Christmas Message

Christmas is a beautiful time of the year. We love the excitement, the giving spirit, the special awareness of and appreciation for family and friends, the feelings of love and brotherhood that bless our gatherings at Christmastime.

In all the joyousness, it is well to reflect that Christmas comes in three levels:

Let’s call the first the 'Santa Claus level.' It’s the level of Christmas trees and holly, of whispered secrets and colorful packages, of candlelight and rich food and warm open houses. It’s carolers in the shopping malls, excited children, and weary but loving parents. It’s a lovely time of special warmth and caring and giving. It’s the level at which we eat too much and spend too much and do too much–and enjoy every minute of it. We love the Santa Claus level of Christmas.

But there’s a higher, more beautiful level. Let’s call it the 'Silent Night level.' It’s the level of all our glorious Christmas carols, of that beloved, familiar story: 'Now in those days there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus…' It’s the level of the crowded inn, and the silent holy moment in a dark stable when the Son of Man came to earth. It’s shepherds on a steep, bare hill near Bethlehem, angels with their glad tidings, a new star in the East, wise men traveling far in search of the Holy One. How beautiful and meaningful it is; how infinitely poorer we would be without this sacred second level of Christmas.

The trouble is, these two levels don’t last. They can’t. Twelve days of Christmas, at the first level, is about all most of us can stand. It’s too intense, too extravagant. The tree dries out and the needles fall. The candles burn down. The beautiful wrappings go out with the trash, the carolers are up on the ski slopes, the toys break, and the biggest day the stores in the entire year is exchange day, December 26.

The feast is over and the dieting begins. But the lonely and the hungry are with us still perhaps lonelier and hungrier than before.

Lovely and joyous as the first level of Christmas is, there will come a day, very soon, when Mother will put away the decorations and vacuum the living room and think, 'Thank goodness that’s over for another year.'

Even the second level, the level of the Baby Jesus, can’t last. How many times this season can you sing 'Silent Night'? The angels and the star and the shepherd, even the silent, sacred mystery of that holy night itself, can’t long satisfy humanity’s basic need. The man who keeps Christ in the manger will, in the end, be disappointed and empty.

No, for Christmas to last all year long, for it to grow in beauty and meaning and purpose, for it to have the power to change lives, we must celebrate it at the third level, that of the adult Christ. It is at this level–not as an infant–that our Savior brings His gifts of lasting joy, lasting peace, lasting hope. It was the adult Christ who reached out and touched the untouchable, who loved the unlovable, who so loved us all that even in His agony on the cross He prayed forgiveness for His enemies.

This is the Christ, creator of worlds without number, who wept, Enoch tell us, because so many of us lack affection and hate each other–and then who willingly gave His life for all of us, including those for whom He wept.

This is the Christ, the adult Christ, who gave us the perfect example, and asked us to follow Him.

Accepting that invitation is the way–the only way–to celebrate Christmas all year and all life long."

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We Must See Past What It Seems

This is a beautiful human story. It really makes you think about what people all around us are going through, silently sometimes, and how we should not to be so quick to judge and get angry, but to be gentle and compassionate, and forgiving of others. It also makes me think of how when we KNOW what someone has gone through, or is still going through, how much more accountable we will be if we are not compassionate and kind. Even if we don't understand the sitatuion perfectly, or have experienced it ourselves, the hurt someone is feeling is real for them, and they feel it for a reason, and we need to be careful to not add to their broken heart, but to remember to care for their soul. 

I want you to think about some of the big signs with big messages that I bet you wish you could wear around your neck sometimes so that people would be more gentle….or even that you could put around the neck of someone you love….so that you didn’t have to go into a big long story to defend yourself or someone else….so that people would just stop judging and and just be kind.

