I can see clearly now the rain is gone....

OCTOBER 1 2017

Hi Buddy!

Hope you had an amazing week. I LOVED General Conference. I love sitting in the spirit. I didn't get to watch all of it because there was a band competition. But it was so cool as the kids had a break to each lunch while the semi was loaded Mr Hendricks opened his classroom and put conference on so anyone who wanted could watch. His classroom was full. It was cool to see.

It was another rainy competition. We got there and it wasn't raining but we could see the black clouds rolling in quickly. Then the lightning came and they delayed the competetion. WE didn't unlaod the semi thankfully yet so we hoped in the drumline trailer to keep dry. Then dad and I got in his truck and waited. Soon the rain stopped and things were a go again.

We got stuff set up. It's kinda frustrating cuz i'm not sure how, but somehow I seem to be in charge of the prop kids. OH BOY!!! Well, let's just say I shouldn't just see how they fly on their own. I had to direct them with everything! Oh well. Hopefully they will get it by state right????

But Davis came in second to AF.....surprise. Well, West Lake cancelled the night before since the forecast called for rain. So it was only between 2 bands. It was really funny to see when the drum majors came out how many were there for awards..... See the pic. Ha Ha. I guess that is what you get with rain.

So Kameron Snell came by Friday with his Girl Friend, now fiance as of Saturday. Hannah. She is way cute and NOT shy. Kameron was funny saying his mom already had their wedding planned and he hadn't proposed yet. He said it will probably be her only temple wedding for her kids so she is really excited. :) Their wedding will be in April in Mesa AZ temple. She is from Tuscan but they met at BYU idaho.

BTW, are your plans still to go to the U? or have you been thinking of going anywhere else?

ALSO..... The most craziest awesomest thing happend while Kam and Hannah were here. I got a text from Kennedy Goch (your cousin ;) This is what her text said,

"Hi Aunt Wendi! This is Kennedy. I have a question for you!

I have actually been going to the Mormon Church with a really close friend and I've been meeting with the missionaries. I've been going to activities for about 6 months now. I'm obsessed with Al Fox's book and story. I was wondering if I could come to church with you guys next Sunday and talk to you guys. I would really love to get some family input."

WHAT!!! HOLY COW!!! I was soooooo excited! We haven't ever really been able to talk about the Mormon church with her because Ron had said a long time ago that he did not like the mormons because all they want you to do is join their church and they are pushy.

But awesome huh. She is going to come with us and then stay and eat dinner with us. I'm so excited! I'll keep you posted on how things go next week.

I'm so sorry about Jacob but you are right. He has touched his heart and hopefully his mom will come around. At least he has Happy and Mikee who will be great examples for him until then he can still feel the spirit through them.

I always feel bad when sales people come over to the door and I don't want to even talk or listen to what they are selling. I think of my son having people yell at them or shut doors in your face. I think it's brave for people to open up their doors and listen to your message. When that happens, you have to know the spirit was definitely influencing them. I try to be as nice as I can but then let them know I am not interested. :( Maybe I will have to be better at listening.

HERE IS A LETTER LEXIE'S SEMINARY TEACHER SENT OUT (If you don't have time to read this now, you can read it later):

"Dear parents,

I will be teaching a lesson next week where I will be discussing with students the counsel we receive from parents and how we should strive to follow their counsel, similar to what Nephi did with his Father's counsel. I would love to give them some actual counsel from their parents both individually and collectively. If you could respond to the following questions and thoughts based on your individual student or to the youth in general, I would appreciate it. At the end of the lesson, I will give each student's individual emails from those of you who have the time to respond. Here are the questions I would like for you to consider/respond to: What choices is your student making that you are worried about, what do you want them to know (briefly) regarding your testimony, what specific counsel would be the most valuable for them right now, what changes could they make to bring them closer to Christ, etc.? I apologize for not giving you more time but because this lesson is next week, I will need all responses back no later than this Friday (9/28/17). Thank you in advance for you help with this lesson. I think it will bless the life of your student and the youth in general. Brother O'Bagy

Here is my response:

"Thank you for this opportunity! I hope I am not too late but your email said until tomorrow which is today but I didn't know what time. :) So here goes anyway.

I truly feel so blessed at this time in regards to the choices my daughter is making. I am not blind to the possibility of deception from anyone on this earth but with all of my professional assessment skills ;) , I believe I see amazing patterns of truth with her. You can really tell what is going on with your youth if they are connecting with you and you can see the light in their eyes. I actually am very blessed to have her come and sit in my bed with me and her dad every night and give us the low down of all that is going on. Some parents could find this annoying if they were trying to go to sleep or had so many things they needed to get done. But I see this as a blessing to connect with her all the time. It gives us the opportunity to point out how the spirit is helping her in certain situations and it allows her the opportunity to draw comparisons with the scriptures and lessons she has learned from church on her own. OH MY GOODNESS ITS SO AWESOME!!!!

My counsel and testimony at this time is to do what ever you need to do in your life RIGHT NOW to have the spirit. The spirit is truly the PROTECTOR! Everyone goes crazy over superheroes and the HOLY GHOST surpasses them all. The spirit has so many powers you may not even be aware of. The Holy Ghost can make you SMARTER than you are (promptings, brings things back to remembrance, inspirations, gives directions), can tell you things about a friend that they don't ever mention (discernment- do not discount thoughts that come to mind), POWER of protection to keep you safe (He must have strength like Captain America and Superman, THE FORCE like a Jedi that can influence yours and others actions "These are not the droids you are looking for" ha ha). You get the point!!!

This is a truth I have learned in my life, If I am close to the spirit I SHALL NOT FEAR!!!!! I speak earnestly with all the fervor I can muster knowing so many youth are so lost and live with so much anxiety and fear. DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO HAVE THE HOLY GHOST. Just DO IT!!! You will then be just as the superheroes, you will avoid disasters in your life and can help others by knowing what they need in their lives.

I LOVE THIS GOSPEL. I love the truths. I have put all of the promises to the test through all of my trials and I NEVER want to go through trials without the My Heavenly Father, My Savior and the Holy Ghost. They are my superheroes!!!

Love, Wendi Snell

Lexie Snell Junior"

SORRY MY LETTER IS SO LONG. The thought to share the letter to the Seminary teacher just came to me so I am sending it. I pray for you non stop and I put yours and your companions name on the temple roll every week. I HOPE YOU ARE DOING OK????

You always say is there anything I can do for you............Just be happy and know how much we love you. BUT, is there anything I can do for YOU??? Or for Elaina???

LOVE ALWAYS!!!

Mommy