End of 2025

Well, Elder Jensen has officially been gone all of 2025.  Its crazy! 

It has been such a nice, relaxing, fun week this past week all being home and lots of time to hang out together.  I personally have loved it so much.  It is my favorite thing in life when we are all together and its peaceful and fun! We of course miss you so much! Blake is reminding me more and more of you every day. 

Christmas Eve was so good.  We acted out the nativity after a really nice dinner with Jensens in town and Lito and LIta and a neighbor family that is renting Sara Jean's house, that have 2 little kids and one on the way.  They are not members of the church but they just jumped into the whole evening so well. I was glad the Pratts invited them! 

There was a lot of downtime spent making homemade gifts.  I feel like Aubrie, Hallie and Clara have done a lot of knitting. Lucas and Blake went to a "fly tying" experience that I was able to set up at Fish Tech ( a local fishing shop) and they got a personal mini class with one of the owners to learn to tie a few flies.  It was cool, and Lucas has Beckham for Christmas, which will be a happy gift!

We all have FOMO that all of the Jensens are together having fun in AZ;) Dad and I are on the adult Jensen group chat and hearing all the fun! ;)  

I am so grateful for the Haynies and the Jensens.  It is such a privilege to be related to such GREAT people who are such a huge support and so much fun.  It is already sad to have WEs and Amanda gone to TX.  It hasn't quite hit me that we will only see them once a year now. 

We have been watching a few movies (Elf and Home Alone), bike rides, lots of basketball at the church, Hallie and Blake had friends over for smores and a fire, doing nails, lots of playing games, marble run, LOTS of reading, and Lucas has been having fun with his RC car. He needs someone to play with him all the time. Aubrie made an appointment for the 3 of us to go to the temple on the 26th and do attend an endowment session.  It was wonderful!

Ryan Netelbeek spoke in our ward today post return from Mongolia on his mission.  What a unique mission he served in -43 temps in the winter, no wearing of name tags--its largely a do service mission and he said I have eaten any part of any animal you can think of.  It was so cool to hear his conviction of the gospel and neat to hear his story about not being active or thinking about anythign re: the gospel until he was 20.  He is so committed to being a disciple.  I hope he does all the things to stay the course and stay true to what he believes.  He is the only member in his family and that is really hard to be the sole strength in that way. 

It was a great meeting! We had a testimony meeting for our 2nd hour with all the youth and it was awkward for a lot of them to share.  But so good to practice that outloud.  I was so glad we did it. 

I just received my "inklings" conference packet a few months late.  Last year was my first year to have a packet where I am studying with all the resources the previous General conference.  I liked doing it so much last time.  And although I am behind, I can't wait to get started on Oct conferences.  Starting with President Oaks' talk about "Family-Centered Gospel of Jesus Christ," which was my most remembered talk from Conference.  

About 2 months ago I listened to a Follow Him podcast and had a real moment with an idea of CONNECTION OVER COMPETITION.  It is one of my biggest daily struggles.  I have repeated that phrase in my mind or out loud SO many times in these past 2 months.  To remember that to be admired is so easy to want but true connection is different.  Putting efforts into being admired (cleaning the house to impress, or wearing/buying/acquiring certain clothes or things to impress, parctipating in certain things to impress--is NOT a way to truly connect with people). Admiration is not connnection.  And connection is what truly fills us up.  and what Christ was so perfect at.  Connection.  It has been slowly helping me to make different choices and I hope I continue to get better at it.  My other thought about this coming year is to find ways to improve my ability to "Be Present" (not thinking or analyzing the past or worrying/planning for the future but to just be in the now).   It is not easy for me. But I am excited to practice it. 

 

Blake wanted me to send his highlight of the one time he actually scored on me.  I can send you the better videos later. ;). The Lakers have responded to his email he sent with videos so he's locked. ​​Blake really wanted me to play basketball one night with him (it was such a fun night we got to all color under the Christmas tree and read Christmas stories--highlight of the week for me for sure) and wouldn't take no for an answer.  We played for about 15-20 minutes, then Hallie joined and then dad came upstairs and joined and then Lucas and Clara got out of bed and we all played basketball until 10:30 at night.  It actually was so. much. fun. and boys won. 

 

​​In other basketball news.  Lucas had his first ever basketball game and he knew the basics but it felt like he took part of the game to figure out what the heck was going on.  he will get locked in next game.  Dad was going to work with him this week. He did have some shots on goal and despite playing a grade up he was still the tallest kid out there on both teams ;) It is so fun that he and Lincoln are playing on the same team this season.  And they will get to go to the Jazz game with the free tickets. 