This is the background of one family's story:  "My husband had an accident in 2004 that injured the frontal lobe of his brain……it has taken 6 years to get him back……but in the middle there, between 2004 and now…lots and lots of stuff happened. He was essentially out of it…but not just that….he changed to someone else, we lost him. His personality changed completely, he could not work, he was angry and depressed and could not cope with human beings. He did not feel love or affection, really he only felt anger…rage…and he was suicidal most of the time. He did not remember a lot of things. He could not take care of our family or even himself, really……..(and I want to mention again that through lots of miracles, he is 100% recovered now…we are so thankful….he is even BETTER than he was before his accident)

But……during that time…..he would have these confusing and amazing glitches of time when he would be totally normal. It was bittersweet. They would last for an hour sometimes, and sometimes for days…or even weeks…then he would sink back down into that horrible place. When he was sick, I protected him fiercely. I didn’t want anyone to see him like that…I had faith that someday he would recover….but man oh man it was lonely…I wished every single day that I could just walk around with a sign like this….

….because on the outside…I looked like I had EVERYTHING GOING FOR ME…I looked like I might just have a perfect life….but I was hiding a very painful secret….

Well…a lot of other things happened too………you can imagine what might happen over the years while we have a 7 acre farm, a pretty big international business that we own with lots of employees…..a life that HE managed before his accident, while he just let me do the fun and creative stuff….now we had lots of medical bills…lots of sorrow and lots of distractions……we also had LOTS of kids…..and no one competent managing the business…

Well…after a few years, I couldn’t hold it all together…our business was suffering for all of the reasons listed above and a few more reasons on top of that……..and we discovered that we were really SINKING. Well……one day when he was partly lucid….he was THERE…he was coherent….I told him the condition of our life.

He kind of panicked and he went straight to work figuring out what he could do. It was insanely heartbreaking when he would “wake up” after weeks or months and I had to tell him how much things were deteriorating financially, etc. It was very hard. But when he could, he did what he could….before his mental illness sucked him back into the prison it kept him in most of the time.

He called a sign place and had a huge sign brought out to our house…the kind that you can put letters on, and it was electric and lit up…….He put it by the road in one of our horse fields……then he drove our Suburban….both of our trucks….my classic Thunderbird that he got me for my birthday a few years earlier…..our tractor…all of our tractor implements…the boat that I worked 10 years to get for him (and that caused his brain injury, incidentally)……….and he lined everything up along the fence and he put a price tag on every single thing. Then, he put the letters on that big huge sign and plugged it in.

You have to understand that we had worked for MANY years for those things. We started a business in our twenties and we sacrificed everything we had for all of those years to make it work. We owned almost all of it outright…….but, when I told him that the business was struggling….this is what he did….

Sooooo…..there it was….all in a row……all of our stuff…..out in our field.

All of the neighbors driving by…our friends…the community…..people who knew us most of our lives and people who knew nothing about us…..we were just the young family who lived in that beautiful little farm house on Beacon Light road with the perfect lawn….or what USED to be.

You see, in addition…for months….our once beautifully manicured yard started to be filled with weeds that were now several feet high. I just couldn’t keep it up. The lawn was a nightmare. Everything was just falling apart all around me and my heart was broken over my husband, too. It was humiliating and exhausting and horrible, really.

Well, the sign was not up in the field for more than a few hours…….when my husband’s phone rang….it was someone who saw all the stuff and my husband’s phone number on the big huge sign. We were sitting out in the yard while he was still coherent and he was feeling devastated about the condition of our lawn…..I was apologizing that I just couldn’t do all of it………..he was so heartbroken at his limitations and that he had left me to try to handle our life alone……we were trying to make a plan…..

He answered his phone…I saw that he was just listening…I could hear that the person’s voice was getting louder and louder and louder………..my husband just listened. He turned his back to me a little so I wouldn’t hear. But I could hear it….It seemed to go on and on and on……..

These were the things I could hear on the other end of the phone call….

“You are bringing down the value of my property with that ugly sign!”

“What are you doing?”

“That is the most obnoxious sign, do you have a permit to have that out there?”

“Are you starting a used car lot?”

“You have got to get all of that moved and out of here or I am calling the authorities”

I sat there, mortified, embarrassed, humiliated, mad, sad, devastated. I was certain that this would snap my husband back into his dark hellish place.

But, when the man was done ranting, my husband waited a second and then very calmly said something that I will never, ever forget…….

“Sir,” he said, “There was a time in this country, in this community…when if you drove past your neighbor’s house and saw every single thing they own was for sale in front of their house…and that their lawn had not been mowed for weeks….that you would stop and say….WHAT IS GOING ON, SOMETHING MUST BE TERRIBLY WRONG, WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP YOU?”

The man was silent…..and then my husband went on to tell him a few details about what was going on with our family….

The man waited a moment and then his tone changed…..he apologized….I mean, really apologized and then said…

“I am going to call all of my friends and see if any of them need any of this stuff….”

I wish with everything in me that we could have put a sign up on that big stupid lit up billboard in our field that said OUR LIFE IS FALLING APART…. but all that we really could put up is a sign with the price of everything that we owned that was worth any money…….

WHAT IF we could all wear a sign that said what WE REALLY MEANT? What if we could go straight past the small talk……..or the masks…….and we could actually go straight to the heart of the matter…….what if our friends and family wore signs like this?

…we would treat each other differently.

I think we should just try to imagine it………that when a friend is quiet…or not showing up to stuff she usually shows up to….or acting a little “off”….or a family member is wearing pajamas to the grocery store for weeks on end……or not answering the phone…..or the lawn is not mowed…..

whatever it is……….

IT IS A SIGN. It is not a sign that can be read in words and letters, but it is a sign that someone needs to be treated gently…that they need help….most of all, that they need love, understanding…and that they DEFINITELY DO NOT need to be judged."

Every time I think of this story….I want to be better…I want to do better, I don’t want any silent signs to go unread before my eyes or my heart…..I don’t want to make up my own answers to what must be going on…I don’t want to assume………..

Let’s be gentle with each other.

Let’s read each other’s signs.

HAPPY NOVEMBER….there's so much to be THANKFUL for!

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Mexico Week 37: Straight up Missionary Work

Hey everyone!!

Well this past week we got alot done as a companionship! We have been working really hard and we are seeing alot of success. This past week we got 5 Baptism dates for 5 investigators. We have been working really hard to help our investigators feel the need to accept Baptism. This past week Hna Reina and her sister in law accepted Baptism and they are getting Baptized on the 16th of this month!! I can't wait for it! They have been progressing like crazy!! In the past week we had a very sweet experience with them. On Tuesday we taught both of them in a members house and the lesson was going very well as we were reading 2 Nephi 31 in the Book of Mormon. After, we talked for a bit and read, and the Spirit really hit me hard and told me to invite them to be Baptized on the 16th of October. Well I did it and Hermana Carina said of course, and she kinda shared her testimony of why and how she felt as she started to learn and know all of this. After, I invited Hermana Reina and she said no. We talked for a bit and after I invited her to pray with us in that moment to receive an answer. She was hesitant but my companion promised her that she would receive an answer to her prayer if she prayed right then with faith. She did it, and in the prayer the Spirit was so strong. She started crying and so did Hna Carina. I even started crying, and after her prayer we all sat in silence for awhile. After about a minute or two she said that this is all true and she later accepted Baptism on the 16th. It was a great miracle that God did that day. My comp and I were so happy!

The next day we went and talked to the husband of Hna Coni - Euloterio. He was very different as we started to talk that evening. We started talking and he said that he had a dream that he wanted to share after he read the Book of Mormon and prayed. He started describing a place, a beautiful building with palm trees and water and flowers, and said that it was a gorgeous place. In his dream he wanted to go but someone told him that he had to get Baptized so he was not able to go. Well we started talking about the Temple and what goes on there. I had a picture of the Arizona Temple in my pocket and I showed it to him and he said that that was the place in his dream. He started saying that that is his goal, to go to the Temple so he accepted Baptism and just said that he would do anything to be sealed with his family in the Temple. That day him and one of his daughter accepted Baptism for the 22nd of October. We are working hard with his other daughter but she is tough because she is older. We are praying that she will accept.

This past week my comp and I led the disctrict in everything! We are having so much success!! Eight investigators showed up yesterday to church and it was just a wonderful day. I testified about Mothers. I believe that the calling of Mother is the most important calling in this world, more important than the Prophet. They have the responsibility of raising the children of God. That's not a small task. Without women the Plan of Salvation does not work. After I gave my testimony, I swear every single sister thanked me, hahaha. It was just a great day yesterday!

Well I gotta go now but love you all and hope you all have a great week. You are in my prayers!

Elder Lester

 
 
 
 
 
This is a little email chat that Brady and I had after he sent this letter. He's really loving this area and the work. This are his words...
 

I love this area hahaha there is so much work to do!! I feel that we will Baptize weekly very soon. I just hope the president leaves me here. We have changes in 5 weeks and I will have 6 months in this area, but I told president in my letter that I would like to stay here for 9 months to a year for the work that we have.

 

I know that is why I want to stay. I really feel like I have a lot to do here in Castillotla. I also will see the president this week in a conference so I will mention it to him if he has time.

 

Yeah...I know everything is by revelation but I really want to stay here. I don't want to have a million areas like other Elders because they don't have success as much and don't develop relationships with members and investigators.

 

Hey I gotta go now :(  I have an appointment in 5 minutes. Mom I love you tons and thanks for all that you do for me :)  You are the reason I am still here in Mexico :)

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Arizona School of Real Estate and Business

In July and August I was involved in a Real Estate and Business class three days a week. I would go to class on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday's and go to the office on Wednesday and Friday's. I had to work hard on keeping up with my work, on top of learning everything that was taught in these classes. It was hard. Hard. A fellow employee of mine told me that he got a Master's in Real Estate from ASU and that he also took these classes and it was a better education that what he received at ASU. It was tough. There was so much to learn. The binder of materials was huge. I had a hard time keeping up with the homework and the math. Ahhh, the math. I studied and practiced and memorized for weeks and took the class test three times before I passed with a 75%. The first time I got a 72.5%, then a 73%, then a 78%. The school test is harder than the actual National and State test, so it prepares one to pass those tests, and those tests have only a couple of math problems, and I worked so hard on the math. But oh well! It's done. And I have to say that I cried when the lady at the testing center told me that I passed the National and State tests. I just laid my head on the counter and cried. She gave me a hug. When I say that it was hard. I mean it. was. hard. And I had to work on top of it. And I had to take care of my sweet children. And they were so good with me studying all the time. I am so glad it's over. This is what I have to show for it, ha!:

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Arrow of Light

On June 30th Braxley earned his Arrow of Light Award and advanced from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts.

I never like getting up in front of people at these scouts meetings, but it's customary that the Scout pin their Mother. I was honored to receive the Mother's pin for Braxley's Arrow of Light. He worked very hard earning all his Cub Scouts ranks. 

Brad made this beautful plaque to display Braxley's Arrow of Light Achievement and all the Cub Scout ranks. He did a really nice job. Braxley and I went right home and hung it up on his room.

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Running to Commitments and Catching Up

I haven't written in a very long time. I always have good intentions to update our family journal, but there just doesn't seem to be the time after work, and family, and trying to keep up with Brady's Missionary Blog, and all the other things that happen in life - Running to Commitments, I call it - School Concerts, Doctor's appointments, Errands, Church Commitments, Mutual, Scouts, Getting ready for a new school year - school clothes and supplies shopping, Sports, Friends, Work (Brinkley and I), Chores, Laundry, Getting the pantry and refrigerator all cleaned out and organized for the big Costco trip, putting it all away, and then feeling the guilt when I try to figure out how to actually make the food I purchased and nourish my children properly, and the list could go on and on, which also includes TEACHING these special children to be good and kind, the Commandments, and honoring Standards, and reading and praying together.

It's the same routine I've always had as a Mom, but it just seems so much heavier now. The kids are a tremendous help, but I still struggle with failure at not being the cook I use to be. at. all. And being able to be creative and just have the time to be and do more with my children. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't feel the guilt and wish I was younger with more energy.

It's been a busy several months. After school was out in May, we went to Newport Beach over Memorial Day weekend, since I would have that Monday off from work, I figured it was the only chance I could do something with the kids in the summer because I have to work, and they would be visiting their dad in Utah in July. 

June I spent working in the day and trying to also spend some family time doing fun things. The kids created a Summer Bucket List. We actually did everything on that list except Tempe Town Lake and frozen bananas. Organ Stop Pizza was replaced with Peter Piper Pizza. And Sun Splash was replaced with "The Oasis." 

Kasey, Kolby and Braxley in the Lazy River

 Brinkley and Braxley hanging out

There was a Mexican Food Buffet for Dinner, along with kid friendly food like chicken strips and macaroni and cheese. They had singing and dancing and also showed a movie pool side. This was a fun resort with two water slides, lazy river, pool, and water basketball. 

 Here's a couple photos of the room. A sitting area with a pull out couch for a double bed, and in the second room were the two queen size beds. It was a relaxing and fun stay.

 June went by in a flash. I also spent the whole month of June trying to work out a visitation schedule so I could visit the boys in July when they were visiting their dad. It was ridiculous everything I had to go through just to see my own children. I was very pleased with how I handled everything and have saved all the correspondence. I didn't want their to be any problems, which I can never control, so I decided that I probably wouldn't be able to visit them, which is not right. Then I was given a time to come see them. I still wasn't sure because I didn't trust it, but I didn't make any final decisions.  But as that time drew closer, and I told my boys that I probably wouldn't be able to come, due to a Real Estate and Business class that I was enrolled in that my boss wanted me to take, I heard from my boys how upset they were and they were all crying. Wow...They really needed me. It was a huge lesson for me, that no matter what someone else does, I need to stay firm in the truth that I am a Mother of children who need me and want me. So I told the boys that I would make the trip, and I was only able to spend 24 hrs with them. I would do that for them. I would do the right thing. And the whole time I prayed that all would be well.  Brinkley and I made the quick trip, and the time with the boys was great just being together and hanging out at our close friends house, the Alston's. Bishop Alston and Pam and their kids are the best people and they always open their home up to us. Their son Travis and Brady are best friends and serving Missions at the same time. :) 

The boys really wanted to eat at Brick Oven for dinner, and then we went to the Alston's and just hung out - jumped on the trampoline, played video games, Braxley composed a song on the piano, and that night we went to the church so all the boys could play basketball. They are all very good basketball players. It was so fun!

 We went to church at our old Daybreak Ward and it was wonderful to see all of our friends. We all love and miss that ward so much. And this Oquirrh Mountain Temple means so much to us.

 We had Sunday dinner afterwards and then it was goodbye, and that is never a normal feeling. Ever.  What happened when we picked the boys up and when we were to return the kids, was horrible. And I couldn't believe I was leaving my children in the situation they were in. Brinkley and I cried almost to Beaver, and the reasons why I didn't want to come to UT, happened. I didn't know what would happen, but I just didn't want there to be any problems. It just shouldn't be that way. Ever. But again, I was so pleased with me and I knew that I was okay and did what was right. I will always do that and the boys know that,  and as long as my children and I are okay, then everything's right in the world. Heavenly Father is with me and helps me in this situation that has become my new normal. Everytime.

I usually don't make a practice of writing down these types of things, but I have learned that it's okay because this is life. This is our truth, and it comes with happiness and sadness, melt my heart moments, and betrayal. I spent the previous years writing all the good and fun stuff and not much, if any, about the growing pains. I have so much that should be documented for my posterity. I'm not sure when or how I will find the time to do so, but I thought about all that "dancing in the rain" stuff that I've written about before, and realized that it's really more about "weathering the storm," and recognizing the tender mercies and the Holy Ghost helping to lead me, and the tremendous growth that comes from my life.

The next two weeks, actually the whole month of July went by very slowly. The slowest ever. Brinkley was sad. I was sad. And yes, the bunnies were sad. The boys had a great time doing all sorts of things while visiting their dad. They even went to Jacksonhole Wyoming for about an hour they said. They had plenty of other things to do on that trip to Idaho. All was well again when they came HOME. It was so hard while they were away and it's something I will never get use to. It's hurtful. July brought lessons of being confident in what I know is right for me and my kids, and it brought pain and hurt, even from a friend that I loved, and I could hardly breathe.

This was the sidewalk chalk love notes that the boys left me before they went to Utah. They did the same thing last year. I love it. I love them.

