Turkey, Transfers, And Two New Companions

Hello, again absolutely wonderful and amazing friends and family!!!! This week has been so fun, but also so crazy, but hey that's missionary life for you! Before I forget HAPPY BELATED THANKSGIVING!!! I deeply missed spending it with you all, but regardless I hope you had an awesome Thanksgiving! This week marks the first major Holiday that I have ever been away from my sweet family, so naturally, I have been thinking a lot about them which is why I would like to share a quick spiritual thought about families. As mentioned above this is the first time that I have ever been away from a holiday from my family let alone living in a different state from them, but I still draw comfort knowing that no matter what happens I am still surrounded by family. Family is defined by Webster Dictionary as "all descendants of a common ancestor" with a further definition describing families as "a unit of individuals living together or united together for a soul purpose". I know for a fact that we are all beloved children of Heavenly Parents sent here to earth to gain mortal experiences so that one day we can become like our Heavenly Father made us all spiritual siblings living together in the same location and united in our purpose of seeking out our Savior and Heavenly Father. My brothers and sisters, I am so blessed to be your spiritual brother, and I am so blessed to also be able to serve our siblings out here in Bismarck, North Dakota! I would like to leave an invitation to you all that whenever you feel alone or cut off open your eyes and look around because your family is always around you whether on this side of the veil or the other and that they love you and are always supporting you!!!

For Thanksgiving, my companions and I had the super fun opportunity to eat Thanksgiving dinner with the Shultz and some of their friends and family. However, this was no normal thanksgiving. This Shultz themed dinner consisted of us all eating in the eighteen-degree garage (we had to keep the door open to have proper Covid-19 ventilation), having Martinelli’s chugging competitions, and competing with each other on who could draw a more "festive" turkey on the tablecloths (my turkey, "Reginald", should have won). I will forever remember this super fun Thanksgiving spent with the Shultz and Nunley family and for all of the laughs and memories made. However, if that wasn't good enough we as a district were also able to get together after all of our member Thanksgiving meals to play Volleyball, Pickleball, and Card games while blasting the 2019 EFY soundtrack. I am so grateful for all of the fun missionary friends that I have made out here and for all of the fun experiences that I have experienced with them and will experience!


Unfortunately this week also included the breakup of our companionship with Elder Murray becoming a content missionary and abandoning Elder Post and me on the Ad committee- Elder Post and I only cried a little bit. However, whenever one companion leaves two more take his place so now Elder Post and I are opening up our apartment to the Music missionaries!!! I don't have photos YET but hopefully next week I can get a photo of all of us together. 


Honestly, this week has been pretty mellow besides transfers so I don't have anything else super exciting to talk about except for how wonderful and amazing you all are!!! Sure love and miss you all so much!!


Sent with love from,
Elder McMullin :)

 

Photo Gallery!!!

1-3) District Thanksgiving!!!!!

4) The Breakup of Masserati Squad

Elder Uchtdorf, Dreamweavers, And A Spa Night From Heck.

HELLLLOOOOO AMAZING FRIENDS AND FAMILIA!!!!!! I hope this week has been wonderful for all of you, because not going to lie it was pretty bomb for Elder McMullin in the Dakotas. As always I would like to share a quick spiritual thought that will hopefully bring a little bit more light and comfort to you for this week to come. This week we as a mission, as well as our sister missions (Montana Billings and Omaha Nebraska), had the absolutely amazing opportunity to have a private devotional with THE Elder Deter F. Uchtdorf, his wife Harriet Uchtdorf, and their Grandson Nathan who recently returned from his mission in Berlin, Germany. The spirit was so strong and their messages were so thoughtful and unique as they talked about being grateful even amongst trails, sharing the gospel with personality and enthusiasm, and knowing Him. One of my favorite quotes from the devotional was from Elder Uchtdorf who said "the Lord knows you and loves you. The real question is do you know and love Him? Elders and Sisters I KNOW HIM. Yes, I Know Him and so should you." This simple question and invitation sent shockwaves of the spirit through me. It truly is such a blessing to have modern day prophets and apostles who can still preach with the power of the spirit over a Zoom call. Ether 12:41 reads "And now I would commend you to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written that the grace of God the Father and also the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of them, may be and abide in you forever. Amen". My dear friends and family let us take up Elder Uchtdorf's invitation as well as the prophet Ether of becoming to KNOW HIM and seek HIM out. I know that our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ live. I am forever grateful that they created this beautiful world with all of its wonders and creations. I am also grateful that He created you, my spiritual Brothers and Sisters. Let us strive to be a little more grateful this season as well as seek out the one who has given us everything, because I know that if we do so, we will come to KNOW HIM, and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ amen.