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​​We all went to see Nate Bargatze (you remember the really fun clean comedian we all love) at a show at the Delta Center (he sold out 4 shows in 2 days here in SLC) and HE.WAS.FUNNY! WE all really enjoyed it.  Then we drove over to the German Christmas market up at THis is the PLace monument and walked around for a few hours.  It was such a cool vibe, and the performers were legit good!  and we had brats (like real German brats) And crafted apple beer and butterscotch beer.  And pretzels and cheese.  Anyway, it was a very fun night and it was actually decent weather.  Its been pretty warm through December so far.  Unusual.  (It reminds me of NH.  Then Christmas would hit and We would have snowmaggedon.

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​Also: Bricky opened his mission portal, Tara and Dan blessed Gigi today and have THEE cutest kids!  WE all went on a long walk tonight before kids went to bed, Dad has been cranking on DBAT stuff.  Blake officially has a job working once a week at DBAT which is cool.  Blake made 13. loaves of bread to try to earn money for his ski pass he has to pay off before he can use it.  Hallie and Paige talk on the phone pretty much every night.  Hallie went to Markos house and taught the whole fam to play NErtz and they all loved it.  Dad hung up our Christmas lights.  Janae and Brandon and fam stayed at our house last night just for one night and its always so fun to hang out with them! Nutcracker officially starts for Clara this week and she is so pumped to be in the older group of dancers this year.  (not on Pointe but still with all the oldest dancers).  She also is working for Ms. Mimi 2 days (her old ballet instructor) again this year as "Clara" for the Nutcracker at her old studio.  She loves it. Dad and I had a date night to go to Festival of the Trees (Sister Nieevard always gives us tickets) and Thai food Friday night. Dad spoke in Toronto for work. Hallie and I went to the RS Christmas dinner (I was so glad she wanted to go!).  

Thats a wrap (ping). 

Thanksgiving dinner at the church in the RS room.  I was so glad we did it there.  It was much more comfortable.  WE proposed that everyone (After eating for a while) tell one of their favorite memories of the person on their right and then the thing they are most thankful about the person on their left.  It probably took an hour to get through everyone, but it was SO enjoyable to hear what everyone shared (all these stories that were unknown to most of us).  I loved watching everyone's faces who were getting talked about, too. It was a good time.  After dinner and also on Friday night, we played a lot of volleyball in the gym.  With so many older cousins, it was fun!  We did boys v girls one night best out of 3 and it got heated. (jack, beck, bircky, jack, blake, lucas, henny, tyler) and (dad, Aubrie, EJ, Hallie, Clara, Anna and me)

For the first time ever Thanksgiving night at 7:45 we went to see the second Wicked all of us.  And no one loved it very much and we spent an hour dissecting everything about the movie and crying laughing afterward in the kitchen (WEs was in prime form).  Elliott always comes by whenever Wes is around. He just loves him. 

We ALL did baptisms or an endowment session at the temple on Friday morning.  Walking in (Lucas, Clara and Henny sat in the waiting room) we were talking about that in one month, Clara and Henny will join the temple-going ranks.  They both squealed.  What a privilege to be able to go into the Lord's house.  WE went to Taylorsville. 

Saturday we all watched the BYU v UCF game (either at our house or at the stadium), and BYU squeaked out a win...kind of...then everyone went home and Dad, Clara Aub and I decided to go to a Christmas concert at the Tabernacle.  It was EXCELLENT.  8 local performing groups did different carols or hymns.  One of them was Marshall MacDonald (you know the composer who did the hymns you always play).  I loved his arrangement in particular. 

Dad is cooked.  Today he was at the church from 7:30-2:30 (and ran with us to go see G&G Haynie speak at their ward and left before it was over to go back for tithing declaration--I think he was there for their talks, and that was it) and had a full afternoon of interviews.  After long weeks and then long weekends, he almost every Sunday falls asleep on the couch when he sits down. 

Cafe Rio one of the nights.#fanfave

Turkey Bowl was epic this year.  Enough people came for 2 games. 

Lots of watching football (Texas x Texas AM) and BYU and LSU v Oregon?

Black Friday shopping altogether.  You can imagine that chaos.  Dad and Grandpa went home to put up Christmas lights. Some of us only lasted a few stores, and then some even went so far as to go to the mall. It was SO busy at Fashion Place.  

