​Mike had a colleague that went to Japan and brought us back some of our favorite Japanese treats. | Mike finally got the new special edition Legend of Zelda Nintendo Switch. | We went to the elementary school with Madeline on the 1st grade art night to see some of her artwork. She had fun posing with the different canvas paintings. We even saw Mrs. Taylor who had both Emma and Abby in her class for 2nd grade. | Abby was inducted into the International Thespian Society. | We all love tonkatsu night. It is probably one of our favorite meals. | When Andrew and Alex came to visit we ate smores and talked out by the firepit. | Abby had so much fun at McKenzie’s quinsañera. | Madeline got her first pair of Athleta leggings, and she loved them. | We found the Nutella cookies that we loved from our Italy trip. Who would have thought that King Soopers would have them? | We all enjoyed going to Emma’s orchestra concert. She has really become a fabulous violinist. | Abby had a blast at her theatre party! | We all love Sundays because we get to nap. | Mike’s homemade deep-dish pizza is simply the tastiest and we feel lucky when he makes it for us. | Madeline and I had fun playing ice-cream shop one evening before bedtime. We took turns ordering our many scoops of ice-cream. | I got some new road shoes from TOPO, and I have absolutely loved them. They are quick and light, yet still supportive. | Abby has been hanging out with a small group of people at lunchtime in her counselor’s office. It has been really good for her. | Sometimes when church is boring you have to find ways to keep Madeline entertained. This particular Sunday called for putty mustaches. | Mike and I went up to Harrison's senior piano concert. It was fun to see so much talent and to connect with both the Harrison and Watabe families. | Madeline and Mike are always making goofy faces in the phone. | It was fun to hear all the amazing things that the coaches said about Emma’s track season. She had really great support this season by some of the coaches. | We test drove the Rivian and decided it wasn’t that great of a car. They definitely need to spend more time perfecting some of its features. | One of the girl’s favorite stores is Altard State. Abby found a cute shirt there which is amazing because she doesn’t find clothes she loves very often. | Swimming at Flying Horse is one of our favorite family activities during the summer! 

​Today was the official first day of summer break for the girls and we planned a fun day in Denver. We drove up to test drive the new Rivian. At first glance the car looked amazing but upon further inspection and a quick test drive we were not that impressed with the way it drove. Seeing as this is an electric car we were expecting a smoother ride and a nicer interior. Not so much. We left the car lot and headed to get some brunch before walking around the zoo. Even though Madeline and I had just been to the Denver Zoo a few weeks earlier, it was still so much fun walking around and showing Mike and Abby our favorite animals and sections of this zoo. We saw many of the big animals before taking a ride on the carousel. Then we headed towards the elephant section and saw both the elephants and the cool monkeys swinging on the ropes. We were about to watch the elephant show when it started to rain. At first it was a light rain, and I was in line to get dippin dots for everyone. Then as I finished paying the rain started coming down harder. Luckily we were sheltered by the nearby shops with covered tables. We sat and ate our ice-cream until the rain died down and then we walked very quickly to the tropical discovery house so that we could spend some time looking at the reptiles and fish and other tropical animals. By the time we finished up in the tropical discovery zone the rain had almost all died down but there was still a hint of a storm in the air, so we decided to call it a day and headed out of the zoo and back to our car. We saw most of what we wanted while the weather was nice and so it was a very successful adventure to the zoo. 

Today was the official first day of summer break for the girls and we planned a fun day in Denver. We drove up to test drive the new Rivian. At first glance the car looked amazing but upon further inspection and a quick test drive we were not that impressed with the way it drove. Seeing as this is an electric car we were expecting a smoother ride and a nicer interior. Not so much. We left the car lot and headed to get some brunch before walking around the zoo. Even though Madeline and I had just been to the Denver Zoo a few weeks earlier, it was still so much fun walking around and showing Mike and Abby our favorite animals and sections of this zoo. We saw many of the big animals before taking a ride on the carousel. Then we headed towards the elephant section and saw both the elephants and the cool monkeys swinging on the ropes. We were about to watch the elephant show when it started to rain. At first it was a light rain, and I was in line to get dippin dots for everyone. Then as I finished paying the rain started coming down harder. Luckily we were sheltered by the nearby shops with covered tables. We sat and ate our ice-cream until the rain died down and then we walked very quickly to the tropical discovery house so that we could spend some time looking at the reptiles and fish and other tropical animals. By the time we finished up in the tropical discovery zone the rain had almost all died down but there was still a hint of a storm in the air, so we decided to call it a day and headed out of the zoo and back to our car. We saw most of what we wanted while the weather was nice and so it was a very successful adventure to the zoo. 

Exercise this month was almost exclusively in the Garden, at least all of my weekday runs. The weather was warmer and with that were some epic runs with the Striders doing intervals around the dirt track in the Garden, another RRR downhill tempo, another clockwise tempo loop where I PR’d, and a fun run around the trails. Most of my long runs were done running down the Cottonwood Creek Trail and the Santa Fe trail. Mike and I even did one last downhill run down the backside of Woodmen and Blodgett. It was a month of highs and lows as I ran some of my fastest runs only to get sick and have to slow things down. I’m not sure I ever fully recovered physically between getting sick and my body shutting down from stress. However, I tried to just keep going through the end of the month in preparation for my upcoming half marathon. 

Field day is one of them most exciting days for any elementary schooler during the end of the school year. With all of the frequent rain we have been having the field day was postponed twice and it ended up falling on the last day of school. I loved watching Madeline and her friends rotate through all of the different stations. She seemed to love the obstacle course the best, the three-legged race, and the big bouncy ball station. After the rotating stations, all of the first graders headed over to the running relay station. I loved watching Madeline run her little heart out. She was so fierce and determined during the hurdle relay and it was amazing to see how much height she got over those hurdles. Lastly, the kids competed against the other first grade classes in the tug-o-war station. Unfortunately, Madeline’s class didn’t win their first one but that was expected as their class was a little bit smaller in size. Still, she had so much fun!

​EMMA’S TRACK MEET #1 – BANANA BELT CLASSIC
MARCH 11, 2023
 
Emma’s first track meet was down in Pueblo at Dutch Clark Stadium where she ran the 3200m. These aren’t my favorite track meets early in the season because there is no competition for the distance runners. Emma’s goal was to get under 11:15 which would give her a pretty hefty PR. She and I figured out her splits and came up with hand motions for me to give her after each lap so that she would know if she was on pace. It’s too bad we can’t rely on the coaches to help her out. They all don’t seem to know how to coach her which is why we hired her club coach during the season to give her workouts and tell her what races to run during the season. Emma crushed this race, beating the next girl by 1 min and 15 sec!. She got a huge PR, finishing 1st in 11:12.27. If this wasn’t amazing enough, she also got nominated shortly after by Mile split as one of the top 5 female performers in CO for that week. After a week of voting, she ended up as the 2nd most voted. Way to go Emma! This was a great start to her official HS track season.

EMMA’S TRACK MEET #2 – LARRY PICKERING INVITATIONAL
MARCH 18, 2023
 
Well, it was another amazing race by Emma today! She ran the 1600m this week and was only seeded 5th since her previous times have never been that competitive. She knew the #1 seeded girl broke 5 last year so she had her sights on that girl. The goal today was to break 5:15 which would give her a 15 sec PR. She ran a smart race, running right with that girl for the first lap, a little behind her on lap 2 and 3 and then on the 4th lap she started to pick up the pace. At the last curve she pushed it into high gear after listening to her head coach’s words of encouragement. By the 100m mark she was right in line with the other girl and just like that she passed her and kept going to finish 1st in a time of 5:11!!! It was incredible! We were all stunned and so proud. I’m still in awe at what she did today and how much time she has cut already this year. Way to go Emma!!!

EMMA’S TRACK. MEET #3 – POMONA INVITATIONAL
APRIL 14-15, 2023

After driving over an hour to this track meet in Denver and battling the snow, wind, and rain to get there, we hunkered down in the car while Emma went back and forth between the team tent and our car. Eventually they took down the tent and had all the athletes sit in the bus to stay warm. Despite the crazy weather conditions, this meet was an exciting one to watch as she ran against some of the top distance runners in Colorado. Although she was a little frazzled before the race with where to check in, when she stepped up to the starting line she was focused. Luckily the snow and rain had stopped when the race started. She shot out and just like that she was running faster than she did during the first 3200m of the season. She ran this race in 11:05.54 which was a new PR. Afterwards she quickly cooled down and then we headed to get her some dinner before heading back home in the rain and snow. We helped her repack her bag for the next day's race and all went straight to bed.

The next day we headed back up to Jeffco stadium to watch Emma run in the 1600m. After not a great nights sleep and tired legs, Emma struggled during this race. For the first lap or so she was right on target but by lap 3 she had lost that mental focus and she just ran to finish. It definitely wasn't her best time but it also wasn't her worst time. This race was a learning experience for her and one in which she needed to not repeat. 
​

EMMA'S TRACK MEET #6 - ST. VRAIN INVITATIONAL
​MAY 12, 2023

​As the last meet of the season to qualify for state, Emma entered the 1600m race. She needed at least a 5:05 to qualify for the extremely competitive 1600m field this year. Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to pull that off this race. She was extremely disappointed in herself this race, even though she gave it her best with the energy and will power she had for that day. She expended too much energy getting pushed around to the second lane and then getting stuck behind slower runners. This race is so fast and short that there isn’t any time for the field of girls to spread out. It’s always so hard to run with that much pressure on the line. We were so proud of her for pushing herself and still getting her 2nd best time of the season with a 5:11.90. This time would’ve qualified her for state last year. For some reason this year is ultra-competitive. At least she has one more year to qualify for state in the 1600m. 

EMMA’S TRACK. MEET #7 - CO 5A STATE TRACK MEET
MAY 19, 2023

If there is any race that has incredible amounts of pressure it is the state race. As Emma’s official first solo event for state in track and field, she was both excited and nervous. With only the top 18 girls to qualify in each event, she was fortunate enough to qualify early in the season for the 3200m. Seeded 15th, she went out with the pack of girls who all stuck together for the first mile. During the second mile is where things got interesting. The lead pack took off and ran that second mile faster than the first while the second pack was just trying to hold the pace they were already running. Emma didn’t get the time she wanted, but she did manage to come in 14th which was one place higher than her seeded place and was only shy of her PR by 2 seconds. She ran this race in 11:07.63. I have no doubt that next year she will achieve her goal of breaking 11 minutes. 
​

​Season Results:
 
The Banana Belt Classic
Dutch Clark Stadium, Pueblo
3200M – 11:12.27
March 11, 2023
 
Larry Pickering Centennial Invitational
Dutch Clark Stadium, Pueblo
1600m – 5:11.92
March 18, 2023
 
The Pomona Invitational
Jeffco Stadium, Lakewood
3200m – 11:05.54
1600m – 5:32.06
April 14-15, 2023
 
Cougar Classic Invitational
Garry Berry Stadium, Colorado Springs
1600m – 5:23.65
April 28, 2023
 
Doherty Spartan Invitational
Garry Berry Stadium, Colorado Springs
1600m – 5:10.98
May 6, 2023
 
HOKA St. Vrain Invitational
Everly-Montgomery Field, Longmont
1600m – 5:11.90
May 12, 2023
 
 
Colorado State Track and Field Championships
Jeffco Stadium, Lakewood
3200m – 11:07.63
May 19, 2023

​As the title suggests, this week has been full of many 'exciting' events. Some of them, I am bound by law not to talk about, so you'll have to wait until I come home. Many investigators refuse to see us again, but we had a few that are sticking with us!
 
A phrase I heard a lot this week is, "Walay tawo diri!" Meaning "There is nobody here." I truly don't understand why people say this because we trying to talk to anyone and everyone about the gospel not just the matriarch or patriarch of the family. If we show up on your doorstep and you say something, we are going to try and talk to you. I'm sorry that is just how this works. It is such an oxymoron to say that nobody is here. The first time I heard it I thought it was a joke and laughed in response. They were not joking. One time, a bystander chirped in during one these interactions and asked if they were not a person. They were not amused by that statement, but I am so grateful someone stood up for us. Thank you very much random mailman. Of all the excuses not to talk to us, "There is nobody here" is not one I thought I would hear.
 
Anyway, on a positive note, we have two baptisms this week and two marriages! We get to spend the whole day at a marriage and baptism event so that is going to be exciting and relaxing. Marriage in the Philippines is a very long and expensive process, so everyone is very excited when it's finally through. Me and my companion have had a very long couple of weeks, so this is going to be just the break we need. 
 
One of the things that has enveloped my mind in the past few weeks has been not judging others. I struggle quite a bit with this, as evident from the second paragraph, and  in the past few weeks I have been working on it. One of the most important teachings Jesus taught us was that we should, 
"Judge not, that ye be not judged"(Mathew 7:1). I often look at a situation or interaction at face value without considering what the other person is feeling or thinking. Trying our best to understand one another despite our differences is the best way to follow the commandment given by Jesus to "Love one another." I know that Jesus lives and that he suffered for our sins so that we can live with our Father in Heaven again. He is our Savior and Redeemer. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
 
Elder Wilhelm

​My Mother’s Day actually started on Saturday this year because I got a super special call from Peter who was calling me on Mother’s Day in his time zone. I wasn’t expecting that phone call at all, and it really made my day. Mike is always so good about helping me feel so special on Mother’s Day. This year he made a wonderful pancake breakfast with bacon and fresh fruit before we all headed to church. During Sacrament meeting we heard the most amazing talks, but my favorite was Mike’s talk. It was the best talk he ever gave. After church we all came home, quickly took some photos, and then Mike made chicken salad sandwiches on fresh croissants. That was one of my requests and it did not disappoint. For the remainder of the day, we all lounged around in the family room, just resting, and chatting until Peter called. I loved being able to talk with Peter again. The day ended with homemade Chicago style pizza, root beer, and back rubs. I am a really lucky girl to have so many people who care for and appreciate me on Mother’s Day! 

​Hello Everyone!
 
It’s been a few very busy weeks in the Philippines and so much has happened. I apologize for not writing the past few weeks but usually when we get home I go straight to bed. I have truly grown to love the Cebuano language. It is so much easier to speak than Waray Waray and the idioms are way more fun to say. 
 
My favorite one so far is "Ulog Ulog" which loosely means "I know your joking/lying." Whenever people call us handsome and don't think we understand Cebuano we respond with "Ulog Ulog! Mas Gwapo Ikaw!" The full phrase is basically saying that "You’re totally lying because you are way more handsome!" Some people have no idea how to react when they realize we speak Cebuano, and they just stare at us. My reaction to that is usually to smile and wave, just like the penguins of Madagascar. 
 
There have also been a few people that have berated us thinking we don't speak the language. The other day someone said "mga kadautan" meaning "the evil ones." I just turned to my companion and in English said, "did she just call us evil?" (I truly thought I misheard). Everyone here understands English and so they were all very embarrassed. Moral of the story, don't assume your safe behind language barriers. 
 
Other than that, the work has been progressing wonderfully! I've seen many tender mercies of the Lord! We've had one baptism the past month but on May 18 we have two planned! The couples that we are baptizing have been waiting for their marriage paperwork and so we get to do a whole wedding/baptism! Talk about a package deal! Watching people's testimonies grow has also been a wonderful experience. When people put in the effort to keep commitments it always pays off. When one acts in faith, the Lord comes with blessings. 
 
This week in come follow me we got to read about the Prodigal Son. During the mission it has become one of my favorite parables because of the pure love that the father has for his son. His son goes off and wastes his inheritance, the love that his father gave him, on a living that was wasteful. He gave up everything he had in the pursuit of worldly lusts. He had abandoned his family, his honor, and his God. When this realization came to him, he became humble, and he felt remorse. He knew he was no longer worthy to be called his father's son. With this recognition, he decided to return to his father and ask to be his servant. He thought his father would despise him and disown him and yet as he walked down the path he found his father running towards him. His father had been waiting. He had never given up hope on his son. He ran without hesitation to embrace the son that he had thought was lost. I cannot imagine the amount of nights he spent looking towards the road waiting for his son to come home. In that moment the son knew of the pure love of a father, even that of the Father in Heaven. For our Savior, Jesus Christ, is keeping watch night after night. Patiently waiting until we humbly and penitently come unto him. In that day he will embrace us, and say to all, 
 
Luke 15:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.
 
There are many times when we feel alone or unworthy of love, but God is always there waiting for us to come home. All we have to do is act in faith and start down the path. I know that the Savior loves us and will lift us up if we obey his command to "Come Follow Me". I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
 
Elder Wilhelm 

April 10-17

April 17-24

April 24-May 1

Tatay Beduya...he's so fun ​

​Skipping rocks on the ocean

May 1-8

​Madeline and I headed to the Denver Zoo to meet Andrew and Alex while they were visiting for a few days. The Denver Zoo is amazing. First, we saw the penguins and then we strolled around the zoo seeing all of the big animals like the lions, zebras, giraffes, bear, and sea lions. Then we stumbled upon the Tropical Discovery house where we saw lots and lots of fish, turtles, sting rays, lizards and snakes, many different kinds of frogs, alligators, bats, and other land and water creatures. This place was awesome, and we spent most of our time exploring this amazing place. Afterwards we headed around to the other parts of the zoo, but not before stopping to eat some Dippin’ dots for our treat. After filling our bellies full of goodness, we saw the rhinoceros and elephants, and monkeys swinging across the sky-high ropes at Gibbon Island. The black monkey was having a ton of fun while the white monkey just sat and watched. We weren’t able to see all of the animals at the zoo today but what we did see was so much fun. We will definitely need to come back to this zoo and see the other animals!
 

Madeline had another fun running season participating in the Landsharks track program. She was able to run in 2 of the 3 meets this season and made it to all of the practices. She loved running with her friends after school. For the two meets she ran in, she did the 50m for the first meet and the 100m dash for the second meet followed by a 400m race. Madeline is definitely a better runner the longer she has to run but this season she just wanted to run the shortest race. I was definitely ok with that since the shortest race finishes first. She loved running her one lap around the track and then getting her ribbon. I am so happy that Madeline loves to run. She has real potential to be an amazing runner. I hope she continues to love running as she gets older!