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Mexico Week 36: The Spirit and Happy in the Mission

Hey there everyone!

Well this week was just a great week! I am just happy here in the mission. Things are going great with Elder Escamilla and I. We are really working hard. In the last week we lead the mission in lessons taught to investigators! Things are going great and it looks like soon we will be Baptizing again. I feel like in my first change with him we pretty much opened the area again because Rojas and I got nothing done, but now that we are in the second change together, we feel like we are going to see the fruits of our labors. Things are smoothly going along. We finally have the support of the Bishop. and the leaders of the ward. I have always said that if we have a Ward Mission Leader and Ward Missionaries in this ward, we could Baptize every week, so hopefully the Bishop will get on that hahaha. I feel like finally it's an answer to a prayer that I have been praying for, for the past 4 months in this area. I always ask my Father in Heaven that one day the leaders will help us and He answered me!!

Well in this past week things got a little tougher with Hna Monica and Alicia. They want to get Baptized so bad but they won't not work on Sundays. They make most of their money Sundays because they sell things in the street, and people go out and buy on Saturday's and Sunday's here, so it's hard for them to drop it. I really don't want to Baptize just to Baptize. My goal is that they go to the Temple, and they need to go to Church to be able to go to the Temple. The last lesson we had with them we talked about Faith and putting the things of God first so that He can bless us, and they really liked it and said that they would commit to come to Church so we are working with them. Something that I have learned here in the mission is that as Missionaries we need to help them develop their Faith in Christ so that they are drawn to Baptism by the Spirit. There are alot of Missionaries who just drag them to Baptism. The thing is they don't stay active. I want my converts to be active!

In Missionary work finding by the Spirit is just as important as teaching by the Spirit. If we don't find somebody by the Spirit we don't have anyone to teach who is willing to make Convenants with the Lord. Elder Escamilla and I last week really focused on finding in our comp studies, and what we could do to find more people to teach but not just people...prepared people who are ready to listen to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This past week we found 4 new investigators which is not alot, but all 4 we found through the Spirit and they are all ready to make Convenants with God. They all accepted Baptism and we just need to teach them. We have found 3 great sisters, Hna Reina, Carina, and Erica who have all accepted Baptism right after the first lesson. They all said in their lessons, I want to get Baptized right now hahaha. They still need to learn a bit more, but it was awesome to hear that after teaching them. We also started talking with Hna Coni´s husband. We started getting impressions that he is ready to listen and we went with it. He accepted and wants to follow Christ so that he has a better marriage with Coni :) I am grateful to be worthy to work through the Spirit as we are obedient and study each day. We are learning tons.

Well General Conference was awesome!! I have to say that my 3 favorite talks in order were, Elder Holland, Elder Packer, and Elder Christofferson. I really learned a ton and felt the spirit. I learned from Holland the importance of just being worthy Priesthood holders. It is true what he said. No missionary can teach the Law of Chastity and testify of it, and the blessings of it, if he doesn't live it himself, or repent for any action that he has commited. With Christofferson I really learned about the blessings of repenting. It's hard sometimes but the blessings are amazing! I have learned alot about the Sacrament in the mission. We take it for granted all the time. If we take it worthily and understanding why we can receive the full blessings. I learned alot about the importance of listening and acting on the Promptings of the Spirit from the talk of Packer. It is so true. If we don't listen to it, and make a little mistake, it could change the course of our lives. It's a commandment that we seek, listen, and follow. I watched all that in Spanish, hahaha which was cool. I understood everything and thought it would be a bit tougher because the Apostles always talk so perfectly and use big words, but the Spirit really helped me understand as it always does everyday.

Thank you for all your love and support! I hope you all have the best week!

Love,

Elder Brady Lester

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Letter to Siblings and Mom from Elder Lester

Dear Kolby,

Thank you for your letter bro. I want to take a little time to write you :) You are awesome Kolby!! I am glad that you are going to start reading the BoM because my testimony of that book is what really helps me help the people, because I know without a doubt that it is true. It has helped me so much and I see the blessings of living by its teachings. Keep it up brother! Things here are awesome! Elder Escamilla and I are doing great. We Baptized 2 more yesterday! We are having a great time working together! New foods...not really. Yesterday I did buy a little bag of crickets to eat with lime :) It was good! I love you tons Kolby!!