Lucas has been coloring up a storm to send you some drawings.  Aubrie cut bangs.  Marko (I think reluctantly) got the full cousin experience one of the nights everyone was here.  Hallie was a little nervous about bringing him. Eventually he jumped into playing Nertz and actually liked the game.  Elliott, Jack, Bricky, Beck, Tyler, EJ, Aubrie, etc can all be a little intimidating. Ask Blake about Claire. And Clara's favorite time of year is coming up....Nutcracker.  Performances start next weekend. 

I made the family go on a cleaning rampage yesterday afternoon, and all the house surfaces were vacuumed or mopped or dusted.  Everyone loves these moments together so much ;)

Love you Robbie!  Can't wait to talk to you and hear about your week.

Remind me what Christmas renditions you want so I can mail them tomorrow. 

Mama

 Grandma and Grandpa Jensen are home from their mission!  They spent a week in Hawaii on their way home and all the Jensens gathered by Thursday night to welcome them home at the airport.  WE have had a reunion this weekened since then.  All the pics I attached are from this weekend.  WE can share more about it with you over the phone.  I am so excited to hear more about your new area and how the work is going and just generally how the adjustment is going. 

Lucas and Clara had short days and then thurs and Fri off from school. It made it a pretty fun week and I didnt have work which was even better. 

The really warm, sunny days this week have been amazing! JUST PERFECT WEATHER!

Today I shared my testimony (Aubrie did as well) and I just wanted to share it with you too. I was listening to all the really genuine strength from all those that shared today and all these other faces of neighbors/ward members kept popping into my mind and ways they have influenced or strengthened me, or I have learned from them or they have helped us or supported us in some way. And I felt such a profound gratitude to live in this neighborhood when we have and I love everyone so much. 

I am such a different person from the 11 years of living by these amazing people that have so much life experience, and that truly love our family too.  

There have been some super consuming weeks lately and it makes me feel pretty tense and just on my guard all the time.  I never feel relaxed.  This morning I noticed as a read my scriptures that my brain and my body just settled down, I was very aware of that.  Just another beautiful reason to love the scriptures.  How do we ever miss a day?!?  I have had so many answers and moments of clarity and motivation to move forward with something WHILE reading that I am not sure why I would ever miss a day reading;).  

I just wanted to feel filled up in sacrament meeting today and it was just a replenishing experience.  Similarly, in Sunday school, I loved our lesson about Liberty Jail and some of the experiences that were shared by those in the room of how "prison" can actually be a "temple experience" with the gospel and the Spirit. This quote is from a talk Elder Holland gave at BYU called "Lessons from Liberty Jail":

But tonight’s message is that when you have to, you can have sacred, revelatory, profoundly instructive experience with the Lord in any situation you are in. Indeed, let me say that even a little stronger: You can have sacred, revelatory, profoundly instructive experience with the Lord in the most miserable experiences of your life—in the worst settings, while enduring the most painful injustices, when facing the most insurmountable odds and opposition you have ever faced.

Now let’s talk about those propositions for a moment. Every one of us, in one way or another, great or small, dramatic or incidental, is going to spend a little time in Liberty Jail—spiritually speaking. We will face things we do not want to face for reasons that may not have been our fault. Indeed, we may face difficult circumstances for reasons that were absolutely right and proper, reasons that came because we were trying to keep the commandments of the Lord. We may face persecution; we may endure heartache and separation from loved ones; we may be hungry and cold and forlorn. Yes, before our lives are over we may all be given a little taste of what the prophets faced often in their lives. But the lessons of the winter of 1838–39 teach us that every experience can become a redemptive experience if we remain bonded to our Father in Heaven through that difficulty. These difficult lessons teach us that man’s extremity is God’s opportunity, and if we will be humble and faithful, if we will be believing and not curse God for our problems, He can turn the unfair and inhumane and debilitating prisons of our lives into temples—or at least into a circumstance that can bring comfort and revelation, divine companionship and peace.

I sure love you Robbie!  I just can't tell you how much joy you bring to dad and I because you are genuine and you have a good heart and you are trying.  

Love, Mama 

cousin group to go to Monster Mash (and then they wouldn't let Paige and Syd in! Lame)

Jack and baby Scotty (jay and Kaylas)

some shameless marketing of DBAT for Halloween

Holy ground

 

Several times during Aubrie‘s and now Robbie‘s mission either in conversation with them over the phone or in a message or email I feel like I’m standing on sacred ground listening to them. Like they are seeing a bigger more holy picture than I am currently. Several times this past weekend, people asked me how Robbie is doing and I say “ He’s so happy and he’s doing really good” Because I can’t really put into words how life-changing and transformative the last year has been for him. He has learned to be reverent and truly be “in awe” of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. His connection to Them appears to be so strong and unbreakable. And I can’t put into words how much joy that makes me feel. His relationship with himself, the way he speaks to his siblings and how much love he shows to Ryan and I. As well as the true compassion and enthusiasm, he has for teaching and loving these brand new people that he’s Connecting with. How quickly he shows humility and has faith to do and say very uncomfortable things is just incredible for me to see happening. I’m so grateful to be a parent. It could have not happened in my life and I’m so glad to be this close part of the lives of these 6 beautiful souls. 

Thoughts I sent to Aubrie and Robbie from studying this morning:

Reference for sacred things

-Ulisses Soares

-Reverence means to stand in awe

-when reverence becomes a holy part of our character, we level up our discipleship 

-Reverence is not an aspect of spirituality. It is the essence of it. (intrinsic nature)

-an absence of respect for sacred things increases a casualness of attitude and carelessness in your conduct

-when we become careless like that, we start caring only about our own comfort and satisfying our own uncontrolled appetite, and ultimately despising sacred things

-he talked specifically about AI generated content and images that will be inappropriate and irreverent. That felt like maybe prophetic. (Not relevant relevant for me now)

-“ reverence is one of the most elevated experiences of the soul” (it made me think of particular feelings I had in the labor and delivery room in the hospital, and some of the more breathtaking vistas I’ve experienced). Immediate reverence and it transports your soul to a different place. 

-be protective of sacred things. Don’t be too casual and in doing so create carelessness with sacred and holy things.

Viva Los Cabo

Today in sacrament meeting:-President Amis (he was there to call a new EQ presidency) said he woke up super early and checked in online and said I almost have to divert my eyes when I open my computer because you just can't know all the things that could've happened in the last few hours or day.  Its too true.  -Dad asked his two counselors to speak about "following the prophet" and t"temple and family history" as we wrap up our month of flooding the temple in our ward and Conference is approaching.  Great talks!  and dad had asked to change the hymn (days ago) to "WE Thank thee O God for a Prophet" which was just wonderful to have already set as we all arrived to sacrament meeting with President Nelson on our minds, having just learned he'd passed away.  -I sang with the ward choir and it is just always an excellent experiences.  Carol Ann Allred conducts and Brady was on the organ and he plays the organ like no one else I personally know other than Richard Elliot.  Saturday-Clara had a game night here with blind karoake and smores over the fire. She has learned how to be a great host and I am glad for all the practice the kids have when they live at home. She had me drive her to the store to get specific food/snacks and had food and games thought through.  One thoughtful thing--there is a girl shes been friends with in the past but they've drawn apart as the other girl has made different choices and has struggled quite a bit.  The night before Clara said she just really felt like the Spirit was telling her to invite her (Which wasn't easy since shes bullied her and several other girls that were coming already), but she texted her and Isa quickly replied that she would like to come. From what I could tell it went well.  And I know more of the background story for this girl since I work at the school that she probably really needed to know that she still has friends.  It was a tender mercy that CLara listened to the Spirit in my opinion.   -Blake went to Top Golf with friends for Asher's birthday.  And hung out with the same freshman crew watching football.  He has quite the social life ;) -And Last but defintely not least, Hallie went to Homecoming dance at Brighton with Marko and 2 other couples (Anna Mae Cumming was one of the other girls).  She looked so beautiful and was excited and haven't heard a report yet but it seemed like it was going to be fun--mini golfing, dinner at Sakura (habachi grill) and dance and then fire up the canyon after.  Dad took pictures of their group at Wheeler Farm. Anna Mae came here to get ready and Clara and I made a last minute quick run (like we got home 5 minutes before Marko got here) to DSW to get shoes for Hallie.  -Clara got the part of Snow Sprite for Nutcracker (she was one inch to tall to be considered for Clara and it was a disappointment sure).  So she is dancing with all the older girls NOT on pointe yet--which will be good to push her.  And next year she'll have been on pointe for a year and can try out for any of the older parts on pointe.  Man, does she love ballet.   -Lincoln and Jane Gillespie now go to Wasatch!  It has already been so fun and its only been 2 days. Cousins at school is just super fun.  LIncoln and Lucas have their classes right next door to each other.  And then I get to see Liz regularly too.  I think the kids will come home with us once or twice a week to help Liz let Paul nap and let all the cousins play here in the neighborhood.  They will likely be moving after a year out of state so we have to take advantage.  Liz is so animated about the school, which is particularly fun for me ;0 -WE got another box of local peaches to devour.  Utah peaches are just... ---------------Halie was asked to be a "buddy" in the SNAP (Special Needs Assistance Program) each THursday for the school year which will be so good all around.  Robbie and Aubrie both loved it.  She can't really start until VB is over which will be in a few weeks.   I woke up really wanting to play pickleball and we all ended up getting up and playing for 1.5 hours Saturday morning, even Hallie and Blake joined--we used Murphys driveway court they made.  I could do that EVERY Saturday morning.  Dad and I had a pretty quick, so relaxing and BEAUTIFUL 4 day trip to Mexico.  Thank you Aubrie for the weekend help here at the house.  The kids all handled everything so it was easy coordinating their stuff.  The condo was like a resort we stayed at (minus no running water most of the time we were there) and the snorkeling was AMAZING! We just beach hopped and the water was so clear you could see everything on the reef and in the coral.  And to go on a trip with just dad (we added it up, this was our 5th trip we've gone on with just us), its so easy to just be friends and have so much fun being together.  I think dad is just the funniest person I know and luckily, we travel similarly. He is my favorite! WE can't wait to hear about your new area Robbie!  I'm glad you get to be there at least at first with Elder Marriott.  Randy and Karen it sounds like you'll have visitors through the end of your mission.  I hope that feels fun for you! count down is on! Love you all-Amber/Mama

Most exciting news of the week! Wes and Amanda are pregnant! There is a photo of all of us on a call Sunday night when they told us! One of the pictures that I attached is a screen shot of a thought I REALLY liked and read this week.  I have spent a lot of time thinking about how much power social media yields in our lives.  It has felt like a tsunami of divisiveness has picked up just in the last week with Charlie Kirk being assassinated. Because it happened here in Utah we have heard maybe even more than we normally would even off social media. (Also I just want to remember, mom and dad live 6-7 houses away from UVU campus where the shooting happened.  They had several visits from police to see if they had cameras at their house to get video footage since the shooter was still on the loose, and also to warn them to keep their doors locked, etc).   Hallie and I had a long conversation the other day because she was getting inundated from classes/friends with info about what happened.  One of the things we talked about is how much this HAS and will affect the family of Tyler Robinson (the shooter).  There has been so many terrible things already said about and to his family and his father (a retired sheriff) knew when we turned his son in that they would very likely never see him again.  I just keep thinking about how completely consumed with pain his parents and grandparents are right now.  And that their life will never be the same from this "ideal" that their son had.  Charlie Kirk was an idea for him, not a human being with a wife, and kids.  And how much hate and sadness has come from this week's experiences. Its too much to feel.  Okay enough of that weightiness.  Lots of volleyball, flag football, ballet and football this week.  I won't even get into all the details.  We did hear that Cottonwood is getting a new really exciting baseball coach which we will be so happy if that transpires.  The YW presidency was released today and I genuinely feel sad about it.  I loved working with the other 4 women.  It was just a great presidency.  Pamela Simon in particular is just a good friend and a real disciple.  Lori Waltman is the new YW president and I was called to be her secretary so I will stay in YW's which makes me so happy.  Clara will be in YW in January and also just being at youth activities when most of our kids and Ryan are there is really nice! Good time of life to be called to work with the youth.  I feel like more than 1/2 the time we've lived here that has been my callings.  Dad and I are going to Cabo, Mexico for 5 days and between Hallie and Aubrie they will make sure things stay under control here at the house.  I am so excited to have uninterrupted time to just talk and be at the beach snorkeling.  With both of our schedules it feels often like we are "co-managing" the family most of the time.  We've had a spoiled year of traveling the two of us, but maybe the right year for that to have been possible.  Robbie, I can't believe you've been a missionary for a year.  It really has gone by so fast.  You could never overshare about your experiences and feelings. We love hearing it so much! I hope today was a good day with the ward being absorbed and that you and Elder Marriot can feel confident in your friends being taken care of moving forward. Everyone is  perfectly known and Heavenly Father is aware of needs.   dad and I saw a play (We only have a few left of our Hale Center season tickets) and its been a wonderful gift this year.  Yesterday was a 1940s murder mystery type play and it was all in black and white.  Can you believe a stage production can be like a black and white TV show.  It was kind of mind blowing how effective it was. Ill attach a few pics.  I have really liked teaching math these last couple weeks--I think its a good fit for this year.  And dad and Dave have been doing lots of tour/interviews for GM candidates for Dbat and will likely make an offer this week with a starting date for 1-2 week of October which will start to take some thigns off their plate hopefully. Dad Dave and the new GM will all be going to Dallas to DBAT headquarters for training in a few weeks. Countdown is on ;). I am pretty sure turf is getting installed in the next week or so.