leader responsibilities.  He had a lot of meetings and a lot of spiritual moments.  He had lunch with the ward mission leader Brother Hockenjos.  Brother Hockenjos actually texted me after to let me know how amazing Luke is.  Such a blessing to hear that and know that he is being taken care of.  Later in the week, the Hockenjos felt prompted to invite the missionaries over as they went through the difficult decision to move their severely autistic daughter into a home.  He said that such peace entered the home and it was just what they needed.  I don't think that Luke has shared that he has a brother with autism but I know that Heavenly Father is using Luke, who can empathize completely, to touch the lives of people who know what it is like to have that blessing in their family.  So special.  Speaking of special, Luke also got to attend the baptism of Min and Emma.  Come to find out they are both deathly afraid of water but they pushed through to make this very important covenant with Heavenly Father.

I am so grateful for Luke's example and the amazing way that he is making all of us want to be just a little better.

Childs sacrament

Today we were blessed to hear from both Gray and Joey in sacrament meeting.  They were both asked to give talks and they both did amazing jobs.  Gray spoke on the Book of Mormon and Joey based his words around a talk by Sister Amy Wright.  They both seemed so calm and delivered great messages.  So proud of both of them.

It started with a new bed...

Joey was looking online and found a pottery barn Sumatra bed.  This was the same bed we had when we were first married and we loved it.  I suggested that instead of going somewhere for our anniversary this year, we should put that money towards the bed.  It was pretty scratched up so Joey sanded it down and stained it a light blonde color.  It is beautiful.  Joey had to go to Amsterdam for a training for work and I had the crazy idea to do a few little upgrades to our room.  I convinced my reno partner Harlee to help and she was on board.  Joey left around noon on Sunday and we got to work.  We painted the wall behind our bed black and also painted the barn door black.  It looks so good with the lighter bed frame.  We then painted the rest of the room white.  We took down the curtains and most of the decor going for a minimalistic feel.  I bought some peel and stick tiles for the fireplace and Har took that on as her project.  She is so patient and she did an amazing job.  We also did some spackle art to go above the couch.  We did a DI run and purchased a few more decor items for the room.  We ended up finishing about an hour before Joey got home.  It was a surprise for him and in true Joey fashion, the reaction was a little underwhelming!  I can tell he likes it though and I am sure he is just thankful that he doesn't have to do it.  I LOVE it!  It feels so clean and current.  So grateful for Har, Nash, and Gray who all chipped in to help us get this done in five days.   

Tag goes to Space

Tag was so excited this morning because they were going on a field trip to the space center.  He woke up extra early and made sure to remind me to pack his lunch in a paper bag.  He loved going to the space center and doing the simulators.  They broke them up into groups and they had to complete missions to space.  What a fun opportunity.  Tag loved it!

Officially living in Morristown

I know that there was a little preview to this week with the Facebook post by our missionary but we got to hear the full story today.  It was Wednesday and Elder Childs got a phone call from the mission president extending the calling to be a zone leader in Morristown.  Luke was certain he was staying to finishing training Elder Lindstrom but turns out that will be left up to Elder Neucum.  This will be a great thing for Elder Neucum to take the lead.  Luke worked hard the beginning of the week and then packed and got ready for his transfer on Friday.  He is serving with Elder Greenwood from Arizona.  This area is not quite like the "hood" Luke is used to but the floor of his new apartment is about to cave in which takes him back to the good old days of Woodbridge.  Luke is aware of the how much work will go into this new call but he is excited to grow and push himself.  I have been so impressed with the growth Luke has experienced on his mission.  I always knew that he could do anything and I hope that he is gaining that confidence as he continues to progress beautifully on his mission!

They Won!!

Nash has been playing on a Jr. Jazz team and they have not had the best luck when it comes to winning.  They won a game a couple of weeks ago when the team forfeited but tonight they won for real!  So excited for him.  Nash made 14 of the points and had numerous rebounds.  It was so fun to watch him play.  Great job Nashie!!

