Sobering week

Feb. 1, 2009
Dear Elder Sean,
As I wind up this week, it is very sobering to look back. I know dad filled you in on the tragedy Kimi Anderson was involved in. I was so worried about her, but after seeing and hearing so much love and support for her today at church, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that she'll be lifted and loved to heal her. The Anderson's are praying for a miracle for the young man still in the hospital, but Bro. Clegg bore his testimony about how his family also prayed for a miracle for a newborn grandbaby who had been struggling for weeks. Elder Maxwell even came and gave it a blessing and in the middle of the blessing leaned down close to the baby in intensive care and called him by name and said, "I know you have an adult spirit inside this tiny body, and because you have an adult spirit you must now make an adult decision whether to stay here on the earth or whether to move on to the other side." Within 90 minutes, the baby quietly slipped away to the other side. So Bro. Clegg reminded the Andersons that this young man also has an adult spirit inside him and he will be making this decision that is best for him. Every testimony was wonderful, but hearing from Bro. Gary Anderson, first one up to the pulpit, was so powerful, humble and spiritual. I worked as RS pres. when Gary was HP group leader and he was an amazing man and leader. He gave everything in his calling and I was always so impressed at how much love he had for everyone. He's also been a true example of a great patriarch in his own home. He leads powerfully, quietly with love.

Also this week, in fact 2 hours after we heard about Kimi, I got a call from Carolina telling me that one of my good friends from High School had been given only 3 weeks to live from cervical cancer that had gone to her brain. She's a woman who always made me smile and who always had a smile on her face. I went out to lunch with her this last summer on one of my trips down to Provo and I'm so glad I did. We were looking forward to getting together more often and knowing that she will not be on the earth any more has really made me sad. Her life has been quite a story.

Then I found out the woman I visit teach fell skiing and broke her wrist. She's so active all the time, this is going to be hard for her. Then yesterday we got a call from Sue Thompson who had fallen and broken her right foot and right wrist. I work with Sue in cubs, we're the Bear leaders and I truly enjoy being with her and learning from her. Even though all this happened, she has such an upbeat attitude. I took dinner in to her family today and hope I can do even more to help her out. There were other things too this week that were pretty severe hardships on some of the families in our ward. So it's been very trying for many.

On top of everything, dad is trying hard to find employment before July 1. Tomorrow we're going to Mountain Home to take a look at one of the hospitals there that are looking for some docs to cover their ER. The pay might actually be better than what he makes now, but we'll see. The drive will definitely not be a fun one to make all the time. We're trying to stay here since the economy is so depressed. That's the plan anyways. Through all of this, I feel very hopeful. Sometimes change can be exciting. I'm learning a lot of lessons through this. I'm hoping to implement the wisdom gained into action in my life.

I talked with my dad tonight. He said he got your letter yesterday and loved it. He said there's no way he even thought about some of the things you think about at your age. He was pretty amazed. I'm going to be flying down to CA the end of this month to go to some lawyer/acct meetings with him. Uncle Steve will be there too. So many things have changed in his estate and since Steve and I are the executors we need to be there to sign papers and ask questions. We're trying to time everything so that it's the same weekend when David and Caryn go to the temple to have their 2 little ones sealed to them. Their adoption is finally final. It's been a long hard road for them, but it looks like you have 2 new cousins.

Today in RS the teacher asked me to take some of the time to talk about family sealings in the temple. It was enjoyable for me to share how I feel about that. I told everyone that it was just a part of me since I'd been doing them since I was one years old and how I wished every family could take each new child through to be sealed to them just so the whole family could have this wonderful experience together.

How are things going for you? Is this the week you're getting a new companion? I loved hearing how strong Edith is sounding. I know Aurora's heart can be softened because I've seen it recently with a very close friend whose husband had an affair. For the longest time, she blamed him for everything, but has been working with her Bishop, reading the Book of Mormon faithfully and doing all that she's asked to do. Then one night her heart changed. She saw so plainly how horribly she'd been acting in the family and with her husband prior to any of his wrong doing, her very words, harsh and vindictive, came back to her so clearly and she knew right then that she was instrumental in bringing the family down. She called me the very next day because her revelation had been so strong and she wanted to share it with me. I had never heard her talk that way before and frankly, never thought I would. She truly is a changed person. Her heart was softened and she and her husband are now working harder than ever to bring back the promised blessings that she knows can be theirs through their temple marriage. They both want it badly. I told her it was a miracle and that changes of the heart are only possible because of Christ. We both have a mutual friend who is in a similar circumstance, but she is without the gospel, and she is still suffering greatly because of her trial. There is distrust and often times animosity towards her husband and even though they are going to counseling, etc, I can't hear in her voice any signs of hope. She is actually a baptized member, her husband is not, but she does not attend church. We have had many conversations over the years about the church and it seems like such a simple answer for both of them to just give it a try, but the hearts are hardened and closed right now.

Aurora has so much going for her right now with her strong family. Can't wait to hear how she's doing.

Next week is the Special Olympics here in Boise. There are quite a few families hosting people from all over the world. It will be fun to hear all their stories. A couple ice skaters from Russia will be talking to Leah's activity day group, Kirk's single ward FHE group is having a group from Italy attend, etc etc.

Roxy Thompson is growing bigger each week. We don't know how big she'll be, but she's just about housetrained now. Yah! We've even trained her to ring a bell when she needs to go outside. If she'd just stop chasing Barkley so much. She just wants someone to play with and he's just a very old man dog. He's been extremely patient with her though, so I give him extra treats!!

Life is good. Family is everything.

Have a great week. I'm sure it will be a busy one for you. Our prayers are always with you.
Love you,
momxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxooxoxoxoxo