Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Lunar Eclipse - April 15, 2014

This lunar eclipse was observed in Kaysville on April 15, 2014 the day before Kristen returned from her mission.
 
Starting with a full moon
April 14, 2014 - 11:16 PM

Eclipse at about 50%
April 15, 2014 - 12:24 AM

April 15, 2014 - 12:26 AM

Nearly total eclipse.
April 15, 2014 - 12:54 AM

Total eclipse, also known as the "blood moon".
April 15, 2014 - 12:59 AM

April 15, 2014 - 1:00 AM

Monday, April 7, 2014

Pictures April 7, 2014


we're all best friends :)


maybe you can't see in this picture very well but we were playing soccer and I shot at elder staker (blue shirt) and it left a welt. Three days later he had a soccer ball shaped bruise! ooops


and the balloons happened to be given to us that night from one of the elders


April 7, 2014 - Redwood City

Does everyone else realize that this is my second to last email! :( At first the idea of going home was sad but also exciting. Now it's just sad. Yesterday we were at Enrique's house and I reminded him that next Sunday would be my last Sunday and he started crying! I got a little teary-eyed too but I didn't let myself cry.

Enrique is so ready to get baptized but he won't do it! He has a testimony of the restored gospel, bom, joseph smith and comes to church every Sunday but he says he's scared. But he doesn't know what he's scared of. He told us about another dream that he had 3 nights ago. Do you remember the dream he had about his dad (who died 30 yrs ago) coming up to him and asking him to be baptized for him? And that was before we taught him about baptisms for the dead. Well 3 nights ago he had a dream about his uncle (dad's brother) who died 8 years ago coming up to him and giving him a big hug and saying "thank you for helping me. You are the only one that would and could help me". He told us that he knows his dad and now uncle are both waiting for their temple work to get done and yet he still won't set a baptismal date. Nothing could make me happier than to see Enrique get baptized before I leave.

Last week we had a noche de hogar (FHE) with Lourdes and another family in the ward. Lourde's grandkids are the same age as the family's kids so it was perfect. Lourdes was actually a bit shocked when she came over because she was expecting it to be another Latino family but they're very white and blonde. The kids are in Spanish immersion programs and both the parents served Spanish speaking missions. We had dinner, opening song, lesson and closing song. So simple but so powerful. The spirit was so strong and Lourdes looked happier than I've ever seen her. She said the closing prayer and just kept thanking God for allowing her to come meet this family. She said "this was my first time in this house but I know they're my family now and I hope it's not my last time in their home". Without solid members like the Tidwell family the missionaries are honestly so limited in what we can accomplish. Everybody needs to help the missionaries!

On Tuesday our zone got to go to the temple and it was amazingly wonderful! I don't even have the words to explain how perfect it was. I wished we had been able to stay all day. On our way home the family that drove us took the bay bridge which took us right by San Francisco. WOW! Such a pretty city. At least from the view we had. It was the first time that I had been that close to a city that big. I'll send pictures :)

Of course this weekend was General Conference and it was incredible! Jesus came to one of the sessions and so did a man that we met on the street the night before. To me it seemed like the main message was about the importance of following and obeying the lord's standards and not the world's standards. I could write pages and pages about the things I liked and learned but time is short :)  However, I will say that Elder Packer's testimony was just about as powerful as it gets! 

Today is the start of my last week as a missionary. It's a horrible feeling but I'm ready to "leave it all on the track".

I love you all! Dios les bendiga,
Hermana Billings