4 months left

mom and dad-

thanks for the emails this week, they both brought a big smile to my face. that is so cool that jaren and darbi did so well with their track meets. I'm telling you, jaren could run track for university easy. just get him to talk to matt about how he got to BYU and get his times out there. but that is all up to him. and tell Darbi that i am proud of her. that is too bad that zoe still likes to run, i feel like the black sheep of the family, being the only one who doesn't do the running thing. I have been thinking a lot about the whole baseball thing for when i get home, and i am just going to decide where to go to school once i get home and then try out for the team there. so that should be interesting. I have been thinking about coming back to Halifax to go to dental school, because they have Dalhousie university here. a lot of members come from the states to go there, so that might be an option. i don't know for sure though, i have to do a lot of research on that when i get home. as for the missionary work, things are going great. i learned a ton yesterday at our zone leader council. President simpson is amazing! transfers came out yesterday as well, and nothing changed for me. I'm still in Kentville and serving with elder Hitchcock. We are working hard though and trying to see success while we are here. it makes things a lot easier when you work hard and do what you are called to do. I learned a lot about obedience yesterday and the blessings that come from that. mainly the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, but there is so much to be learned from obedience to anything. that is how we grow and develop faith is by being obedient to a gospel principle. Deborah Sanford is being baptized tonight, so i am excited for that. she is a really cool lady. we don't have too many other investigators close to baptism but we are working hard so that is good. i know now that i have been working hard enough to know i have done all i can and i have accomplished the will of the Lord. But i still have 4 months to accomplish more, i am excited for that. well i love you all and hope you have a great day, know that i am happier than i have ever been in my life right now. i absolutely love the Lord and His work, it is true that when we lose ourselves, it is then that we find true happiness. my advice to you all, just love people. Charity is the key. i love you all so much, have a good day and week.

Elder Nick Novakovich

PS
I forgot to tell you we got a new car yesterday. a 2010 Subaru Impreza. it made me happy and feel cool but then i realized it is just going to highten the disappointment when i have to drive the van around again when i get home. lol. have a good one.

Elder Nick Novakovich

"Sweet 16"

Our First Girl Baby turned 16 years old on April 27th. We wanted this to be the most special birthday to date for her so we planned a surprise party with all of her friends. The plan was that Ryleigh was going to spend the day with her since she would be out of town on Darbi's "real" birthday. They were going to see a movie and then Ryleigh was going to cut Darbi's hair and then head over to our house where the party would be held.

Everything was going along nicely. We had arranged with a couple of friends to make up a list of friends that would be invited to the event and then have them hand out the invitations at school.

Some of the activities would be Volleyball out in the yard, ping-pong, and Guitar Hero. We had planned a bar-b-q for dinner and lots of fun food to eat. The only problem was that we didn't really have anywhere to eat outside and so...the wonderful deck was created just in time to celebrate. It was perfect, the Gazebo was put up and the bar-b-q was placed on the deck. We loved the way everything was coming together.

The weather was going to be "OK", by that I mean that it was not supposed to be sunny and warm but it was not supposed to be raining either. We had moderate temps and stronger than desired wind, but it was fine. Everyone was still willing to be outside playing and eating.

Guests started to arrive at about 5pm and Darbi was scheduled to arrive at 5:30. Ryleigh kept us posted on their activities and as soon as they were close we had everyone go to the garage and Darbi would enter this was to the house because the front door would be locked. Everything went as planned...it was perfect...she didn't have a clue...all of her friends were totally excited for her and had done a great job of keeping the whole thing a secret.

Kids played and ate all night long, we even had a "frosting" eating contest which was rather gross but fun to watch. Cody certainly won in my book and Jenna was a close 2nd, Baily just couldn't bring herself to put that whole "frosting balloon" in her mouth.