22 years

We celebrated our anniversary a couple of days late since the weekdays are always crazy.  We went back to La Casa Del Tamal for the best Mexican food.  But even better than the food was the company.  My eternal company!  I cannot believe that we have been married for 22 years.  In a few more years I would have spent more of my life with Joey than without him.  I am so blessed to have a husband who it truly a partner.  He is my best friend and my greatest blessing.  Here's to many more celebrations of the perfect match!

Zone Leader

Luke was so sure that he would be staying in Princeton with Elder Lindstrom but the president had other plans for him.  We will hear more about it when we chat on Wednesday but we found out tonight via Facebook that he has been moved to Morristown, NJ. In reading the comments we also learned that he is the zone leader.  What an amazing opportunity for Luke.  He is such a great leader and I just know that he will be what that zone needs right now.  It will also be a time of great growth.  So excited for him.  You've got this Elder Childs.  

Just another missionary Monday...

These weeks are flying by and I always look forward to hearing from our missionary to start off a week.  He had another great week.  They started off a little slow with 6 lessons planned and all but one canceling.  He had a few days of service at a couple of food banks- he mentioned that he is getting really good at stacking cans.  He ended the week with a blitz of their area and a few more lessons.  He is working so hard and growing in ways I am sure he never expected.  I am seriously so proud of him.  He hit the 13 month mark this week and I cannot believe how fast time is going.  Before we know it he will be home and finding his way in reality.  

Happy Birthday Har

 

Harlee is 17!!  That can't be right?  I remember bringing her home from the hospital like it was yesterday and now she is a beautiful young women who happens to be one of my best friends!  Time goes too fast.  Harlee is seriously the best of the best.  She is so kind, so fun, looks out for her brothers, is always willing  to help, she is super funny and super loud, and she is just the best to be around.  I was truly given Heavenly Father's best.  I am so grateful for Har and cannot wait to see all of the amazing things that this year will bring for her.  We celebrated by going to get facials and to Olive Garden for lunch.  It was the best!  Then we did presents, one pot ziti, and krispy kreme donuts as a family. Love you Harlee Anne!

Another long awaited Monday

 

I could not wait to wake up this morning to get to chat with Lukie.  For some reason I was a bit worried about him this week.  Thankfully that worry was for nothing because he is doing great minus struggling with a cold!  He had a great week working in his trio with Elder Nucum and Elder Lindstrom.  They had an amazing lesson with Min and her friend Emma.  It went so well that they are hoping to put them on baptismal date for the end of the month.  The rest of Luke's week was spent serving, finding, and chauffeuring.  It was snowing like crazy and Elder Myers got in two accidents in a matter of 10 minutes.  So Luke became the chauffer for Elder Myers and his comp.  So crazy!  I love hearing about Luke's week and seeing him thriving!  Couldn't be more proud.

Ordination Day

Today was a super special day!  Nash was given the Melchizedek priesthood and moved to the office of a Priest.  Nash then got to stand in while Gray was ordained to the office of a teacher and Tag was ordained to the office of a Deacon.  It was so amazing to watch Joey perform these sacred ordinances.  He was able to hold it together until he got to Tag's blessing.  So tender!  I am so grateful for all of these amazing examples in my life.  I know that these young men want to do what is right that is so comforting.  What a special day.

First Missionary Monday of 2024- the year Lukie comes home

 

This was another good week for Elder Childs except for Sunday.  The bishop came to the missionaries and told them that a man in the area had threatened to do a shooting at the church followed by a suicide.  So the missionaries spent the two hours of church standing watch for this sick man.  Thankfully nothing came of it.  So fun as a mom to hear these stories.  Makes me so grateful for the confirmation I received before Luke left that he would be protected.  I cling to that confirmation a little more when I hear things like this.  The rest of his week was spent finding, serving, and cleaning their apartment for an apartment check.  It is amazing to watch Luke continue to grow and become the best missionary.  I am so beyond proud of him.