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