Monday for DUP we went on a field trip to see three local historic sites around South Jordan. Our first stop was to see the White Fawn Flour Mill marker. It is located right off the River Front Parkway.
Next stop was the old Pioneer Church across from Gardener Village. People still use this building for plays, gatherings, weddings, etc.
Our last stop was to see the Drown Cabin and Cutler Hill Cemetery. We took the kids here one year for Pioneer Day because I have some Cutler ancestors buried here. It is not a traditional cemetery and all that is left is one grave marker. After we learned about the cabin and I told about Harmon Cutler we ate sack lunches. It was a really nice day and fun to be together.
I got to talk to Ashtyn on Monday and Thursday. She is doing great! Here is her letter for this week...
Olá!! Como foi sua semana? Minha semana foi ótimo! This week Sister Williams and I had a lot of fun and experienced so many tender mercies!
I guess I will first give an update on our amazing friends that we are teaching! Liz continues to be amazing! I literally cannot say enough good things about her. She has impacted my life more then she will know and I'm so grateful that I've had the opportunity to partake in her journey to come closer to the Savior. We however did have to officially send her off to the Elders:( But that is okay because they are amazing teachers and will help continue to prepare Liz for baptism! One thing that a girl said in church this week that stood out to me is that we should all be celebrating when someone is baptized whether we taught them or not, they made the choice to come closer to our Savior and that is amazing and that is what counts! Sena also continues to do well! She is retaining information so well and Sister Williams and I like to get creative when we teach her:) For example this week we taught her about the word of wisdom and law of chastity by playing trash can basketball haha! But she really is the sweetest and has a desire to get baptized. So we are so excited to continue working with her! We also had two miracle people this week! Some Sisters in another area reffered a guy named Jeremiah to us and we were able to have a lesson with him! He is really cool and has a desire to go to church and grow closer to God! We are so excited to continue meeting with him and we will see where it goes! We also had a girl who we have been trying to reach out to text us and ask us for the zoom link to church! We were so excited and happy! She said she wants to attend church each week! Wahoo! Heavenly Father definitely has blessed us immensely this week and it is amazing to see his hand in this work.
Like I mentioned we also had a lot of fun this week! Sister Williams and I explored another Asian market and picked up some fun things to try including dragon fruit, mochi, and dumplings yum! We then celebrated our half birthday's this week! Sister Williams and I were both born in April and since we won't be with eachother on our real birthdays we decided to have a half birthday celebration! We went all out and dressed the same and wore party hats, and got donuts for our "cake", and my sweet mom door dashed us some food. We also had district council that day and got our whole district to wear the hats! Oh another funny thing was during district council, Sister Williams and I were in charge of the training and we had the Elders try to teach us the word of wisdom with water in their mouths! We were trying to show how difficult it is to teach without the spirit and it was hilarious! I wish I had a video of it because it was a highlight for sure!
Lastly I wanted to share a quick spiritual thought! Every week we watch missionary devotionals and this week we got to here from Elder Ballard and Elder Holland. One thing that Elder Ballard said that really stood out to me was: "Get over it on your knees". He was talking about how missionary work is hard, tiring, and frustrating at times but you have to get over it and go to the Lord. Even though Elder Ballard was talking about missionary work, this principle can apply to every aspect of life. Life is hard and tiring and frustrating but we have to get over and take it to the Lord. He will listen intently, guide lovingly, and stand by you EVERY step of the day. So when life gets too hard to stand, get on your knees.
I hope everyone has an amazing week! I love you all so much! And don't forget so does God.
Oh also this week is transfers! Sister Williams and I are staying in Gaithersburg and getting a new companion! Yay! Until next time! Tchau Tchau!
-Sister Shaw
Pictures!
1. Elder Taylor's death photo! (Elder Taylor goes home on Thursday so we had to do a photo haha)
2. Pretty Maryland
3. Half-Birthday with Victor!
4. More half birthday
5. Pumpkins!
We read this little message during our gospel study one day and I absolutely love it.
This is the essence of the gospel.
He came into the world
To do His Father's will
Because His Father sent Him.
It was Ethan's Fall break so we invited Brody and Brooklyn over who were also on Fall break to make caramel apples. I usually make my own caramel but Jenacee told me about Peter's Caramel and so we decided to give it a try. It was way easier and tasted great. We got a little heavy handed dipping the apples so they got big feet on them but they tasted so dang good and the feet made them all the better.
Jeff and I planted almost 100 bulbs this week so that we can have lots of beautiful flowers come Spring.
We have been craving donuts but didn't want to wait for traditional dough to rise so we made some with Rhodes Rolls.
Melissa sent me this cute picture she found of our girls dressed up in our neighbor Nethra's traditional clothes. She has since moved away. Shown are Nethra, Chailyn, Brooklyn, Whitney and Rylee Russell.
First time for Whitney to vote!
Jeff and Ethan went out of town for St. George with Miles and Fischer and Whitney and I hung out at home. We went to see the movie A Call to Spy based on the true story of women spies in Britain. One of the characters is killed at Dachau and that is a concentration camp in Germany that I have been too. I want to be more like these women and stand up for what I believe in.
Jeff and Ethan had a blast in St. George. They stayed at Miles dad's town home. They went hiking in Snow Canyon, played golf a few times, watched movies, played games and had a blast.
On Sunday we had our annual dinner with the Tanners and Lotts. We only get to see them once a year usually with how busy everyone is and we look forward to this night. We have watched our kids grow up together which is so fun. I decided to do a mystery dinner like we did last year with Jeff's family. For the main dish I served Frankenstein's Fall Feast- Italian sausage pasta with parmesan cheese and Ogre Eyes with Maggots- Sweet and sour chicken meatballs and rice. I made another Jello brain but they only had red Jello so it doesn't look as cool. We played games afterwards. The Lott's son Garrison had a heart surgery and during the surgery he had a spinal stroke and lost the use of his legs. They don't know if he will ever be able to walk again. He is such a sweet boy and so amazing and positive. We are praying for him.
Maleah Tanner, Malihah Lott, Whitney, Mason, Ethan Gunner and
Garrison holding the twins Oliver and Archer.
Archer wasn't loving the pictures ha ha.
First snow of the year and first time getting to wear my new fleece lined boots- they worked great.
