Dear Family,
I remember in the last newsletter saying that things were great and mentioning that I jinxed myself. Well, things sure have changed at our house. Changes come all to often but I guess, as Elder Wirthlin mentioned in conference, we just have to laugh and accept every experience that comes our way.
It came as a real surprise to me that I was getting let go from my job due to the slow economy. I had worked for QuicKutz for 4 1/2 years and enjoyed the company and a wonderful boss who was always kind and generous to me. I was one of 55 others who were let go and because we outsourced our product to China I have the wonderful opportunity to have some schooling paid for. It is a 2 year degree in Business Management which will take me through some difficult classes like pre-calculus, micro and macroeconomics, several accounting classes and English courses. I guess it's not hard to many of the young group but with a 51 year old brain it seems to take a little bit longer to learn and retain new information. I have been greatly blessed from on high and I know that the Lord will continue to bless me as I give it my all. I have been released from YW and work with the 10 year olds in Primary. I have 5 girls and 6 boys who all like to talk but don't like sitting next to each other.
Kayla manages to keep busy with school and enjoys the social scene in the mature arena. She always seems to find so many things to do and now she is involved in the school play, Once Upon A Mattress. It will be performed within a month and rehearsals are everyday so I don't see her until 5:00. Along with school, the play and her new job at Pretzelmaker in the mall, Kayla keeps out of trouble.
Corey and Skyler are thoroughly enjoying the mission field. Skyler has been in the Netherlands in a city called Herleen. He is working in an area that is an American base and has the opportunity to speak English along with his Dutch. Half of the ward is in Germany so he has to get permission to go out of his mission to visit ward members. He is enjoying an international cuisine as he has had some rather interesting foods with people from Africa, Philippines, Indonesia, Bulgaria and some good old American food from some ward members. He says that he has grown up because he is even starting to like more veggies. He will become a senior companion next week during transfers and he is all sorts of excited to step into that role. He loves doing this great work and has had some wonderful opportunities.
Corey has been all over the Baltic states as he started in Estonia in March, went to Lithuania and then on to Latvia all within 6 months. He has interacted with people speaking 5 languages, been in 3 major cities, had 3 different currencies and lots of companions. He is now in a threesome and enjoys it quite a bit. It took some time getting used to another person but I guess it has worked out rather nicely. He enjoys interacting with people and has really come to love the Russian people, even when older women try to give him a little kiss and the younger ones trying to steal his watch. I had a great surprise a couple of weeks ago when Coreys former mission president came to our ward for a baby blessing. He came and introduced himself to me we were able to chat for a while. It was awesome to have the opportunity to hear all the good things he had to say about Elder Mann and his great attitude and wonderful singing voice. Don't you just love it when others brag about your kids as much as you do!
Jenn is finishing up a couple of courses so that she can apply for the Masters Program in Social Work next fall. She is hoping to get into BYU and further her education in the area that she has had so much experience in and is wonderful at. She is still with new Haven and is trying to decide if she will continue with this company in the near future as the demands on her time at the office and at home have been quite stressful. Working 40-50 hours a week and then having to carry a phone 24/7 along with all the times she is required to head back in for new admits and girls who run has been a little overwhelming. I guess the future holds many exciting new adventures for so many of us.
That's about it for us here in Utah. Utah Valley experienced a little snow last weekend and Ogden even got 12 inches of the white stuff. I don't think it's here to stay quite yet as we are going to warm back up into the 60's. Anybody for a nice vacation during the Thanksgiving Holiday???? The hotel will be open!
As we approach Thanksgiving and Christmas may we pause and reflect on the wonderous blessings that we all enjoy. I am so grateful to live in this time when we have the gospel in all its splendor and can truly see the hand of the Lord in these the latter days. May we all enjoy what we have been given and see the hand of the Lord in our lives on a daily basis.
Love you guys,
Nancy and Family
Nancy Mann Family