Missionary Monday

This week Luke said was one of the fastest weeks on his mission.  I have a feeling that is how it is going to be until he comes home.  He said it was a super busy week with lots of teaching.  They have several people on baptism date for next week which is crazy.  Such a different experience for him teaching the Haitian people for sure.  He went on an exchange to Ironwood with Elder Weber.  They met an interesting guy that wanted to join the church so he could have a ton of wives.  Good motivation?  So funny.  They had a big zone conference with Zones 1-5.  He got to see so many of his buddies and they talked about personal conversion.  He said that the spirit was so strong.  The mission president also introduced a new temple policy  which will allow them to get to the temple more frequently which is awesome.  They had 25 friends come to church on Sunday.  25!!  That is insane.  I am so grateful that he is going to have all of this work to do to keep him going strong for the rest of his mission.  What a blessing!  

Stair rail upgrade

We are always looking for a project to update the house a little bit.  We have been talking for a bit about updating the stair rail.  So Joey took that as a green light and got to work.  He lightened the stain on the rail to a more natural color.  I love it!  We then took out all of the decorative balusters and bought enough to just do straight rails.  I love how it turned out.  It looks so much more currant.  The next step is to get new carpet on all of the stairs.  While we save for that I will enjoy the change of the rails.  Amazing job Joe!

Uncle D for the Win

Don called me a couple months ago when he found out that the performer for his convention was going to be Benson Boone!  Harlee is a little obsessed with him so she was so excited when Don was able to get two tickets for her and surprise, they were in the VIP section.  They were so close!  At one point they were standing right by the stage and Benson pinky promised Harlee!  She also got to see Papa Boone.  He saw her  and came running up to her.  So funny!  Don's family could not believe she knew them.  I am so grateful that he would think of Harlee.  Definitely a night to remember.  On a side note, D.J is actually doing a loan for Benson right now so I am processing it.  Turns out he is buying on Traverse Mountain.  Hello neighbor!

Best way to start the day...

Today we woke up bright and early to go to the Draper Temple to do baptisms.  What a special morning!  It was Tag's first time and he did great.  Nash was able to baptize all of the kids.  Joey and I were witnesses.  Since it was not too busy they each got to do 10 names.  After the baptisms we went and did confirmations.  Joey got to do them and I even did 6 names.  What a beautiful experience.  After the temple Joey talked us into going to Einstein's for breakfast.  Good call!  It did not disappoint.  I love serving with my family.  Joey and I have really been blessed with the best kids.  They are all such examples to me.  We have already scheduled out next temple trip for Sept. 7.  Hoping to make this a great family habit.  

Elder Childs P Day

I am going to share Luke's email again.  He is just so funny and a great writer!

It's a good thing we teach one trillion times a day, because without that practice, I wouldn't have been able to deliver such an eloquent, faith promoting, heart wrenching discourse like I did this Sunday.

I am telling you, no one can even hold a candle to the power behind the words spoken at the pulpit. There was a visible aura in the chapel.

But not really, I just read a talk in creole this week in front of my Mission Leaders, their family, my first companion, and the 60% Haitian audience. Just 'bout threw up.

To get into the week, I am going to keep it rather short. My media manager (mom) probably isn't too happy with the crap I've called my last few weekly emails, but we ball.

Another Rundown:

• Had an exchange in Ironbound with Elder Ausman. It was one of the hottest days we've had, plus a walking area. Flash backs to my last exchange with Elder Taggart. It was good though, we talked with a ton of people & had a really cool lesson at the end of the day. I also ate 5 otter pops that day.

• We met with a lot of the recent converts in the area. Brother Derival is so sick, super humble guy who has a lot of faith. Same for Fotal & Fequire. They are so cool & Fequire just got the Priesthood on Sunday

• Found a lot of people this week, and have a few people progressing really well. Rosedaline and Dieudonise are praying about their baptism & hopefully will get baptized this week. Our friend Tyson is awesome, reminds me a lot of Jodenski, had a good lesson with him & put him on baptismal date. We met with a new lady named Shelia who is awesome, she is also on baptismal date.

• Met with a friend named Bigot Felix, he is a friend (?) Of one of the recent converts. When we met with him, his house was pitch black & there was some random homie sitting on the couch next to us snorring. Weird conditions, but great lesson. This guy is really cool.

• Taught a new friend named Billy who lives in Newark. We got to his house, and as we walked in, a giant rat the size of my shoe ran from behind his couch to his fridge. Needless to say, kinda not my favorite thing to see. Billy was cool though, very smart guy with genuine soul searching questions about the gospel.

• Like previously mentioned, I saw President & Sister Durrant as well as my trainer, now Brother Mower. It was super good to see them & realize that Mower's been home a year and a half now. Where has the time gone?

Ok ladies and gentlemen, the media manager won't forward the email to y'all if I don't include at least 1 spiritual aspect. 

Helaman 5:30

"And it came to pass when they heard this voice, and beheld that it was not a voice of thunder, neither was it a voice of a great tumultuous noise, but behold, it was a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper, and it did pierce even to the very soul"

I had the opportunity to share this scripture a couple times this week with friends praying about baptism. The Holy Ghost isn't always a smack in the face, a loud voice, or anything like that. It usually speaks quietly, but in a way you can't deny. I know I have felt the spirit testify many times of this gospel, and I know through that spirit, that this work is true. It's such a blessing to be a missionary, even with the ups and downs. I'm thankful for my testimony of this gospel & the people who have strengthened it out here.

