February 1, 2026

Dearest Isaac and Lily,

January just flew by! I can hardly believe it's February already!

• I had by first midterm this week.  It was for my Biology class, and I was stressed about it.  It was in the testing center, and I wasn't sure how things worked there after 30 years... Thankfully Joseph could bring me up to speed, so i didn't look like an idiot. Haha.  I think it went well, but I don't have my score yet.
• I have 2 midterms this coming week - both my anatomy lecture and chemistry.  I still have a grundle of studying to do, but at least the stress how how the testing center works is behind me...
• Dad and I had a lovely dinner on Friday.  He was at work meetings all day most days this week, so it was super nice to have some time with him
• Emmy and I had a mommy-daughter day yesterday.  She made pasta from scratch for lunch.  She came with me to the church and cleaned the floor of the gym while I practiced the organ.  We opened up the accordion wall between us.  And then we watch a movie.  She seriously bring me so much joy!
• I did initiatories and played the organ in Draper on Wednesday
• Hana, Emmy and I went to the temple on Friday.
• We had a mission fair at the church on Sunday.  Most of the RM's in the ward set up tables about their missions and the youth came around and asked questions.  They had passports and got stamps at each table.  I thought it was a super awesome event!  Way to go ward mission leaders! (Shane and Kim) 
• I went on a hike up the canyon yesterday. It was fun to hike a snow packed trail.  And it felt so good to get outside!
• I play the organ today.  I'm nervous, but not nearly as nervous as I was the first time I played. I think that's a good sign.  I'm playing the same Sacrament hymn that I played that first time - hopefully it will go better.

I finished the book on Pres Nelson I was listening to. In the epilogue Sister Dew wrote about a mission president in a final interview with some returning missionaries.  He asked each of them what they were most worried about going home.  He listened to all their concerns (chastity temptations, family issues, maintaining their testimony, etc) and acknowledged that they will all have difficulties as they go home.  But then he cautioned them that perhaps the greatest challenge going forward in life would be to follow the prophet.  That his teachings and the world's teachings would continue to diverge, and pressure to criticize or deviate from his guidance would increase.  

I've been thinking about that. I think there's truth to it.  And I'm so grateful to have a living prophet today!  (Pres Oaks is coming to BYU's devotional next week, and I'm so excited!!) But I also feel like the best way to keep myself on the straight and narrow is to read my scriptures every day, pray every day, go to church every week, fulfill my calling, and go to the temple - the 5 things my mission president said to do when I came home. When those things are in my life, following the prophet feels easy and natural.  CPR really is the key!

I love you to the moon and back!

Mom