3/17/19 & 3/20/19

I've thought of you all week, pushing through RAIN and trying not to feel discouraged, as I pushed through winter, and trying not too feel discouraged in my exHAUSTion.  And maybe just by not being alone, or maybe because the weather really is warming up here at last, but things became easier.  I REALLY tried to have hope and BE happy, even when I really didn't feel like it all the time. As we went over being yoked w/ Christ in "Come Follow Me" last week, and had the kids try lifting a broomstick w/ heavy backpacks on each end by themselves & then w/ Emily helping, I was reminded of how much peace there is in staying close to the Savior. 

McKinzie Roberston spoke today, just home from Hungary! It was great to see her again, and Savannah has her papers turned in! I had a checkup Monday--everything looking good; Spencer got Invisalign braces on Tuesday!--he's having a lot of fun playing tennis (& night games as pictured); Dad had a checkup Tuesday, and the Dr was helpful connecting a lot of dots--his anemia is probably due to internal bleeding (ulcers, etc.?), so he's getting ready for a colonoscopy, and anemia also affects his RLS sleep issues, so it's great to have some direction.  We were able to go clean Sis Jensen's house for YW, as she ended up in the hospital from a bad reaction to her chemotherapy.  I had a good visit w/ Joan Argyle Thurs (it's so good to have friends in different stages of life to give you perspective/hope!) and then went down to Provo to find a wedding dress for Maddie, stopping to see my old friend Amanda on the way.  Dad took Emily to pick up her prom dress (we should open a shop around here!) and his new suits Friday night, and then we got together w/ 2 other couples to play games.  Emily had a great time at Prom yesterday!, and we're having (Maddie's) Brian's family over for dessert tonight to meet and visit with them, so that'll be fun! Hope you know how much you are thought of & loved! Love, Mom

Emily & Cam Rees

Spencer & nightgame crew: maci, marley, sid, tyler, & denver

3/20/19

Oh, thanks for your sweet prayers! I've definitely felt strength from people's prayers this pregnancy.  (It's amazing what feeling weak does to your sensitivity to noticing help). 

And of COURSE your testimony is strong! Your whole life is a reflection of that, and your mission letters a total magnification of it! I try and write about spiritual experiences I can share with you to keep you uplifted, and then your letters come and strengthen ME! I am amazed especially at how diligent and hopeful you remain, even in the face of adversity! It's easy to feel discouraged after putting forth so much effort and meeting disappointment.  I just read again in 2 Ne 5 about Nephi "cry[ing] much unto the Lord...because of the anger of [his] brethren" and the next verse says "their anger did increase!!" Of course the guidance to leave came later, but it takes faith to act, and it takes faith to KEEP acting! That's something still really hard for me. And of COURSE you see more adversity as you are serving the Lord and doing so much good.  I came across Pres. Faust saying the same thing about his mission, and then comparing Joseph's Smith's accout: 

 "I personally claim no special insight into Satan’s methods, but I have at times been able to identify his influence and his actions in my life and in the lives of others. When I was on my first mission, Satan sought to divert me from my future path and, if possible, to destroy my usefulness in the Lord’s work. That was almost fifty years ago, and I still remember how reasonable his entreaties seemed.  

The Prophet Joseph Smith related from his own experience, “The nearer a person approaches the Lord, a greater power will be manifested by the adversary to prevent the accomplishment of His purposes” (in Orson F. Whitney, Life of Heber C. Kimball, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1967, p. 132)."

But so many great promises from Pres. Nelson! I've been trying to pay better attention to prophetic promises, and he totally acknowledges our battles with discouragement:

"You will have days when you will be thoroughly discouraged. So, pray for courage not to give up! You will need that strength because it will become less and less popular to be a Latter-day Saint. Sadly, some whom you thought were your friends will betray you. And some things will simply seem unfair.

However, I promise you that as you follow Jesus Christ, you will find sustained peace and true joy. As you keep your covenants with increasing precision, and as you defend the Church and kingdom of God on the earth today, the Lord will bless you with strength and wisdom to accomplish the impossible."

Anyway, sorry for the quote flood ; the real point is I think of you with all we're doing, & love hearing about every detail.  You've always been so strong and diligent!--& it is awesome to see all the fruits of your lifetime of efforts in the great missionary it makes you now.  

All's well here--Jane's a little sick today, and I had a 48 hr headache (I think from staying up on Prom night---pregnant body is so sensitive to everything!), but staying in one piece--Spencer moved up to 1st doubles on JV--he's LOVING tennis (& I'm feeling increasingly guilty for how NOT involved I was when you played!!!) and Emily's got her first track meet today.  Anne & Lucy are still loving dance & Anne's got a part in the school play.  We're trying to get Jane ready for kindergarten--& Emily was giving her coaching on letters v/s numbers.  She said, "Letter are for words, and numbers are for counting! So, if you can't count to it, it must be a number."  She then quizzed her: "Is 5 a letter or number? Is B a letter or number?" and Jane was getting them!.  Then she said, "Is 17 a letter or a number?"  Jane started counting, 1-11, then said "Letter--I can't count to 17, only 11."   She's pretty hilarious.  Hope you're having a great week.  It's sure nice to see signs of spring around here finally!--though your fruit spread sounds aMAzing!! Love you tons! Thanks again for your prayers and awesome letters & putting yourself in at least one picture a week! Love, Mom