 

FRIEND UPDATE!!! This has been a very fun week especially for teaching new people as well as continuing to build our relationship old interested friends. We met with a guy named Erin on Tuesday who is super big into videography and photography and actually shoots commercials for some local business in town. He is super cool and seems to enjoy talking to us and asked (yes HE asked us) if we could meet up again next week so that's pretty great! Eugene is also a straight stud muffin! If you remember our last lesson with Eugene was all about the Book of Mormon and praying to know if the Book of Mormon as well as the message we shared are true. This week we asked if he prayed and if he found his answer to which he replied with a huge smile on his face "You think I would have showed up if it wasn't the true gospel". Words cannot describe the joy I felt and still feel when he said that, and I know for a fact that somewhere down the road Eugene will be dressed in white and following the example of our savior Jesus Christ and be baptized. Literally missions are the best, if you’re on the fence about going on one, trust me you will never regret it!!!

 

If you remember a couple weekly emails ago I went to the Disneyland of North Dakota aka Bob's Fireworks, copy right "where dreams come true" and had an absolute blast! Well, Bro Shultz whose our second counselor in the Bishopric had this crazy idea to drive three hours to Behula, by some of the biggest fireworks he could find, invite a bunch of his non-member friends and us, do a quick firework show followed by a brief spiritual message from us about "Lighting the World". Yah I know he's a pretty fantastic ward member that dishes out referral like none other. Well one of the fireworks that we lit was a called Dreamweaver and literally one of the coolest fireworks I think I have ever seen!!! Like literally I didn't know the human eye could see matte white in a firework, but that is how I would describe it. Needless to say, it was like going to Disneyland all over again, but with super cool teaching opportunities and lesson about Jesus Christ and the blessing that He is.

 

NEVER BUY A DOLLAR STORE HYRDRATING FACIAL MASK!!! Okay so my companions and I have been under a lot of stress recently with mountains of projects and assignments that we decided to have Bros Spa Night with popcorn, hot chocolate, and the book of Psalms. Pretty great right. We also bought these cheap little coconut blast hydrating facial masks from the dollar store and weird off brand soda. We get home and open the face mask packages and immediately we are engulfed in an ocean of artificial Hawaiian scent mixed with the sweat and tears of poor Chinese factory workers (it’s been four days and the apartment still smells like chemically coconuts and bananas). If that wasn't a red flag the masks were also bubbling a little bit which was kind of weird and oddly warm. But hey they were so expensive so we just had to put them on, and they were great for the first minute until we started having allergic reactions. Yah so Elder Post got some of the scent solution in his eyes and they started swelling up, Elder Murray lost all feeling in his face, and my lips made Angelina Jolie's lips look normal. So, yah Spa night did not turn out so great spa wise but Psalms reading with popcorn and hot chocolate made up for it. 

 

Honestly this has been such an amazing week filled with so many memories and fun experiences!!! Transfers are this week so we will see what happen to me and my absolutely amazing companions, but I would just like to say that the Lord always has a plan for us, we are never forgotten. I am also so grateful for my decision to serve a mission and be able to meet all of these amazing people whether they be my companions, members, or even teaching friends and that I would never trade these amazing missionary experiences for anything. Thank you for tuning in, love and miss you all sooooooo much and I look forward to writing you next week!!!!

 

Sent with love.

Elder McMullin :)

#givethanks

 

Photo Gallery!!!

1) The Dream Weaver

2) Spa Night 

3) My Amazing Companions

4) The Uchtdorf Family!!!

Never Forget Your Potential

Helllllllllooooooo absolutely amazingly awesome family and friends!!!!

