I'm back in Cali! And of course, the first person I hug is my beautiful wife. Oh, and kiss too. I'm so happy to see her and to be here to comfort her. I'm grateful to be by her side, sleeping and eating and talking and kissing. I love my wife soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much!
The trip was uneventful, but uneventful is good. You don't want to hear about an eventful crash or eventful flat tire. So all was well. I got to Dale's (Shaunna's brother) house about 10 minutes before my scheduled time to be there. Even so, we started off late, and we had to pick up Debbie. There was a bit of traffic in Phoenix area, but other than that, smooth sailing. I told them about me, and I learned a little bit about them. We got Wendy's outside of Blythe.
Sarah was doing a little freaking out earlier today. We're concerned with where we are going to live in 20 days. Also, Shaunna might need some help after the month is over. But overall, we want to be living in Mesa at the start of next month.
I gave Gracie a ride to school this morning. I was super tired though, and came back to my bed after I arrived home. Sarah and I read from the story of Amulek being offered the six onties of silver. We tried to calculate how much money that would be in our day and we came up with tons, to be turning down. We also had a discussion about how to say the word employ. We didn't determine what was the right way.
Shaunna's surgery was today and she was a bit happy/loopy. But she was still super nice.
Friday, August 10, 2018
Thursday, August 9, 2018
8/9 Planning a Trip to California and Back and Working Out Sore Muscles
The trip back to (the future) home has been scheduled. I leave tomorrow with Shaunna's brother and sister-in-law and I am coming back Monday on the Greyhound bus. We are staying with my parents on Friday and Sunday night, and Sarah's mom on Saturday night. It's going to be fun and games...stuff planned: trip from mesa to rancho, celebrate Mia Trefflich's birthday (she's turning four on Saturday) tomorrow is Sarah's mom's birthday. Attend and participate in Madeline's baby blessing and have a brunch with them, and come home to have dinner at 4pm with my parents, and trip back on the Greyhound bus.
Today was alright. I stayed up way late last night working on Journal blogs, so after I took Gracie to school, I went back to sleep for a while. I didn't do much today.
I worked out when Gracie and Kerry left to work out. I also spent that time calling everyone I needed to call to arrange everything that needed to be arranged. I'm super sore from Tuesday's workout, so this one was less intense.
I picked up Gracie and read and slept in the sweltering heat, waiting for her.
I watched episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
We watched and episode of One Piece, an anime that Gracie has been introducing me to. Monkey de Luffy.
I folded my whites that I washed yesterday and I did my scripture study. It's been a good day.
Told Jesse about my trip and he said I am doing a good job supporting Sarah's family by going on this trip. He made eggs for me and Aunt Kerry. Kerry said that they wouldn't know about my job for a little while. I told mom and dad about my exciting new prospects.
Today was alright. I stayed up way late last night working on Journal blogs, so after I took Gracie to school, I went back to sleep for a while. I didn't do much today.
I worked out when Gracie and Kerry left to work out. I also spent that time calling everyone I needed to call to arrange everything that needed to be arranged. I'm super sore from Tuesday's workout, so this one was less intense.
I picked up Gracie and read and slept in the sweltering heat, waiting for her.
I watched episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
We watched and episode of One Piece, an anime that Gracie has been introducing me to. Monkey de Luffy.
I folded my whites that I washed yesterday and I did my scripture study. It's been a good day.
Told Jesse about my trip and he said I am doing a good job supporting Sarah's family by going on this trip. He made eggs for me and Aunt Kerry. Kerry said that they wouldn't know about my job for a little while. I told mom and dad about my exciting new prospects.
Wednesday, August 8, 2018
8/8 A Teacher Aide Job Opening up and driving around
Today has been great!
Uncle Jesse asked me if I could take Gracie to school this morning. I said sure, even though I was a little dazed from being tired. The night before, there was a lightning storm and the power went out at about 10pm. It was funny because I was talking to Sarah and pretending to slam my fist on the table and right when I did that, the power (and with it the internet) went out. I got to talk to Sarah for a little afterward, and then my dad called me and we chatted for a little while.
So, I took Gracie to school, dropped her off at the Circle K around the corner from her school. Came home, and called Sarah after watching an episode of Anne with an E. We read our scriptures, and napped together. It was nice. Then I did my scripture and conference talk study. Watched the 2nd to last episode as I was eating lunch.
I worked on my cover letter for the tutoring job. It actually turned out really nicely
Then Aunt Kerry called me and passed me on to Patrick, her co-worker in charge or the Special Needs kids. He asked me if I'd be interested in a job as a teacher's aide, as they are in short supply and dire need. He said they pay $12.50 an hour for 29 hours a week. I, of course, jumped at the opportunity. He warned me that I'd probably have to deal with students that need help going to the bathroom. I told him I knew of aides that did that sort of thing, and he said that he didn't know that I had some experience doing stuff like this. He told me that he would call HR and try to get the process expedited. Aunt Kerry made it clear when she came home that I didn't need to do the job at her expense. I let her know it was my pleasure. She let me know that I can leave the job at any time for better work opportunities that present themselves. Kerry said that I will probably not even have to interview for the position, that they are in so much need that they probably won't and since I have my fingerprint card, even better.
I picked up Gracie. I got there so early that they had me park instead of get in line. I watched the final episode of the second season, and was thrilled that practically everything bad that happened in the second to last episode was pretty much resolved and I'm excited to watch more when Netflix comes out with the third season.
I took Gracie to a movie night with the Young Women. I drove around town to explore, and then I went to Walmart and picked myself up a $5 Analog wristwatch. Then a dust storm warning came, so I got some powerade from Circle K and drove to where Gracie's thing was early. I read the last chapter for the Book of Mormon book.
Ate salad for both lunch and dinner and talked to Jesse.
Talked and loved my wife Sarah. We are arranging for me to come to California this weekend for her Mom's birthday, Maya's birthday, and the baby blessing of little Madeline. Shaunna asked her brother that lives in Mesa if I could possibly hitch a ride with them on Friday. And possibly either return with them Sunday morning, or take the Greyhound bus Monday morning. We shall see, depending on the job prospects. I'm excited.
To whom it may concern:
My name is John Carlos Gonzales. I am applying for a position as one of your professional tutors. One of your employees was very emphatic about how great your program is. After reviewing the qualifications needed for I feel I am a great fit for your company. I went to Brigham Young University and received a Bachelor’s in Psychology. I am looking to work with young adults full-time. I am pursuing a career in Music Therapy, preferably with an emphasis in helping students with developmental and learning disabilities. I also want to start my own practice. As I labor in this job, it will help me in my efforts to learn how kids think and grow.
For the past 4 years, I have worked as a substitute teacher in the elementary environment. I have learned how to instruct students one-on-one, and also in classroom study. I have managed my own classroom and adapted to different teaching situations, such as learning a lesson plan at the beginning of the day, and implementing it the following day, making changes throughout the day based on the needs of the student. I have experience with different types of lesson plans that the teacher had wanted me to administer. I have even collaborated with different teachers on how to best teach the students and work well with them and the curriculum. I have also worked to provide help for the students based on their needs. I have worked well in the school districts and other companies I have worked for. I have provided exceptional customer service. I am willing to work hard in accomplishing the Revolution Prep goals of helping students learn the required material for their tests and classes, and enjoy it while they are doing it.
I would love to be interviewed for the position. Thank you for looking my letter over. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Uncle Jesse asked me if I could take Gracie to school this morning. I said sure, even though I was a little dazed from being tired. The night before, there was a lightning storm and the power went out at about 10pm. It was funny because I was talking to Sarah and pretending to slam my fist on the table and right when I did that, the power (and with it the internet) went out. I got to talk to Sarah for a little afterward, and then my dad called me and we chatted for a little while.
So, I took Gracie to school, dropped her off at the Circle K around the corner from her school. Came home, and called Sarah after watching an episode of Anne with an E. We read our scriptures, and napped together. It was nice. Then I did my scripture and conference talk study. Watched the 2nd to last episode as I was eating lunch.
I worked on my cover letter for the tutoring job. It actually turned out really nicely
Then Aunt Kerry called me and passed me on to Patrick, her co-worker in charge or the Special Needs kids. He asked me if I'd be interested in a job as a teacher's aide, as they are in short supply and dire need. He said they pay $12.50 an hour for 29 hours a week. I, of course, jumped at the opportunity. He warned me that I'd probably have to deal with students that need help going to the bathroom. I told him I knew of aides that did that sort of thing, and he said that he didn't know that I had some experience doing stuff like this. He told me that he would call HR and try to get the process expedited. Aunt Kerry made it clear when she came home that I didn't need to do the job at her expense. I let her know it was my pleasure. She let me know that I can leave the job at any time for better work opportunities that present themselves. Kerry said that I will probably not even have to interview for the position, that they are in so much need that they probably won't and since I have my fingerprint card, even better.
I picked up Gracie. I got there so early that they had me park instead of get in line. I watched the final episode of the second season, and was thrilled that practically everything bad that happened in the second to last episode was pretty much resolved and I'm excited to watch more when Netflix comes out with the third season.
I took Gracie to a movie night with the Young Women. I drove around town to explore, and then I went to Walmart and picked myself up a $5 Analog wristwatch. Then a dust storm warning came, so I got some powerade from Circle K and drove to where Gracie's thing was early. I read the last chapter for the Book of Mormon book.
Ate salad for both lunch and dinner and talked to Jesse.
Talked and loved my wife Sarah. We are arranging for me to come to California this weekend for her Mom's birthday, Maya's birthday, and the baby blessing of little Madeline. Shaunna asked her brother that lives in Mesa if I could possibly hitch a ride with them on Friday. And possibly either return with them Sunday morning, or take the Greyhound bus Monday morning. We shall see, depending on the job prospects. I'm excited.
To whom it may concern:
My name is John Carlos Gonzales. I am applying for a position as one of your professional tutors. One of your employees was very emphatic about how great your program is. After reviewing the qualifications needed for I feel I am a great fit for your company. I went to Brigham Young University and received a Bachelor’s in Psychology. I am looking to work with young adults full-time. I am pursuing a career in Music Therapy, preferably with an emphasis in helping students with developmental and learning disabilities. I also want to start my own practice. As I labor in this job, it will help me in my efforts to learn how kids think and grow.
For the past 4 years, I have worked as a substitute teacher in the elementary environment. I have learned how to instruct students one-on-one, and also in classroom study. I have managed my own classroom and adapted to different teaching situations, such as learning a lesson plan at the beginning of the day, and implementing it the following day, making changes throughout the day based on the needs of the student. I have experience with different types of lesson plans that the teacher had wanted me to administer. I have even collaborated with different teachers on how to best teach the students and work well with them and the curriculum. I have also worked to provide help for the students based on their needs. I have worked well in the school districts and other companies I have worked for. I have provided exceptional customer service. I am willing to work hard in accomplishing the Revolution Prep goals of helping students learn the required material for their tests and classes, and enjoy it while they are doing it.
I would love to be interviewed for the position. Thank you for looking my letter over. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Monday, August 6, 2018
8/6 A Disappointing Double Blow and Good Feelings After the Tears
I took the NES Special Education test today. I had time to talk to Sarah before I did so. We did some t tapping and we had a nice chat. The test lasted the whole 180 minutes. I had like 30 minutes left once I had finished answering the 150th question. So, I went over all the ones I flagged and then went over each question. I felt good about it. The questions were all super paragraphy long. A lot of them were. I finished after falling asleep a couple of times, picked up my paper and saw:
214
Six shy of passing. Then I noticed that I had gotten an email from LIFE. They had denied me a job at their facility. So two blows in a matter of like 5 or so minutes. I parked in a QT (QuikTrip) parking lot, called Sarah, and just bawled. Sarah was there to comfort me. After like a little while, I wiped my tears and went inside to get a drink. Not a good selection of juices. Then I went to Del Taco for lunch.
I got home and watched a bit of Anne with an E, but I got a text from Gracie that school had gotten out a bit early. So I drove to Higley and picked her up. In the process, I cut in front of several cars at the entrance. Someone was nice enough to let me in. The line backed up way after Warner, it was super crazy. It was a hot mess, but finally, I picked her up.
Told them about the test. The nicest thing is that I was upstairs when Jesse came home and he checked up on me after he heard the hard day I had.
I was having a Family Home Evening via phone with Shaunna and Sarah. The service was super good. We sang, I Need Thee Every Hour and I am a Child of God, then Shaunna shared from 2 Nephi 4 in Spanish, and I shared from President Oaks' talk from conference and an excerpt from Saints. Then we played Say the Same Thing. We both ended on Thanos. Shaunna and Sarah ended on Christ/Jesus. And Shaunna and I had to raincheck, because she had visitors when we started playing.
I ate a small salad with the family here.
Good day, overall.
I don't feel so helpless and hopeless as I felt this afternoon after the test. I have been telling everybody that I need to pick myself back up and dust myself off and get back to work. That I will do tomorrow after breakfast and study.
Time for be.
214
Six shy of passing. Then I noticed that I had gotten an email from LIFE. They had denied me a job at their facility. So two blows in a matter of like 5 or so minutes. I parked in a QT (QuikTrip) parking lot, called Sarah, and just bawled. Sarah was there to comfort me. After like a little while, I wiped my tears and went inside to get a drink. Not a good selection of juices. Then I went to Del Taco for lunch.
I got home and watched a bit of Anne with an E, but I got a text from Gracie that school had gotten out a bit early. So I drove to Higley and picked her up. In the process, I cut in front of several cars at the entrance. Someone was nice enough to let me in. The line backed up way after Warner, it was super crazy. It was a hot mess, but finally, I picked her up.
Told them about the test. The nicest thing is that I was upstairs when Jesse came home and he checked up on me after he heard the hard day I had.
I was having a Family Home Evening via phone with Shaunna and Sarah. The service was super good. We sang, I Need Thee Every Hour and I am a Child of God, then Shaunna shared from 2 Nephi 4 in Spanish, and I shared from President Oaks' talk from conference and an excerpt from Saints. Then we played Say the Same Thing. We both ended on Thanos. Shaunna and Sarah ended on Christ/Jesus. And Shaunna and I had to raincheck, because she had visitors when we started playing.
I ate a small salad with the family here.
Good day, overall.
I don't feel so helpless and hopeless as I felt this afternoon after the test. I have been telling everybody that I need to pick myself back up and dust myself off and get back to work. That I will do tomorrow after breakfast and study.
Time for be.
Sunday, August 5, 2018
8/5 Letter #80
Hey Jacob,
So, you guessed it! I'm in Arizona. Have been since Tuesday night. The whole of getting things moved out and cleaned since Sunday was CrAzY!
Well, luckily for us, and something that saved us was Isaac Garcia. Last week, when we went to the youth baptisms, he volunteered his time to come help us on Monday. Well, Sunday we were feeling a wee bit overwhelmed with moving, and we got the text for help on Monday. We both hesitated in accepting the help, because we didn't feel any close to packed. But he came, at 10am to help us. And we are so grateful he did. He even said that he bought his truck (that he used to help us) for all the service he could offer. Well, we bought a storage unit that is super close to where our apartment was while he was with me. It was a 10' x 10' unit, and while I was signing all the paperwork for the unit, he unloaded all on his own, all the things that he had brought in his truck on the first trip there. And we had had a lot of stuff. He surprised us with how helpful he was. We had furniture like a mattress and taken apart bed frame, a table we used as a desk, a mirrored coffee table, a five drawer-ed dresser, a tv stand and TV.
We have been doing our best to sell our furniture since Saturday (I think) on craigslist. We had found out on Sunday that a family in the ward needed a couch so actually, the Charry's and Moncaleano's came to pick it up from our apartment to take it to the Morales family. Then, Sister Harris came to buy the rest of the meat that was in the refridgerator that we hadn't eaten that honestly was worth a lot. Terribly, we had had totally forgotten about her visit and were on our way elsewhere when we got the text that she was at home, and traffic was bad.
Then, we had asked Isaac if he could come later in the day (after the meat was sold) to pick up and help with the Fridge. Well, he came, and he brought his dad, the bishop, and his mom and his brother, Jacob. Boy were they all a blessing to us in the hour or two that they were with us. Isaac and his dad took control in helping me dismantle and rebuild the refridgerator outside our house (because, I don't know if your remember, the the fridge was too wide to fit through our front door without taking the doors off). Then they helped us take it to storage. Sister Garcia and Jacob helped us pack the boxes that were already packed in the car to take to storage, so it was amazing that she was there to help as well.
All that help was a Godsend, for sure. And since Tuesday, we have sold a little more than half our furniture. Sis. Garcia actually told us to try Facebook market because it was faster and reached a lot of people, and we have had lots of success with it.
So that was Monday. I told Aunt Kerry that I was going to leave Tuesday afternoon at 3pm for Gilbert. Well, time just went by so fast on Tuesday, it was super crazy. We had time to go over the list of stuff I needed to pack and make sure I brought with me, plus extra stuff that was able to fit in my car. I did my best to help Sarah with all the rest of the stuff, but time was extremely not on my side. Finally, after doing all I could, and then being told that I must go, I left 45 minutes after the scheduled time of departure. I felt so bad because after all that I could do til the scheduled time, it seemed like I was leaving Sarah with this monumental task and not taking the responsibility I could take. Sarah finally did finish packing and cleaning the apartment the following day, 1 day later than we had wanted to. She had tons of help from the sister missionaries in the ward. They loved being there with us, because they definitely loved talking to Sarah. Sarah made all the hard decisions of what to finally pack and what to finally get rid of.
I also felt bad, because I didn't really have time to say bye to mom and dad since Sunday. I had left without doing so.
I left for Gilbert at 3:45pm and enjoyed the few sights on the way, like Blythe, the Colorado River, Casino Morongo and the windmills, the hundreds of them, the cactus that seem to populate when you pass the border. After that, it got dark. I didn't actually arrive til about 10:38 or so, and the parking here can be horrible after 6pm, so I parked super far away from Kerry and Jesse's house. But I made it, 5 and a half hours later (or so). Gracie was there to greet me at the door, along with their dog Melanie. Kerry and Jesse had already gone to bed. Right before I got to Gilbert, I was talking to Sarah and then to mom right before I got there. I just updated her on our lives.
The next morning, the tios were up early because they had to go to work and they have made a tradition of eating breakfast as a family. I told Kerry that mom sent her greetings. Kerry had started work already and Jesse also has work during the week. So, I have been spending a good amount of time with Gracie. She shared an Anime episode of One Piece with me.
I have been studying for the NES Special Education test, which I plan to take tomorrow at 10:30am (prayers are always helpful). Every morning, after spiritual study, I took a 150 practice test that I owned. One each day since I've been here. I need a 220, the first and second day, I took the test with answers that I could check as soon as I answered a question. Those two days, I got a 221 and 217. Friday, Sarah encouraged me to sit down and take my last and final practice test I own and seriously complete it without answers given to me after. I took it in the scheduled time (actually, I finished it in half the time) and I got a 228! I was so happy! It was definitely a great morale booster. Especially since I have been feeling a bit disheartened. I feel that I will do well tomorrow. And I'm grateful for the encouragement from everyone, including my wife, my parents, and the tios and Gracie.
Testing has taken a lot of my days, but I have done things in the evening as well. The first night, I went with Gracie to their ward building. I really wanted to meet the bishop, but he wasn't in office at the time. We then went to the supermarket Safeway to get the family oatmeal, which is their normal breakfast meal.
It's been fun being with Gracie. The first day she actually sat down with me and we took the 150 question practice test together. Talking it out with her was actually really helpful. On Friday, the tios asked me to take their dog Melanie to the Doggie Daycare for a free 4 hours. We dropped the dog off. It was quite funny, they asked Gracie to fill out some paperwork, and I noticed she put me on their as a contact and spelled my name the way Peruvians spell my name: Jhon. Actually, she spelled Melanie's name something like: Meline. She had prefaced it to me saying she doesn't really enjoy spelling. The person at the desk wanted Credit Card info but we got by without having to give it to them since it was the dog's first time there. They explained that the they have a process of introducing all the dogs there one at a time so as not to spook the dogs and cause accidents. They also said that those things could take the full 4 hours, and that the dog would be playful at first when we picked her up but then would be exhausted later. We picked up Melanie and she actually peed on the floor. Before, we went to McDonalds to get Gracie a drink and then we went to the Goodwill that is right next to the daycare for a few minutes. I love Gracie to death.
