Apr. 07 - May 07 letters to Kirk

April 3, 2007
Dear Elder Kirk,

Well, we're back to civilization now, good ole Eagle. San Antonio was a lot of fun, didn't even mind the humidity and we really enjoyed our little getaway. I'm going to send some vacation pix to you after I'm done writing.
How did you enjoy conference? Wasn't it good? I was really touched by the very first talk which was on prayer. I can't wait to read it again. Did you watch in Spanish?
I'm making sloppy joes right now for dinner, so I have a little time and thought I'd write. Alex is at a tennis match right now. It's an away match so we didn't go to it. Tomorrow he has one at home but I have cub scouts. We're making monkey bread with the boys tomorrow. Should be fun and tasty. Anyway, can't wait to hear how Alex does today. I think he's really enjoying playing tennis again.
We got back home last thursday. It was a long trip home, because our flight was delayed when we got to Denver, so we spent 7 hours in the Denver airport. I think we saw every shop and rode on every train there. We were very happy to finally get home around midnight.
Dad and I went over to our new building this morning and walked through it. It's supposed to be ready in just a couple weeks. It looks really nice. I like the wood flooring they used for the gym. It will seem weird to go to another building, but it will be fun too finding our way around. Dad's office is kind of small so I'm not so sure he's real excited to make the move. He likes his big office.
Kristina and Maggie are putting together an easter egg hunt in our backyard for this Saturday. They did one last year too so it's kind of a tradition now. Hope we have a good turnout.
Jason comes home in one week. Can't wait to see him.
Jill keeps me informed on how Alex is doing in Kentucky. He just got transferred and was glad he wasn't sent back to Louisville because he said it was kind of a scary place. He said he was in the "hood". :)
Last night for family night, dad took all of us to his hospital. I had to get my back x-rayed. It's been hurting for about 3 weeks now and I"m getting tired of it hurting so he thought we should take a look at it. Looks like one of my disks is kind of compressed and is pressing on some of my nerves which is causing the pain. It hurts when I sit. So hopefully with time it will begin to feel better or I might get a shot in my back which will make it feel better immediately. We'll see.
How is Abel doing as a new member? Does he have a calling yet? It's great that you got to confirm him. How about Lucito? Is he getting any closer to baptism?
It's interesting to hear about the changes in how you teach the lessons, etc. Tell us more about that.
This past week I've been making these cute scripture bags for the girls. I make them out of placemats. This will be the first Sunday the girls get to use them. They're very excited about it. Leah has to take her Bof M each week and is doing a lot better in reading it. Nikki can make out quite a few words too so they like having their own. I used to let Leah underline all the words like God, Jesus, Christ, Mormon, etc. she loved looking for those words so now I'm going to have Nikki do the same thing. I think I used to have you guys do that too.
Here are your missionary tips:
1. Don't be too hard on yourself and become depressed. that's what Satan wants.
2. Obey all customs and visa regulations.
3. When writing your parents, remember they like to know the nitty-gritty basic stuff. (Boy, is that true!!!!!)
4. Enjoy your companion while you can. A few days after transfers, you'll probably want him back.
5. You should still get up on time on P-day. But it's OK to take a nap shortly after you get up.

Well, better get back to the Sloppy Joes. What kind of meals do you like there? Tell us what some of your favorite things about the DR are. I hope you are well and living close to the spirit. Take care of yourself, Kirk, and remember how much we all love you. I really miss your great big smile, but I know the people there are enjoying being around you, so I know I must share you....

Love you much,
mom
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo


April 10, 2007
Dear Elder Kirk,
We're busy getting ready for the grandmas and grandpas to come this weekend and Charmaine for Sean's farewell. Sean will be riding home with Grandma and Grandpa Thompson. Some of Sean's friends will be coming from BYU too but they'll be staying with their own families. Can you believe it's already time for Sean to go? It seems like it came up sooooo fast.

We had a nice Easter. Dad only had meetings in the morning so he was home to have Easter dinner with us. We had the usual, ham, creamed corn, rolls, craisin salad and angel food cake with strawberries. It turns out that Sean had the exact same dinner only he ate at Carolina's. I guess we all tend to do the same things.

Dad took Kristina and Leah to the stake Easter concert. Alex's Sonous group sang at it too. I stayed home with Nikki and had a mommy date with her. She has been wanting to be alone with me and watch the food network for a long time, so that's what we did. She loved it. She loves to cook and she loves food, so it's a good channel for her.

Nikki got her report card today and it was really good. She's doing so well in school. I'm really proud of her. I've enrolled her in first grade at Eagle Elementary for next year. We'll see if they let her go. I hope so, she's ready.

