Charades and more

Feb. 15, 2009
Dear Elder Sean,
Just finished playing a fun game of charades with the family. Too fun watching Nikki and Leah act out words. How are you? I sure thought about you a lot today. Early this morning I went to the Beacon Light ward to hear Aaron Anderson give his report on his mission. His brother Trent was the youth speaker. Seems like I remember his brother speaking with him last time too. They speak very fondly of each other.

Aaron looked and sounded great. He spoke with such enthusiasm and you can tell he learned so much from his mission and enjoyed it even during the tough times. He spoke of the power of fasting and prayer and how doors opened for them because of their faith in asking through fasting and prayer, and not many doors open in New York. He gave me a big hug afterwards and said with a big smile, "Sean's mom!" Alex sang in a quartet at the meeting too. They sounded great. I told them they should sing at your homecoming.

It was fun seeing all the moms and dads of your friends again. After talking with the McKell's and the Frame's, I told them we all needed to get together and go out to dinner. Madison Flake drove up from Utah too as well as some other friends (sorry I didn't know their names). Aaron is planning on going to BYU for spring. Right now he's looking for a job and has been called as a ward missionary. He also plays basketball with Alex and his friends as the honorary "adult" that they need to be there. Tomorrow morning (no school tomorrow) they'll be playing all morning. Kirk said Jordan Potter keeps asking when all of you will be home so he can go and play baseball with all of you.

It was fun hearing a little from Elder Davis. Thanks for having him write us.

Grandma and Grandpa Thompson asked us tonight if you had received their package. I think I remember you mentioning it a few weeks back. They sent pralines, etc. Just let me know again if you got it or send out a thank you to them so they know it got there.

We just had a fill the temple weekend. I heard it was packed to capacity all 3 days which was wonderful. Dad and Kirk and I went on Friday. We took our own names through. We did initiatories first then went through a session. I went through for my birth grandma Hutchinson. It was the first time I have taken a name through where I have actually known the person here in this life. I was thinking about her the whole time and it was such a humbling experience. Kirk took Grandpa Hutch's name and dad took his grandfather Thompson. Next we'll do the sealings for the Hutchinson's.

We had the sister missionaries over for dinner last week. I love the spirit they bring into our home. It's almost palpable. They left us with a little lesson and Leah is very excited to invite her friends to the next activity day this upcoming weekend. I really hope they get to go because Leah is so anxious about it. I'll be talking with their mom.

I was wrong last week when I said dad was interviewing for jobs. He's doing it this week. We are very excited and anxious to hear what St. Al's and St. Luke's has to say. These interviews will be very pivotal in our lives.

This week in my studies, I read Peter in the NT. First I was in such awe of Paul and now I see Peter in such a powerful way. It's so great to see his growth from the impetuous days of his youth, fresh from the fishing boats as a young apostle to Jesus Christ. And now to read his wisdom that can only come from experience and age as he writes 30 years later and is well aware of his impending death. For some reason, I am seeing the NT in a brand new light. That's what I love about the scriptures. You don't just read them once in your life and call it good. There is always something new to be learned or gleaned.

Alex heard from BYU this week and it's a yes! Looks like he'll be there with you in the fall.

All the rest the kids are doing well. The YM/YW are all practicing for the big talent show this week. Even the Bishopric will be getting into the act. Brother Myler is writing some words about the Strength of Youth to the Mexican tune, Aye, Yai, Yai, Yai, I am the Frito Bandito. They will be performing it as a Mariachi band. Should be lots of fun.

This week I also met with the other missionary moms in our ward to swap ideas on how to best support our missionaries. So many fun ideas. One thing Sister Stevens mentioned was that they always sent little oil vials for Elder Stevens to give out to the men who had newly received the priesthood. I thought that was a good idea. If that's something you'd like to be able to give out, let us know. We can always pick those up for you. I hope you've always felt our love and support for you. The whole family reaps the blessings from your work and we are so thankful for the opportunities you've been given. The spiritual experiences in the MTC prepared you for the world you were heading into for 2 years. Your mission with all its spiritual experiences and lessons learned through the spirit is preparing you for your life. I hear many men refer back to the experiences on their missions as they speak, which is great, but what is even greater is to hear people refer to recent spiritual experiences. They are the ones who are continually striving to feel the spirit, learn more, and reach even greater heights. There is always so much more for me to learn in life.

I hope you are feeling well and enjoying the service you are giving. It truly is a marvelous work and a wonder. Here are some missionary tips for the week:
1. Surprise your landlord with a small gift.
2. Occasionally write an individualized letter to one family member instead of to the whole family.
3. Talk with the members, not at them.
4. Wipe toothpaste out of the sink.
5. Get up early once in a while and make breakfast for your companion.
6. Service projects at rest homes are very rewarding.
7. Be able to tell one Book of Mormon story dynamically by memory.
8. Don't confess or discuss past sins with investigators or members.
9. Get a haircut the first P-day of each month.
10. Answer the questions your mother asks in her letters (hey, that one was really in the book, I didn't add it on my own!!) :)

Better sign off and get in to dad before he falls asleep for the night. He's very sleep deprived these days. I can't complain though. I'm so lucky to get so much time with him compared to other working husbands. He has a great work schedule where we get entire days to spend together every week. I love it.

I'll leave you with Pres. Monson's words, "In order to really learn, one must learn to really listen." I'm going to try to be a better listener this week. Have a wonderful week. Can't wait to hear about what you did last week.

Love you always,
momxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxxo