Inversion breakthrough

Jan. 25, 2009
Dear Elder Sean,
Well, we've had an entire week of inversion weather here and today the sun finally broke through. It was almost weird seeing the sun again and putting sunglasses on. However, it was so so so cold. I guess winter is still here.

We had our first Sunday of meeting at 12:30pm. It's kind of a strange meeting time. Alex, of course, thinks it's the greatest since he can sleep in so long. I feel like we barely got home, had to get dinner on quickly and then we had to get ready for a youth fireside here tonight. The last of the kids just left. They're a fun group.

Well, we're into week 2 of having a new puppy. Not loving those trips to the backyard in the middle of the night. She's getting better these last couple days at sleeping through the night, so cross your fingers. There's nothing like standing out there in your pajamas with a coat on in the dark of the night. Roxy knows how to sit and sometimes does down. She's getting bigger and sometimes she gets pretty nippy and tries to herd everyone. She's dying to play with Barkley, but he'll have nothing to do with her and goes out of his way to stay away from her.

Church was great as usual. The youth leaders, Primary pres, YM/YW presidents spoke about Faith in God, Personal Progress and Duty to God. Sunday School was amazing, of course. Talked today about Joseph Smith being prepared to receive the plates and how much preparation there was and how much of the Lord's hand was in everything that had to do with the Book of Mormon and still has today. In RS we discussed Elder Wirthlin's talk "Come What May and Love it" and how laughter eases so many burdens and trials in life. A happy attitude is more effective in extending the quality of a person's life than nutrition or exercise.

Kirk got called to be the Elder's Q secretary and to home teach Tiffany Shaw. He's also going to speak in the singles ward in 2 weeks. I'm glad he got a calling even though he's only here for a few months. He's spending a lot of time texting one of Rachel's old roommates, Laura. He denies any feelings, but they sure do talk a lot. He's also talking about going to some of the Mission prep classes that are starting next week. I told him if he just showed up Bro. Shaw would definitely put him to work.

Alex is pretty busy and has now started dance festival rehearsals to add to everything else. He's one of the leaders in the ward that will help others learn the dance. They're doing the Tango. He calls it the Mormon Tango, probably pretty far-fetched from the Argentine Tango.

Kristina is taking Spanish for the first time now in school. It's funny to hear her learning, not that I'm so much more advanced, but so many words I just figured she already knew are brand new to her. She's also taking home ec which she's really excited about. She quit her band, too much on her plate for now. Maybe some day she'll go back to being a drummer.

Leah is doing well in school. She's really made some big strides and enjoys learning the times tables. It gives her a big sense of pride knowing them and loves that she knows something that Nikki doesn't know yet. Her reading is improving slowly too. She has lots of friends at school and also in her jump rope class. Tonight she helped me make the cookies for the fireside and she did a great job. She's actually enjoying her piano too. I think Sally Larsen has really made it fun for her.

Nikki is well, Nikki. She lives large, moves large, eats large, loves large and has a large tender heart. She's constantly amazing me with what she understands. She also loves to sing and does so pretty loudly. Today whenever there was a note longer than a quarter note, she held it loud and with a unique vibrato. I think she has the makings of an opera singer, or an "Oprah singer" as she says.

I completed Leah's baptism quilt this week. How's that for speed? It took me 4 years to get Kristina's done and only one year to finish Leah's. Now I'm on to Nikki's. She's excited to pick out the colors and design. I bet hers will be quite interesting.

Dad's still working on finding employment for this summer. His last day in Caldwell is June 30. Most of the doors in Idaho are slowly closing for us and are just not feasible. We're trying to come to grips with the fact that we'll most likely be moving. I just wish we knew where. Still looking into Texas and Utah at this point. Any requests?

We made our reservations for our trip to Argentina! We arrive the morning of the 26th of April and will be staying at the Holiday Inn. Then we called the church travel dept. and they booked your return flight home with us on the 4th of May. I'll send a separate email to you so you can see it. Just tuck it away for future use so you don't get too trunky. There's still quite a bit of time and I'm sure lots of work you want to get done.

How's the work going for you this week? Didn't get to hear too many stories from you last week. The girls are now praying for Eleana. The story about her mom had a huge effect on them. I love hearing how your baptisms are filled with so many people and how you get so many contacts from that. Non-members just don't usually come to the services here. The new members don't have that same enthusiasm that spurs them on to tell all their friends about what they just discovered.

I hope you are doing well and enjoying the work. Did you get our last package and the one from Grandma and Grandpa Thompson yet? It's fun to hear when you get things from us.

Have an awesome week. Be an instrument in His hands.
Love you,
momxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxo

It's Always Something

Jan. 18, 2009
Dear Elder Sean,
Well, we've survived 5 days with a new puppy. Life is certainly a little crazier because of it, but it's also fun. Roxy is a cute dog, however, now she has diarrhea and things haven't seemed so cute any more. Hopefully, it's just because she's eating a different food. She's half Australian Shepherd and half miniature poodle-hence an aussiedoodle. Barkley is annoyed with her youthful exuberance, so sometimes we have to take her away from him. She really wants to play with him though. Hopefully by the time you get home, she'll know some of the family rules, especially rule number one-pee outside.

We've had a roller coaster these last couple weeks with dad's work. We hear one thing, then get told another, etc etc. But now we know for sure that St. Al's is really undercutting them and expecting the ER docs to take a 50%pay cut. It's really been a blow to the doctors here and they're all looking for other work at this point. Dad is going to talk with St. Luke's, a couple groups in Utah and a few others that we might look into. We've done this before so I know we can do it again. It's just so all consuming to think about. If we can, we may just rent this house out so we can keep it. But the market is so down right now, nothing is selling. We were just barely finishing the mess with the IRS audit and then this news hit us. Our story is not unique as there are so many around us going through similar circumstances. We're so grateful for dad's training. He's very employable just about anywhere in the country, so we can't complain even though it has been and is a difficult trial for us. We'll keep you posted on our new journey. When one door closes, another always opens!

Sports news-It's going to be Pittsburgh Steelers vs Arizona Cardinals for the Superbowl. Dad just filled me in.

We had another wonderful spirit filled Sunday School class this week. I actually look forward to class each week. Bro. Hugentobler was the teacher today and he talked about a couple things from his mission in Argentina. When I hear the brothers draw upon their mission stories, it makes me feel good knowing that my sons will be able to do the same thing one day. Scriptures and spiritual events are embedded into their minds. Another thing I've noticed is that things I learned really well as a youth have stuck with me in my life. There are certain scripture mastery verses that come back to me all the time. Songs I learned on the piano are still in me, as well as guitar songs, etc. So what you are learning so well right now will be with you a long time. I've also found that it's so much harder the older I get to memorize or keep things with me. The info must go into a new compartment now, one that's not easy to access. It doesn't stop me from trying though. So take advantage of your youth now, learn as many new things as you can and make them a part of you forever.

Dad's counselors, Bro. Myler and Bro. Crosgrove, spoke in church today. They introduced our ward's goals for the year, which is to build Zion as a family and as a ward. Bro. Crosgrove talked about one of the most important things we can do is to remain clean. If we are clean, we are able to give and receive anything the Lord would want us to and thus be instrumental in building Zion wherever we are. Remember too that that was one of Pres. Hinckley's Be's, Be clean.

I hope you've been able to teach the Cardozo family more this week. Were they able to come to church? They sound like a wonderful family. And of course, I'm hoping to hear some news about Juan's family. The little girls were very touched by Eleana's story and her mother not letting her read the Book of Mormon. Keep us posted on that.

Have you gotten all our packages yet? Did you get the one that had your Christmas Eve presents in it, or with Bro. Pinder's letter? I think that was the last one. Let us know which ones you get. I printed out your letter to Sis. Transtrum and gave it to her in church today. She always looks so pretty. I've already asked the kids to all prepare something to play for her, so I'll let you know how that goes.

Steve and Carolina said Axel did a good job with his talk last week. Katie (Lutz) and Graig (who live in Sandy) came, Patrice Caudill, Ben and Alyssa, Allen and Lisa and their kids and even Bethany came. Allen called me the other day and asked about how to get Cole signed up for college. I didn't even realize he was a senior this year. So Alex and I have been talking them through the BYU registration process. Cole will probably live with Alex in Heritage also. So now they have 5 total in their dorm. (That is, if everyone gets accepted). Alex is procrastinating with all his end of the year stuff and it's driving me a little crazy. All he has to do for his Eagle project is write it up, he has 2 online courses he has to take in order to graduate, he needs to apply for scholarships, etc. And of course, as I'm writing you, I can hear him downstairs laughing playing Wii with Kirk and Kristina.

So I haven't heard you talk much about where you live now. Is it just you and Elder Lish or are there others there? What kind of a place is it? Do you cook for yourselves all the time or do you get a lot of your meals in the mission home?

Here's a couple missionary tips for the week:
1. Lock your apt. door whenever you leave and before going to bed. Leave a light on when you're out at night.
2. Don't linger after diner appointments.
3.Carry a photo of your family in your wallet.
4. Stay awake while your companion drives.
5. Your journal should be a record of both your activities and your thoughts.
6. Attend Bible study classes and be a friendly participant.
7. How you act on P-day is a direct reflection of how you will act when you are a returned missionary.
8. Get plants for your apartment.
9. Have food on hand for Sundays in case your dinner appointment cancels. Don't be in a situation where you feel compelled to go to the store on the Sabbath.
10.On hot days, take a cold shower during your lunch break.
11. Read one chapter from Proverbs a day. In one month, you'll have read them all.
12. Leave a list of free P-day activities in your area book.

Better turn in for the night. I look forward to Sundays to get to write you and Mondays to get to hear from you. Tomorrow is President's Day so the kids are home from school. Kirk will work for a few hours, but we'll try to get out and do something fun with the family. The snow has melted, but it's still plenty cold. Send some of your warmth our way...

Have a busy week and remember-Be clean and everything else will fall into place.

I love you,
momxoxooxoxoxoxo

Jan. 11, 2009

Jan. 11, 2008
Dear Elder Sean,
Sounds like you had quite a full week last week, hopefully this week was just as full. Full is good.

January is flying by. We had our 11am meeting this morning, our new time. It's going to be short-lived though. As I speak they're holding a special meeting at our building for the Eagle 8th ward, and all the Star wards. They're splitting them all and forming another ward. It will be called the Beacon Light Ward and it's going to meet in our building. So now we're going to have 4 wards in our building. Our new meeting time will be 12:30pm. There were a few moans when that time was announced. Moms will little kids have a hard time with that time since it is nap time. The new ward will meet at 8:30am, the singles ward at 10:30, us at 12:30 and the 8th ward at 2:30pm. Dad is at the meeting tonight to see how they're dividing and who the new bishops will be.

When dad gets home we're having the Priesthood Preview fireside here. There's only 5 boys this year and I actually had them as 9 year olds in Bear scouts, so it will be fun to have them here. So we're getting the house ready, etc.

It's been nice having Kirk home. He's been working every day at the mall and really likes it there. They've converted his store to the clearance store, so they keep pretty busy selling the BSU sale items. Alex is taking Fitness for Life online, so he and Kirk have signed up at Rocky Mountain to work out. Kristina is busy with Beehives, she's in the presidency and they do a lot of fun things. This week they're making Mormon ad videos. Should be fun. Leah has Sis. McCauley now as her Activity day leader and I'm very excited for her to learn from her and spend time with her. Sis. McCauley always gives 150% is everything does. Nikki talks about being able to go to Activity days too in the fall. She had her first day in senior Primary today and said she really liked it. Leah said Nikki was very reverent the whole time. I think sitting in the front row helps you be that way.

I am really loving our gospel doctrine class each week. We have amazing discussions and the spirit is always so strong. In my personal study I have started the New Testament and I've Tivo'd the BYU discussions they have on the New Testament. Religion professors all sit around and discuss it. It's like I'm taking the best class ever and get to hear from 4-5 professors all at once. I did that with the Book of Mormon too and loved it. If I was smart I'd do it with the D&C since that's what we're studying this year in church, but I am learning so much from Paul's teachings that I want to complete it first. We just finished Hebrews. I wish Paul told us more about the Hebrews who converted and how many there were. Those who believed had so much to learn, but Paul makes it so clear to them about the higher law that they now must live. All through history we see progression as Christ moves us from one law to the next as we are ready.