This week has definitely had its highlights and lowlights, but hey that's mission life for ya! As always I would like to start off my weekly email with a little spiritual thought. This week's spiritual thought is from a topic that has been on my mind recently and that is never forgetting your physical and spiritual potential. Now potentialcan be defined in a variety of ways depending on the context, but I would like to relate it to a currently unrealized ability or talent. Now, why is Elder McMullin talking about potential? Recently in our last zone conference, we talked all about becoming fully invested or all in for the work of the Lord. Meaning that we more actively try to align our lives and intentions with those of our Heavenly Father. Psalms 82:6 reads "I have said, Ye are gods, and all of you are children of the highest". This scripture hits me so hard because it reminds me that we truly are sons and daughters of Heavenly Father who knows us and loves us so much that he created this mortal life for us so that we could one day become like Him. Spiritual Brothers and Sisters let us try and remember our potential each and every day as we strive to be ALL IN for the Lord and His wonderful work. I know there may be some hard days or dark nights, but the Lord is aware of you always and gives you nothing that you can't handle. I know that our Savior and Heavenly Father love you and know you individually and thetrails you go through, but I promise that if you remember your potential, why you are here, and place all that you have at the His feet, you will see unspeakable blessings and find the happiness that you could never have imagined.


Honestly, the only thing that has really happened this week was furthering our social media efforts and becoming one of the first-ever missions to have headquarters design a personal website stemmed fromcomeuntochrist.org. You see my companions and I thought it was going to be a nice chill week where we could focus on finding a bigger
teaching pool and take a break from content creation and distribution. It wasn't until we were asked to get on an urgent zoom call with President Howell that night that we understood that this would not be a normal week. Basically, these landing page websites that we were creating needed specific videos and content that would help make our page more local and less corporate. However, we had very few videos or photos that were high quality enough so we needed to create them from scratch. Now the funny part was that President Howell told Salt Lake that we would have all of the videos on content done by the weekend giving us only three days to shoot, edit, and review four unique three-minute videos, eight hero cover photos, and the equivalent of fifteen pages of website text. Needless to say, we didn't have the greatest diet, sleep schedule, or even relaxation time, but luckily thanks to all of our prayers and the kind hand of the Lord we were able to get it all done and sent off to Salt Lake Sunday night. This experience, although super stressful and intense, was a real testimonybuilder that if we give the Lord all that we have and try our hardest he will compensate or magnify our ability and help you create something that you never could have done alone.


Well my dear family and friends it is always such a pleasure writing to you each week and I hope that this email reaches you warm (we hit our single-digit temperature this week), happy and relaxed. Thank you so much for all your prayers and super sweet emails, they really mean a lot, and I hope that life is treating you well! Love you all so much!


Sent with love,
Elder McMullin :)


Photo Gallery!!!
1) My handy dandy wind chill conversion chart!!!
2-6) Farmland Pics!!!
7) Imaboos Baptism Pictures
8) Zone Conference!!!

Truly A Week Of Miracles!!!

Hello absolutely amazing and awesome family and friends!!!  

This week will be a week that I will forever remember, Imaboo's baptism!!! Imaboo was baptized this Friday in a 44 degree font (apparently water in the Bismarck font cools off nearly instantly because the builders forgot to insulate the font) at ten in the morning with a crowd of seven people all physically distant and wearing face masks. Elder Murray had the wonderful opportunity to baptize Imaboo, while I also had the amazing blessing to confirm him as a member of the church and conferred the Holy Ghost to him. I cannot put into words the power of the spirit in the room as well as the testimony that our Savior and Heavenly Father truly love us and provided these steps to come unto Them. One of my favorite comments during the baptism was from our ward mission leader Bro. Bower who talked all about how "Baptism is the first step towards coming closer to our Heavenly Father and the next step is going to the building across the street (the temple)" This hit me so hard in the fact that this can be applied to new converts, or lifelong members. We should always be progressing and setting spiritual goals for ourselves. In the words of President Howell life without goals is like golf without holes". It doesn't matter if the goals are big or small, all that matters is that you show dedication to our Heavenly Father and Savior that we are seeking them out and wanting to become closer to him. I know for a fact that Imaboo will be an amazing member of the church and be a beacon to those around him as a true disciple of Christ and I also know it's because he had a desire to come closer to God and Jesus Christ. My brothers and sisters let us be like Imaboo and seek out Christ and recognize His hand in each of our lives. I know that as we do this the Lord will bless us in ways that we may think impossible and we will feel more joyful and more loving. Brothers and Sisters let us seek out Christ.