Gracie and Kerry have been working out a lot recently. I told you about Lennis sp?, I think in previous letters. Actually, looking back, I don't know if I did. Lennis is their trainer that they see twice a week. Well, on my first trip here, when Gracie told me about Lennis with Aunt Kerry, she raised her eyebrows, and she has continued to do that every time I mention him. It is pretty funny. They have been super diligent about going to the gym. It is actually quite inspiring.
Gracie starts school tomorrow, and actually, I'll get to pick her up tomorrow at 3:30. Gracie is super great to be around. She has an attitude and demeanor that I really get along with. We joke around like brother and sister. I goad her into telling me about what kind of person she's looking to marry (I don't even really know if I was thinking about marriage this early {she's 13, almost 14}, oh wait, there is Leslie, haha). She has mentioned that she's okay if she is taller than the guy, but she won't budge on age, he has to older. She wants to be a house flipper and she wants to get married in the Tahiti temple, preferably with a Rugby player from New Zealand or something. It is all so funny.
Slowly, but surely, I am getting use to living here in Gilbert. I've driven around several times. I actually spent yesterday looking for the testing center I am going to be taking the test at in Tempe. It was weird, because the parking lot was torn apart. So, we'll see where I can park tomorrow. I also spent yesterday looking at the three wards I decided to go visit. I went to see the three church buildings. I originally had plans to go to the Liahona 1st Ward's church today for church, but after looking at the Guerrero Branch's building yesterday and praying about it, I decided to switch it up and go there today, as led by the spirit.
Church was so good. The Guerrero Branch has sacrament meeting last, so I got to Sunday School kinda early. I talked to the first two older women that were sitting down. Get this, the first lady that I talked to has the last name Gonzalez. She said that I would like the ward and want to come back, and I'm telling you, after being with them for three hours, I do want to go back, and even to perhaps live in the Branch Boundaries. She came up to me before sacrament meeting and said have you chosen yet? Haha, I told her I needed to talk about it with my wife.
Hermano Camargo taught a really nice lesson on the Wisdom and Foolishness of King Solomon. He had me introduce myself. I really liked him a lot. Priesthood was okay. Sacrament was really nice, even though testimony meetings are the Sundays I dislike. I introduced myself to the Branch President Raul Cruz. He seems like a nice man. And then, right after Sacrament, the 2nd Counselor in the EQP (who is my age and his wife of a year) Carlos Santos, introduced himself to me. I told him that yesterday I had looked at the apartments called Tuscany Palms and am really interested in them, and he was like that is where we live. They have renewed their lease to another year. It was good talking to him. The branch actually has four missionaries, a pair of Elders and Sisters. I look forward to meeting them. I do have a good feeling about this Branch. They have grown on me. Next week is Stake Conference so I'll probably go to the other ward I had planned, but this Branch is a high contender for a place I want to live in. The building is actually not your traditional chapel. And a member told me that many people come to visit it when they come to Mesa, for the history of it.
I went to the Gilbert Temple with Gracie on Thursday morning just to visit it with her, and Friday night for a session and one round of initiatories. It's a beautiful edifice. I have some stories that I think you'll appreciate that I'll send to you in a different email. It was quite the first experience to go to that temple anew. But it was refreshing. Except they showed the oldest video I know, not one of the three new ones.
I called Mom and Dad on my way home and told them about my experiences.
Sarah actually went to the Juniper Ward's campout at Silverwood lake this last Friday and Saturday. She had so much fun. The Juniper ward really support us so much.
I went with Uncle Jesse and Gracie to go see her new school and drive in the line they want us to to pick up the kids. It was fun.
Also, Jesse just offered me a blessing. It was so beautiful. I'm so grateful for faithful priesthood holders in our family.
Well, I'll leave you with some good thoughts. I love you. Thank you for all the prayers! We feel them.
Send me a line, if you have a chance.
Your Brother,
John
So, you guessed it! I'm in Arizona. Have been since Tuesday night. The whole of getting things moved out and cleaned since Sunday was CrAzY!
Well, luckily for us, and something that saved us was Isaac Garcia. Last week, when we went to the youth baptisms, he volunteered his time to come help us on Monday. Well, Sunday we were feeling a wee bit overwhelmed with moving, and we got the text for help on Monday. We both hesitated in accepting the help, because we didn't feel any close to packed. But he came, at 10am to help us. And we are so grateful he did. He even said that he bought his truck (that he used to help us) for all the service he could offer. Well, we bought a storage unit that is super close to where our apartment was while he was with me. It was a 10' x 10' unit, and while I was signing all the paperwork for the unit, he unloaded all on his own, all the things that he had brought in his truck on the first trip there. And we had had a lot of stuff. He surprised us with how helpful he was. We had furniture like a mattress and taken apart bed frame, a table we used as a desk, a mirrored coffee table, a five drawer-ed dresser, a tv stand and TV.
We have been doing our best to sell our furniture since Saturday (I think) on craigslist. We had found out on Sunday that a family in the ward needed a couch so actually, the Charry's and Moncaleano's came to pick it up from our apartment to take it to the Morales family. Then, Sister Harris came to buy the rest of the meat that was in the refridgerator that we hadn't eaten that honestly was worth a lot. Terribly, we had had totally forgotten about her visit and were on our way elsewhere when we got the text that she was at home, and traffic was bad.
Then, we had asked Isaac if he could come later in the day (after the meat was sold) to pick up and help with the Fridge. Well, he came, and he brought his dad, the bishop, and his mom and his brother, Jacob. Boy were they all a blessing to us in the hour or two that they were with us. Isaac and his dad took control in helping me dismantle and rebuild the refridgerator outside our house (because, I don't know if your remember, the the fridge was too wide to fit through our front door without taking the doors off). Then they helped us take it to storage. Sister Garcia and Jacob helped us pack the boxes that were already packed in the car to take to storage, so it was amazing that she was there to help as well.
All that help was a Godsend, for sure. And since Tuesday, we have sold a little more than half our furniture. Sis. Garcia actually told us to try Facebook market because it was faster and reached a lot of people, and we have had lots of success with it.
So that was Monday. I told Aunt Kerry that I was going to leave Tuesday afternoon at 3pm for Gilbert. Well, time just went by so fast on Tuesday, it was super crazy. We had time to go over the list of stuff I needed to pack and make sure I brought with me, plus extra stuff that was able to fit in my car. I did my best to help Sarah with all the rest of the stuff, but time was extremely not on my side. Finally, after doing all I could, and then being told that I must go, I left 45 minutes after the scheduled time of departure. I felt so bad because after all that I could do til the scheduled time, it seemed like I was leaving Sarah with this monumental task and not taking the responsibility I could take. Sarah finally did finish packing and cleaning the apartment the following day, 1 day later than we had wanted to. She had tons of help from the sister missionaries in the ward. They loved being there with us, because they definitely loved talking to Sarah. Sarah made all the hard decisions of what to finally pack and what to finally get rid of.
