Monday, May 23, 2011

A new addition to the Reading Room

I am a letter writer. I obsess over stationary, stamps, writing letters, I love it all. My dream for some time has been to own a roll-top desk with little cubbies for all my letter-writing needs. As I worked at the First Presbyterian Rummage Sale last week, I mentioned my dream to a kind old lady who I was working with. She replied, "I was in a thrift store in Woodstock last week and they had a good looking roll-top desk for 75 dollars" I had to collect myself as I almost wet my pants at the news. I asked her for the name of the thrift store and decided I'd call to see if they still had it. I was almost positive that a roll-top desk, in good condition for only 75 dollars wouln't have lasted a week, but I called anyway. When I did, not only was it still there, there was a sale on all furniture for 30% off. I asked what time they opened the next morning and made it to woodstock with 10 minutes to spare. I was in love. It wasn't as big as the lady said on the phone, but couldn't pass up this wonderful desk for only 56 dollars!!!


I paid for the desk and asked the lady who could help me get it into my Jeep. She looked at me with a confused look and said, "Nobody told you?" My heart dropped. "Tell me what?" I said. She said that there wasn't anyone here to help me, and I needed to bring my own help. I just about cried. I had called twice the night before about the desk and nobody had mentioned it. I had gotten up early, driven all the way to woodstock, and had to be home by noon.


To my luck, a wonderful man and his wife walked in at this time and he offered to help me. I almost cried again, thanking him a million times. We got it into my car, and when I got home from running all my errands that day, Ryan helped me get it into the house (which wasn't easy), but sooooo worth it.


That night, I sat down at my new desk, cleaned it, and wrote 5 letters.


Life is good.












Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Have you thanked the Missionaries today?

Beware of these beautiful ladies. They'll come knocking at your door ready to teach you the Gospel of Jesus Christ!!!

Me and Sister Russon



Perhaps next year's Halloween costume?





Prepared to fight for the Gospel!









Me and Sister Pome'e wearing Tongan clothes courtesy of my sister Lara who recently traveled to Tonga!









I'm so thankful for the wonderful people who choose to serve missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!












Monday, May 16, 2011

The Update

Greetings all!
Well, we are almost all settled into the new house! We are also settling into a new Ward. I was a little worried about leaving the ward I was baptized in, but we've met so many wonderful people in our new ward! We've been given new callings. Ryan is back in Young Mens (shocking) specifically working with the priests! I have been called to teach Sunday school to the 14-15 year olds! I LOVE it! I walked into the room to meet them last week and one of them looked me in the eye and said, "It really doesn't get much better than us." I agree. Of course, as new additions to the ward, we've been asked to speak in Sacrament meeting. It's cool, because we're speaking the same week that Thelma, (Ryan's wonderful mother) will be visiting us!!! I'm really looking forward to spending time with her!

We are slowly learning the joys and pains of being homeowners: water in the basement, not enough hot water, writing our first property tax check...(P.s. if you aren't from the north shore area in Chicago, you probably don't understand how painful that property tax check can be!) Having said that, we wouldn't trade it for anything.

We are having the missionaries over for dinner tomorrow night so I'll try and remember to get some pictures! And, I know I still need to put up some pictures of the new house.....I'll get right on that!

Hoping and Praying all is well with you!!!
Keep the FAITH!!!
Love,
Brooke and Ryan