 

Another miracle this week was Eugene! As mentioned in previous emails, Eugene has a rough past with many addictions and other bindings, but he is fervent in seeking out Christ and came to Church this week again! Now this is where the miracle part comes in. We texted him this on Saturday if he would attend Sacrament meeting this week at the three o'clock session, but unfortunately received no response. A little discouraged we went the twelve o'clock session to help fellowship a recent convert adapt to his new ward. Out of the corner of my eye I thought I saw a 2005 matte black Chevrolet Impala (aka Eugene's Car) and told my companions who convinced me that it was probably just another person’s car. Until Eugene walked in the front doors two minutes later. It was absolutely amazing to see him again, and were able to sit next with him and talk about Sacrament. Then the miracle struck. We had two sister missionaries speak in sacrament addressing the exact same doubts they had in the past that Eugene was struggling with now. The spirit was so strong and I gained a testimony that the Lord works in mysterious ways, because although we had no idea how Eugene found out about sacrament meeting at this time, we know the Lord knew that was where he needed to be. Following the meeting Eugene was silently sobbing and told us that he deeply wants to change and we were able to set up a lesson with Him later today. Again, the Lord knows each one of us and knows exactly what we need and when we need it. So, when those hard times and dark nights come see this as an opportunity to seek out Christ and build a stronger and firmer relationship with Him.

 

Finally, the last miracle I would like to talk about is an Advertising Miracle. This past collection was called the Mane't collection which is Swedish for Jellyfish. Unfortunately, this Ad set did not perform very well this past week and was a little disappointing. I remember feeling so embarrassed, depressed, and anxious feeling like I let the entire mission down until I heard a still small voice whisper to me to ask the Lord to spread the ads to those who need them. A little shocked I asked myself haven't I already been doing that? Let’s just say what I felt afterwards was the equivalent to the Holy Ghost rolling his eyes at me and saying "Elder McMullin, I gave you some very good advice, that I would highly recommend you take". And so I prayed. Almost immediately after I finished my prayer someone messaged one of our worst performing ads "Hello, I’m looking for a good Christian church that is supportive and loves Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father, can you help me out"? The Lord truly does answer our prayers and knows exactly what we are going through.

 

Sweet Family and Friends life as a missionary is awesome! Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers, I truly have felt them each and every day, and I know that our savior loves you all so much! Miss and love you all so much, and look forward to writing to you next week!!! Remember to seek out Christ this week!!!!

 

Sent with love from,

Elder McMullin :-)

 

Photo Gallery!!!

1) My Comps and I looking fresh

2) Fun night photography

3) I love the moon, even when it’s like uber far away

4-6) A good sunrise can make anything look good

7) I love to see the temple!

Letter To Parents

Hello Parents,

This week in our Showcase Zoom call, our missionaries shared a new ad campaign for Facebook they developed.  Elder McMullin taught us about The Manét Collection.  The Manét is a jellyfish.  It is 95% water, lacks a brain, is highly venomous, and is often hit by boats causing damage to the propellers.  The Manét is made entirely of unique sensor cells that work together, and they live forever.  So how does this relate to the gospel and to missionary work?  Elder McMullin told us that we are all a unique part of the North Dakota Bismarck Mission jellyfish.  Many things in life cause us to get broken, or ripped, or torn apart.  The atonement of Jesus Christ helps us to rebuild our lives, and reorganize ourselves into a better jellyfish, so to speak.  The healing power of the Atonement helps us pop back from trials and any brokenness we may have, so that we can be a source of strength to others.  

Below is the link to one of the showcase videos.  It is the touching story of one of our missionaries, Sister Kennington, and her journey to exercise faith and find peace amidst trials.

https://www.facebook.com/WalkwithChristDickinsonND/videos/403862697655352

We also watched “The Christ Child” in preparation for the new “Light The World” Campaign, soon to be revealed. During General Conference, President Nelson taught us to “Look to the future with joyful anticipation”!  You can look forward to a new church video called “Hope Shines Brightly”.  Even though we have ALL had enough of 2020 with all that has happened during the Pandemic, we can still have HOPE!