I also felt bad, because I didn't really have time to say bye to mom and dad since Sunday. I had left without doing so.
I left for Gilbert at 3:45pm and enjoyed the few sights on the way, like Blythe, the Colorado River, Casino Morongo and the windmills, the hundreds of them, the cactus that seem to populate when you pass the border. After that, it got dark. I didn't actually arrive til about 10:38 or so, and the parking here can be horrible after 6pm, so I parked super far away from Kerry and Jesse's house. But I made it, 5 and a half hours later (or so). Gracie was there to greet me at the door, along with their dog Melanie. Kerry and Jesse had already gone to bed. Right before I got to Gilbert, I was talking to Sarah and then to mom right before I got there. I just updated her on our lives.
The next morning, the tios were up early because they had to go to work and they have made a tradition of eating breakfast as a family. I told Kerry that mom sent her greetings. Kerry had started work already and Jesse also has work during the week. So, I have been spending a good amount of time with Gracie. She shared an Anime episode of One Piece with me.
I have been studying for the NES Special Education test, which I plan to take tomorrow at 10:30am (prayers are always helpful). Every morning, after spiritual study, I took a 150 practice test that I owned. One each day since I've been here. I need a 220, the first and second day, I took the test with answers that I could check as soon as I answered a question. Those two days, I got a 221 and 217. Friday, Sarah encouraged me to sit down and take my last and final practice test I own and seriously complete it without answers given to me after. I took it in the scheduled time (actually, I finished it in half the time) and I got a 228! I was so happy! It was definitely a great morale booster. Especially since I have been feeling a bit disheartened. I feel that I will do well tomorrow. And I'm grateful for the encouragement from everyone, including my wife, my parents, and the tios and Gracie.
Testing has taken a lot of my days, but I have done things in the evening as well. The first night, I went with Gracie to their ward building. I really wanted to meet the bishop, but he wasn't in office at the time. We then went to the supermarket Safeway to get the family oatmeal, which is their normal breakfast meal.
It's been fun being with Gracie. The first day she actually sat down with me and we took the 150 question practice test together. Talking it out with her was actually really helpful. On Friday, the tios asked me to take their dog Melanie to the Doggie Daycare for a free 4 hours. We dropped the dog off. It was quite funny, they asked Gracie to fill out some paperwork, and I noticed she put me on their as a contact and spelled my name the way Peruvians spell my name: Jhon. Actually, she spelled Melanie's name something like: Meline. She had prefaced it to me saying she doesn't really enjoy spelling. The person at the desk wanted Credit Card info but we got by without having to give it to them since it was the dog's first time there. They explained that the they have a process of introducing all the dogs there one at a time so as not to spook the dogs and cause accidents. They also said that those things could take the full 4 hours, and that the dog would be playful at first when we picked her up but then would be exhausted later. We picked up Melanie and she actually peed on the floor. Before, we went to McDonalds to get Gracie a drink and then we went to the Goodwill that is right next to the daycare for a few minutes. I love Gracie to death.
Gracie and Kerry have been working out a lot recently. I told you about Lennis sp?, I think in previous letters. Actually, looking back, I don't know if I did. Lennis is their trainer that they see twice a week. Well, on my first trip here, when Gracie told me about Lennis with Aunt Kerry, she raised her eyebrows, and she has continued to do that every time I mention him. It is pretty funny. They have been super diligent about going to the gym. It is actually quite inspiring.
Gracie starts school tomorrow, and actually, I'll get to pick her up tomorrow at 3:30. Gracie is super great to be around. She has an attitude and demeanor that I really get along with. We joke around like brother and sister. I goad her into telling me about what kind of person she's looking to marry (I don't even really know if I was thinking about marriage this early {she's 13, almost 14}, oh wait, there is Leslie, haha). She has mentioned that she's okay if she is taller than the guy, but she won't budge on age, he has to older. She wants to be a house flipper and she wants to get married in the Tahiti temple, preferably with a Rugby player from New Zealand or something. It is all so funny.
Slowly, but surely, I am getting use to living here in Gilbert. I've driven around several times. I actually spent yesterday looking for the testing center I am going to be taking the test at in Tempe. It was weird, because the parking lot was torn apart. So, we'll see where I can park tomorrow. I also spent yesterday looking at the three wards I decided to go visit. I went to see the three church buildings. I originally had plans to go to the Liahona 1st Ward's church today for church, but after looking at the Guerrero Branch's building yesterday and praying about it, I decided to switch it up and go there today, as led by the spirit.
Church was so good. The Guerrero Branch has sacrament meeting last, so I got to Sunday School kinda early. I talked to the first two older women that were sitting down. Get this, the first lady that I talked to has the last name Gonzalez. She said that I would like the ward and want to come back, and I'm telling you, after being with them for three hours, I do want to go back, and even to perhaps live in the Branch Boundaries. She came up to me before sacrament meeting and said have you chosen yet? Haha, I told her I needed to talk about it with my wife.
Hermano Camargo taught a really nice lesson on the Wisdom and Foolishness of King Solomon. He had me introduce myself. I really liked him a lot. Priesthood was okay. Sacrament was really nice, even though testimony meetings are the Sundays I dislike. I introduced myself to the Branch President Raul Cruz. He seems like a nice man. And then, right after Sacrament, the 2nd Counselor in the EQP (who is my age and his wife of a year) Carlos Santos, introduced himself to me. I told him that yesterday I had looked at the apartments called Tuscany Palms and am really interested in them, and he was like that is where we live. They have renewed their lease to another year. It was good talking to him. The branch actually has four missionaries, a pair of Elders and Sisters. I look forward to meeting them. I do have a good feeling about this Branch. They have grown on me. Next week is Stake Conference so I'll probably go to the other ward I had planned, but this Branch is a high contender for a place I want to live in. The building is actually not your traditional chapel. And a member told me that many people come to visit it when they come to Mesa, for the history of it.
I went to the Gilbert Temple with Gracie on Thursday morning just to visit it with her, and Friday night for a session and one round of initiatories. It's a beautiful edifice. I have some stories that I think you'll appreciate that I'll send to you in a different email. It was quite the first experience to go to that temple anew. But it was refreshing. Except they showed the oldest video I know, not one of the three new ones.
I called Mom and Dad on my way home and told them about my experiences.
Sarah actually went to the Juniper Ward's campout at Silverwood lake this last Friday and Saturday. She had so much fun. The Juniper ward really support us so much.
I went with Uncle Jesse and Gracie to go see her new school and drive in the line they want us to to pick up the kids. It was fun.
Also, Jesse just offered me a blessing. It was so beautiful. I'm so grateful for faithful priesthood holders in our family.
Well, I'll leave you with some good thoughts. I love you. Thank you for all the prayers! We feel them.
Send me a line, if you have a chance.
Your Brother,
John
Friday, August 3, 2018
8/3 A Long, Nice Day in Arizona and a Passed Practice Test and Funny Temple Experiences
Today has been really good. Third full day in Arizona.
We started by taking Melanie, the family dog, to a Pet Daycare for free for 4 hours called Dogs 24/7 or something on Guadalupe and Gilbert. I noticed a Goodwill and asked Gracie if we could go there on our way back to pick up the dog. The person at the front desk had Gracie fill out a lot of papers, in the which she spelled my name wrong: Jhon, and also spelled Melanie in a way I have never seen before. Something like: Meline, or something. That was 8:30 and they told us to come back at 12:30. I spent the morning doing my morning routine, like eat breakfast, study from Mormon, With One Accord talk from April 2018, and some of the Saints book chapter 2. It recounted a version of the First Vision, which was really interesting and which I am going to do more research. Like, there are four accounts of the Vision by Joseph, and three or four secondhand accounts written by people who have heard. I talked with Sarah and she encouraged me to take the fifth and final exam I had in the allotted 3 hour time frame without distractions, including from Gracie. So I promised I would after we picked up the dog.
My car was covered in dust. Why? Because there was a Haboob that I kinda experienced yesterday, but didn't really. In fact, I was inside all day yesterday pretty much and when Uncle Jesse came home he was like, how was your experience, and I had no idea what he was talking about, haha. I look outside to see a haze of the afterstorm, and dust on the floor...and later today, on my car. Honestly, even though it is probably freaky, I look forward to one I encounter. The biggest thing I heard is just to not drive in the storm. Uncle Jesse was at the supermarket when it hit so he stayed in his car for a while and ate dinner. And Gracie and Aunt Kerry waited it out as well. The whole time I don't even really know what I was doing. Nothing cool like them, haha.
I called LIFE today to see the status of my interview and see if they were going to contact me. They said I'd get an email by Wednesday (finally). It's been like 3 weeks. I also signed up for my NES Special Ed test at the Rio Salado College test center on Monday at 10:30 am. I also applied to a place Sarah had recommended. Hopefully, one if not all all those avenues will pan out, and I'll have a selection of choices.
We picked up the dog. She peed right when we got there. Fortunately it was in the facility and not in the car. They had told us the system they follow with new dogs like Melanie is to introduce her to all the dogs first one at a time until she is familiar with the surroundings. Well, that supposively takes all the energy out of the dog. On the car ride home, Gracie and I stopped at McDonald's so she could pick up a Lg. Diet Coke. Also, we stopped at Goodwill, and I looked at pants and books. I'll have to take advantage of the 50% off sale they are having next saturday and get some good jeans and slacks.
While we were driving home, Gracie was appalled that I like Football. She was like, no offense, but I don't take you as a football guy. I called Sarah and she plead my case and let her know the origins of the love for sports and my competitiveness. T-minus 29 days until Sarah comes and the first football game of the 2018 BYU college football season. I'm excited (for both of course).
I took the test, like I said I was going to do (in half the time) and got a 228 (with a needed score of 220)!!! That was definitely a morale booster. Also, Gracie gave me space and even went upstairs the whole time (which wasn't my intention). But when I got her and told Sarah, they both cheered me on. So now to the actual test this Monday.
In my call to Sarah, I found out that she remembered that there was a Juniper Ward campout and that she had a ride with the Garcia's to Silverwood Lake. She was on her way to Winco to meet them. We talked and enjoyed each other's company while praying that everything was good. She commended me for still wanting to go to the temple.
Well, Aunt Kerry came home and they quickly got ready to go to workout. I had let Kerry know that I would be going to the temple while they went. Right when they left, I spent several minutes cleaning dog poop in their small yard, and I took their overflowing trash out. I want to be of some semblance of help while I stay with them. They are so nice to take me in. I looked at the route to the temple (which I had taken with Gracie the day prior {found an easier and not out of the way better way}). Said bye to the dog, and was on my way. It took about 4 or so songs of the Missionary Hymn Project to get there. I took my entrance pictures and brought in the name from Hermana Sierra that the JUNIPER ward wants me to do.
I barely had time to get the one initiatory done for Carlos Alberto Tejada Milla. Plus, I had to navigate an unknown temple and get the nuances of the temple down. I asked where the initiatory booths were. Decided to choose a locker close to the booth, to my detriment later, and quickly sign up for initiatories for one person. Man, those guys were slow, the whole process. Maybe I'm just use to hearing the blessing uttered quickly or something. Part of it is I think some of the workers were new. But, man, I ran to the desk and I had five minutes til the session. Well, the name givers talked to me for a bit, and when it didn't seem I was getting the name recorded, one of them went with me to get it from a file they have outside the dressing room. Well, it was filed under Hermana Sierra's name, but I had forgotten it, so I was relieved to finally find it and quickly get my new name and enter the session just in the nick of time.
I was in the very back of one of three endowment rooms. The capacity is 104, and believe me, the session was full to the brim. Of course, ladies went all the way to the back, men had one and a half rows vacant. They showed the oldest movie. It was a callback to old times. They have like six light chandeliers that look like lanterns, and I noticed one on the women's side that was flickering. It was a small, almost unnoticable flicker. Probably half or more people didn't notice it. Those lantern lights are cool and they have a seven pointed star on the bottom of them. There is also a stain glass rectangle that has glass that look like six 8-pointed flowers. It's quite beautiful. You are in that endowment room the whole session.
Quite funny (and a bit blasphemous) is that right after the covenant you make not to take the lord's name in vain, we were dressing ourselves in the robes, and an elderly man kept saying the letter G-O-D, G-O-D, because he was having trouble with putting them on. At least that is what I think I heard. He was in the back row, and leaned in to the guy next to me (who helped him) and said, "This is what happens when you are 73."
The session was nice. A lot of couples. A lot of people in the Celestial Room. It is a really big room with a magnificent chandelier. I had already taken the time to pray before I entered the room, which is what I do when I am in the back rows and last to be serviced. I sat next to a temple worker lady on the outskirts of the room and asked her some questions about the Gilbert Arizona Temple.
Now the detrimental part. I had put my clothes away and was getting changed (in the lockers next to the initiatory room). Well, I hadn't noticed that in the lockers were hanging white coats belonging to temple workers, and that the locker I chose, since it was close to the booths, were frequented by temple workers. Well, a temple worker, while I was changing asked for his coat and I handed it to him from over the locker. But worse, an elderly temple work (short and hunched) asked to get inside the locker while I was changing and in garments. I kinda reluctantly let him in, hiding behind the door and he got his coat or dropped it off and he told me, "Good of you, young man." It was quite the experience. I didn't feel too bad as I'm sure he goes to a lodge where he's around half-naked men all the time, haha.
The names were in those drawers next to the men's locker room but they hadn't been let out yet. So I took the time to write names for the temple roll, as I always do. Then I got the name (under Sierra), and walked out of the temple. I took a lot more pictures. It was definitely getting dark. Which added nice ambience to the pictures. I called Sarah. Told her about all the funny experiences. Then, I took a few more pictures, and left the grounds. I took the long way home and called mom and dad and talked to them for a little while. I parked near a Wendy's and got something to eat, before I headed home.
I found Jesse in Gracie's room, talking to her and we talked for a little while about the area and the Indian reservations and all the places I should move to in the future. Then, we got on the subject of Trump, whom Jesse really prefers, and we talked for a while about him, to Gracie's disgruntledment. We were going to watch the end of an anime that we started watching, but Gracie was falling asleep.
I changed.
And now it is bed time.
We started by taking Melanie, the family dog, to a Pet Daycare for free for 4 hours called Dogs 24/7 or something on Guadalupe and Gilbert. I noticed a Goodwill and asked Gracie if we could go there on our way back to pick up the dog. The person at the front desk had Gracie fill out a lot of papers, in the which she spelled my name wrong: Jhon, and also spelled Melanie in a way I have never seen before. Something like: Meline, or something. That was 8:30 and they told us to come back at 12:30. I spent the morning doing my morning routine, like eat breakfast, study from Mormon, With One Accord talk from April 2018, and some of the Saints book chapter 2. It recounted a version of the First Vision, which was really interesting and which I am going to do more research. Like, there are four accounts of the Vision by Joseph, and three or four secondhand accounts written by people who have heard. I talked with Sarah and she encouraged me to take the fifth and final exam I had in the allotted 3 hour time frame without distractions, including from Gracie. So I promised I would after we picked up the dog.
My car was covered in dust. Why? Because there was a Haboob that I kinda experienced yesterday, but didn't really. In fact, I was inside all day yesterday pretty much and when Uncle Jesse came home he was like, how was your experience, and I had no idea what he was talking about, haha. I look outside to see a haze of the afterstorm, and dust on the floor...and later today, on my car. Honestly, even though it is probably freaky, I look forward to one I encounter. The biggest thing I heard is just to not drive in the storm. Uncle Jesse was at the supermarket when it hit so he stayed in his car for a while and ate dinner. And Gracie and Aunt Kerry waited it out as well. The whole time I don't even really know what I was doing. Nothing cool like them, haha.
I called LIFE today to see the status of my interview and see if they were going to contact me. They said I'd get an email by Wednesday (finally). It's been like 3 weeks. I also signed up for my NES Special Ed test at the Rio Salado College test center on Monday at 10:30 am. I also applied to a place Sarah had recommended. Hopefully, one if not all all those avenues will pan out, and I'll have a selection of choices.
We picked up the dog. She peed right when we got there. Fortunately it was in the facility and not in the car. They had told us the system they follow with new dogs like Melanie is to introduce her to all the dogs first one at a time until she is familiar with the surroundings. Well, that supposively takes all the energy out of the dog. On the car ride home, Gracie and I stopped at McDonald's so she could pick up a Lg. Diet Coke. Also, we stopped at Goodwill, and I looked at pants and books. I'll have to take advantage of the 50% off sale they are having next saturday and get some good jeans and slacks.
While we were driving home, Gracie was appalled that I like Football. She was like, no offense, but I don't take you as a football guy. I called Sarah and she plead my case and let her know the origins of the love for sports and my competitiveness. T-minus 29 days until Sarah comes and the first football game of the 2018 BYU college football season. I'm excited (for both of course).
I took the test, like I said I was going to do (in half the time) and got a 228 (with a needed score of 220)!!! That was definitely a morale booster. Also, Gracie gave me space and even went upstairs the whole time (which wasn't my intention). But when I got her and told Sarah, they both cheered me on. So now to the actual test this Monday.
In my call to Sarah, I found out that she remembered that there was a Juniper Ward campout and that she had a ride with the Garcia's to Silverwood Lake. She was on her way to Winco to meet them. We talked and enjoyed each other's company while praying that everything was good. She commended me for still wanting to go to the temple.
Well, Aunt Kerry came home and they quickly got ready to go to workout. I had let Kerry know that I would be going to the temple while they went. Right when they left, I spent several minutes cleaning dog poop in their small yard, and I took their overflowing trash out. I want to be of some semblance of help while I stay with them. They are so nice to take me in. I looked at the route to the temple (which I had taken with Gracie the day prior {found an easier and not out of the way better way}). Said bye to the dog, and was on my way. It took about 4 or so songs of the Missionary Hymn Project to get there. I took my entrance pictures and brought in the name from Hermana Sierra that the JUNIPER ward wants me to do.
I barely had time to get the one initiatory done for Carlos Alberto Tejada Milla. Plus, I had to navigate an unknown temple and get the nuances of the temple down. I asked where the initiatory booths were. Decided to choose a locker close to the booth, to my detriment later, and quickly sign up for initiatories for one person. Man, those guys were slow, the whole process. Maybe I'm just use to hearing the blessing uttered quickly or something. Part of it is I think some of the workers were new. But, man, I ran to the desk and I had five minutes til the session. Well, the name givers talked to me for a bit, and when it didn't seem I was getting the name recorded, one of them went with me to get it from a file they have outside the dressing room. Well, it was filed under Hermana Sierra's name, but I had forgotten it, so I was relieved to finally find it and quickly get my new name and enter the session just in the nick of time.
I was in the very back of one of three endowment rooms. The capacity is 104, and believe me, the session was full to the brim. Of course, ladies went all the way to the back, men had one and a half rows vacant. They showed the oldest movie. It was a callback to old times. They have like six light chandeliers that look like lanterns, and I noticed one on the women's side that was flickering. It was a small, almost unnoticable flicker. Probably half or more people didn't notice it. Those lantern lights are cool and they have a seven pointed star on the bottom of them. There is also a stain glass rectangle that has glass that look like six 8-pointed flowers. It's quite beautiful. You are in that endowment room the whole session.
Quite funny (and a bit blasphemous) is that right after the covenant you make not to take the lord's name in vain, we were dressing ourselves in the robes, and an elderly man kept saying the letter G-O-D, G-O-D, because he was having trouble with putting them on. At least that is what I think I heard. He was in the back row, and leaned in to the guy next to me (who helped him) and said, "This is what happens when you are 73."
The session was nice. A lot of couples. A lot of people in the Celestial Room. It is a really big room with a magnificent chandelier. I had already taken the time to pray before I entered the room, which is what I do when I am in the back rows and last to be serviced. I sat next to a temple worker lady on the outskirts of the room and asked her some questions about the Gilbert Arizona Temple.
Now the detrimental part. I had put my clothes away and was getting changed (in the lockers next to the initiatory room). Well, I hadn't noticed that in the lockers were hanging white coats belonging to temple workers, and that the locker I chose, since it was close to the booths, were frequented by temple workers. Well, a temple worker, while I was changing asked for his coat and I handed it to him from over the locker. But worse, an elderly temple work (short and hunched) asked to get inside the locker while I was changing and in garments. I kinda reluctantly let him in, hiding behind the door and he got his coat or dropped it off and he told me, "Good of you, young man." It was quite the experience. I didn't feel too bad as I'm sure he goes to a lodge where he's around half-naked men all the time, haha.
The names were in those drawers next to the men's locker room but they hadn't been let out yet. So I took the time to write names for the temple roll, as I always do. Then I got the name (under Sierra), and walked out of the temple. I took a lot more pictures. It was definitely getting dark. Which added nice ambience to the pictures. I called Sarah. Told her about all the funny experiences. Then, I took a few more pictures, and left the grounds. I took the long way home and called mom and dad and talked to them for a little while. I parked near a Wendy's and got something to eat, before I headed home.
I found Jesse in Gracie's room, talking to her and we talked for a little while about the area and the Indian reservations and all the places I should move to in the future. Then, we got on the subject of Trump, whom Jesse really prefers, and we talked for a while about him, to Gracie's disgruntledment. We were going to watch the end of an anime that we started watching, but Gracie was falling asleep.
I changed.
And now it is bed time.
Thursday, August 2, 2018
8/1 First Full Day in Arizona and Gracie's help
Today was the first full day I've spent in Arizona, with Sarah in another state, doing her best to finish the daunting task of getting all of our stuff moved with her, or in the storage unit we bought. I left her yesterday at 3:45pm and was on the road by 4 (since it took forever to get gas). I got to Arizona at around 9:38pm and Gracie was at the door (well, really the couch) waiting for me, while Aunt Kerry and Uncle Jesse slept. I scrambled for something to fill my belly. I ate the things they told me I could eat the last time I was here: Tuna Creations ranch flavored, and three packs of pudding. I only brought with me the necessary articles to survive a day in, as my car was parked at least four or five blocks away (at night the parking gets scarce). I watched two of the three part episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine and said my prayers and went to bed. Previously, I had talked to my mom and said prayers with an exhausted Sarah (she had been packing up the house the rest of the time I left her).
Well, this morning was a nice bright day. Sarah had arranged for help from the sisters which turned out to be a miracle. And the day went smoothingly. I woke up to the sound of Gracie, Jesse, and Kerry getting some breakfast. They wished me a good morning.
I read my scriptures with Sarah, part of Alma 5, and then we said our morning prayers. Then I read some of Mormon and the conference talk about the spirit. It was very helpful. I watched an episode of B99 with Gracie, as well as an anime called One Piece. It was funny and interesting.
Then I mounted to the task of taking the third NES special education practice test. Sarah had encouraged me to do my best and to do things if I felt discouraged. Well, about a couple hours later, Gracie joined me and we took the test together for about an hour or more. We bounced ideas off of each other and she helped me get a lot right in a row. I got a 221 on the test total.
Gracie and I made chicken/scrambled eggs burritos. They were good.
Then Aunt Kerry came home and she took Gracie with her to workout. In that time alone, I finished the test, and brought in my luggage and fan and uke and guitar. Gracie was so excited to see a ukulele, that she asked me if she could play it. She is doing her best to learn the song Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
Mutual was cancelled, but Gracie took me to the church anyways. I wanted to meet the bishop, but he was not there. I noticed that four wards meet at the building. Gracie told me that they start church at 8, 10, 12, and 2. The two o' clock one is always the Single's ward. Then we went to a grocery store to pick up oatmeal at Kerry's request. And stopped at a gas station where Gracie got Sobe water.
I talked to my wife about answers I didn't understand on the test for a while.
Then I looked up the dates of the BYU football games, and guess what? BYU plays Arizona on September 1. Uncle Steve called me and I let him know I'm taking the test on Monday. So, overall.
Sarah and I said our prayers and we loved each other. I told Sarah about a FACE2FACE that Elder Quentin L. Cook is having September 9th. He admonished the Young Adults to read at least the first 3 chapters of Saints. I did read the first part, and I was astounded at the faith of Sister Lucy Mack Smith in letting her husband go to New York while she tended to like 6 or 7 kids. Not only that, but the injustices of crossing to New York. I could run some parallels in our life right now.
Sarah finished packing and cleaning all the rest of the house, not to mention, selling several pieces of our furniture. Mom and Dad accompanied her to the storage unit. Dad had brought change of address forms, and Sarah made a joke about how much dad wants to complete his goal of getting us to move, haha.
Great Day.
Called LIFE and they didn't answer.
Well, this morning was a nice bright day. Sarah had arranged for help from the sisters which turned out to be a miracle. And the day went smoothingly. I woke up to the sound of Gracie, Jesse, and Kerry getting some breakfast. They wished me a good morning.
I read my scriptures with Sarah, part of Alma 5, and then we said our morning prayers. Then I read some of Mormon and the conference talk about the spirit. It was very helpful. I watched an episode of B99 with Gracie, as well as an anime called One Piece. It was funny and interesting.
Then I mounted to the task of taking the third NES special education practice test. Sarah had encouraged me to do my best and to do things if I felt discouraged. Well, about a couple hours later, Gracie joined me and we took the test together for about an hour or more. We bounced ideas off of each other and she helped me get a lot right in a row. I got a 221 on the test total.
Gracie and I made chicken/scrambled eggs burritos. They were good.
Then Aunt Kerry came home and she took Gracie with her to workout. In that time alone, I finished the test, and brought in my luggage and fan and uke and guitar. Gracie was so excited to see a ukulele, that she asked me if she could play it. She is doing her best to learn the song Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
Mutual was cancelled, but Gracie took me to the church anyways. I wanted to meet the bishop, but he was not there. I noticed that four wards meet at the building. Gracie told me that they start church at 8, 10, 12, and 2. The two o' clock one is always the Single's ward. Then we went to a grocery store to pick up oatmeal at Kerry's request. And stopped at a gas station where Gracie got Sobe water.
I talked to my wife about answers I didn't understand on the test for a while.
Then I looked up the dates of the BYU football games, and guess what? BYU plays Arizona on September 1. Uncle Steve called me and I let him know I'm taking the test on Monday. So, overall.
Sarah and I said our prayers and we loved each other. I told Sarah about a FACE2FACE that Elder Quentin L. Cook is having September 9th. He admonished the Young Adults to read at least the first 3 chapters of Saints. I did read the first part, and I was astounded at the faith of Sister Lucy Mack Smith in letting her husband go to New York while she tended to like 6 or 7 kids. Not only that, but the injustices of crossing to New York. I could run some parallels in our life right now.
Sarah finished packing and cleaning all the rest of the house, not to mention, selling several pieces of our furniture. Mom and Dad accompanied her to the storage unit. Dad had brought change of address forms, and Sarah made a joke about how much dad wants to complete his goal of getting us to move, haha.
Great Day.
Called LIFE and they didn't answer.
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