Kristina has been working hard on getting her PACE project ready for presenting. You have to do an oral presentation in 5th grade, 8th grade and 12th grade now. I don't think you had to do that. It's a new thing. She's doing a report on Harriet Tubman. She did a practice run in front of some parents, and the parents had to review her and she got great comments so I think she's really ready.

Alex is getting ready to go to Pasco next week. He just got his hotel room assignments with his roommates and he says he's with the basses. I guess that's a good thing. Maybe he secretly wants to be a bass now. So far, he's still singing tenor and does really well. He's going to try out for a group that's going to Europe next year.

Jason comes home tomorrow. His family is really excited. His dad came over today and borrowed our video camera because their's isn't working.

Spring is trying to make its way here but just when the weather feels great, the next day it gets freezing cold again. You know how it goes here. So this week, we've been pretty cold again. I'm hoping it warms up for the guests this weekend.

I got a letter today from a family in Utah that say their son is a cousin to Nikki and Leah. She says that her son's birth mom is a sister to the girl's birth mom, so the girls have some cousins here in town. We might get to meet them sometime, so now our family is getting even bigger!!!

Well, how was your week? Are you still in the rainy season? How are the people of Moca? ARe you finding people to teach? I hope you had a successful and enjoyable week.

I'm back off the phone with Sean.

Next week, we'll let you know how everything went. It just seems like a short time ago that we had the family here for you. You've been such a wonderful example to our family. It really means a lot for the kids to see their big brother be so committed to the gospel and to so willingly serve a mission. Keep holding onto the rod (Nikki says there are really good, tiny peaches at the end of the iron rod, she told us that last night at family night. :)

I love you very much and think of you every day.
Take care. Love you,
mom
xoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxo



April 17, 2007
Dear Elder Kirk,
Well, we had quite a fun weekend. Grandma and Grandpa Trumbo and Thompson were both here. Steve and Carolina were going to come but Dakota was going to prom so they couldn't make it. On Friday, Sean came home from BYU with the Thompson's and Jared W. rode with them too. Saturday morning we all helped Alex with his Eagle project. He put together picnic benches for the new park that was just made in Eagle. 28 people came to help him which was great. The benches were so heavy and hard to move around, but with so much help they got done in about 2 1/2 hours. I picked up a bunch of pizzas and drinks for lunch. The girls thought it was great that it was at a park. The equipment there was really fun so they didn't mind being there at all.

Then Saturday night we had a little open house for Sean. All of his roommates and friends from BYU and even some from BYU-I came over as well as a lot of friends from around here. Bill and Nancy came over too. We had tons of food and had a lot of fun talking with everyone. Then the Campbells came including Jason. I gave him a big hug. He looks great, a little bigger and a little older. I told him he looked almost like a man now. It was kind of weird. But he still acted the same, kind of quiet. He's giving his report this coming Sunday and they're having a get-together at his house on Saturday night. Jason said to say hi. He's looking for a job now.

On Sunday we had a lot of friends and family show up for church too. Sean did an excellent job with his talk. He sounds so ready to be a missionary. You'd be proud of him. I, of course, was balling in the audience. I tried to keep it together and I hid my face so I wouldn't make dad cry too on the stand. I just felt so much joy in my heart and it just comes out through my eyes in the form of tears. It's a little overwhelming to think about having two of you out in the field at the same time.

G & G Thompson went home right after church and took Jared with them. G & G Trumbo stayed until Mon night, then flew home.

Aunt Maria has announced that she's getting married this summer on Aug 3. We met her boyfriend and we really like him. He's from Texas and his name is James. He's an officer in the air force. He really treats Maria well, so we're very hopeful for her and happy for her. We'll probably make the trip to CA for her wedding this summer.

I took Sean shopping today, mission shopping. We have question for you. Do you use your shoulder bag very much and if so, do you like it? I remember we bought it at Peterson's. Sean can either get one before he goes into the MTC or he can purchase the one they have there. I just don't remember you ever talking about yours. Also I couldn't remember if you have one suit or two. While we were out shopping, we ran into Monica Robertson. She was asking about you and wanted to know when you were coming home, how you were doing, etc. She works at Penney's and is going to culinary school in the fall. She isn't going to church right now, so we kind of talked about that. She really struggled when her parents got divorced. I hope she can get past that and come back. She's such a great girl.

So how has your week been? Have you been finding lots of people to teach? Hearing from some other missions, you don't realize how blessed you are to be in a place where the people are so friendly and willing to talk with you. I'm sure it's been a great blessing to you to be able to bear your testimony so often.