Dad has been busy at work this past week. There are going to be lots of changes coming soon for him. St. Al's is going to be taking over their contract at West Valley and no one really knows what that will entail. We do know that St. Al's only hires board certified ER docs (dad is ER board ceritifed) but the 2 partners who run the group are not board certified ER, so they are almost sure their jobs are on the line. St. Al's is talking with them tomorrow, so we'll know more about what their plans are after tomorrow. We feel like we are on "alert" until then. St. Al's takes over July 1st of this year. It's not a great feeling not knowing what's going to happen, but we're trying to be prepared for anything. If ye are prepared....

Axel got home this past Thursday and we got to see some video of him coming down the escalator at the SLC airport. It was short because Gio said he wanted to just see him and hug him in person instead of taking pictures. He didn't get home until midnight because of missed connections and then got released the next morning at 11am, then went to class at BYU at 1pm. Nothing like jumping right in. Carolina says he's very happy and excited for this new phase of his life. Uncle Steve went to some of his classes for him last week before he got home. David Lutz, who is now at BYU, said he saw Steve on campus and always yelled over to him, "hi, Uncle Steve!"

Last night dad and I went to the reception for David Nicholas (remember the "bearded one" at Thanksgiving. Well, he shaved his beard last year and amazingly girls weren't afraid of him any more and he met a really cute girl who had served a mission in Argentina, Buenos Aires North. She's now teaching Spanish at Rocky Mountain High School (the new high school in this area that took about 1/3 of EHS students). They had it at the old Train Depot in Boise which was a fun place and had a mariachi band playing. For refreshments they had empanadas, meat and fruit. Shannon (his wife) was excited for us to taste the empanadas since she obviously was the one who wanted them at her wedding. I loved the meat ones the best. It was fun talking with Dave's parents, Robyn and Pete (remember Pete and your test drive of his car). He asked about the Mustang. We told him it gets driven on a daily basis although it handles horribly in the snow-just ask Alex about that.

So have you been back to Raul's home?

Terri Westerberg called me this week because they hadn't heard from Jared and then found out it was because he was called to be AP and his p-day changed. She didn't really know what an AP was but had read it in your letters, so she wanted to talk with me. Jared will be a wonderful and faithful servant. It was great talking with her. We can't believe how similar you and Jared have been in your missions. Alex is always hanging out at their house now, so it's fun to be in so much contact with them.

Andrea Jones came over the other day to help Kirk learn some basics on his ukelele. Then they asked me to play my mandolin because they needed someone to play melody for Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Then Alex and his buddies joined in singing parts and Kristina played the piano. We had a lot of fun and now they want to record it and put it on youtube. I better brush up on the mandolin, I don't want to be the weak link.

Well, I better get things ready for the fireside. It's almost time. I sent you the Eagle Elder's newsletter last night, so hopefully you'll get them this week. We're getting our new puppy this Tuesday. I don't know if I'm ready for that puppy phase again. This could be a roller coaster ride. Wish me luck. We'll send you pix next week.

Grandpa Trumbo called me and said he was so happy you got his letter. Have you gotten the package yet that has Bro. Pinder's letter in it? What things did you do with the stuff we sent you in the last packages? It would be fun to hear.

I got a thank you email from Sis. Lucas and some fun pictures of her family and the girls playing with their barbies. She has a beautiful family. Have you had a chance to watch the DVD I sent you yet? I gave a copy of that to lots of people. It's a very humbling and yet motivating story.

I'm listening to Ye elders of Israel being sung on the computer as I write you and it feels me with the spirit and much tenderness for what you are doing. Can't wait to hear from you this week and to share in your spirit. It means a lot to me.

Have a great week and as you remember who you are, share with someone else who they really are. Every soul longs to belong.

I love you very much.
momxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxox

Back home from Utah

Jan. 4, 2008
Dear Elder Sean,
Well, we're back home as of this evening around 5pm. Right when we got home dad and Nikki and I had to turn around and get ready for the baptism preview for all the kids in the stake getting baptized this year. It was nice and Nikki, of course, is very excited to get baptized but has to wait until Sept. It will be nice to have all the family together for our last baptism (at least in our immediate family).

We had a great time in Utah. It was very cold but at least the roads were all clear for our drive down and back. We spent the first couple nights at Grandma and Grandpa's. We even went next door and printed out your letter last week from their neighbor since they still don't have internet. The next day we went to a traveling museum show called Body World where a man from Germany took actual cadavers and plasticized them and then formed them into different positions and stripped away the skin so you could see the muscles in action. He had every body part displayed in various forms also and it was very interesting. He even had in utero babies from 2 weeks forward. It was amazing. The little girls didn't go to that, they thought it would be too gross and I'm sure they wouldn't have enjoyed it.

That night we went out to dinner for Grandpa Thompson's 82nd birthday. He wanted to go to Red Lobster. The next day we hung out around their house. Grandma took me over to a lady's house in her ward who is an excellent quilter. Dad, Kristina, Leah, Nikki and I also went over to the Weigel's house. Dad and I had a nice visit with Darla and Rick and the girls played Wii in their basement and played with their 2 dogs. Darla says Tyler is doing well and living in Boise working and plans on returning to college when he gets enough money. Darla was really pushing for us to move by them. I told her maybe someday.

Wed night we went to Steve and Carolina's for dinner and games. It was New Year's Eve. Of course, we all ate the ritual 12 grapes just before midnight. Carolina had picked up her grapes from Costco and they were HUGE! I'm surprised we didn't have any choking incidents. haha Alex went to a dance with Dakota and had fun. Gio and Jenn came over for the festivities too with their puppy Tofu. Tofu is like their child and it's funny to watch them with him. He's a cute dog though. On Thursday we went shopping at the Provo malls with Charmaine. She got the kids their Christmas presents there.

Thursday night we went over to the Young's in American Fork to see the little girls' cousin Tani. We had dinner with them and watched the kids put on "plays". Very funny. It was quite the wild time with that much Samoan energy in the room. We really enjoy spending time with them and they truly have become family to us.

Friday Carolina, Kassie and Dakota took us to Park City for the day. Steve had to work so he couldn't go. We hadn't been to Park City for a while so that was really fun. Gio and Jenn came too. We also went to the Olympic Park there which Carolina had never been to. We had lunch at Cafe Rio-we just can't seem to get away from that place. That night Jan and Jeff and David showed up. They were there for the weekend to drop off David at BYU and get him set up in the dorms. Us adults went to the movies that night and came home to watch the last part of the Sugar bowl where Utah dominated the game and won and ended their season undefeated. This could make them National champs. Then we visited into the wee hours.

Saturday the kids with Dakota all went sledding. The night before there was a good size snowstorm-about 4 inches worth. So just down the street from Steve and Carolina (right by Steven Covey's house) there's a park that they call Rock Canyon Bowl Park and it's shaped like a bowl so it was perfect for sledding. We watched them for a while, then took off with Charmaine to go see Steve's new Noah's in South Jordan. It's beautiful. I can't believe how much nicer this one is than the Linden one. Looks like now they're going to build one in Arizona and one in Denver. Steve will oversee the building of both of them. We called G & G Thompson and asked them to meet us for lunch, then we headed back to Provo. That night we all went to the BYU/Wake Forest basketball game. It was the 2nd largest crowd in Marriott Center history. It was a good game, but there was quite a few bad ref calls. The crowd almost got out of control and the coach had to take the mic and ask people to not throw things and be respectful. BYU lost in the end, but they had the lead on and off throughout the whole game. It was a fun game to watch, but disappointing.

Jan just called me because she just said goodbye to David and was crying. She knew I could relate.

So how was your week? You've been so busy and getting so much done lately. I was happy to hear that Juan got baptized. I hope Aurora keeps progressing and is open to the spirit. I'm really glad she has Alicia to talk with.

You gave us homework last week. I wasn't able to forward your letter to all the family until tonight, so you probably won't hear back from anyone until next week, but without looking I would say that the blessing of tithing is to not be burned at the last day. We'll do our homework this week.

Have any more packages shown up yet? I sure hope so. Grandma and grandpa sent you one while we were there, so now there's even more to look forward to.

I hope the new year is treating you well. There's something very invigorating about the new year and I definitely have goals for myself and for our family. Can't wait to hear what you've been up to and what your plans are for this week. AP's sure need to know how to multi-task. I can remember always telling you that I love being anxiously engaged in good causes and you must surely understand that now.

It's late and I better sign off. Have another "best week ever".
Love you much,
momxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxooxoxxooxoxoxo