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