I forgot to tell you. We had this great hail storm today in the afternoon. All of a sudden it just started coming down. The hail was big and it came down so fast. Barkley was outside in the back 40 and you could see him looking around like someone was throwing things at him. It was pretty funny. So we went outside and yelled for him to come in. The girls and Sean and I all went out on the porch and watched it come down. I told the girls they could run through it to the swings and back. They thought that was pretty fun, but they said it hurt cuz it was hitting them. Anyway, that was our exciting weather story for the day.

Here's your tips for the week:
1. When conducting a baptismal interview, ask the baptismal candidate to say the opening prayer.
2. After the first discussion, ask the family if you can kneel down together for the closing prayer.
3. Record the best missionary folklore stories you hear in your journal. Some examples include disobedient missionaries being spotted at major sporting events and the Three Nephites coming to the aid of a companionship.
4. See if you can create a new missionary folklore story.
5. Always read a scripture before leaving a member's house. Mosiah 2:41 is a good one.

Tomorrow is another day of preparing for Sean's mission. Dad is home and we'll be out shopping and getting last minute things. If you think of anything helpful, let us know now. Sean is going to lunch with Bro. Shaw too. Alex is recording with the choir tomorrow night, then he leaves on Thurs for Pasco. On Friday Sean and I are flying to Provo because he has to take 2 more finals. I'm going to rent a car and I"ll go to the quilt stores down there while he's taking tests. We're going to spend Friday night with STeve and Carolina. Then we'll fly home again the next day. Kind of crazy around here.

I hope you're doing well and working well with your companions. I loved when you told Sean to rely on the Lord because that truly is the only way to accomplish this great work. He knows all of us, loves us and wants each of us to receive His message and then give His message to others. He knows the people in Moca and loves them very much. Remember to always look at the people you meet through His eyes. That what I did with the little girls when we first got them and I didn't know them at all. I always prayed that I would be able to see them as He sees them. That helped me to develop a deep love for them.

Take care and remember, we love you very much!!!!!
Love,
mom
xoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxo


April 24, 2007
Dear Elder Kirk,
An emotional week here as we help Sean get ready for his mission. It brings back all the sweet memories of helping you get ready and seeing how ready you already were. Last weekend Sean and I flew to SLC. I rented a car (a fun car, by the way, a Toyota Highlander Hybrid) and we sped to Provo where I dropped Sean off for his New Testament final. I went to Steve and Carolina's and we went out to dinner. Isaac came over later to discuss his new plans for his major. He wants to change his major to Advertising instead of Chinese. It was quite the discussion between he and his dad. Then I picked up Sean at his apartment where he said goodbye to Jared. Jared's mission call is waiting for him at his home here in Idaho and he has to wait until he gets back home to open it. We were trying to talk him into having it faxed to him like you did.

Sean and I stayed the night at Steve's and the next morning we went out to breakfast then I dropped Sean off at school again for his next final. Then I went shopping (quilt stores and the mall). I picked him up after the test and we headed back to the airport and flew home. A quick trip, but we got a lot accomplished.

Sunday, Jason reported his mission and he did an awesome job. I was so amazed at how much he has grown and matured. He's still the same Jason but you can tell he had so many wonderful experiences over the past two years that have made him a strong man in the gospel. I thought about you the whole time I was watching him speak and I was sad to think that Sean wouldn't be able to sit there with us as you report your mission. Maybe I'll record it for him.

Sunday night Sean went over to Sis. Transtrum's home and played the piano for her like he always did when he was her home teacher. The Kynaston's came over too and they loved it. It was a nice visit.

Then last night we went to the Stake President's office with the whole family and saw Sean set apart as a missionary. Pres. McCauley gave him such wise counsel. He had Sean make some commitments in front of us-that he would write to us every single week without fail, and he told him how when you write us then we can share in your mission with you and pray for the people by name that you are working with. Then he had him to commit to obey every rule of the mission and told him that there would be many rules and some would seem so picky, but that if he was obedient that the Lord would bless him and guide him and the spirit would lead him and that the rules would become like a fence around him where the spirit would always stay and if he chose to step outside that fence that he would be on his own without the help of the spirit. He also had Sean commit to write in his journal so that his sweet spiritual experiences and life lessons that he learns on his mission will always be there for him to look back upon and for his posterity to learn from. You think you will never forget some things, but I know from experience as I look back on my own journal entries that I've totally forgotten about some things, but when I read them they become fresh memories in my mind and everything about a particular experience comes back to me. Then he gave Sean a little rock to put in his bag to remind him of how many people were praying for him and reminded him that not only his family would be praying for him every morning and night and at every meal, but that in every temple all over the world, every 30 minutes there would be very special prayers given specifically for you missionaries. My heart was just so full thinking about both you and Sean and how strong you both are and what a powerful message you are taking into the world. Pres. McCauley reminded Sean that two things will change people's lives and bring conversion-the Book of Mormon and the spirit. You bring them the Book of Mormon and then you through the spirit bear testimony of its truthfulness and they will receive their own witness through the spirit.

