What if you have been judged wrongly?

Posted on by
2

I had a situation come up recently. I was judged wrongly. I sincerely try to do my best in every thing I do. Someone thought I wasn’t doing my best. This is a problem, or it can be a problem, only if I let it. I can let it fester and really let it get to me, or I can not even let it bug me. I can feel like people just don’t like me, or understand me. Or I can take this opportunity to become better. Maybe I can improve? Of course I can. Maybe this situation is a gift? One that reminds me to do better and helps me grow! Even if I feel the judgement was wrong, I can do better. I will do better and I will grow. I will choose to be grateful for the opportunity to become a better me. I will feel grateful to those who brought to my attention something to work on. I will receive all things with thankfulness, and love those who might have meant to hurt me. 
I will do it and I will continue to love them. 

Howzit-Elder Flexy!

Posted on by
Reply


Elders at orphanage in Swaziland 
(*see description below Alex’s email)
Elder Flexy 9:3 -email-
Make,


sorry for the lack of email last week its was a fine week and all is going well.
1 Did you get your B-day package?
1.nope i should get it this week.
2 How is your new member doing?
2.he is doing great we continue to meet with him once a week.
3 What has the weather been like?
3.its been either really hot or really rainy.
4 Are you comfortable? Have you adjusted to the temperature?
4.yep all is well in swaziland.
5 Have you done anything fun on p-days?
5.well we have played soccer the last two pdays but all is good.
6 Will you get to go to one of the reserves where all the big animals are?
6.ya we will soon but not yet.
7 Spiritual experience this week?
7.well we watch the restoration movie it was so nice.
8 Favorite scripture?
8.ish i can’t remember we read so many all the time.
9 How often do you have Zone and District meetings?
9.once a week for district and once every three months for zone.
10 Is Swaziland mostly land and not very many people?
10.well it has people in most areas but not too many.

11 Have you seen any of the people in their native costumes? or doing a native dance?

I ask that because me and Kelsey saw a Swazi Wedding dance on You Tube, believe it or not!
11.ya they are pretty cool i might buy some.
12 Do you and your companion both teach at a scheduled appointment, or do you teach at one and he teaches at the next appointment?
12.ya we change back and forth in lessons mostly.
Special question of the week:
13 Why do we have to have lesson’s about things we’ve heard a million times? Like Service?
13.to remind us. one of the most reapeated words said in the b.o.m. is “remember”
anyway life is good love you.


*I received another email and picture from Sister B- she’s the best!!!
“This picture was taken at an orphanage on Friday. As you can see he is a busy missionary, he is happy and healthy and loves being in Swaziland. We went to see the Senior Princess of Swaziland, that was her orphanage; she loved the visit from the missionaries and gave permission for them to travel throughout her Chieftain area without any harrassment.  The missionaries sang a song for her and then gave her a blessing.  She is 81 years old.”

My Mom!

Posted on by
Reply

My Mom had a birthday yesterday. She turned 79 years old. When I called to tell her happy birthday she told me she is 79 going on 40. I believe that! This woman is amazing and she has more energy than I do. I feel so blessed to have a mother in my life. She is perfect for me. 
My Mom is; 
kind– always thinking of others,
smart– she went back to school when she was 50 and got a degree,
loving– she loves everyone,
a super teacher– she teaches almost everyday,
firm– she is not afraid to let you know, if you need a reminder,
a good listener– she has listened to me all my life,
she is mine– the one that I call Mom!!
I love you, my wonderful Mom!
*************************
Most of all the other beautiful things in life come by twos and threes, by dozens and hundreds.  Plenty of roses, stars, sunsets, rainbows, brothers and sisters, aunts and cousins, comrades and friends – but only one mother in the whole world.  ~Kate Douglas Wiggin

Family History Friday: Family Holiday!

Posted on by
Reply
 A fun way to celebrate family, and your family’s history, would be to pick a day out of the year to celebrate it! I found a great idea over at 
Family Fun 
you can find it here!
There are so many different directions
 you could go with this!!
Start off with your immediate family, pick a day, then eventually make the celebration include your extended family. You could tell stories from growing up together, or tell stories from your ancestors lives. You could even have skits or plays acting out things your ancestors did, or fun experiences they had, while they were alive. You could eat the type of food that your ancestors ate. You could watch old home movies. Do an activity that your whole family enjoys like a hike, or a bike ride, maybe even skiing. And if you record it all, then it will become part of your family history!! I love this idea. I plan on doing this with my family. Check it out and try it!! 
Happy Family History Friday! Love, Joy

Totally "Fort Worth" it!

Posted on by
Reply

Hermana Kelsey 1:3 -email-
Madre!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you too! I’m glad you’ve been getting things done around the house. I know it makes you happy when things are clean. 🙂 I’ve been very good about keeping our room clean while I’ve been here, because we get in trouble if our room is messy. You would be proud.
Awww! I miss T and G. Tell them hi for me and that I love them.
I’m glad Alex is doing good. He is such a sweet boy, and I’m sure he’s touching lots of people. I don’t think I can look at the blog, at least not here at the MTC, but probably when I get out into the mission field. They only allow us to get on lds.org and my lds mail. I would love if you forwarded Alex’s emails to me. He doesn’t really say much, but it is still nice to hear from him.
This week, one of our older districts left. We have been so sad. They were a really fun district and they were the only other district with Hermanas. 🙁 I think I’m going to struggle with my companions and such leaving when I get to Texas. The other day, I saw this girl Emily M, that I went to high school with. It was really cool. She is going to Japan on her mission. I also saw Tyler H, which you might not know, but he bore his testimony at stake conference. He is a good kid. I met this one Hermana, I don’t remember if I already mentioned her, but she is going to Ft. Worth Texas too. Her name is Hermana V. She left this past Monday, but I might see her down in Texas. Anyway, she is so cute, and I only met her the second day we were here, but I feel like I already knew her, and I loved her the minute we met.
The other day at dinner, we somehow got on the subject of personality colors. I tried to explain what they were for some people who didn’t know, and they all wanted me to guess their personality color. I don’t know any of them well enough to actually guess. Some people that knew about it told me their personality colors, and when I told them mine they acted really surprised. They all thought I was a yellow. Weird huh? I don’t think I’ve changed that much since I left, but maybe I have.
Anyway, I will be sending pictures soon. And probably one of my memory cards. 🙂
The spanish is coming along slowly, but surely. There are days where I feel like I’m starting to get it, and then other days where I feel completely overwhelmed with it. But I know that the Lord will make up for my shortcomings.
Anyway, I better go now. I love you.
Love, Hermana Kelsey

Emerny!

Hola little seester! I am doing well. I’m glad you are doing lots of things. It’s good to be busy. I feel bad for all the time I wasted when I was home, now that I’ve seen all the things you can get done in one day. It’s crazy. In one day here I get like 3 times more things done than I did in any one day at home. It’s kind of sad. Just don’t burn yourself out trying to do too much. That’s no bueno. Anyway, I love you, and continue to do good things.
Love, Hermana Kelsey 
Padre,
I’m glad you are getting lots of things done. I know what you mean when you say that songs get to you. I’ve turned into the biggest cry baby. I cry so much just listening to all the missionaries sing at devotionals and firesides. It’s crazy how much the Spirit works on you through good music. Anyway, I better go now. Last time I ran out of time and barely got to send the email at all, so I need to start being done earlier. Sorry I can’t write more. Anyway, love you lots. Love, Hermana Kelsey

Howzit-Elder Flexy!

Posted on by
2
So it is Tuesday and I still haven’t heard from Flexy. I have heard that the internet isn’t that great where he is. So I emailed one of the “Senior Couples” (retired couples) who are serving there and asked her if everything is ok. She said, “Yes!” and sent me a really great email and pictures so here it is for 
Howzit-Elder Flexy 9:2 -email-


Sister S,

We just spoke to Elder [Flexy] and he is just fine; he did send you an email yesterday, however the internet in Swaziland sometimes just does not work.  We are in touch with his District every day and see his Zone Leader quite often, they live in the same house.  Elder [Flexy] is well liked by all the Elders in the Swaziland District, we had them over last week for a barbecue and when they are here we watch the interaction they have with each other and all of them really like your son.  The black and white companionship is extremely powerful in teaching the gospel because the white Elders bring knowledge of how the Church work, Church History, family relations, the black Elder brings passion since they are almost always new converts themselves.  He then shared an experience which he and Elder Webster had when giving  a lesson, he and Elder Webster shared their testimony and when Elder Ng’Anda came to pick them up, Elder Ng’Anda then shared his testimony and there was such a difference with the spirit, it was so much more powerful, not that their testimony was not powerful, Elder Ng’Anda is a convert and his passion for the gospel is great.  I see our American Elders sharing so much with their black companions and the black Elders in this Zone.  They always let the black Elders eat first and take what is left, they always share what they have and never care if the black Elder probably takes more than he should; they understand that what these Elders have to go back to is so little;  sometimes not even a blanket to keep them warm at night; sometimes they are orphans and will have to go back to their Branch President and try to get a home from there.  You can be very proud of your son as a missionary, he works very hard; he loves Swaziland; he has shared his Testimony in Zone and District Meetings and always expresses his gratitude for being sent to Swaziland.  The pictures are of a couple of animals he will get to see before he leaves this area.  His district had to cancel their hike and barbeque yesterday because of thunderstorms.  We went with the Manzini District on a mini Safari and took these pictures; we are going to try to get the Mission Home to approve this safari for all the boys before they get transferred.  We have 16 Elders now in Swaziland, and they are baptizing a lot of people.  If you have any concerns, I will be happy to write to you at any time.
Sincerely, Sister B

**************************************

Sister S;
Elder B and I needed to take an iron to the missioanries in
Mbabane and Elder [Flexy] with Elder Diseko needed a lift to their
morning appointment. He knows we took the face view but we thought you
would like a view of them about their Father’s Business.
Love, Sister B

Sunday Best!

Posted on by
Reply

“We are the Lord’s hands

 here upon the earth, with a mandate to serve and lift His children. 
He is dependent upon each of us.”
                         -Thomas S. Monson

“God does notice us, and 
He watches over us. But it is 
usually through another person 
that He meets our needs.” 
-Spencer W. Kimball

“And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only 
in the service of your God.” 
-King Benjamin, Mosiah 2:17

“By love serve ye one another.”
-Apostle Paul, Galations  5:13

*********************


Service is… Love!


Hope your Sunday was the Best!! Love, Joy

Pooh and Hamilton!

Posted on by
Reply
Meet Pooh and Hamilton. 
These are our only pets. We have had many pets throughout the years. In fact, once Alex said, “If we get one more pet, we’ll be a farmer!” The pets have all passed on…except for these two. Pooh is a fish that Emily tried to have live at school in her locker, until she found out, it was against school policy. The policy that says “no pets at school”. She had to bring him home. And Hamilton was a gift from a boy that Emily asked to a dance, as part of saying “yes” to the dance invitation. So of course, I’m the one who takes care of them. Emily wouldn’t agree with that. The funny thing, is that we found out that all of us were feeding them. The reason we were all feeding them is that, Pooh has figured out, that if you look at a person and act frantic, like you haven’t eaten in weeks they will think you are hungry, and they will feed you. I think he is more intelligent than the usual fish. I also think he is about twice as big as he was. I am amazed how funny they are and I’m glad they live with us. 

Family History Friday: An Amazing Voyage!

Posted on by
Reply

In talking about the Mormon Immigrants and the hardships they endured, I have often heard my Mom say the trip across the plains was hard, but the trip across the ocean was harder. I have read many accounts of immigrants crossing the ocean, and it is always amazing to me what hardships they endured. Some, lost loved ones, that had to be buried at sea, and being sea sick would be so difficult. You would not hardly get a break from that. The close quarters and no privacy would be difficult too. I found an interesting article about the Saints and the trip across the ocean. You can read about it here!
Happy Family History Friday! Love, Joy