Lydia's Baptism!

     Our family has been serving out at the Santan Branch on the Pima Indian Reservation for 2 years now.  It has been one of the hardest yet most rewarding callings we've been asked to fulfill as it applies to our entire family.  We have LOVED our time here and hope to serve for as long as they will let us--we were asked to serve for 3 years but we would gladly stay longer.

    Most families on the Reservation are a mix of Grandmothers/Aunts raising the kids.  That middle generation of parents (people in their 20-40s--especially fathers) are largely absent.  My calling is in the Primary Presidency.  About 1/3 of my Primary kiddos are from one family in the Branch.  Their Grandmother, Shiela J., is one of the most noble women I have ever met.  One of her granddaughters was baptized yesterday and Chris and I were honored to be a part of it.  I played the piano and gave the talk on the Holy Ghost.  Chris performed the baptism.  

Elder Wilson, Elder Ekins, Lydia, & Elder Tsosie

    It's definitely been a challenge during COVID meeting together as a Branch family.  The Reservation stayed closed to non-Natives for an additional 6 months.  (I snuck out there every chance I could for birthdays and Christmas treats:) We finally were able to start meeting again just two weeks ago.  This family and this sweet baptism service gave me the "spiritual charge/boost" I desperately needed to know that we are still wanted/needed.  Eternally grateful for our little Branch "family."

Living His BEST College Life!!!

 While my son at home is "buttering" my dogs, my son in Idaho is doing this: 

LOVE MY BOYS!!!  They keep me laughing for sure.  I am just SOO incredibly GRATEFUL that Ethan is LOVING his college experience.  He's got fantastic roommates and despite the cold, he is loving Idaho.  I sure miss him more than I can express but I am CRAZY proud of this boy of mine.

My "Butter Dog"

There are at least 1,872 things I've had to say as a mother that I thought I would/should never have to say.  Things like:

"Yes, it DOES matter which toothbrush you use, do not just grab the first one you see." 

and

"No, it's NOT a good idea to take a canister of unmade Kool-Aid to a new neighbor as a 'welcome to the neighborhood gift'..."

and now the latest...

"Dogs don't like to be buttered." 

But this is what teenage boys do for fun on a Friday night.  "But don't worry mom...it has over a thousand views on TikTok AND we let Rocco eat the butter afterwards..."

Oh, well then of course it's ALL GOOD!  No reason to be alarmed...so glad the Chinese now know I have an over-weight beagle who was buttered...boys😜