Heroes!

Jacob de Jager

This is a picture of my companion, Sister Clark, Jacob de Jager, and me, when I was serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Texas many years ago. (Sorry, its out of focus.)

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As a missionary I would meet with many other missionaries often, these meetings were called Zone Conferences. We would gather to be taught and spiritually fed by wonderful leaders. One of the leaders I adored was Jacob de Jager. He was born in the Netherlands. He had a great accent, and a gift in expressing himself.

What a wonderful man. He was a spiritual giant. When he spoke I would be writing notes, and taking it all in as well as possible, hoping to be able to read what I wrote, and think about what he said again, and again.

On one occasion, a few of us missionaries were in one of the rooms of the church making copies and getting ready for the meeting that was about to start. Elder de Jager came in the room. We all stopped what we were doing to see him. He tip toed through the middle of the other missionaries, with his index finger up to his lips to say “Shhh.” When he got to me, he hugged me. He passed all of the other missionaries to give me a hug. Let me just say, these men usually don’t hug everyone.

He must have known I needed it.

Another neat thing that happened was when we were trying to get pictures with our Zone and it was confusing for a minute and then I kinda took charge and started organizing people and saying things like, “You stand here.” And “you two move closer together.” I’m organizing and bossing people around while my mission president and Jacob de Jager watch. It was funny, because a few minutes after, they both looked at each other and said I was going to be a good Mama and leader in my life. I loved that!

When he was around I always felt very special and important. One time he offered to do the ceremony, later, when I got married. I tried to call him to ask if he was available about a year or so later when I did get married, but he was out of the country. It’s ok, I knew he loved me. He loved everyone. He was an example of a true disciple of Christ. What a blessing to have these wonderful memories. I am so thankful I met, and got to know my hero Jacob de Jager.

Totally “Fort Worth” It!

Hermana Kelsey 16:3 -email-
Dear family,
 
Things are good here. We went bowling today for p-day. Well everyone else bowled and I wrote letters, because I can’t bowl anymore ever since I hurt my thumb that one time. But it was still really fun.
 