We said “Until we meet again” to our four Liberian elders (Elder Hastings, Elder Mikkelson, Elder Parker, and Elder Behunin).  They left our mission to return to Liberia to serve the rest of their missions.  We will miss them here, but wished them every success in their new adventure.

Our mission virtual choir has recorded their third number:  “Where Can I Turn For Peace?”  Elder Milner wrote the arrangement, and it is beautifully done.  Below is the link:

https://www.facebook.com/WalkwithChristBlackHills/videos/384945576203240

This is what I wrote to the missionaries this week:

In the great Book of Mormon chapter (Mosiah 29), that teaches us about the importance of the voice of the people (voting, elections, civic participation) there are these scriptural gems: 

 “I say unto you LET US BE WISE and CONSIDER THESE THINGS,. . .” (vs. 8)

 “. . . LET US BE WISE AND LOOK FORWARD TO THESE THINGS, and DO THAT WHICH WILL MAKE FOR THE PEACE of this people” (vs. 10).

 “. . . do your business BY THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE” (vs. 26).

 “. . . I (God) desire that this land be a LAND OF LIBERTY, and every man may enjoy his rights and privileges alike, . . .” (vs. 32).

 “And now it came to pass that Alma did WALK IN THE WAYS OF THE LORD, AND HE DID KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS, and HE DID JUDGE RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENTS; AND THERE WAS CONTINUAL PEACE THROUGH THE LAND” (vs. 43).

 Elder Quentin L. Cook said, “Latter-day Saints in every country should BE GOOD CITIZENS, participate in civic affairs, educate themselves on the issues, and vote" (Ensign, November 2013).

 May we thank God always for this “land of liberty” and pray, and be good citizens, so that it stays a “land of liberty.”

 

Love, President (and Sister) Howell

Mission President & Wife

Jellyfish, Fireworks, Shady Business Deals, And Hurricanes

Halla Fam!!!! Hope you are all doing just swimmingly, and hope this email finds you safe and comfortable. With that being said it's now time for a supplemental spiritual swaria with Elder McMullin!!! Since the Advertising showcase has started I have been trying to name the Ad collections with over the top fancy names that can be tied back to the gospel and contain a powerful spiritual message. This week's collection was called the Mane't Collection, which is Swedish for Jellyfish (not to be confused with the delectable little Swedish fish candy). Now why out of the entire animal kingdom with tigers, lions, fiery flying serpents would Elder McMullin choose an organism that is 95% water, has no brain, often bump into one other accidentally paralyzing each other. Well you see Jellyfish are unique in the fact that they are made up entirely of unique and independent sensory cells that work together to accomplish a common goal, and have the ability to live forever. When a specific breed of Jellyfish is damaged, possibly by a boat or predator, the jellyfish enters into a stressed phase where it falls down to the seafloor and begins to disassemble. However, those unique cells begin to repair themselves and reorganize themselves into multiple different Jellyfish that are stronger than the previous organization. I related this process of Jellireformation to the Atonement of Jesus Christ in the fact that when we are hurt, or make a mistake we fall into the depths of sadness and disappointment. We long to be back up by the surface, floating with friends and have been closer to the warmth and comfort of the Son, but we know we cannot do it along. Reformation is difficult and can sometimes take years to complete, but when we let the Lord take our damaged Jellyfish soul and align it with His will we will again float near the surface better than we ever could before. I know that Jesus is the Christ and that He died for us so that we can repent and one day return to live with our Heavenly Father. 

Honestly... I went to the Disneyland of North Dakota. BOB'S FIREWORKS!!! The second counselor in our Bishop Brick, Brother Shultz, is seriously one of the coolest people I think I have ever met. By day he is a Calculus Teacher at Legacy High School and small business owner, but by night he is a Karaoke Fanatic, Drag Racing, Firework Salesman. Brother Shultz is also super cool in the fact that he loves the Lord with all his heart and at any given moment will try and share his testimony. On Wednesday we got a call from him asking if we would be willing to help him team teach one of his friends who owns a Firework Company. I was 100% so down, because I was having TNT Firework withdrawals, and we scheduled a time later that evening to meet up. When we arrived, it was probably the most Zombie Apocalyptic building I think I have ever seen, but inside was paradise. Easily over two thousand fireworks from all around the world stacked to the ceiling and covering the floor all in brightly colored fluorescent wrapping! I was able to meet the owner whose name was Hank Gilbert who owned and operated the facility. He was a super devout Catholic and openly said he wasn't interested in our Church, but I'm pretty sure he was impressed with my extensive firework vocabulary. Needless to say, we forged a great relationship with Hank, so much in fact that he invited us to his Thanksgiving firework show and was going to have a specially handcrafted firework called the "Dreamweaver" made and lit in our honor. It was truly one of the best nights of my life and I'm so glad we were able to experience it while spreading the gospel.

 

If this week couldn't possibly get any better we had the delightful opportunity to help with the Great Plains Food Bank, but not in the way you might think. We were their photographers and videographers and were charged to capture some good photos and make a promotional video for them to politely ask for donation and support in the future. We were so excited to get our first gig and let me tell you the photos and video turned out amazingly!!! But, where does the Shady Business Deal fit in? Well Elder McMullin, was taking photos of Milk being loaded into the back of a 1989 Carrot Orange Jeep Wrangler when I saw that Target Employees were helping with the Food Drive as well. I walked over to who looked like the manager and made a under the table deal that we will also shoot good PR Videos of Target helping in the community as long as the publicize it as Target plus the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint Missionaries. The guy jumped at an opportunity to gain free publicity so he signed my hasty crafted contract allowing use of footage only for publicizing both Target and North Dakota Bismarck Mission. Let’s just say President Howell is watching target commercials every day to try and see if the NDBM Missionaries are featured and likes to claim that we have an Advertising contract with Target.

 

Now the question on your mind might be, North Dakota is a landlocked state. How in the Sam Hill are you going to get hit by a hurricane! Well I'm glad you asked, you see North Dakota is located at a unique area where we not only can have winds running North to South, but also East to West, and then on super cold days we can get something called "gusts" which come at a 45 degree angle create a whirlwind effect across the State. Usually there is no snow or rain involved but extreme wind speeds. This week was apparently a normal week with only 45 mph wind making the windchill -35 degrees making the real feel temperature 8 degrees. So, yah you learn something new every day about North Dakota weather, but let me tell ya hurricanes are actually kind of fun when you see your AC Unit sliding across the front lawn, escorted by our neighbor’s heater and barbeque.

 

Sweet Family and Friends life as a missionary is awesome! Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers, I truly have felt them each and every day, and I know that our savior loves you all so much! Miss and love you all so much, and look forward to writing to you next week!!!

 

Sent with love from,

Elder McMullin :-)

 

Photo Gallery!!!

1) I love to see the Temple!

2) A very Picture Worthy Sign

3) Volunteering at the Food Bank

4) Super Adorable Dogs at the Food Drive

5) The Coolest New Brand of Fireworks (besides TNT) RACCOON FIREWORKS

6) Super Funny Photo Elder Post "accidently" took

7) The Sun and the Pine Trees are just so pretty out here

8-9) Not going to lie I’m just attaching these photos because I really like them and they are the first photos I practiced editing :)

Happy November!!!!!

Wonderful Adam,

It was so good to talk to you last night and hear about your continuing adventures in the NDBM!  Your mission sounds awesome and we are thrilled with all of the opportunities you are receiving.  A mission is a fantastic time to practice being malleable in the hands of the Lord, letting Him make you what He wants you to become, a practice we hope you follow for your whole life.   I think where missionaries and everyone else who struggles begin a downward decent in their testimonies and commitment to the gospel is they become rigid in what the Lord should do and be in their lives.  Let Him be in charge and do all you can to magnify what He wants you to become.  Remember you are on a mission Not because you need people to tell you how great you are, but to bring others unto the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Keeping Him in the center of your service will help you overcome so many distractions and make you a powerful instrument for good.  Stay obedient, stay kind, stay humble and always be teachable and their isn't anything you can not do.

