Hello dear ones! 

some fun things:

-I am "pink washing" aka replacing elders with sisters. It is a bit difficult but so amazing!

-I hit one month! WOWZA

-Tomorrow I get to go on exchanges on the Reservation and I am PUMPED OUTTA MY MIND

God's timing is so divine. We have been trying to get to this family, the Shorty's, but each time we go by their house they don't answer. On wednesday we offered to help this man move thise huge, rusty fence pieces because we saw him struggling with it. he laughed and said "In your Skirts?" After we helped him we shared a message and a prayer with him. then we all went on our way. Then on saturday we went by the shorty's and they answered! they said that the man we helped was their friend and after we helped him he went and told them how he felt so good about what we had shared with him! So they invited us back this thursday, and accepted a reading assignment. So wonderful! 

I was able to watch the regional broadcast and wow so amazing! (here is where the title expaination comes in) Something that just really hit me was that there is no trying. When we make an effort to become better, we become better. When we try to love more, we love more! AS we make and effort, our goals and desires are accomplished, and we BECOME what we are making an effort to become. Our best efforts are made enough through our Savior! I am so grateful for Him!

 Read Mosiah 15 this week!

Love, 

Sister Sheppard

Time 4 Learning

I've been invited to try Time4Learning for one month in exchange for a candid review. My opinion will be entirely my own, so be sure to come back and read about my experience. Time4Learning can be used as a homeschool curriculum, for afterschool enrichment and for summer skill sharpening. Find out how to write your own curriculum review for Time4Learning.

My friend Rocia took these pictures for me in the orchard across from her parents house!  Aren't they awesome!  Anything she does is so great!  These pictures are of Will, Henry and Ella.  Thanks Rocia!!!  

Happy 4th Birthday, Will Talmage!!!

To Our Sweet "Willoughby"

I wish every mom could have a child like you!  You melt my heart with your sweet expressions and cute little sayings!  Everyday after lunch I ask you to take a nap.  Then you open up your arms and give me a big hug and kiss and off you go into bed!  Thank you for being  MY BREATH OF FRESH AIR; the kind of kid that makes being a mom easy!  I really owe you one!  I super love you!!!

Love,
Mom

From the mind of an 11 year old.....

I just cut and pasted this email from one of Brooklynn's most adorable friends...not to be named, of course!  All Brookie's emails between her and her friends are similar to this.  This particular one captures the essence of being 11 so well I just had to post it into my memories...which is my blog!!

To: brooklynnsheppard

Re: Hey Chicka's

Hi guys I just painted my nails (again) so now I'm really bored. I painted them red and pink then wrote "VALENTINES" on them with a sharpie for Valentine's Day.  They look soooooooooo cute! I did it while I was watching TV so they're kinda messy. By the way I watched TV for a really long time for some reason, but I finished my homework so it doesn't matter. You probably won't get this email until Friday or something but just so you know, right now it is Thursday. My mom and my sister are sick so I feel kinda gross right now, but don't worry, I won't get sick too because... well I just don't get sick very often. My dog is being really cute right now and she's wagging her tail so hard that it actually hurts if it hits you. I bought some Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (sorry Syd) for Valentine's day at Wal-Mart after school. By the way, I really hate Wal-Mart now because it just annoys me. I'm so weird! Anyway, I have to go now and I just realized this is a really long email so I'll stop writing now.

P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TAYLOR LAUTNER!!!

Happy Sixth Birthday, Tyler Joseph!!!!

To our very special "Best Bud",

           The middle is the best part of everything and our family just wouldn't be the same with out you!!  You are such a good little boy.  You are smart and funny and everyone loves being around you.  Ella's favorite part of day is when you come home from kindergarten.  Of all her siblings you give her the most attention and, as a result, you get the most of her smiles.   I hope you always remember to be a good example to your brothers and sisters.  Keep making us laugh with your jokes and silliness and, of course, keep letting me kiss those adorable cheeks!  I SUPER LOVE YOU!

XOXO,
Mom 

Tyler's Goal for this Year:
"To turn seven so I can be like Mark"

Happy Birthday, Logan!

The world has been a better place since you entered this world 34 years ago!  I will never understand how I was lucky enough to score you for my companion but I am enjoying it too much to wonder why too often.  You are the kind of man our children should look up to and I hope they are just like you.  Thanks for making life so fun for all of us at home.  We all love you and wish you a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!