Ides of March

March 15, 2009
Dear Elder Sean,
Yes, it's the Ides of March according to Shakespeare and the day Caesar was assassinated. For some strange reason, I always remember that from my high school days. I hope things went a little smoother for you this week.

We had a wonderful Sabbath. The speakers were good and in Sunday School we discussed D&C 25 and had an interesting discussion on pride and humility. The interesting paradox of trying to be humble is that the more we think about it and think about ourselves being humble, then most likely we are actually letting pride slip in. It's a slippery little virtue and in my mind, the only antidote is sincere repentance. There are always a lot of good comments in our class moderated by excellent teachers.

Over the weekend, I went to my first official bluegrass jam at the Pinder's. I felt very out of place in the beginning, but everyone made me feel so normal and welcome there and I really enjoyed it. I have a lot to learn, but they helped me every step of the way. We're getting together again in May, so I'll be practicing a bunch on the mandolin so I can keep up better. The mandolin plays the off beat and it takes some getting used to. We had a bass, 2 guitars, a fiddle, a banjo and me on mandolin. Bro. Pinder was very nice and picked out a bunch of songs with easy chords and even made a CD with the songs on it so I can play along at home.

Kirk went snowboarding for his first time last week with a girl he knew in high school. They went to Bogus and said they had the place to themselves, but Kirk said it was pretty hard at first. He said the hardest thing was getting back up again. At the end of the day, he went and rented some skis so he could make a couple runs without falling. He said he'd actually like to go again and try snowboarding again. He bought himself a long board skateboard the other week too, so I guess we can say he's a boarder...

Alex has a busy week of choir things coming up. Districts are this week. They have a pre-district concert this Tuesday night. He's also taking voice lessons again from Bethany's sister.

Kristina had her first lacrosse practice this week and loved it. She got a lot of her gear from Aunt Toni and was pretty excited about it. We've been playing catch with her in the backyard. We have plenty of lacrosse gear to go around. Her coach seems really nice and is excited about the team this year. I really hope she continues to enjoy the game. She has a lot of her friends on the team too.

Leah is still the queen at jumping rope and loves her art club. I think she may be the only artistically talented Thompson. Dad and I have a meeting at her school this week to talk with the teachers, principal, school specialists, etc to talk about how Leah is doing in school this year. I'm anxious to hear what they have to say. I think she's been progressing and doing well, but I can't tell how far she is behind everyone else in her grade.

Nikki has been going to choir with me the last couple weeks and loves it. Her attention span is a little short and she continues to sing through all the rests, but hey, she loves to sing. I can't remember if I told you, but the adoption scandal case involving our adoption agency is finally over. The owners only got probation for 6 months and I'm pretty happy about that. I never met them personally, but enjoyed talking with Scott, the owner, on the phone several times through the years and I never felt he was intentionally lying or trying to scam people and he has 7 of his own children to take care of. The good thing that has come out of this is that now we have contact with the girls' birth parents and it was so good getting a letter from them. They said they knew what they were doing when they gave up the girls and just wanted a better future for them and have been so happy to see the pictures we have sent. They also would like us to come visit some day if we want. So who knows, another trip to Samoa may be in our future. I feel very blessed to have this contact, because there have been very few other parents with such a positive outcome.

Dad and I are going to Weiser first thing in the morning so he can interview with the director out there. It will be fun to check out this place. He heard from St. Al's this week and they said they have no spot for him, so now he really needs to get this job with St. Luke's in their outer hospitals. I feel calm and at peace about this.

So is this a transfer week? I was trying to figure it out. Can't wait to hear what's going on there. My prayers are with you and with Pres. Olsen as he makes changes.

Derek Hansen will be giving his farewell this next Sunday, then he is off to the MTC. Jared's mom, Terri, has moved to Phoenix with a new job she couldn't pass up. His dad is staying here until Jared gets home this summer. Terri will come back every couple of weeks until then. She said it's horrible timing, but such a wonderful job. If she likes it after a couple months, then his dad will put in for a transfer with the postal service in Phoenix. Jonny Stevens parents are moving this week. I haven't heard where they're going, but it's been tough times for them since they are both real estate agents and business has totally dried up. We will miss them in our ward. As far as I know, Jonny will still be speaking in our ward on May 10th with you. I'm sure there's more news, but I just can't think of anything note worthy right now, plus it's kind of late at night.

I studied the first part of Revelation and also Jude this past week. I also listened to what 4 BYU religion professors had to say about the chapters (thanks to KBYU), and I gained such insight. To know that John was foreordained to be one of a handful of people to see the vision of the last days and to be the only one who was to write it down. I'm very appreciative of Joseph Smith who asked to know the meanings of John's written symbols. I wish he would have asked about a lot more of them. I'm one who really likes to see the big picture of things. It helps me keep focused, keeps my eyes looking forward, it gives me hope and it really helps me keep a hold of the iron rod even through the mists of darkness, which mist is not selective but covers us all. So I am really enjoying reading John's words.

I hope you are well, healthy and rejuvenated for a new week and that you are having many opportunities to share your testimony. Have a great week. Press forward. Remember I love you very much.

momxoxooxoxxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoox