A Great Week

Dear family and friends,

Wow!  It has been a full and rewarding week!  We have been busy with our YSA’s this week which has been really fun!

For FHE last week, we invited a member of our ward, Tyler Pitcher, to talk to the YSA’s about “Rescuing the One”. He serves in the airforce as a survival and rescue expert.  He has some incredible stories to share.  He teaches servicemen how to survive in the jungle, the desert, the cold and snow, and water and any other condition.  His job also includes debriefing men who are captured or involved in any military action.  He told a story of when he was going through basic training.  The rules are very rigid.  After lights out one night, he used a flashlight to read his Book of Mormon.  He was bothering a buddy in the next tent who saw his light.  Finally, his buddy got so angry he threatened to come and shut out his lights, so Tyler explained that he was reading the Book of Mormon.  “What’s that?”  Tyler told him they were scriptures.  “Why are you reading those?”  Tyler said it was what gave him strength to make it through basic training.  “Hey, can I read that book?”  Tyler agreed and each night after that they read the Book of Mormon together.  Several years later, while in South Korea, Tyler ran into this buddy who told him that he had joined the church.  We never know who we influence in a good way.  It was an outstanding evening and we had a big group.  I think this experience was as good for Tyler as it was for the YSA’s.  He brought one of his buddies with him, and Max came to church on Sunday as well!

Brad was able to give a few priesthood blessings this week, which is always a tender blessing for both of us.  We visited and gave a blessing to Derick Lavendar, a dear man in a care center, Emily Anderson, one of our YSA’s who was going in for some surgery, and Emily Cookson, one of our BYU YSA’s.  We are always so honored to be asked to help and have Brad exercise his priesthood. 

We had a big YSA group attend another Cambridge Shakespeare play, “Comedy of Errors”!  It was spectacular, and so fun to be together.  Then we planned a bike ride for the group, but the weekends are always hard for them as most are traveling, so we only had one YSA go with us on the ride, and another one join us in the Grandchester Orchard for juice and scones.  It was a gorgeous day.

We enjoyed having the Mancer’s join us for dinner at our home this week.  They are dear friends, not members of the church, but we love to spend time with them.  They were able to see pictures of our family.  We told them about Jaylee's baptism.  They asked if all our children were "in the church".  Any opportunities we can take to share anything about the gospel is such a blessing.

The highlight of our week, however, was being able to skype with Scott and Sherri to watch Jaylee get baptized.  David baptized her and there were a lot of friends and family there.  Scott confirmed her and afterward Jaylee asked if all of these people were there just for her.  She was very touched by the love and support of so many.  Shortly after we saw her baptized, we got to participate in a baptism for two young children, Jasmine, age 9 and Kelvin, age 11, in our Cambridge ward.  We were able to both speak about baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost.  In this way, we kind of felt a part of what Jaylee experienced that day.  Jaylee, we are so grateful for you and your goodness!!!!

We can’t wait to tell you about this week!  Each week gets better and better!  I can’t remember if I wished Lily Bishop Happy Birthday on August 9^th!!! What a beautiful and pure little 3 year old!  We love you Lily!

One of our senior missionaries sent us some humorous statements about being a senior missionary that I would like to pass on to you.  It should give you a chuckle and bring a smile to your spirit today!

We love you all!  Keep up the good work.  The Gospel is true!!!  We love it!!!

Love,

Dad and Mom

Papa and Grandma

Elder and Sister Jackman

 

Thoughts for the day:

1)       1. Going to bed early, 2. Not leaving my house, 3. Not going to a party—My childhood punishments have become my adult goals

2)      My goal for 2016 was to lose just 10 pounds.  Only 15 to go!

3)      Ate salad for dinner!  Mostly croutons & tomatoes.  Really just one big, round crouton covered with tomato sauce.  And cheese.  FINE, it was a pizza.  I ate a pizza.

4)      How to prepare Tofu;  A. throw it is the trash. B.  Grill some meat.

5)      I just did a week’s worth of cardio after walking into a spider web.

6)      I don’t mean to brag but…..I finished my 14-day diet in 3 hours and 20 minutes.

7)      A recent study has found that women who carry a little extra weight live longer than men who mention it.

8)      Kids today don’t know how easy they have it.  When I was young, I had to walk 9 feet through shag carpet to change the TV channel.

9)      I may not be that funny or athletic or good looking or smart or talented…..I forgot where I was going with this.

10)   I love being over 50.  I learn something new every day…..and forget 5 others.

11)   I think I’ll just put an “Out of Order” sticker on my forehead and call it a day.

12)   Senility has been a smooth transition for me.