The Pine Wood Derby for Luke

Luke was pretty excited for his second year at the Pine Wood Derby.  This year he and Dad worked on the design and carving a couple months in advance.  Then he and I worked on the painting – designed to look like a Poke ball. 

Showing off all his belt loops.

We had quite the snowstorm that day so Megan’s soccer game up in Fort Collins was cancelled, as were Luke and Matt’s.  It meant we could all go to the Pine Wood Derby together – and it was really fun.  Luke was pretty sure his car was going to win, so we had a conversation about expecting that it likely wouldn’t do well and how to handle that.  It won some and lost a few more – but it was fun.  Luke won the ‘Judges Favorite’ Award at the end.

Baptism 101–From Elder Johnson to Matthew

Ryan emailed Matt and sent home a link to google docs entitled ‘Matthew – Baptism 101’  Every week for a month he updated it with more and more activities and lessons to do before he was baptized.  He’s such a great big brother.  Matthew was pretty excited about all of it.  We printed it up and taped it to the wall in the kitchen.  We didn’t get them all completed on the right day – but we did most of them.  So grateful for my good kids.

Matthew Baptism 101

Monday, May 1st - w/ Emily

1. Read Colossians 3:20 in the Bible with Emily.
2. Talk to Emily about how you both can obey mom and dad more.
3. Anytime that mom or dad asks you to do anything, listen quietly and do it quickly.

Tuesday, May 2 - w/ the Fam

1. Gather the family together and sing ‘Families can be together forever.’ Then, tell everyone you love them and give them hugs.

Wednesday, May 3 - w/ Katie

1. Read 2 Nephi 32:5 with Katie.
2. Have Katie explain to you what the Holy Ghost is.
3. Go outside to the trampoline.
4. Before you get on the tramp, jump as high as you can.
5. Now get on the tramp and jump as high as you can.
6. Talk about how the gift of the Holy Ghost helps you jump higher spiritually.

Thursday, May 4 - w/ Dad

• Read Helaman 4:24 and 1. Cor. 3:16-17 with Dad.
• Talk about the following questions:
• How can you be like a temple to have the Spirit of the Lord with you always?

• What are some blessings you receive by having the Spirit of the Lord with you always?

Friday, May 5 - w/ Megan

• We show our love for Christ and invite the Holy Ghost by keeping the commandments.
• One important commandment is the Word of Wisdom.
• Talk to Megan about the Word of Wisdom. Discuss:

1. What is it?

2. What should we not drink or use?

3. What should we eat?

4. Why do we have these ‘rules’?

• Read D&C 89:18-20 to find some of the incredible blessings we receive from living the word of wisdom. I testify that the Word of Wisdom is a commandment given from God and that we will be very blessed as we live it. I know that God gave this commandment for us to be happier physically and spiritually. I love it.

Saturday, May 6 - w/ Mom and Dad

I have a strong testimony of the living prophet, Thomas S. Monson, and I felt a strong confirmation of that testimony listening to this talk.

• Watch President Thomas S. Monson’s address from General Conference - The Power of the Book of Mormon. 

I also have a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon, and that testimony has only came through sincere prayer and study and faith.

• Talk about the Book of Mormon and the blessings that come from reading it. Ask Mom and Dad to share their testimonies of the Book of Mormon. Challenge each other to read the Book of Mormon every single day.

Sunday, May 7 - by yourself

• During Power Hour, go into a room by yourself, start with a personal prayer and read an entire chapter of the Book of Mormon out loud. (maybe read 3 Nephi 27) Then, pray out loud to Heavenly Father to ask if it is true. Matthew, I promise that if you do this, you will receive an answer that it is true. You will have a good feeling. This is how God tells us that He loves us and that He is proud of us. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. Whenever I read it, I feel a great feeling of peace, love, and amazement. I marvel at God’s love for us, His spirit children. He lives and loves us. He wants us to be happy. He sent us the Book of Mormon to help us be happier. I know that Jesus Christ loves us too. He is our Savior and Redeemer. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Monday, May 8

• HAPPY BIRTHDAY! You are the best brother ever. Have an awesome day and do some fun stuff to celebrate!

Tuesday, May 9 - w/ the fam

• Read 3 Nephi 18:18 - 21 for family scripture study and talk about how to pray. Whenever you pray, try to remember that you are addressing your Father in Heaven who loves you and is listening to you.

