Our New Journey

Well here we are and it's 9/11. First i'd like to say;To all those who were lost, you are never forgotten. To those who lost, be brave, for you'll see them again. To those who survived, may peace be with you forever. To those who serve, God speed. To my Uncle, a Fireman, thanks for pushing yourself to become the man you are and the hero that you are. To my buddy and Father, Thank you. Thank you for fighting all of these last (almost) 20 years. Thank you for being our leader and showing us the way. And most of all, Thank you for always putting others lives above your own. And thank you for always being there and for loving me. May God bless each and every one of us, through his power and the power that he gives to our Hero's. <3

(Picture taken at the Jordan River Temple, By Kylee Leman!)

 

 

 

Now onto our little BIG journey! It's been quite the adventure. We left Ledegem, Belgium almost 2 weeks ago and have been living in Midvale, Utah. There have definitely been ups and downs, but the Lord has helped us throught he downs. (Not that there has been numerous downs, but without downs, there are no ups.)

 

First of all, it was not easy to say goodbye to anyone. The Leman's the Wilstead's and all our very Best Friend's. We love you all so much and are so happy that we have your support!

 

Well our trip took us from Brussels, Belgium to Reykjavik, Iceland.

 

This is us, waiting in the aiport, for our flight to Iceland!

 

And us getting on the plane; We couldn't believe the day had actually come.

 

Both of us!

We were just in the right spot to see our bag's being put in the plane! (So we knew if they were being careful of not!)

 

This was Alijandro, saying his very last goodbye's to his homeland and country, Belgium.

 

And although we were going very very far away, it was because we had each other, no matter what came our way, we knew we could handle anything!

 

This was our first glimpse of Iceland.

 

And this is the statue and landscape outside of the Airport. (We took a picture outside with this statue, however it was superrr windy and freezing that the picture didn't turn out and we wanted to go back inside!)

This was such a cool Viking moment, that I just had to take a picture of Alijandro with the super awesome wooden boat!

 

We had just arrived and gone through everything we ever needed to, and were off again!

This was the screen on our plane to let us know how long we'd been flying or how close we were to Denver!

 

YUP, IT SAYS IT ALL! (This was in Denver!)

 

On our way to Salt Lake City!

 

Freckles, was such a good little kitty! She didn't Pee, Poop, or Whine the entire Journey! She is a trooper!

The very next morning (Friday) we went to my Cousin, Laurin's (And Brock), wedding! They were sealed in the SLC Temple and it was just such a great experience! This picture was taken Saturday night at their reception. It was so gorgeously done up and they were just such a handsome couple!

 

The man sitting in the chair is my Great-Grandfather's Brother, Oren, and the woman sitting next to him is his Sister, Ida. Saturday afternoon, we were invited to Uncle Oren's 90th Birthday Party! It was so special because I had never met either of them before. :) Oren told me a little bit about himself and that he was in the United States Coast Guard Reserves during WWI. Although I hadn't known him for very long, our conversations were as if we had known each other forever. We even cried together.

Aunt Ida is just super cute and still so energetic! She remembered my mom and then remembered me, from stories, I believe. She invited us to come see her, so probaby one day we will!

 

The party was held at one of Oren's daughter's houses. (Nancy)

It was so beautiful, and unbelievable big! We loved their backyard so we took a couple of pictures!

 

This is my super amazing Grandpa (Jim) and Grandma (Connie)! Aren't they just so young and fit!

Here we are on the bridge over that creek/waterflow!

 

This was something that Nancy's husband made, to hook up behind the 4-wheeler, so that he could take the youngest grandkids for rides/tours! I loved it and grabbed on of them to get in the picture with me. Then he didn't want to get out, but go for a ride! Whoops!

 

When we got home from Oren's Birthday, we found a beautiful gift all wrapped up for us on the Front Porch! It was everything we needed! We didn't know who had been so kind, until we opened the package to find that it was Lithia Heumann! Bless her, for she is just too generous! (Thank you Sooo much Lithia, and Family!)

 

Sunday, we went to the Baby Blessing of my youngest Cousin. My Uncle, Jesse, invited those he wanted, to help in the circle. Alijandro was asked to be one of those people and the experience was just wonderful! (I don't have those pictures, sorry!)

 

 

Well, here we are in Utah! Alijandro's first time to Walmart, and my first time since being back!

 

Watch out now... Alijandro has some crazy ideas! lol

 

Costco is a lot like Colruyt, and it was also his first time!

 

 

Alijandro and his baking skills! He made banana cake and cranberry muffins! Wow, they were delicious! 

 

 

 And this is probably the fluffiest cutie you will ever meet! Her name is Callie! She is such a sweetheart, and definitely an airhead! But we love her! :)

 

 

Thursday of last week, We went for the first time with our Grandma (Connie) to the Jordan River Temple to do Initiatories. It was so special and spiritual and we can't wait to go back! Whether it be this Temple or another, It's the House of the Lord!

 

Well for now, that's about all that I have! And to be honest, that's only about 1 weeks worth! Buttttt it's up and you can all see our Journey in picture and read what went on! Of course there is always more to the story, but here is the jist of it all!

We love you all and hope you enjoy this part! :)

 

Love A & K <3

 



Man oh Man!

