How blessed we are!

Looking back on June and July is really a look at all of the blessings that come our way.  Too many to list or to write about; just know that our family is blessed.  The greatest blessings come for our children.  They are smart, obedient, and somewhat good looking.  I consider all members of my immediate family my children (except Karl of course) and that includes Annie, Haley, Willie, Ross, James, Elliott, Wyatt, Molly, Jack and Quinn.  I love them.

In Sunday School today our lesson centered on keeping a record of your life experiences so that your family can learn from it and better know you.  I am not a very good journal writer or blogger for that matter, but I am going to try to get going on some journal writing.  Needless to say, I have had many experiences I have not necessarily shared with my family.  Sometimes I think they will be bored or uninterested.  But I need to get some of these things written down, especially those that have been influenced by a divine power.  Who knows, someday someone may read what I've written and be influenced for good.

Willie has been serving in the mission field now five months.  He reports to us every Monday and his letters are informative, inspiring and motivating.  I can feel his love for what he is doing through the words he writes.  I so look forward to Monday morning emails.  They make Monday the very best day of the week. 

In the past couple of weeks we have connected with two missionaries with whom Willie has served.  I spoke with Sister Trejo (from Tucson, AZ) on Wednesday afternoon (July 23)!  What a nice person and a teacher!  She wanted me to know that my son is an exceptional missionary.  She also asked for my email and in return sent me some photos and two movies of the Siauliai group!!!!  The movies are so out of this world awesome -- in one, all of Willie's group (plus two others) are in a train compartment with bunk beads and the other movie is of Willie, Sister Trejo, and Elder Marshall singing, "How Can I Be".  It is truly off the charts good!!!!  I have watched it a hundred times.  They sound very good together and very harmonious.  Willie also has some nice jive moves as he accompanied with the uke -- reminiscent of his poly friends. 

 

Still more, . . . . . Saturday morning (July 26) I got this random text, "Sister Petersen, this is Elder Marshall, I was your son's trainer.  I just got home yesterday and I want to invite you to my homecoming Sunday if you are available.  It will be at 11:00 a.m. at 600 East 120 South in Smithfield, UT.  Let me know if you can make it.  It would be fun to meet you."  Oh my goodness -- I started to cry!  I replied, "We will be there!" and "PS, welcome home!"

 

Sister Trejo and Elder Marshall are on the right.

So last Sunday morning we got up early and headed to Cache County.  The Howdens decided to go, as well.  We got there a few minutes before sacrament meeting and Karl, of course, spotted Elder Marshall first and cornered him (politely).  He was quite a celebrity to all of us but just a returned missionary to his ward.  His talk was on the "Light of Christ" and I recorded it so Haley could hear it.  What a great day!