Our time in Mason City will always be a special time to me. I was able to spend every day with my incredible sister and her sweet family, we became part of a ward that welcomed us with the most loving open arms that made us feel so loved and needed, and we grew as a couple as we experienced some hard trials. I wish I could put into words are special the time was for me. My heart feels different after experiencing the last 8 months.
We became a part of a ward that was AMAZING. I was able to rub shoulders and work with so many wonderful people while we were there. I loved having a calling in primary for the first few months and loved my calling as young women's secretary as well (even though it was only for a short time.) I was able to go to lessons with the sister missionaries almost on a weekly basis, something I never thought I would be comfortable doing. This ward brought a new meaning of "Ward Family" to me. It truly felt like a family. :)
While in Iowa I gained a greater testimony of the reality of the atonement and how real my relationship is with my Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ. I had so many humbling experiences that opened my eyes to how I am NEVER alone. No matter how discouraged or trying things seem to be I am never alone and will make it through. My testimony of scripture study and prayer increased so much. I see the difference in my heart and attitude when I slack on those habits.
I will always love the memories Kevin and I made with the kids while we were there. I thought I loved those little ones before we lived with them but holy smokes, my Aunt heart just about burst every day with love for those sweet kids! Their sweet spirits and testimonies blessed me every single day. I loved their innocence and seeing them experience and learn things for the first time. I thought of a few specific things I want to always remember about those sweet times with the kids, I know there are so many I'm forgetting but these are the first ones that came to mind...
-Kayleen's "I LOVE YOU FOREVER!"Her sweet goodnight hugs and kisses and good mornings running into our room and jumping on our bed. Asking, "What you said?" every time she doesn't hear you. Selfie time whenever dropping her off at preschool (and having to walk her right up to the line was always worth it because you'd get the biggest hug and kiss before she walked away.) After each prayer making sure to say, "I had my eyes closed but I KNOW :insert name: didn't have their eyes closed."...
-Jackson's snuggles during a baking show, telling me he missed me while I was gone somewhere, his messy hair in the mornings, hearing him ask me to play the "blanket game" with him (I would pretend his blanket was mine and try to get it from him and then he'd come snuggle on my lap for a minute till he decided it was time to play the game again)...
-Jacob's "I" messages he would tell us we needed to use ("it hurts my feelings when you do this, can you please stop?" it was sweet to see him teaching us things he learned at school), seeing him soak up every word from the books he read, having to rewrite a note I left for him in his lunch box because he was devastated the first one got ruined from a leaking water bottle, our game of him saying, "Aunt Holly!" and me saying, "Nephew Jacob!" in silly accents...
-Kiera's little monkey scoots across the floor, her silly little smiles when she scrunched her nose up, having to watch her like a hawk whenever she was in her highchair because she'd try to climb out, when she would randomly use my foot as a pillow while she was crawling around on the floor, laying on the ground and knowing that Kiera would be there in a split second to climb all over me/pull my hair, bite my shirt/whatever she felt like doing hahaha...
People thought we were crazy for moving in with our siblings and probably think we're still crazy but honestly...it was WONDERFUL! Sure it wasn't always sunshine and daisies but 99% of the time we were all happy with each other and always having a good time. Every night was a party. :) We are SOOOOO grateful for all that Anna and Andrew did for us during that time.
I really don't think I can ever truly explain how grateful I am for the time we had in Iowa. I will miss the ward and the friends we made and miss having that one on one time with Anna, Andrew and the kids. Like I said before, my heart is changed for the better because of the experiences we had there.
Thank you Mason City for blessing us so much!
-Holly-
We became a part of a ward that was AMAZING. I was able to rub shoulders and work with so many wonderful people while we were there. I loved having a calling in primary for the first few months and loved my calling as young women's secretary as well (even though it was only for a short time.) I was able to go to lessons with the sister missionaries almost on a weekly basis, something I never thought I would be comfortable doing. This ward brought a new meaning of "Ward Family" to me. It truly felt like a family. :)
While in Iowa I gained a greater testimony of the reality of the atonement and how real my relationship is with my Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ. I had so many humbling experiences that opened my eyes to how I am NEVER alone. No matter how discouraged or trying things seem to be I am never alone and will make it through. My testimony of scripture study and prayer increased so much. I see the difference in my heart and attitude when I slack on those habits.
I will always love the memories Kevin and I made with the kids while we were there. I thought I loved those little ones before we lived with them but holy smokes, my Aunt heart just about burst every day with love for those sweet kids! Their sweet spirits and testimonies blessed me every single day. I loved their innocence and seeing them experience and learn things for the first time. I thought of a few specific things I want to always remember about those sweet times with the kids, I know there are so many I'm forgetting but these are the first ones that came to mind...
-Kayleen's "I LOVE YOU FOREVER!"Her sweet goodnight hugs and kisses and good mornings running into our room and jumping on our bed. Asking, "What you said?" every time she doesn't hear you. Selfie time whenever dropping her off at preschool (and having to walk her right up to the line was always worth it because you'd get the biggest hug and kiss before she walked away.) After each prayer making sure to say, "I had my eyes closed but I KNOW :insert name: didn't have their eyes closed."...
-Jackson's snuggles during a baking show, telling me he missed me while I was gone somewhere, his messy hair in the mornings, hearing him ask me to play the "blanket game" with him (I would pretend his blanket was mine and try to get it from him and then he'd come snuggle on my lap for a minute till he decided it was time to play the game again)...
-Jacob's "I" messages he would tell us we needed to use ("it hurts my feelings when you do this, can you please stop?" it was sweet to see him teaching us things he learned at school), seeing him soak up every word from the books he read, having to rewrite a note I left for him in his lunch box because he was devastated the first one got ruined from a leaking water bottle, our game of him saying, "Aunt Holly!" and me saying, "Nephew Jacob!" in silly accents...
-Kiera's little monkey scoots across the floor, her silly little smiles when she scrunched her nose up, having to watch her like a hawk whenever she was in her highchair because she'd try to climb out, when she would randomly use my foot as a pillow while she was crawling around on the floor, laying on the ground and knowing that Kiera would be there in a split second to climb all over me/pull my hair, bite my shirt/whatever she felt like doing hahaha...
People thought we were crazy for moving in with our siblings and probably think we're still crazy but honestly...it was WONDERFUL! Sure it wasn't always sunshine and daisies but 99% of the time we were all happy with each other and always having a good time. Every night was a party. :) We are SOOOOO grateful for all that Anna and Andrew did for us during that time.
I really don't think I can ever truly explain how grateful I am for the time we had in Iowa. I will miss the ward and the friends we made and miss having that one on one time with Anna, Andrew and the kids. Like I said before, my heart is changed for the better because of the experiences we had there.
Thank you Mason City for blessing us so much!
-Holly-
AMEN SISTA!! Everyone you touched here was changed for the better and we all miss you guys so much. I'm not nearly as fun as you and Kevin were for the kids during the day!! Having you here made it the best year of our lives. :) I LOVE YOU!
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