Email from Mom: Saturday, October 1, 2022

From: Mom
To: Christian.garcia@missionary.org
Date: Saturday, October 1, 2022
Subject: October

Good morning!

It is October and today it sure feels like it outside at home. It is chilly and the temps keep dropping each day. I think our highs over the next week are in the low 70's. I am not sure I want to admit it or accept it but I really don't have much of a choice either. Time to bust out the long pants and long sleeves.

With today being the first day of October, and the first Saturday, it promises us that we get to listen to General Conference! Today I am so looking forward to this. I have a rather heavy heart on some things right now and I am hopeful that as I tune in and listen some of that will be lifted. Life is tricky isn't it? :) Will you get to watch or listen to Conference this weekend? If so, how will you get to?

How is your new area? How is your companion? Tell me all about both. I would love to hear. I would also love to hear if you accepted my challenge of going out to sector in a manner of service rather than in a manner of 'religion'? I have been thinking a lot about that even here this week too. I need to approach life a little differently and in a more service like Christ kind of way. I am certain it will help with a few things we have here I just know it. I was able to give it a go one day this week and I think that if I am taking inventory on my days, that was my most favorite this week. It is funny, and holy cow SO simple, that if we just take a minute to think before we do and then do the way the Savior has shown us how to...what a difference all around our lives and our days can be and look like. He hasn't really asked much from us. He has shown us a blueprint that is simple to read. He is always there waiting for us to just ask. And yet, for some of us and for some of those we know....one of the hardest things to do. I cannot believe how selfishness has become a number 1 trait of so many. Everywhere you look anymore it is not about helping others, greeting with a smile, waving as you pass by, or even going outside your own front door to serve. Everyone has focused on their #1 and their #1 is themselves. I wanted to think that Covid was the culprit of this and that it would all go back to where it used to be before but I don't see any kind of change taking place. Instead I see it all being amplified and encouraged some way too. If this isn't all signs of the times, well I just quite frankly don't know if I want to be around when things get even uglier you know? So...now that I threw up some thoughts...I can't wait to hear how your first week in your new sector with a new companion has been.

Home has been good this week. Brooklyn had a 4 day school week due to parent/teacher conferences. She does not love the 90 minute classes but she made it and she was happy to not have school yesterday. She, as usual, spent plenty of time behind the wheel of the golf cart and out and about with friends. There was one night they all decided to load up on the golf cart with the animal masks and go to their friends' houses that they know have a ring doorbell and say hello but not really because they were wearing masks. :) Tyler gave her permission to ride the golf cart long after the sun had gone down so she was feeling pretty good about all of it.

Kaitlyn has been busy working and prepping to get moved. She has been scheduling interviews and getting life packed up all over again. She is so excited and I know she cannot wait. It is wild to think that this is her last weekend at home. I am stoked for her and this next step she is headed out on. I think she is looking forward to being done at work. I don't think I could work for a urologist. Looking at male junk all day would not be so fun. And I am sure they are all mostly old too so...there's that. :/ Gross. Plus this will give her a chance to be on campus and not online, give her the social and the ward she deserves, and I think it is just overall going to be really really great for her. I worry a little about B but thankfully she will still be able to text and facetime with Kaitlyn when she wants/needs rather than like on a mission where she had to wait until Monday. I am hopeful that they will still have sister dates and stuff too..time will tell. :)

Tyler and I have been busy here. Tyler went hunting again so I took to the front yard to get it ready for Fall/Winter. I ripped out all of the lily's around the water feature. They were pretty bad this year and when I ripped them out they all smelled horrible. There was definitely something that got into them so it was good I ripped them. I need to decide what to do next and what to replace them with. I will need to bring in new soil and really prep the area but for now...it is done and it looks barren as can be out there. With that and the cooler air it just feels like Fall you know? I am not sure if I am going to do pumpkins and hay bales this year or not. I just don't feel like it? It is a lot of work and I don't know. Maybe after this weekend I will feel differently? Tyler got the pool ready for the company to come shut it down for the year. Sad but again, reality. He also got the hot tub all ready and chemicals checked so that can be used like it does when this time of year rolls around.

Tyler and I head to Logan today to meet up with Randy and Kristina and a couple of their friends to do a quick (literally so fast) motorcycle ride to Jackson Hole. Kristina's birthday is on the 4th and that is what she wanted to do so...this is what we will do. It is going to be SO cold on the motorcycle!!! I have packed literally all my Winter gear that will fit on the side bag of the bike and I am sure it will still be not enough. I will layer like a maniac and look like a fat fool on the back of the bike but hoping I will be warm enough you know? We are staying one night in Jackson and then home tomorrow. I'm telling ya...a whirlwind trip but happy to have the invite and for Tyler to get to ride his bike. Sometimes it is the little things in life right?

Anyways, I am hopeful that this week you have been able to change your perspective some on your approach in this new area and that the new companionship you are in is one of happy and that will work hard together. I enjoyed seeing your new photos of where you are living. It looks as though Alaina is still playing a role in your life there? You have some pretty good size pictures of her and you. Is this still something that is taking your focus and making day to day difficult? I pray this isn't the case Christian. You have such a small window of time left and I just want you to make the most of it. All in...no distractions. I hope you have a chance to listen to General Conference and that if there are questions on your heart or in your mind that they will be answered. I pray you will be able to heed the counsel of your Mission President, your Zone Leaders, your District Leaders, and that of your Heavenly Father. You have a purpose in being there right now and I pray you take full advantage of that.

Keep that smile on your face and know I have you in my thoughts and prayers. I love you.

Mom