November 2025

 Happy November!

I will start this post with Sterling's news instead of at the end.

Sterling was thrilled to learn that with the new transfers he would be companions with Elder Blaser, who is his friend from Amarillo that got called to the same mission with the same start date. Sterling was so excited! We are grateful that he will have an awesome companion that makes him laugh, works hard, and is uplifting to him. He will also be in a new area Bertioga (Enseada) of the Guaruja Zone.

So he said goodbye to his old area and companion, Elder Soares,

and has started a new adventure with Elder Blaser. They are a great companionship. 

They work hard are doing their best to be truly committed to Christ as they give their best.

Here they are at Zone Conference. He is on the left in the back row.

Plus a few more fun photos with other missionaries

Another noteworthy experience for Sterling was having his ingrown toe nails removed. Not fun, but hopefully he will feel relief.

Here is what Eve has been up to (up until Thanksgiving).

In her forestry class she learned about controlled burns.

She also went to a timber mill for a field trip.

She enjoyed celebrating Allison's birthday.

Eve has been working very hard this semester. She has had lots of papers to write and tests to take.

Here is what the rest of us back in Texas have been up to.

On November 1st, Sheri had her UIL Area Marching Band competition. Her band made it to finals and did an awesome job in finals. It was cool to see it come together since many of the band members  (at least 1/3) were sick the week prior (including Sheri). The fact that their show looked so good is a testament to their hard work. I was proud of them!

Here they are rehearsing beforehand.

Their first performance

Announcing finals

Rehearsing for finals

Unfortunately they didn't qualify for state but we were very proud of their performance!

There were a few more football games in November to wrap up the season.

Mid month, Sheri and Marianne submitted their BYU applications together. 

I cut my hair for a little change.

I took Christian and Charlotte to "A Year With Frog and Toad" at WT. It was fun to hear all the music and see all the scenes played out.

We continue to enjoy BYU Football season. Matt and Christian went to Lubbock for the game vs Texas Tech. They met up with Regan and Emery Fackrell and had a good time.

Back at home, I did some major catching up on my blog. Here was a funny autumn surprise between writing sessions.

Christian and I ran a 5K with our stake for the "sports day". Remarkably I was able to jog the whole way without stopping, even with all the hills.

On the 3rd week of November Sheri felt sick again. Her symptoms lasted for 3 days and she was having abdominal pain. We realized that since her pain was getting worse and was in fact on her right side, we'd better get her checked out. We went to the BSA hospital ER and though they were busy, they were able to work her in after 40-60 minutes. They ran labs, checked her temperature (it was 102), gave her an IV and a CT scan. She did, in fact, have appendicitis.

 So after waiting to hear from the surgeon, we were admitted and went to bed around 3:30 AM. They woke us around 6:15 AM and she was ready for surgery by 7:00 AM.

(Thank goodness Christian was able to get himself to bed and get ready for school on his own.) My neighbor took him for me since Matt was in Georgia.

Surgery went well and we were able to check out around 3:30PM.

Sheri did well at home until the medicine wore off and she had some coughing. Around 11:30 PM her pain was worse than before and since it was after office hours and we were unable to manage the pain with over the counter medicines, I decided to take her back to the ER. In retrospect I maybe could have tried the nurse's station or the surgeon's after hours line (if there is one) and found a 24 hour pharmacy but I didn't think any of those thoughts when I was half awake. Live and learn.

The ER team did many of the same tests as the first night, as well as an X-ray. Fortunately everything looked good and they sent us home with a better prescription. Sheri was able to sleep with the pain relief.

We spent the next few days recovering. By Saturday Sheri was able to get around better and we were able to volunteer at the Nutcracker Ball, helping at the Nutcracker sales booth.  She was careful not to overdo it. It was nice that she could also enjoy some time with her dance friends.

The next day, after church, Christian and I drove to Colorado for his OIT allergy appointment on Monday. Christian did well with his new dose (1/16th of a teaspoon).

We had a lovely Murray family dinner and games that night, and then drove to Utah on Tuesday.

In Utah, we stayed at the Fackrell's cabin. We reconnected with Eve, her cousins, Jeff's family, and Katie's family.

Matt and Sheri flew in on Wednesday. We had a great time playing games, cooking, and enjoying Thanksgiving together.

The day after Thanksgiving we went to a nickel arcade, and did a bit of shopping.  

In the evening we were able to attend the Payson temple for baptisms with the kids.

On Saturday I drove back home (through Denver) with the Sheri and Christian while Matt stayed to watch the BYU game with Alan and wrap up at the cabin.

Eve and the BYU cousins also enjoyed the last home game of the season.

As I arrived at my Mom and Dad's house the Murrays were gathering for an impromptu dinner together since Ivan was coming into town. The timing couldn't have been more perfect! We loved being together!

That evening we stayed with Jen and Scott and then drove home on Sunday, November 30th.

This month we feel especially blessed for time with our families, our health, good medical care, safe travels, wonderful food, the ability to communicate with each other when we are separated, the gospel of Jesus Christ, His restored church, latter-day revelations, and His redeeming sacrifice. We acknowledge that the gospel makes our happy moments sweeter, and our challenges more bearable. We are grateful!