On the road again

July 31, 2011

Dear Elder Alex,

I thought I'd write you your letter right before we take off today.  Just got home from church. It was wonderful.  Bro. Randy Thompson reported on Mary and her progress.  She's started walking with a cane and a walker now, but is still in the hospital.  She's learning how to change her own dressings on her legs so when she's released she'll be able to hopefully do it herself.  It's a slow painful healing process, but she's progressing a little each day.  

I have to tell you thank you very much for my birthday present.  It couldn't have come at a better time.  Just that day we started smelling this horrible smell in the house and could not figure out where it was coming from.  Believe me, we searched high and low. You could smell it in every room of the main floor, so I took my new candles and put them in my quilt room.  Aaaah, it was lovely.  So thank you!

I ran into the Rasmussens at the movies yesterday.  They are anxiously awaiting news from their son.  We're hoping maybe you saw him on transfer day.  

I loved hearing that you're doing Meals on Wheels.  I love that program. 

How's your new companion?  Tell us a little about him. Bro. Rasmussen knows your mission president very well and said as you get to know him better and better, you will absolutely love him.  He couldn't say enough good things about him.

I wish I could have heard your song last week in church.  I love that song and I thought of you that day singing it, so in my heart I felt you singing it.

Leah has officially started her life in the braces world.  She got spacers last week and then this week, she got that lovely apparatus put into the roof of her mouth, the one that makes you drool when you're eating and won't let you say words with the "th" sound.  She's wanted braces so badly and has been begging me to make her appointments and now she's ready to have them out.  I laugh (I know, mean mom).

Dad's deposition went longer than expected and it was pretty gruelling.  He was asked everything under the sun.  Then to top it all off, the doctor who was deposed after him through dad under the bus and claims dad never called him.  Now our attorney has to hire a private detective to find out where all the calls went.  Dad has never wavered in his story and has a clear memory of that day, so I have no doubts for dad.  I just doubt the system.  I wish it would hurry up though so dad wouldn't have to have this on his mind.  Hopefully our little vacation will really help.

We talked with Kirk a couple days ago and he has malaria again.  We're thinking he didn't take a full course of medicine last time.  When the doctor says to take meds for 2 weeks, you need to keep taking it even if you start feeling better-little lesson for us all.  So now he has to start again and he'll probably be taking some meds even after he gets home the end of August.  Hopefully, you won't be doing battle with malaria in Tennessee, but you never know :)

Sean was asked to meet with his department head this week.  He didn't know what it was for and was a bit nervous, but his professor said it was a good thing.  So the dept. head just wanted to tell Sean that he nominated him to speak at Freshman orientation this year on the subject of How to Choose a Major.  Sean will do a great job because that's something he thoroughly investigated, prayed about, went to the temple about, etc.  He's perfect for the topic.

Kristina went to her first jam at the Pinders last night.  She's been taking upright bass lessons from Heather and when she got home she said, That was awesome!  She loved playing.  Randy put out a call on craigslist for anyone to come and 3 actually showed up from that.  Sean Pinder said he was really impressed at how well Kristina played each song with such little training.  Randy's going to have a jam now every month, so I'll try to hit a few too.  My finger is just starting to feel better now and I think I might be able to play a stringed instrument.  We'll see.

We'll try to capture some cool air from the Northwest for you and send it your way.  It's been very hot here too and we are looking forward to 71 degrees for the entire week.  I don't even care if it rains a lot too.  Tonight we're driving as far as Yakima, then we'll go on to Seattle tomorrow.

They're all waiting for me.  Looks like I missed out on the car packing, so now I can be done writing. haha  Have a wonderful week and remember you can rely on the spirit in any situation. You're never alone.  

I love you, mom

ps. attached is an mp3 of the Steep Canyon Rangers quartet song dad talked about.  It's a great song, but I'm not sure if you'll be able to open it.  If not, it will be in our itunes when you get home.

Birthday Weekend

July 24, 2011

Dear Elder Alex,

How was your Pioneer Day/mom's birthday/Karl Malone's birthday? I had a wonderful day, that is to say, wonderful until I walked back into the house tonight and looked for my piece of chocolate cake that Heather Pinder had brought over for me. Then I found the empty plate on the ground, licked clean. One of the dogs has eaten it, don't know which one and so now we just wait and see what kind of reaction they have. I'm not happy with them...I was looking forward to that cake:(

I had a wonderful day. Many phone calls from my family, some friends stopping by, a yummy chinese dinner (spring rolls, rice, coconut shrimp and bbq'd shrimp). Fun presents, mainly books, a purse and some beautiful measuring spoons.

I've considered it my birthday week cuz we've had lots of fun this week. The Lucas family came into town Wednesday. We took them to downtown Boise and went to BSU hall of fame museum and looked at the blue turf, then walked around downtown. When given the choices for lunch, they chose Tangos to get Argentine empanadas. I guess they've been craving them from back home. They had fun talking with the owner and loved the empanadas.

Back at home, we went swimming at one of our neighbors for a bit to cool down, then we left Kristina, Bruno and Mara to go to YM/YW. The rest of us went to Costco where Marcela was looking for a certain laptop. She says our prices are much better here. We ended up finding what she wanted at WalMart-of course. The YM/YW went flash freezing. Similar to flash mobbing, but instead you freeze where you are and let people walk by you and wonder why you're not moving. They had a lot of fun.

The next day all of us except dad and Nikki went zip lining. It was a blast! I would love to go again. Dad and Nikki met us by the river for a picnic lunch, then we were off to meet the river rafting guide for a ride down the Main Payette. We had 2 boats and it was so fun. All the kids were in one boat and they even managed to buck their guide out of the boat by having everyone load onto the front for one of the rapids. He was very surprised to have been bucked out, but it was quite a sight to see, only legs flailing in the air. Our guide was very funny and had us doing all kinds of tricks for each set of rapids. Lots of fun!

That night we had a low country boil(which tasted awesome)out on the back porch. The Pinders came over to join us and afterwards they played some bluegrass for us all. I loved it. Mel and Jodie also came over. All the Spanish speakers enjoyed being together. Later that night we played a couple games that would cross over well for those who didn't know English. We played the 100 game and also 4-on-a-couch. The Pinders kept talking about how fun it was to play games like that. All I know is, we all slept well that night after such an adventurous day.

Friday Sean and the Lucas's flew back to SLC and I will really miss Marcela. We had some fun conversations that covered just about everything. She's a special friend. And then we went back to our sedate life of going to the movies together. Saturday was our Stake's Pioneer Day celebration. There was a good turnout. Then last night we triple dated with the Mylers and the Pinders and went out to dinner then to Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers concert here in Eagle. He was so funny and the music was great. The fiddler was probably the best I'd heard and the mandolin player was also very good. Of course, Steve plays a mean banjo, but it's his humor I like the best.

So you can see, we've had quite the week. In fact even today, Jan and Jeff showed up for about an hour. They were here because Jeff's dad is not doing well, but Jan had to fly home tonight for an appointment tomorrow. It was fun having them here for a while anyway. They got to be here when I opened my presents.

Here are some pictures from our adventures. the first one is when the guide was bucked out.

This is a picture from a birthday party Leah went to at Emma Rasmussen's. Here she is doing a balancing act with Samantha Yorgason.

How did your musical number go today? I was thinking about you during church hours. I also thought a lot about your because in our ward the elders were our main speakers and they did a great job. The first one was a bit nervous, but Trish(our investigator) was there today in church and I was watching her. She was listening to every word he had to say and was nodding along in agreement. The second elder was a bit older in the mission and had a gift for speaking. The spirit was strong. They both spoke on having faith. It never ceases to amaze me how powerfully the spirit can work through any of us, especially full time missionaries who are living so close to the spirit every day. It really makes a difference, there's no denying it. I spoke with Trish after church and she told me she was so glad she came to church today because she felt the spirit so strongly in everything that was said. I told her that she would always feel that here because the Lord is sending her a clear message about where she should be.