Today we're doing the last minute packing, weighing the bags, etc and heading off to Grandma and Grandpa Thompson's after lunch. The little girls still have their picture of you in their room when you held them and said goodbye in the Albertson's parking lot. So now I will add a picture of Sean for their room too. I have been amazed at what a powerful influence your being on a mission has been in their lives.

I'm going to send some pix in another email. We haven't received your CD with your photos yet. I hope to get it soon. How has your week been? Is Dulce still coming along with the lessons? I will pray for her to be strong in keeping the word of wisdom. Also Lucito. Have Santiago and Dulce made any big decisions this week? I hope your week was full of wonderful experiences. Your letters are so fun to read. I can feel your zeal for the work through your words.

Our prayers are always with you. Have a great week and pray for Sean. You know better than anyone what his first week in the MTC will be like. I'll make sure that your letters get to each other since we've been told of the rule that you guys can only email to your parents now. Pres. McCauley said when Scott and Aimee were both out at the same time that his wife would forward their letters to each other and that they were such great supporters for each other boosting the other one up and cheering each other on. I look forward to having 2 missionaries in the field.

Take care and remember I love you,
mom
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxxoxoxoxoxoxo



May 1, 2007
Dear Elder Kirk,
Well, here I am with 2 sons on missions. I always knew this day would come. As soon as Sean was born I figured it out and knew you would both be gone for a little while at the same time. I also foolishly thought it would be easier sending Sean off since I had already done it with you. I was very wrong. I'm still a baby about it and can't hold back the tears. I was a mess in the MTC. You know how it went. I was so excited for him to be there, yet I was so overwhelmed with emotions of having him gone from our family for 2 years. You'll know how I feel when you have children of your own.

It was a very hectic last couple of days with Sean. He was running around trying to finish finals, get things cleaned out of his apartment, etc, etc. He was even taking a final 2 hours before he went into the MTC with the whole family around him since he was set apart and couldn't be alone. It was all kind of crazy and not very calm. Grandma and Grandpa Thompson and Charmaine came with us to eat lunch before he checked into the MTC. Then Charmaine took Leah and Nikki with her and the rest of us went into the MTC. It's still the same routine as when you went in. Sean got his tag and we took pix which I'll send for you to see. Then we went into one of the chapels, not the same one you were in. We watched Mormon ads for a half hour, then the meeting started. I held it all together until we had to hug good-bye. I really don't like good-byes. I know he'll be a great missionary and I'm very excited for him. After a long tight hug good-bye, l let him go. Because of your letters and experiences, it has really helped me have faith that he is in for a wonderful experience too. Thank you for leading the way so valiantly.

We got a short letter from him a few days later letting us know he was well and that things were going well and that he had already learned to pray in Spanish. He said something about a new computer program they are using that is really helpful. I hope to hear more about what that is. Since he can't email, I'll try to let each of you know what the other is doing and saying.

We got your CD yesterday and what a fun surprise! I loved it. We all did. Especially the movies. They are priceless and you are going to love having them when you get older. Your kids will laugh at the funny things you did on your mission. We love watching your singing and guitar rendition. Alex said he can't even picture you doing that. I love the pictures you've taken too. You really have a good eye for photography and have really captured the flavor of the DR. I love the flowers, the sunsets, the iron gates (some of them give me some ideas for quilt patterns), the families you've met, the storms, the crowds of people on the streets, the bugs, etc. Keep up the great picture taking and we can't wait to hear the stories about them.

I just got back from watching Alex play in a tennis match. He easily won. In fact, when he played Sean who has been taking a tennis class at BYU, Alex won him too. Watch out. He's playing in the district playoffs this Friday and should win.

Leah and Nikki are getting ready for their ballet recital. We're going to buy a new video camera, the kind that has a hard drive and no tapes. I need to be ready for their recital because it will be so fun to see them dancing. I can't imagine them doing ballet, so this ought to be great. Leah is trying to learn about money and is struggling a bit. I'll have to think of some fun games with money this summer so she can grasp the concept. Nikki had field day today and dad and I dropped in to see her there. She had a fun time but said when she had to run 2 laps, she almost couldn't do it because it was sooo hard. Nikki's not known for her running skills. She's known for her brute strength and is constantly trying to pick everyone up to show them how strong she is.