Elder Lester

Dear Braxely,

Hey bro!! How are things? Thank you for your letter but please write more hahaha! That's good that you are getting things done with scouts! Even if its boring, try to make it fun. If you do that you will enjoy it and learn even more! Well things here are great! I am learning tons and really feel the love of God in my life. Do you feel His love? I hope you are praying and reading the BoM everyday because that is how you feel His love. If you don't feel His love, you don't know Him...something I have learned :) Well keep up with the chores and your straight As!!

Elder Lester

Dear Kasey,

What a blessing it is that you have a job! That is awesome! I hope that you give the Lord thanks for that blessing in your life. Something I learned recently in the BoM is that the righteous always gave thanks to their Lord and we must too. I hope you won't be stupid like me and waste all of your money. Save most of it but always enjoy it and treat yourself to something good after a hard week of work. But be wise! I am so happy that school is going great! Keep it up! School is one of the most important things you must work and focus on. I love you tons and you are really my best friend in the world! I miss you more that anybody and you are always in my prayers! I can't wait to see you in 14 months so I can still school you in bball lol :)

Elder Lester

Dear Brinkley,

Things sound like you are doing a ton! Work is awesome and especially nanny jobs because you are right, it will help you for your future family. The calling of a mother is the most important calling somebody can have in this life. More important than being the prophet hahaha, and God gives that calling to you wonder women. It's a sacred calling and the Lord gives all the help needed to fulfill it successfully. I hope you have a great week! I love you :)

Elder Lester

Hey Mom,

Just wanted to write you a quick letter to let you know that I love you tons! You do so much for me and always have the best for me in mind. Even though we are miles away, I really do feel your love in my life. I really feel like the Lord is blessing you and all the kids with so much!! Always remember that we all love you. Even though sometimes the kids don't show their appreciation much towards you for what you are trying to teach them, remember that you are not the only one. Think of a missionary who gets rejected by someone trying to do something good and bring his salvation into his life. Think about Jesus Christ. Every time we sin we really don't show our appreciation for His atonement. I feel like we take advantage of it alot. We don't give thanks for that blessing. The Lord does not put trials in our lives...He only allows the adversary to try us so that we can learn and grow. Without that we can't return to His presence. We are tried and if we come out faithful we will be blessed.

Read D&C 121:1-9. Those are all times that we feel, but there is a promise in there for all of us. Read 1 Nephi 3:7. The Lord always provides a way for us in our difficulties. Remember that you are a daughter of God. You hold the greatest calling in the world...a Mother. I told Brinkley in her email that it is even more important than being the prophet. The Lord entrusts the future of His kingdom in your hands. Your kids are the future of the church, leaders and missionaries and parents. You have the responsibilty of raising us. Sounds intimidating I know...but you can do it.

Remember that you can pray and He listens and answers. That is your greatest tool as a Mother...prayer and counsel from Him in the scriptures. That is how you can receive revelation as a Mom. It won't come all at once, but one day you will realize that all your life you were actually receiving revelation for your family. Have faith and keep the commandments. You also have leaders who have been called to help you as a Mother. I love you and am so grateful to my Heavenly Father that He gave me the best Mother in the world.

Love you,
Elder Brady Lester

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Letters to Mom from Elder Lester

Brady wrote me these letters on June 6th and July 11, 2011. The kids and I have only received a couple of hand written letters because Brady emails each week, but this was a special treat! Besides some special little emails he has personally sent me and expressed his feelings about how he's feeling and for me, these letters are just so meaningful. I love and appreciate him so much!

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Last Day of School

Sometimes I wish I could be a fly on the wall and watch how my kids interact with friends at school, how respectful they are with their teachers, how hard they work on assignments, etc.  I wish I could be in on those triumphant moments that make them come home on top of the world like when Brinkley and Braxley gets 1st Chair in band, and Kasey and Kolby perform well on a test.

I just think it's so strange that at the elementary school, junior high, and high school, that it's my children's whole world for over seven hours each day, five days a week. It's all good, but it makes me miss them and be so excited and happy for them at the same time.

Here's Braxley on the way to school today - the last day of school for his 5th grade year. I have loved taking my kids to school while they have been in elementary school.  This year was the first year that I only have one child to take to school in the mornings and pick up in the afternoon. I love this time. Braxley and I have had some great conversations about the many books he has read this year, the music he is playing in band, the assignments he's working on in class, the news topics of the day since we both love to watch the Today Show in the mornings on Friday's, since that day he doesn't have to be to school so early because he doesn't have band class before school. We talk about so many things and I love it. He is so enjoyable to be around and sees things so clearly, and I learn from him everyday.

Brinkley is graduating tonight. I. CAN'T. BELIEVE. IT. Kasey will be a 10th grader. Kolby an 8th grader and Braxley a 6th grader. WOW! 

I'm so sad that some of that childhood I love so much is slipping through my fingers so quickly. But I'm so grateful my kids have such good friends. And such good schools.

I'm also really grateful that we get to be done with those good schools for a little while when that last bell rings today! :)

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Easter Pageant

In April we went to the Easter Pageant. It's been a family tradition to go every year and we bring Ned's Crazy Sub for dinner. We missed having Kasey with us. This year Brinkley's friend Hannah came with us, and Dawn and her husband Chris also came. It was great fun and wonderful to feel the Spirit and the reason we celebrate Easter - Christ's Resurrection!

 Best Friends - Brinkley and Hannah

 Beautiful Dawn

 Braxley waiting for the show to start and reading his book Eragon! Braxley LOVES to read!

 Kolby got to pet the lamb! So soft!

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License

Brinkley got her Driver's License on May 2nd!

 Here she is driving away for her driver's test!

  She did it! Congratulations Brinkley!

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Concerts Galore!

I have always said that May is a crazy busy month just like December is.  There is so much going on with the kids schools and when you have five children and you are single parent, it can be challenging!  It's even busy for us having Brady in the mission field because we sent him two packages and that does take time. We had already sent one fun package of goodies with some important things like sunscreen and a USB memory stick that he needed. But right after that was sent he told us about his shoes splitting and he needed new shoes and a camelpack so he could save on buying water bottles every week.  So I might have four kids at home, but Elder Lester keeps me pretty busy too! 

The past three weeks have consisted of two concerts for Brinkley and one concert each for Kolby and Braxley.  So every night there has been something to do from basketball practice, scouts, concerts, etc.  Even tonight I have to be in four different places around the same time. I have an appointment at 5:45 that I can't miss. Kolby has his tournament basketball game at 6:00 (needs to be at Red Mountain High School at 5:30), and I have to miss the game - geez! Brinkley has work at 6:00 and Braxley has Cub Scouts at 6:30. This is how it often is for me. Some days it works out and some days I cry inside. It has been months of the twitching eye for me so I know I'm really stressed when that happens! Ha!

Brinkley had her last Wind Ensemble and Symphony concerts. The Seniors were introduced with their achievements and given a certificate. Brinkley also lettered in Band at Highland High School for three years. The pictures are not very clear because I had to zoom in but the kids are there!

WIND ENSEMBLE

SYMPHONY

I love this music from the movie, "Far and Away"

This is Kolby's 7th Grade concert.  Unfortunately I could not even see Kolby from where we were sitting and he doesn't like his picture taken so this is all we have...

Brinkley and Braxley after Kolby's concert

This is Braxley going in for his end of the year, 5th grade concert. He is in the Advanced Band and loves playing the saxaphone so much.

I love this look on Braxley's face.  I wonder what's he's thinking...

I'm proud of Brinkley, Kolby and Braxley and working so hard on their talent in music.  Brinkley and Braxley love band so much. Kolby complains about band, but each time he sits down at the piano and plays a song that he just heard off the radio or somewhere, I keep reminding him what a special talent that he has. And it's proven that the most successful people have all had a history of being involved in music in their high school or college years.  So I keep encouraging him!  Kasey gave up band, but he's still a great supporter of his siblings concerts.

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