The Piano Guys.............

When the kids were young we would go to the John Schmidt Christmas Concert at Kingsbury Hall in Salt Lake City, he is an amazing pianist who combines modern pop with classical music, and as a result, makes his concerts well liked by all ages.  Over the last few years he has combined talents with an AMAZING cellist, a producer who has a studio in his home, a videographer who has a huge Youtube following, and together they have evolved into a group called, "The Piano Guys".  If you search them on Youtube you can watch some amazing videos that have been viewed millions of times over.  Saturday night we went to their concert at the Energy Solutions Arena, and it was pretty amazing. (Thanks for their CD mom, I didn't have it yet and we are listening to it over and over!)

I love all of their videos, but will post just one of my favorites (probably because I have felt a slight tug in my heart lately that has something to do with the spirit of Elijah).

This is a cover of the popular One Direction song titled, "Story of My Life"............

Staying in Roswell..........

A portion of Cody's latest email.........

So I am staying here in Roswell again. Elder Squires is leaving and I will be getting Elder Barnes. He is a new zone leader so I will be training him up. I was pretty happy, I really didnt want to leave at all. We have some pretty sweet people that we are working with now, and I think we are going to have some sweet baptisms next month, set the new year off right!

I am glad to hear from you all that you are sharing the gift...thank you for working in unison with me and the Lord! So what are the plans for Christmas? Its only 10 days away--can you believe that? I remember last Christmas pretty vividly, the time really is starting to quicken isn't it?

As we have gotten to watch the He is the Gift video and also the Christmas Broadcast the last couple weeks, I have really thought of the Lord's promise "by their fruits ye shall know them". As I have been able to take part in and observe this church's "fruits", or works, my testimony has been strengthened that this is His church. I am so very grateful for the structure, organization, transparency, and overall truthfulness of this Gospel, how could I ever deny it?

I sure love you guys! I got the family Christmas card the other day, haha I was shocked that Mom didn't make you guys all get together and take a picture? Haha just waiting for next year to start pulling teeth right?

Well my fam, take care, have an awesome week and know that I love and miss you all.

The testimony of my mom and dad........

Adding this letter from my parents to my blog, so that my posterity can be strengthened by their testimony as I have been.........

December in Roswell...........

Hey Momma!!

How are you???

First off, thank you so so much for that Christmas tree, that was very thoughtful and it is hanging up in our front room (: The He is the Gift initiative is going very well, missionaries are talking to a ton of people, how many views does the video have now??

Dad, thank you so much for sending the ball, I am excited to get it in the next couple days!

Hey Cindy, sorry I am so late on this but thank you so much for that package! Elder Squires and I are definitely grateful (: I hung up the Dolphins poster in my closet (:

We had to drop Mark yesterday ): He is not committed to come to church. He agreed that he wasn't ready yet either. He hadn't been to church for 5 weeks, but he knows that we are still here to help him, he will get baptized someday! Really sad though ): The Ben family (Bobby, Eudora, and Charmagne) are doing awesome! They all came to church yesterday AND the Christmas Broadcast! I am so looking forward to meeting with them this week.

That is so nice of you guys to put together some gifts for some of the missionaries out here. That really means a lot to me and I am sure to President and Sister Heap. You guys are just the best (:

So what does the rest of December look like for all of you? Has Dad started playing the Birthday week card yet? What are you guys going to do for him and Grandpa?

I sure miss you all...I wish more than anything that we could all go downtown and see the temple lights, but, hey, they will be there next week right? Be sure to send me a picture of all of you down there! I love and miss you all. Share the Gift!

Love, Elder Cody

I am happy.........

Heyyyyyy Mom! Did you get my letter??? You're holding out on me now huh, I still want to hear from my Mom every week ); (For some reason Cody didn't see my email until after he sent me this message)

Are things all set for Thanksgiving? What are you all going to be up to? Are you cooking anything or do you get the year off?

Mark got interviewed by President Heap and he is all set for baptism! Hopefully we will be able to schedule it for this Saturday, we need to get going then if that is the case!

How did Cass like Fall Ball?? I heard that (yes mom, I did write Justine this week) you rented a dress out to her? Thats pretty cool! How many dresses are you up to now?

Hey I saw I finally got a mission plaque! Haha thats pretty cool! Did you pick that scripture?? Its pretty cool because that actually probably is my favorite scripture! (D&C 101:16) Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God.

Well Mom, I want to let you know two things. The first is, I am happy. I really am. And the second is that I am so thankful for you. Heavenly Father knew what he was doing when he trusted you with 3 of his kids. You really are the best mother in the entire world. Thank you for pushing, pulling, supporting, and comforting me. I love you so much Mom. Happy Thanksgiving.

Love, Elder Cody

P.s. BIRTHDAY WEEK!!!

P.s.s. Could you get me Bryan Dillons address?

Fall Ball 2014............

Last month Homecoming, this month Fall Ball!  Cassidy went with Devin Ross (Dylan's younger brother), and made a special effort to make it a fun date for him.  Not only was it Devin's first date ever, but his brother, Carson, who is still undergoing chemotherapy, was receiving a blood transfusion that day because his white cell count was dangerously low.  

Missionary Mommas........

There is a Facebook page called "missionary momma's" that Dolly Player invited me to be a part of and, wow!  Thousands of mothers of missionaries from all over the world post all kinds of stuff related to missionary work.  Lots of random pictures are posted of elders and sisters by women who know that some mother out in the world would love to see a picture of their missionary at work, so I did a search with the word "Lubbock" and came across a couple of pictures of Cody and the messages attached to them...........made my day :).

Look who I had for dinner tonight from the Texas, Lubbock Mission....

Elder Backus who's mom is a missionary momma andElder Bladen who wants his mom to join us. So if you know his mom let her know!They are awesome missionaries doing a great job!

Here's another ladies! These elders are serving in Lubbock, TX. We made a wheat order and they're helping unload. Sorry they were so busy and such a long line and I didn't get their names! Hope some Momma's recognize them!

Elder Squires, technology and razor burn......

Hey Mom!!!

Thank you so much for taking care of that Social # for me, haha I was stressing about it!

Elder Squires is great, he is definitely the hardest working and most experienced companion I have ever had (He goes home in January), so I am really excited to learn from him!

Transfers was pretty crazy Mom,  haha but luckily we were prepared so that when some wrenches got thrown in the plans we were able to recover without too much trouble (: I am really excited about my zone Mom, I really think we could do some good here!

Thank you for your last letter, I loved it! I am so ready to use technology in the mission, we are just waiting for the work for our iPads!

We do have a DVD player, but anything we watch on it has to be produced by the church, haha so put down Mobsters and Mormons, because I know thats what you were going to send me (;

Hey so, I need your help...I get super bad razor burn on my neck and face, haha my beard has just thickened so much! I have tried like every sort of product at Wal-mart and I havent had any luck...is there like any super strength stuff you can think of? haha is there something that I can get to just zap the hair off my face for good? Haha I need help!

I will work hard to smile more Mom, it definitely is something I need to do. I love you so much, thank you for your support, I really do need it. I love you Mom! Tell the girls that I love them too (;

Love, 

Your Son

Dear Dad,

Things are going good here in Roswell. Elder Squires is a pretty hard worker, we worked pretty hard and got a lot done in this short week! We finally have somebody to teach!! His name is Bobby Ben, his wife is an inactive member, and they just moved here and she wants to get back active, so that just opened up a huge door for her husband because he wants it too. We had a killer lesson with them last night, so we are excited to help him get to the font!

I really loved that email about team-building, thank you so much!! We have a good zone this time Dad, I think we could really do some BIG things here! Thank you for your love and support Dad, you truly are the man. I love you and look forward to your letter! Love you man!

A couple new pics.............

The Texas Lubbock Mission was visited by Elder Pino who is a member of the seventy from Venezuela, and all of the missionaries (280 of them) traveled to Lubbock to hear him speak.  These are a couple of pictures that were taken after the meetings.

This is a picture of only half of the missionaries in Cody's mission, he is on the 2nd row from the top directly under the tallest missionary (who happens to be Elder Checketts, Cody's trainer) in the middle.

Cody learned quick that all pictures taken by Sister Heaps would be posted on her blog, so this time he is smiling.......

Last time was not a smile, so when I sent him a copy of this picture that was on her blog, he was horrified haha!

Staying in Roswell.........

Hey Madre!!

