Welcoming in the Holiday Season!

Dear Caleb & Jacob,

How was your Thanksgiving? I hope you were both able to get the flavor of this wonderful holiday and were able to reflect on how truly blessed we all are. We had our Thanksgiving at Grandma & Grandpa Winkel's clubhouse this year. We had so much food and PIE, cheesecake, and more PIE! Adam even got a little pick-up Thanksgiving football game going outside.

Everyone here is totally in the full-out Holiday mood. It's snowing this morning so everyone's a little giddy. Sydney and Adam are both starting a new trimester today. Adam is starting his first seminary class ever. He's also taking guitar so maybe he'll be able to teach me a little after school. Sydney's got another full load of hard classes. Last night for family home evening, we watched some fun family videos...the one where Adam is about 20 months old and dad is holding him while he's trying to suck his thumb & fingers. Dad keeps trying to pull his arm away and Adam cries and tries to hit and head-butt him, only to hurt himself. Seeing you two so young and totally adorable almost made me cry. I can't believe how fast the time between then and now has flown!

I hope you're beginning to get in the Spirit of the season. We're looking forward to it all but the event that this household is looking forward to the most is being able to speak to both of you on Christmas. From your letters, it sounds like you're both very busy missionaries. I guess you'd probably say you'd prefer to have it no other way. Good luck this week as you head into December. It's Caleb's "hump-day" this Friday! WOW!!!

I love you both SO much!
💕Mom

(Sorry if I duplicate some photos that Dad already sent)

Christmas Letter

Caleb:

If I understand correctly, you'll be reading this letter at a mission Christmas conference.  It's a nice gesture of your mission to ask us to write you on this occasion.  I suppose that a lot of letters at this time of year run the risk of making a missionary more homesick than less.  Not this letter...

I do an adequate job of writing throughout the year although some of my messages are too short and others too long.  Maybe a few might hit the mark.

For this letter, I've decided to channel my inner bard and plagiarize "T'was the Night Before Christmas".  Here goes nothing.

T'was the weeks before Christmas, when all through the land

Investigators pondered, a lot about the plan;

The missionaries had worked with their hearts and their might,

In hopes that commitments would kept aright;

On top of the work that had taken its toll;

Missionaries thought of home and their love it did grow;

And each in his own way, had said a quick prayer,

In hopes that their families would think of them there,

When among the heavens there arose such a clatter,

That each in their heart wondered what was the matter.

Angels were excited, and heaven abuzz,

With word that answers were coming from above.

All those prayers from the families at last had been heard;

And heavenly blessings within earthly hearts stirred.

To missionaries there came a calm peace in their hearts;

The spirit bore witness that their work hit the mark;

To investigators who wondered the spirit did work,

And cautioned them all from the truth not to shirk.

The spirit of Christmas was felt far and near;

And those thoughts of home, although they were dear,

Became less important when the vision did renew,

In the hearts of the elders and sisters clear thru,

That but for a moment, and one all too brief,

Each had been chosen, to put the world in relief;

The blessings were given, the vision was clear,

To teach the gospel to all that would hear;

And it's this great message that'll set the world right,

So, Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

I hope you have a Merry Christmas... Very.  I love you so much and am thankful that you're my son.  Keep your positive attitude... never let anyone take that away from you.

Dad

Letter from Sariah

Hi Caleb and Jacob:

Did you have a good Thanksgiving? I hope you did because I had a really great one. Have you been teaching a lot of people? I don't know what else to say but I love you Caleb and Jacob.

Sariah

Sent from someplace really cool

Letter 11 27 2016 Perspective

Caleb and Jacob:

I hope you both had a great Thanksgiving.  We had fun with the Winkels.  On Friday Grandpa Gibbons, Adam, and me used his tractor to till both of our gardens and get ready for winter.  It was a fun day.  Saturday I finished the french drain project in the window wells.  Now all we have to do is wait for spring thunderstorms to see if the project is successful.  We now have 270 gallons of french drains to keep our basement from flooding.  It's been a lot of work and I'm glad to have it done.  I hope it works famously.

The next project is to get some shelving for the garage and storage areas so we can organize stuff.  There will always be projects with this house I'm thinking.

There's the update from my perspective.

Here's a quote for you to think about:

Some people are frustrated that roses have thorns,

as for me, I'm just glad that the thorns have roses.

And this from the second chapter of the Book of Mormon...

And thus Laman and Lemuel, being the eldest, did murmur against their father. And they did murmur because they knew not the dealings of that God who had created them.

I am always amazed that the same situation can create a prophet like Nephi while at the same time create the anger and frustration of Laman and Lemuel.  Laman and Lemuel's perspective on their trials created a nation of people who lived far from God and while the Nephites needed constant reminders, they were generally a righteous people; and this for generations.

Think of your everyday walk and the choices that you make.  Not only do good choices bless you now, they bless your posterity for generations to come.

Anyway, keep a positive perspective on your trials and challenges.  Nothing will be gained by being negative.  Being positive through trials is something that you can and should be proud of.

I love you,

Dad

Happy Thanksgiving

To our great sons:

Thanksgiving is my (Dad's) favorite holiday by far.  

Christmas is wonderful for what it stands for but it is diminished by its commercialization.  Mom and I both love Christmas... Mom more than me...

Thanksgiving though.  Family, food, friends, reflection, and time together.  There is also the aspect that Thanksgiving represents the Law of the Harvest.  There are times, and as you get older they will be more frequent, when you will feel the overwhelming goodness of God in your life.  So... Sow goodness now and for the rest of your days...  and then you will have many personal thanksgivings.

Mom and I have many things that we're thankful for.  This year we're most thankful for you and the example(s) you are to us and the family.  We marvel that you are such wonderful young men... we're honored to call ourselves your parents.  We're thankful that you've both chosen to serve missions and to be honorable in magnifying your calling(s) as missionaries.  We can scarcely think of you without becoming emotional.   We have daily thanksgivings because of you.  We thank you for your great lives.

Dad & Mom

Here is some fun reading for you-

By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war--for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted--for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

George Washington

Adam's letter

Hi Caleb, I'm sooooooooooooooo sorry I haven't written in a while

Re: 🍁Happy Thanksgiving!🍂

Sure I'll get right on that

~Elder Caleb Gibbons

On Nov 21, 2016, at 6:23 PM, Jacob Dennis Gibbons <jgibbons@myldsmail.net> wrote:

Also can you send my burton snowboard hat for pdays?

It's time to feed sheep.

On Nov 20, 2016, at 5:17 PM, Arla Gibbons <gibbons.arla@gmail.com> wrote:

Dear Caleb & Jacob,

    How was your week?  We had a taste of winter on Wednesday night and woke up Thursday to 4 inches of SNOW!  This gave us a license to sneak in a little bit of Christmas music over the speakers. 😏

    Things are going great here at home but there isn't much to write about again. Here's some news though. Our ward is so big that the Stake is going to have to be reorganized.  So, on December 18, we'll go to a special meeting that Sunday afternoon to see our new Ward boundaries.  It could be a sad day when we have to say goodbye to some beloved people.  Here's some other non-family news.  The Ashliman's came to Logan from Georgia this week for Thanksgiving and Connor came over to hang with Adam.  Susie came to pick him up last night and told us some good news.  Christian Ashliman is going to be sustained and ordained an elder this week!  He's doing awesome and is even looking forward to going to the temple next!  He now has his own "conversion" story.  I just thought that you two would be happy to hear that.  We'll be going to Grandma & Grandpa Winkel's clubhouse for Thanksgiving this Thursday.  There will be 37 of us there.  What will your plans be?  I hope you get some good turkey, mashed potatoes & pie from someone!  I hope the work continues to move forward in your areas.  We're thinking of you everyday!

Love you lots!

Mom

<image1.JPG>

Samantha doing a science experiment on heat transfer

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The first snowfall of the winter. (Sariah out first thing that morning!)❄️

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Baxter's favorite way to sit on the stairs.

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🎄With the Christmas tree comes out the train!🚂

Sent from my iPhone

Re: 🍁Happy Thanksgiving!🍂

Also can you send my burton snowboard hat for pdays?

It's time to feed sheep.

On Nov 20, 2016, at 5:17 PM, Arla Gibbons <gibbons.arla@gmail.com> wrote:

Dear Caleb & Jacob,

    How was your week?  We had a taste of winter on Wednesday night and woke up Thursday to 4 inches of SNOW!  This gave us a license to sneak in a little bit of Christmas music over the speakers. 😏

    Things are going great here at home but there isn't much to write about again. Here's some news though. Our ward is so big that the Stake is going to have to be reorganized.  So, on December 18, we'll go to a special meeting that Sunday afternoon to see our new Ward boundaries.  It could be a sad day when we have to say goodbye to some beloved people.  Here's some other non-family news.  The Ashliman's came to Logan from Georgia this week for Thanksgiving and Connor came over to hang with Adam.  Susie came to pick him up last night and told us some good news.  Christian Ashliman is going to be sustained and ordained an elder this week!  He's doing awesome and is even looking forward to going to the temple next!  He now has his own "conversion" story.  I just thought that you two would be happy to hear that.  We'll be going to Grandma & Grandpa Winkel's clubhouse for Thanksgiving this Thursday.  There will be 37 of us there.  What will your plans be?  I hope you get some good turkey, mashed potatoes & pie from someone!  I hope the work continues to move forward in your areas.  We're thinking of you everyday!

Love you lots!

Mom

<image1.JPG>

Samantha doing a science experiment on heat transfer

<image5.JPG>

The first snowfall of the winter. (Sariah out first thing that morning!)❄️

<image6.JPG>

<image3.JPG>

Baxter's favorite way to sit on the stairs.

<image4.JPG>

<image2.JPG>

🎄With the Christmas tree comes out the train!🚂

Sent from my iPhone

🍁Happy Thanksgiving!🍂

Dear Caleb & Jacob,

How was your week? We had a taste of winter on Wednesday night and woke up Thursday to 4 inches of SNOW! This gave us a license to sneak in a little bit of Christmas music over the speakers. 😏

Things are going great here at home but there isn't much to write about again. Here's some news though. Our ward is so big that the Stake is going to have to be reorganized. So, on December 18, we'll go to a special meeting that Sunday afternoon to see our new Ward boundaries. It could be a sad day when we have to say goodbye to some beloved people. Here's some other non-family news. The Ashliman's came to Logan from Georgia this week for Thanksgiving and Connor came over to hang with Adam. Susie came to pick him up last night and told us some good news. Christian Ashliman is going to be sustained and ordained an elder this week! He's doing awesome and is even looking forward to going to the temple next! He now has his own "conversion" story. I just thought that you two would be happy to hear that. We'll be going to Grandma & Grandpa Winkel's clubhouse for Thanksgiving this Thursday. There will be 37 of us there. What will your plans be? I hope you get some good turkey, mashed potatoes & pie from someone! I hope the work continues to move forward in your areas. We're thinking of you everyday!

Love you lots!

Mom

Letter 11 20 2016

Caleb and Jacob:

Another week gone... time does fly this time of year.  Yesterday we put up the tree and Mom has Christmas music going non-stop.  I'm learning to love this time of year because she loves it.

I was sitting in church meetings this morning and thought of both of you and the efforts you are putting into getting investigators to church.  I said a quick prayer in my heart for you and your investigators.  I hope your efforts are rewarded and someone came to church today but if not, keep the positive attitude and do it all over again next week.  This is the season to push hard for people to come to church.

Many of the most godlike attributes that you can choose to make a part of your life here on earth can be developed more fully in the mission field.  Take this list as a sample:

• Patience
• Perseverance
• Charity / Unconditional love
• Happiness in spite of conditions
• Humility
• Faith
• Hope
• Courage

The list goes on.  Pretty much every godlike attribute worth having is one that you'll have an opportunity to develop on your mission(s).  The test of your mission is how you respond to the challenges (or opportunities) you face.

In that spirit, and since we are close to the Christmas season, I encourage you to take time and do a personal assessment.  Do you accept the challenges/opportunities placed before you with enthusiasm and faith?  Do you have charity for those you meet?  You get the idea.  Evaluate who you are becoming and make sure that you are becoming a man of God.  Don't be hard on yourself, from my perspective, I think both of you are doing incredible things and making tremendous progress.

Your highest and best attainment come from the words of Moroni when he says, Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.

Be like him; see him as he is.  You are on a mission which, in case you've missed it, is a type of his life here on earth.  Nothing is stopping you and he will bless you in your pursuit.  So, be productive and use your time wisely as you strive to develop more fully attributes of Godliness.

I love you,

Dad

PS - I was thinking about Sam I Am this past week.  He tried everything to get the protagonist to like Green Eggs and Ham.  Finally, and exhausted, the protagonist tries them and discovers he likes them.  I liken church to the Green Eggs and Ham.  Don't be afraid to invite someone to Sacrament Meeting and let them go home afterwards.  It's better to just get them there.  Three hours is a daunting initial commitment.  Start with milk and get to the meat.

Elders everywhere!

Dear boys,

I can tell it's p-day because I met a lot of Elders at Walmart this morning. I'm sorry, but I can't help but talk to them because it's my way of "hoping" people are friendly to you two when you're out and about.

Dad is still very sick. I'm sure he told you all about it. I've never seen him so down and out. Everyone else is doing good though. Your cousin Jenny, on a mission in the Philippines, was hospitalized this last week with a virus that she apparently got from a mosquito bite so count your blessings!

We just attended my Aunt Kathryn Stevens funeral in Saturday. They did such a great job, but that was probably mostly due to the fact that she pretty much planned it all out herself. She even order the San Pete turkey from her home town in Manti and shredded and froze the potatoes for the "yummy cheesy potatoes" that she had people in the ward make. She is an amazing lady. It will be hard to see Lyman out in the field knowing that she's not in the house to go home to. He's such a strong soul though, full of faith!

Samantha was so excited to dress up in you Aggie gear, Caleb, and go to the football game with Dad on Saturday. Dad said she was in heaven!

We'll, there's not much more to tell for this last week. We're just trying to wrap up the yard work before it snows this week and we're preparing for Thanksgiving. Have a wonderful week and know that we love you both so very, very much!!

Love always!
Mom

Letter 11 13 2016

We're already half way done with the month of November.  It's been really nice so it's hard to believe.  I'm told that the prognosticators think our Indian Summer with end mid-week this week.  I guess we'll see about that.

Have you ever wondered about this statement:

Therefore I command you to repent—repent, lest I smite you by the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be sore—how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not.  For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—

Suffering that caused God to "tremble because of pain"...  There are some pretty grievous sins that need reckoning and atoned for, no question.

Today I was thinking about the atonement a little differently.  I wonder if one of the things that made God tremble was to go through all that pain with the knowledge that a large number of his sons and daughters would choose not to avail themselves of the Atonement.  Consider this statement:

And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments.

The atonement is so personal to him that he will forgive freely and without reservation if one repents.  However, if one does not, I think there is a very different conversation to be had with Him.

Things here are great.  We love you as much as we know how and pray for your success.  Be positive and upbeat.

I love you and am so proud of you,

Dad

Welcome November!

Dear boys,

This has been another fast week but with nothing too eventful to report. It's been a long transition for Dad and I. We aren't fully adjusted with the jet lag and sleep thing. It is exhausting to travel halfway around the world I guess. To make matters worse, Dad is still sick. Now he has an inner ear infection which affects his balance so when he's miserable, it's almost like he's not even here. He just sleeps a lot. We miss the normal "Dad." I can't wait for things to get back to normal.

It sounds like both of you are dealing with similar issues in your current areas on your mission right now ... getting people to church! We wish you the best of luck with this. It's awesome that you both get opportunities to serve with your musical abilities though. Awesome! :)

Just for your information, my Aunt Katherine Stevens passed away this morning before church. She had been sick for the last couple years and just got worse in the last few months. She was pretty much confined to her home and a chair for the last month. Her legs were becoming numb so she couldn't walk on her own...so sad. It's good that she will be free from pain but it will be hard to see Uncle Lyman alone. She was such a great lady.

I'm sorry for my lack of news but honestly, there really is nothing new this week. I'll be super busy tomorrow as we're feeding two YSA family home evening groups here tomorrow night. We hope you're having a great week and feel successful in your missionary and personal growth.

Love you always!
Mom

Letter 11 06 2016

Boys:

It's been a long week.  I have to tell you that jet lag and sickness are real.  I haven't been able to get a good night's sleep for the entire week.  I blame the fact that my body is totally screwed-up from being in a strange land but also that I've been sick.  Being sick blows.  This go around I've had an ear infection and that means that my equilibrium is messed up and the world spins as a result.  It's tuff sledding.

I'm really interested to see how your week went.  I'm wondering if people heeded the call to come to church and participate.  Tomorrow i'll be running a meeting all day long so I hope to steal a few minutes during the day to read your email.  If I'm lucky, I'll respond tomorrow night before you are in bed.

I think my letters are better after I've read your letters because I know what you're dealing with and then I can respond.

Remember that how you present your message is super important.  Always give your message in a spirit of love to those you teach.  There should never be any question but what you love those you are with.  Sometimes you'll meet those who are negative toward you and you'll need to move on.  Be confident that as you search for those who are honestly seeking the truth that you will find them.

Be upbeat and proactive as you share the gospel.  Let the following advice sink into your soul: For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward. Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward. But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned.

Remember who you are and what you represent.  Be thankful that you've been called to be a missionary during this season of your life.  It's a great honor.

I love you,

Dad