It was fun to hear about your firework adventures at Bob's Fireworks.  It was also good to hear that Imaboo and Eugene are progressing so well.  We are delighted that you get to have a baptism this week and are excited to hear all about it!  There is so much joy to be found in helping others Come Unto Christ.  Like you said in your last letter, the field in the NDBM is white AND ready to harvest!  

Well as we begin a new month I want to congratulate you on being out four months!  It probably seems to have gone fast as you have been so busy, but time is sliding by and before you know it it will be the New Year and a fourth of your mission will be over.  Crazy when you think of it.  We hope you are serving with all of 'your heart, might, mind and strength' everyday and then you will have no regrets, and that is the greatest gift you can give yourself as a missionary.  So proud of you and the work you are doing.

Highland Happenings:

Halloween McMullin Style:  Well Halloween was large and in charge of our week!  We knew that marching band would take all of the actual day (Luke was in rehearsals from 8am - 11 and we were volunteering to help run the competition until 1, then Luke had to be back for additional rehearsals at 2 and stayed until they were all done at 8:30) so we split Halloween up into a multi day extravaganza.  We had our Halloween spooky feast on Thursday after Luke got back from another band rehearsal that lasted until 6.  Luke said he wanted to give 'bloody bones' (BBQ chicken legs tied with gauze) another try with Mac and Cheese (pustulating witches boils), bug bread (pumpkin chocolate chip bread) and goblin fingers and skin (green beans with roasted turkey).  For dessert we had chocolate mummies (brownies that turned out so cute).  All in all Dad and Luke thought it was one of the best dinners we have had (both having multiple 'bloody bones'). (Luke Editorial: the bloody bones still had just a bit of a stomach flip to them, as well as having to take off the gauze.) We streamed Disney's Halloween music from Spotify and it set a very fun vibe.  On Friday we watched Hocus Pocus one of my very favorite Halloween shows.  The Sanderson sisters were delightful as ever, we forget about the kids of the movie as they are not the greatest of actors, but Bette Midler is always good.  To round out our fantastic Halloween Spooktacular we finished with watching the new Mandalorian.  Baby Yoda was so darling!!  Mando has to travel to Tatooine to try to find where Baby Yoda's people are when he runs into a Old Western style Marshal that is wearing Boba Fett's Mandalorian armor (a big no no), recently regurgitated from the Sarlacc pit. Wild adventures ensue with the sand people and a giant sand dragon.  As the episode concludes and Mando and Baby Yoda race out one their sand speeder you see a figure watching them from a distance with weapons that seem familiar. . . I am sure he's going to be part of a future plot (It's the original actor who played Boba Fett) and it was a great beginning to another season of Mandalorian.  Then as we told you last night Halloween Day was band, band and more band.  Dad and I were the only ones dressed up (see pictures below) as army officers at the competition.  So I think since no one else was in costumes that we were the real thing and were very scary for most people (no one made eye contact with us and they hurried as fast as they could by us--- but that could have been that they need a bathroom as we were stationed to direct them to one:).  We were very intimidating guarding our south gate-- letting no one in but band members.  Luke showed me how to do Green Belt Number Three, so that if anyone gave us problems we would be prepared.  I told Luke that if Dad and I got arrested defending our gate he was allowed to use our credit card for bail money to get 'His Momma Out Of The Pokey.'  Nothing happened disturbance wise at the competition however so all the forward preparation and planning was for not :(.  There was an elderly couple that came out of the stands and used the 'band only' bathroom on their way out that I let by.  I reasoned that after 100's of teen's using the same bathroom; what dangers awaited the elderly couple in there was far worse than Green Belt Number Three:).

Dad News:  Dad's orthotics finally arrived for his foot pain.  They are custom inserts that he puts in his shoes.  The plan is that he wears them for a least two weeks and if they make his foot feel better he will get a cordizone shot in his heel that will relax the muscle that should help him.  He says that walking with the orthotics feel as hard as walking on two by fours all day, but he is being patient hoping that pain relief will come eventually:(.  Dad's siblings are getting together tomorrow for a catered lunch at the Old Home to celebrate that Urban Parkway and Sargent Court properties are all payed off after 18 years of diligent payments.  Dad and Garn were not going to do anything big to celebrate the accomplishment, but Patrece insisted that something be done to celebrate-- so to lunch we go!  Dad has also finished his rookie year as a Band Dad and has now moved into the elevated station of veteran.  He had worked so hard, in his foot boot no less, for the band.  You have such a great Dad who does anything to support his boys.

Mom News:  I am the proud new owner of 69 recertification points towards my teaching recertification!  I finished my two UEN classes and combine with the two that Luke took for me (stop smiling) I am almost to my goal of 100 points before the end of the year.  I started my next class on google classroom and wow it is overwhelming learning that I did not know all the things I did not know, but I hope that one day the learning curve will not be quite so steep with technology.  I took Luke to the sketchiest decorating store in Salt Lake on Wednesday.  He HATED it!  Its a supper dark and run down group of two warehoused that have been built together.  The too narrow isles have stuff packed in boxes to the celling with stuff falling out of them (I like to think like snowflakes falling gently on your head) but Luke felt like they were spiders and the hands of death brushing against him.  When you guys were little I would put you in the cart, because it freaked you out even then, but Luke was way to big for that on Wednesday so he had to suffer through it.  He said upon leaving the store that he did not want to go back until time could allow the memories to fade, or if I needed to go back again this year he would come again but only if we got drinks after:).  Luke editorial: It was horrible. I saw an elf with the plague, walls falling apart, dead birds, and the crushing feeling of seeing a tsunami made of cheap polystyrene and plastic about to destroy everything you know and love.

Luke News:  After four brutally hard months of 100's of hours of work, the marching band season is over (insert Mom tears here).  What an awesome experience Luke has been able to have!  They looked so good for their last show, no one even comes close to them.  We covered a lot of the celebrations that occurred after they took state again, for the 27th year in a row.  It was something to see and something that I hope never to forget!!!!  The motivational coach for BYU's basketball team came and talked to the band.  He told the band that he often tells the BYU players that they are not the most elite group of champions that he has ever talked to, because he said "I get to talk to the American Fork High School Marching Band." What a wonderful organization to be a part of.  No one has brought more 'honors back' to American Fork HS than this band!!!  Dad and I have loved helping them this season and we look forward to doing the same next season.  Luke is dabbling with what he wants to do next with band:  move to playing the sousaphone, trying out for drum major, or being the baritone section leader.  He does want to run for SBO his senior year so we will see if there is one or two more years of band.  One of Luke's good trumpet friend told Luke that if he did not march his senior year, she was going to beat him up AND forcibly make him go, so there is a lot for him to think about.  Luke is not loving the new hybrid school schedule where everyone has Wednesday's off because he says it makes him feel like its Saturday but he still has two more days of school left:(.  His AP World History teacher is so stressed with the loss of so many days that he is not using the textbook anymore, but doing online lectures three times a week and in class focusing on writing for the DBQ--- not fun.  I love, love, love having Luke around more (he has been such a blessing since you have been gone)--- bring on online school (just kidding- but not really)!

News From The Hood:

• We had our permanent Christmas lights installed this week!!!  We now have millions of light options to choose from and tons of lighting patterns and speeds.  The crown molding all around the house makes the lights almost invisible in the day and at night it should be stunning!!  We are excited to use them for Christmas and other holidays throughout the year.  The lights are controlled by a smart phone so once Luke figures it all out we are go for launch :).
• Luke Editorial: If I figure them out.

• Utah's COVID numbers are still out of control and the government fears that our health care will soon be over run.  We had 2,260 new cases on Friday and the state sent out a Amber Alert to all cell phones warning them to avoid social gatherings and to wear masks.  I will not be surprised if things have to get shut down before Christmas.

•  Dad's deacons have gotten so into 'Among Us' on Tuesday nights that they have added Zoom conference rooms to discuss who the murder might be.  They tell Dad all the time that they had never heard of the game before he introduced them and now everyone plays it.  Thanks Adam for letting us know about this game, so that Dad can be the cool hip guy that knows what is hot in online gaming.

• Kole begins his mission this week.  Please pray for him as there are nervous family members at the Roskelley household.

We love and miss you so much!!!!!  We hope you have an awesome week!!!

Mom and Dad