Yesterday an investigator family came to church for the first time! (A mother, daughter, daughter, son and another daughter) They began investigating about a year ago, during the summer as well. They really liked the Elders that were teaching them because they spoke Spanish and French, and for this family who is from the Ivory Coast, that was the only two options. Thus they also asked if Alijandro would like to come and joint teach with them. After a few months and after the two Elders had left the area, this family wasn't really interested anymore. About 4-5 months later, I started seeing one of the daughters on the bus every Thursday morning. Her dutch was coming along, just like mine, so we could communicate. We exchanged numbers, and would text every once in a great while. About 2 months ago, we started to text more often and felt like better friends. A couple of weeks ago, she called me and asked me if we could come pray with them. My spirit couldn't jump any quicker, but my weak flesh held me back with questions of what did she mean and what time and I just didn't understand everything. So i gave the phone to Alijandro so that they could communicate in French. We left 30 min later. When we arrived, we were told that the youngest daughter/sister was having horrible nightmares, so we all prayed together for her. They set up an appt for a couple days later with the missionaries, and they gave her a blessing. That next sunday the oldest sister, my friend, and the youngest sister came to church with us. It was wonderful to have them, and I just couldn't be more happy to have them there. This week, I received a phone call from the mother, letting me know that the whole family would be there. I was JUMPING FOR JOY! I couldn't believe it and got right to trying to figure out how we would get them there with all the cars and what not. It was great and they all enjoyed it. Maybe a little long, but that's how it is in the beginning (or all the time :P) jk. But for investigators and children, the 3rd hour is just a lot especially when it's lunch time and they need to sit still for Sacrament meeting. Anyways, we had the two oldest girls came over to play games. They came at 5pm and we walked them home at 11pm. Man was it crazy, but super fun! We were so happy to be with them, and to try and let them fill the spirit!
So during the games I received a phone call, and to hear the voice on the other line was wonderful! Elder Hans Boom (area seventy of europe)! What a wonderful man (he was our stake president)! He started to speak to me in Dutch which was great to be able to show him my rad skills, and then on to English! He told me that he has Alijandro's cell number and Mine. He said "I need to get in touch with Alijandro. However, I decided to call your cell phone first." To which my response was laughter and "You are just too smart. Alijandro never answers his phone, so good thing you called me!" haha. Oh man! To funny.
After He and Alijandro were finished talking, Alijandro let me know that he was now called to be a Counselor for a group of Young Men during EFY instead of being my BC partner and photographer partner.  I'm happy for him to be able to influence the lives of these young men more then he would have been as a BC but now he can't help me as much as he would have, escpecially with pictures, AND we can't sleep together. Crazy, and it sounds like i'm kind of griping, Buttttt in the end, I want to serve the Lord and if that's how it is, then well, WONDERFUL! :)
This week Alijandro is off and we are going to enjoy our week together! Today, well we cleaned this morning and then just chilled, ate Ninja-ladas (enchiladas lol) and watched our favorite series at the moment, Greek. Tomorrow we are going to the market with his mom, hopefully having Lunch with her and going to the Containerpark. After that, we are going to see Madagascar 3 with some friends of ours from my school, Mojgan, Nadar and their son Parsa. They are from Iran and such wonderful people!! Wednesday we are going to get together again, and have a Kebap BBQ, which i guess is a tradition in Iran and i can't wait! Wednesday night is New Beginnings, and then Saturday we are going to France with the Branch to walk, look around and, go into some rad buildings and then go on a Boot tour! It's going to be a great week! Well that's that! Love and Happiness, Strength and Health, Safety and Christ's Guidance. Love, A & K

A needed Update!

Well It's been forever since i've posted anything. Yes, you all know me very well. I'm not the best on keeping everyone up to date! Well let's get started! I'm pretty sure you all know that tomorrow is the 4TH OF JULY! Super exciting, other then the fact that that doesn't really exist here in Belgium. WELL of course the day does, but it's definitely not celebrated. No US independence day with Fireworks and well the works.  So i'm not sure what we are going to be doing, but i sure hope it's FUN!
Saturday was Alijandro's sister, Annelore's, wedding. I did the little girls' hair and Krystle helped by doing their make-up and nails! OH but not only did she do that, but she bought and refit all the dresses for them as well. NOT an easy job, but they looked wonderful! Adriana and I danced and sang for her mom! Adriana wanted to do it, but not alone, thus together. Everyone loved it! I'm super proud of her!
Alijandro is still trudging along at work! He is such a hard worker! I'm so proud of him! Most of the time i feel like the inadequate house wife who doesn't nearly do as much as he does. I guess it's a good thing that he loves me. Oh yes, Now that I say house wife, I'm done with my Dutch course. I didn't end with the grade I wanted, but part of it i can't change so i'll just live with it. I'm done, I passed and everyone compliments me all the time so i'll take that and run with it! :)
EFY is coming up in the beginning of August! Alijandro and I are called as BC's and we are also the photographers! We are super excited and couldn't be more ready to serve our Youth and Savior!
Freckles was spade a week ago friday, and is doing very well. The first day she was a bit drunk lol, but that wore off. She is super sweet and loving now! It's crazy! However, Sunday morning, all the doors in the building were left open, and she decided to go on an adventure. She was gone before 9am and Alijandro found her at 6pm behind our car port, on top of the wood pile in the lot of the neighbors gardening business. She was just laying down waiting for him to come pick her up. I was worried about her stitches, but all seems to be well.
This Saturday we are joining the Young/Adults for kayaking in the Ardens in Wallonie Belgium! I'm super excited! I'm just now, Praying for sunshine and NO rain! Also, a lot of patience! Alijandro and I will definitely come back with more knowledge about each other! :P
Oh yeah, and we watched Spain kick Italies butt! Ouch. We were rooting for Italy but well yeah, May the best team win. We enjoyed watching with Adriano and Krystle, with all out snacks and Sparkling Cider! :)
Well at the moment i'm stumped. I know there is probably a bunch more to say but that will just have to wait! It's time to hang the laundry up and put the clean dishes away! Oh the life of a wife! I have to say, it's the best job i've ever had! (Not the easiest if you read the sentence properly! But i love it!)
Anyways, May the lord be blessing you all each and every day with health, strength, and love!
All our love,

Alijandro and Kylee <3