Dec 13, 2005
Hey Elder,
Dad just left for work. He's doing a half night shift tonight, so he got to
stay home (well, actually he got to be at the church for interviews, etc).
The other Dr.'s have been so great with helping him out with this crazy
bishop schedule. We're very blessed.
I went to Enrichment tonight, a Christmas dinner. It was very nice. I miss
being so involved in Relief Society. We have great sisters in our ward.
I've been so busy lately. Trying to get things ready before we leave for
CA. I've been shopping for teacher's presents, making presents, baking,
etc. Tomorrow I'm going visiting teaching, and Nikki has her Christmas
program. Her teachers say she's the loudest singer, so I'll video it so
you can see it some day. They say she sings the loudest but not necessarily
the right part of the song. Should be pretty funny. She's supposed to
dance tomorrow too.
Leah's program is Thurs and Sean and Alex will be singing the Messiah on
Thurs night. Mr. McMullen said to say hi to you.
If I already mentioned this in an email--sorry. Sis. Pinder said she bought
a small Christmas ornament from her mission and to this day loves seeing it
on her tree. It's a reminder of her mission during the Christmas season. I
thought that was a good idea. thought I'd pass it along.
Wesley Tafoya spoke last week and I went up and introduced myself to him. I
gave him your email and he said Elder Pederson is a great missionary. It
was so fun to hear him speak about some of the ways of life in the DR, and
his stories of teaching and what he learned while he was on his mission. It
made me cry at times because it was as if I was hearing from you. He really
developed a love for the people, but said it took some time. He said as he
served them, he learned to love them.
How's your Spanish coming along? Do you feel it getting a little easier?
I'm debating taking a Spanish class that the community offers. We'll see.
Maybe I should just listen to Dora the Explorer more. Nikki keeps saying
Feliz Navidad a lot these days. She didn't even realize she was speaking
Spanish so when I told her, she was pretty proud.
Our ward Christmas party was wonderful. They made the gym look like
Bethlehem and everyone had to dress up or they got taxed. They had booths
around the room with food, games, a place to have your picture taken, etc.
It was a lot of work for the activity committee but I think everyone really
enjoyed it.
Do you know when you'll be calling home yet? We have church from 11:30-1pm
that day. So we should be home after 3pm your time.
We leave this Friday morning for CA, but we can check and write emails from
Carolina's, so we'll be anxious to get your emails even in CA.
I hope you're keeping a good journal. Each day make it a point to write
down something specific (even if it's small) you've learned while on your
mission. Today I learned.... I think that would be fun to look back on.
Did you ever get those sayings that I translated? Just wondering if they
were even close to correct. Here's a Christmas quote from Pres. Hinckley,
"Christmas means giving and the gift without the giver is bare. Give of
yourselves; give of your substance; give of your heart and mind...Christmas
means compassion and love and most of all forgiveness...How poor indeed
would be our lives without the influence of His teachings and His matchless
example...He whose birth we commemorate this season is more than a symbol of
a holiday. He is the Son of God...the Redeemer of mankind, the King of
Kings, the Prince of Peace."
I hope you're feeling the true spirit of Christmas as you serve the people
of the DR and as you serve the Lord. So many people everywhere are able to
feel the Holy Ghost testifying to them of Christ at this time of year, yet
so many don't even realize what it is they are feeling and where those
feelings are from. Let people know what it is they are feeling when they
feel the spirit of Christmas. It's a great gift.
I love you much.
Mom
xoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxo
Dec 19, 2005
Dear Elder Kirk,
I've been trying to write you a letter and it keeps deleting it. I'm doing something wrong so I decided to write you from my yahoo acct. Hope it works.
We're having a great time here in sunny CA. Not quite as warm as where you are, but it feels great. I hear it snowed this week in Boise.
We're actually going to the beach today. And you know the girls, I'm sure they'll be in the water no matter how cold it is. Last night we went to Downtown Disney with the stars. It was a lot of fun.
Ben and Alyss got married over the weekend. They looked great. We were able to go to the sealing in the Newport Beach temple. The temple is so different from any that I've been in. Very California mission style. Then their reception was at a tennis club. the little girls loved dancing even when there was no dancing going on.
So what are the traditions of Christmas in the DR? Did you think that was a good idea to get an ornament from the DR? Were you able to do any secret Santa stuff?
So when does Elder P leave for home? Has it been hard at all being with someone who is getting ready to go home? Just think, you have your whole mission ahead of you to make it what you want. Whenever I get a new calling I think about how I'll feel at the end when I'm released. Will I feel good about the job I've done? Did I do everything I could and really magnify my calling? Anyway, that really helps me to think that way with any calling I get. I always want to be able to look back and know I've done the best I could.
Is there anything you need from CA? Also, let us know when you're going to be calling so we make sure that we stay at home. Most likely we'll be home all day on Christmas except during church-11:30am to 1pm MST.
We'll be thinking of you this Christmas time. I miss you but I know you're where you're supposed to be with the people who need you more.
I'm keeping this a little short in case I can't send it out. Dad has tried to write you too but it keeps getting deleted. So sorry. Just know that you're in our prayers and thoughts. Can't wait to hear your stories. I love hearing everything you're doing. Keep up the great work.
Love,
mom
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Dec 27, 2005
Dear Elder Kirk,
It was so fun talking with you on Christmas day. It was fun having you sit
at our table while we had prayer before dinner. Sorry we couldn't send you
any jello salad or something fun like that over the phone. You sound great
and your Spanish was very impressive. Languages seem to come easily to you.
Here's a quote I found this week and thought you'd like it:
"I have always found that when we do the little things correctly, the Lord
gives us the strength to accomplish big things... You might not always
understand the reasons for some rules or commandments, but if you will
follow them‹even in the little things‹you will have more strength to do big
things... And you will have the great blessing of knowing that you are on
the Lord¹s side and that He is on yours."
--Donald L. Hallstrom
Since we've talked not much has happened, but I did get sick yesterday,
which is a pretty rare occasion for me. I had a fever all day and just hung
out in bed. Nikki and Leah were usually by my side. I feel much better
today. We got a new Tivo in our bedroom so I've been trying to set up the
old one downstairs and it's been a nightmare, so aggravating with all those
wires, etc. I'm about to throw the whole thing out...
It's been raining non-stop here. they said it rained almost the whole time
we were in CA too. We need the moisture, but it's hard to do anything
outside. Do you have a rainy season there? Or does it just rain every day
for a little bit?
Can't wait to see your pics. I sent Scott's letter to you and he had a
picture with it. Let me know if it all came through.
Dad has tithing settlement tonight and tomorrow night, so he'll be really
busy, plus he's working a lot of shifts at the end of this month to make up
for all the time he took off before. He's a hard working man.
Before I forget, here's Alex Erickson's email address. His little city
just now got high speed internet:
koppertop127@myldsmail.net
I'm anxious for the new year. It's very invigorating to me to set new
goals, start new projects, etc. Did you remember to write something down as
your gift for Christ this year? I just finished reading the BOM and
thoroughly enjoyed it this time. I learned so much and I feel so close to
the prophets of old and am amazed at their great faith. They were truly
vehicles for the Lord to work through.
Well, I've got to get dad's suit to him at the church. He's going there
straight from work. Wish you could send us some of your warmth. My hands
are freezing here. Sean heard from BYU that they will be making their
decision by Jan 15, so we have to wait some more. Alex is anxious to learn
how to fly his remote airplane and has already crashed it once, so he's at
Chase's playing, Kristina is busy playing with Maggie (as usual), she's
making Top Ramen right now, Leah & Nikki are getting their leftovers out of
the frige (from Panda Express) to eat for dinner and Barkley is barking at
the back door (I'm sure he's tired of the rain too). Same old, same old.
Take care of yourself, your companion and your new family in the DR. I love
you,
mom
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Dec 27, 2005
Dear Elder Kirk,
It was so fun talking with you on Christmas day. It was fun having you sit
at our table while we had prayer before dinner. Sorry we couldn't send you
any jello salad or something fun like that over the phone. You sound great
and your Spanish was very impressive. Languages seem to come easily to you.
Here's a quote I found this week and thought you'd like it:
"I have always found that when we do the little things correctly, the Lord
gives us the strength to accomplish big things... You might not always
understand the reasons for some rules or commandments, but if you will
follow them‹even in the little things‹you will have more strength to do big
things... And you will have the great blessing of knowing that you are on
the Lord¹s side and that He is on yours."
--Donald L. Hallstrom
Since we've talked not much has happened, but I did get sick yesterday,
which is a pretty rare occasion for me. I had a fever all day and just hung
out in bed. Nikki and Leah were usually by my side. I feel much better
today. We got a new Tivo in our bedroom so I've been trying to set up the
old one downstairs and it's been a nightmare, so aggravating with all those
wires, etc. I'm about to throw the whole thing out...
It's been raining non-stop here. they said it rained almost the whole time
we were in CA too. We need the moisture, but it's hard to do anything
outside. Do you have a rainy season there? Or does it just rain every day
for a little bit?
Can't wait to see your pics. I sent Scott's letter to you and he had a
picture with it. Let me know if it all came through.
Dad has tithing settlement tonight and tomorrow night, so he'll be really
busy, plus he's working a lot of shifts at the end of this month to make up
for all the time he took off before. He's a hard working man.
Before I forget, here's Alex Erickson's email address. His little city
just now got high speed internet:
koppertop127@myldsmail.net
I'm anxious for the new year. It's very invigorating to me to set new
goals, start new projects, etc. Did you remember to write something down as
your gift for Christ this year? I just finished reading the BOM and
thoroughly enjoyed it this time. I learned so much and I feel so close to
the prophets of old and am amazed at their great faith. They were truly
vehicles for the Lord to work through.
Well, I've got to get dad's suit to him at the church. He's going there
straight from work. Wish you could send us some of your warmth. My hands
are freezing here. Sean heard from BYU that they will be making their
decision by Jan 15, so we have to wait some more. Alex is anxious to learn
how to fly his remote airplane and has already crashed it once, so he's at
Chase's playing, Kristina is busy playing with Maggie (as usual), she's
making Top Ramen right now, Leah & Nikki are getting their leftovers out of
the frige (from Panda Express) to eat for dinner and Barkley is barking at
the back door (I'm sure he's tired of the rain too). Same old, same old.
Take care of yourself, your companion and your new family in the DR. I love
you,
mom
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
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