Kristina is getting ready for a piano recital where she will be judged. Also her band "Blush" will be performing in a battle of the bands. She's getting good on the drums.

Dad is at the church tonight cleaning out his office and the clerk's office and getting ready to change to the new building. that will probably be a little weird for you to come home to a new building, but it's a nice change for us.

I'm getting ready to go back to Utah on Thursday. Seems like I've been going there every week now. I'm flying down to help Aunt Jan with a spring market to showcase her new line of apron patterns. It just happens to be a quilt spring market, so I have an extra edge there and know most the names of the companies and designers who will be there, so I'm going to help Jan know which places will be good for her product, etc. It's at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake and companies will be coming from all around the world, so I'm pretty excited about it and I know Jan's patterns will do well. She's worked very hard on them and they are cute, unique and very professional looking. I'm hoping she makes tons of money this weekend. I'll let you know.

How was your week? We sure were thinking and talking about you a lot this week. Being back at the MTC brought back all those fond memories and getting your CD. How are your families that you've been teaching? I've just been thinking and praying about you a lot this week and hope you've been having success in your labors. It's obvious you have a love of the people around you and sincerely care about their welfare and well being. Keep that up and the Lord will continue to bless your efforts. Continue being an example of righteousness, let others see your light and honor the great power of the priesthood that you hold. Repent daily and remember your covenants.

Let me know what the plans are for my Mother's Day call. Can't wait to hear from you. Our new mtg time on Sunday is 1pm to 4pm MST. I think we're 2 hours behind you. Dad should be home after 4:30pm that day. (208)938-8838 in case you've forgotten :)

Have a great week. Can't wait to hear how your week has been.
I love you,
mom
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxox

May 8, 2007
Dear Elder Kirk,
How are you doing? How's the work going? In your last letter you were talking about some of your investigators like Andres. Has he been able to completely give up smoking yet? I can't imagine how hard that must be.

sounds like your Zone Conferences are always so uplifting. You can see how important it is to fill your lamp with oil too and get replenished with the spirit because you are giving and giving so much each week. Can't you see the wisdom in the Lord asking us to meet together at church once a week. We need it.

I can't remember if I gave you Sean's address last time. Here it is:
Elder Sean Thompson
MTC Mailbox #279
ARG-COR 0625
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, UT 84604-1793

Sean also asked for your dearelder address. We got a nice long letter from him yesterday. He sounds like he's in the swing of things now. He said the first few days were very long but now it's going by fast. I remember you felt the same way. He's already tired of the food though. He says the Spanish is coming along great and he has 6 verb tenses down. They're using a new computer program called TALL(tech assisted language learning). He says he really likes it. did you use that? Jonny Stevens is in his district too. Another one in his district will be coming your way-Elder Messenger from New Mexico. Sounds like Sean's enjoying his time there. Wish we could forward his letters to you. When he gets out in the field and emails, we'll do that. For now I just have to condense. He also bore his testimony in Spanish. Some other things he enjoys about the MTC are Sundays. He said they truly are days of rest. He also loves singing the prelude hymns before the meeting starts. He went to the TRC and taught his first lesson in English and he's spent some time in the RC(referral center). He says he likes gym and he got a black eye to prove it. Wish we could see it!

So here at home all is well. I was in Utah once again last week. I helped Aunt Jan and boy did she do well. She got tons of orders and got asked to do lots of other things like make a book, design a fabric line, etc. It was a lot of fun being there and seeing the business side of the quilt and fabric world. It was quite the wheeling/dealing place. Everyone was making deals. They want me to make some quilt patterns for the next show which is in Oct in Houston. So we'll see. I stayed at the Plaza Hotel which is across the street from the Salt Palace and it's owned by the church. I enjoyed being so close and I could see the temple from my window-that was the best part.

Well, we met in our new building. It was kind of like we were visiting in another ward somewhere. The chapel seems more spacious and it's weird cuz the priests sit on the other side now. The RS room was nicer. The gym is also pretty nice. The 8th ward meets there at 9am, then the singles ward meets there at 11 and we come in at 1 pm. The kids thought they were going to die since they had to fast so long. :) Leah says she wishes she could fast. I don't think she knows what she's asking for.

I talked with Bro and Sis Teuscher last week and they were asking about you. They said in their mission in Australia they got to work with the young elders and it was so fun to see how hard they worked and how dedicated they were to the gospel. She also said a few young men got sent home cuz they were abusing their internet privileges. So just be careful about that. I'm not sure what abusing it means, but just be strict with yourself and stick to the rules. (Can't help giving mommy advice-sorry) That reminds me-we can see the shutterfly pix just fine, but we can't print them out, only you can and they have to be ordered. So I think for now, just send us pix through the email like you have been, that way you won't use up your time trying to put pix in shutterfly. We're able to get your pix out of the emails and put them into a folder in iPhoto.