Wednesday, May 10 - w/ siblings

• Have a super awesome secret sibling meeting. Gather with your siblings and talk about Faith. Talk about anything that you can do to be nicer to each other and happier every day. Open and close with a prayer. (Have Katie take charge for the meeting.)

Thursday, May 11 - w/ Mom

• Take some special time with Mom. Talk to her. Tell her how you are and ask her how she is doing. Ask her about the principle of repentance. Ask and discuss:

1. What is it?

2. How we do it?

3. Why is the Atonement of Jesus Christ is so important in this process?

Friday, May 12 - w/ the Fam

• Have a restoration lesson with a special emphasis on the restoration of the priesthood as God’s power and authority to baptize. (taught by Dad probably) Have dad show his priesthood line of authority.

Saturday, May 13 - w/ Luke

• You know what that is right? The triforce! Ganondorf, Link, and Zelda each have a piece. Power, Courage, and Wisdom. But, I will tell you a secret. The triforce actually represents the Godhead and the sacred covenants that we do on the Earth.
• Power - God (see 1 Nephi 17:48)
• Courage - Christ (see Matthew 26:39)
• Wisdom - The Holy Ghost (see John 14:26)
• Read D&C 20:37 and Mosiah 5:8
• When we are baptized we take upon us the name of Christ, similar to taking the Triforce of Courage.
• When we are confirmed we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, similar to receiving the Triforce of Wisdom
• You will receive a lot of blessings and sacred covenants when you are baptized and confirmed. Remember to be an example for the rest of your life because you have taken the name of Christ upon you. (similar to how I have His name always on my nametag, you have his name always in your heart.) and you have received the gift of the Holy Ghost.
• Now, ask Mom for permission, and then play Super Smash Bros. (as Link or Zelda maybe) and think about what it means to fight for the truth and be an example.

Sunday, May 14 - w/ the Fam

• Catch up on the ones you have not done, especially the Power Hour one. That is important.
• Talk to me on skype! I am so excited to see you and hear you. I love you, Matthew.

Monday, May 15 - w/ Katie

• Read John 13:34-35 and Proverbs 17:17
• Make a goal to be nicer to Luke
• ONLY 5 MORE DAYS UNTIL YOU ARE BAPTIZED!!!

Tuesday, May 16 

• Only 4 More days.
• Color a picture. On the back, write a note to one of your siblings and secretly put it under their pillow.

Wednesday, May 17

• Only 3 more days
• Once you get home from school, ask Mom what she needs help with. Do that, and then quickly do all your chores (homework, clean room, etc.) with a smile on your face.

Thursday, May 18

• Only 2 more days.
• Have a great day. Listen to mom and dad and do everything they say without complaining or being sad. Have a good attitude and tell everyone you love them throughout the day.

Friday, May 19

• Only 1 day left
• Talk about the Great Plan of Salvation. Talk about why it brings you joy and what baptism’s role is in God’s plan.

Saturday, May 20

• Today is the big day. Don’t forget to start the day with a prayer. Tell Derek how excited you are. This is such a special day for you. Listen to mom and dad, and be happy. You will remember this day forever. I love you Matt.  Today, you will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  That is so exciting!  Remember to always keep the commandments and listen to the still small voice.

Sunday, May 21

• Today, you will take the sacrament. When you take the sacrament, you renew your baptismal covenants. Say a prayer and thank Heavenly Father for your many blessings.  Now you are a baptized and confirmed member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Don’t forget that when you were baptized, you promised that you would follow Christ. Don’t forget to pray and read the Book of Mormon every day. It is super important. I love you so much and I am so happy for you.

Family History

Emily has caught the Family History bug.  She has been working on a Personal Progress 10 hour project looking for names to take to the temple, and in the process, decided that it’s pretty fun.  Today, during POWER HOUR, she and I tried a new app, called Take a Name.  It kept searching through files and finding ordinances that needed to be done. Even while I took a picture of her it found a name --   It was pretty exciting!

A Pacemaker for Dad

A Letter from Chris to Ryan explaining all about his symptoms and diagnosis…

April 14th -- Do you remember when I passed out last summer in Telluride? The past couple of months I have been having similar symptoms quite frequently, although they have never progressed to completely passing out.  So I finally went and saw a Cardiologist about a couple of weeks ago.  My exam was normal but he ordered a bunch of tests that I have been getting done.  Earlier this week, I was wearing a "Holter Monitor", which continuously records my heart.  They monitor it online through a little cell phone I have connected to it and they gave me a call on Wednesday morning asking me if I was having any symptoms.  My cardiologist then called me a bit later after he reviewed the recording and let me know I have a Mobitz type 2 AV block.  This means the electrical conduit from the 2 atria in my heart down to my 2 ventricles occasionally get blocked and my ventricles don't beat like they are supposed to.  I was thinking there was a good chance this would be the result of the studies because this is exactly the diagnosis that Ashlyn received about 10 years ago requiring her to have a pacemaker.

So as you can guess, I get a pacemaker too.  I am going into the hospital this afternoon to have this done.  Pacemakers have been used for a long time and they are very good.  I am actually going to have a newer device placed.  Normal pacemakers get placed underneath the skin in the left upper chest (and are visible since they are quite large) and they are connected to the heart through 2 or 3 leads that go through the veins into different parts of the heart.  My device is called a "Mitra" and it is a leadless device.  It will be placed directly into my heart muscle at the apex (bottom) of my right ventricle.  They put it there by making a hole in the big vein in my right groin and using long wires and catheters to take it up into my heart and secure it in place.  I will have it done at 4:00 today and it should take about an hour or so.  I will spend the night in the hospital for monitoring and then should be released Saturday morning at about 10:00am.  I need to take it easy for a couple of days, but then should be able to resume my normal activities pretty quickly.

I have done similar procedures as this on dozens of patients through the right groin for different reasons (never to insert a pacemaker in the heart though) so I am very familiar with the procedure.  I am happy to have this new device available (it has only been available for a short time) because it should allow me to maintain my normal active lifestyle.

By the time you get this, the procedure will be done and you will have another update from me on how it all went, but I wanted to send you the details before I went in today.

Thoughts and journaling from me…

We have spent the last several days connecting with friends and family to let them know what's going on. All of them are praying for dad, and have been so thoughtful to help out with the kids this weekend.
Last night Chris asked Jon Jackson and Scott Richins if they would come over and give him a blessing. It was a neat experience and you could definitely tell that the spirit had entered when they started the blessing. After they left, we had a family prayer and dad offered it, getting quite emotional as he talked about how blessed we are to have such good friends who hold the priesthood and again getting emotional when he talked about Ryan and our family, how close we are, and what great relationships we have. We are truly blessed.

We went in to the hospital mid day on Friday.  I was with him as the doctors and nurses came in to explain what would be happening, take his blood pressure, and give him his IVs etc. Below is a picture of what the pacemaker looks like that will be going in his heart.

One of the nurses who is older told him that he was pretty handsome, which I thought was funny. And I agree.  Then they took him back to surgery and I went to a room to wait.  It took longer that they thought, which made me worried.  After awhile they told me that everything went well and he was in the recovery room but I couldn’t see him yet – so I waited some more.  Finally they just let me come in and wait with him.  That pic of Chris is pretty accurate.  He just couldn’t keep his eyes off the monitor watching everything his heart was doing.  FINALLY they moved him to a room upstairs to sleep (or try to) overnight.

Dads email to Ryan and thoughts after his surgery…

April 16th -- My surgery went well.  It was under general anesthesia and not conscious sedation like I originally thought.  That means I was completely out with a tube down my throat breathing for me during the surgery.  It took a bit longer than they thought, which made Mom a bit nervous.  It turns out they had a hard time getting the device in a position that they were happy with.  It took them 4 tries.  As a result of this, I have had quite significant chest pain ever since I woke up.  It has slowly improved over the past 2 days when I am laying still, but it flares up when I move.  It is almost certainly caused by pericarditis (inflammation of the lining of the heart) and I started some new drugs to treat it today.  The device emits some steroids to help the heart heal where they put it, but there are no steroids being emitted at the 3 other sites they tried to put it first and where they certainly caused some damage to my heart.  So I am sure that is the cause of the extra pain.

I also had a really rough first night.  They set the pacemaker device to fire every time my heart rate dropped below 60 beats per minute.  The problem is my normal resting heart rate is slightly below that so that first night it was pacing almost continuously as my heart tried to slow down below 60 bpm and the pacer wouldn't let it.  It was very frustrating.  They came in on Saturday morning and reprogrammed the device to a low of 40 beats per minute, so I have felt much better since then and it has hardly been pacing at all.  I slept for a few hours when I got home from the hospital on Saturday and then slept for about 12 hours last night catching up on my lost sleep.  I have dozed a couple times today as well.  It is nice to know the device works and that the settings can be adjusted to make me comfortable but safe.

They put the device through a very large hole in my right groin through the right common femoral vein.  It is a big hole but seems to be healing ok.  Everything else is going well in my recovery.  Just wanted to give you the complete update.  I will be off work the next couple of days to continue my recovery.

April 23rd -- I have been slowly recovering from my surgery.  I have had a couple of complications.  First the bad case of myocarditis/pericarditis that has now almost completely resolved.  Then my leg started hurting me more so I did an ultrasound on Thursday and I have a blood clot that has developed in the big vein they used to place the device.  So now I am on blood thinners for at least 3 months to make sure that clot goes away and doesn't cause other problems.  Frustrating, but it will be ok.  I am moving around better and tolerating work and my normal activities better.  I went back to work on Wednesday and was in a lot of pain by the end of the day.  Thursday and Friday were a little better.  This weekend I was at National Guard and felt better still so I am still recovering slowly but surely.

Well Wishes from friends and family through texts and Instagram:

• Jared Chugg: Dang.  Good to know the episodes are due to something that has a great treatment.  Will be praying for you.  Let us know when you’re through it.
• Brian Breinholt: Praying for you.  All will go well and you’ll be on the links again soon.
• Doug White!  Ahhh!!!!!  bless you.  Good luck.
• Adam and Marilee Christofferson:  Hope all is well!  We are a bit stunned by it all, as I’m sure you guys are too but so grateful Christ went in to get checked!!  We love you and will remember Chris is our prayers.
• Jenny Brinton: Oh boy! I’m sorry to her this. I hope the pain goes away quickly and his heart can function a lot better now.
• Aunt Susan Redford: Our thoughts and prayer are with you for a speedy recovery!
• Chip Cook: Chris – so sorry to hear, but glad the docs figured it out and you’re headed in the right direction!  So glad you caught it.  Get well soon!
• Sarah Walton: Praying he feels better soon, and that he can live a healthy active life!!  Love you guys.
• Katie Budge: Oh man – so sorry to hear this.  Prayers for a speedy recovery!!
• Ashley Burr: Oh my.  I’m so sorry to hear this.  Glad he’s home though and glad you’re being buoyed.  And super glad you both are smart enough to take symptoms like this seriously.
• Leah Russel: So grateful for modern medicine and good doctors.  Hope you are feeling better soon, Chris!  We love and miss you guys!
• Elisa Sangren: Oh wow Lisa!! My heart hurts for him.  I’m so glad you guys found this and are working on getting him to a good place.  Prayers that he starts feeling better and this pacemaker works wonders.  Hope he can take it easy and heal quick!
• Michelle Egbert: Thanks for the update!!
• Ashley Burrup:  Wow!  Prayer for you guys and a speedy recovery.  That is always scary. 
• Jamie Chiara: Yikes that's scary!  Hope he has a quick recovery and glad he’s home getting well!
• Terri Brienholt: Glad he’s home!!! Prayers for us guys!!
• Jared Chugg: So good to hear you’re home.  Have wanted to call or text but don’t want to interrupt much needed rest.
• Hilary Shirley: Oh Lisa, how worrisome.  Prayers for you two and glad they got him taken care of quickly.
• Shelley Johnson: You’re still so cute, even lying in a hospital bed!
• Brittany Peterson: Love and hugs from us in Charlottesville.  Rest and heal Chris!!
• Lori Kolberg: So scary.  So glad you are on the mend.
• Adri Murdock: Oh my goodness!  That is scary! So glad they caught it and he is on the mend!
• Monae Starbuck: I’m so sorry! So glad they figured it out and he was able to get the surgery quickly  Pryaers for you both!  Love you guys.
• Dianne Taylor: That is scary stuff!  Heal fast!
• Ingrid Baron: Wow, praying for a speedy recovery.
• Jill Jacobs: Glad to hear he’s doing ok… our prayers for you Chris!!
• Lanni Beardall: Oh my goodness, so glad they caught it in time, hop for a quick and successful recovery
• Jess Gillespie: Oh my Lisa! Sending prayers and virtual hugs to you and your family!  Hope he feels better soon.
• Saralynn Campbell: Wowza.  So glad you were smart and inspired to get help!  So glad to hear he’s recovering and doing well.  We love you all!
• Valeni Witbeck: So glad he is getting help!  Thanks for sharing.
• Sharee Johnson: Give Chris my love.  He is a special nephew, and I’m grateful for modern technology.
• Brenda Lyman: Thinking of you.  Hope he feels better soon.
• Emily Dastrup: Wow, Lisa.  I’m so glad he’s on this side of the surgery.  He will be in our prayers.
• Heidi Nelson: Oh my.  How scary!!  Hugs and prayers!!
• Wendy Johnson: Prayers and hugs.  Heal quick and well.  Thinking about all of you.
• Jennifer wyeth: So glad he was on top of it!

Easter Sunday

We had a great Easter Sunday.   Dad stayed home resting after his pacemaker procedure and the rest of us headed to church.  I was emotional hearing the first line of the first hymn about the Savior and the Spirit stayed close all day.  The talks were excellent.  It was neat to teach the Beehive class about the Easter week.  We went through each day and talked about what happened leading up to and including the Atonement of Christ, the crucifixion and resurrection.  It was reverent and sacred and I was especially glad to have Megan in there with me.

At home, we changed and after traditional Sunday nachos, the kids looked around the house for their baskets and brought them back to the family room, where Chris was resting on the couch.  Matt was VERY excited about his Dobby POP figurine to add to the Harry Potter Collection.  He was also pretty excited about his COLLECTION of STINK books.  He got started reading right away!

Luke had a hard time finding his basket (under the bathroom sink on the main floor) but did NOT want help finding it so we just gave one hint of the general area.  He was pretty excited about both his Snape POP figurine and his WEIRD BUT TRUE Fact Book – which he began to read out loud immediately.  The perfect book for a 3rd grader.

Megan’s book was a  ‘Design by Me’ cute  coloring book that she had been wanting.  She also got a Mulan POP figurine – one of her favorite Disney characters.

Emily’s book was ‘Meet you in the Cosmos’ author of ‘Counting by 7’s’ which she had read the week before.  Boy, she’s a fast reader. And Pocahontas… so cute!

LOVE and GELATO for Katie’s book – which she really likes.  And Moana – the Disney movie.

After enjoying their baskets they searched high and low for Easter eggs.  Dad faded in and out on the couch as he recuperated from his procedure.  He still has a lot of chest pain so he hates to move. He came to the table for Easter dinner and then went straight back to the couch…

The Easter package we sent to Ryan…

After dinner we gathered together to have a Family Home Evening about Easter.  We watched the new Easter video put out by the church.  The PRINCE of PEACE and then talked about the 8 principles of PEACE, each of which had a video to go with it.  It was so well done and a great way to have the spirit in our home.  I found some cute booklets online that I printed out for the kids.  We also went through the week of Easter and had the kids take notes.  It was great to spend the time together.  In Megan’s letter to Ryan she said she had felt the spirit so strong.  I love that.

Dear Ryan!!  So Sorry I haven't been able to write in a while. I've been pretty busy with turning 12, PARCC testing at school, and soccer. My birthday was awesome. I got headphones and soccer pants. It was very exiting to finally be going to young Women's. I LOVE it already. Happy Easter! In my Easter basket I got the pop doll Mulan, a coloring book, Reese's, and a whole bag of skittles. After church we had a FHE about Easter and watched videos about it and took notes. It was amazing, I felt the spirit so strong. What did you do for easter? Also Mexico was amazing. I miss it so much. My favorite thing that we did was play kickball and go snorkeling, we saw a nurse shark. Ahhh. It's finally spring and we have had rain, snow, and hail. I had a soccer game on Saturday. We won 3-1. I scored one. It started hailing in the middle of the game. Does it hail in Albania? But it was fun. I really love my soccer team. The past week we had PARCC testing. It was not fun at all. :( I love you so much. I am grateful for your amazing testimony and example. Keep doing what your doing!! ;) Love ya.  -Megan