This last week, we had a really busy, but kind of disappointing week. We have really been struggling to find new investigators, and we’ve been meeting some really mean people. But the work continues, and we know this coming week is going to be a great one! 🙂
Monday: We went to the D. court, because Sister M. got TWO tickets within 4 days of each other. Ha ha. She’s crazy. But anyway, one of them was for speeding, which she didn’t know what the speed limit was so she wasn’t doing it on purpose, and the other was because they have these ridiculous lights in Texas that take a picture of you if you pass the white line without stopping after the light turns red. So she got her picture taken by one of those 4 days after she got her first ticket. Ha ha. She wrote to President and suggested that her driving privileges be taken away, but he told her no, everyone makes mistakes, and she can just learn from the things that have happened. But she really doesn’t want to be driver anymore.
Tuesday: We had a zone huddle, and President and Sister S. came! (that is very rare if you are wondering why that has an exclamation mark behind it) It was a really good one, and at the end, I said the prayer, and President has asked that all spanish missionaries that are praying, even if they are at a meeting where everyopne speaks english to pray in spanish. So I prayed in spanish, and all these people that knew me at the beginning of my mission were like, “What?! You know how to speak spanish!?” Ha ha. It was pretty cool. Also, I ate a chile piquin (I’m not sure if that’s how you spell it), which is a super tiny, super spicy chile. And it burned my mouth really good, and made me cry. And then it gave me stomach ache. But at least I tried it, and had the experience. 🙂
Wednesday: We taught a really cool lesson to a lady named V. She just let us right in her house and let us teach her, which hasn’t happened to us in a very long time. 🙂 We also taught english classes to one of recent converts, D., and it was super fun. I think when I get home I would like to get certified or whatver you have to do to teach spanish, and then teach it as like a part time job or something. It was super fun to teach it, because I loved the way they just get it. 🙂
Thursday: There was a crazy storm that came in suddenly. We went into a cupcake store that just opened here, and bought a cupcake, and when we walked out suddenly the sky was super dark, and there was huge rain drops falling. So we hurried and got in our car, and we couldn’t even see where we were driving. It was CRAZY! But that was basically the highlight of the day. Oh…also, we ate platanos because we ate with a fmaily and the mom is from the Dominican Republic. In case you are wondering what they are, they a relative of the banana, but not as sweet. You cut them into slices, and double fry them, and they are super delicious. I will make some for y’all when I get home. I’m going to have you try all the great hispanic foods I’ve eaten so far. 🙂
Saturday: We ate lunch at a cafe, which is where one of the recent converts here in D. works, and we got our food for free. And it was super delicious. I’m not sure why, but food always somehow tastes better when it is made by someone else, and free. 🙂 I got a huge omlet with sausage and cheese inside, and hashbrowns, and toast. I really miss eating home cooked breakfast foods not at breakfast time. I’ll be excited for the day we get to eat swedish pancakes on a Sunday after church. Just like the good ol’ times. 🙂
Sunday: Our recent convert, M., got the priesthood. He is so cool. His sister, N., bought him a really cool spinner CTR ring, so he’s wearing that around. I’m not gonna lie, he looks pretty fly. 🙂 Anyways, we are also teaching him english, and he is hilarious, because he knows random slang or phrases that he has heard, so he says them, but he doesn’t really know what they mean. 🙂 Ha ha. But anyway, he’s awesome. He’s now preparing to serve a mission. 🙂
Mom: That was a really good lesson. We also had that lesson yesterday, and I really liked that story. I feel like sometimes I don’t know exactly where I am going with the missionary work, and I’m just floating around trying to find new investigators, and trying to share my testimony, but not really getting anywhere. But other times I just feel like I can handle anything. But I know how it is to be on both sides of it.
Tell the Empey’s I say hi! (if they are still there)
 I am happy to know that Colin now has his papers in, and he is well on his way to having some of the greatest experiences of his life. 🙂 He will love being a missionary.
Dad: Ha ha ha. My sister is so special, but I love her anyways. That’s good that everything worked out with her car. That usually how it happens though. 
 Emmy: Hey seester! Howw arre youuu?! (said like Nacho Libre) P.S. I almost bought a luchedor mask, which is what he wears when he is fighting in the ring at his matches, but I don’t have any money, so I couldn’t. But later, after the mission, when I have money, fo sho! 🙂 Anyways, I’m glad everything worked out with your car.  I hope everything else is good. Sorry you are sick. Everything is okay here. You should write me real live letter. 🙂 🙂 Well love you!
I love you all so much! Besos y abrazos!!!! (kisses and hugs!)
Love, Kelsey
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Howzit-Elder Flexy!

Having a barbeque!

Elder Flexy 24:1 -email-

Mama,
ya we had the same lesson it was so nice. ya the story about the plane was great it reminded me of Presidnet Uctdorf. this week has been a good one a young man in the branch recieved his call to go to Uganda. it was very exiting. hey keep me informed on where colin gets his call to!!! anyway love you
Love Elder Flexy

Baba,
wow ems having some adventures with the car. i’ve had to change to many tires since i left. one time it was a lady on the street she didn’t know how to do it. so we did it for her. anyway love you
Love Elder Flexy

M,
Get better… well keep doing what your doing your on the right way. love you sis.
Love Elder Flexy


Sunday Best!

“One must be ever mentally and physically clean and have purity of intent so that the Lord can inspire. One who is obedient to His commandments is trusted of the Lord. That individual has access to His inspiration to know what to do and, as needed, the divine power to do it.” -Richard G. Scott

Hope your Sunday was the Best! Love, Joy

Family History Friday: Joseph Martin

Joseph Martin was my second great grandpa. He was born about 1829 in the Michigan Territory. He was a Civil War veteran who is listed in the Becker County list of pensioners. It says that he lost an eye. He received $18 a month allotment. He is one that I have been trying to find more info on.

I will be looking for more information about him. Please let me know if you know something.

Happy Family History Friday! Love, Joy

Two Cents: Tangled!

One of my cute daycare kids M. is 3 years old and very tiny.

She doesn’t have much hair.

She also doesn’t pronounce her “R’s”.

We were watching “Tangled”, which by the way is one of my favorites, and she is leaning over the table in the family room with her cute little hands folded with her fingers interlocked.

She looks over at me and says,

“Dats alotta hay!”

Translation, “That’s a lot of hair!” So. Cute. What a doll!! It is alotta hay!

Totally “Fort Worth” It!

Texas sky!

Hermana Kelsey 16:2 -email-

Dear family,
This week has been good. We had a baptism yesterday!!!! WOOOO!! It went really well.  We had the usual drama/problems right before the service, but other than that things went really smoothly. He was so ready. He will probably be a missionary in a year or so. 🙂 But first we have to teach him a little bit more. He is so awesome though. He is a solid kid. 🙂
So I only have a part of a week to report since I wrote to you part of the way into last week, but here are some things that have happened since we last wrote.
Tuesday: We were almost out of miles for the month, so we spent almost all day Tuesday walking and talking to people. We didn’t talk to very many hispanic people, but we did to talk to a really nice older lady that was telling us about her trip to Jerusalem. I really want to take a trip there some day. She went there back in like the 60’s or something, so it was a long time ago, but I still think it would be cool to go and see the places where Jesus Christ walked when he was here on the earth. 🙂
Wednesday: We had an appointment with G. and J., but they weren’t home when we went by. We are so so sad, but we are still going to keep trying with them, and see where we can go.
Thursday: There was a baptism of a lady that Sister M. and Sister P. and W. contacted when they were all here together. She is english so they didn’t get to teach her, but they were the first ones to talk to her about the church, and then she got baptized! We were planning on going with M. so he could see how a baptism was, but then he couldn’t make it, and we were also stuck at our dinner for too long, so we didn’t end up getting to go to the baptism. But we called her and told her we were so excited for her, and congratulations and all that, and she was happy that we called her.
Saturday: We had M.’s baptism. Also, after that we taught A., J.’s dad, and P., her mom. We are supposed to be teaching them again tonight, and finish the lesson we started with them, but we’ll see what happens. Before, A. was the only person in their family we hadn’t taught. He was also telling them things about the church and kind of trying to turn them off to the things we were teaching, saying that they weren’t in the Bible, etc. So now we are hoping that since we are teaching him he can see exactly what it is that we do believe, and he’ll bring the whole family with him.
Sunday: We had M.’s confirmation. They were super late to church, but Bishop M., who is way awesome, held off the annoucements and business long enough that they still did it at the very end of those. 🙂 It was a little bit of a weird day for me, because in sacrament meeting it was fast and testimony meeting, of course, and a returned missionary got up and bore his testimony. There is a girl (V.) in our ward, that just got back from her mission this last Wednesday. The guy, A., got up and talked about how when returned missionaries see other missionaries just barely coming home, it makes them trunky, but trunky for the mission, not for home. I feel like I’m going to be like that when I get home. I’m not trunky to come home now, but I feel like when I am home, I’m going to miss it a lot, and when I see other missionaries it will make me think of my mission. Also, we went out on exchange with a girl who is actually the sister of the V., and she just got back from her mission about 5 months ago, and she was telling us about how weird you feel coming home and doing real things again. I am just calling it now, I think I’m going to be super awkward when I get home. At least for a little bit. But hopefully I can adjust back fairly easily.
Mom: Hah. Okay,Mom, I will pray for your sanity. That is something that you probably need for at least a little while longer 🙂
Oh my gosh! I am so proud of Colin! Tell him congrats for me, and tell him that I say being a missionary is the best thing ever! I wouldn’t take back the decision I made to serve the Lord in trade for anything. I am so thankful I have the gospel in my life, and I am thankful for the opportunity I have to share the happiness that I feel with other people every single day as a servant of the Lord.
So I don’t mean to be a bother or anything, but I am having a severe drought of letters. No one is writing to me! I think part of it may be that since I am on the downhill people just figure that they will talk to me when I get back…but I still would appreciate some letters. If there is any possibly you could help make that happen that would be awesome! 🙂 Thanks!! ANYTHING will do! 🙂
Dad: I’m glad you are still just plugging along. Like I always say, or better, like I now say, “Life is always better when you are busy.” I can’t seem to hold still for very long now, because I feel like I am wasting the Lord’s time. It’s not my time anymore, it’s the Lord’s, so I feel horrible about moments that slip by without me doing anything. Maybe that will change when I’m back home. I hope not though. 🙂
When you say your truck expired, are you talking about the registration, or that it died? I hope it didn’t die, but that stinks if it did. Well either way it stinks I guess, because you still can’t use it.
Emmy: WOW! I’m glad you liked the singles ward. I didn’t like it at first, but that’s because I didn’t get involved with any of the activities or anything, so my advice would be to get involved and you’ll enjoy it more.
Well, I gotta go now. I love you all so much! Have fun!
Love, Kelsey
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Kelsey's shoe!

Howzit-Elder Flexy!

After Thanksgiving Dinner 2011. Check out the elder on the couch.
Elder Flexy 23:5 -email-
Mama,
This week has been a good one i love my new companion he is such a cool guy. we are still working hard and loving it. mission has streched my spiritual mental and physical stamina to just about its breaking point but that is where strength is made… I am getting tired two years is a long time. but five more weeks and i’ll finish triumphant.  well love and miss you
Love Elder Flexy
Baba,
Sibenza sibenza sibenza!!!!(zulu for Work work work!!!) thats so good that your jobs are working out. you know i alwas brag about you and mom to the other guys i know i shouldn’t but i do i tell them my mom writes an email and a letter almost every week. and that my dad is a stud!!! but ya life is good i’m Enjoying to the end now . Love you
Love Elder Flexy
M,
your in the singles ward!!!!!!!! wow this girl needs to stop this stuff i’m telling you two years is too long shes gonna be moved out y the time i get there!!! well keep up the good work i’ll see you soon!!!
Love Elder Flexy

Sunday Best!

Photo by Larry Hanson

“Our spirits existed in the premortal realm and will continue to live after the body dies. The spirit provides the body with animation and personality. In this life and in the next, spirit and body, when joined together, become a living soul of supernal worth. Because one’s spirit is so important, its development is of eternal consequence. It is strengthened as we communicate in humble prayer with our loving Heavenly Father.” -Russell M Nelson

Hope your Sunday was the Best! Love, Joy

Where Did that Pole Come From!

When I was a kid, I was amazing at dodge ball. I mean I was usually the last girl left that hadn’t been hit. I could throw the ball too.

It was quite a popular game at my elementary school, and sometimes we would have to find a place to play, because all of the dodgeball courts were being used.

One day we ended up playing on sort of a make shift basket ball court. The boundaries were painted on the asphalt with two standards on poles at either end of the court. All of us 6th graders were in the middle of a heated game. I was one of the only people left on our side. Someone on the other team threw the ball and I caught it, which meant the person was out and I was safe.

Then I ran to the middle line and threw it!

I turned to head back to the back line and the next thing I know I’m flat on the ground, my head is killing me. All the kids gathered around and started making comments.

“Wow, look at that!”

“It’s huge!”

Then I realized I had hit the basketball standard pole.

I had a huge goose egg on the middle of my forehead. I sat on the bed in the nurses office till the end of school. One of my friends came in to see me. He said, “It looks like a colored TV!!” I never played dodge ball on the basketball court ever again. Lesson learned!