Jill Erickson saw your pix and said she really wants her sons to go to a mission like yours. She was so amazed at the poverty, the bright colors, the people, the jungle, etc. Oliver is kind of struggling right now and hasn't made up his mind whether he is going on a mission or not. He's moved back home for the summer. The hard thing is that Chase and Oliver do everything together and Jill is sure that if Oliver goes on a mission Chase will and if he doesn't, Chase won't. Eli says he's going on a mission no matter what. He reminds me so much of his older brother Alex.

I'm so excited for you to call this week. So I probably shouldn't talk about too many things now so we can save it for our phone call. I can't believe it will be the last one. Time has flown by in some ways and in other ways it's been soooo long. I can't believe how fun it is being part of your mission, waiting for your letters each week and hearing how strong your testimony is. The Lord is truly blessing you for your faithfulness and your desire to do His will. I know you must feel that too. Remember each day that our prayers are with you, your companion and the people you are teaching. I love you very much and want you to be happy and to feel true joy in your life. Serving others brings that feeling.

Let us know if there's anything you need. Til Sunday........
Love you,
mom
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxxoxoxoxo


May 15, 2007
Dear Elder Kirk,
It was so great hearing your voice on Sunday. I hope you enjoy calling home as much as we enjoy hearing from you. It was the highlight of my day.

I'm so sorry that I forgot until noon on Monday to put the extra money into your acct. I hope it didn't mess you up too much. I can't believe I forgot, but it's there for you now when you get a chance to buy a camera.

So are you still in Moca? Can't wait to hear. I know it's probably hard to leave people you've been teaching.

We got a letter from Sean yesterday. He's doing well with Spanish, now he knows 8 verb tenses now and he said it's a zone record. He told us all about everyone in his zone. The elder that's coming to your mission reminds him of Bro. Purnell except he's 100 pounds heavier. I can't really imagine that. Also he said starting next week, he gets to email from the MTC, so we'll just forward those letters to you too.

We're getting ready for Bro. Lemke to come to our house tomorrow. Remember him from Hilton Head. He's still our accountant and he's coming here to help dad with his audit. He'll be with us for a couple days and it will be fun to see him and find out how he's been doing. AFter he left HHI, he went to law school. So now's he's a CPA, has an MBA and is an attorney.

Dad's at the church since it's Tues night. He said he's making some big changes in the ward, so we'll have to see what happens. This Sunday night we're having an open house for the new building and the whole community is invited. Each auxilliary is going to set up a room so people can see what we're all about. Also we'll have a choir singing in the chapel the whole time too. Alex and I are in that. There's a primary chorus that will perform too and all 3 girls are in that. I hope we get a good community turn out for it.

I've been talking with all the missionary moms and we all enjoyed our phone calls. Alex Erickson called quite a few times because the Erickson's phone kept dying and they had to let it re-charge. Jodie said Travis sounded great, not a big talker but he said he's really enjoying his mission and he's working hard. She forwarded a picture he sent her of chicken foot soup which they eat a lot in Jamaica. It looked like dead fingers floating in the soup. Travis says he likes it.

Here are some tips for this week since not much has happened since we spoke:
1. Believe your beliefs and doubt your doubts.
2. Be honest in your letter to your parents.
3. Never criticize another church or denomination.
4. Elders and sisters should keep their relationship on a professional level at all times.
5. Create a visual Plan of Salvation chart for the fourth discussion. If you have a layout from the premortal life to the three degrees of glory, your investigators will understand it more easily.
6. Hold an ugly tie contest.

I'm re-reading one of the my favorite church books-Spiritual Plateaus. It talks about people becoming converted. First and most easily they gain a testimony of the restoration. But after a testimony you must keep growing, so the next step is sanctification and that takes the work, attending church, the temple, holding callings, devoting yourself to the building of the kingdom. The third step is called spiritual graduate school where you can enjoy mysteries, miracles and signs and their appropriate role in spiritual development. I love reading it again. It's very motivating.

That's about it for me. I'm almost done with another quilt, just working on the border. Quilting is my sanity. If I don't quilt for a while, I might start to go crazy. There's something in me that always wants to be creating, designing, etc. I love it. I never get bored with it.

Well, I hope you are doing well this week and enjoying the work. I miss you like crazy, but I know the Lord needs you where you are. Keep up the great work. Can't wait to hear from you.

Love you,
mom
xoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxooxoxoxoox


May 22, 2007
Dear Elder Kirk,
So how was your week? How's your new camera? Is it working ok for you? We haven't got a battery yet for it. We'll probably get that this week and then send it out with some other things.

It 's great that you're staying in Moca for a while longer. Your Zone leaders sound like they're very motivational. You've set some great goals for your area and I've been praying for your success there. How has your teaching been going? You never talk about a District. Do you guys have districts too or just zones.

Dad and Alex went on the Father/Sons campout this past weekend. They slept in the white van. Some camping, huh? They said it was fun and dad said they had this big tug-o-war-men versus boys. He said the boys won all three times. He couldn't believe it. I took the girls and Maggie all to Costco for the evening. We feasted on all the testers, which was a big hit and then we had pizza there.

Sunday I went to Garrett Frame's farewell. He was one of Sean's roommates. It was a really nice meeting. He goes into the MTC tomorrow morning, so I gave him a big hug and told him to give it Sean when he sees him. In our ward, all the seniors spoke. I always enjoy it when the seniors speak. Then that night we had the community-invited Open House for our new building. I don't know if a lot of the community came, but I picked up our neighbor Gigi Burke and her daughter Amanda. They had a good time there and we stayed til the very end.

Last Friday Sean actually emailed us from the MTC. That as the first week they had email. They only get 30 minutes each, so he only had time to get a quick letter off to us. I asked him to keep handwriting us and that I would forward his email to everyone, so that's the letter you'll see from him. We got a handwritten letter from him yesterday and it was much more personal. He's really doing well and enjoying speaking Spanish and learning Spanish. With his new calling, he's already gotten called out in the middle of the night where he had to give a blessing to one of the hermanas. So I'm sure he's keeping busy in more ways than one.

Today Leah and Nikki had their first ballet recital. It was kind of a practice dance before the big dance. They performed for a nursing home. They looked so cute. They have Chinese outfits and I had to put their hair up in a tight bun and draw eye liner up from their eyes to make them look more oriental. They did a good job. Then we had to race from that over to Nikki's school where she had her kindergarten graduation program. She quickly changed clothes in the car. It was a cute program and she got a little diploma. I sure hope they let her in 1st grade next year. We'll see. Tonight she had a hard time getting to sleep and kept crying saying she was going to miss her kindergarten friends. She's very dramatic sometimes, so I held her for a while until she felt better.

On Saturday we went to an awards program for Kristina's piano festival. She got 2nd place in her division and got another trophy to put on her shelf. She enjoys playing both the piano and the drums. Her band didn't place, but she didn't feel badly about that.

Here are some missionary tips for the week:
1. Pick one General Conference address every two weeks and study it thoroughly.
2. Never, ever haze or initiate new missionaries. The missionary force is a brotherhood and sisterhood, not a fraternity or sorority.
3. Don't be afraid to say a prayer when visiting a less-active member.
4. Whenever you obey the advice given by the mission president's wife at zone conference, great blessings will follow.
5. During personal study time, share your insights with your companion.
6. Remember, even on P-days people know you're a missionary. Don't embarrass yourself, your parents, the mission or the Church in your choice of activities.

Dad is at work tonight. He said to say hi. I hope you're busy, busy teaching people this week. Remember to help out in your ward whatever way you can and ask always if there's anything you can do to help them. The missionaries bring such a great spirit wherever they go, wherever they help out. Have a great week, Kirk, and let the Lord know you're ready and able to do His will in Moca. He will use you as a great instrument to get His work accomplished.

Be true!
Love you and miss you,
mom
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxxoxo


29 May 2007
Dear Elder Kirk,
It's so hard to believe it's turned into summer already. We're supposed to get temperatures in the mid-90's by the end of this week. I really don't want that. I'm enjoying the spring weather. Hopefully, it will just be a short heat wave and be gone next week.

We got a letter from Sean today. We get to hear from him twice a week. He sends an email on Friday and that's the letter we forward to his friends and family. Then he sends us a handwritten letter which we usually get the first of the week. Sounds like he's doing well. He says a missionary from his mission said he'll need two backpacks down there. One like the one he has now and one for tracting-which supposedly is a smaller bag. So I guess we'll look for one. Sounds like he really enjoys talking with people at the RC too.

Dad took the senior guys up to Alma Academy this morning. He was just leaving the camp to come home when he got a call to go back because Cory Campbell had fallen and broken his collar bone. So dad brought Cory home and he's going to have surgery tomorrow morning. I feel sad for him because he was part of the Alma presidency too. Dad goes back up tomorrow afternoon and will spend the rest of the day and leave after the testimony meeting. Alex is getting excited to go to Helaman. It will be his first year for academies. He says it's the year they'll shave his head. I can still remember being so shocked when you walked in the door from the academy the year you got your head shaved. At least may I'll be a little more prepared to see Alex that way.

This past week we have been busy with end of the year things. Alex had his choir concert. Their group is so good this year. Choir just keeps getting bigger and bigger because of it's great reputation. On Saturday they had the last of the stake basketball tournament. Our ward took the grand prize. Alex did a great job and was high scorer in their first game. Kristina had her end of the year music program at school and I was really impressed with what their music teacher did. The songs were great and Kristina danced the square dance in one of the numbers. Friday night was Leah and Nikki's big ballet performance at Eagle High. They did a great job, we got it all on film. You'll be impressed at how far they've come. Leah says she wants to do karate now. We'll see. Nikki still wants to do ballet. Her cute thighs are so big though that she keeps ripping her tights. :)

Last night we had a b-b-q at our house for Memorial Day. We had the Hugentoblers, Ericksons, Kents, Leifsons and Poulsons over. there were so many kids all playing in the backyard. It was fun. They played Red Rover, Poison Stump, trampoline games, the number game (which I learned at the Academies) and there was plenty of food. I took Jodie and Melanie Hugentobler home in the Mustang which they thought was a lot of fun. We were like 3 girls out cruising the streets and laughing.

Alex is going to be trying out for a choir that will tour Europe next summer. He thinks you should go with them as a chaperone.

I've got my quilt group tomorrow which I always look forward to, then I've got to start thinking of things for the kids to be involved with for the summer. I've got some ideas. So far I've only signed up Kristina for a science camp which she's looking forward to.

By the way, I got a new debit card for you in the mail the other day, so that means that yours is going to expire soon. I think you have to the end of June with the card that you have. I called the bank and ordered a visa/debit card for you, that way you can use it either way just in case. But I won't get it for about 10 days and then I'll stick it immediately in the mail to you. I'm kind of nervous sending it in the mail, so as soon as you get it, let us know. I'll activate it before I send it to you so it will be ready to use. Hopefully there won't be any delays and you'll have it before the end of June.

So how has the work been going? It sounded like a good idea to drop some of your investigators who weren't really serious about things. You've taught them and worked with them and now it's up to them to change and come to church. I hope you've been able to find some new families to teach. Be prayerful and humble and you'll be led to them wherever they are.

Here are some tips this week:
1. When time rolls around for mission skits, use Church videos as the premise, but change the plot.
2. Try to visit everyone on the branch or ward list, even though you may be told that certain families "aren't worth it."
3. Humor should never degrade.
4. Make sure you write legibly enough in your journal and in letters home that a Urim and Thummim will not be needed to translate.
5. Act on all impressions to do good. (I love that one).

By the way, I'd love to get another handwritten letter from you. I'll do the same for you.

Let's see...a few people I've seen lately have said to say hi to you. Scott McCauley, who is getting ready to get married in about a month. His fiance is now living in our ward and they'll both be in our ward for the summer so that will be fun. Also at Alex's concert, Derek (sorry, can't remember his last name, the one who just got married to the Tieg's girl, came up and asked about you, wanted to know when you'll be home and said to say hi. He and his wife are expecting a baby at the end of the year. The Kjar's were asking about you as well as the Stafford's.

We're all well here. Oh yeah, I ran over Barkley's paw on the way to church on Sunday. It was the most horrible sound to be backing up and hear him get hit and cry out like that. I didn't know if he was mangled under the car or what. I jumped out and looked for him under the car, but he had hobbled away by the garage door. I went over to him and he was sitting there holding his left front paw out at me and crying. I felt so bad... I stayed with him for a little bit and examined his paw. I could see the tire marks where I must have run it over. There was a little blood, but not much so I decided to go to church. I worried about him the whole time. After sacrament I quickly went into the Primary to help Nikki give the motto then I went home to check on him. He was still sitting where I left him, but he hobbled over to me and I let him in the house. I stayed with him for a while and made sure he was okay before I went back. By the time we got back from church, he was walking just fine on his leg. I'm so happy. I'm extra careful coming in and out of the driveway now. I think he's pretty careful about not sitting near the garage doors now too. I don't know how it was for him, but it was pretty traumatic for me!

Well, it's late now so I better get to bed. I'm excited to hear from you tomorrow. Work hard and endure in Moca. It sounds like it's one of your more challenging areas. Our prayers are with you always. Remember obey with exactness and be an example of a man of God wherever you go.

I love you,
mom
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoox