Hermana Heywood

Kaitlynn in the Chile Puerto Montt Mission

Check-in Call from You (Valdivia), March 30, 2026

March 30, 2026 · Valdivia

Short ~7-minute call. You called specifically to check on me - I had told you I was drained, and you picked up on it.

You check in on me

Opening:

You: "Hey, nothing. I'm just worried about you because I know you say that you're fine, but you're not fine. You're sad. You're stressed. You're anxious." Me: "It's nothing. It's just a harder day. Everything is fine, though. It's just one of those days where it's just like, I've had enough of today."

The sleeveless garments question

I asked your perspective on the newer sleeveless garments. Your near-verbatim:

"I honestly don't know how I feel about them. Because the reason we have tank-top garments was for the people where it was super hot. It wasn't for us in Utah. We're supposed to be as far away from the line as we can, not as close to the line as we can. I don't think a lot of people understand that. It's not - like the Prophet is giving us freedom, like he's unleashing us from garments."

Me: "From our captivity of pioneerhood."

You: "Yes. That's not what it is. I'm probably not going to use tank-top garments when I get home. If other people use them, great. I'm so happy for you because it is garments. It is approved by the church, so there's absolutely nothing wrong with it. But in my opinion, I would love to stay as far away from the line as I can."

Me: "That's kind of... I was just curious about what your thought was. I just wanted to get a different perspective. I'm in the same boat you are. I'm like 'Which way am I facing? Am I trying to fully face the Lord? Or has my tent faced the Lord?'" You drew the parallel to King Benjamin.

Your testimony of me

You delivered a testimony of me as a father, captured close to verbatim because the moment matters:

"I think about you a lot and think about the example that you have set for me over the years - your testimony, and your willingness to be vulnerable and give it all to the Lord. Honestly, the one thing that's gotten me through being a leader and feeling so insufficient is to know that my dad is cheering me on. My dad believes in me, and if he does, then I can do it. Maybe I can keep going. The example you set for me by being in the Bishopric is so hard. And thinking of just all of the experiences throughout my life - like when you were always in the Elders Quorum presidency, or thinking of when you and Bryson would go out to do tithing and go collect tithing, or when you would go to Bonnie - all of these little things that you've just done over the years just come back to my mind when I'm having a hard time. So thank you, Dad, for who you are and for the example that you've always been for me. I really appreciate you and I love you a lot."

Both you and I started crying. Me: "Got it. I love you. Thank you."

Closing

You: "Get rested. If you ever need to rant, you can send me an email." Me: "The same goes for you, but only on Mondays." Sign-off.

Cleanup Notes