Until next time, Elder Childs out

Surprise Visitor

This Sunday Luke had to give a talk in sacrament meeting.  He was a little nervous since this would be his first talk in his new language.  As he was getting ready for the meeting to start he saw his mission president walk in and his trainer Elder Mower!  WHAT??  He has been off his mission for about a year and a half.  He is actually the nephew of the mission president and he came for a visit.  As if Luke wasn't nervous enough, now he has a bigger audience!  I am sure that Luke did an amazing job.  He was super excited to catch up with Mower.  Elder Mower was the best trainer for Luke.  He taught him how to work and I know that he played a big part in setting Luke's mission off right.  What a fun surprise!  

Tag's Date

We are FINALLY getting started on our dates that we gifted at Christmas.  All the kids were gracious enough to let Tag go first.  So nice of them.  This year we told the kids that they could choose what we did for their dates.  So Tag chose Nickel City of course!  It is one of his favorite things to do.  We put $25 on a card for him and we were there over an hour and a half.  He had the best time.  He even won the tower game 2 times!  Two hundred tickets each win.  He had over a thousand tickets and got all his desired prizes.  After all the fun we went to 7-11 for a slurpee.  Dream day for Tag!  I love spending time with him.  One date down, three to go...

Har's turn at FSY

This week Harlee got her turn to go to FSY.  She went to the University of Utah with Miah.  I was so excited for her to have a do over.  Last time she went with Ari and Ari left her once they got there to go hang out with other friends. So this time is going to be much better.  They ended up having a good time.  They were for sure some of the oldest ones there but they did manage to meet a few cute boys including a guy named Matt who is 6'6.  She did say that there was also one great teacher so they enjoyed going to his classes.  And even though they felt old, they had the best time together.  So grateful for their friendship.  It has really been such a blessing for Har.

Missionary Monday

Here is Elder Childs rundown of his week:

As another week comes to an end, I find myself recollecting and remembering the great week I had & how much I don't feel like writing about it. 

The creative spark, the Elder Childs special zest... maybe not that, but the fanciful flare I used to have is dwindling. Instead, I'll leave you guys yet again with a rundown!

Now, this may be devastating to you 2 avid email readers, but to the majority that skim or skip to the photos, this will come as a wonderful surprise. 

The Rundown:

• Elder Betancourth joined me and Elder Galindo here in Irvington for a day. Absolutely insane. We taught all day, which days like that have helped my creole a ton. Elder Betancourth helped make it fun too, love that guy.

• We taught so much, this area is crazy. It's seriously just lesson after lesson.

• Had service at this pantry which took 3 million years, and some lady was yelling at everyone in the line because someone "cut in front of her". Good times.

• Was able to teach our friends Dieudonise & Rosedaline with Frè Labbé (one of the coolest members I've met).

• Went on a mini exchange with Elder Berroa, a missionary from the Dominican Republic. He is hilarious, and works hard. We street contacted in East Orange for a while which was fun, however maybe it's because I have "Hai-dar" now (Haitian radar, I don't know... humor me), but there were so many Haitians compared to last year.

• We taught some more, including our friend Fabiola, who is super elect & working hard on being baptized in the future!

• Got a parking ticket

• Caught a mouse in our apartment (hence the title, I don't know)

• Met with a cool homie in his backyard, only at the cost of getting eaten alive by mosquitos

• Had a dinner as a Zone

John 14:27

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

This week I studied a lot about the spirit and the peace it has brought me on my mission. I have found a lot of peace and comfort, even in difficult times, because of Jesus Christ & the Spirit. I know that this church is true & we have the authority to make binding covenants with God. I know that because I have felt the guidance of the Holy Ghost through my baptismal covenant. I know He lives, and I'm grateful to be serving and preaching His gospel every day.

Until next time, Elder Childs out

Nash's turn for FSY

This week was Nash's turn to go to FSY.  He went to the University of Utah with Gabriel and Luke.  Nash and Gabriel were roomies and Luke was supposed to room with Costa but he forgot to sign up.  So Luke had a random roommate.  They were able to spend almost all the time together though which was good.  It was especially a blessing when Tuesday night Gabriel slept walked.  He got locked out of the room and kept trying to call Nash.  He was too asleep to answer, so Gabriel called his parents and they came and picked him up.  I was a little bugged.  This left Nash without a roommate.  Thank goodness Luke was there so he had someone to hang out with.  He did not love his group but his counselors were fun.  He did have some cute ladies in his group but they were all 17.  He ended up having a great time and I love that he gets to have these experiences.

The night where dreams came true

Anyone that knows me well knows that one of my favorite singer/songwriters is Lori McKenna.  I have loved her music since Joey and I were first married.  We also have a lot in common and I feel like she writes songs about motherhood, marriage, and life that speak to me.  She is just amazing!  When I found out that she was coming to the Bluebird Songwriter Series I knew this was my opportunity to make my dream of seeing her live come true.  And who better to enjoy the night with than my best friend!  We went and grabbed some sandwiches before heading to Sundance.  It was the most amazing venue surrounded by mountains.  Beautiful!  I was so excited when Lori walked out.  It was her, Lee Bryce, and Liz Rose.  They all took turns singing and tell stories about their songs.  Minus Liz having one of the worst singing voices, it was perfect.  Lori told a story about how her oldest son just moved to India for 7 months and she wrote a song called "Tied to You".  I for sure got choked up as she sang.  So touching and her voice is just so amazing.  Lori did not disappoint and I really hope that I get the chance to see her in concert again.