So, first off, yes I got the razors, and thank you so much for that letter, I love it when you go on and on (: We are going to Big D's right after this, haha we are stoked! Thank you so much!! We will be sure to send you a picture (:

I am sorry this is going to be so short--this is transfer week. I am staying here, but Elder Bladen is heading off to Odessa. Elder Squires is going to be my new companion here, haha he was just released from being the Assistant, so he is coming to work! I am pretty excited. I will tell you what Mom, organizing stuff is stressful, I don't know how you do it? Haha I have to figure out how to get all these missionaries to wherever they are getting transferred, I am going to be all over the place on Tuesday and Wednesday haha! Wish me luck!

Elder Pino was great. He had to speak with an interpreter, but it was fantastic. He talked about raising to the level of our callings, and about the teaching mode of Jesus Christ. After the conference with the mission, we got to have a meeting with him just as the leaders of the mission, its was great. We are so lucky and blessed to have the General Authorities of the church, there is no way that man was not called of God!

Justine said she really liked her gift, thank you so much for helping me keep it simple, you are the best. I love you lots mom. Its your birthday month!! This is a crazy week, sorry about the short letter, but just know that I love you so very much. Thank you for everything (:

Love, Cody

P.s. I need my social security number for missionary medical, new policy or something, haha is there anyway you can relay that to me securely? Thanks, Love ya!

Cassidy and MHS Volleyball..........

Cassidy ended her Junior year Volleyball season this last week.  This year Murray had a new coach which made a huge difference in everyone's love for the game.  Cassidy played quite a bit this year on both JV and Varsity.

This is the Varsity team, Cassidy and Cody have always worn the number 10 in honor of Steve who also wore the number 10 at Murray High.

A close up of Cassidy and Steve....

Cassidy's BFF's, Alyssa and James.

I remember well the first time Cassidy hit a volleyball at our Family Reunion on Anderson Island, the rest is history :).........

Consecration........

Hey Mom!

First of all, you just are incredible! I can't believe the turn out of that 5k?? Mom that is so awesome! I know you worked so hard for that, thank you so much. The Ross family has helped me out so much throughout my life, that is just so incredible. Great job Mom, you're making me proud (:

Haha I am glad you got those letters. I am sorry the family and friends one was a little short, haha but it was the best I could really do.

Its crazy to think that I am just about halfway through this crazy mission thing...Im not gonna lie Mom, I am kind of hitting the Mid-Mission blues...haha I think this past week has been the toughest I have had. Just a lot of reflection and looking forward, I just need to focus on the now. Mom I have so many changes that I still need to make, and I only have 12 more months to make them. Its time for a sense of urgency. We just had a terrible week in the zone, nobody has anybody to teach and its just hard haha being a leader can be exhausting sometimes. We had a mission wide fast this week, so I am hoping that that can really boost us, we need it.

I have been thinking a lot about consecration lately, especially the 5 points that President Callister talks about in that talk you gave me. I am going to work on them all this week. I love you so much mom. Thank you for your constant love and support. You are an amazing lady, you really helped out a lot of people this past week. Thank you (:

Love, Cody

P.s. I am BUZZING my hair today....yep, you read right. Haha consecration right?? (; I am sick of doing it every morning. I will send you a pic

Hey Mom!!

We worked probably harder than we have ever worked this week. We spent a lot of time riding on the bikes talking to everybody we saw, but unfortunately we didn't find any new investigators this week...but we were able to commit the husband of a recent convert to baptism, his name is Mark. He has had quite the past, so he will have to be interviewed by someone from the Mission Presidency to make sure that he has fully repented, so we are going to pray super hard for him. He came to church yesterday, hopefully we will be able to meet with him multiple times this week, he is a pretty busy guy!

Haha I think Elder Murray is doing well, haha maybe I need to get on him for messing around with Deer rather than working! (; Elder Turville is doing well also, he is proud that Elder Backus' Mom sold him his first pair of Garments (;

So were there any other reprecussions from the 5k? I am sure the Ross family was so grateful, you are just awesome. I guess I am pretty lucky aren't I?

I haven't gotten any package yet, I am guessing it will be soon? Thank you so much Mom, I really appreciate it. How much do I owe you?

Wow, go Jordan! How old is Drue now? Everybody just keeps growing up don't they.

Well Mom, thank you so very much for your prayers. They really do mean a lot to me. There is no way that I could be doing this without them. One year to learn a lifetime of lessons...haha thanks for your support mom. I love you!!

Love, Cody

Homecoming 2014...........

Cassidy and her friends, Alyssa & Madi, getting ready for Homecoming......

Cass and I spent a lot of time trying to find the perfect dress.  After 5 online purchases and returns, Cassidy found the one she wanted, that Sunday Ashley let her know that she had the same dress in her closet, maybe we will check out Ashley's closet next time :).

 Cassidy went with James Walljasper who has been a good friend for many years.

Carson Ross Fun Run Fundraiser.............

Go to www.carsonrossfunrun.blogspot.com to see pictures of The Carson Ross 5k / 1 Mile Fun Run or Walk Fundraiser, it turned out way beyond what we were hoping for...........

Meet the Mormons Premiere........

Tuesday night was the premiere of the movie, "Meet the Mormons".  Christine, Brenda, and I got the opportunity to see it several weeks ago at a 'sneak peak', and we all loved it.  Our church is no longer a 'Utah' church, and the majority of membership lives outside of the United States, you can read about church stats here.  This last general conference we had the opportunity to hear several general authorities give their messages in their native languages, and because I work in the Distribution Center I have met hundreds and hundreds of members from all over the world, collectively these general authorities and other members, are another witness to me of what the Lord told Daniel when he said His gospel shall be as the stone cut out of the mountain without hands that would roll forth and fill the whole earth https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2007/10/the-stone-cut-out-of-the-mountain?lang=eng.  

A couple of my favorite people at the premiere, Elder Holland and David Archuleta (and his mom).

Not sure who the guy on the left is, but John Dye (our friend who is over marketing for the movie) is in the middle, and David Archuleta on the right.

A couple reminders of home............

Hey Mom!!

So first of all, that was really cool reading that little article about Carson! You really have outdone yourself, you are working so hard for that, I hope it goes well for the Ross family!!

So funny story, there is another new missionary here in the Zone, Elder Turville...apparently you helped him out with his garment selection huh? Haha too funny, who would've known?? (After helping newly called missionaries for months at Deseret Book, I finally helped one that had been called to the Texas, Lubbock Mission, that poor Elder got an earful from me along with a promise that he would give Elder Backus a hug if he ever ran into him, well as luck would have it, his first area is Roswell, New Mexico and Cody is his zone leader.  I hope that Elder Turville made good on his promise). 

Oh man, that picture...I hope you aren't putting all those on facebook and stuff haha that was horrible!!

Elder Murray is doing well, haha I think he is enjoying it, but I think we are all waiting for his first wave of home sickness to come. I see him every once in a while and talk to him at least every other day, his companion is a DL, so I call him every night.

Lisa's baptism went very well, we had it right after the Women's Broadcast. (I wish I could've seen it!)

We now have a pretty crazy week ahead of us, we have a little mini zone conference on thursday and then Elder Bladen and I will be driving down to Lubbock for MLC on Friday. Everything is moving so fast!!

I love you Mom, and I am finally starting to love this work. It is still a process, and I still groan every now and then, but I think I am starting to catch the vision. Thank you so much for your tremendous support, I don't know how I could do it without you.

Elder Backus and Elder Murray.

Christine is now a teenager.............

On the 26th of September, Christine turned 13 and officially became a teen-ager...

Another birthday banner.........

Christine wanted a larger bed for her birthday present.  Her last bed was a twin size, and we will never forget Randy sleeping in it when he spent Christmas with us, his feet hung off the end & he said he felt like Buddy the Elf.

She requested that all the pink be removed from her room, so out with the old & in with the gray and yellow.  You can tell by her shelves, that Christine loves to read.  In the last year she read the Hunger Games and the Divergent Series.

Even though she is growing up FAST, she still requests the Cake Batter Birthday Cake from Coldstone, hopefully some things will never change :).

Christine has a very sweet personality.  The last couple of months she has been anonymously serving an elderly lady in our neighborhood who has been battling breast cancer.  She has dropped off gifts and cards at her door, rings the doorbell and runs.  She easily feels the spirit of service.

I hold a special place in my heart for this daughter of mine, whenever I appear to not feel well, she is the first to ask if I need help, she is sincerely concerned and would do absolutely anything to make me feel better.  She has been known to pull out her nail clippers, foot scrubber, lotion and nail polish to give me a pedicure when I've had a long day.  She is a caregiver at heart and I LOVE that about her.  Happy 13th Birthday Christine!!

Carson Ross 5k / 1 mile Fun Run or Walk.........

One of Cody's best friends is Dylan Ross who is currently serving a mission as well.  Dylan has a younger brother, Carson, who was recently diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and is currently undergoing radiation and chemotherapy treatments.  Just days before the diagnosis, Dylan's dad was laid off at work and is currently unemployed.  Because of their unfortunate situation, a group of us are organizing a 5k Fundraiser for the family.  You can read about Carson's story and how the Murray High Football team have honored Carson by clicking on the link below (Cody and Dylan are mentioned in it....).

http://m.deseretnews.com/splash?skipSplash=true&platform=iphone&isWebView=0&requestedURI=%2Farticle%2F865611543%2FBand-of-brothers-Murray-football-players-rally-around-teammates-younger-brother-struggling-with.html%3Fpg%3Dall&ref=http%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2F75OhI9mS9z%3Fref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Ft.co%2F75OhI9mS9z

You can learn more about Carson at carsonrossfunrun.blogspot.com.

September 18th, 2014.............

Hey Mom!! So first of all, thank you so much for making my birthday so great. That burger joint was GREAT, I cant wait to go back!! Haha that banner was totally Julie-esque, I loved it. My companion marveled at your uncanny penmanship haha (; So when is the Carson 5K? That is so cool, I am really excited to hear all about it.

My birthday was pretty good. The Sisters decorated our driveway haha, and then we spent a lot of time on the bikes just talking to people and helping them in any way that we could. I got a lot of calls and texts from people in the mission wishing me a happy day, it meant a lot to me. It was just another day in the life, but thanks to you guys it was definitely one of the most memorable. Thank you for that (:

Haha so guess what!! Elder Murray is in my zone! (Elder Murray went to Murray High with Cody) Haha I dont think I told you this, but there is an indian reservation a little west of here, i went on exchanges there once, it is crazy green and has a bunch of mountains...totally not what you would think of the Texas Lubbock Mission, but its called the Mescelaro Reservation, and thats where Elder Murray will be training. His trainer is a stud, so I think he will really have a good time. Who would have thought huh?

Lisa will be getting baptized this Saturday after the General Women's Broadcast, so wish us luck and pray for us that we can get all of that squared away (: Thank you so so much mom. I felt your love all the way out here (: I love and miss you like crazy! 

The banner did make it up on his wall........next to the Utah banner :).

I googled restaurants in Roswell, and found 'Big D's', it was voted one of the Top Ten Burgers in the Nation, so I called them and bought a gift card so that Cody and his companion (looks like an extra elder according to the picture) could go out to eat on his birthday.....

Looks like Cody is running with a few Elders and President Heaps....

Missionary Leadership Conference

Happy Birthday Elder Backus!!

Cody turns 19 today, the age which we had always expected him to leave on his mission, however, plans changed when the church lowered the age requirement for missionaries.  As a result, the month after Cody turned 18, he left for the MTC to begin his 2 year service.  Its pretty incredible for me to read his, as well as many other young missionaries letters, and learn about what they are able to do at such a young age.  Cody has shared with me how very young he feels some days, but has gained an understanding of the enabling power of the atonement as he is able to do things he never thought he was capable of.

This is my first birthday away from any of my children, so I woke up this morning with the desire to stay busy and do something that I know Cody would want me to do.  One of Cody's best friends, who is also serving a mission, has a little brother who was recently diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.  Just a couple days before that, his father was laid off and is currently unemployed.  A few of us who know the family are organizing a 5k fundraiser to help with the costs of medical treatment and daily expenses, so my friend Dayna and I, spent the day going from one business to another asking for donations to help make this event a success for their family.  We were overwhelmed with the generosity of everyone we talked to, and at the end of the day, knew that I had spent the day doing something worthwhile and something I know would make Cody happy.

We put together a birthday package for him and included a t-shirt for p-day that I loved.......

I also made a 6 ft birthday banner and included tape (haha!) to put on his apartment wall....we'll see if he actually does that.............

I took a silver pen and wrote down all of my favorite missionary scriptures in the background.