I hope you had a great week, that you're staying cool enough through your summer in Tennessee. If you get this letter before noon or one your time, say a quick prayer for dad. He'll be in the middle of his deposition for the lawsuit he's involved in. He's very anxious about it and I wish I could take away his worries. I'd gladly take them upon myself if I knew he wouldn't have to feel what he's feeling. All I know is a great burden will be lifted from his shoulders by tomorrow afternoon when it's all over.

Do all that you can to keep the spirit with you. You will be a vessel for miracles if you do.

love you very much,

Mom xxooxxooxxoo

Birthday Weekend

July 17, 2011
Dear Elder Alex,
So how was your birthday week? I hope things went well, that you found lots of new investigators and that you enjoyed our little packages. Did you like anything in particular that we sent? We put up the birthday banner in your behalf and went to Harry Potter's last movie...it was good, but now it's all over. You still have it to look forward to.

We went over to the Billings' house tonight for a little get-together/game night. I realize you don't know them, but they are a fun new family from Chicago. They have a daughter Kristina's age and they are BFF's. Caleb Braithwaite came over too to join in the fun. Caleb broke his collar bone on the first day of EFY last week, some kind of wild and crazy get-to-know-you game. So now his dad is going to high adventure without him tomorrow.

Dad is sitting out on the back porch enjoying the evening air. That's one of my favorite things about the summer, sitting out on the back porch. I just realized that sounds like an old person type of thing to say. Oh well, I am who I am.

Virginia Walker called last week and I chatted with her for quite some time. She was fun to talk with and she spoke very highly of you, your character and your work ethic. She says she's known many, many missionaries throughout her years and has worked very closely with many of them and you are one of the best. So keep up the great work. There are more people watching you, your behavior, your attitude, your obedience than you will ever know. It's all part of being a disciple of Christ.

We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Lucas family from Argentina this week. They fly in Wednesday and will stay with us a couple of days. We have fun things planned with them including a low country boil with the Pinder family band playing. Randy served in Argentina so he's excited to talk with them and Heather also speaks Spanish. It will be a lot of fun. I'll report back in next week's letter about how it all goes.

Leah and Nikki had another week of tennis lessons. They are taking from Sally Larsen's sister-in-law and they really enjoy it. I think we'll do even another week of lessons in August before they head back to school. Kristina's having a rough time adjusting to life back home after the full fun schedule of EFY. She thinks we should have something going every minute. So she had a party here last Thursday night. They all had so much fun that they want to have a Thursday night party every week. We'll see about that.

Today they announced officially that our stake is getting split at the next stake conference which is August 13/14. I've known for some time, but of course had to keep it all to myself. They also announced a special meeting for 7 wards that will be having their boundaries redrawn. Star 1,2,3, Beacon Light, Eagle 8, 4, & 7. So it looks like our ward will be staying the same for now-we're happy about that. One of the 70 will be coming for the split. He's asked for a dinner between the Saturday meetings, so that falls on my presidency. We have some good food planned for that including something my first counselor calls "general authority chicken", a dish her mom used to make when she had to serve visiting general authorities. I'll be making fancy green beans to go along with it.

So when you get back there will be a completely new stake out here with a new stake president,etc. It's going to be quite the shake up for a while. I can't imagine starting a completely new stake and how much work that will take.

Today at church we found out that Mary Thompson was in a bad fire accident last night down in Provo. She and some friends went to an old mine or a cave or something where they were having a big bon fire. The guys she was with decided to add gas into the mixture and somehow where Mary was standing was a small puddle of gasoline. The fumes traveled right out to her and she was burned all up and down both legs. She is in the burn unit at the Univ. of Utah and will most likely be there for at least a month. We still don't know much of the details about the severity of her burns yet since it just happened last night, but our ward is praying for her. Bro. Thompson was at church and even gave our Sunday School lesson which was a beautiful lesson about the crucifixion of Christ. It was difficult for Bro. Thompson at times, but it was a very spiritual lesson finishing off with Elder Holland's talk about Christ which he gave in the April 2009 General Conference. I can remember when he gave that talk and how powerful it was. I'll send you a copy of that talk.

Kirk has been very busy setting up an eye/dental clinic. He says it's been a lot of work and is glad it's now over. He's calling tomorrow night so I'll get more details about his clinic then. But he sounds good, is completely over his malaria and is starting into his last 6 week session there. Tyler Yorgason is not going as he had planned, so I'm sad about that, but he couldn't raise enough money.

Also last week was Boise's EFY and the people making a DVD to show wanted to show cultural diversity in the US as part of it. So a guy came by our house and interviewed Nikki and Leah.

He asked Nikki what she liked best about living in the United States and she said, mashed potatoes and clothes. Leah said she liked the house she lives in.

So how is Franklin? Are you getting adjusted to the area, the people, your new ward? I hope it is all going well for you and that you are having success in finding people to teach. The young adults are usually a great missionary force. Ask them for friends to teach and remind them to invite their friends to all the activities. My young adult years were filled with many friends taking the lessons and me sitting in on them add my own testimony to that of the elders. I loved it and it was so easy to invite them to all our events. They were all looking for some direction in life.

I'm excited that you're singing Come Thou Fount next week at church. I love that song and wish I could hear you sing it, but I'll be humming it all day in your honor. It's one of my favorites!

Have a great week. Many many prayers are always coming your way.
love you,
mom xxoo

Post Game Night

July 10, 2011

Dear Elder Alex,

We just finished up a night of games with the Braithwaites and the Campbells. A little wits and wagers, 4 on a Couch and Loaded Questions and homemade ice cream. Lots of fun as usual.

They all said to say hi.

Our Sunday was good. I started the day with an early morning meeting at the stake where we discussed all the things put on by the stake that are not in the handbook, ie academies, trek, dance festival, RS women's conference, etc. Basically and for the most part, we all felt the programs our stake does are great and only a few needed just a little tweeking here and there.

It was good to hear about your new president. Be patient with him. So how many children does he have with him in the mission home and how old are they?

We had a good week starting it off with 4th of July at the Leifson's. Then I had my ppi with Pres. Stafford and that's always good. There's a lot of moving and shaking going on in the stake in the next little bit, so we had a good talk about all that. For now I'm sworn to secrecy, but in a few weeks I'll be able to share.

Over the weekend we went to a dinner party at the Dahl's house. They're fairly new in the ward and live around the corner in Canterbury. There were 6 couples there and it was so interesting as we went around the table and told our stories. I have to say Bro. Majors is a crack-up and I loved listening to his story telling. That's the great part about dinner parties-learning about people you'd otherwise never get to know. Come to find out Sis. Dahl is an avid game player so she had us play Quiddler. I almost won...2nd place.

The girls and I went to Kylie's reception last night. It was packed full of people in their backyard which means lots of presents for them! She and Mitch Bruneel looked very happy. Earlier in the day the Kofoed girls opened for Jericho Road. They were performing in Nampa. Jericho Roach said they'd try to make it to the reception. I don't know if they ever showed up cuz Kristina wanted to get going to go to a stake dance. I heard that the Kofoed family performed at the reception too. Kimberly Kofoed really wanted to make sure that I told you hi from her. She wanted me to send her your emails and she loves country music so now she wants to hear all about the people you've met there too. Since I post all your letters on ldsmissions.net, I just sent her that link.

I had a fun talk with Dawn Yorgason who was also here for the weekend. Dallas sounds like he's doing really well and Tanner has gotten taller. Can't believe he's a senior this year.

The other mom I spoke with that wanted me to make sure I said hello to you was Julie Beckstrom. She was so complimentary of you and told me about the time you came over to their house on Christmas Eve when they were having such a hard time in their family. She said you made all the difference being there and how it made them feel better and how you helped them put up their Christmas tree, etc. She said she's never forgotten it and thinks very fondly of you. So at this point, you've really been scoring big points with the moms around here. :)

Neither dad or I remember a woman by the name of Virginia Walker. Was she active when she lived in Hilton Head. We knew everyone that came to church and her name doesn't even sound familiar. She hasn't called here yet, but it will be fun to talk with her if she does.

I can't remember if I told you last week that Kirk had malaria, but he was sick for a while over there in Uganda. He seems to be over it now and hopefully it won't come back. It's very hard having your child sick living so far away.

That's about it for our week. I hope you're starting to get some new investigators after the ward split. How's your new zone? Are they hard workers, good missionaries? Remember to keep your eye out for Tyler Rasmussen. He should be coming out there next week.

So I just want to be sure you have gotten letters or postcards from us at your address on 11th Ave. If we send a package there, will it be safe or should those just go to your mission home? Let me know.

This is the beginning of your birthday week, so I hope you have an awesome week!! We'll be thinking of you all week especially this Friday. Maybe dad and I will go to the movies (HP premiere) to celebrate your day. It was a beautiful day 20 years ago, something I'll never forget and each year you make it better and better.

I love you very much and I love being your mom, it's the best feeling.

mom xxxooo

4th of July

July 3, 2011

Dear Elder Alex,

Well, it's 4th of July Eve here and I can hear the sweet sound of fire crackers going off in the background. Roxy and Eddy aren't like Barkley. They don't seem to mind the sound at all. Remember how Barkley would hide in the farthest corner of the house? Well, not these 2 dogs, they seem oblivious to it.

I spent part of the day putting together your chempal newsletter, so that should be coming in the mail this week. BTW, we want to know if you've received any mail from us at your new address. Dad sent one letter to your old place and they forwarded it to your new place and it got sent back to us. They had the correct address on there, but it still came back. So let us know if you've gotten anything.

We got back home last Tuesday evening and it's been blasted hot here now. I realize it's dry heat, but it's still too hot to do anything for very long outside. How's your heat? Doesn't the heat tend to open doors for you? I always let people in when they came door to door when we lived in the South because they looked so hot and needed some water and air conditioning.

So how's your new President? Have you met him yet? It will be really different having all those daughters in the mission home too. He sounds like a very interesting man, so I bet you'll really enjoy him.

Kristina called today and she's coming home tomorrow. Dad was working today, so it was just me and the little girls (I will always call them that) at church and all day. Kristina had a great time at EFY, of course. She's totally in love with a couple guys now, one was her counselor and one was someone her age from Texas. You remember those days, don't you? She's upset that I won't let her have a facebook account so she can keep in touch with everyone. She says email is so out of date now. We took away her texting, so she's only got email and a phone. Can you just hear me weeping about that sad story... anyway, EFY was amazing for her and she had lots of spiritual experiences too. Next week I'll send you pictures from her escapades.

That's so funny about your roommate being someone you had met before. Sounds like you have great companions.

Our new neighbors (first house in the neighborhood on the left) the Simmons are from Huntington Beach CA and they said their very good friends from HB just sent a son to the MTC to go to Nashville. So be on the lookout for an Elder Andrew from HB, CA. Also Tyler Rasmussen should be getting there in a week or so, so keep your eye out for him too.

The woman in our ward who has been taking the lessons, Trish, is still having a hard time quitting smoking. I love it when she comes to Sunday School and RS because she has such great comments, not just the usual answers. Today in testimony meeting, a little Rasmussen girl got up and as part of her testimony she said she knew the church was true and she also knew that Trish would be able to quit smoking. I loved it. I'm pretty sure the Rasmussens were fasting for her to be able to quit smoking. They've been such great neighbors to her. We fasted for her last month and I know she'll be able to quit too, but it's a very tough thing. Her meth addicted pregnant daughter is not helping relieve the stress in her life.

So yes, I had heard of Billy Strange. That's fun that he's in your ward. He's a very talented man. I'm pretty sure he's the one who wrote the theme for the Batman TV show too and he was a singer as well as a guitarist and composer. I hadn't heard of Kyle Turley but looked him up. I read his bio on Wiki. Love his debut album, "Anger Management" which includes songs about his football career. Turley calls his album "power country." He may find comfort in the scripture, "Be still and know that I am God."

The great news of the gospel is that everyone can take advantage of Christ's sacrifice and atonement, His mercy that will ease any pains from justice, and all they have to do is repent and come to Him. Christ has already done His part and just waits for us to come to Him.

Well, better let you go since it's a holiday. In fact, you may not even get a p-day on the 4th now that I think about it. Anyway, have a wonderful week knowing that there are many of us always praying for you. You're a gift to our family.

love you,

mom xxoo